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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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65,000 miles · Jul 28, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

TWO PROBLEMS: 1. CAR SURGES SPORADICALLY (I.E. WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SURGES AS IF PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR). 2. WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHTS ON DASH GO OUT, SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GO TO ZERO. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED ONCE (SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, FORD REIMBURSED ME FOR THE COST UND…

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TWO PROBLEMS: 1. CAR SURGES SPORADICALLY (I.E. WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SURGES AS IF PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR). 2. WHILE DRIVING ALL LIGHTS ON DASH GO OUT, SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER GO TO ZERO. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED ONCE (SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, FORD REIMBURSED ME FOR THE COST UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12N03. THIS SOLVED THE PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. THE PROBLEM IS NOW RE-OCCURRING. FORD HAS INDICATED THAT THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE CAR AGAIN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532270

59,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10526120

15,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED TWICE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10512764

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGES AND UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SURGING HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS, AS THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPDATED 02/22…

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2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGES AND UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SURGING HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS, AS THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPDATED 02/22/13. *JB UPDATED 03/14/13. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10493881

100,000 miles · Nov 20, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND POWERED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10485269

121,000 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT MAY HAVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

NHTSA ODI #10484921

76,000 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. A DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THAT TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10484498

20,000 miles · Oct 10, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

NHTSA ODI #10479668

59,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

INITIALLY CAR WOULD STALL WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED ON AND SPEED WAS ABOVE 55MPH. AFTER RETURNING TO CARMAX FOR REPAIRS CAR CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT THE CRUISE BEING TURNED ON. THEN CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM A DEAD STOP. AFTER 3 REPAIRS BY FORD WAS ADVISED ISSUE WAS NOT ANY OF THE …

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INITIALLY CAR WOULD STALL WHEN CRUISE CONTROL WAS TURNED ON AND SPEED WAS ABOVE 55MPH. AFTER RETURNING TO CARMAX FOR REPAIRS CAR CONTINUED TO STALL WITHOUT THE CRUISE BEING TURNED ON. THEN CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING WITH FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN CHANGING GEARS FROM A DEAD STOP. AFTER 3 REPAIRS BY FORD WAS ADVISED ISSUE WAS NOT ANY OF THE PRIOR ITEMS FIXED IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NO RECALL HAS EVER BEEN DONE ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475691

63,222 miles · Sep 16, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

IN MULTIPLE INCIDENTS, ON HOT SUMMER DAYS, THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (WITH NO FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR) WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND SOMETIMES WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE RIGHT AFTER THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN REVERSE. IT HAS REQUIRED RAPID, FIRM BRAKING TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. ABOUT A WEEK AFTE…

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IN MULTIPLE INCIDENTS, ON HOT SUMMER DAYS, THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY ACCELERATED (WITH NO FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR) WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND SOMETIMES WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE RIGHT AFTER THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION IN REVERSE. IT HAS REQUIRED RAPID, FIRM BRAKING TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. ABOUT A WEEK AFTER THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THIS CAR, IT STARTED TO HAPPEN OCCASIONALLY WITH MY OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED (A 2005 MODEL WITH A LITTLE LESS MILEAGE). A SEPARATE COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED ON THAT VEHICLE. RESEARCH ONLINE HAS REVEALED THAT HUNDREDS OF FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE AND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS THE LIKELY CULPRIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10475564

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