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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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500,000 miles · Sep 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHEN SHIFTING GEARS ALSO LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP VERY VIOLENTLY. I DRIVE WITH PLENTY OF SPACE IN FONT OF ME SO I HAVEN'T HIT ANYTHING I'M SURPRISED NO ONE ELSE HAS EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474334

50,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

AT RANDOM, WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL REV UP AND LUNGE FORWARD (OR BACKWARD IF IN REVERSE) VIOLENTLY. THE DISTANCE IT MOVES IS ENOUGH TO PUT OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIANS IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DOES THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN HOT WEATHER WITH T…

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AT RANDOM, WITH THE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE CAR WILL REV UP AND LUNGE FORWARD (OR BACKWARD IF IN REVERSE) VIOLENTLY. THE DISTANCE IT MOVES IS ENOUGH TO PUT OTHER CARS AND PEDESTRIANS IN DANGER, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT DOES THIS SEVERAL TIMES IN A ROW. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE IN HOT WEATHER WITH THE A/C TURNED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472646

120,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED OR THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHENEVER THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED OR THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10470656

63,500 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR RPM GAUGE WAS MOVING UPWARD EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL AT STEADY SPEED. WHEN I SLOWED AND STOPPED IT APPEARED TO CONTINUE TO LUNGE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL SINCE I HAD SOME DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BY THE TIME I REACHED MY DESTINATION I WAS AFRAID THAT IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT SETTLE…

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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR RPM GAUGE WAS MOVING UPWARD EVEN THOUGH I WAS STILL AT STEADY SPEED. WHEN I SLOWED AND STOPPED IT APPEARED TO CONTINUE TO LUNGE FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL SINCE I HAD SOME DISTANCE FROM THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. BY THE TIME I REACHED MY DESTINATION I WAS AFRAID THAT IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. IT SETTLED WHEN I TRIED TO PARK FOR IT THEN CUT OFF. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS EVENTS WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD OR CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND EVEN WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I HAD THREE (3) MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED AND NEW BATTERY ALONG WITH THE SAFETY SENSOR. IT COSTS MORE TO REPAIR THAN GENERAL MAINTENANCE. I SEE WHY THEY STOPPED MAKING THIS CAR. ITS DANGEROUS! I AM NOW IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED WHICH MAY NOT BE UNDER WARRANTY. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RECALLED OR WE SHOULD BE COMPENSATED FOR REPAIRS RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469030

105,500 miles · Jul 31, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

ENGINE SURGED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WHILE IN DRIVE AT IDLE OR WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. I HAVE FOUND THIS ISSUE TO BE WIDESPREAD WHEN CHECKING FORUMS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT EXISTS FOR MANY CONSUMERS WITH THIS MODEL…

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ENGINE SURGED UNEXPECTEDLY CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY FOR SEVERAL WEEKS WHILE IN DRIVE AT IDLE OR WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. I HAVE FOUND THIS ISSUE TO BE WIDESPREAD WHEN CHECKING FORUMS ON DIFFERENT WEBSITES. THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION THAT EXISTS FOR MANY CONSUMERS WITH THIS MODEL. A RECALL IS NEEDED SO THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION IS ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468744

80,000 miles · Jul 31, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. I PURCHASED IT USED IN JAN 2012. MY CAR CONTINUALLY LURCHES FORWARD WHILE SITTING STILL. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COOL WHILE IDLING IF IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH LOSING ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL GAUGES WILL BOTTOM OUT AND THEN REV …

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. I PURCHASED IT USED IN JAN 2012. MY CAR CONTINUALLY LURCHES FORWARD WHILE SITTING STILL. THE AIR CONDITIONER WILL NOT COOL WHILE IDLING IF IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH LOSING ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. I WILL BE DRIVING AND ALL GAUGES WILL BOTTOM OUT AND THEN REV UP TO THE HIGHEST. MY RPMS WILL DROP DOWN, THE GAS GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY AND AT NIGHT ALL ELECTRICAL LIGHTS AND DASHBOARD NOTIFICATIONS WILL LIGHT UP AND THEN GO OFF. I CANNOT USE THE AIR CONDITIONER, RADIO OR ANYTHING ELSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT FIXING THIS ISSUE SOONER! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET INTO A FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE!!! LOSING ALL POWER AND SPEED AND THEN HAVING THE VEHICLE LURCH FORWARD IS DANGEROUS! #SCAREDMOMOF3BABIES! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468444

122,000 miles · Jul 29, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE I HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKE AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE. WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF BRAKE THE CAR LUNGED BACK AND THE RPMS WENT UP WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE GAS. AFTER FINALLY FIGHTING IT TO GET IT OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND NOT HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME I PUT IT IN DRIVE. ONCE IT WAS IN DRIVE IT DID T…

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WHILE PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE I HAD MY FOOT ON BRAKE AND PUT CAR IN REVERSE. WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF BRAKE THE CAR LUNGED BACK AND THE RPMS WENT UP WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE GAS. AFTER FINALLY FIGHTING IT TO GET IT OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AND NOT HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME I PUT IT IN DRIVE. ONCE IT WAS IN DRIVE IT DID THE SAME THING. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND IT WAS LUNGING FORWARD WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN PARKING LOT AND FROM A DEAD STOP. IT LUNGES AND JUMPS AT STOP SIGN, RED LIGHTS AND LOW SPEED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468156

71,229 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,229. ....UPDATED 08-24-…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,229. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF THE CONSUMER SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE IT THEN WENT INTO SAFE DRIVE MODE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET TO NO AVAIL. 08/30/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468031

98,000 miles · Jul 26, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN WARM WEATHER WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAKING WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR PULLING INTO GARAGE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. I CAN HANDLE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT IT, BUT I HAD PLANNED TO GIVE T…

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CAR ACCELERATES SUDDENLY WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. IT ONLY HAPPENS IN WARM WEATHER WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAKING WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR PULLING INTO GARAGE THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. I CAN HANDLE THE PROBLEM BECAUSE I KNOW WHEN TO EXPECT IT, BUT I HAD PLANNED TO GIVE THIS CAR TO MY SOON TO BE LICENSED DAUGHTER AND I DON'T WANT HER HAVING AN ACCIDENT OR HITTING ANOTHER PERSON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467859

90,000 miles · Jul 26, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

I WOULD BE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AND WOULD PUSH ON THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE. THE GUY WOULD NOT MOVE AT FIRST THEN WOULD "JUMP" AND ACCELERATE QUICKLY. I NEVER HIT ANYONE BECAUSE I WAS CAREFUL, BUT I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE IT. THEY CLAIMED TO KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT COVER…

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I WOULD BE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT AND WOULD PUSH ON THE THROTTLE TO ACCELERATE. THE GUY WOULD NOT MOVE AT FIRST THEN WOULD "JUMP" AND ACCELERATE QUICKLY. I NEVER HIT ANYONE BECAUSE I WAS CAREFUL, BUT I TOOK IT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE IT. THEY CLAIMED TO KNOW OF THE PROBLEM BUT WOULD NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY. I PAID OVER $1,000 TO HAVE THEM REPLACE MY "THROTTLE BODY." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467814

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