NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
23 reportsClear category filter13,637 miles · Jul 14, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
SINCE 2009 MY FORD 500 HAS HAD ISSUES WITH NO A/C AND SURGING. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON (FORD) AND EVENTUALLY FOUND IT TO SUPPOSEDLY BE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. AFTER THAT WAS "FIXED" THE CAR DID NOT SURGE BUT THE A/C WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLE IN WARM WEATHER. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK AT LEAS…
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SINCE 2009 MY FORD 500 HAS HAD ISSUES WITH NO A/C AND SURGING. THEY COULD NOT FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON (FORD) AND EVENTUALLY FOUND IT TO SUPPOSEDLY BE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. AFTER THAT WAS "FIXED" THE CAR DID NOT SURGE BUT THE A/C WOULD NOT WORK WHEN THE CAR WAS IDLE IN WARM WEATHER. I'VE TAKEN THE CAR BACK AT LEAST A DOZEN + TIMES WITH THIS ISSUE. NOW THE CAR IS BEGINNING TO SURGE AGAIN TOO... IT HAPPENED TWICE, NOT ALWAYS BUT IT HAPPENS... IT IS QUITE SCARY WHEN THERE IS A CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I AM AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR SIGN AND THE CAR SURGES FORWARD - I HAVE CALLED FORD MOTOR CO NUMEROUS TIMES AND TAKEN IT TO MY FORD DEALER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610536
50,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WAS STALLING OUT FINALLY QUIT, HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, WAS ADVISE THAT THE THROTTLEBODY HAD SHORTED OUT. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT 6 YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 50,000 MILES ON. WHAT ESTIMATE COST OF REPAIRING I…
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VEHICLE WAS STALLING OUT FINALLY QUIT, HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, WAS ADVISE THAT THE THROTTLEBODY HAD SHORTED OUT. THEY SAY IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ENGINE WAS REPLACE BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP DUE TO A MANUFACTURE DEFECT 6 YEARS AGO. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAT 50,000 MILES ON. WHAT ESTIMATE COST OF REPAIRING IS $970.00. WE HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. BUT I THINK FOR SHOULD FIX IT WITHOUT CHARGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593290
Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGES AND UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SURGING HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS, AS THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPDATED 02/22…
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2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGES AND UNSATISFACTORY SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE SURGING HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY REPAIRS, AS THE VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT THE PROBLEM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THEIR POSSESSION. UPDATED 02/22/13. *JB UPDATED 03/14/13. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10493881
171,064 miles · Feb 22, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND JERK. THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE OUT EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. IT HAS DONE THIS IN PARKING LOTS AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BY JERKING BACKWARD IMMEDIATELY WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE WHEN I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT- MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL EXCE…
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THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND JERK. THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE OUT EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS PRESSED. IT HAS DONE THIS IN PARKING LOTS AND WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS DANGEROUS AS IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BY JERKING BACKWARD IMMEDIATELY WHEN I SHIFTED TO REVERSE WHEN I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT- MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STILL EXCELLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448877
68,780 miles · Jan 20, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,780.
