NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
17 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 22, 2023
EngineSuspensionCrashInjury
I have 2 very serious and dangerous issues. The 1st issue, the car will shut off while driving and without warning. I'll be cruzing down the highway and out of no where it shuts off. I then do not have breaks or power stearing. This last Winter my daughter was driving it and it shut off while she was on black ice. The car flew i…
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I have 2 very serious and dangerous issues. The 1st issue, the car will shut off while driving and without warning. I'll be cruzing down the highway and out of no where it shuts off. I then do not have breaks or power stearing. This last Winter my daughter was driving it and it shut off while she was on black ice. The car flew into the ditch and the snow was so deep it was compacted in the entire engine so it was impossible to restart the car. It was akso -37 below temperature. It took me almost a half hour to get to her and she almost froze to death. She sustained frost bite on her hands, toes, ears, and cheeks. She almost died. Issue 2, my daughter was driving and all of the sudden a loud noise and she couldn't steer. The rear control arm bracket that is part of the subframe busted causing the control arm to no longer be attached to the frame. She almost flipped the car when that happened. I looked into it and many cars this year make and model had the exact same thing happen in the exact same spot. So that tells me that it is a manufacturer defect. I had this looked at and inspected by Trusted Tires & Auto. Neither of these issues had any warning at all. So now the car sits unable to be driven. Even if it was fixed I won't drive it or let my daughter drive it and I can't sell it because I don't want anyone else to drive it period. It is a death trap literally and puts everyone's life in dangernear that come near the car. It needs to be recalled immediately. This is absolutely unacceptable and Ford needs to stand behind their product. If this car continues to stay on the roads Many people will die because of all the defects on the car.
NHTSA ODI #11540215
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2023
SteeringSuspensionWheels
While driving the front end suspension slips, bounces up and down very harshly, tires slip, squeak, and slide in an hard to control way, sometimes into oncoming traffic when in slightly damp conditions an on roads with any amount of bumps, to the point that I need to drive extremely slow to avoid danger which in turn puts my and…
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While driving the front end suspension slips, bounces up and down very harshly, tires slip, squeak, and slide in an hard to control way, sometimes into oncoming traffic when in slightly damp conditions an on roads with any amount of bumps, to the point that I need to drive extremely slow to avoid danger which in turn puts my and my passengers and my kids in danger by goin to slow in regards to the traffic around us. When hitting relatively small bumps the suspension bounces the car severely up and down and across the road into harms way.
NHTSA ODI #11531095
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2020
Electrical SystemSuspensionUnknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IT STARTED TO SHAKE VERY HARD WELL I HEARD A SNAP SOUND AND MY CAR STARTED TO DRAG I GOT OUT MY FRAME ABOVE MY RIGHT LOWER CONTROL HAD SNAPPED IVE READ THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I CONTACTES FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO WELL I'M OUT OF A VEHICLE BUT …
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR IT STARTED TO SHAKE VERY HARD WELL I HEARD A SNAP SOUND AND MY CAR STARTED TO DRAG I GOT OUT MY FRAME ABOVE MY RIGHT LOWER CONTROL HAD SNAPPED IVE READ THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM I CONTACTES FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO WELL I'M OUT OF A VEHICLE BUT VEFORE ALL OF THIS I KEPT GOING THROUGH FUEL RELAY ISSUES AND EVENTUALLY STARTED LOSING MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SO NOW I'M FIGHTING WITH THEM TO DO THE REPAIRS
NHTSA ODI #11309959
136,000 miles · May 16, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSuspension
SUSPENSION: CONTINUOUS RATTLE ISSUES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. BUSHINGS? SWAY BARS?? WHO KNOWS. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HAPPENS ONLY DURING DRIVING. CONSISTENT NOISE FROM THE REAR. FUEL: PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SENSOR. FAILED READING. ALL GAUGES LIGHT UP. RUN OBD AND ALL FLUID LEVELS / PRESSURE FINE. NO R…
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SUSPENSION: CONTINUOUS RATTLE ISSUES IN THE REAR SUSPENSION. BUSHINGS? SWAY BARS?? WHO KNOWS. NO ONE CAN SEEM TO PINPOINT THE PROBLEM. HAPPENS ONLY DURING DRIVING. CONSISTENT NOISE FROM THE REAR. FUEL: PROBLEMS WITH FUEL SENSOR. FAILED READING. ALL GAUGES LIGHT UP. RUN OBD AND ALL FLUID LEVELS / PRESSURE FINE. NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE. DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY WAS AN ISSUE AND THE SENSOR INSIDE SAME. HOWEVER, AFTER NUMEROUS WEB BASED SEARCHES I FOUND THAT THROTTLE BODY ISSUES ARE DEFINITELY AN ISSUE. FOUND THAT REMOVING THE AIR CLEANER BOX FOR FILTER REPLACEMENT CAN CAUSE SENSOR ISSUES. WHY? SINCE MY LAST OIL CHANGE I HAVE HAD AT LEAST THREE FAILURES HERE. THIS IS DANGEROUS, EXPENSIVE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.
NHTSA ODI #11207982
173,000 miles · Apr 30, 2017
Suspension
TRACK BAR BRACKET ON THE EXIT FROM MY DRIVEWAY TO THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE ERRATICALLY. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT REAR RIGHT TRACK BAR BRACKET IS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE CAR BODY. IT LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETE STRUCTURE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT VERY LOW SPEED AND NO ON…
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TRACK BAR BRACKET ON THE EXIT FROM MY DRIVEWAY TO THE ROAD THE CAR STARTED TO DRIVE ERRATICALLY. AFTER STOPPING THE CAR AND INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT REAR RIGHT TRACK BAR BRACKET IS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE CAR BODY. IT LOOKS LIKE A COMPLETE STRUCTURE FAILURE. FORTUNATELY, THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT VERY LOW SPEED AND NO ONE WAS HARMED. PHOTOS OF THE CAR ARE ENCLOSED.
