IllustrationFORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 WITH BRAKE FAILURE, DEFECTIVE RADIO, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED TWICE. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER AT THE PISTON SEAL WAS LEAKING. *JB
2005 Ford Five Hundred
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Five Hundred years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsDT: THE PARKING BRAKE IN THE REAR WHEEL AREA DID NOT RELEASE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005. HE COULD SMELL A HOT ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEELS WERE ALUMINUM, AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE BLACK FROM BRAKE LINING DUST. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TWICE. THEY WER…
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DT: THE PARKING BRAKE IN THE REAR WHEEL AREA DID NOT RELEASE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005. HE COULD SMELL A HOT ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEELS WERE ALUMINUM, AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE BLACK FROM BRAKE LINING DUST. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TWICE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. THE CONTACT WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALE R AGAIN. THE CONTACT NOTICED GROVES FORMING ON THE BRAKE ROTORS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD NEW MODEL 500 THAT HAD A LIGHT TAN INTERIOR INCLUDING THE DASHBOARD. DUE TO THE INTERIOR COLOR THERE WAS A REFLECTION FROM THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS PRESENT ONLY IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, BUT THE CONTACT WISHED TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT AT THIS TIME. THE CONTA…
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD NEW MODEL 500 THAT HAD A LIGHT TAN INTERIOR INCLUDING THE DASHBOARD. DUE TO THE INTERIOR COLOR THERE WAS A REFLECTION FROM THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS PRESENT ONLY IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, BUT THE CONTACT WISHED TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT PUT A BLACK BLANKET TO ELIMINATE THE REFLECTION WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY. THIS WAS NO LONGER A PROBLEM WITH THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY WOULD NOT RETURN HIS CALLS REGARDING THE MATTER. *AK
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. IN TIMES WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY, THROTTLE WILL NOT LET YOU. IT CAN BE VERY SCARY. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID IT IS COMMON WITH OTHER 500'S. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500 SEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN GOING DOWN HILL IT HAS A OVERDRIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPEED UP GOING DOWN HILL AND IF PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A LONG DISTANCE, THE BRAKES …
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DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500 SEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN GOING DOWN HILL IT HAS A OVERDRIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPEED UP GOING DOWN HILL AND IF PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A LONG DISTANCE, THE BRAKES WILL GET HOT. MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO TURN THE OVERDRIVE OFF. HE OWNED OTHER FORD VEHICLES THAT HAD THE OPTION TO TURN THE OVERDRIVE OFF. *AK *JB
PAINT CHIPS DUE TO WHAT I FEEL IS A BODY FLAW. THE TIRES FLIP SMALL GRAVEL AGAINST THE FLARE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR CAR DOORS. THIS CAUSED CHIPS IN THE PAINT. *JB
CONTINUATION OF SUSPENSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS AFTER LAST FILING WITH NHTSA. BRAKING IN WET WEATHER, DESCENDING STEEP GRADE, CAR PULLS AND FADES. 2 DAYS AFTER LONGMONT FORD HAD CAR FOR 6 DAYS AND RETURNED IT WITH CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. OMERA FORD DIAGNOSED BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS AND ONCE AGAIN TURNED DOWN REA…
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CONTINUATION OF SUSPENSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS AFTER LAST FILING WITH NHTSA. BRAKING IN WET WEATHER, DESCENDING STEEP GRADE, CAR PULLS AND FADES. 2 DAYS AFTER LONGMONT FORD HAD CAR FOR 6 DAYS AND RETURNED IT WITH CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. OMERA FORD DIAGNOSED BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS AND ONCE AGAIN TURNED DOWN REAR ROTORS TO VERY CLOSE TO MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS. CONSUMER REPORT JAN 2005 REPORTS SIMILAR ISSUES WITH BRAKING, AUTO-WEEK MAY-16-2005 REPORTS BRAKE FADE AND STABILITY PROBLEMS IN THEIR TEST TRACK REPORT. THIS IS A FIRST MODEL YEAR CAR FOR FORD WHICH IS BASED OFF OF A MODIFIED VOLVO DESIGN OF UNDER-CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED WITH AN AFFIDAVIT OF NON USE ON IT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS AND REPAIRS THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON REAR SUSPENSION AND BRAKES. FORD AT ARBITRATION MAINTAINED THAT IN LATE JULY THERE WERE MORE TSB'S ISSUED FOR THE 2005 FORD 500, BUT I AM UNABLE TO FIND SAME ON NHTSA WEBSITE. WITH THE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT TRADE AND CONSUMER PUBLICATIONS THAT SITE THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR, I PETITION NHTSA TO PULL SOME OF THESE EARLY MODEL CARS AND SUBJECT THEM TO SUSPENSION AND BRAKING TEST AS STATED IN NHTSA 99.6583-1 CONSUMER BRAKING INFORMATION INITIATIVE, ABERDEEN TEST CENTER FALL 1998. *JB
DT: LAST SUNDAY THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR STARTING RACING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE IT WAS REVVING UP. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT E…
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DT: LAST SUNDAY THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR STARTING RACING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE IT WAS REVVING UP. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY THINK IT WAS JUST A GLITCH. *JB
DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT REFLECTION OF DASHBOARD ON WINDSHIELD. THE TAN COLORED DASHBOARD REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD EVEN IN THE DAYLIGHT, BUT IT WAS WORSE IN THE SUN, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY OF FRONT WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER SAID THAT REFLECTION OF WINDSHIELD IN THE SUN LIGHT WAS VERY BAD AND VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *NM
DT: 2005 FORD 500 SEDAN DID NOT HAVE AN INTERMEDIATE OR SECOND GEAR FOR GEARING DOWN TO GOING DOWN MOUNTAINS. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO FORD'S ATTENTION. *AK *NM
Official recalls
206V383000 · 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
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.