NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
49 reportsClear category filter60,000 miles · Feb 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO JERK WHEN ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHIC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, IT BEGAN TO JERK WHEN ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT WOULD ACCELERATE SLOWLY UPON TAKE-OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LUBRICATED A COMPONENT (THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE OF WHAT COMPONENT) BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/23/11
NHTSA ODI #10383938
70,000 miles · Feb 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAY A FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN STALL ONCE THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY DISPLAY A FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN STALL ONCE THE MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY WERE ALWAYS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE ECU WAS REPLACED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10381128
Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I FILLED THIS IN ALREADY. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE PROBLEM. UPDATED 01/28/11. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378467
50,000 miles · Dec 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
I TOOK MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL IN FOR A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TORQUE STRUT MOUNT, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN. PRICE TO REPAIR IS $619. AFTER DOING MORE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A DEALER KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TH…
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I TOOK MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL IN FOR A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TORQUE STRUT MOUNT, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN. PRICE TO REPAIR IS $619. AFTER DOING MORE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A DEALER KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR CARS! SO, WHY DOESN'T FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THESE FAULTY PARTS INSTEAD OF MAKING CONSUMERS PAY THESE RIDICULOUS REPAIR BILLS??! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372385
30,000 miles · Nov 30, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE REVERSING MY CAR IT WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATE QUICKLY ON ITS OWN, I IMMEDIATELY STEP ON THE BRAKES AND MY CAR STALLS. ON THE DASH BOARD "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" APPEARS ON MY CONSOLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368432
70,000 miles · Nov 3, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
OUR CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IT OFTEN HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT ALSO ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND AT ALL SPEEDS. THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL ALL LIGHT UP, AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN CAUSING US TO HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO PULL OVER TO SAFETY. WHEN WE TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IT…
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OUR CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. IT OFTEN HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT ALSO ON RESIDENTIAL STREETS AND AT ALL SPEEDS. THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD, THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WILL ALL LIGHT UP, AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN CAUSING US TO HAVE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND TRY TO PULL OVER TO SAFETY. WHEN WE TRY TO RESTART THE CAR IT WILL SPUTTER AND DIE AGAIN. OCCASIONALLY WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT TO A PARKING LOT, WE HAVE HAD TO BE TOWED HOME. WE HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SPARK PLUGS. THE FORD DEALERSHIP DROVE IT AND RAN DIAGNOSTICS ON IT FOR WEEKS AT A TIME AND FOUND NOTHING TO TELL THEM ANYTHING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY WEEK OR SO FOR NEARLY A YEAR, AND NO ONE CAN TELL US WHAT'S WRONG. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY, AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT DOESN'T HAPPEN FOR A MONTH. MANY PEOPLE'S DESCRIPTION OF A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION BODY MATCHES OUR DESCRIPTION, BUT THAT PART IS, APPARENTLY, ON BACKORDER. THE CAR IS ESSENTIALLY UN-DRIVABLE, BECAUSE WE CANNOT COUNT ON IT TO GET TO US WORK ON TIME OR SAFELY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363844
110,500 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD FIVE HUNDRED (500). FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE COMES ON AND ENGINE " SHUTS DOWN" HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR. IT SEEMS THAT IT DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE WHEN YOU WANT, BUT DOES WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD THROTTLE BODY "CLEANED" HOWEVER, CAR STILL IS NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD. ON TOP OF THAT I HA…
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FORD FIVE HUNDRED (500). FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE COMES ON AND ENGINE " SHUTS DOWN" HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART CAR. IT SEEMS THAT IT DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE WHEN YOU WANT, BUT DOES WHEN YOU DON'T WANT TO. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I HAD THROTTLE BODY "CLEANED" HOWEVER, CAR STILL IS NOT PERFORMING AS IT SHOULD. ON TOP OF THAT I HAD IT SERVICED, OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UP, AND I AM STILL HAVE PROBLEMS. PROBLEM STILL IS NOT CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10363803
40,100 miles · Sep 26, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
70 DEGREE AIR BLOWING AT IDLE AND LOW SPEED. LOWERS TO 62 DEGREES AT HIGHWAY SPEED. NO CONDENSATION DRAINING THRU CONDENSATE TUBE. REFRIGERENT EVACUATED AND SYSTEM CHARGED WITH FRESH 134. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357709
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL HAS REALLY BEEN A PROBLEM FROM DAY ONE,HOWEVER,THE PROBLEM NOW IS GET EITHER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE FAIL SAFE MODE TOGETHER.THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SO MANY TIMES WITHIN THE LAST THREE YEARS UNTIL NOTHING SHOULD BE WRONG WITH IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351987
147,000 miles · Aug 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD 500 HAS ISSUE WITH LUNGING WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. CAR STARTED TO STALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN NO ONE KNEW WHAT THE CODE WAS. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING ALOT ON THE FIVE HUNDREDS. PART IS ON BACK ORDER AS OF TODAY OVER 700 A…
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2005 FORD 500 HAS ISSUE WITH LUNGING WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. CAR STARTED TO STALL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT IN NO ONE KNEW WHAT THE CODE WAS. FINALLY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING ALOT ON THE FIVE HUNDREDS. PART IS ON BACK ORDER AS OF TODAY OVER 700 ARE ON BACKORDER SOME FOR 5 MONTHS FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND PAY FOR RENTAL CARS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE PUT OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351959
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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