NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reports136,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Electrical System
WE HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, EVEN AS IT WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED LUNGING AND HESITATING IN ADDITION TO NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION; THANKFULLY…
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WE HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. TWO DAYS AGO, THE CAR FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS PRESSED, EVEN AS IT WAS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STARTED LUNGING AND HESITATING IN ADDITION TO NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION; THANKFULLY, I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN OUT OF TRAFFIC. A DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER PROVIDED TWO CODES - P2106 AND P061B. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS LUNGED; IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR APPROXIMATELY 1.5 YEARS. IT HAS REPEATED THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. IN MOST INSTANCES, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING AT THE SAME TIME; HOWEVER, THE CAR HAS LUNGED WHEN THE A/C WAS NOT ON. THE LUNGING OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS BEING DRIVEN OR SITTING IDLE (I.E., STOP LIGHTS, PREPARING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC). I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID ACCIDENTS BY KEEPING MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND BY CREATING A LARGE STOPPING DISTANCE CUSHION. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WERE TOLD THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED REPLACED, AT A COST OF OVER $530.00. WE ARE NOW REVIEWING OUR OPTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415128
233,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE THE WRENCH LIGHT UP ON THE DASH BOARD AND IT SAID ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE IN THE MESSAGE CENTRE? THIS STARTED HAPPENING TO ME A FEW WEEKS AGO FROM TIME TO TIME. NO WARNING, I JUST ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT AND I NOTICE I HAVE NO POWER, I LOOK DOWN AND SURE ENOUGH - WRENCH IS LIT AND ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. I PULL OVER, T…
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I HAVE THE WRENCH LIGHT UP ON THE DASH BOARD AND IT SAID ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE IN THE MESSAGE CENTRE? THIS STARTED HAPPENING TO ME A FEW WEEKS AGO FROM TIME TO TIME. NO WARNING, I JUST ACCELERATE FROM A RED LIGHT AND I NOTICE I HAVE NO POWER, I LOOK DOWN AND SURE ENOUGH - WRENCH IS LIT AND ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. I PULL OVER, TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN THE PROBLEM IS GONE WHEN I START AGAIN. I COULDN'T FIND ANY SPECIFIC INFO ON WHAT IS CAUSING THIS AROUND THE 'NET - AND EVEN THE MANUAL SAYS, IF IT IS PERSISTS, TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. IT HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES, BUT THIS TIME IT SEEMED THE RPM'S WERE REVVING WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE SO NOTHING HAPPENED, BUT DID IT A FEW TIMES, SO I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER LAST WEEK. THEY RAN SOME DIAGNOSTICS AND ULTIMATELY SAID THEY REPAIRED A VACUUM HOSE AT MY AIRBOX. OK, SURE, WHATEVER. NEXT TWO DAYS, NO PROBLEM. THE THIRD DAY, HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS TIME, I WAS GOING INTO AN UNDERGROUND PARKING SPOT AND IT STARTED REVVING AND I ENDED UP (VERY LIGHTLY) HITTING THE WALL AS IT LURCHED FORWARD. WHEN I WENT TO LEAVE THE SPOT - IN REVERSE - HAPPENED AGAIN - ALMOST HIT THE PARKED CAR BEHIND, AS IT LURCHED. SO TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS MORNING - AND THE SERVICE ADVISOR MENTIONED HE SUSPECTS THE THROTTLEBODY AS HE HAS HAD SOME OTHER 500'S IN FOR THE SAME THING. NO IDEA WHY, BUT THE COMPUTER DIDN'T HAVE A CODE FOR THE THROTTLEBODY PROBLEM LAST TIME - BUT IT DID THIS TIME, SO AS I WRITE THIS, THEY ARE PUTTING THE NEW ONE ON AND I'LL BE THERE IN AN HOUR TO PICK IT UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414870
160,500 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BODY BAD ALL MOST HAD WRECK CAR WOULD NOT GO JUST IDLED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414024
77,778 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN A 2005 FORD 500 AWD, CAR STUMBLES THEN LAUNCHED BACKWARD VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE KEPT GOING. "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413823
70,258 miles · Jul 19, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS IDLING IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ONCE FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD, THE TACHOMETER READ ABOUT 3000 RPM, WITH NO PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. JUST AS QUICKLY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ENTERED "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE…
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THE VEHICLE IN QUESTION WAS IDLING IN PARK. VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ONCE FOOT WAS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD, THE TACHOMETER READ ABOUT 3000 RPM, WITH NO PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL. JUST AS QUICKLY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ENTERED "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" AND SHUT DOWN. TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTING WOULD CLEAR THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 MORE TIMES SINCE THE REPORTED INCIDENT DATE, ALL WITH THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES. THE VEHICLE HAD THE A/C ON AND WAS IDLING IN APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREE FAHRENHEIT TEMPERATURES WITH +50% RELATIVE HUMIDITY. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413626
106,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ATTEMPING TO SHIFT GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHEN ATTEMPING TO SHIFT GEARS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 106,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10413395
94,400 miles · Jul 15, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,400. UPDATED 09/08/11*LJ UPDATED EVOQ 12/01/11 UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10413084
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2011
Unknown Or Other
ENGINE SURGES WHEN PARKING,WHEN BACKING SLOWLY WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411944
195,000 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR THE CAR WILL REV REAL HIGH LUNGE FORWARD AND SOMETIMES DIE. THEN GO INTO "ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE" I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IF YOU LOOK AT THIS SITE (HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/FORD-FREESTYLE-500-MERCURY-MONTEGO-THROTTLE-BODY-RECALL/114094741973972?SK=WA…
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WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR THE CAR WILL REV REAL HIGH LUNGE FORWARD AND SOMETIMES DIE. THEN GO INTO "ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE" I BELIEVE THERE ARE OTHERS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM IF YOU LOOK AT THIS SITE (HTTP://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/FORD-FREESTYLE-500-MERCURY-MONTEGO-THROTTLE-BODY-RECALL/114094741973972?SK=WALL) YOU WILL SEE EVERYONE ON THERE IS THERE TO DISCUSS THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10412512
138,940 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAILSAFE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON, I PULLED OVER AND CAR BEGAN ACCELERATION ON IT'S OWN WHILE IN STOP POSITION... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411612
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
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.
Nov 9, 2005
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
2PE11018 · 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
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
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.
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