2005 Ford Five Hundred

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2007· STRUCTURE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE A FRAME DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

• 12/28/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2005. I HAD NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLACK BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATED ON THE REAR WHEELS. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN 80 TO 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL BRAKING. AT 6000 MILES I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN OUT AND RUINED THE ROTORS. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKES ON WARRANTY. AT 32,000 MILES DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THE SHOP MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE GONE. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD COMPLETED THE LAST BRAKE REPLACEMENT AND ASKED THEM IF PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 500 HUNDRED. THEY DID NOT RESPOND. I ASKED THEM IF THEY THOUGHT IT UNUSUAL FOR THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT TWICE IN 32,000 MILES? I TOLD THEM THAT ALL OF MY OTHER VEHICLES WHICH WEAR/ARE DRIVEN IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS USUALLY DO NOT NEED A BRAKE REPLACEMENT UNTIL THEY ARE AT 80,000 MILES OR MORE? THEY TOLD ME THAT IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE MY DRIVING HABITS. I DO NOT DRIVE ANY DIFFERENTLY NOW THAT I HAVE OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. THEY TOLD ME ON THIS SECOND VISIT FOR A BRAKE PROBLEM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME TO INSPECT THE BRAKES AND IF THEY DID NOT FIND A MECHANICAL PROBLEM, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE STICKING. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE REAR ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACE AGAIN. FOR SOME REASON TWICE NOW THE REAR BRAKES ARE FAILING LONG BEFORE THE FRONT BRAKE PADS HAVE EVENT 25% OF THEIR WEAR GONE. IT APPEARS THAT THE REAR BRAKES ARE DOING MOST OF THE BRAKING AND THE FRONT ARE DOING LITTLE. THIS MAY CAUSE A SAFETY PROBLEM . *JB

• 12/27/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO HAD THE PANEL RESTORED. THE DEALER COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT OCCUR AGAIN AS THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

• 12/27/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED REAR BRAKES WORN AT 14,000 MILES. SCRAPPING SOUNDS WERE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE, TAKEN TO DEALER, TOLD 15 DAYS TO GET PARTS. 1 MONTH LATER WENT TO DEALER, TOLD PARTS AVAILABLE FEB 2008, TOLD TO REPAIR VEHICLE ON MY OWN AND WOULD BE REIMBURSED. CALLED FORD, TOLD TO GO AHEAD. FOUND PARTS AND HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED (NEW PADS AND ROTORS - $192.00), LATER IN THE AFTERNOON DEALER CALLS, PARTS HAVE MAGICALLY APPEARED, DEALER TOLD CAR IS REPAIRED. BOTH FORD AND DEALER REFUSE TO REIMBURSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO IT. THE REAR WHEELS UP TO THE TIME OF SCRAPPING SOUNDS SHOWED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST VS THE FRONT WHICH SHOWED ALMOST NO DUST. BOTH FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP DISMISSED THE REIMBURSEMENT SAYING REPAIR WAS OFFERED, WHERE WERE THE PARTS THAT JUST APPEARED OUT OF THIN AIR WHEN THE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE RECEIVED IN FEB 2008? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD IS IGNORING. GUESS I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IF THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT A CUSTOMER. *TR

• 12/26/2011· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED THIS 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AS A GIFT FOR MY WIFE,11/26/11 WITHIN A WEEK AFTER OWNING IT THE AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT CAME ON. IN LOOKING OVER THE INTERNET I'M FINDING OTHER FORD OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD DOES NOT WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT OR TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT THAT POTENTIALLY COULD BE VERY COSTLY OVER AND ABOVE THE HIGH COST OF THE VEHICLE ITSELF. IT SEEMS THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE ''SOME'' RECOURSE OR HELP WITH THIS RECURRING PROBLEM AND MAKE FORD OWN UP AND REPAIR THE DEFECT AND PROBLEMS MANY OF US ARE DEALING WITH... OUT OF POCKET!!! *TR

