NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
36 reportsClear category filter100,000 miles · Jan 11, 2018
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO A SHOULDER LANE, RESTARTED, AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO A SHOULDER LANE, RESTARTED, AND RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY AND ENGINE WERE PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11062188
90,000 miles · Feb 1, 2017
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE POWER TRAIN WRENCH ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND THE POWER TRAIN WRENCH ICON ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED, SENDING THE VEHICLE INTO "LIMP MODE", AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE RECENTLY WENT INTO "LIMP MODE" AGAIN. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT A FAILURE CODE COULD NOT BE FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10948887
130,000 miles · Jun 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
THROTTLE BODY IS DEFECTIVE DUE TO BUILD UP WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY'S VALVE CAUSING IT TO STICK OPEN OR STAY CLOSED DURING REVERSE AND FORWARD DRIVING. THIS IN RETURN CAUSES A SURGE WHERE AT ANY UNSUSPECTING MOMENT THE VEHICLE WOOD ATTEMPT TO DRIVE EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD ON ITS OWN REGARDLESS YOU PHYSICALLY PRESSING THE BR…
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
NHTSA ODI #10872121
68,000 miles · Sep 29, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS. MY FORD 500 , ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS WARM AND I AM USING THE A/C, WILL WITHOUT WARNING SURGE AHEAD, AND I MUST APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I CAN . I ALMOST CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A HANDICAPPED SPOT IN EMERGENCY PARKING AREA AT THE HOSPITAL, WHERE I WAS TAKING MY…
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I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS. MY FORD 500 , ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS WARM AND I AM USING THE A/C, WILL WITHOUT WARNING SURGE AHEAD, AND I MUST APPLY THE BRAKES AS HARD AS I CAN . I ALMOST CRASHED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A HANDICAPPED SPOT IN EMERGENCY PARKING AREA AT THE HOSPITAL, WHERE I WAS TAKING MY CRITICALLY ILL HUSBAND 2 WEEKS AGO. I WAS BRAKING, BUT THE CAR WAS SURGING AHEAD. THE SAME HAPPENED WHEN I WAS LEAVING. VERY FRIGHTENING!! CAN THIS BE FIXED WITHOUT CHARGE AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER? (GALPIN)
NHTSA ODI #10778311
56,000 miles · Feb 24, 2015
EnginePower TrainCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR PLACE IT IN REVERSE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE OR PLACE IT IN REVERSE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
NHTSA ODI #10690209
115,000 miles · Nov 21, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. FAULT CODE INDICATES THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEM, BUT CAR DRIVES NORMALLY AFTER RESTARTING. WHEN WILL IT SHUT OFF AGAIN? IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE TO THE FORD DEALER? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10659922
Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2014
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE TOP OF THE MANIFOLD IGNITED INTO FLAMES AND THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS DRY ROTTED. THE CONTACT MANAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT DETECTED A BURNING ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE TOP OF THE MANIFOLD IGNITED INTO FLAMES AND THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS DRY ROTTED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A PERSONAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENTIRE MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10629016
130,000 miles · Jul 2, 2014
Engine
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A SURGING AND STALLING ISSUE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. IT WOULD COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BUT GOT MUCH WORSE RECENTLY. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT FOR INSTANCE THE IDLE SPEED BECOMES LOW AND SOMETIMES STALLS. IT WILL SURGE MAKING SLOW TURNS AND SURGE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE. IT WILL SURGE FORWARD WHEN …
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THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD A SURGING AND STALLING ISSUE EVER SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED. IT WOULD COME AND GO THROUGHOUT THE YEARS BUT GOT MUCH WORSE RECENTLY. WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT FOR INSTANCE THE IDLE SPEED BECOMES LOW AND SOMETIMES STALLS. IT WILL SURGE MAKING SLOW TURNS AND SURGE WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE. IT WILL SURGE FORWARD WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT AND IN MANY OTHER INSTANCES. IF YOU ARE IN DRIVE AND PUT IT INTO PARK THE RPM WILL ALSO SURGE AS HIGH AS 2500. SINCE I HAVE BEEN READING UP ON THE ISSUE I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LETTER SENT OUT TO OWNERS OF MY MODEL WHICH I DID NOT RECEIVE. THE PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE ADDRESSED FOR FREE PER R12N03. OF COURSE THE COVERAGE ENDED ON 03/31/2013. I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS NOTICE AND SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO GET THIS REPAIR DONE FOR FREE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10607734
60,000 miles · May 11, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR MAKES HARSH JERKING MOTION WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE MOTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY SO I AM UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. HOWEVER, IT DOES HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN AN MOTION AND UPON ACCELERATION. AFTER FIRST EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR MOUNT OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THIS SEEMED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR…
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MY CAR MAKES HARSH JERKING MOTION WHILE I AM DRIVING. THE MOTION OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY SO I AM UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL OCCUR. HOWEVER, IT DOES HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS IN AN MOTION AND UPON ACCELERATION. AFTER FIRST EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR MOUNT OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THIS SEEMED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS, THEN THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. NOT AS HARSH AS PREVIOUSLY BUT NONETHELESS, THE RIDE FEELS UNSAFE AND THE ISSUE HAPPENS ERRATICALLY. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED FOR OVER A YEAR. DURING THIS TIME I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AND COMPLAINT AMONG CONSUMERS. WHY HAS THIS VEHICLE NOT BEEN RECALLED? THIS IS A PRESSING ISSUE FOR ME AS IT IS NOT A SECURE FEELING TO LOSE CONTROL OF YOUR VEHICLE MOMENTARILY. I ALSO HAVE TO CONSIDER THE SAFETY OF MY UNBORN CHILD. THE FORD FIVE HUNDRED VEHICLES WITH MAJOR MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND TAKEN OFF THE MARKET, NOT SIMPLY "FIXED." AFTER A FIRE OR MAJOR ACCIDENT HAS TAKEN PLACE, IT IS EVIDENT THAT "FIXING" THE CARS IS NOT THE BEST SOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10587689
18,000 miles · May 6, 2014
EnginePower Train
FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR THE A/C HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. IT ONLY COOLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS LESS THAN 70 DEGREES, THE ENGINE HAS NEVER IDLED SMOOTHLY AND WATER COLLECTS IN THE DOORS. THE MAIN ISSUE I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT IT SURGES AT STOP LIGHTS AND TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. MOTO…
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FROM THE DAY I BOUGHT THE CAR THE A/C HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY. IT ONLY COOLS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR WHEN TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS LESS THAN 70 DEGREES, THE ENGINE HAS NEVER IDLED SMOOTHLY AND WATER COLLECTS IN THE DOORS. THE MAIN ISSUE I'VE BEEN HAVING IS THAT IT SURGES AT STOP LIGHTS AND TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN GOING DOWN THE ROAD. MOTOR, GAUGES EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN SOMETIMES FOR 8-10 SECONDS. THIS IS SPORADIC AND MORE COMMON WHEN THE A/C IS IN USE. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO CHANGE WHAT SO EVER. I JUST HAD A NEW ONE INSTALLED AND IT SHUT DOWN ON ME WITHIN 1 MILE OF DEALERSHIP. IT HAS BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING TO SAY THE LEAST. I'VE BEEN SAYING IT IS SOMETHING WITH THE A/C SINCE DAY ONE BUT ALL THEY WANTED TO DO IS REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. I AM AT MY WITS END AND JUST WANT IT FIXED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10586743
NHTSA investigations
1PE11018 · 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