NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
59 reportsClear category filter150,000 miles · Sep 7, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN IN DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN IN DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 150,000. UPDATED 10/16/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CURB AND EVENTUALLY HIT A METAL WHERE A SIGN ONCE WAS. THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 10/24/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10474242
62,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
EnginePower Train
WHEN CAR WAS PLACED IN GEAR THROTTLE SURGED CAUSING CAR TO JUMP WHILE FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE., ALSO SURGES WHEN PULLING SLOWLY INTO PARKING PLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470369
73,800 miles · Aug 12, 2012
EnginePower Train
WHEN AFTER STARTING CAR AND GEAR SHIFT PUT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE WILL SURGE CAUSING CAR TO LUNGE. IF NOT AWARE OF ISSUE AND HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE WOULD HIT WHAT EVER IN THE WAY OF CAR. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. I HAD MY CAR FIXED AT A FORD DEALER AND THEN CONTACTED FORD MOT…
Read full complaint
WHEN AFTER STARTING CAR AND GEAR SHIFT PUT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE WILL SURGE CAUSING CAR TO LUNGE. IF NOT AWARE OF ISSUE AND HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE WOULD HIT WHAT EVER IN THE WAY OF CAR. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. I HAD MY CAR FIXED AT A FORD DEALER AND THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY. ACCORDING TO MY FORD DEALER THE PROBLEM IS IN THE THROTTLE BODY. I WENT OUT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER FORD 500 OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME THING. THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS COMPLIANT IS THAT FORD DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470290
42,561 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE TRANSMISSION WILL ENGAGE THE ENGINE AND LEAP FORWARD WITHOUT GIVING IT ANY GAS. NO CREEP, JUST LEAPS FORWARD SEVERAL YARDS. .. UPDATED 08-27-12 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10472182
90,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION KIT BUT AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION KIT BUT AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10467046
40,000 miles · Jul 18, 2012
EnginePower Train
THE CAR SURGES WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN ALSO WHILE GOING SLOW BACKING OUT OF GARAGE OR DRIVING SLOW IN A PARKING LOT. I AM AFRAID I WILL HIT SOME OR SOMEONE WHEN CAR IS SURGING THE TACH WILL JUMP TO 2000 OR MORE RPMS WHILE SITTING OR GOING SLOW..SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE !!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466486
130,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012
Power Train
WITH THE A/C ON AND THE CAR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, THE CAR SURGES(LURCHES) FORWARD OR IN REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR. IT HAPPENS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PULLING IN TO A PARKING STALL. AS I'M APPROACHING THE FINAL POSITION WHERE I'M NEARLY READY TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD NEARLY HITTING…
Read full complaint
WITH THE A/C ON AND THE CAR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, THE CAR SURGES(LURCHES) FORWARD OR IN REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR. IT HAPPENS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PULLING IN TO A PARKING STALL. AS I'M APPROACHING THE FINAL POSITION WHERE I'M NEARLY READY TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD NEARLY HITTING THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO MY GARAGE OR AT A STOP LIGHT. OCCURRENCES ARE OBVIOUSLY WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE WHICH IS WHY I'VE GOT THE A/C ON. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WITH THE A/C ON, JUST SOME OF THE TIME. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10462465
81,421 miles · Jun 13, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FWD WITH THE 3.0 V-6 (81,421 MILES) AND 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL APPLICATION WHEN IDLING IN GEAR. IT IS AS IF I FLOORED IN A JACKRABBIT START. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME THAT THE CAR GOES TO IDLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE (FOR EXA…
Read full complaint
MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FWD WITH THE 3.0 V-6 (81,421 MILES) AND 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL APPLICATION WHEN IDLING IN GEAR. IT IS AS IF I FLOORED IN A JACKRABBIT START. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME THAT THE CAR GOES TO IDLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE (FOR EXAMPLE, IF I AM IN TRAFFIC AT A STOPLIGHT) BUT IT WILL DO THIS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TIME I DRIVE. I HAVE HAD TO KEEP MY RIGHT FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE BACKING OR IN A PARKING LOT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM HITTING PEDESTRIANS, OTHER CARS, SIGN POLES IN PARKING LOTS AND MY CARPORT'S WALL. IT WILL SUDDENLY REV UP WHEN IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND TRY TO MOVE IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER. IT MAY ONLY DO IT ONCE OR IT MAY DO IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN JUST AS MANY SECONDS. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER CAR THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A TACHOMETER, I HAVE SEEN IT JUMP AS HIGH AS 2000 RPM FROM A 750 RPM IDLE AND THEN FALL RIGHT BACK TO 750. THE FACT THAT I HAVE NOT HIT ANYONE YET IS PROOF THAT THIS IS NOT A PEDAL MISAPPLICATION ERROR, BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OR SOMEONE WHO IS UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT WILL BE SURPRISED BY IT AND KILL OR INJURE THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH SUCH A PROBLEM I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY WHICH IS BEING REPLACED TOMORROW. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND REPORTS THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NO BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE FACT THAT A DEFECTIVE PART CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE TO ACT IN SUCH A DANGEROUS MANNER IS SYMPTOMATIC OF A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE ACTED UPON BY THE NHTSA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10461670
80,000 miles · Jun 7, 2012
Power Train
STARTING AROUND MARCH 2011, MY 2007 FORD 500 WOULD LURCH WHEN I MOVED IT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR FROM PARK TO DRIVE. IT SEEMED TO GET WORSE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY "CLEANED" THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS DID NOT REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IT NOW LU…
Read full complaint
STARTING AROUND MARCH 2011, MY 2007 FORD 500 WOULD LURCH WHEN I MOVED IT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR FROM PARK TO DRIVE. IT SEEMED TO GET WORSE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY "CLEANED" THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS DID NOT REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IT NOW LURCHES WHEN I AM SITTING STILL. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, IT WILL LURCH SEVERAL INCHES. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL WRECKS BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT NOW HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT BUT IS NOT PAID OFF YET. I WAS QUOTED $800 TO FIX THE THROTTLE BODY. I FEEL LIKE WITH THE EXTENT OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PART, FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS PRODUCT ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10460921
58,000 miles · Feb 27, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN HE SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT CAUSED A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 05/10/12
NHTSA ODI #10449403
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