• 12/26/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  AS I WAS SLOWING TO TURN OFF OF A STATE HIGHWAY, MY CAR SHUT OFF AND DISPLAYED A MESSAGE THAT SAID "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE." I WAS SOMEWHAT ABLE TO STEER, SO I COMPLETED MY TURN ONTO A SIDE STREET, WHERE THE CAR DRIFTED TO A STOP. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DRIVE HOME. THE NEXT MORNING, THE CAR WOULD START BUT IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF, DISPLAYING THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED A FAILED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THEY ORDERED A REPLACEMENT PART, WHICH WAS THEN INSTALLED. INCIDENTALLY, THE PART HAD SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD. ONCE THAT PART WAS REINSTALLED, THE COMPUTER WAS REFLASHED TO "LEARN" THAT A NEW THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. THE COMPUTER WOULD NOT LEARN THE NEW PART, THOUGH, SO A NEW COMPUTER HAD TO BE ORDERED AND INSTALLED. OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, THIS SAME PROBLEM (SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING) HAD OCCURRED, BUT IN EACH CASE I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WITHOUT ANY FURTHER PROBLEM. THIS WAS DANGEROUS IN THAT MY CAR SIMPLY SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING,MAKING A LEFT TURN ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY NOBODY WAS COMING THE OTHER DIRECTION, SO I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY DRIFT THROUGH THE ONCOMING LANE TO ANOTHER SIDE STREET. ALSO, IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHILE MY CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP HAVING THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY FIVE OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED VEHICLES IN THE SHOP AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR ELECTRONIC THROTTLES AS WELL.

• 12/26/2006· TIRES

  WHILE CONDUCTING A WEEKLY INSPECTION AND PRESSURE CHECK OF MY TIRES, (CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT AS P215/60R17) A SPLIT MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 2" IN LENGTH WAS OBSERVED IN THE SIDEWALL OF ONE TIRE. THE SPLIT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY ANY ROAD DAMAGE OR OTHER EXTERNAL FORCE. THERE IS NO AIR LEAKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPLIT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AND NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO REPLACE THIS SET. *JB

• 12/25/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY NEEDLES AND CONTROLS FAIL ON MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AWD. I HAVE HAD THE CLUSTER REPLACED TWICE (OUT OF POCKET) WHEN IT FAILS, MY REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON, TURN SIGNALS FAIL AND SOMETIMES MY RADIO FAILS (NOT REALLY A SAFETY ISSUE BUT IS ANNOYING) MY AIRBAGS ARE DEACTIVE WHEN THE EVENT OCCURS. I KNOW FORD KNOWS ABOUT THE ISSUE AND SHOULD DO A RECALL AS I HAVE NOTICED (MORE THAN I SHOULD FOR THERE NOT TO BE A RECALL) ALOT OF OTHER FIVE HUNDRED/MONTEIGO DRIVERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/25/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I TOOK MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL IN FOR A SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND WAS INFORMED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TORQUE STRUT MOUNT, ALSO KNOWN AS THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN. PRICE TO REPAIR IS $619. AFTER DOING MORE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A DEALER KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THESE PARTICULAR CARS! SO, WHY DOESN'T FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUE A RECALL TO FIX THESE FAULTY PARTS INSTEAD OF MAKING CONSUMERS PAY THESE RIDICULOUS REPAIR BILLS??! *TR

• 12/23/2011· POWER TRAIN

  NOT LONG AFTER PURCHASING MY VEHICLE MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OFF SAFELY ONTO THE SHOULDER AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND ONCE RESTARTED WAS FINE. WE HAVE SINCE STOPPED USING CRUISE CONTROL IN FEAR OF AN ACCIDENT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE DASH WILL LIGHT CHECK TRANSMISSION, TRACTION CONTROL AND SOMETIMES CHECK ENGINE. ONCE THE CAR IS TURNED OFF AND BACK ON IT IS FINE FOR A WHILE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TAKES SOME TIME TO GO OFF. IT IS GETTING SO WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT, SOMETIMES IT DRIVES FINE AND OTHERS THE TRANSMISSION QUITS. THE OTHER DAY I WENT TO PASS A CAR AND THE LIGHTS CAME ON AS I HAD MOVED INTO THE LANE TO PASS ON THE INTERSTATE. ONCE I WAS IN MY LANE AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER IT DOES IT AGAIN AND THIS TIME A BIG MAC TRUCK IS COMING UP ON ME. I HAVE READ OF SEVERAL PROBLEMS OF THIS WITH THIS SAME CAR AND IT HAS BEEN SAID THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY AND/OR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND FORD SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

• 12/22/2009· AIR BAGSCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING DOWN-HILL AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 50 MPH IN SNOWY AND ICY CONDITIONS THE VEHICLE SLID INTO AN EMBANKMENT HEAD-ON. NEXT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE AND CAUSED THE REAR BUMPER TO BECOME SUBMERGED IN A DITCH. NEITHER THE FRONTAL DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SHE SUFFERED INJURIES TO HER BACK AND CHEST. THE POLICE ARRIVED ON THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 104,000.

• 12/21/2016· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S DOOR WAS NOT ABLE TO SHUT COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 12/21/2015· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH FAILED TO CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,618.

