Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
7625–50K
8750–75K
8875–100K
79100–150K
49150K+
443 reports with mileage · 67 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Power Train. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 95 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
20 crash reports6 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
510 reports
33,850 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY WENT DARK AND/OR GAUGES WENT TO ZERO/OFF POSITIONS, WE PULLED OVER TO SEE IF EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED AND ALL DID, AS WELL AS BLINKERS AND FLASHERS, BUT WE NOTED THAT REVERSE LIGHTS WERE NOW ON. IT HAS RECURRED A FEW TIMES, ITS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER DARK AS DASH LIGHTS GO BLACK. ONLY LIGHT ON DA…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY WENT DARK AND/OR GAUGES WENT TO ZERO/OFF POSITIONS, WE PULLED OVER TO SEE IF EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED AND ALL DID, AS WELL AS BLINKERS AND FLASHERS, BUT WE NOTED THAT REVERSE LIGHTS WERE NOW ON. IT HAS RECURRED A FEW TIMES, ITS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER DARK AS DASH LIGHTS GO BLACK. ONLY LIGHT ON DASH WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I WENT ONLINE & FOUND INFO ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN "TSB 06-17-9 09/04/06 - INTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER", IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECALL ITEM SO ASSUMING ANY REPAIRS ARE ENTIRELY OWNER COST ? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576613
129,928 miles · Mar 2, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER SERVICE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN PE11018 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IRREGULARLY AND THEN IT PLACED ITSELF INTO "FAIL SAFE" MODE AND ILLUMINATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTRO…
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APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER SERVICE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN PE11018 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IRREGULARLY AND THEN IT PLACED ITSELF INTO "FAIL SAFE" MODE AND ILLUMINATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL WAS AT FAULT BUT WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERVICE THEY PERFORMED ON THE SAME COMPONENT JUST WEEKS EARLIER. DEALER CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY ALSO CLAIMED THE TWO WERE NOT RELATED REGARDLESS OF THE SIMILAR CLAIMS FOUND ONLINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566671
Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2014
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS FAILED TO LATCH DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS FAILED TO LATCH DURING EXTREMELY COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REMEDY REPAIR HAD NEVER BEEN PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 02/24/14*LJ THE DEALER REPLACED THE LATCHES, AT NO CHARGE. UPDATED 02/25/14
NHTSA ODI #10561255
30,000 miles · Jan 18, 2014
Power TrainStructureCrash
I HAVE TAKEN MY 2005 FORD 500 TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SO MANY TIMES I CAN NOT COUNT FOR THE SAME RECURRING ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE ALWAYS LUNGES WHEN I PUT IN GEAR IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD STRIKING A PARKED CAR THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT. I PAID FOR ALL DAMAGE CAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CLAIM NEW CAR ON MY INSURANCE.…
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I HAVE TAKEN MY 2005 FORD 500 TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SO MANY TIMES I CAN NOT COUNT FOR THE SAME RECURRING ISSUES. THIS VEHICLE ALWAYS LUNGES WHEN I PUT IN GEAR IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD STRIKING A PARKED CAR THE FIRST WEEK I GOT IT. I PAID FOR ALL DAMAGE CAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO CLAIM NEW CAR ON MY INSURANCE. WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY ENGINE STARTS TO DECELERATE WHILE TRYING TO PASS CAR OR CHANGE LANES..BIG PROBLEM IN TRAFFIC..HAVE TO FLOOR IT TILL IT KICKS INTO GEAR. DANGEROUS. THEN, EVERYTIME IT RAINS, ALL 4 DOORS FILL WITH WATER..I HAVE TO LIFT UP RUBBER AT THE BOTTOM..CLEAR THE HOLES..WAIT FOR 5 MINUTES EACH DOOR. EVERY WINTER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH FREEZES UP AND I CAN'T CLOSE THE DOOR..I THOUGHT THEY DEALER FIXED THE DOOR LATCH DUE TO A SAFETY RECALL..THAT IS NOT THE CASE..SEVERAL TIMES, I HAVE HAD TO DRIVE TO WORK 15 MINUTES HOLDING THE DOOR SHUT WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.DANGEROUS. I HAVE HAD IT LUBED WITH SEVERAL PRODUCTS, DOESN'T WORK..THE SERVICE MANAGER AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SHOWED ME HOW TO HOLD THE DOOR HANDLE OPEN WHILE USING A SCREWDRIVER TO FREE THE LATCH..HANDY LITTLE TRICK. I KEEP SILICONE LUBE SPRAY, SCREWDRIVER, PLIERS, AND A JUMPER BOX IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES.I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. MANY TIMES..ALWAYS GOT RUN AROUND AND NO STRAIGHT ANSWERS. FINALLY LAST WEEK AFTER CALLING 5 TIMES, I WAS TRANSFERRED TO A SUPERVISOR THAT EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE OTHER 10 TIMES I CALLED.NO COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND INFORMED ME ON THE COMPLAINT PROCESS..I JUST PURCHASED A NEW TAURUS AND AM HOPING TO LET MY SON USE THE 500 TO DRIVE TO COLLEGE DAILY..I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY IN THIS CAR..SO UNLESS THESE ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED AND CORRECTED, I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO..I HAVE PUT A LOT MONEY INTO THIS CAR.WHAT HAPPEN TO THE LEMON LAW. THIS CAR IS A LEMON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560463
55,000 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 40 MPH . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION BUT A CLEAR DIAGNOSIS WAS NOT GIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
NHTSA ODI #10560355
50 miles · Jan 15, 2014
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT THE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT CATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE SPRAYED WITH A SOLUTION TO LOOSEN IT. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S DOOR BUT THE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT CATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE SPRAYED WITH A SOLUTION TO LOOSEN IT. THE DEALER THEN STATED THAT THE LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10560016
94,903 miles · Nov 12, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE-HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE-HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,903. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,797. UPDATED 12/24/13*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10551875
157,000 miles · Nov 9, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND TRIED TO TAKE OFF IT STALLED OUT AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551609
75,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIMMED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10551388
51,000 miles · Nov 6, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SERVICE NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A THROTTLE BODY REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND ROUTINE SERVICE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE L…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SERVICE NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT A THROTTLE BODY REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND ROUTINE SERVICE. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO IDLE AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 01/07/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DURING THE TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. THE TECH RESET THE LIGHT AND RETURNED THE VEHICLE. N THE WAY HOME THE VEHICLE WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AGAIN ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. UPDATED 01/22/2014 *JS
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE11018 · Idle Instability
Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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