NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reports47,000 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY INTERNAL BORE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION VALVE BODY INTERNAL BORE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.
NHTSA ODI #10407086
108,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Electrical System
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DASH CLUSTER HAS FAILED IN MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED. IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. WHILE UNDER THE PART WARRANTY OF 12MO/12K MILES, THE CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY PULLED THE IDENTICAL CODES AS THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE CLUSTER, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE IT THIS TIME BEC…
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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE DASH CLUSTER HAS FAILED IN MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED. IT WAS REPLACED THE FIRST TIME. WHILE UNDER THE PART WARRANTY OF 12MO/12K MILES, THE CLUSTER FAILED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY PULLED THE IDENTICAL CODES AS THE FIRST TIME THEY REPLACED THE CLUSTER, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE IT THIS TIME BECAUSE NONE OF THE INDICATOR LAMPS WHERE ON AT THE TIME THEY LOOKED AT IT. NOW THE WRENCH, TRACTION CONTROL, CHECK ENGINE ARE LIT, AND THE DISPLAY READS CHECK ENGINE, CHECK TRANSMISSION, AND TRANSMISSION DATA ERROR. THESE ARE THE SAME AS THE LAST TIME WHEN IT WAS REPLACED. THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, AND THIS TIME AFTER PARKING THE CAR IT WOULD NOT RESTART. I CAME BACK IN ABOUT 20MIN. AND THE CAR STARTED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, NOW OUT OF THE PART WARRANTY AND NOW THEY IMMEDIATELY WANT TO REPLACE THE CLUSTER. SEEMS FORD JUST WANTED ME TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR, AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405836
79,843 miles · Jun 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CAR GOES INTO "ENGINE FAILURE MODE" WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE DIES AND POWER BRAKES AND STEERING GO OUT. WENT TO DEALER FOR INJECTOR FLUSH AND AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANING PLUS REPROGRAM PCM. STILL GET "ENGINE FAILURE MODE". VERY DANGEROUS. MY ONLY CAR. HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE FORDS AND YET NO RECALL. I A…
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CAR GOES INTO "ENGINE FAILURE MODE" WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE DIES AND POWER BRAKES AND STEERING GO OUT. WENT TO DEALER FOR INJECTOR FLUSH AND AND THROTTLE BODY CLEANING PLUS REPROGRAM PCM. STILL GET "ENGINE FAILURE MODE". VERY DANGEROUS. MY ONLY CAR. HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE FORDS AND YET NO RECALL. I AM OUT $340 AND NO LASTING FIX. AT DEALER 5/18/1L. WHAT IS WRONG WITH GETTING THIS REPAIRED CORRECTLY. WENT TO MAROONE FORD, 1333 N. FEDERAL HWY. FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304. CAR NOW SITTING IN MY GARAGE. IT WON'T RUN AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. IT STARTS BUT IS VERY ROUGH AND WON'T RESPOND TO GAS PEDAL. CAN I TRY AND DRIVE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AT 10 MPH WITHOUT DAMAGING THE ENGINE? I AM RETIRED AND DON'T HAVE THE BIG BUCKS TO REPAIR THIS CAR. WILL FORD PAY FOR THE REPAIR? THE FAILURE MODE HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE THE REPAIR BUT HAS "FIXED" ITSELF UNTIL TODAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405681
44,000 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Electrical System
DURING NORMAL OPERATION THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC..) SWING FROM 0 TO MAX AND THEN DOWN TO 0. THE GAUGES STAY LIKE THAT FOR AWHILE THEN RETURN TO OPERATION. DURING THE GAUGE OUTAGE THE REVERSE LIGHTS ON THE CAR COME ON. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER BEHIND YOU IS NOT PAYING ATTENTI…
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DURING NORMAL OPERATION THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGES (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ETC..) SWING FROM 0 TO MAX AND THEN DOWN TO 0. THE GAUGES STAY LIKE THAT FOR AWHILE THEN RETURN TO OPERATION. DURING THE GAUGE OUTAGE THE REVERSE LIGHTS ON THE CAR COME ON. THIS COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT IF THE DRIVER BEHIND YOU IS NOT PAYING ATTENTION AS WELL AS POSSIBLE EQUIPMENT VIOLATION TICKETS FROM THE LOCAL POLICE. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT FORD DOESN'T SEEM TO THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CAR IN QUESTION IS A 2005 FORD 500 WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS PRISTINE IN ALL OTHER AREAS, WE BABY THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405398
50,000 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. VEHICLE ENTERS INTO FAILSAFE MODE. OCCURRENCES ARE INTERMITTENT. DIAGNOSTIC CHECKS SHOW SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE REAL CULPRIT WHICH IS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET. DEALER IS ASKING FOR 800.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404399
82,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY FOUR TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10404194
120,000 miles · May 28, 2011
Power Train
THE CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. AND NEARLY PLOWED INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THEN ON THE HWY HAS LOSE OF POWER NEARLY REAR-ENDED @60MPH CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NOW W/WRENCH. DIAGNOSED CODE P2106 AND P2135 THROTTLE BODY . OCCURS MORE WHEN A/C IS ON. HAD AIR FLOW SENSOR REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403627
Mileage unknown · May 16, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I JUST READ A REPORT THAT YOU WERE INVESTIGATING CASES OF UNEXPECTED LUNGING IN 2005-2007 FORD FREESTYLE WAGONS. I OWN A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND I HAVE HAD THAT SAME SITUATION HAPPEN TO ME ON RANDOM OCCASIONS. I HAVE ENTERED A RANDOMLY CHOSEN DATE BELOW BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED ONLY A FEW TIMES OVER THE LAST SIX YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401137
40,000 miles · May 3, 2011
VisibilityFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE CONTACT BUT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE PASSENGER SIDE REARVIEW MIRROR CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY THE CONTACT BUT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD LATER BE CONTACTED BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10398809
68,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 68K MILES. I WAS LEAVING A REST AREA AND ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. MY CAR SHUDDERED AND HAD NO POWER. I NOTICED THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE LIGHT. I WENT TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED THE CAR. I WAITED A MINUTE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS REPEAT OF…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 68K MILES. I WAS LEAVING A REST AREA AND ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE. MY CAR SHUDDERED AND HAD NO POWER. I NOTICED THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE LIGHT. I WENT TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED THE CAR. I WAITED A MINUTE AND RESTARTED THE CAR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS REPEAT OF SYMPTOMS I HAD TWO WEEKS AGO. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY TWO WEEKS AGO. AT THAT TIME, I WAS IN LINE AT MY GRANDSON'S SCHOOL. SAME SYMPTOMS EXCEPT THAT THE CAR SHUDDERED AND THEN ACCELERATED. FORTUNATELY, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS, I HAVE HAD REPEATED ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODES, BUT HAVE ALWAYS RESET WHEN I TURN OFF THE CAR AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES. FORD HAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. MINE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10397328
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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