← New search

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
Clear category filter
90,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH HESITATION. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITH HESITATION. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10412146

113,702 miles · Jul 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

MY 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD THEN SPUTTER AND DIE. IT WILL ALSO DO THIS WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS. THERE IS A BRIEF "WRENCH" DASH LIGHT THAT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHTS AND COULD BE DEADLY. CODE SAYS FAILED THROTTLE BODY. WHY NO PART RECALL? WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS HAV…

Read full complaint

MY 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD THEN SPUTTER AND DIE. IT WILL ALSO DO THIS WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOTS. THERE IS A BRIEF "WRENCH" DASH LIGHT THAT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE SITTING AT RED LIGHTS AND COULD BE DEADLY. CODE SAYS FAILED THROTTLE BODY. WHY NO PART RECALL? WIDESPREAD PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON THE WEB AND APPARENTLY THE SAME PART IS STILL BEING USED. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE LIVES ARE LOST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410360

79,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS OF UP TO 2500 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TH…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS OF UP TO 2500 AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACING BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10406132

80,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THERE WERE NO FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED HE SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER TWICE BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10406068

70,134 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

NO INJURIES...YET. HOWEVER, OUR 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ACCELERATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. IT DOES IT WHEN GOING FORWARD OR REVERSE AND WILL STOP BY EITHER TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT. I WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE THIS WEEK, BUT JUST WANT TO BRING THIS PROBLEM TO Y…

Read full complaint

NO INJURIES...YET. HOWEVER, OUR 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ACCELERATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON AT ALL. IT DOES IT WHEN GOING FORWARD OR REVERSE AND WILL STOP BY EITHER TAPPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR TURNING OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTING IT. I WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE THIS WEEK, BUT JUST WANT TO BRING THIS PROBLEM TO YOUR ATTENTION AS IT SEEMS OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405333

80,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR BACKING. TOOK CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE JOB. WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP, IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH SOMETIMES STALLING WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IN ADDITION TO SPONTANEOUSLY LURCHING FORWARD, THE ENGINE WILL RACE WHEN PUT INTO PARK. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER CARS, PARKING …

Read full complaint

CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR BACKING. TOOK CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BRAKE JOB. WHEN I PICKED MY CAR UP, IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH SOMETIMES STALLING WHEN LETTING OFF THE ACCELERATOR. IN ADDITION TO SPONTANEOUSLY LURCHING FORWARD, THE ENGINE WILL RACE WHEN PUT INTO PARK. I HAVE COME CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER CARS, PARKING GARAGE WALLS, ETC DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. MY DEALERSHIP NOW IS TELLING ME THE THROTTLE BODY IS NOT WITHIN THE PROPER PARAMETERS AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401370

80,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY SURGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OR WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 A…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY SURGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH OR WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED SINCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10401222

78,000 miles · Jan 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE SPEED , BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE EGR VALVE, THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE …

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INCREASE SPEED , BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE EGR VALVE, THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE MASS FLOW AIR SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT HE COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10374914

39,000 miles · Dec 29, 2010
EquipmentPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

STARTING SINCE FEBRUARY 2010. MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHENEVER AT A DEAD STOP. WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY FOOT ON BRAKE AND EVEN ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE PARKING AND HIT THE WALL. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS MY ENGINE MOUNT THAT WAS CAUSING IT. THEN WENT AGAIN BECAUSE THE PROBLE…

Read full complaint

STARTING SINCE FEBRUARY 2010. MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHENEVER AT A DEAD STOP. WHEN SHIFTING TO DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY FOOT ON BRAKE AND EVEN ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT WHILE PARKING AND HIT THE WALL. WENT TO DEALERSHIP AND FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS MY ENGINE MOUNT THAT WAS CAUSING IT. THEN WENT AGAIN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY. THEN THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MY AIR FILTER WHICH IS A LIE. I CALLED THE FORD HEADQUARTERS AND ALL THEY CAN DO IS TAKE DOWN WHEN I CALLED AND WHAT IT WAS ABOUT. THEY ARE NO HELP WHAT SO EVER SO WHAT IS THE POINT OF THEM EVEN EXISTING IF THEY CANT HELP SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM EACH DEALER IS INDEPENDENT AND THAT THEY CAN ADVISE THAT I GO TO A DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP. I HAVE WASTED A GOOD DEAL OF TIME AND MONEY. LUCKILY I WAS SMART AND BOUGHT THAT PREMIUM EXTENDED WARRANTY. I STILL HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO OVER $400 ON REPAIRS. EACH TIME I WENT I HAD TO PAY A DEDUCTIBLE OF $100.00. THE BATTERY I WENT TO SAMS CLUB TO GET BECAUSE THE DEALER WANTED $140 BUT I GOT MINE FOR $75. THEY ADVISED TO GET MY THROTTLE BODY CLEAN AND THAT WAS $95. THEY SAID I NEED TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION FLUSHED WHICH IS ANOTHER LIE. I DIDN'T GET THAT DONE BECAUSE I ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS AS RED AS CAN BE AND IS STILL GOOD FOR PROBABLY ANOTHER 40,000 MILES. THE POINT IS FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT APPARENTLY IS HAPPENING TO TONS OF FOLKS OUT THERE. THEY NEED TO JUST FIX IT BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH I HAD MY THROTTLE BODY CLEANED THE PROBLEM STILL COMES BACK HERE AND THERE. I JUST HOPE THAT NO ONE GETS KILLED AND THEN FORD WILL FINALLY GET THIS RIGHT. I PLAN ON SEEING IF I CAN GET SOME LEGAL HELP AND WILL EXPLORE THAT AVENUE BECAUSE I GET MY OIL CHANGES ALMOST EVER 3500 MILES AND I FOLLOW ALL THE MANUFACTURES SERVICE POLICIES. I DO MY PART AS A CUSTOMER AND THEY HAVEN'T DONE THERE PART AS THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373274

82,000 miles · Nov 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX WAS THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. T…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BOX WAS THE CAUSE FOR FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 82,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10365132

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