NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
364 reports65,970 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE LURCHED AND THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED OFF KEY, RESTARTED, PULLED INTO STREET, VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHED, WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH, VEHICLE SHUT ITSELF OFF. TURNED KEY OFF AND RESTARTED--CAR DID SAMETHING AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. LAST TIME, REKEYED VE…
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VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE LURCHED AND THEN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. TURNED OFF KEY, RESTARTED, PULLED INTO STREET, VEHICLE AGAIN LURCHED, WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON DASH, VEHICLE SHUT ITSELF OFF. TURNED KEY OFF AND RESTARTED--CAR DID SAMETHING AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. LAST TIME, REKEYED VEHICLE WORKED FROM THAT POINT. CAR TAKEN TO DEALER & HAD A CODE OF U0401 IN TRANSMISSION. WAS TOLD THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. HAVE NOT REPLACED PART AT THE POINT DUE TO COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416285
117,500 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED , ONLY WORKED WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PER REPUTABLE A/C MECHANIC THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD 500'S.CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DETROIT 7/13/11, FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR, BUT I WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS FOR A/C FAILURE. FORD TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPT IN CASE FORD SOME DAY DECIDES TO COVER…
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A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED , ONLY WORKED WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PER REPUTABLE A/C MECHANIC THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD 500'S.CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DETROIT 7/13/11, FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR, BUT I WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS FOR A/C FAILURE. FORD TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPT IN CASE FORD SOME DAY DECIDES TO COVER IT. FORD KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM, BUT NOT WILLING TO COVER IT , UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED TO COVER IT BY NHTSA MAYBE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415432
80,000 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Structure
FRONT DRIVER FLOOR BOARD LEAKS WATER, ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS HUMID WEATHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415431
83,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Unknown Or Other
THE FORD FIVE HUNDRED I OWN HAS SURGES OF ACCELERATION WHEN I AM INCHING MY WAY INTO A PARKING SPOT OR FORWARD LOSER TO A WALL OR ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE TO QUICKLY SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING. I FEAR AT SOME POINT IT MAY BE A PERSON. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE BUT I WAS NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT …
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THE FORD FIVE HUNDRED I OWN HAS SURGES OF ACCELERATION WHEN I AM INCHING MY WAY INTO A PARKING SPOT OR FORWARD LOSER TO A WALL OR ANOTHER CAR. I HAVE TO QUICKLY SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING SOMETHING. I FEAR AT SOME POINT IT MAY BE A PERSON. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE BUT I WAS NEVER ABLE TO REPRODUCE IT FOR A MECHANIC. I HAVE MADE A CONNECTION TO HOT WEATHER AND THE CAR'S AIR CONDITIONING BEING ON. I FEAR THIS IS NOT SAFE.
NHTSA ODI #10415914
80,000 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Fuel System, Other
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR STOP THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50 I WAS TURNING ONTO STATE HWY 6 AND THE CAR DIED I ALMOST GOT HIT THESE PROBLEM HAPPENED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND VERY OFTEN I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUS…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED THE SECOND TIME I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND THE CAR STOP THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 50 I WAS TURNING ONTO STATE HWY 6 AND THE CAR DIED I ALMOST GOT HIT THESE PROBLEM HAPPENED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND VERY OFTEN I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE I FOUND OUT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FIVE HUNDREDS AND FREESTYLE'S. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414889
31,300 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY FORD 500, 2006 IS YEAR IS HAVING SURGING PROBLEMS AND SOMEHOW IT HAPPENS TOO WHEN A/C IS ON.... LIGHT ON DASHBOARD IS ON TOO. VERY DANGEROUS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10414694
80,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Equipment
AC AIR BLOWS COLD WHEN YOU ARE DOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY... AROUND TOWN IT IS HOT!!! DEALER RECHARGED THE SYSTEM, BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW BEING TOLD IT IS THE COMPRESSOR. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE A/C IN FORD FIVE HUNDREDS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO PLEASE! OLD ODI ID NUMBER …
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AC AIR BLOWS COLD WHEN YOU ARE DOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY... AROUND TOWN IT IS HOT!!! DEALER RECHARGED THE SYSTEM, BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW BEING TOLD IT IS THE COMPRESSOR. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE A/C IN FORD FIVE HUNDREDS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO PLEASE! OLD ODI ID NUMBER : 10414022 *TT
NHTSA ODI #10414656
80,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AC AIR BLOWS COLD WHEN YOU ARE DOING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY... AROUND TOWN IT IS HOT!!! DEALER RECHARGED THE SYSTEM, BUT STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. NOW BEING TOLD IT IS THE COMPRESSOR. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE A/C IN FORD FIVE HUNDREDS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO PLEASE! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414022
111,345 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AC COMPRESSOR QUIT WORKING? *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413886
75,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I HAVE A 06' FORD FIVE HUNDRED THAT I PURCHASED CERTIFIED USED IN 07'. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS I STARTED EXPERIENCING SURGING PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE A/C WAS RUNNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN 08' BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON EACH RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON MY LAST VIS…
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I HAVE A 06' FORD FIVE HUNDRED THAT I PURCHASED CERTIFIED USED IN 07'. WITHIN A FEW MONTHS I STARTED EXPERIENCING SURGING PROBLEMS ESPECIALLY WHEN THE A/C WAS RUNNING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN 08' BUT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON EACH RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. ON MY LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND SAID THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ME TO REAREND A VEHICLE IN 2009. FORD IS NOT RESPONDING TO THE PROBLEM AT ALL. AFTER 3+ YEARS OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS I ALL BUT HAVE GIVEN UP. THAT IS UNTIL TODAY WHEN THE REPAIR SHOP THAT I USE ON A REGULAR BASIS HIRED A NEW MECHANIC WHO WAS ABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM TURNS OUT TO BE THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSORS IN THE THROTTLE BODY. IT TOOK THE MECHANIC OVER 2 HOURS TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PROBLEM. THE UNFORTUNATE THING IS THE COST OF A NEW THROTTLE BODY IS OVER $500 THEN ADD LABOR. IF I HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED THERE IS NO GUARANTEE FROM FORD THAT THE NEW THROTTLE BODY WON'T DO THE SAME THING. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT FORD HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND IS NOT WILLING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE AND BACK THEIR PRODUCTS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413816
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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