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2006 Ford Five Hundred

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

329 reports with mileage · 35 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 51 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 reports4 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

118 reports
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10 miles · Sep 28, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2006 FORD FIVEHUNDRED. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, MY CAR HAS LUNGED/SURGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. I CALLED FORD CORPORATE OFFICE ON THREE VARIOUS OCCASIONS TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND ASK FOR A REPAIR. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE PROBLEM. ON SEPT. 27, 2010, AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CA…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD FIVEHUNDRED. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, MY CAR HAS LUNGED/SURGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. I CALLED FORD CORPORATE OFFICE ON THREE VARIOUS OCCASIONS TO FILE A COMPLAINT AND ASK FOR A REPAIR. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THAT FORD WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DETERMINING THE PROBLEM. ON SEPT. 27, 2010, AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR SURGED TO 3000 RPM'S AND I WAS SCARED. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT I THOUGHT AT THAT SPEED, THE BRAKE MAY FAIL. I WAS GOING TO TURN THE CAR OFF, BUT INSTEAD, I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF AND THE SURGING WAS REDUCED TO 1000 RPM'S. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHAT IS FORD WAITING FOR? THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRS MADE, BEFORE A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND LAW SUITS ENSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10358039

40,000 miles · Sep 13, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,600.

NHTSA ODI #10355275

73,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 7 TO 8 TIMES AND THE FAILURE ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. HE ENGAGED THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED 7 TO 8 TIMES AND THE FAILURE ALSO HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. HE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ODI #10353381

78,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WAR…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80000. UPDATED 12/22/10 *BF UPDATED 12/23/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10353351

90,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY STALL OR JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL SURGING, WHICH WOULD OCCUR FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD GONE INTO FAILSAFE MODE, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE V…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY STALL OR JERK VIOLENTLY WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO EXPERIENCED ABNORMAL SURGING, WHICH WOULD OCCUR FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD GONE INTO FAILSAFE MODE, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000. UPDATED 12/7/10 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10352154

103,000 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2006 FORD FIVEHUNDRED, IT HAS BEEN LUNGING WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND EVEN SOMETIMES JUST AS YOU LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT THE DRIVE THROUGH. LAST WEEK IT STARTING TO ACT AS IF IT WANTED TO STALL. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE AND THEY STATED …

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD FIVEHUNDRED, IT HAS BEEN LUNGING WHEN PUT IN GEAR AND EVEN SOMETIMES JUST AS YOU LET YOUR FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE I ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE WHILE WAITING IN LINE AT THE DRIVE THROUGH. LAST WEEK IT STARTING TO ACT AS IF IT WANTED TO STALL. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE AND THEY STATED I WILL NEED THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND IT WILL COST $770 TO FIX IT AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS CAR ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351752

79,000 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, WHICH HE ADVISED WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN REVERSE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, WHICH HE ADVISED WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 11/16/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10350720

69,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO B…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IT BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM SURGING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THIS WAS VERY COMMON FAILURE AMONG HER YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 11/05/10. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10349073

37,200 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND HAVING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN LETTING GO THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY S…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP AND HAVING HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN LETTING GO THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE. THE CONTACT HAD TO FORCE PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AND THEY STATED THAT THE BODY THROTTLE CONTROL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS DUE TO THE BACK ORDER ON THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37419. UPDATED 10/25/10 *BF UPDATED 10/27/10 *JB

NHTSA ODI #10348724

27,890 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

ON JULY 17, 2010, MY 2006 FORD 500 BEGAN TO LURCH/SURGE FORWARD/ BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHETHER I WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD IMMEDIATELY. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. YESTERDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010, MY CAR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. TOOK CAR BACK TO SAME DEALER. THEY…

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ON JULY 17, 2010, MY 2006 FORD 500 BEGAN TO LURCH/SURGE FORWARD/ BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHETHER I WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. TOOK THE CAR TO FORD IMMEDIATELY. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM. IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. YESTERDAY, AUGUST 6, 2010, MY CAR BEGAN DOING THE SAME THING. TOOK CAR BACK TO SAME DEALER. THEY SUGGESTED IT MIGHT BE THE THROTTLE BODY. RESEARCH SHOWING THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE (AND HAS BEEN FOR SOME TIME). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347937

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

1

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