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
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2011
Suspension
TSB 10-2-13. I HAVE INNER REAR TIRE WEAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT (THIS LIKELY EXISTED WHEN PURCHASED NEW). THERE IS A TSB THAT TALKS ABOUT SOME CARS WITH RR NEGATIVE CAMBER, (WHICH MY CAR DOES HAVE), AND ALSO TALKS ABOUT HOW TO MODIFY THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DANGER IN THIS DEFECT IS A BLOWOUT OF A TIRE …
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TSB 10-2-13. I HAVE INNER REAR TIRE WEAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT (THIS LIKELY EXISTED WHEN PURCHASED NEW). THERE IS A TSB THAT TALKS ABOUT SOME CARS WITH RR NEGATIVE CAMBER, (WHICH MY CAR DOES HAVE), AND ALSO TALKS ABOUT HOW TO MODIFY THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DANGER IN THIS DEFECT IS A BLOWOUT OF A TIRE OR TIRES WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS IMMACULATE. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT GIVEN HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE COMMENTING IT ON-LINE VIA FORUMS. ALSO, THERE IS A TSB ON IT, SO FORD IS AWARE OF IT. EVEN THOUGH THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT SINCE IT IS A DEFECT, THEY WON'T. FORD, EVEN WITH ALL THEIR HYPE ON QUALITY AND SAFETY AS JOB ONE, ARE JUST A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES. THEY ACT ONLY WHEN FORCED TO DO SO BY YOU FOLKS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. I'M OLD SCHOOL. IT'S ALL ABOUT INTEGRITY FOR ME. WHY DO YOU THINK FORD STILL LIVES UP TO THEIR REPUTATION AS FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKES SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK IT FOR FORD AND THEY WOULD NOT OWN UP TO IT UNTIL I COMPLAINED TO YOU FOLKS LIKE MANY OTHER DID AND THEY FINALLY REIMBURSED US BECAUSE OF YOUR INTERVENTION. AGAIN, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING! JUST A BUNCH OF THUGS. WHERE IS ELLIOT NESS WHEN YOU NEED HIM! 02/15/10. SUSPENSION - REAR TIRE INNER EDGE WEAR FORD: 2005-2007 FIVE HUNDRED, FREESTYLE, 2008-2009 TAURUS X, TAURUS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429455
90,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
NOT SURE THE EXACT TIME BUT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR SO MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ( PURCHASED NEW) IS GOING INTO FAILSAFE MODE LIMITED THROTTLE POWER, VERY SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT NOW HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. IF YOU PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT CLEARS AND DRIVES NORMAL. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY AND IT HAP…
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NOT SURE THE EXACT TIME BUT WITHIN THE PAST YEAR OR SO MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ( PURCHASED NEW) IS GOING INTO FAILSAFE MODE LIMITED THROTTLE POWER, VERY SPORADIC AT FIRST BUT NOW HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. IF YOU PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT CLEARS AND DRIVES NORMAL. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT YESTERDAY AND IT HAPPENED 7 TIMES FROM MALL TO THE HOUSE (ABOUT 20 MILES). ONCE WHILE SHE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DRIVING ABOUT 55 MPH. CAR JERKED THEN STARTED SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT. VERY DANGEROUS. MY MECHANIC IS TROUBLE SHOOTING PROBLEM, LOOKING LIKE THROTTLE BODY OR GAS PEDAL. I BELIEVE FORD CAME OUT WITH A NEW THROTTLE BODY IN 2010 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM (TSB 05-25-13)BUT WILL ONLY REPLACE IT AT THEIR COST IF STILL UNDER WARRANTY, OTHERWISE THE COST IS ON US THE CONSUMER. (ABOUT A THOUSAND DOLLARS). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428013
103,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Equipment
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIRE JACK THAT CAME EQUIPPED WITH THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE JACK COLLAPSED WHILE IN USE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL. THERE WAS NO PERSONAL INJURY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA ODI #10426398
91,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Exterior Lighting
05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED, AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHTS STAYED ON, SPEED FLUCTUATION UPWARD RAPIDLY WHEN TAKE OFF CAUSING VERY UNSAFE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425272
36,000 miles · Sep 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXPECTANTLY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED EXPECTANTLY DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS NEEDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,500.
NHTSA ODI #10425231
66,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Wheels
FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL STUDS SNAP. MECHANICS NOTE- FAULTY PARTS HE COULD NOT FIND ANY SIGNS OF OVER TIGHTENING FROM THE TIRE COMPANY WHICH REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES OVER 1 YEAR AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424693
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2011
Power TrainStructureSuspension
THE VEHICLE LUNGES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND CONTINUES TO DO SO WHILE WAITING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS! IT ALSO DOES THIS WHILE TRYING TO PARK MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PARK NEAR ANYTHING! I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM STATING IT IS A THROTT…
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THE VEHICLE LUNGES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND CONTINUES TO DO SO WHILE WAITING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS! IT ALSO DOES THIS WHILE TRYING TO PARK MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PARK NEAR ANYTHING! I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM STATING IT IS A THROTTLE BODY DEFECT THAT COSTS AT LOWEST $700.00 TO REPAIR. FRONT SUSPENSION IS SHOT ALREADY WITH LOUD CLUNKING NOISES, VERY ROUGH RIDE! REAR DOORS FILL WITH WATER WHICH WILL RESULT IN RUST HOLES! ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423835
27,000 miles · Sep 5, 2011
Electrical System
DASHBOARD HAS BEEN ERRATIC, COMPLETELY BLANK.
NHTSA ODI #10424791
115,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN THE WEATHER WAS WARM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422937
95,782 miles · Aug 31, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I UNFORTUNATELY OWN A 05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 95,784 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS MY FOOT HITTING THE GAS WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THEN I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD BUT IT IN GEAR IT WOULD TRY TO TAKE OFF ON IT'S OWN. I FINALLY HAD ENOUGH JUST LAST NIGHT I WAS…
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I UNFORTUNATELY OWN A 05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 95,784 MILES ON IT. THE PROBLEM STARTED HAPPENING ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND AT FIRST I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS MY FOOT HITTING THE GAS WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THEN I NOTICED WHEN I WOULD BUT IT IN GEAR IT WOULD TRY TO TAKE OFF ON IT'S OWN. I FINALLY HAD ENOUGH JUST LAST NIGHT I WAS IN A DRIVE THRU LINE AND I PUT IT IN DRIVE FROM NEUTRAL AND I CAME INCHES FROM REAR ENDED THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME. TODAY I'M TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED HOPEFULLY. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO PAYING A $1000 DOLLARS FOR A COMMON PROBLEM. WELL FORD YOU LOST ME AS A BUYER. *TR
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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