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2007 Ford Five Hundred

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

179 reports with mileage · 20 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 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

What owners actually said

199 reports
94,426 miles · Sep 1, 2018
Unknown Or OtherCrash

THROTTLE HAD IT FIXED WITH RECALL, IT LUNGES YOU INTO TRAFFIC WHILE STOPPED. AGAIN IT HAS DONE THAT NOW FAILED, THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR. IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED WENT DOWN TO GET GAS, MAIL AND WHILE STOPPED IT JERKED ME OUT OF THE STOPPED POSITION INTO THE MAILBOX THEN THE WRENCH, TRACTION AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON…

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THROTTLE HAD IT FIXED WITH RECALL, IT LUNGES YOU INTO TRAFFIC WHILE STOPPED. AGAIN IT HAS DONE THAT NOW FAILED, THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR. IT IS GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED WENT DOWN TO GET GAS, MAIL AND WHILE STOPPED IT JERKED ME OUT OF THE STOPPED POSITION INTO THE MAILBOX THEN THE WRENCH, TRACTION AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT BUCKED TILL I GOT IT 10 FEET TO THE GARAGE NO, IT WILL NOT START!!! TO EVEN GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP OR GARAGE, ITS A SAFETY FEATURE I WAS TOLD, THE WAY IT LUNGES IS DANGEROUS, I ALMOST WENT THROUGH HE GARAGE WALL WHICH IS CONCRETE, LAST TIME I HIT MY TEETH ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND KNOCKED ONE BACK OUT OF ALIGNMENT. WHICH THE FORD PERSON THOUGHT WAS FUNNY LAST TIME. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A DANGEROUS CAR, IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AND THESE SHOULD BE CRUSHED LIKE THE DEMON CAR THEY ARE. PEOPLE SPEND HARD EARNED MONEY ON THESE VEHICLES ALL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN?

NHTSA ODI #11123941

91,000 miles · Jul 10, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

PERIODICALLY BUT OCCURING MORE OFTEN. ONCE THE CAR IS PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BUT FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, ONCE THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE CAR QUICKLY AND AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND WITH VERY LITTLE REACTION TIME YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THE CAR STOP AND THEN THE CAR…

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PERIODICALLY BUT OCCURING MORE OFTEN. ONCE THE CAR IS PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE BUT FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE, ONCE THE BRAKE IS RELEASED THE CAR QUICKLY AND AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATES ON IT'S OWN WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND WITH VERY LITTLE REACTION TIME YOU HAVE TO SLAM THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE THE CAR STOP AND THEN THE CAR CUTS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 4 TIMES WITHIN THE LAST MONTH. VERY DANGEROUS! I HAVE RESEARCHED RECALL INFORMATION FOR THIS MODEL AS WELL AS MY DIRECT VIN NUMBER ASSOCIATED WITH MY VEHICLE BUT I HAVE YET TO FIND A RECALL. HOWEVER I HAVE READ MANY REVIEWS OF THE SAME ISSUES WITH OTHER FORD 500 OWNERS.

NHTSA ODI #11110609

62,967 miles · Feb 8, 2018
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL TANK FAILURE ,FUEL LEAK, VAPOR LEAK. THIS DUE TO A FAILURE OF THE SEALS ON THE FUEL TANK ALONG WITH THE DETERIORATION OF THE MOUNTING BRACKETS ON THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL SENDING UNITS.

NHTSA ODI #11072549

140,000 miles · Aug 3, 2017
Electrical System

DASH PANEL LIGHT GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING, REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON AND CAR WANTS TO STALL. PUT NEW BATTERY IN AND HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED STILL HAVING PROBLEM. CAN NOT DRIVE CAR BECAUSE OF SAFETY RISKS. BEEN DOING THIS FOR A MONTH AND STILL DOING IT EVEN AFTER REPAIRS DONE BY MECHANIC.

NHTSA ODI #11012576

102,650 miles · Jul 31, 2017
Unknown Or Other

MY RPM GETS HIGH AND IT JOLTS WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL. IT IS WORSE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 4 WEEKS AND HAS LESS THAN 103,000 MILES ON IT.

