NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
95 reportsClear category filter35,500 miles · May 16, 2014
Electrical System
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 2/21/14 W/31,000+/- MILES, INITIAL ISSUE WAS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY BLIPPING ON & OFF (SOMETIMES FOR EXTENDED PERIODS). THAT ISSUE WAS FOLLOWED BY A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WHICH WHEN ANALYZED SHOWED LOW FUEL SENSORS A&B (OCCURRED IN LATE APRIL 2014). UP TO THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WAS …
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED ON 2/21/14 W/31,000+/- MILES, INITIAL ISSUE WAS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY BLIPPING ON & OFF (SOMETIMES FOR EXTENDED PERIODS). THAT ISSUE WAS FOLLOWED BY A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WHICH WHEN ANALYZED SHOWED LOW FUEL SENSORS A&B (OCCURRED IN LATE APRIL 2014). UP TO THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE WITH NO IMPACT ON ACTUAL DRIVABILITY. LAST FRIDAY 5/9/14, I WAS AT A LIGHT AND WHEN IT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED TO DRIVE OFF, BUT VEHICLE WAS BARLEY MOVING OR RESPONDING TO THROTTLE INPUT, THIS CONTINUED FOR A SHORT DISTANCE & EVENTUALLY BUILT UP TO NORMAL SPEED. IT RECURRED AGAIN AT THE NEXT LIGHT, WITH SAME SYMPTOMS. I CONTACTED A MECHANIC I KNOW AND THE NEXT DAY I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLE IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE SYSTEM, AND AS OF A WEEK LATER ONLY THE DASH LIGHTS ISSUE HAS RECURRED. HOWEVER I FEEL THE LOSS OF POWER IS A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN IF IT WERE TO OCCUR ON A BUSY ROAD OR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10588788
33,850 miles · Apr 2, 2014
Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY WENT DARK AND/OR GAUGES WENT TO ZERO/OFF POSITIONS, WE PULLED OVER TO SEE IF EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED AND ALL DID, AS WELL AS BLINKERS AND FLASHERS, BUT WE NOTED THAT REVERSE LIGHTS WERE NOW ON. IT HAS RECURRED A FEW TIMES, ITS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER DARK AS DASH LIGHTS GO BLACK. ONLY LIGHT ON DA…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER INTERMITTENTLY WENT DARK AND/OR GAUGES WENT TO ZERO/OFF POSITIONS, WE PULLED OVER TO SEE IF EXTERIOR LIGHTS WORKED AND ALL DID, AS WELL AS BLINKERS AND FLASHERS, BUT WE NOTED THAT REVERSE LIGHTS WERE NOW ON. IT HAS RECURRED A FEW TIMES, ITS MOST NOTICEABLE AFTER DARK AS DASH LIGHTS GO BLACK. ONLY LIGHT ON DASH WAS THE AIRBAG LIGHT. I WENT ONLINE & FOUND INFO ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN "TSB 06-17-9 09/04/06 - INTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER", IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A RECALL ITEM SO ASSUMING ANY REPAIRS ARE ENTIRELY OWNER COST ? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576613
75,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIMMED INTERMITTENTLY WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE THE DISPLAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10551388
87,530 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
CAR DRIVES ON ITS OWN! IF I DO NOT HAVE FOOT ON GAS ON BREAK IT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE. SAID FAILSAFE MODE THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DASH BOARD SAID CHECK ENGINE CHECK TRANSMISSION THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT THE FOLLOWING DAY. NOW DRIVING BACK TO NORMAL. I TOOK TO AUTO ZONE THE DAY IT WENT HAYWIRE & THEY ADVISED ME ITS A …
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CAR DRIVES ON ITS OWN! IF I DO NOT HAVE FOOT ON GAS ON BREAK IT WILL CONTINUE TO MOVE. SAID FAILSAFE MODE THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DASH BOARD SAID CHECK ENGINE CHECK TRANSMISSION THEN THE LIGHT WENT OUT THE FOLLOWING DAY. NOW DRIVING BACK TO NORMAL. I TOOK TO AUTO ZONE THE DAY IT WENT HAYWIRE & THEY ADVISED ME ITS A POSSIBLE RECALL SEVERAL PPL SAID THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD.
