NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
136 reportsClear category filter84,000 miles · Jan 11, 2010
Power Train
I OWN A FORD 500, I AM NOW ON MY THIRD REPLACEMENT OF A THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THAT VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS OUT OF NO WHERE AND IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT JUMPS FORWARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOT ONLY AM I IN DANGER BUT THOSE IN THE VEHICLE ARE AS WELL AS THOSE …
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I OWN A FORD 500, I AM NOW ON MY THIRD REPLACEMENT OF A THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THAT VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENS OUT OF NO WHERE AND IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT JUMPS FORWARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. NOT ONLY AM I IN DANGER BUT THOSE IN THE VEHICLE ARE AS WELL AS THOSE AROUND ME. THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER FOR MONTHS BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET USED THROTTLE BODIES BUT THEY KEEP GOING OUT AND NONE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL. I JUST PICKED MY VEHICLE UP FROM FORD 3 DAYS AGO AND ITS NOW BACK AT THE DEALERSHIP YET AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED I GOT STRANDED OUT OF TOWN FOR 4 DAYS AND HAD TO DRIVE HALF WAY BACK TO MY HOME TOWN IN A RENTAL TO GET A USED PART AND DRIVE ALL THE WAY BACK. THIS A HUGE INCONVENIENCE THAT HAS COST TIME AND MONEY. THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG THIS REPAIR IS GOING TO TAKE ONCE AGAIN AND HOW MUCH MONEY I WILL HAVE TO GIVE AWAY AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299069
52,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Power Train
I OWN A 2005 FORD 500 (SE MODEL) CAR. IT JUST PASSED 52K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST BROKEN WHEN I DROVE AT NORMAL SPEED ON HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCK THAT I CAN STILL SURVIVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME TO REPLACE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. FROM THE SIMILAR REPORTS FROM A LOT OF CUSTOMERS, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD 500 (SE MODEL) CAR. IT JUST PASSED 52K MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST BROKEN WHEN I DROVE AT NORMAL SPEED ON HIGHWAY. I WAS LUCK THAT I CAN STILL SURVIVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED IT AND TOLD ME TO REPLACE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. FROM THE SIMILAR REPORTS FROM A LOT OF CUSTOMERS, THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE FORD COMPANY ON THEIR COMMON TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10287089
25,281 miles · Sep 22, 2009
Electrical SystemPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN IDLING AS IF IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY BOX WAS FAILING AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND T…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN SHAKING AND THEN IDLING AS IF IT WANTED TO SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND INSPECTED WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE BODY BOX WAS FAILING AND THE COST FOR REPAIR WOULD BE $1800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT IS TRYING TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT HER CLAIM WOULD BE REVIEWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,281 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 11/10/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SEVERAL TIMES, THE GAUGE ACT ERRATICALLY. UPDATED 11/18/09
NHTSA ODI #10284843
65,000 miles · Aug 25, 2009
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING FOR OVER 45 MINUTES OR A REALLY HOT DAY CAR WILL BUCK AND SHAKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN. AFTER THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR THEN KICK BACK IN 30 SECONDS LATER WHILE GOING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE.BROUGHT INTO DEALER SAID NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND COULD NOT REPEAT OCCURRENCE. SO UPGRADED C…
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WHILE DRIVING FOR OVER 45 MINUTES OR A REALLY HOT DAY CAR WILL BUCK AND SHAKE WHEN SLOWING DOWN. AFTER THAT IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR THEN KICK BACK IN 30 SECONDS LATER WHILE GOING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE.BROUGHT INTO DEALER SAID NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND COULD NOT REPEAT OCCURRENCE. SO UPGRADED COMPUTER FOR $ 250.00 DID NOT FIX ANYTHING ,THEN HAD TO WAIT 3 WEEKS FOR ANOTHER APPOINTMENT GOING ON THURSDAY WISH ME LUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281746
75,000 miles · Aug 21, 2009
Power Train
I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2008. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 68K MILES, AND NO WARRANTY. IN JANUARY, MY CAR STARTED DOWN-SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AROUND 1000 RPM. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY DOWN-SHIFT AFTER THE ENGINE REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. IT ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AS IF TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTER…
