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2005 Ford Five Hundred

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

443 reports with mileage · 67 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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

Power Train complaints

136 reports
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50,076 miles · Jul 15, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainSteering

I HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STE…

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I HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THEY ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THEY WAS TO TURN THE WHEEL IT WOULD USUALLY DIE ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, POWERSTEERING PUMP, BELT AND THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR STILL DIES. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THEM IS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WHAT MADE ME TAKE THE CAR IN TO BEGIN WITH WAS THAT I WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER PLAYING TENNIS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS SOMEWHAT DEAD AND THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING RAPIDLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10234387

40,100 miles · Jul 7, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT. HE HEARD A LOUD, BANGING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REMAIN AT THE SPEED HE WAS TRAVELING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO A…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT. HE HEARD A LOUD, BANGING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REMAIN AT THE SPEED HE WAS TRAVELING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS DOWNSHIFTING FAILURE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233404

4,000 miles · Apr 18, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HER RESIDENCE AND DROVE THERE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT. A D…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER GO FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY MOVE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT WAS CLOSE TO HER RESIDENCE AND DROVE THERE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY CHECKED THE FLUID LEVELS AND THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED AND THE PCM AND TCM WERE REPROGRAMMED. IN APRIL OF 2008, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SERVICE CENTER FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC AND WAS CHARGED OVER $500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 17,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000. UPDATED 07/15/08. *LJ UPDATED 07/15/08

NHTSA ODI #10224884

44,444 miles · Feb 6, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineLatches/locks/linkages

PURCHASED MY 500 9/05 IT ONLY HAD 5 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS LATER LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LEAK SOME SORT OF FLUID GOT THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER PURCHASED WAS TOLD A/C LEAKING OIL AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD I WASN'T EVEN USING THE A/C WAS MARCH!!! MY DASH CONSOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS DEFECTIVE AN…

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PURCHASED MY 500 9/05 IT ONLY HAD 5 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS LATER LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LEAK SOME SORT OF FLUID GOT THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER PURCHASED WAS TOLD A/C LEAKING OIL AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD I WASN'T EVEN USING THE A/C WAS MARCH!!! MY DASH CONSOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE COMPUTER ALSO HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED SINCE THE CAR WOULDN'T START IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER THIS HAPPENED IN JAN06......MY FUEL STRAPS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL AND MY DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL AND I HAD 22K MILES WHEN THE BACK BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP TOOK TO DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY BRAKES ARE UNDER WEAR AND TEAR AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED NOW WHICH DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE SINCE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GOOD HOW COULD BACK BRAKES GO BAD BEFORE FRONT BRAKES UNLESS YOU ONLY DRIVE YOUR CAR IN REVERSE????? I PAID THE $400 TO FIX SINCE WAS INFORMED 500 ROTORS CANT BE TURNED EVER WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES......THEN 6 MONTHS LATER BRAKES WERE RECALLED AND I DID REQUEST REFUND WHICH I DID RECEIVE. HOWEVER I NOW HAVE 44K NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY SINCE EXPIRED AND I DIDN'T BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY BROUGHT CAR IN TO FORD SINCE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT THEN HAD TRANS CENSOR REPLACED WAS TOLD THAT WAS PROBLEM THEN 2 DAYS LATER LIGHT STILL TURNING ON AND CAR WILL NOT REVERSE TOOK INTO DEALER AGAIN WAS TOLD TRANS AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND NEED NEW TRANS WHICH COSTS $5300 CAR IS ONLY WORK 9K!!!! FORD COMPANY SAID THEY WILL OFFER ASSISTANCE ONLY OF 3K SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HAD I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I WOULD ONLY BE PAYING $100 NOTHING LIKE THROWING THAT IN YOUR FACE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY IT NEED A CAR AND AM A SINGLE PARENT OF 2. ALSO BACK DOORS TRIM IS COMING APART PASSENGER SINCE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10217296

