NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reports14,000 miles · Oct 19, 2006
Power TrainVisibility
2005 FORE FIVE HUNDRED- THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED; 1)FOUR TIMES THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON , AND CAR THEN WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 40 MPH. EACH TIME CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING REPLACING MODULES AND THE TRANS AXLE PAN. CURRENTLY THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBL…
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2005 FORE FIVE HUNDRED- THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED; 1)FOUR TIMES THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON , AND CAR THEN WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 40 MPH. EACH TIME CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING REPLACING MODULES AND THE TRANS AXLE PAN. CURRENTLY THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. 2) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WOULD GO TO THE DOWN POSITION WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED FOR THE UP POSITION. THE WINDOW MOTOR AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM ALSO. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171372
53,000 miles · Oct 16, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE HAD MY REAR BRAKES ON MY FORD 500 CHANGED TWICE. VEHICLE HAD 53,000 MILES ON WHEN SECOND BRAKE JOB WAS DONE. DEALERSHIP STATED "THEY ARE SEE THE REAR BRAKES GO ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES. HEAVY BRAKE DUST AND HEAT AROUND BRAKES ARE ALSO A CONCERN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170929
714 miles · Oct 11, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD 500 ROBIN MARSHALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXECUTIVE OFFICES FORM LETTER STATES THAT FORDS "REVIEW INDICATES THAT THE PREVIOUS DECISION PROVIDED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS APPROPRIATE" DATED OCT 3 2006 AS I WAS WATCHING CNN NEWS ABOUT RECALL 06V383000 AND FORD # 06S45 OF SEPT 28 2006. PURCHASED MARCH 28 2005 AND AS PREVIOUSL…
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2005 FORD 500 ROBIN MARSHALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXECUTIVE OFFICES FORM LETTER STATES THAT FORDS "REVIEW INDICATES THAT THE PREVIOUS DECISION PROVIDED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS APPROPRIATE" DATED OCT 3 2006 AS I WAS WATCHING CNN NEWS ABOUT RECALL 06V383000 AND FORD # 06S45 OF SEPT 28 2006. PURCHASED MARCH 28 2005 AND AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED NUMEROUS SUSPENSION AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. ODI ID NUMBER : 10123895 - ODI ID NUMBER : 10135289 AND NUMEROUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH FORD THEY FINALLY HAD DAVE MUNN FORD REP HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OMEARA FORD FOR AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 15 MONTHS WITH A COLORADO AFFIDAVIT OF NON USE FOR SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, AFTER OMEARA FORD GROUND DOWN THE REAR ROTORS TO WITHIN 1/1000 OF MINIMUM AND BRAKING ISSUES CONTINUED . I HAD A HEART ATTACK AND 5 WAY BYPASS AND CANNOT TAKE THE STRESS THIS VEHICLE HAS PUT ME UNDER. I CONSIDER THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORDS INSPECTION WAS A SHAM, AS OMEARA FORD'S SERVICE TICKET INDICATES NO MILEAGE IN AND 5000 MILES OUT BUT THE CAR HAS 4190 MILES ON IT TODAY. THE SERVICE TICKET INDICATES NO-TROUBLE FOUND PLUS THE ROTORS WERE STILL RUSTY WHEN THE CAR ARRIVED BACK AT MY RESIDENCE. EVEN BRAKING AND STRAIGHT TRACKING ON THE ROAD WITH THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10170477
35,000 miles · Sep 27, 2006
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAND NEW 2005 FORD 500 PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 24 2005 BEGAN AT 15000 MILES WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30,000 MILES. MY JOB IS 100% SALES AND MY CAR IS MY ONLY REVENUE PROVIDER. AT 35,000 CAR SHOWING PROBLEMS WHEN HITTING THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT RUN. AT 39,000 MILES AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. AT 39,000 I ASKED…
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BRAND NEW 2005 FORD 500 PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 24 2005 BEGAN AT 15000 MILES WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30,000 MILES. MY JOB IS 100% SALES AND MY CAR IS MY ONLY REVENUE PROVIDER. AT 35,000 CAR SHOWING PROBLEMS WHEN HITTING THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT RUN. AT 39,000 MILES AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. AT 39,000 I ASKED THE DEALER TO RECHECK THE WHOLE CAR THAT IT WAS SHOWING TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. AT 43,000 MILES NOW IS SITTING IN THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED AT SINCE LAST FRIDAY SEPT 22,2006. THE FORD DEALER MECHANICAL DIRECTOR WAS INSIDE THE CAR AND ME TEST DRIVING IT, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HIS WORDS WERE' IF THIS WAS MY CAR I WOULD NOT BE SITTING IN IT, IT'S A RISK TO ANYONE'S LIFE" TODAY, FORD INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE TO BRING THE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND OPEN IT. THEY ASK ME EVERY TIME TO SIGN IN ACCEPTANCE THEY WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING. IT IS BEING REPORTED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TOMORROW, I HAVE NOTIFIED THE BANK WHO GAVE ME THE LOAN. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE CAR RENTAL EXPENDITURES I'VE HAD TO INCUR IN ADDITION TO CONSTANT REPAIRS PRIOR TO CAR REACHING 1 YEAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10169368
195 miles · Sep 24, 2006
Suspension
REAR AND FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED WITHIN FIVE MONTHS OF POSSESSION. FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT ON REAR SUSPENSION OCCURRED IN MAY 2006, JUST 4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE 2005 MODEL. FORD CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS CLAIMED THERE WAS A LOOSE BRACKET AND THAT PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BUT PROBLEM WITH NOISE AND HARD BOUNCE STILL OCCURRED. SE…