• 12/21/2007· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FORD FIVE HUNDRED '05 BRAKES APPLIED IN HEAVY BRAKING SITUATION ON HIGHWAY AND THE FUEL CUT-OFF MECHANISM ACTIVATED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE CUT-OFF SWITCH, BY THE FRONT PASSENGER FOOT AREA HAD COME LOSE. RE-SET OF MECHANISM NOT POSSIBLE, HAD TO HAVE THE WIRING RE-DONE AND RE-CONFIGURED BY THE DEALER SERVICE AREA. THIS IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT COULD OCCUR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF IT IS EXPOSED TO PASSENGER FOOT BUMP. *TR

• 12/21/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE SHE STARTS THE CAR AND DRIVES A SHORT DISTANCE AT 10 MPH AND COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WILL THEN ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FREEMONT FORD) A DOZEN TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER.

• 12/20/2016· STRUCTURE,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES, THE DOOR WILL NOT LATCH OR WILL POP OPEN WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT ONLY IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. FORD RECALL NOTICE 06S45 DESCRIBES IT PERFECTLY, BUT SOMEHOW MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *TR

• 12/20/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CARS ENTERS INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND ENGINE CUTS OUT. I HAVE BEEN ALMOST REAR- ENDED THREE TIMES SINCE FIRST OCCURRENCE AND ONE TIME ALMOST T-BONED. SLUGGISH ACCELERATION WHEN TAKING OFF MAY OCCUR ALSO. I HAVE NOTICED THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND THE FAULTY THROTTLE BODY HAS SINCE BEEN REDESIGNED BY FORD. THEY SHOULD RECALL THIS AS IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW THAT I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NOT BEEN INJURED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THIS FAULTY PART, BUT I AM SURE SOME HAVE NOT BEEN SO LUCKY. *TR

• 12/20/2005· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE ENGINE REVVED AT AN ELEVATED LEVEL. HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE RPMS SUBSIDED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT THIS DID NOT PRODUCE ANY CODES INDICATING THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER.*AK

• 12/18/2007· POWER TRAIN

  DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MILES PER HOUR A LOUD NOISE EMANATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, ENGINE RPMS RACED FROM 1500 TO 4500, A CLATTERING NOISE FOLLOWED SOUNDING LIKE A METAL SPOON DROPPED INTO A RUNNING GARBAGE DISPOSAL, CAR DRAMATICALLY SLOWED COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION CONTROL, STEERING CONTROL UNCERTAIN AS CAR WANDERED. NO UNUSUAL EVENTS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ITS OCCURRENCE CAME WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. EVENT OCCURRED ON TWO LANE RURAL ROAD,VEHICLES FOLLOWING AND ONCOMING HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION BUT NO COLLISION OCCURRED. PASSENGERS STRANDED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. RIGHT AXLE SHAFT BROKEN IN HALF. RIGHT AXLE CARRIER BEARING BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND SPLINES DAMAGED. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. AXLE SHAFT AND CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION SPLINES FILED DOWN. *TR

• 12/13/2017· STRUCTURE

  DURING ANY WET WEATHER, WATER INTRUDES INTO MY DOORS AND BECOMES TRAPPED. WHEN OPENING THE DOORS, THE WATER GUSHES OUT AND YOU CAN HEAR WATER SLOSHING AROUND INSIDE. THERE HAS ALSO BEEN LEAKAGE FROM THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS OF WATER INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOORS BEING FILLED WITH WATER. DURING THE COLD WEATHER, THIS WATER THEN FREEZES MY LOCKING MECHANISMS WHEN OPENING AND CLOSING THE DOORS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE WITH MY MODEL, BUT ACCORDING TO FORD MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS MY CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN MY DOOR WITH "LOCK" BUT IT IS NOT COMPLETELY CLOSED AND HAS OPENED WHILE MOVING. FORDS ONLY RESOLUTION FOR ME HAS BEEN TO FIX THE ISSUE AT MY COST, AND THEY WILL REIMBURSE ME "IF" MY CAR WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT USED AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION OTHERWISE BY FORD.

