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

Seat Belts complaints

7 reports

Clear category filter

170,000 miles · May 8, 2018

Seat Belts

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS INOPERABLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, THE SEAT BELT WAS DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT FROM THE BUCKLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTRACT THE SEAT BELT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS UNABLE TO LATCH SECURELY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11092399

34,000 miles · Apr 11, 2008

Air BagsSeat Belts

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER SEEMED TO IGNORE THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT IT WAS MINIMAL. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO BUCKLE HIS SEAT BELT IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, AND NOTICED THAT THE SEAM AT THE BELT WAS LOOSE. THE AIR BAG OFF LIGHT WOULD NOT DIM. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT BELT WAS CONNECTED TO THE AIR BAG SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $129. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 05/07/08 *BF UPDATED 05/07/08

NHTSA ODI #10224212

22,000 miles · Mar 26, 2008

Air BagsSeat BeltsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE THE CLIENT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE CLIENT ALSO APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ENCOUNTERED A PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. SHE CROSSED OVER THE DOUBLE-YELLOW LINE ON A 2-LANE ROAD AND PASSED THE PICKUP TRUCK. THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP INFORMED POLICE THAT HE NOTICED BRAKES BEING APPLIED, SMELLED, AND SAW BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CLIENT THEN SIDE SWIPED A GUARDRAIL FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET. THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED ACROSS THE ROADWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY 70 FEET AND LANDED ON ITS SIDE. AT THAT TIME, ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED AT A RECENTLY PLANTED FLOWER BED. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DISENGAGED AS WELL. PART OF THE CRASH WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE BY A PENNSYLVANIA DOT SURVEILLANCE CAMERA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000. UPDATED 04/29/08. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10222361

14,000 miles · Aug 14, 2006

Seat BeltsCrashInjury

2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB *JB

NHTSA ODI #10165823

14,000 miles · Jul 20, 2006

Seat BeltsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON WET PAVEMENT AND BLACK ICE, THE VEHICLE SPUN AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER TIGHTLY IN THE SEAT, RESULTING IN LEG AND BACK NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT WAS ALSO INJURED DURING THE COLLISION, HOWEVER THE REAR SEAT BE…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10162972

Mileage unknown · Jul 10, 2006

Seat Belts

2005 FORD 500 REAR RIGHT FEMALE HALF SEAT BELT IS DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD AND WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO AFTER MONTHS OF DELAY REFERRED BACK TO FORD WHO STATED THAT IT MEETS THEIR STANDARDS. THE BELT IS TOO SHORT AND FLEXIBLE. IT RETRACTS BACK INTO THE SEAT CUSHION MAKING IT DI…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10161988

375 miles · Jul 6, 2005

Seat Belts

Read full complaint

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW FORD 500 LIMITED. THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO CHILDREN. THE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR ARE POSITIONED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO CROSS CHILDREN'S NECKS. THE SEAT BELTS HIT OUR 9 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO IS TALL FOR HER AGE, ON HER NECK AND WE ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WHO IS VERY TALL AND THE BELT RIDES HIS KNECK EVEN WITH HIM IN A BOSTER SEAT. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE EQUIPED WITH "COMFORT GUIDES" LIKE THE ONES FOUND IN GM CARS. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR SMALL ADULTS OR CHILDREN WHO NO LONGER NEED CAR SEATS TO RIDE IN THE BACK OF THIS VEHICLE. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM SHOULD BE RETROFITTED BY FORD AT THEIR EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #10127593

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.