NHTSA ODI #10444693
Mileage unknown · Nov 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
LATELY MY 2006 FORD 500 HAS BEEN ACTING UP WHEN I START IT...SOME DAYS IT STARTS JUST FINE, OTHER DAYS IT WON'T START. IT DOESN'T MATTER THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE EITHER, IT MAY START IN THE MORNING & THEN WHEN IT'S TIME TO HEAD HOME AFTER WORK IT WON'T START OR VICE VERSA. THE DAYS IT WON'T START THE ONLY WAY I'VE FOUND TO GET I…
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LATELY MY 2006 FORD 500 HAS BEEN ACTING UP WHEN I START IT...SOME DAYS IT STARTS JUST FINE, OTHER DAYS IT WON'T START. IT DOESN'T MATTER THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE EITHER, IT MAY START IN THE MORNING & THEN WHEN IT'S TIME TO HEAD HOME AFTER WORK IT WON'T START OR VICE VERSA. THE DAYS IT WON'T START THE ONLY WAY I'VE FOUND TO GET IT TO START (WITHOUT JUMPING IT) IS TO TURN & HOLD THE IGNITION KEY ALL THE WAY DOWN WHEN I'M STARTING IT & GIVE IT GAS. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THIS MORNING (11/23/11) TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. WE WERE THINKING POSSIBLY THE STARTER WAS NEEDING REPLACED...WE WERE WRONG. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ISN'T WORKING PROPERLY & NEEDS REPLACED...AS WELL AS DOING AN INDUCTION SERVICE TO FLUSH OUT THE CARBON BUILD UP. THIS IS GOING TO COST ALMOST $1,000 TO FIX. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?? MERRY CHRISTMAS TO US!! AFTER RECEIVING THE CALL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT WE DID A SEARCH ONLINE & COME TO FIND OUT THAT THIS "THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM" IS COMMON IN THIS CAR. THOUGH WHEN WE BROUGHT IT TO THE SERVICE PERSON'S ATTENTION & QUESTIONED THEM ABOUT IT THEY COULDN'T/WOULDN'T ANSWER IF THIS WAS TRUE. NOT SURE BUT MAYBE THERE HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH PROBLEMS REPORTED TO HAVE A RECALL...BUT WITH ALL THE SAME ISSUES THAT I'VE FOUND ONLINE IT MAKES ME WONDER. WE'VE ALREADY REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION MAYBE 2 YEARS AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR..THANKFULLY THAT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG WITH THIS CAR!! WE HAVE BEEN FAITHFUL FORD CAR BUYERS..HOWEVER THIS 500 HAS TURNED US OFF FROM EVER BUYING ANOTHER FORD VEHICLE AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10436832
74,500 miles · Nov 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
FORD 500 LURCHES SEVERELY AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE THE ENGINE IS ENGAGED. THIS HAPPENS MOST DANGEROUSLY AT HIGH SPEEDS, DUE TO DRIVER'S INABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE ADEQUATELY TO DEFEND AGAINST POTENTIAL CRASHES OR CONTROL SPEED DURING TURNS. THIS HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS ON THE SNOW AND ICE HERE IN ALASKA BECAUSE UNCONTROLLED ACCELER…
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FORD 500 LURCHES SEVERELY AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE THE ENGINE IS ENGAGED. THIS HAPPENS MOST DANGEROUSLY AT HIGH SPEEDS, DUE TO DRIVER'S INABILITY TO CONTROL VEHICLE ADEQUATELY TO DEFEND AGAINST POTENTIAL CRASHES OR CONTROL SPEED DURING TURNS. THIS HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS ON THE SNOW AND ICE HERE IN ALASKA BECAUSE UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION REDUCES TRACTION. ALSO OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS, WHICH IS MORE EASILY CONTROLLED THROUGH BRAKING, BUT REQUIRES EXTREME CAUTION IF ENGAGING VEHICLE WHEN PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER VEHICLES ARE NEAR. IT HAS SURPRISED AND SCARED ME ON MANY OCCASIONS SINCE I FIRST PURCHASED THIS CAR A MONTH AGO, BUT THE REASON I AM WRITING THIS IS BECAUSE I HAD A SCARY INCIDENT TODAY WHEN PULLING OUT OF A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT (PEDESTRIANS IN FRONT OF ME WHEN IT SUDDENLY JUMPED AS SOON AS ENGINE ENGAGED). TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSTIC CHECK SAYS ISSUES WITH FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL AND THAT IT IS MOST LIKELY THE THROTTLE BODY, AND SAYS THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN ITS CONDITION. IT IS ONE OF THE SCARIEST ISSUES I'VE EVER HAD TO DEAL WITH. AFTER READING MORE ABOUT IT ON THE INTERNET THIS EVENING IT SEEMS THAT THIS ISSUE IS VERY COMMON AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR SCARY INCIDENTS WITH THIS CAR THAT THEY HAVE REPORTED ONLINE. IF THIS MANY PEOPLE ARE WRITING ABOUT IT ONLINE, PRESUMABLY THERE ARE THOUSANDS MORE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND DO NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES OR KNOW HOW TO REPORT THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10435115
