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

Engine complaints

58 reports

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Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2014

EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

THROTTLE/ACCELERATOR THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT PUSHING THE PEDAL. I HAVE ALMOST HIT VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS. IT APPEARS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND MORE DANGEROUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10627983

177,320 miles · Aug 22, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

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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

NHTSA ODI #10627611

74,000 miles · Aug 13, 2014

EngineService BrakesSteering

TRIED TO PULL OUT ON TO HWY. THE FAIL SAFE LIGHT CAME ON AND SHUT DOWN ENGINE. COULD NOT STEER OR CONTROL CAR AT ALL, WAS VERY CLOSE TO HAVING A BAD ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622073

149,355 miles · Jul 9, 2014

EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

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I JUST PURCHASED A 05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND WAS ON MY WAY FROM CALIFORNIA TO GEORGIA. AS I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED THAT WHEN IT WOULD SHIFT IT WOULD REV UP EVEN WHILE SLOWING DOWN. I ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THE AC WAS ON IT GOT WORSE. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND FOUND THAT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN, I'M DISABLED AND ON A VERY FIXED INCOME AND BUYING A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE IS A MUST. UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, IT IS NOT SAFE I ASKED THEM WHAT IT WAS GOING TO TAKE FOR THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL, INJURY OR EVEN A DEATH, AND HIS RESPONSE WAS THAT IT WAS NOT UP TO THEM BUT UP TO THE NHTS. I HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS PROBLEM AND THERE ARE MANY MORE PEOPLE WITH THESE VEHICLES THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK THE CONSUMERS SHOULD BE LIABLE TO FIX A DEFECTIVE PART. EVEN A MECHANIC AT A FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHY THEY JUST DON'T REPLACE IT INSTEAD. PLEASE HELP FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO PAY NOT WITH MONEY BUT WITH THERE LIFE! IF I HAD THE MONEY I WOULD REPLACE IT AND HAVE THE ECM UPDATED BUT THAT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR ME DUE TO MY FINANCES. PLEASE PUT OUT A RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY AND MAKE THE UPDATES ON THE SYSTEM FREE. HAVEN'T WE PAID ENOUGH FOR OUR VEHICLES? THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE NOT DUE TO NEGLIGENCE BUT DEFECTIVENESS OF A PART. THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE THROTTLE BODY IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS SO THAT SHOULD TELL YOU SOMETHING. AND THE UPDATES SHOULDN'T COST IF IT MAKES THE VEHICLE RUN LIKE IT SHOULD. I BELIEVE IF ALL OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES COME TOGETHER WE CAN ACTUALLY FIX THIS DEADLY PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD SOMEONE HAVE TO PAY WITH THEIR LIFE JUST FOR SOMEBODY TO BECOME AWARE OF THIS DEADLY, DEFECTIVE PART. SO PLEASE HELP! THEY SAY THE RECALLS COME FROM YOU, SO ISSUE A RECALL AND INCLUDE THE ECM UPDATE THAT GOES WITH IT. THANK YOU, CONCERNED OWNER WITH CHILDREN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609167

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

89,600 miles · May 17, 2014

EnginePower Train

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ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED TOWARDS DENVER, AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR, WHEN TO ACCELERATE FROM ABOUT 70MPH TO ASCEND UP THE HILLS, THE ENGINE RPMS ACCELERATE, HOWEVER, IT FEELS THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS DISENGAGED (SLIPPING) WITH NO POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN RESULTING IN A DRASTIC LOSS OF SPEED. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES IN EFFORTS TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MAINTAIN SPEED. THIS WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS AS TRAFFIC WAS SOMEWHAT CONGESTED, AND OTHER DRIVERS ARE EXPECTING ME TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS IN A DECELERATING MODE. THIS WAS ONLY WITH LIGHT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR. IT SOUNDED AS IF THE GEARS HAD STRIPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION. WE TURNED AROUND AND HEADED HOME, AUTO WOULD NOT ALLOW SPEEDS OVER 60MPH. LATER THE SAME HAPPENED AT SPEEDS OF 35-40 ON LOCAL ROADS. THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. FORD KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592189

129,928 miles · Mar 2, 2014

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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APPROXIMATELY TWO MONTHS AFTER SERVICE PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN PE11018 THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE IRREGULARLY AND THEN IT PLACED ITSELF INTO "FAIL SAFE" MODE AND ILLUMINATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE FORD DEALER THAT PERFORMED THE SERVICE AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE CONTROL WAS AT FAULT BUT WAS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH THE SERVICE THEY PERFORMED ON THE SAME COMPONENT JUST WEEKS EARLIER. DEALER CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AND THEY ALSO CLAIMED THE TWO WERE NOT RELATED REGARDLESS OF THE SIMILAR CLAIMS FOUND ONLINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566671

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2013

EnginePower Train

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I BOUGHT THIS CAR A YEAR AGO THROUGH RONDUPRATT USED CARS IN JANUARY 2012 CAR SEEMED TO DRAG A LITTLE BUT DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO IS AS SUMMER CAME AROUND TRIED TO USE THE AC IT ONLY BLEW COLD ON THE FREEWAY I JUST THINKING IT NEEDED TO BE SERVICED BUY THE TIME I GOT THE AC CHARGED IT WAS WINTER AGAIN. BUY MARCH OF NEXT YEAR THE CAR STARTED DOING THIS WEIRD SHAKING AT EVERY STOP LIGHT AND EVERY STOP SIGN THE CAR WOULD START TO SHAKE IN APRIL A LETTER COMES IN THE MAIL EXPLAINING THE CAR WAS BEING RECALLED DUE TO THE CARS RPM IDLE SURGING TOOK THE CAR TO FAIRFIELD FORD AN WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK IT WAS WORSE THEN IT. HAD EVER BEEN SO I DECIDED TO GO PAY RONDUPRATT TO DIAGNOSTIC THE CAR THE SAID WHERE I TOOK THE CAR TO DIDN'T PERFORM THE RECALL AND THE CAR NEEDED AN AC COMPRESSOR AND AN EGR VALVE I HAVE GOTTEN THE EGR VALVE REPLACED AN THE SAME DAY THE CAR WOULDN'T GO IN TO GEAR SO CONFUSED ON WHY THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SELL CARS THAT THEY KNOW ARE EXPERIENCING THESES PROBLEMS AND RANT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10526367

49,000 miles · Jun 5, 2013

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10515315

125,000 miles · May 31, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD 500 IN 2010 FROM FREEWAY FORD IN BLOOMINGTON, MN. THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT I HAD WAS WHEN MY BOYFRIEND WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 70 MPH WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN MY VEHICLE WENT INTO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE AND LOST ACCELERATION. WITH SPEEDS OF 70 MPH AND 5 LANES OF TRAFFIC WE ARE LUCKY THAT NOTHING WORSE FOLLOWED. THIS PROBLEM WOULD COME UP AGAIN AT RANDOM TIMES. A MORE RECENT INCIDENT WAS I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND RESET THE MODULE. SINCE THAT WAS TAKEN CARE OF MY CAR HAS NOW WORSENED. IT HAS GONE INTO FAIL SAFE MODE 5 TIMES IN ONE MONTH. MY CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE NORMAL AND WHEN I START IT THERE ARE TIMES WHERE MY RPM ARE RUNNING HIGHER THAN NORMAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514416

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.