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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

118 reports
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52,200 miles · Aug 25, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

2010 DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN VIRGINIA, CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN, IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS IN CONTROL AND NOT THE DRIVER. PULLED OVER AND CAR STALLED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER WAS TOLD THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. 52,200 MILES HAD IT REPLACED. CONTACTED FORD OCT 2010. NOVEMBER 2012 FORD ISSUE CUSTOM…

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2010 DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN VIRGINIA, CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN, IT WAS LIKE THE CAR WAS IN CONTROL AND NOT THE DRIVER. PULLED OVER AND CAR STALLED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER WAS TOLD THROTTLE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. 52,200 MILES HAD IT REPLACED. CONTACTED FORD OCT 2010. NOVEMBER 2012 FORD ISSUE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM, FINALLY REIMBURSED 2013. JULY 2014, 100,457MILES SAME PROBLEM AGAIN HAD TO AGAIN REPLACE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10628192

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

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

167,000 miles · Apr 5, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I WAS TRAVELING NORTH TOWARD ANN STREET IN MONTGOMERY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC AND MY KIDS AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY STRANDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WAS THE HARDEST PART NOW I HAD TO GET SOME HELP WHEN I DID THE MAN THAT PULLED MY CAR TO HIS SHOP TOLD ME IT…

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I WAS TRAVELING NORTH TOWARD ANN STREET IN MONTGOMERY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF SPEEDING TRAFFIC AND MY KIDS AND I WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY STRANDED TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WAS THE HARDEST PART NOW I HAD TO GET SOME HELP WHEN I DID THE MAN THAT PULLED MY CAR TO HIS SHOP TOLD ME IT WAS MY THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR MY WWWWWHHHHAAAT AND I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR AND A HALF R U SERIOUS I HAD TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AFTER A YEAR OF HAVIN THE CAR WHICH COST ME 1400ARS AND NOW A THROTTLE CONTROL SENSOR AND IT COST 746.00 WITH TAX AND 150 FOR THE LABOR MAN I SCREAMING NEED ANOTHER CAR BUT NOT FORD THEY LIED THEY R NOT BUILT FORD TOUGH UUUUUGGGGHHHHH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10577630

39,000 miles · Mar 24, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

MY WIFE WAS GOING TO WORK AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. SHE GOT THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND OFF THE STATE HIGHWAY. SHE CALLED ME CRYING AND VERY SHOOK UP THAT MORNING AND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN KILLED. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY WENT AND GOT THE CAR. AFTER CHECKING OUT THE PRO…

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MY WIFE WAS GOING TO WORK AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. SHE GOT THE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND OFF THE STATE HIGHWAY. SHE CALLED ME CRYING AND VERY SHOOK UP THAT MORNING AND FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. SHE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN KILLED. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY WENT AND GOT THE CAR. AFTER CHECKING OUT THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A PRICE OF $676.00 PLUS LABOR. THEY CALLED FORD MOTOR CO FOR FINANCIAL HELP AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND THEY CANNOT HELP. I DID NOT THINK THIS IS RIGHT. I KNOW THEY KNOW THEY HAVE A PROBLEM, BUT WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE IT. MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED. WE NEED SOME FINANCIAL HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10574458

180,000 miles · Dec 19, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE SAFE MODE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING AND DECELERATED. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE THROTTLE BO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED THE SAFE MODE ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING AND DECELERATED. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE THROTTLE BODY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE RECALL WAS FOR THE CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE BODY ONLY AND NOT THE REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10556607

74,000 miles · Dec 11, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CENSOR REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000.

NHTSA ODI #10555728

95,000 miles · Aug 28, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN YOU SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES. AND DOES IT SEVERAL TIMES. FORD IS AWARE BUT WITH ONLY HALF FIX THE THROTTLE PROBLEM, BY CLEANING IT NOT REPLACING IT. I SPOKE TO A COUPLE DEALERS AND THEY BOTH SAID THE SAME THING, "THAT WILL ONLY CLEAN THE AFFECTED PART AND THAT 65 PER CENT END UP CO…

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WHEN YOU SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES. AND DOES IT SEVERAL TIMES. FORD IS AWARE BUT WITH ONLY HALF FIX THE THROTTLE PROBLEM, BY CLEANING IT NOT REPLACING IT. I SPOKE TO A COUPLE DEALERS AND THEY BOTH SAID THE SAME THING, "THAT WILL ONLY CLEAN THE AFFECTED PART AND THAT 65 PER CENT END UP COMING BACK AND THE CUSTOMER ENDS UP PAYING TO $800.00 TO $900.00 TO REPLACE THE PART. THAT FORD WILL NOT REPLACE THE PART EVEN THOUGH IT IS A RECALL PART". NO CRASH YET. HAVE TO BE SURE TO KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE AND KEEP PLENTY OF DISTANCE FROM OTHER VEHICLES / OBJECTS. UPDATED 09/19/13*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10537625

60,733 miles · Aug 19, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,733. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,733.

NHTSA ODI #10536108

1,025 miles · Aug 8, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service BrakesStructureCrash

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FROM STOP WHEN BRAKE RELEASED. FROM SEPT 2006 UNTIL PRESENT. APPROX $3000 EACH TIME. HIT GARAGE WALL. (APPROX 5 COLLISIONS WITH WALL) STILL DOES IT. FINALLY FOUND OUT WHEN & WHY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534284

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