49,016 miles · Dec 18, 2007
Power Train

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MILES PER HOUR A LOUD NOISE EMANATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, ENGINE RPMS RACED FROM 1500 TO 4500, A CLATTERING NOISE FOLLOWED SOUNDING LIKE A METAL SPOON DROPPED INTO A RUNNING GARBAGE DISPOSAL, CAR DRAMATICALLY SLOWED COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION CONTROL, STEERING CONTROL UNCERTAIN AS CAR WAN…

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DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MILES PER HOUR A LOUD NOISE EMANATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, ENGINE RPMS RACED FROM 1500 TO 4500, A CLATTERING NOISE FOLLOWED SOUNDING LIKE A METAL SPOON DROPPED INTO A RUNNING GARBAGE DISPOSAL, CAR DRAMATICALLY SLOWED COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION CONTROL, STEERING CONTROL UNCERTAIN AS CAR WANDERED. NO UNUSUAL EVENTS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ITS OCCURRENCE CAME WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. EVENT OCCURRED ON TWO LANE RURAL ROAD,VEHICLES FOLLOWING AND ONCOMING HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION BUT NO COLLISION OCCURRED. PASSENGERS STRANDED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. RIGHT AXLE SHAFT BROKEN IN HALF. RIGHT AXLE CARRIER BEARING BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND SPLINES DAMAGED. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. AXLE SHAFT AND CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION SPLINES FILED DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10212228

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2007
Power Train

CAR RANDOMLY STALLS. ON OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE IT STUTTERS, I EVEN TRIED TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE ONLY THING THAT I WAS TOLD "THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED UPDATED." OK THIS…

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CAR RANDOMLY STALLS. ON OCCASIONS WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE IT STUTTERS, I EVEN TRIED TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND STILL NOTHING. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE. THE ONLY THING THAT I WAS TOLD "THE COMPUTER CHIP IN THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED UPDATED." OK THIS HASN'T CORRECTED MY PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID THAT THIS COULD CAUSE ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN, I HOPE THAT THEY ARE NOT IN THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. I AM ASSUMELY THAT THE REASON THIS HASN'T BEEN RECALLED YET, IS BECAUSE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A REPAIR FOR THIS. BESIDES THE OBVIOUS, REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS. YOU MAY NEED TO DRIVE ONE, I WILL LET YOU USE MINE. JUST SO THIS GETS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200377

15,000 miles · Dec 7, 2006
Power Train

PURCHASED FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN FEBRUARY 2006, AN SEL AUTOMATIC. AROUND 15,000 MILES BEGAN NOTICING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, MOSTLY HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED OCT. 22, 2006 WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, ENGINE REVVED WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL BUT VEHICLE SLOWED AS IF …

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PURCHASED FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN FEBRUARY 2006, AN SEL AUTOMATIC. AROUND 15,000 MILES BEGAN NOTICING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, MOSTLY HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED OCT. 22, 2006 WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, ENGINE REVVED WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL BUT VEHICLE SLOWED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THEN IT PUNCHED VIOLENTLY AND RESUMED DRIVING NORMALLY. WE PULLED OVER THINKING SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE BEGAN OUR JOURNEY AGAIN AND HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF MINOR PUNCHING OF THE TRANSMISSION, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND GOING BACK IN AGAIN. AFTER WE RETURNED HOME, THESE PROBLEMS WERE VERY INTERMITTENT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE RE-ENGAGING. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER THE SECOND WEEK IN NOVEMBER. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY SAID THERE WAS A COMPUTER TECHNICIAN LOG THAT SUGGESTED A RESET. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER, CHANGED THE OIL, CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, ETC. A FEW DAYS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WAS BACK TO SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY. ON NOVEMBER 20, 2006, THE SEVERE PUNCHING BEGAN AGAIN, SO BAD THIS TIME THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO 2ND BEFORE IT ENGAGED AND WE WERE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. SINCE WE WERE ON VACATION, WE HAD TO CONTINUE ON OUR TRIP WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. WHEN WE RETURNED FROM OUR TRIP, BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WE WENT. WE TOOK THE TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN GUY FOR A TEST DRIVE AND LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE WAS AMAZED, HADN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. HE TALKED TO OTHER TRANSMISSION TECH'S WHO WERE STUMPED BY THE PROBLEM, TOO. HE ENDED UP CALLING FORD HEADQUARTERS AND SPOKE WITH THE ENGINEERS. THEY DECIDED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN ORDER BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T SURE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10175531

