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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

6 reports

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60,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH MY SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING MY WHOLE DASH BOARD GOES OUT . I CAN NO LONGER SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING. EVERYTHING GOES TO 0 THE GAS GOES TO E AND MY REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE DASH BOARD COMES BACK UP. IF AND WHEN IT COMES BACK ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGH…

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NHTSA ODI #11062307

264,000 miles · Sep 29, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)SeatsStructure

GEARING INTO REVERSE IS HEAVY SHIFTING TRANSMISSION O2 SENSOR BANK 1 NEED REPLACING

NHTSA ODI #11030447

192,568 miles · Mar 1, 2017

Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

I TOOK MY BATTERY OUT MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND THE FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WONT GO OFF THIS NEED TO BE RECALL THEY SAY THE COMPTER SHUT DOWN AND I HAVE TO GET IT RESETED I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WHEN IT JURK TO THE FRONT AND I ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE BACKING UP

NHTSA ODI #10957733

82,700 miles · Sep 30, 2015

Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainCrash

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LEAVING A GROCER AT 13:15 ON 9/7/2015 STARTED TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT WHEN AUTO SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BACKWARD, ACROSS THE AISLE AND SLAMMED INTO PARKED VEHICLE WITH IMPACT SENDING THAT AUTO INTO A 3RD. DAMAGES TO BOTH VEHICLES. WHEN I WENT TO PULL INTO MY ORIGINAL SLOT TO DEAL WITH SITUATION, AS SOON AS I REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE, AUTO LUNGED FORWARD AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, JUMPED A 6" LANDSCAPE CURB AND PLOWED INTO THE FRONT END OF A CADILLAC SRX CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE TO THAT VEHICLE, STILL UNK TOTAL DAMAGE TO MINE. IT WAS A VERY HOT DAY AND THE AC WAS RUNNING. NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE OCCUPIED OTHER THAN MINE, AND I WAS SOLE OCCUPANT. MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND PASSENGER'S WAS NOT TURNED ON. I DID RECEIVE A SIGNIFICANT BRUISE ON MY STERNUM FROM THE SHOULDER COMPONENT OF MY SEAT BELT. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR FOR EITHER "LUNGE". CRASHES WERE WITNESSED AND PEORIA AZ POLICE DID RESPOND WITH 2 UNITS. OFFICERS DID TAKE INFORMATION, BUT WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT INCIDENT # FOR MY RECORDS OFFICER RESPONDED THAT THERE WOULD BE NO REPORT AND NO CITATIONS AS IT OCCURRED ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. MY INSURANCE CARRIER WAS CONTACTED FROM SITE, BUT BEING A HOLIDAY, I WAS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK WITH ADJUSTER AT THAT TIME. KNOWING THAT IT WAS NOT MY ACTIONS THAT CAUSED THIS INCIDENT, I CHECKED THE NEXT DAY AND DISCOVERED THAT THIS IDENTICAL SITUATION HAD BEEN UNDER INVESTIGATION WITH NHTSA AT THE TIME I PURCHASED THE CAR ON OR ABOUT 11/16/12 AT WHICH A SERVICE PROGRAM TO RETIFY WAS IN EFFECT. WITH MY INCIDENT THOUGH, MAJOR DAMAGE OCCURRED. NEITHER AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, NOR THROUGHOUT THE INVESTIGATION & TENURE OF MY OWNERSHIP (CURRENT) WAS I NOTIFIED OF THE KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM NOR IT'S PROGRAM TO MITIGATE. ATTACHED AERIAL PHOTO SHOWS BACK TO BACK DIMENSION TO FIRST IMPACT AND BACK TO FRONT DIMENSION OF 2ND. I WAS PARKED IN POSITION OF WHITE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10778833

131,000 miles · Jun 19, 2014

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

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

NHTSA ODI #10604654

35,600 miles · Jan 1, 2011

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WHILE DRIVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BLACKED OUT AND WHEN IT CAME BACK ON THE INSTRUMENTS ALL REGISTERED 0. AFTER THE INITIAL INCIDENT IT HAS CONTINUED TO ESCALATE. ON OR ABOUT DECEMBER 26, 2010 THE PANEL BLACKED OUT AND THE CAR BOGGED DOWN AND I HAD TO PULL OFF OF THE ROAD, TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART TO GET IT TO RUN NORMALLY. …

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NHTSA ODI #10374418

Official recalls

06V383000 · 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

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

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.