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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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69,250 miles · Aug 7, 2010
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control

AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN FOR 30-45 MIN, THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING FOR 5-10 MIN. GOT BACK IN CAR, PUT FOOT ON BREAK PEDAL, SHIFTED CAR INTO REVERSE, LIFTED FOOT OFF BREAK PEDAL AND CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARDS. SLAMMED BREAKS ON AND CAR SHUT OFF. CAR HAD NO PROBLEM CRANKING RIGHT UP. DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, ONLY T…

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AFTER HAVING BEEN DRIVEN FOR 30-45 MIN, THE CAR WAS PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING FOR 5-10 MIN. GOT BACK IN CAR, PUT FOOT ON BREAK PEDAL, SHIFTED CAR INTO REVERSE, LIFTED FOOT OFF BREAK PEDAL AND CAR SUDDENLY LURCHED BACKWARDS. SLAMMED BREAKS ON AND CAR SHUT OFF. CAR HAD NO PROBLEM CRANKING RIGHT UP. DID THE SAME THING AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME I HAD IT IN DRIVE. HIT THE BREAKS, CAR DIES AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES WHILE SITTING IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE-THRU AND HAVE ALMOST HIT CARS INFRONT OF ME WHEN I GO TO MOVE UP IN THE LINE. IF YOU TURN THE CAR ALL THE WAY OFF, IT WILL RESET AND NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL THE NEXT TIME IT DECIDES TO DO IT AGAIN. I SEEM TO BE ABLE TO ELICIT THE PROBLEM BY DRIVING THE CAR FOR 30 OR SO MINUTES, STOPPING AND LETTING THE CAR SIT AND IDLE FOR 5-10 MINUTES. BINGO- IT HAPPENS. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY ON MY 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND I ACTUALLY HAD IT REPLACED IN 2007 AT APPROX 23,000 MILES (I NOW HAVE 69,500 MILES). CAR IS AWD. THANK GOD I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY UNTIL 75,000 MILES THAT WILL COVER THIS BUT IT SEEMS THE PART TO FIX IT IS ON BACKORDER AND THEY ARE NOT SURE WHEN IT WILL BE AVAILABLE (THAT IS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING HOW MUCH I HAVE READ ABOUT "THROTTLE BODY ISSUES" WITH THIS CAR.) I THINK IT SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE SINCE YOU COULD EASILY HIT SOMETHING INFRONT OR BEHIND YOU. THANKS FOR LETTING ME INFORM YOU OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347900

44,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN RELEASED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WHEN RELEASED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BANG INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE. THE DEALER FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE ISSUE, WHICH WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 10/26/10

NHTSA ODI #10346894

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

MANY MONTHS AGO MY 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED BEGAN JERKING FORWARD (ACCELERATING) WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. OVER THE MONTHS THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND ACCELERATES VERY QUICKLY WHEN GOING INTO DRIVE GEAR. IT ACCELERATES SO QUICKLY IT COULD EASILY CAUSE ME TO RUN INTO SOMETHING. TOOK TO FORD SERVICE STATION AN…

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MANY MONTHS AGO MY 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED BEGAN JERKING FORWARD (ACCELERATING) WHEN SWITCHING GEARS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. OVER THE MONTHS THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND ACCELERATES VERY QUICKLY WHEN GOING INTO DRIVE GEAR. IT ACCELERATES SO QUICKLY IT COULD EASILY CAUSE ME TO RUN INTO SOMETHING. TOOK TO FORD SERVICE STATION AND TOLD THE THROTTLE (THROTTLE BODY MAYBE?) NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL FIXED. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR TWO MONTHS! THE PART IS $800. NOW I'M PAYING FOR A CAR THAT I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE FOR TWO MONTHS. MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME TYPE OF PROBLEM AND APPARENTLY THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH IT IF THE PART IS ON BACKORDER FOR 2 MONTHS SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ORDERED IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345833

74,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THE RPMS INCREASED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS C…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE RPMS ALSO INCREASED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN THE RPMS INCREASED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT AT THIS TIME FORD DOES NOT HAVE THE PART TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE VIN WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 74000.

NHTSA ODI #10342041

62,000 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND MOVE BACKWARD AT A QUICK RATE. ALSO WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC, IF THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO REV AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH GREA…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND MOVE BACKWARD AT A QUICK RATE. ALSO WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC, IF THE CONTACT TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THE ENGINE WOULD ALSO REV AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH GREAT FORCE TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM HITTING ANOTHER ONE. THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 99,000.

NHTSA ODI #10335095

68,000 miles · Mar 5, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE THROTTLE BODY DOES NOT OPERATE NORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THERE IS NO ACCELERATION. AT 15 MPH A WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE REDUCES SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE THROTTLE BODY DOES NOT OPERATE NORMALLY WHEN DRIVING AT 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL DRAG AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED THERE IS NO ACCELERATION. AT 15 MPH A WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE BEFORE THE VEHICLE REDUCES SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY STATED THEY HAVE CHECK AND RECHECKED AND ARE UNABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO TWO ANOTHER DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT WILL COST $1000 FOR REPAIRS. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CALLED IN REGARDS TO THIS FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 88,000. UPDATED 4/23/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WERE NOT CORRECTED BY CHANGING THE THROTTLE. UPDATED 05/28/10. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10317077

45,800 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 45-50 MPH HE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE UNTIL JANUARY 22,2010. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,800. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,200.

NHTSA ODI #10297510

38,000 miles · Nov 13, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND CONSUMER CAN NOT FIND THE PART TO BUY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE BACKED OUT OF A PARKING LOT, SHE THOUGHT SHE HIT A CURB, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING BEHIND HER. SHE PULLED INTO TRAFFIC, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NO SPEED. IT WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE AND SHE HAD NO CRU…

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2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND CONSUMER CAN NOT FIND THE PART TO BUY. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE BACKED OUT OF A PARKING LOT, SHE THOUGHT SHE HIT A CURB, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING BEHIND HER. SHE PULLED INTO TRAFFIC, BUT THE VEHICLE HAD NO SPEED. IT WAS MAKING A STRANGE NOISE AND SHE HAD NO CRUISE CONTROL. THEN A STRANGE SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. IT WAS A PICTURE OF A WRENCH. THE CONSUMER LOOKED IT UP IN THE MANUAL, AND IT SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND TO CALL THE DEALER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NO LONGER BEING MADE, DUE TO THE COMPANY WHO WAS MAKING THEM FOR FORD WENT BANKRUPT AND THERE WAS NO DATE AS TO WHEN FORD WOULD BE PUTTING THE PART BACK INTO PRODUCTION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10291749

9,000 miles · Oct 9, 2009
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. DURING BRAKE APPLICATION AT 40 MPH THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR-MAT SHIFTED ONTO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. SHE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE INJUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. DURING BRAKE APPLICATION AT 40 MPH THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR-MAT SHIFTED ONTO THE TOP SURFACE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN ACCELERATION. SHE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. SHE WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MODERATE INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS; WHICH THERE WERE NO PERSONAL INJURIES OR VEHICLE DAMAGE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/27/09 *BF UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10286867

37,669 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STALLED; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS ON BACK ORDER THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND STALLED; HOWEVER, HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY WERE REPLACED. SINCE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS ON BACK ORDER THE COMPONENT WAS EXCHANGED WITH A USED PART. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 37,699.

NHTSA ODI #10285958

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