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2007 Ford Five Hundred

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

179 reports with mileage · 20 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 70 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 59 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

17 crash reports3 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

59 reports
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21,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

PURCHASED A NEW FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN 2007. HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. AFTER PUTTING ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WOULD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, MAILBOX, OR DRIVE-THRU AND LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD "JUMP" -- ACCELERATE ON …

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PURCHASED A NEW FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN 2007. HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL REGULAR MAINTENANCE. AFTER PUTTING ABOUT 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE, I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDEN ACCELERATION. I WOULD COME TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION, MAILBOX, OR DRIVE-THRU AND LET MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKES AND THE CAR WOULD "JUMP" -- ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. MY FOOT WOULD NOT EVEN BE ON THE GAS PEDAL. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE "REPROGRAMMED". I SPECIFICALLY ASKED COULD IT BE A PROBLEM WITH FUEL SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD NO. I HAD THE WORK COMPLETED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS TO THIS DAY. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WITH REAR END COLLISIONS. FINALLY AS I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND HIT A POST IN FRONT OF THE PARKING SPACE.

NHTSA ODI #10409450

53,400 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Power Train

2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL ACCELERATING AND LUNGING WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, GARAGE, OR DRIVE-THRU LANE. OCCURS IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION LUNGES THE CAR SEVERAL FEET AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR-MISS INCIDENTS. CAN'T PARK TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT OR GARAGE OR PULL UP BEHIND ANOTHER C…

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2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL ACCELERATING AND LUNGING WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT, GARAGE, OR DRIVE-THRU LANE. OCCURS IN DRIVE AND IN REVERSE. SUDDEN ACCELERATION LUNGES THE CAR SEVERAL FEET AND HAS CAUSED SEVERAL NEAR-MISS INCIDENTS. CAN'T PARK TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER CAR IN PARKING LOT OR GARAGE OR PULL UP BEHIND ANOTHER CAR VERY CLOSE AT A RED LIGHT FOR FEAR OF CAR LUNGING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. VERY SCARY NOT BEING ABLE TO CONTROL THIS. AFRAID TO COAST INTO PARKING SPOT WITHOUT FOOT ON BRAKE FOR FEAR OF HITTING SOMEONE OR SOME THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406805

42,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Power Train

IN SEPTEMBER 2010 (AT 42K MILES), MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL STARTED TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK, ESPECIALLY IF THE FRONT END WAS SITTING HIGHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE ICONS WOULD LIGHT UP AND THE CAR LOST 95% OF ITS POWER. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FOR 30 SECONDS OR SO …

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IN SEPTEMBER 2010 (AT 42K MILES), MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL STARTED TO SUDDENLY LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK, ESPECIALLY IF THE FRONT END WAS SITTING HIGHER. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE ICONS WOULD LIGHT UP AND THE CAR LOST 95% OF ITS POWER. TURNING OFF THE ENGINE FOR 30 SECONDS OR SO WOULD CAUSE THE WRENCH ICON TO TURN OFF, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE ICON WOULD STAY LIT. THE CAR WOULD DRIVE NORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF OVERNIGHT. AFTER THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, A FORD DEALER SAID THAT ITWAS THE TCM MODULE WHICH WASN'T COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I PAID $1000 TO HAVE THE TCM REPLACED BY A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC. IN APRIL 2011 THE CAR BEGAN TO REPEAT THE SAME SYMPTOMS. I'VE HAD THE CAR TO 3 FORD DEALERS, BUT THEY ALL SAY THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE CAR IS ACTUALLY MALFUNCTIONING AT THE TIME. I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY RECENTLY WHEN THE LAST INCIDENT OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK INTO MY LANE BEFORE MEETING AN ONCOMING CAR. I SAY FORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE CAR LOSES ALL POWER UNTIL THE WRENCH ICON GOES OUT! THIS IS A TREMENDOUS SAFETY HAZARD AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY FORD IS "STONEWALLING". DIDN'T THEY LEARN FROM TOYOTA'S BRAKE ISSUES? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406245

50,000 miles · Jun 10, 2011
Power Train

2007 FORD FIVE HUNDREDS FREQUENTLY SURGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN FIRST PUT INTO GEAR. THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS OF OWNERS OF THESE CARS WITH THE SAME SAFETY ISSUE - POTENTIAL RUNNING OVER/INTO PEOPLE/OTHER CARS & STRUCTURES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405916