NHTSA ODI #11011594

105,000 miles · Sep 3, 2016
Electrical System

SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2007 I AM ON MY 4TH BATTERY. THE BATTERY WILL JUST DIE AND STOP HOLDING A CHARGE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. EVERY TIME THE CHARGE IT, THE CAR JUST DRAINS IT. THE BATTERIES ON OVERAGE ONLY LAST AROUND 2 YEARS. WHEN I GO UP AND DOWN STEEP HILLS MY CHECK BATTERY…

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SINCE I BOUGHT MY CAR IN 2007 I AM ON MY 4TH BATTERY. THE BATTERY WILL JUST DIE AND STOP HOLDING A CHARGE. THE DEALER CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING THE BATTERY TO DRAIN. EVERY TIME THE CHARGE IT, THE CAR JUST DRAINS IT. THE BATTERIES ON OVERAGE ONLY LAST AROUND 2 YEARS. WHEN I GO UP AND DOWN STEEP HILLS MY CHECK BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON, BUT ONCE ON LEVEL THE LIGHT GOES OUT. MY CAR IS FINE AND THEN I GO TO START THE CAR IT WON'T START. NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER. THE CHECK BATTERY LIGHT NEVER EVEN COME ON. UNLESS OF COURSE WHILE I AM DRIVING UP OR DOWN A STEEP HILL. I LIVE IN SPOKANE WASHINGTON, BUT I HAD TO HAVE THE BATTERY REPLACED ONCE WHILE I WAS ON VACATION IN MONTANA. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DRAINING THE BATTERY BUT WE CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS.

NHTSA ODI #10903480

Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2016
EnginePower Train

WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVES IT REVS. IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT I HAVE TO ENSURE THAT MY FEET ARE ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES! THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE I'VE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT ME!

NHTSA ODI #10898093

130,000 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

THE CAR SURGES SEVERAL FEET WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE. IT WILL DO THIS MOVING FORWARD OR WHEN BACKING UP. THE CAR LITERALLY JUMPS A FEW FEET AND YOU MUST APPLY THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY OR RISK HITTING ANYTHING CLOSE. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO PARK AND WORRIES US A LOT WHEN AT STOPLIGHTS WITH PEDESTRIANS CROSSING. THE CAR CAN …

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THE CAR SURGES SEVERAL FEET WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKE. IT WILL DO THIS MOVING FORWARD OR WHEN BACKING UP. THE CAR LITERALLY JUMPS A FEW FEET AND YOU MUST APPLY THE BRAKES IMMEDIATELY OR RISK HITTING ANYTHING CLOSE. IT MAKES IT VERY HARD TO PARK AND WORRIES US A LOT WHEN AT STOPLIGHTS WITH PEDESTRIANS CROSSING. THE CAR CAN BE A AT A COMPLETE STOP OR SIMPLY RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A TURN , BACKING UP OR GOING STRAIGHT, IT IS VERY SCARY. THE SURGE USUALLY IS MORE OF A JUMP OF 2-4 FEET. THE INTERNET IS CHOCK FULL OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI #10876948

124,000 miles · Jun 1, 2016
EnginePower Train

THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUING ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN 2005, 2006, AND 2007 MY FORD 500/FREESTYLE AND MERCURY MONTEGO. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE THROTTLE BODY & MAF SENSOR. WHAT IS NOW HAPPENING IS THE CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY BREAK DOWN AND COMPLETELY GOES DOWN. IT HAPPENS IN IDLE AND …

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

NHTSA ODI #10871761

81,600 miles · May 16, 2016
Structure

PAINT IS BUBBLING ON HOOD WHICH RESULT IN TOTAL CORROSION OF ALUMINUM HOOD. HOOD MAY EVENTUALLY RUST THROUGH AND SEPARATE FROM FRAME.

NHTSA ODI #10865112

Official recalls

1

11V355000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE FUEL TANKS MAY NOT HAVE CONSISTENT WELDS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK SPUD WHICH CAN AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE JOINT. SOME FUEL TANK SPUD WELDS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE EXPECTED STRENGTH IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE REAR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. AN IMPROPER WELD CAN RESULT IN A CRACK IN THE JOINT WHICH COULD ILLUMINATE THE EMISSIONS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT, CAUSE A FUEL ODOR, OR ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK OUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

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