NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
510 reports250,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE FIRE ERUPTED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE BATT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. AFTER PLACING FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, WHITE SMOKE EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND FLAMES EMERGED FROM THE ENGINE AND THE SMOKE TURNED BLACK. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE; HOWEVER, THE FIRE ERUPTED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 250,000.
NHTSA ODI #11075023
60,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH MY SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING MY WHOLE DASH BOARD GOES OUT . I CAN NO LONGER SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING. EVERYTHING GOES TO 0 THE GAS GOES TO E AND MY REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE DASH BOARD COMES BACK UP. IF AND WHEN IT COMES BACK ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGH…
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I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH MY SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING MY WHOLE DASH BOARD GOES OUT . I CAN NO LONGER SEE HOW FAST I'M GOING. EVERYTHING GOES TO 0 THE GAS GOES TO E AND MY REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE DASH BOARD COMES BACK UP. IF AND WHEN IT COMES BACK ON MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL BE ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERY SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR 3YEARS AGO ON AND OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11062307
144,000 miles · Dec 13, 2017
Structure
DURING ANY WET WEATHER, WATER INTRUDES INTO MY DOORS AND BECOMES TRAPPED. WHEN OPENING THE DOORS, THE WATER GUSHES OUT AND YOU CAN HEAR WATER SLOSHING AROUND INSIDE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN LEAKAGE FROM THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF WATER INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS BEING FILLED WITH WATER. D…
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DURING ANY WET WEATHER, WATER INTRUDES INTO MY DOORS AND BECOMES TRAPPED. WHEN OPENING THE DOORS, THE WATER GUSHES OUT AND YOU CAN HEAR WATER SLOSHING AROUND INSIDE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN LEAKAGE FROM THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF WATER INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS BEING FILLED WITH WATER. DURING THE COLD WEATHER, THIS WATER THEN FREEZES MY LOCKING MECHANISMS WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOORS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH MY MODEL, BUT ACCORDING TO FORD MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS MY CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN MY DOOR WITH "LOCK" BUT IT IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED AND HAS OPENED WHILE MOVING. FORDS ONLY RESOLUTION FOR ME HAS BEEN TO FIX THE ISSUE AT MY COST, AND THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME "IF" MY CAR WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT USED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION OTHERWISE BY FORD.
NHTSA ODI #11054425
100,000 miles · Dec 4, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY 2010. REALIZED EARLY-ON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SMOOTH, BUT WILLING TO SETTLE FOR LESS THAN PERFECTION SINCE IT WAS A 2005 VEHICLE. IN LATE 2012 OR EARLY 2013, I RECEIVED 'RECALL' NOTICE THAT PCM (I.E. - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) COULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED DUE TO STALLING, HERKY-JERK…
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BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY 2010. REALIZED EARLY-ON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SMOOTH, BUT WILLING TO SETTLE FOR LESS THAN PERFECTION SINCE IT WAS A 2005 VEHICLE. IN LATE 2012 OR EARLY 2013, I RECEIVED 'RECALL' NOTICE THAT PCM (I.E. - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) COULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED DUE TO STALLING, HERKY-JERKY TRANSMISSION, ETC. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS, CHARGED ME $100, AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T EFFECTED BECAUSE NO ERROR CODES WERE NOTED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T ON. I WAS NOT HAPPY, AND REFUSED TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM PERSISTED, UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER 2017 AT ROUGHLY 125,000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC, WAS CHARGED $150 FOR SENSOR REPLACEMENT. LIGHT CAME BACK ON A DAY LATER. TOOK BACK, REPLACED SENSOR FOR FREE (NICE!), BUT LIGHT BACK ON A DAY LATER. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC, WAS CHARGED $250, REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS, LIGHT BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. TOOK BACK TO 2ND MECHANIC, WHEN THEY SHARED WITH ME THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE PCM AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NEED TO FIX. CALLED DEALERSHIP 3 DAYS IN A ROW, ON HOLD FOR NEARLY AN HOUR THE 3RD TIME, WAS NEVER CONNECTED TO A SERVICE WRITER OR TECH, LEFT 3 VOICE MAILS FOR SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS NEVER CALLED BACK. RESEARCHED ISSUE AND FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018, WHERE FORD INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12N03 TO EXTEND COVERAGE TERMS OF REPAIR OF ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGE CAUSED BY PCM NEEDING REPROGRAMMING WITH SOFTWARE CONTAINING UPDATED IDLE SPEED CONTROL. PER NHTSA, SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONDITION MAY INCLUDE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, DIAGNOSTIC CODES (DTCS) P0505, P0506, OR P061B. FORD ISSUED BULLETIN TSB 11-10-21 THAT INCLUDED UPDATED POWERTRAIN CONTROL CALIBRATION.
NHTSA ODI #11052150
200,000 miles · Oct 6, 2017
EngineCrash
WHEN I TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE THE RPM FLUCTUATED AND JERKING AS IF IT WAS A MANUAL OPPOSED TO AUTOMATIC AS INCREASING SPEEDS. THERE WAS A RECALL LETTER MAILED TO ME A FEW YEARS LATER AND FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. WITHIN A FEW DAYS IT BEGAN AGAIN. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE 10 YEARS WITH THE SAME SAFETY ISSU…
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WHEN I TEST DROVE THIS VEHICLE THE RPM FLUCTUATED AND JERKING AS IF IT WAS A MANUAL OPPOSED TO AUTOMATIC AS INCREASING SPEEDS. THERE WAS A RECALL LETTER MAILED TO ME A FEW YEARS LATER AND FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. WITHIN A FEW DAYS IT BEGAN AGAIN. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE 10 YEARS WITH THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE AND HAVE HAD TO PULL OVER NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN THE RPMS DONT RESET WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. I AM NOW FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT BECAUSE I WAS REAR ENDED DUE TO THIS ISSUE BY A PERSON WITH NO INSURANCE. HOW CAN I GET THIS TO GO AWAY BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT
NHTSA ODI #11032110
264,000 miles · Sep 29, 2017
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SeatsStructure
GEARING INTO REVERSE IS HEAVY SHIFTING TRANSMISSION O2 SENSOR BANK 1 NEED REPLACING
NHTSA ODI #11030447
1,420,000 miles · Aug 27, 2017
Unknown Or Other
AC COMPRESS WENT OUT AT 99804, NOW WITH 1420000 THE AC COMPRESS IS BAD AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #11019977
80,000 miles · Jun 14, 2017
Power Train
HARSH AND DELAYED SHIFTING. LUNGES FORWARD WHEN IN DRIVE AT STOP EVEN WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, SAME IN REVERSE. CAR SHIFTS FINE FOR FIRST 20-30 MINUTES THEN STARTS TO SHIFT HARD UP AND DOWN... SEEMS TO GET WORSE AS CAR GETS WARMER
NHTSA ODI #10995044
130,000 miles · May 30, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN TURNING AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL SHAKE, LUNGE AND THEN SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES IT JUST SHAKES AND HESITATES AND THEN KEEPS GOING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION ERROR COD…
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AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN TURNING AND WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE CAR WILL SHAKE, LUNGE AND THEN SHUT OFF. SOMETIMES IT JUST SHAKES AND HESITATES AND THEN KEEPS GOING. SOMETIMES IT TAKES A WHILE TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. A COUPLE OF TIMES THIS HAPPENED, THE TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES WERE DISPLAYED. I HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CHECKED OUT AND IT WAS FINE.
NHTSA ODI #10992138
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
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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