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REAR AND FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED WITHIN FIVE MONTHS OF POSSESSION. FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT ON REAR SUSPENSION OCCURRED IN MAY 2006, JUST 4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE 2005 MODEL. FORD CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS CLAIMED THERE WAS A LOOSE BRACKET AND THAT PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BUT PROBLEM WITH NOISE AND HARD BOUNCE STILL OCCURRED. SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT OCCURRED ONE MONTH LATER, FOUND BROKEN RIGHT, REAR SHOCK. REPAIR TOOK THREE DAYS. FOUR DAYS LATER HAD TO RETURN TO GET FRONT END ALIGNED. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2006, TOOK BACK AGAIN FOR SAME NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT REAR SHOCK. CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT FIX FOR PROBLEM AND SIMPLY GREASED CABLES. TAKING BACK TO SHOP TO ADDRESS FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE AND HANDLING PROBLEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10169147
19,368 miles · Sep 19, 2006
Tires
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS. COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE TI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS. COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE TIRE THAT POSSIBLY CAUSED THE INITIAL BLOWOUT. THE TIRE WAS SHIPPED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE TIRE WAS A PIRELLI P225/55R18, DOT # N9WNF7. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - PIRELLI REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES UNDER THE CONDITION THAT ALL FOUR TIRES BE SENT TO THEM. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10168623
31,808 miles · Sep 18, 2006
Tires
CONTINENTAL TIRES (215/60/17), CHUNKS OF THE TIRE ARE COMING OFF. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT ISSUE, DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE (JOSE). FORD ALSO WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED, HOWEVER BOTH PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. A COMMON QUESTION…
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CONTINENTAL TIRES (215/60/17), CHUNKS OF THE TIRE ARE COMING OFF. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT ISSUE, DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE (JOSE). FORD ALSO WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED, HOWEVER BOTH PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. A COMMON QUESTION OF BOTH WAS, DO I DRIVE ON GRAVEL ROADS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT, HOWEVER FORD DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS SHELL AND SMALL GRAVEL ON UNDERSIDE OF CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN ROADS REPLACE IN THE AREA THAT I HAVE DRIVEN ON. BOTTOM LINE. I NOW HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TIRE SAFETY ON MY CAR AND BOTH FORD AND CONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THEM FOR A COST, BUT BOTH REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A TIRE "ISSUE" AT THIS TIME. WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I AT ONE TIME OWNED A FORD EXPLORER AND WENT THOUGH THOSE "ISSUES". HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TIRES ON THE FORD 500 OR CONTINENTAL TIRES? COULD SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND ASSIST ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168553
17,900 miles · Sep 13, 2006
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 18000 MILES ON IT ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW DASH CLUSTER PANEL ,AFTER 2 WEEKS CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A MONTH TO GET PART I WAS TOLD BY ANOTH…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 18000 MILES ON IT ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW DASH CLUSTER PANEL ,AFTER 2 WEEKS CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A MONTH TO GET PART I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF AIR BAG WAS IN FAILURE MODE. NOT ONCE WAS I TOLD THIS BY DEALER. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10168112
21,060 miles · Aug 23, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train
ON THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT WE HAD SNOW THIS PAST WINTER, MY FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ACCELERATING. IT BECAME NECESSARY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE TROUBLE LIGHT WAS OFF AND I CONTINUED MY JOURNEY HOME. WITHIN A…
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ON THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT WE HAD SNOW THIS PAST WINTER, MY FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ACCELERATING. IT BECAME NECESSARY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE TROUBLE LIGHT WAS OFF AND I CONTINUED MY JOURNEY HOME. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT AND THE SURGING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT TOOK QUITE AWHILE TO GET HOME. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER THE FIST TIME AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER THE SECOND SNOW STORM, AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FILTER WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL, I ACCEPTED THEIR EXPLANATION BECAUSE OF MY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEALER OWNER AND SERVICE MANAGER. WHILE AT WORK THE OTHER DAY, I NOTICED A CO-WORKER WITH A SIMILAR TYPE VEHICLE AND INQUIRED AS TO HOW SHE LIKED THE FORD 500. HER RESPONSE SHOCKED ME WHEN SHE STATED THAT SHE LIKED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD TROUBLE THIS PAST WINTER IN THE SNOW. SHE DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED AND NOW I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER 2005 FORD 500 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME IN DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10166342
15,272 miles · Aug 21, 2006
Tires
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVEHUNDRED THAT IS EQUIPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTACT TOURING TIRES. ACCORDING TO CONTINENTAL'S WEBSITE, THESE TIRES SHOULD LAST FOR SIXTY THOUSAND MILES. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND TWO OF THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY DEALER THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE T…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVEHUNDRED THAT IS EQUIPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTACT TOURING TIRES. ACCORDING TO CONTINENTAL'S WEBSITE, THESE TIRES SHOULD LAST FOR SIXTY THOUSAND MILES. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND TWO OF THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY DEALER THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTINENTAL STATES THAT FORD SHOULD WARRANTY THE TIRES. FORD STATES CONTINENTAL SHOULD WARRANTY THE TIRES. TIRES THAT WEAR OUT THIS QUICKLY MUST BE DEFECTIVE. THIS TYPE TIRE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR BEING KILLED.
NHTSA ODI #10166187
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.