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I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2008. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 68K MILES, AND NO WARRANTY. IN JANUARY, MY CAR STARTED DOWN-SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AROUND 1000 RPM. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY DOWN-SHIFT AFTER THE ENGINE REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. IT ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AS IF TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE. FORD HAS FLASHED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AND FLUID. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING MESSAGE BOARDS AND HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR FIVE HUNDREDS, TAURUSES, AND MONTEGOS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME, AND FORD HAS NOT MADE ANY RECALLS. I REFUSE TO SHELL OUT RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO "MAYBE" FIX THIS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. ALSO, I AM UNABLE TO TRADE MY CAR FOR SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE IT IS NOW COMPLETELY DEVALUED. PLEASE HELP THE HUNDREDS OF FORD CONSUMERS WHO SHARE IN THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281338
45,000 miles · Aug 19, 2009
Power Train
I'M DRIVING A 2005 FORD 500 THAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND I'M GETTING NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS CVT TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F632/MERGED-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS-PLEASE-POST-THEM-HERE-160576/ THE TRANSMISSION…
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I'M DRIVING A 2005 FORD 500 THAT I HAVE FOUND TO BE A CRASH WAITING TO HAPPEN. CAR ONLY HAS 55K MILES ON IT AND I'M GETTING NOTHING BUT TROUBLE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS CVT TRANSMISSION. HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F632/MERGED-TRANSMISSION-PROBLEMS-PLEASE-POST-THEM-HERE-160576/ THE TRANSMISSION BUCKS, SKIPS AND SHAKES WHEN DECELERATING/ACCELERATING AROUND 25MPH. IT DOES THE SAME THING WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FAST TO PASS SOMEONE. OR DRIVING ON A INCLINE/DECLINE. FORD HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE AND THEY ARE NOT OWNING UP TO IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10281014
58,000 miles · Aug 14, 2009
Power Train
05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED FWD. TRANSMISSION SHUDDER DOWN SHIFTING AROUND 1500 RPM FEELS ALMOST LIKE A BRAKE PROBLEM. HAPPENS MORE AND MORE OFTEN ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. DEALER SERVICED TRANSMISSION 55,000 MILES CHANGING FLUID AND COMMUNICATING NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. TOTAL FAILURE 58,000 MILES NO REVERSE AT ALL ,COULD DRIVE IT ON THE …
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05 FORD FIVE HUNDRED FWD. TRANSMISSION SHUDDER DOWN SHIFTING AROUND 1500 RPM FEELS ALMOST LIKE A BRAKE PROBLEM. HAPPENS MORE AND MORE OFTEN ESPECIALLY ON HOT DAYS. DEALER SERVICED TRANSMISSION 55,000 MILES CHANGING FLUID AND COMMUNICATING NO APPARENT PROBLEMS. TOTAL FAILURE 58,000 MILES NO REVERSE AT ALL ,COULD DRIVE IT ON THE TRAILER IN LOW. WILL REQUIRE A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR SURE, THIS IS THE LAST FORD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280419
42,000 miles · Jul 21, 2009
Power Train
I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD 500 IN MISSOURI NOW LIVE IN NEW JERSEY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AT 42, 000 MILES IT HAS HARD SHIRTS WITH A CLUNKING NOISE WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS A VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION I WAS READING IN THE FORD FORUMS THEIR IS QUITE OF FEW CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FORD 500.. I HAD TO PULL OFF TH…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD 500 IN MISSOURI NOW LIVE IN NEW JERSEY THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP AT 42, 000 MILES IT HAS HARD SHIRTS WITH A CLUNKING NOISE WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED AS A VALVE BODY IN THE TRANSMISSION I WAS READING IN THE FORD FORUMS THEIR IS QUITE OF FEW CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FORD 500.. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD ONCE THE TRANSMISSION ALMOST GOT ME IN A ACCIDENT. I KNOW FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEMS BUT DOESN'T CARE . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277541
25,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Power Train
I HAVE AN 05 FORD 500, 2 WHEEL DRIVE, W/6 SPEED AT/TRANS. AT 30K MILES IT DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION "SLIPPAGE/JERK" WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP FROM 35MPH OR LESS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE SAME WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR CLIMBING A HILL WHEN I HIT PASSING GEAR. I CANNOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN HILLY TERRAIN BECAUSE OF TH…
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I HAVE AN 05 FORD 500, 2 WHEEL DRIVE, W/6 SPEED AT/TRANS. AT 30K MILES IT DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION "SLIPPAGE/JERK" WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP FROM 35MPH OR LESS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE SAME WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR CLIMBING A HILL WHEN I HIT PASSING GEAR. I CANNOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN HILLY TERRAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WILL JERK LOOSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277122
40,000 miles · Jul 1, 2009
Power Train
2005 FORD 500 SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO PASS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SO FAR OTHER DRIVERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO FORD. SO FAR FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275417
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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