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2006 Ford Five Hundred

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

329 reports with mileage · 35 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.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 118 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 104 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 51 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 reports4 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 25, 2021
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

when I’m The vehicle and the temperature reaches middle temp ,the car starts to beep and all the dashboard lights go completely out and the head lights and tail lights be blinking as if they are about to go off . Even when I have the heater or a/c on they turns off and I’m a afraid that if or when I’m on the highway all my ligh…

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when I’m The vehicle and the temperature reaches middle temp ,the car starts to beep and all the dashboard lights go completely out and the head lights and tail lights be blinking as if they are about to go off . Even when I have the heater or a/c on they turns off and I’m a afraid that if or when I’m on the highway all my lights will just stop working on the middle of the highway at night and no one will be able to see me. And that will cause a big wreck and maybe kill myself or worst someone else. I have looked my car up to see if it has a recall but none are given. I’m afraid for the safety of my fellow drivers on the at night . And I don’t know what to do about this problem.

NHTSA ODI #11444954

Mileage unknown · Jan 7, 2020
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

CAUSE UNKNOWN- BATTERY LIGHT IS COMING ON MORE WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IN ALL MODES, LOCAL AUTO STORE DETERMINED IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THEY TESTED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR & STARTER. ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS A MUSTY SMELL & MANY ( IF NOT ALL) OF MY METAL PARTS ARE RUSTED.

NHTSA ODI #11297823

120,000 miles · Jul 23, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFuel/propulsion System

DOOR FROZE SHUT AND EVER SINCE MANUALLY OPENING THE MESSAGE CENTER STATES DRIVER DOOR AJAR AND PASSENGER DOOR AJAR AND THEY ARE NOT. BUT I CAN'T RESET DRIVER CONTROLS UNTIL DOORS SHOW CLOSED. HAVE RUN CODE IN MY CAR AND ONLY CODE IS P0193 FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR. NO CODES FOR DOORS.

NHTSA ODI #11234304

210,000 miles · Mar 3, 2019
Exterior LightingPower Train

HARD KNOCKING IN TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL OPERATION. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHILE USING VEHICLE AND WON'T GO OFF

NHTSA ODI #11183831

98,100 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Electrical SystemExterior LightingUnknown Or OtherFireInjury

PULLED IN DROP OFF A DONATION AT A SECOND HAND STORE. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE; OPENED THE TRUNK; AND LOOKED UP STARTLED WHEN A GUY SITTING NEARBY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE (ABOUT 10 SECONDS SINCE I SWITCHED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT). HE WAS ON THE RIGHT, SO I MOVED AROUND THE CAR TO THE RIGHT LO…

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PULLED IN DROP OFF A DONATION AT A SECOND HAND STORE. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE; OPENED THE TRUNK; AND LOOKED UP STARTLED WHEN A GUY SITTING NEARBY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE (ABOUT 10 SECONDS SINCE I SWITCHED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT). HE WAS ON THE RIGHT, SO I MOVED AROUND THE CAR TO THE RIGHT LOOKING TOWARDS THE ENGINE. AN EMPLOYEE OF THE STORE THAT WAS ON THE BACK, LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR POINTED TOWARDS AND SAID, 'LOOK! YOUR SIDE MIRROR IS ON FIRE!' I THEN SAW THE SMOKE BILLOWING TO THE LEFT (A STRONG AFTERNOON BREEZE WAS BLOWING NORTH). I CAME AROUND AND PEERED IN BEHIND THE ACTUAL 'MIRROR' PART; THE FIRE HAD JUST GONE OUT. LOOKING AT IT, I COULD SEE IT WAS THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE MIRROR; IT WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND FUSED TO THE MIRROR HOUSING- A BUBBLY MESS OF PLASTIC. IT SMELLED OF ACRID, MELTED PLASTIC AND BURNED ELECTRONICS. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MIRROR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND STARTED BURNING FOR A BIT BEFORE THE FUSE FINALLY BLEW. I AM SO GLAD MY BABY AND KINDERGARTENER WEREN'T IN THE CAR AT THIS TIME! THEY USUALLY ARE. THE LENGTH OF TIME OF TIME IT TOOK FOR THE FUSE TO FINALLY BLOW IS QUITE ALARMING! IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE RAPID SPREAD OF A FIRE THAT WOULD QUICKLY OVERTAKE THE VEHICLE. WHAT IF I WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHEN THEIR HAPPENED TO BE SOME PETROL-VAPOR PRESENT. MY NEXT STOP WAS TO GET TWO PROPANE TANKS FILLED. THEY HAVE TO BLEED OFF A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PROPANE EACH TIME WHEN FINISHED FILLING A TANK. IT ISN'T FAR FETCHED THAT THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH FAILED SAFEGUARDS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FAR MORE INJURY THAN MY SLIGHTLY BURNED FINGERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS TO SOMEONE. THIS IS A FANTASTIC CAR! WE LOVE IT. THIS IS PROBABLY AN EASY FIX, BUT IF IT ISN'T FIXED, MUCH WORSE COULD HAPPEN!