NHTSA ODI #10525654
150,000 miles · May 21, 2013
Electrical System
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE SPEEDOMETER, TACOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE DIGITAL INSTURMENTS QUITE WORKING. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED AND MY OUTSIDE LIGHTS AND RADIO WORKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512956
79,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10504611
160,000 miles · Feb 25, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
ONE DAY IN JUNE I WAS PULLING UP TO A STORE PARKING SPACE ROLLING ROUGHLY 5MPH. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS ABOUT TO STOP. WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED LUNGED AT THE BUILDING AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN! I HAD TO PUSH THE BREAK AS HARD AS I COULD TO KEEP IT FROM CRASHING INTO THE STORE! FO…
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ONE DAY IN JUNE I WAS PULLING UP TO A STORE PARKING SPACE ROLLING ROUGHLY 5MPH. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I WAS ABOUT TO STOP. WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED LUNGED AT THE BUILDING AS IF THE THROTTLE WAS STUCK WIDE OPEN! I HAD TO PUSH THE BREAK AS HARD AS I COULD TO KEEP IT FROM CRASHING INTO THE STORE! FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE! IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNERS! LAST MONTH IN JANUARY MY FIVE HUNDRED HAD OTHER ISSUES. I WAS DRIVING 35MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR HAD NO POWER, I GAVE IT GAS AND IT WOULD GROWL BUT NO POWER. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF. ONE RESTARTED IT RETURNED TO NORMAL BUT THE WRENCH ICON LIGHT WAS ON THE DASH. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN IDLING PROBLEM. WHILE AT IDLE MY CAR WOULD SPUTTER. THE RPM'S WERE LOW AND IT WOULD IDLE ROUGH AND SURGE FROM LOW TO HIGH, I TRIED HITTING THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR STALLED! AGAIN OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNERS ALSO EXPERIENCED THESE ISSUES! FORD ITS TIME TO STEP UP AND DO A RECALL!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500000
Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE OVER HEATING AND MELTING CAUSING THE BULB NOT TO OPERATE. I'M JUST NERVOUS THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A FIRE AS ALL THE PARTS ARE PLASTIC. I ALSO NOTED ON LINE THAT IT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484101
135,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FIVE HUNDRED TODAY. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I HAD HARDLY ANY POWER. NO POWER STEERING, ALL GAUGES AT HOME AND A MESSAGE SAY "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS. I'VE READ ON DIFFERENT SITES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD T…
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WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FIVE HUNDRED TODAY. I PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I HAD HARDLY ANY POWER. NO POWER STEERING, ALL GAUGES AT HOME AND A MESSAGE SAY "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEMS. I'VE READ ON DIFFERENT SITES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE OF THE THROTTLE STICKING OPEN AND THE CAR LUNGING FORWARD OR BACK NEARLY CAUSING A WRECK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482338
157,139 miles · Sep 3, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
OUT SIDE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 96 DEGREES SO AC WAS ON . WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED SO HARD IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE,AND UNSTOPPABLE, IF SOME ONE HAD STEPPED OUT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE DIED AS I COULD ONLY STOP REWARD MOVEMENT BY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPAC…
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OUT SIDE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 96 DEGREES SO AC WAS ON . WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED SO HARD IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE,AND UNSTOPPABLE, IF SOME ONE HAD STEPPED OUT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE DIED AS I COULD ONLY STOP REWARD MOVEMENT BY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A CROWDED MALL.THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE LUNGING WAS SO FAST THE BRAKES COULD HARDLY HOLD THE CAR FROM MOVING IN REVERSE. IN CHECKING THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-05-25-13 FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON THIS VERY ISSUE BUT NO RECALL, ALSO MANY INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS RECORDED IN THIS REGARD. IF I WAS NOT PREPARED ENOUGH DURING THIS INCIDENT IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT SOME ONE WOULD HAVE DIED, THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED B-4 SOMEONE IS RUN OVER. CURRENTLY FORD HAS NO COMMENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473680
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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