Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
640–25K
7625–50K
8750–75K
8875–100K
79100–150K
49150K+
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
What owners actually said
510 reports
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
87,414 miles · Mar 31, 2019
Unknown Or Other
"TAKATA RECALL" DRIVER SIDE FRONT DOOR WON'T LATCH CLOSE UNTIL CAR IS WARM UP I SPRAYED IT WITH WD40 THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT DID IT TO ME. CAR WAS PARKED
NHTSA ODI #11192702
86,921 miles · Mar 10, 2019
Power Train
I STOPPED ON A CITY STREET AT STOP SIGN. AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THE THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES. I STARTED THE CAR UP AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPEN ON …
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I STOPPED ON A CITY STREET AT STOP SIGN. AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, BUT THE CAR WOULD BARELY MOVE. THE THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR ABOUT 2 TO 3 MINUTES. I STARTED THE CAR UP AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPEN ON CITY STREET AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I PLAN ON CONTACTING MY FORD DEALER TOMORROW.
NHTSA ODI #11185706
146,000 miles · Feb 26, 2019
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER'S AND FRONT PASSENGER DOORS DID NOT SHUT WHEN IT RAINED OR WHEN THE WEATHER WAS COLD. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000.
NHTSA ODI #11182566
235,000 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. DURING INCLEMENT COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. BOYD COUNTY FORD (LOCATED AT 2119 GREENUP AVENUE, ASHLAND, KY 41…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. DURING INCLEMENT COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO LATCH SECURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. BOYD COUNTY FORD (LOCATED AT 2119 GREENUP AVENUE, ASHLAND, KY 41101) PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.
NHTSA ODI #11171807
136,000 miles · Jan 8, 2019
Structure
WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE THE DRIVERS DOOR LATCH STOPS WORKING AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP THE DOOR SHUT.
NHTSA ODI #11165889
101,000 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL ON THE GARAGE FLOOR, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINE WAS DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED GAS WAS LEAKING. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS REPAIRED IT HAPPENED AGAIN. UPDATED 11/20/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11131787
131,000 miles · Sep 13, 2018
Unknown Or Other
THE SHIFT CABLE IS BURNT AT THE END. THE GEAR SHIFT STARTED GOING FROM NETURAL AS DRIVE AND REVERSE WAS BETWEEN PARK N REVERSE. THE SHOP WAS GOING TO AJUST THE LINKAGE BUT UPON LOOKING FOUND THE CABLE WAS BURNT.. IT WAS ALSO MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN IN PARK. WHICH WAS ACTUALLY SPARKING THE CABLE SOMEHOW. PARK WILL ROLL SO U …
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THE SHIFT CABLE IS BURNT AT THE END. THE GEAR SHIFT STARTED GOING FROM NETURAL AS DRIVE AND REVERSE WAS BETWEEN PARK N REVERSE. THE SHOP WAS GOING TO AJUST THE LINKAGE BUT UPON LOOKING FOUND THE CABLE WAS BURNT.. IT WAS ALSO MAKING A CLICKING SOUND WHEN IN PARK. WHICH WAS ACTUALLY SPARKING THE CABLE SOMEHOW. PARK WILL ROLL SO U HAVE TO USE PARKING BREAK.
NHTSA ODI #11129239
244,141 miles · Jul 12, 2018
Electrical SystemEngine
GAUGES DROP CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THEN WRENCH LIGHT THEN ONE SHAPED LIKE A CAR N STARTS LOOSEN POWER
NHTSA ODI #11111035
170,000 miles · May 8, 2018
Seat Belts
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 UNAB…
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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.
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.
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
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.
2005 Ford Five Hundred Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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