NHTSA ODI #11140496

150,000 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROL PANEL AND DRIVER SIDE BLINKERS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHAN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROL PANEL AND DRIVER SIDE BLINKERS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10915641

Mileage unknown · Oct 22, 2013
Electrical SystemExterior LightingFire

CPSC: I1390188A. 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT CAUGHT ON FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE HAVING BEEN PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES IN THE GARAGE AND ENGINE WAS OFF. *LN THE FIRE DESTROYED THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.

NHTSA ODI #10549160

103,682 miles · Sep 5, 2013
EngineExterior LightingPower Train

AT TIMES WHEN PLACING CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT WILL LURCH FORWARD. WHEN GOING UP ANY HILL AND THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO DOWN SHIFT, IT SEEMS THAT IT POPS INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN POPS INTO LOWER GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VERY HARD.. THE JERKING CAN BE SO HARD THAT I AM SCARED THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK THE MOTOR MOUNTS …

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AT TIMES WHEN PLACING CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT WILL LURCH FORWARD. WHEN GOING UP ANY HILL AND THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO DOWN SHIFT, IT SEEMS THAT IT POPS INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN POPS INTO LOWER GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VERY HARD.. THE JERKING CAN BE SO HARD THAT I AM SCARED THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK THE MOTOR MOUNTS OR THE DRIVE AXLES. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM GOING UP A HILL OR TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE ON FLAT LAND. HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKETS DUE TO THEM OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE SOCKET AND CAUSING THE BULBS TO STOP WORKING. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, WHEN TRYING TO BRING IT UP IT WILL STOP AND GO BACK DOWN. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO IT A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE I CAN GET THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I AM LOVE WITH THE CAR BUT NOT WITH THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH THE CAR. ALSO, WHEN THE CAR HIT 100,000 MILES IT STARTED TO BURN 1 QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I CANNOT FIND ANY LEAKS. I HAVE SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THE LURCHING AND JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION. WISH FORD WOULD DO A REAL CALL FOR THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I JUST LOVE THIS CAR! *JB

NHTSA ODI #10542164

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2012
Exterior LightingService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND HAVING TO BRAKE ABRUPTLY, THERE WAS A HESITATION IN BRAKING RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND HAVING TO BRAKE ABRUPTLY, THERE WAS A HESITATION IN BRAKING RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THREE SETS OF REAR BRAKE PADS WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND NOTICED THAT THE PIG TAIL SOCKET HAD SHORTENED. THE PIG TAIL SOCKET WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10487573

135,000 miles · May 15, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

DASH CLUSTER MALFUNCTION FOR ALL GAUGES. AT THE TIME OF MALFUNCTION, REVERSE LAMPS TURN ON. IF MALFUNCTION OCCURS AT NIGHT, DASH ILLUMINATION ALSO SHUTS DOWN. GAUGES ZERO OUT, TOP OUT THEN FLUTTER AT ZERO. *JS HAVE NOTICED AIRBAG LAMP ON OCCASIONALLY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458503

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

1

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