14,000 miles · Oct 19, 2006
Power TrainVisibility

2005 FORE FIVE HUNDRED- THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED; 1)FOUR TIMES THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON , AND CAR THEN WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 40 MPH. EACH TIME CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING REPLACING MODULES AND THE TRANS AXLE PAN. CURRENTLY THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBL…

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2005 FORE FIVE HUNDRED- THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED; 1)FOUR TIMES THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON , AND CAR THEN WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 40 MPH. EACH TIME CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING REPLACING MODULES AND THE TRANS AXLE PAN. CURRENTLY THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. 2) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WOULD GO TO THE DOWN POSITION WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED FOR THE UP POSITION. THE WINDOW MOTOR AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM ALSO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10171372

35,000 miles · Sep 27, 2006
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAND NEW 2005 FORD 500 PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 24 2005 BEGAN AT 15000 MILES WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30,000 MILES. MY JOB IS 100% SALES AND MY CAR IS MY ONLY REVENUE PROVIDER. AT 35,000 CAR SHOWING PROBLEMS WHEN HITTING THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT RUN. AT 39,000 MILES AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. AT 39,000 I ASKED…

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BRAND NEW 2005 FORD 500 PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 24 2005 BEGAN AT 15000 MILES WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30,000 MILES. MY JOB IS 100% SALES AND MY CAR IS MY ONLY REVENUE PROVIDER. AT 35,000 CAR SHOWING PROBLEMS WHEN HITTING THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT RUN. AT 39,000 MILES AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. AT 39,000 I ASKED THE DEALER TO RECHECK THE WHOLE CAR THAT IT WAS SHOWING TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. AT 43,000 MILES NOW IS SITTING IN THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED AT SINCE LAST FRIDAY SEPT 22,2006. THE FORD DEALER MECHANICAL DIRECTOR WAS INSIDE THE CAR AND ME TEST DRIVING IT, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HIS WORDS WERE' IF THIS WAS MY CAR I WOULD NOT BE SITTING IN IT, IT'S A RISK TO ANYONE'S LIFE" TODAY, FORD INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE TO BRING THE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND OPEN IT. THEY ASK ME EVERY TIME TO SIGN IN ACCEPTANCE THEY WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING. IT IS BEING REPORTED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TOMORROW, I HAVE NOTIFIED THE BANK WHO GAVE ME THE LOAN. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE CAR RENTAL EXPENDITURES I'VE HAD TO INCUR IN ADDITION TO CONSTANT REPAIRS PRIOR TO CAR REACHING 1 YEAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169368

21,060 miles · Aug 23, 2006
Electrical SystemPower Train

ON THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT WE HAD SNOW THIS PAST WINTER, MY FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ACCELERATING. IT BECAME NECESSARY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE TROUBLE LIGHT WAS OFF AND I CONTINUED MY JOURNEY HOME. WITHIN A…

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ON THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT WE HAD SNOW THIS PAST WINTER, MY FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ACCELERATING. IT BECAME NECESSARY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE TROUBLE LIGHT WAS OFF AND I CONTINUED MY JOURNEY HOME. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT AND THE SURGING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT TOOK QUITE AWHILE TO GET HOME. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER THE FIST TIME AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER THE SECOND SNOW STORM, AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FILTER WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL, I ACCEPTED THEIR EXPLANATION BECAUSE OF MY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEALER OWNER AND SERVICE MANAGER. WHILE AT WORK THE OTHER DAY, I NOTICED A CO-WORKER WITH A SIMILAR TYPE VEHICLE AND INQUIRED AS TO HOW SHE LIKED THE FORD 500. HER RESPONSE SHOCKED ME WHEN SHE STATED THAT SHE LIKED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD TROUBLE THIS PAST WINTER IN THE SNOW. SHE DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED AND NOW I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER 2005 FORD 500 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME IN DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166342

Official recalls

2

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

2

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.