NHTSA ODI #10981488
295,000 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Power TrainSteeringSuspension
FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SHEARED OFF AT 25 MPH WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THEN SNAPPED THE CV JOINT AXLE SHAFT CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO JAM INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL AND DAMAGE LOWER PART OF BODY AND FENDER. THE VEHICL WAS TOTALLY DISABLE AT THIS POINT SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. SI…
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FRONT DRIVER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SHEARED OFF AT 25 MPH WHILE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN AND THEN SNAPPED THE CV JOINT AXLE SHAFT CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO JAM INSIDE THE WHEEL WELL AND DAMAGE LOWER PART OF BODY AND FENDER. THE VEHICL WAS TOTALLY DISABLE AT THIS POINT SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. SIMILAR INCIDENT HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT SHEARED AND SNAPPED THE CV JOINT AXLE SHAFT AT 45 MPH AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO TURN 180 DEGREES BLOCKING TWO LANES OF HWY. THAT TIME FRONT WHEEL DAMAGED WHEEL WELL AND SENSOR WIRES ON THAT SIDE FO THE ENGINE BAY
NHTSA ODI #10956245
130,000 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Suspension
REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM SHEARED OFF AT INSIDE BUSHINGS DURING NORMAL DRIVING. WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL AGAINST FRAME AND SOME LOSS OF CONTROL WAS EXPERIENCED. BOTH SIDES OF CONTROL ARM (FORD PART# 5A804) BROKE OFF FROM FATIGUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493069
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2011
Suspension
TSB 10-2-13. I HAVE INNER REAR TIRE WEAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT (THIS LIKELY EXISTED WHEN PURCHASED NEW). THERE IS A TSB THAT TALKS ABOUT SOME CARS WITH RR NEGATIVE CAMBER, (WHICH MY CAR DOES HAVE), AND ALSO TALKS ABOUT HOW TO MODIFY THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DANGER IN THIS DEFECT IS A BLOWOUT OF A TIRE …
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TSB 10-2-13. I HAVE INNER REAR TIRE WEAR, ESPECIALLY ON THE RIGHT (THIS LIKELY EXISTED WHEN PURCHASED NEW). THERE IS A TSB THAT TALKS ABOUT SOME CARS WITH RR NEGATIVE CAMBER, (WHICH MY CAR DOES HAVE), AND ALSO TALKS ABOUT HOW TO MODIFY THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DANGER IN THIS DEFECT IS A BLOWOUT OF A TIRE OR TIRES WHILE DRIVING. CAR IS IMMACULATE. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND TAKE GREAT CARE OF IT. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT GIVEN HOW MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE COMMENTING IT ON-LINE VIA FORUMS. ALSO, THERE IS A TSB ON IT, SO FORD IS AWARE OF IT. EVEN THOUGH THEY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF IT SINCE IT IS A DEFECT, THEY WON'T. FORD, EVEN WITH ALL THEIR HYPE ON QUALITY AND SAFETY AS JOB ONE, ARE JUST A BUNCH OF HYPOCRITES. THEY ACT ONLY WHEN FORCED TO DO SO BY YOU FOLKS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. I'M OLD SCHOOL. IT'S ALL ABOUT INTEGRITY FOR ME. WHY DO YOU THINK FORD STILL LIVES UP TO THEIR REPUTATION AS FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. HAD A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH THE REAR BRAKES SEVERAL YEARS AGO ON THIS VEHICLE. I TOOK IT FOR FORD AND THEY WOULD NOT OWN UP TO IT UNTIL I COMPLAINED TO YOU FOLKS LIKE MANY OTHER DID AND THEY FINALLY REIMBURSED US BECAUSE OF YOUR INTERVENTION. AGAIN, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FORCED TO DO THE RIGHT THING! JUST A BUNCH OF THUGS. WHERE IS ELLIOT NESS WHEN YOU NEED HIM! 02/15/10. SUSPENSION - REAR TIRE INNER EDGE WEAR FORD: 2005-2007 FIVE HUNDRED, FREESTYLE, 2008-2009 TAURUS X, TAURUS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10429455
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2011
Power TrainStructureSuspension
THE VEHICLE LUNGES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND CONTINUES TO DO SO WHILE WAITING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS! IT ALSO DOES THIS WHILE TRYING TO PARK MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PARK NEAR ANYTHING! I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM STATING IT IS A THROTT…
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THE VEHICLE LUNGES WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE WHEN PUTTING INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND CONTINUES TO DO SO WHILE WAITING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC MAKING IT VERY DANGEROUS! IT ALSO DOES THIS WHILE TRYING TO PARK MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO PARK NEAR ANYTHING! I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM STATING IT IS A THROTTLE BODY DEFECT THAT COSTS AT LOWEST $700.00 TO REPAIR. FRONT SUSPENSION IS SHOT ALREADY WITH LOUD CLUNKING NOISES, VERY ROUGH RIDE! REAR DOORS FILL WITH WATER WHICH WILL RESULT IN RUST HOLES! ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SEVERAL TIMES BY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS SAME YEAR AND MAKE OF VEHICLE. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS NEEDED TO FIX THESE PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423835
87,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Suspension
FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 MODEL: REAR AXLE ASSEMBLY IS FAILING - PRODUCES NOISE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394150
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.