NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
364 reports80,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Service Brakes
AS I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE RIGHT (WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH, AND I COULD TELL THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED. SINCE THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED, MY REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP. MY CAR THEREFORE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WAR…
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AS I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE RIGHT (WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH, AND I COULD TELL THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED. SINCE THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED, MY REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP. MY CAR THEREFORE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM FOR MY FORD 2006 FIVE HUNDRED. I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525318
158,555 miles · Jul 1, 2013
Power Train
HAD CAR SET ON CRUISE AND ALL THE SUDDEN IT JUST STARTED JERKING BAD, LIKE IT WAS JAMMING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522636
110,000 miles · Jun 27, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10522046
94,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DRAINED THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR CONDITIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DRAINED THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10514821
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
137,000 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRME…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PREVIOUSLY UNDER A SAFETY CAMPAIGN FOR THE POWER TRAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,000.
NHTSA ODI #10507150
45,000 miles · Feb 2, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
VEHICLE SURGES FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON AND SHOWS. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (WRENCH). CONTROL OF ACCELERATION IS MIXED AND VEHICLE EITHER LURCHES OR FEELS AS THOUGH TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL AND RPM'S INCREASE WITHOUT ACCELERATION BY DRIVER. HAVE A SCHEDULED SERVICE CALL WITH FORD AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED A NOTICE FROM FORD THAT THI…
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VEHICLE SURGES FOR NO PARTICULAR REASON AND SHOWS. A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON (WRENCH). CONTROL OF ACCELERATION IS MIXED AND VEHICLE EITHER LURCHES OR FEELS AS THOUGH TRANSMISSION IS IN NEUTRAL AND RPM'S INCREASE WITHOUT ACCELERATION BY DRIVER. HAVE A SCHEDULED SERVICE CALL WITH FORD AND HAVE BEEN ISSUED A NOTICE FROM FORD THAT THIS ISSUE WILL BE COVERED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10496195
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
152,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE HOOD LATCH WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IF THE RUST CONTINUED TO EXPAND, THE LATCH WOULD FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND COULD OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE SERVICE WHEN HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE HOOD LATCH WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT IF THE RUST CONTINUED TO EXPAND, THE LATCH WOULD FAIL AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND COULD OCCUR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #10493007
78,445 miles · Jan 2, 2013
Electrical SystemPower Train
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SLOWING DOWN THE CVT TRANSMISSION SURGES AHEAD AND THE CAR GOES INTO SAFE MODE ONLY ALLOWING IT TO GO 20 MPH WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MANY NEAR MISSES ON ACCIDENTS. HAVE HAD CAR INTO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. MAINTENANCE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON TRANSMISSION AT 60,000 MILES …
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WHEN DRIVING THE CAR AND SLOWING DOWN THE CVT TRANSMISSION SURGES AHEAD AND THE CAR GOES INTO SAFE MODE ONLY ALLOWING IT TO GO 20 MPH WHEN DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. MANY NEAR MISSES ON ACCIDENTS. HAVE HAD CAR INTO DEALER 3 TIMES AND STILL UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. MAINTENANCE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED ON TRANSMISSION AT 60,000 MILES PER RECOMMENDATIONS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY STATED IN A PHONE CONVERSATION THERE ARE KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. DEALER STATES IT IS THE COMPUTER CAUSING THIS UNSURE WHO IS RIGHT. A TRANSMISSION SENSOR IS BEING REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $2000. PLEASE HELP IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. JUST HAD A PART IN THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490775
NHTSA investigations
1PE11018 · 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
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