137,000 miles · Nov 7, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CRUISING APPROX 65 MPH. I HEARD A THUD (LIKE RUNNING OVER A POT HOLE). THE CAR LURCHED FWD THEN SEEMED TO SHUT OFF, HOWEVER IT WAS STILL RUNNING. THE RPM DROPPED BELOW 1000 AND THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT WORK. PLACED CAR IN NEUTRAL AND MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOTICED THE WRENCH LITE WAS ILLUMINATED. TURNED THE CAR OFF A…
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CRUISING APPROX 65 MPH. I HEARD A THUD (LIKE RUNNING OVER A POT HOLE). THE CAR LURCHED FWD THEN SEEMED TO SHUT OFF, HOWEVER IT WAS STILL RUNNING. THE RPM DROPPED BELOW 1000 AND THE THROTTLE WOULD NOT WORK. PLACED CAR IN NEUTRAL AND MOVED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOTICED THE WRENCH LITE WAS ILLUMINATED. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED. THE CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE FINE AFTER THAT WITH NO LITE. TOOK THE CAR TO HAVE THE CODES CHECKED. TWO CODES SHOWED: THROTTLE STUCK CLOSED AND THE THROTTLE FORCED TO IDLE (APPARENTLY A SAFETY FEATURE). TWO DAYS AGO HAD TO HAVE THE PCM AND TCM UPDATED AND REPLACED THE UPPER MOTOR MOUNT. FROM PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS THERE ARE SEVERAL WITH THE CAR TAKING OFF AND A FEW OF WITH MY ISSUE. ALL SEEMED TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTIONING WHICH IS APPARENTLY THE CASE HERE. GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS AND ISSUES CONCERNING THIS ITEM, SURELY THERE IS A RECALL REQUIRED. AT THE VERY LEAST THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD GIVE US WHAT WE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE AS CREDIT TOWARD ANOTHER CAR (ANY MAKE AND MODEL) IF THEY ARE NO GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10434819
83,549 miles · Aug 27, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
5/20-7/18/11 CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY AND LURCHED BACKWARD WITH BRAKE ON WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE; WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. ERROR CODES WERE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL CONTROL MODULE AND THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM. SOMETIMES CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING, ENGINE REVVED, CAR SHUDDERED, AND WRENCH AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LI…
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5/20-7/18/11 CAR ACCELERATED QUICKLY AND LURCHED BACKWARD WITH BRAKE ON WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACE; WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. ERROR CODES WERE FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL CONTROL MODULE AND THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM. SOMETIMES CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING, ENGINE REVVED, CAR SHUDDERED, AND WRENCH AND/OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. STARTED HAPPENING ALMOST DAILY. VERY SCARY AND UNPREDICTABLE. MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND EGR VALVE WERE REPLACED. HAD SAME ISSUES 2 DAYS LATER. THROTTLE BODY AND VACUUM HOSES WERE REPLACED. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY REFUSED TO COVER PARTS AND LABOR BECAUSE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. LAST REPAIR WAS DONE 30 DAYS AGO AND I'VE HAD NO MORE PROBLEMS, BUT IT COST ME $1600 TO REPAIR.
NHTSA ODI #10423383
117,500 miles · Jul 27, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED , ONLY WORKED WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PER REPUTABLE A/C MECHANIC THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD 500'S.CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DETROIT 7/13/11, FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR, BUT I WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS FOR A/C FAILURE. FORD TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPT IN CASE FORD SOME DAY DECIDES TO COVER…
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A/C COMPRESSOR FAILED , ONLY WORKED WHEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED. PER REPUTABLE A/C MECHANIC THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD 500'S.CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY IN DETROIT 7/13/11, FORD WILL NOT COVER REPAIR, BUT I WAS TOLD THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS FOR A/C FAILURE. FORD TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPT IN CASE FORD SOME DAY DECIDES TO COVER IT. FORD KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM, BUT NOT WILLING TO COVER IT , UNTIL THEY ARE FORCED TO COVER IT BY NHTSA MAYBE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415432
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