NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
58 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Mar 20, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A COLD AND SNOWY DAY, SHE WAS SUDDENLY FACED WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING NO POWER. SHE WAS ABLE TOG ET OFF THE ROAD, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RE-STARTED IT. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO T…
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2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ON A COLD AND SNOWY DAY, SHE WAS SUDDENLY FACED WITH THE VEHICLE HAVING NO POWER. SHE WAS ABLE TOG ET OFF THE ROAD, SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RE-STARTED IT. WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO THE HIGHWAY, SHE DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE, AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. SHE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY PERFORMED THE NECESSARY SERVICES AND RECALL. HOWEVER, ONE WEEK LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY.
NHTSA ODI #10502994
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
150,000 miles · Feb 1, 2013
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, POWERED OFF, THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD, POWERED OFF, THEN RESTARTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR AND DIM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10496086
146,500 miles · Oct 30, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
IN AUGUST 2010, I HAD THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT ~98,000 MILES. LUCKILY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN OCTOBER 2012, THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AS THE SERVICE MEMBER SAID AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP "THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS AT ~146,000 MI…
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IN AUGUST 2010, I HAD THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT ~98,000 MILES. LUCKILY, IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IN OCTOBER 2012, THE SECOND TRANSMISSION AS THE SERVICE MEMBER SAID AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP "THE TRANSMISSION EXPLODED, WE'RE NOT EVEN SURE HOW YOU WERE ABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE. THIS WAS AT ~146,000 MILES, BUT THERE IS ONLY ~48,000 MILES ON THE TRANSMISSION ITSELF. TWO TRANSMISSIONS HAVE FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE COME ACROSS SEVERAL INSTANCES OF THE FORD FIVE HUNDREDS CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION FAILING. I CALLED THE FORD CARE LINE TO REPORT IT, BUT THEY CLAIM THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY ISSUES. MY CONCERN IS THIS THIRD TRANSMISSION WILL ALSO FAIL AT SOME POINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482631
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
135,500 miles · Oct 14, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR SURGES. IT IS MOSTLY AT IDLE SPEED. IT'S DANGEROUS. I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND A JANITOR WAS SWEEPING. MY CAR SURGED AND I LITERALLY STOOD ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER HIM. AT THE DRIVE THROUGH IT SURGED FORWARD AND I HAD TO STAND ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT IT FROM RAMMING INTO THE CAR AHEAD. IT OCCURS MORE WH…
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MY CAR SURGES. IT IS MOSTLY AT IDLE SPEED. IT'S DANGEROUS. I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND A JANITOR WAS SWEEPING. MY CAR SURGED AND I LITERALLY STOOD ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT RUNNING OVER HIM. AT THE DRIVE THROUGH IT SURGED FORWARD AND I HAD TO STAND ON THE BREAKS TO PREVENT IT FROM RAMMING INTO THE CAR AHEAD. IT OCCURS MORE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING BUT WILL OCCUR WITHOUT AC ON. I THE LOCAL DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY RECENTLY BUT IT STILL SURGES. IT OCCURS WHEN PULLING TO A STOP AT THE LIGHTS OR AT THE DRIVE THROUGH AS YOU SLOWLY MOVE FORWARD. IT HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT OR WHEN BACKING UP. I'VE SEEN NEWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE. MY FORD 500 IS ALSO AFFECTED AND WEIGHS A WHOLE LOT MORE. IF THIS THING SURGES FORWARD IT COULD DO SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10480054
75,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE VACUUM OPERATIVE VALVE BEHIND THE THR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE VACUUM OPERATIVE VALVE BEHIND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10475603
60,000 miles · Sep 17, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE VACUUM OPERATIVE VALVE BEHIND THE THROTTLE BOD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE VACUUM OPERATIVE VALVE BEHIND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
NHTSA ODI #10475600
87,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
ROUGH ACCELERATION FROM STOP FOR YEARS. AFTER 218,000 MILES ENGINE SHUTS OFF REPORTING ENGINE FAIL-SAFE MODE. WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR COUPLE, 5-MINUTES. DEALER STATES BAD THROTTLE BODY - $900.00 REPAIR. APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474499
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY IS BAD IN MAJORITY OF VEHICLES IN MY CLASS YEAR. THIS COSTLY REPAIR CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE AND LUNGE BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. IT IS WORST WHEN THE AC IS ON,,IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO IDLE HIGH AND LOW TO THE POINT OF ALMOST SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471464
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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