NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
199 reports85,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVVED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEANED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE ENGINE REVVED. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE WOULD HAVE TO BE CLEANED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512768
100,000 miles · Mar 20, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE WITH A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED DOWN AN INCLINE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO S…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE WITH A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED DOWN AN INCLINE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10503812
93,840 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT GIVEN A DIAGNOSIS AS TO WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,840. UPDATED 4/24/13 *CN UPDATED 06/04/2013*JS
NHTSA ODI #10500922
Mileage unknown · Feb 17, 2013
Structure
THE PAINT IS BUBBLING UP ALL ALONG THE LOWER EDGE OF THE HOODLINE. THERE ARE NO CHIPS. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND EXPLAINED THAT THE HOOD IS MADE FROM ALUMINUM AND CAN CORRODE. THE DEALERSHIP THEN POINTED OUT SEVERAL OTHER AREAS OF CORROSION UNDER THE HOOD THAT ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE HOOD TOP. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS …
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THE PAINT IS BUBBLING UP ALL ALONG THE LOWER EDGE OF THE HOODLINE. THERE ARE NO CHIPS. DEALERSHIP LOOKED AT THE HOOD AND EXPLAINED THAT THE HOOD IS MADE FROM ALUMINUM AND CAN CORRODE. THE DEALERSHIP THEN POINTED OUT SEVERAL OTHER AREAS OF CORROSION UNDER THE HOOD THAT ARE NOT VISIBLE FROM THE HOOD TOP. DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS NOT COVERED AFTER THE 3YR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY OR THE 5YR/UNLIMITED RUST. TO FIX THE ONE SPOT WAS QUOTED OVER $100. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498429
108,000 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Power Train
WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE WHOLE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFULLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY IS WRONG. BUT THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE LOOKED INTO BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493767
101,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 65 MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 65 MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS SUDDENLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AND THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 101,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.
NHTSA ODI #10492928
77,898 miles · Dec 19, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
AT VERY LOW SPEEDS (EXAMPLE IN A PARKING LOT) TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IT WILL SURGE REALLY HARD EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE.. MAKES PARKING VERY DANGEROUS.. I ALMOST HIT A PERSON AND ALMOST WRECKED INTO ANOTHER CAR ANOTHER TIME.. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE RPMS GO AWAY UP AND IT IS AS IF SOMEONE IS F…
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AT VERY LOW SPEEDS (EXAMPLE IN A PARKING LOT) TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IT WILL SURGE REALLY HARD EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE.. MAKES PARKING VERY DANGEROUS.. I ALMOST HIT A PERSON AND ALMOST WRECKED INTO ANOTHER CAR ANOTHER TIME.. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE RPMS GO AWAY UP AND IT IS AS IF SOMEONE IS FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489216
105,000 miles · Oct 29, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATE AS IF IT I WAS ON THE GAS PEDAL GOING 50, EXCEPT I WAS ON THE BRAKE. IF I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATE I NOTICED THAT THE RPM NEEDLE WILL GO UP TO 3 SOMETIME 4 IF I AM NOT CAREFUL TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR IT WILL TAKE OFF …
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I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK INTO A PARKING SPACE AND THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATE AS IF IT I WAS ON THE GAS PEDAL GOING 50, EXCEPT I WAS ON THE BRAKE. IF I AM SITTING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR ENGINE ACCELERATE I NOTICED THAT THE RPM NEEDLE WILL GO UP TO 3 SOMETIME 4 IF I AM NOT CAREFUL TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR IT WILL TAKE OFF SO I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482595
25,000 miles · Oct 11, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE TPS SENSOR WITHIN THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD AND CRASHED INTO A MAILBOX. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSTANTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE TPS SENSOR WITHIN THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000.
NHTSA ODI #10479736
55,000 miles · Sep 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THE VEHICLE SURGES/LUNGES FORWARD/BACKWARD WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE/DRIVE WITHOUT ANY GAS BEING APPLIED. WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED THE VEHICLE STILL DOESN'T STOP AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE CAR MAINLY DOES IT WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT WILL DO IT OTHER TIMES AS WELL. THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE…
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THE VEHICLE SURGES/LUNGES FORWARD/BACKWARD WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE/DRIVE WITHOUT ANY GAS BEING APPLIED. WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED THE VEHICLE STILL DOESN'T STOP AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE CAR MAINLY DOES IT WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT WILL DO IT OTHER TIMES AS WELL. THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. WHEN I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF THE CAR STOPPED SHUTTING OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. I'M HAVING TO PAY OUT $800 FOR A PART THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD OWNERS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10476511
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
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