IllustrationI DONT FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR I PUT 2000 DOLLARS OF WORK AND STILL DO NOT FEEL SAVE.
2005 Ford Five Hundred
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Five Hundred years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
7625–50K
8750–75K
8875–100K
79100–150K
49150K+
443 reports with mileage · 67 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.
- Power Train. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 95 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 reports10 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
95 reportsINSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT WORKING. OIL AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATE CONSTANTLY. REVERSE LIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICHLE. CRUISE DOES NOT WORK. BLINKERS DO NOT WORK. STARTS DOING THIS AS SOON AS THE CAR IS STARTED. STARTED WHILE GOING DOWN THE EXPRESSWAY NOW CONSTANT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND JERKED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND JERKED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT VARIOUS SPEEDS EVEN ON THE INTERSTATE AT 55+ MPH CAUSING IT TO LOSE POWER. YOU MUST BE ABLE TO GET IT STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART IT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RPM SURGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED TO THE ON POSITION, THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED OUT OF PARK AND THE RPM GAUGE FLUCTUATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RPM SURGE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. MA 10/25/15 *CN
WHILE DRIVING DASH LIGHTS, SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, GAS LEVEL, AND TEMPERATURE GO OUT FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME. REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON AND AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON. THIS IS DANGEROUS; UNABLE TO TELL SPEED! PER INTERNET RESEARCH THIS IS HAPPENING IN SEVERAL FORD MODELS AND STEMS FROM A BAD SOLDER JOINT.
WAS DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THROUGH METRO CITY IN RUSH HOUR ON INTERSTATE.ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY HAD TO CROSS 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO EXIT;CAR LOST POWER AND MESSAGE CENTER SAID ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE.TRIED TO ACCELERATE TO EXIT;CAR HAD LOST POWER WITH NO ACCELERATION.WHEN I FINALLY GOT TO EXIT WAS DOWN TO 20 MILES PER HOUR. *TR
I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, THEN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION CENTER AND A LITTLE WRENCH WAS ALSO DISPLAYED. WITH NO POWER STEERING, I HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY IN LUNCHTIME TRAFFIC. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, I WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. NO PROBLEMS WITH …
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I WAS DRIVING IN TOWN GOING ABOUT 40 MPH WHEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, THEN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE DISPLAYED ON THE INFORMATION CENTER AND A LITTLE WRENCH WAS ALSO DISPLAYED. WITH NO POWER STEERING, I HAD TO PULL OVER QUICKLY IN LUNCHTIME TRAFFIC. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR, I WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED IT. NO PROBLEMS WITH IT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED A MECHANICAL SMELL COMING FROM THE AC. IT APPEARED, AT FIRST, THAT THIS PROBLEM HAD COME OUT OF NOWHERE WHEN I SUDDENLY REMEMBERED TWO OCCASIONS WHEN THE RPMS SUDDENLY STUCK ON 3000 AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL. ALSO, WHEN USING CRUISE CONTROL, THE WHOLE CAR SHAKES AND STUTTERS SLIGHTLY WHEN GOING UP OR DOWN VERY SLIGHT INCLINES. *TR
ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR FIVE MONTHS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME OUT CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WITH MY CHILDREN IN IT AND WOULDN'T START UP..WORST CAR I'VE EVER BOUGHT SECOND MAJOR INCIDENT THAT HAS HAPPENED SINCE I GOT THE CAR.IT SHOULD BE A RECALL MAJOR SAFETY VIOLATION. *TR
PART OF AN ONGOING SERIES OF ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE (SEE EARLIER REPORTS), INITIAL SYMPTOM WAS THE DASH LIGHTS & NEEDLES SHUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY (BUT NOW FOR EXTENDED PERIODS). VEHICLE THEN BEGAN SHOWING RANDOM WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING "CHECK ENGINE", WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED FIRST TIME AS LOW FUEL LEVEL SENSORS A & B. SINCE …
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PART OF AN ONGOING SERIES OF ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE (SEE EARLIER REPORTS), INITIAL SYMPTOM WAS THE DASH LIGHTS & NEEDLES SHUTTING OFF INTERMITTENTLY (BUT NOW FOR EXTENDED PERIODS). VEHICLE THEN BEGAN SHOWING RANDOM WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING "CHECK ENGINE", WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED FIRST TIME AS LOW FUEL LEVEL SENSORS A & B. SINCE THAT TIME I'D DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY ON A SUGGESTION OF A MECHANIC FRIEND AND ALL THE ISSUES DISAPPEARED FOR A FEW WEEKS. YESTERDAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK, AND THE CAR WAS RUNNING POORLY (CREEPING WHEN FIRST OFF BRAKES, NOT UP SHIFTING), WHEN THE DASH WAS OPERABLE IT SHOWED ALTERNATING CHECK ENGINE/CHECK TRANSMISSION WARNINGS, AND VEHICLE WAS SURGING/LAGGING NOTICEABLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AGAIN DID THE BATTERY DISCONNECT LAST NIGHT, AND THE CAR IS OPERATING NORMAL TODAY, BUT I'M SURE IT WILL RECUR SHORTLY. I AM HESITANT TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER AS THIS SOUNDS LIKE A SIGNIFICANT ELECTRONICS ISSUE, AND I HAVE ALREADY READ UP ON THE FORD TSB 06-17-9 THAT IS DOCUMENTED ONLINE, NOT ALL OF WHICH ALIGNS WITH MY ISSUES. HAD THE BATTERY RESET HAD NO IMPACT ON THE PROBLEMS I WOULD SAY IT'S A MECHANICAL MATTER, BUT IT SEEMS CLEAR ITS A COMPUTER OR ELECTRICAL ISSUE. *TR
Official recalls
206V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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
2PE11018 · 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
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.