NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 3, 2010
EquipmentService Brakes, HydraulicSteering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHE COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF AN UNKNOWN BRAKE RECALL SO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHE COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF AN UNKNOWN BRAKE RECALL SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BUT SHE INSTALLED WINDOW RAIN GUARDS ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE OEM MOTOR MOUNT AND BRACKET WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER BUT THERE WAS ONLY MINOR AIR FLOW COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A NEW COMPRESSOR AND EXPANSION VALVE WERE INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/06/11 UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF UPDATED 05/31/11
NHTSA ODI #10353757
74,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Power Train
SHIFTING CONCERNS ARE GENERALLY NOTICED DURING PASSING MANEUVERS WITH TRANSMISSION AT TEMPERATURES GREATER THAN 212 F (100 C) OPERATING TEMPERATURES. SYMPTOMS MAY BE PRESENT DURING DOWNSHIFT 5-3 AT 35 MPH (56 KM/H) AND/OR 4-3 AT 20 MPH (32 KM/H) WITH THROTTLE OPENING AT APPROXIMATELY 50% OR GREATER AND INCLUDE: HARSH SHIFT AN…
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SHIFTING CONCERNS ARE GENERALLY NOTICED DURING PASSING MANEUVERS WITH TRANSMISSION AT TEMPERATURES GREATER THAN 212 F (100 C) OPERATING TEMPERATURES. SYMPTOMS MAY BE PRESENT DURING DOWNSHIFT 5-3 AT 35 MPH (56 KM/H) AND/OR 4-3 AT 20 MPH (32 KM/H) WITH THROTTLE OPENING AT APPROXIMATELY 50% OR GREATER AND INCLUDE: HARSH SHIFT AND/OR CLUNK NOISE DELAYED SHIFT AND/OR PERCEIVED SLIP/ENGINE FLARE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353378
Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM REGARDING DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL FAILURE MODE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN REVERSE GEAR. WHILE BACKING OUT SLOWLY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE IN ORDER…
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2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM REGARDING DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY LETHAL FAILURE MODE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE IN REVERSE GEAR. WHILE BACKING OUT SLOWLY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF FORCE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED ON FOUR OTHER OCCASIONS. A COMPUTER DIAGNOSTICS REVEALED NO ANOMALIES EXCEPT FOR AN INLET AIRFLOW DISTURBANCE ATTRIBUTED TO A DISTORTED FILTER. THE FILTER WAS REPLACED AND NORMAL AIRFLOW WAS RESTORED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10353165
55,389 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Exterior Lighting
MY 2005 FORD 500 BOUGHT USED SEPTEMBER 2009 (AROUND 53,000 MILES CURRENT MILES 55,432) HAS HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DRIVER'S LOW BEAM BURNING OUT. ON THE 3RD BULB REPLACEMENT IN LESS THAN A YEAR THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT SOCKET CRUMBLED IN MY HANDS. I HAD TO REPLACE THE SOCKET AND REWIRE IT TO THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352968
65,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 45 MPH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE, LUNGE FORWARD AND WOULD NOT MOVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND WOULD ALSO COST $400 TO REP…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 40 TO 45 MPH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE, LUNGE FORWARD AND WOULD NOT MOVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER AND WOULD ALSO COST $400 TO REPAIR. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10352697
69,679 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
FORD 500 SE 2005 . PUT THE CAR DRIVE OR REVERSE AND THE CAR LUNGES. PUSH DOWN ON ACCELERATOR AND CAR LAGS . THROTTLE BODY DEFECTIVE. HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BACK ORDERED UNTIL DECEMBER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352677
63,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD UNTIL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE BECAME AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD UNTIL PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE BECAME AN INTERMITTENT FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10352296
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL HAS REALLY BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE,HOWEVER,THE PROBLEM NOW IS GET EITHER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE FAIL SAFE MODE TOGETHER.THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS UNTIL NOTHING SHOULD BE WRONG WITH IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351987
147,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD 500 HAS ISSUE WITH LUNGING WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. CAR STARTED TO STALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN NO ONE KNEW WHAT THE CODE WAS. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING ALOT ON THE FIVE HUNDREDS. PART IS ON BACK ORDER AS OF TODAY OVER 700 A…
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2005 FORD 500 HAS ISSUE WITH LUNGING WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. CAR STARTED TO STALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN NO ONE KNEW WHAT THE CODE WAS. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING ALOT ON THE FIVE HUNDREDS. PART IS ON BACK ORDER AS OF TODAY OVER 700 ARE ON BACKORDER SOME FOR 5 MONTHS FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND PAY FOR RENTAL CARS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PUT OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351959
82,300 miles · Aug 23, 2010
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD 500 ON THE HIGHWAY, WHEN I LOST POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. I COULD REV THE ENGINE, BUT NO POWER WOULD GO TO THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS LUCKY ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR NOW HAS A LITTLE LURCH WHEN FIRST STARTING OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351336
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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