56,000 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

CAR WAS JERKING ON ACCELERATION, WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING IT IS STILL DOING IT ONLY WORSE THE LIGHT IS ON SOLID NOW AND THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WOULD ALSO JERK WHEN TAKEN OUT OF PARK OR WHEN IN TRAFFIC SITTING IDLE, ONCE I THOUGHT I WAS REAR ENDED. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND …

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CAR WAS JERKING ON ACCELERATION, WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO CODES EVEN THOUGH THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING IT IS STILL DOING IT ONLY WORSE THE LIGHT IS ON SOLID NOW AND THE CAR IS NOW OUT OF WARRANTY. IT WOULD ALSO JERK WHEN TAKEN OUT OF PARK OR WHEN IN TRAFFIC SITTING IDLE, ONCE I THOUGHT I WAS REAR ENDED. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND THEY TOLD ME THIS IS 'NORMAL' BEHAVIOR AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT WILL NOT EVEN STAY RUNNING NOW WHEN WARM AND IT DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10404402

91,000 miles · May 29, 2011
Power Train

2007 FORD 500 TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO BUCK OUT OF THE BLUE. CANNOT PASS PEOPLE ON NORMAL ROADS OR BARELY MAKE IT UP HILLS, ACCELERATION IS VERY SLOW. FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. IT USED TO OCCUR AT HIGHER SPEEDS, NOW IT IS HAPPENI…

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2007 FORD 500 TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTS TO BUCK OUT OF THE BLUE. CANNOT PASS PEOPLE ON NORMAL ROADS OR BARELY MAKE IT UP HILLS, ACCELERATION IS VERY SLOW. FAILURE OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS DRIVEN, GETTING WORSE EVERY DAY. IT USED TO OCCUR AT HIGHER SPEEDS, NOW IT IS HAPPENING ANYWHERE ABOVE 30MPH. HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING TO CORRECT PROBLEM, BEEN READING UP ON IT; AND EVERYONE HAS THE PROBLEM AND THERE IS NO "CHEAP" FIX YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10403686

59,859 miles · May 23, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train

2007 FORD 500 CAR SURGES IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACES CAR MOTOR RACES AND CAR SURGES 3 TO 4 FEET. SO FAR WE HAVE NOT HIT ANYONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10402471

35,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB MOVED AND THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO GET THE GEARS TO CHANGE BUT COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT KNOB MOVED AND THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE GEARS WOULD NOT CHANGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO WAS ABLE TO GET THE GEARS TO CHANGE BUT COULD DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,200.

NHTSA ODI #10384375

60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2011
Power Train

CAR LURCHES AT INAPPROPRIATE TIMES. THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN PUTTING IT INTO REVERSE FROM PARK. *LN

NHTSA ODI #10378354

50,000 miles · Dec 30, 2010
Power Train

CAR: 2007 FORD 500 LIMITED. MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR TO DRIVE, AFTER ABOUT 1 SECOND THE CAR "LURCHES" FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I KEEP THE BRAKE LOCKED DOWN WHEN CHANGING GEARS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL IM SURE IT WONT JUMP BUT I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO DO IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING, I ALMO…

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CAR: 2007 FORD 500 LIMITED. MOVING SHIFT LEVER FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR TO DRIVE, AFTER ABOUT 1 SECOND THE CAR "LURCHES" FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I KEEP THE BRAKE LOCKED DOWN WHEN CHANGING GEARS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL IM SURE IT WONT JUMP BUT I HAVE TO REMEMBER TO DO IT. THIS IS DANGEROUS. WHEN THIS FIRST STARTED HAPPENING, I ALMOST RAN OVER SOMEONE. I HOPE YOU CAN IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND LET ME KNOW OR HAVE FORD PUT OUT A SAFETY RECALL AND A FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI #10373506

Official recalls

1

11V355000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Jul 13, 2011

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE FUEL TANKS MAY NOT HAVE CONSISTENT WELDS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK SPUD WHICH CAN AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE JOINT. SOME FUEL TANK SPUD WELDS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE EXPECTED STRENGTH IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE REAR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. AN IMPROPER WELD CAN RESULT IN A CRACK IN THE JOINT WHICH COULD ILLUMINATE THE EMISSIONS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT, CAUSE A FUEL ODOR, OR ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK OUT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 16, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

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