Illustration2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED INSTRUMENT PANEL TEMPORARILY STOPS WORKING AND ALL GAUGES GO TO ZERO. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW NODULE, BUT IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATE. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR
2005 Ford Five Hundred
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Five Hundred years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ONLY THE WRENCH AND AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT VISIBLE. THE RADIO WAS STILL OPERATING. AFTER 15 MINUTES, THERE WAS A POWER SURGE A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ONLY THE WRENCH AND AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT VISIBLE. THE RADIO WAS STILL OPERATING. AFTER 15 MINUTES, THERE WAS A POWER SURGE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,200. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 11, 2008 AND STATED THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROBLEM AND RESET THE SYSTEM. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR
DESIGN FLAW IN FORD 500 HEATED SEATS, WIRING TO HEATED SEAT FAILS DUE TO PROXIMITY WITH TORSION BAR. TSB 06211. ALSO WHEN YOU CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO HIGHER LEVEL MANAGEMENT. I REQUESTED AND WAS REFUSED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS WERE PRIVATE INFO. *TR
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE. ALL GAUGES DROP TO ZERO. MULTIPLE DASH WARNING LIGHTS COME ON, DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO BLACK, TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT OPERATE. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. PROBLEM BEGAN 8/3/07. OFF AND ON SINCE. DEALER CAN NOT FIND PROBLEM. *JB
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED TO WORK AND THE "FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE WRENCH LIT UP. THE ENGINE STARTS TO DIE AND THE CAR STARTS LURCHING FORWARD. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, IT RAN FINE. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR IN SO THE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED TO WORK AND THE "FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE WRENCH LIT UP. THE ENGINE STARTS TO DIE AND THE CAR STARTS LURCHING FORWARD. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, IT RAN FINE. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR IN SO THEY CAN LOOK INTO IT. FORD HAS NO BULLETINS ON THIS - THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. AS I RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FORD VEHICLES, NOT JUST THE FIVE HUNDRED. *TR
CAR RANDOMLY STALLS. ON OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE IT STUTTERS, I EVEN TRIED TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE ONLY THING THAT I WAS TOLD "THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED UPDATED." OK THIS…
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CAR RANDOMLY STALLS. ON OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE IT STUTTERS, I EVEN TRIED TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE ONLY THING THAT I WAS TOLD "THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED UPDATED." OK THIS HASN'T CORRECTED MY PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN, I HOPE THAT THEY ARE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. I AM ASSUMELY THAT THE REASON THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET, IS BECAUSE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A REPAIR FOR THIS. BESIDES THE OBVIOUS, REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. YOU MAY NEED TO DRIVE ONE, I WILL LET YOU USE MINE. JUST SO THIS GETS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR
MY WIFE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD ABOUT A POSSIBLE SAFETY PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES. THE NOTICE WAS RECEIVED AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE MADE AND WE PAID FOR THEM. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE FOUND IT TO BE UNUSUAL SINCE THE VEHICLE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND ONLY HAD 19,500 MILES. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THAT MAKE OF VEHICLE. THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE FOUND IT TO BE UNUSUAL SINCE THE VEHICLE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND ONLY HAD 19,500 MILES. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THAT MAKE OF VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 20,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,500.
THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAD JUST UNDER 30000 MILES ON IT AND FOR THE LAST 5000 MILES THE DASHBOARD HAD BEEN ACTING UP TO THE POINT THAT IT DID IT ALMOST EVERY TIME WE USED IT. SYMPTOMS: AIB AG LIGHT WENT ON AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF, THE 4 GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT TO ZERO, DIGITAL DISPLAY WENT OUT AND SOME …
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THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAD JUST UNDER 30000 MILES ON IT AND FOR THE LAST 5000 MILES THE DASHBOARD HAD BEEN ACTING UP TO THE POINT THAT IT DID IT ALMOST EVERY TIME WE USED IT. SYMPTOMS: AIB AG LIGHT WENT ON AND DASH LIGHTS WENT OFF, THE 4 GAUGES IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WENT TO ZERO, DIGITAL DISPLAY WENT OUT AND SOME TIMES RESET GALS USED & MILES TRAVELED, DIRECTIONALS WENT OUT WHEN DASH LIGHTSWENT OUT.*AK
WENT THROUGH 3 PUDDLES OF WATER ,CAR STALLED HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER , DEALER FOUND FUEL LINE DETACHED. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Official recalls
206V383000 · 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
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.