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

62,500 miles · May 17, 2009

Power Train

THE AWF21 TRANSMISSION ON MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IS "BUCKING" ON DOWNSHIFTING AND UP SHIFTING AFTER IT IS WARMED UP AND DRIVEN FOR ABOUT 35-45 MINUTES. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAUSES CONFUSION TO THE OTHER DRIVERS IN MY FAMILY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING ON AND OFF FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268959

76,000 miles · Apr 23, 2009

Power Train

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WHEN THE CAR IS VERY WARM (START AFTER A SHORT TIME OF BEING PARKED OR 100+ DEGREE DAY), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVS TO 1,500 RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES MAKING THE CAR LURCH FORWARD, THEN STALLS OCCASIONALLY. THE SERVICE INDICATOR (WRENCH) LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE OPERATES IN FAIL-SAFE MODE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THEN THE CAR LURCHES WHEN YOU LET OF THE THROTTLE (TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS"). TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT UNTIL IT COOLS AND THE SERVICE LIGHT TURNS OFF AND THE CAR DRIVES NORMAL AGAIN. IT'S A CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10266524

112,000 miles · Mar 7, 2009

Electrical System

WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF OUR 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD GO OUT. ALL THE GAUGES DROP DOWN TO ZERO. SOMETIMES THIS LASTS FOR A SECOND. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO OUT FOR HOURS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A SPEEDOMETER READING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261024

72,000 miles · Mar 3, 2009

Power Train

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2005 FORD 500 - LIMITED RECEIVED A AWD MALFUNCTION WITH IN THE DASHBOARD WARNING SYSTEM. THE MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. NO APPARENT DRIVABILTY WHEN THE MALFUNCTION COMES ON. WOULD RESET IT SELF AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE WARNING WOULD COME ON BACK ON AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25 MINS OF DRIVING. BROUGHT THE CAR TO AUTO MECHANIC AND HAD THE COMPUTER CONNECTED AND GOT A P1889 CODE, WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR WITH A KIT SUPPLIED BY FORD THE WARNING STILL CAME UP THE NEXT DAY AFTER 25 MINS OF DRIVING. THAT IS WERE I AM TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260529

83,235 miles · Feb 27, 2009

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ONLY TO BE ADVISED THAT I NEEDED REAR BRAKE ROTORS, REAR BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE FLUID FLUSH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE REPLACED THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 83,000 MILES ON IT AND I LIVE IN THE SUBURBS. I ARGUE WITH THE SERVICE TECH'S EVERY TIME THEY INSIST THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A CAR CAN GO THROUGH SO MANY BRAKES IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260221

85,000 miles · Feb 16, 2009

Electrical System

MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WILL BLINK OFF AND ON. STARTED ABOUT 6/1/2008. DOES IT RANDOMLY IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. MOSTLY ON INITITAL START UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10258798

Mileage unknown · Feb 15, 2009

Exterior Lighting

LOW BEAM BULBS AND PLUGS ARE NOT SAFE. THEY HAVE MELTED AND MALFUNCTIONED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DRIVER SIDE. I WORKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PLUG/BULB CONNECTION SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. NOW THE PLUG ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BURNED UP AS WELL. I HAVE SOME…

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NHTSA ODI #10258716

60,000 miles · Jan 7, 2009

Electrical System

SPORADICALLY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY CAR FAILS. SOMETIMES THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF, SOMETIMES ALL THE NEEDLES GOT TO "0" AND JUST TWITCH FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN THEY COME BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS DAY AND NIGHT, WARM AND COLD. IT STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 60,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254077

47,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009

Electrical System

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I AM DRIVING A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TSB 06-17-9 WHERE THE INSTRUMENTATION QUITS WORKING AND THEN COMES BACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, IN ADDITION TO THAT, SOMETIMES THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING AND WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND THE BACK UP LIGHT COMES ON EVEN THOUGH THE CAR IS NOT IN REVERSE. AFTER THE CAR SITS A WHILE, THIS CLEARS UP, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BE ON. IT IS GOING IN THE SHOP IN TWO DAYS AND HOPEFULLY CAN BE FIXED, HOPEFULLY NO CHARGE. THE TURN SIGNAL ISSUE IS OBVIOUSLY A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253829

3,000 miles · Dec 4, 2008

Latches/locks/linkages

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE SECURELY. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE HELD IN ORDER TO SECURE THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNABLE TO BE FOUND. THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,753.

NHTSA ODI #10250752

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

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

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.