NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
199 reports41,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE IN REVERSE OR WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH OCCURRING AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
NHTSA ODI #10409397
60,000 miles · Jun 29, 2011
Power Train
MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAS RECENTLY START "LUNGING" FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT NEEDS TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED. RECENTLY WHEN I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. A FE…
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MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED HAS RECENTLY START "LUNGING" FORWARD. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT NEEDS TO BE TOTALLY REPLACED. RECENTLY WHEN I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD INTO TRAFFIC. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN TIME TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. A FEW DAYS AGO SOMEONE WALKED IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR HAPPENED TO LURCH FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKE QUICKLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT HIM FROM BEING RUN OVER. I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409335
75,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, CAR WILL LUNGE BACK A FEW FEET. JUST LAST WEEK, I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A STORE AND IT LUNGED FIVE TIMES BEFORE I TOOK IT OUT OF REVERSE AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE. IT LUNGED AGAIN FORWARD AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE…
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WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, CAR WILL LUNGE BACK A FEW FEET. JUST LAST WEEK, I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A STORE AND IT LUNGED FIVE TIMES BEFORE I TOOK IT OUT OF REVERSE AND PUT IT INTO DRIVE. IT LUNGED AGAIN FORWARD AND THEN I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO LUNGE UNLESS IT IS STOPPED EITHER BY BRAKING OR HITTING SOMETHING. WHEN IN A DRIVE-THRU, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, WHEN I RELEASE THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, PEOPLE HAVE STATED IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE AND IT COULD COST 500.00 + DOLLARS TO REPAIR. IT IS A FACTORY MISTAKE THAT FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I WAS ADVISED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA JUST IN CASE AN ACCIDENT OCCURS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. WE ARE TAKING THE CAR IN TO SEE IF WE CAN AFFORD THE REPAIR ON OUR OWN NEXT WEEK. IF IT IS THE THROTTLE AND DOES COST AS MUCH AS OTHERS HAVE CLAIMED, WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10409510
21,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
PURCHASED A NEW FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN 2007. HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. AFTER PUTTING ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WOULD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, MAILBOX, OR DRIVE-THRU AND LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD "JUMP" -- ACCELERATE ON …
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PURCHASED A NEW FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN 2007. HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. AFTER PUTTING ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WOULD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, MAILBOX, OR DRIVE-THRU AND LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD "JUMP" -- ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. MY FOOT WOULD NOT EVEN BE ON THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE "REPROGRAMMED". I SPECIFICALLY ASKED COULD IT BE A PROBLEM WITH FUEL SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD NO. I HAD THE WORK COMPLETED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH REAR END COLLISIONS. FINALLY AS I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND HIT A POST IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE.
NHTSA ODI #10409450
90,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES AND SURGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND IDLES ERRATICALLY SOMETIMES. IT STARTED RANDOMLY BUT IS NOW STARTING TO DO IT EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407132
31,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Seat Belts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT OPENED ON ITS OWN FROM TIME TO TIME. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHY THE SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
NHTSA ODI #10406963
53,400 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Power Train
2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL ACCELERATING AND LUNGING WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, GARAGE, OR DRIVE-THRU LANE. OCCURS IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION LUNGES THE CAR SEVERAL FEET AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR-MISS INCIDENTS. CAN'T PARK TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT OR GARAGE OR PULL UP BEHIND ANOTHER C…
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2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL ACCELERATING AND LUNGING WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, GARAGE, OR DRIVE-THRU LANE. OCCURS IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION LUNGES THE CAR SEVERAL FEET AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR-MISS INCIDENTS. CAN'T PARK TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT OR GARAGE OR PULL UP BEHIND ANOTHER CAR VERY CLOSE AT A RED LIGHT FOR FEAR OF CAR LUNGING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. VERY SCARY NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THIS. AFRAID TO COAST INTO PARKING SPOT WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE FOR FEAR OF HITTING SOMEONE OR SOME THING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406805
92,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
A/C COMPRESSOR IN 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WENT OUT WITH APPROX 91,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406263
42,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Power Train
IN SEPTEMBER 2010 (AT 42K MILES), MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL STARTED TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK, ESPECIALLY IF THE FRONT END WAS SITTING HIGHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE ICONS WOULD LIGHT UP AND THE CAR LOST 95% OF ITS POWER. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FOR 30 SECONDS OR SO …
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IN SEPTEMBER 2010 (AT 42K MILES), MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL STARTED TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK, ESPECIALLY IF THE FRONT END WAS SITTING HIGHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE ICONS WOULD LIGHT UP AND THE CAR LOST 95% OF ITS POWER. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FOR 30 SECONDS OR SO WOULD CAUSE THE WRENCH ICON TO TURN OFF, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE ICON WOULD STAY LIT. THE CAR WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF OVERNIGHT. AFTER THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, A FORD DEALER SAID THAT ITWAS THE TCM MODULE WHICH WASN'T COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I PAID $1000 TO HAVE THE TCM REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC. IN APRIL 2011 THE CAR BEGAN TO REPEAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I'VE HAD THE CAR TO 3 FORD DEALERS, BUT THEY ALL SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE CAR IS ACTUALLY MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME. I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY RECENTLY WHEN THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INTO MY LANE BEFORE MEETING AN ONCOMING CAR. I SAY FORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER UNTIL THE WRENCH ICON GOES OUT! THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS "STONEWALLING". DIDN'T THEY LEARN FROM TOYOTA'S BRAKE ISSUES? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406245
27,465 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AIR CONDITIONER HAS GONE OUT AT 27,465 MILES, WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED AND THEY TELL ME IT WILL COST 1700.00 DOLLARS TO FIX! NOT FIXED AT THIS POINT, WILL BE TALKING TO FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS ONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405927
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