• 12/12/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO THE GARAGE, THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED. THE EXTERIOR BODY DAMAGE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. ..UPDATED 01/30/13 *BF UPDATED 2/1/2013 *JS

• 12/12/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT FAILED AND ALL OF THE GAUGES WERE INOPERABLE. IN ADDITION, THE REAR BACK UP SENSORS WERE BUZZING HAPHAZARDLY. THE CONTACT CHECKED ALL OF THE FUSES AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. UPDATED 1/27/12 *CN UPDATED 02/01/12

• 12/10/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I OWN A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE ON 11/25 AND TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNED, THE MECHANIC SAID THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 95% WORN, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IN SHORT ORDER. THIS IS UNUSUAL SINCE THE VEHICLE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND ONLY HAD 21,300 MILES. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THAT MAKE OF VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/09/2016· WHEELS,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING THE SPEED LIMIT I CHANGED LANES AND THE REAR OF THE CAR FISHED TAILED. IT HAPPENED SO FAST IT SCARED ME TO DEATH. I WAS VERY LUCKY TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. IT WAS NOT RAINING AND SOME WHAT HEAVY TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. THE CAR DOES NOT MANEUVER WELL. I HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHILE CHANGING LANES AND DO IT SLOWLY OR THE CAR JERKS QUICKLY AND NOT SMOOTH AS MY OTHER CARS I'VE OWNED.

• 12/09/2011· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EXTERIOR LIGHTINGFire

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HARNESS FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT MELTED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXCESS MOISTURE, BUT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT BECAME BRITTLE AND FRACTURED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT HAD WORN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THESE WERE MANUFACTURERS DEFECTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,700.

• 12/07/2006· POWER TRAIN

  PURCHASED FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN FEBRUARY 2006, AN SEL AUTOMATIC. AROUND 15,000 MILES BEGAN NOTICING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, MOSTLY HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED OCT. 22, 2006 WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, ENGINE REVVED WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL BUT VEHICLE SLOWED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THEN IT PUNCHED VIOLENTLY AND RESUMED DRIVING NORMALLY. WE PULLED OVER THINKING SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE BEGAN OUR JOURNEY AGAIN AND HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF MINOR PUNCHING OF THE TRANSMISSION, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND GOING BACK IN AGAIN. AFTER WE RETURNED HOME, THESE PROBLEMS WERE VERY INTERMITTENT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE RE-ENGAGING. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER THE SECOND WEEK IN NOVEMBER. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY SAID THERE WAS A COMPUTER TECHNICIAN LOG THAT SUGGESTED A RESET. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER, CHANGED THE OIL, CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, ETC. A FEW DAYS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WAS BACK TO SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY. ON NOVEMBER 20, 2006, THE SEVERE PUNCHING BEGAN AGAIN, SO BAD THIS TIME THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO 2ND BEFORE IT ENGAGED AND WE WERE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. SINCE WE WERE ON VACATION, WE HAD TO CONTINUE ON OUR TRIP WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. WHEN WE RETURNED FROM OUR TRIP, BACK TO THE FORD DEALER WE WENT. WE TOOK THE TRANSMISSION TECHNICIAN GUY FOR A TEST DRIVE AND LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. HE WAS AMAZED, HADN'T SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT BEFORE. HE TALKED TO OTHER TRANSMISSION TECH'S WHO WERE STUMPED BY THE PROBLEM, TOO. HE ENDED UP CALLING FORD HEADQUARTERS AND SPOKE WITH THE ENGINEERS. THEY DECIDED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN ORDER BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T SURE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB

• 12/06/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I TOOK MY 2005 FORD 500 WITH 18,000 MILES TO THE DEALER FOR A NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND AFTER REPLACING THE STRUT UNDER WARRANTY TO TAKE CARE OF THE NOISE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY REAR BRAKES SHOULD BE REQUIRED AND CERTAINLY NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 18,000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN PROBLEM SINCE THE REAR BRAKE WHEELS ARE DOING MOST OF THE WORK. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BY FORD AND NHTSA. *JB

• 12/04/2017· POWER TRAIN,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN MAY 2010. REALIZED EARLY-ON THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT SMOOTH, BUT WILLING TO SETTLE FOR LESS THAN PERFECTION SINCE IT WAS A 2005 VEHICLE. IN LATE 2012 OR EARLY 2013, I RECEIVED 'RECALL' NOTICE THAT PCM (I.E. - POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE) COULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED DUE TO STALLING, HERKY-JERKY TRANSMISSION, ETC. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, THEY RAN DIAGNOSTICS, CHARGED ME $100, AND TOLD ME THAT MY CAR WASN'T EFFECTED BECAUSE NO ERROR CODES WERE NOTED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WASN'T ON. I WAS NOT HAPPY, AND REFUSED TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. PROBLEM PERSISTED, UNTIL CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN OCTOBER 2017 AT ROUGHLY 125,000 MILES. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC, WAS CHARGED $150 FOR SENSOR REPLACEMENT. LIGHT CAME BACK ON A DAY LATER. TOOK BACK, REPLACED SENSOR FOR FREE (NICE!), BUT LIGHT BACK ON A DAY LATER. TOOK TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC, WAS CHARGED $250, REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS, LIGHT BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. TOOK BACK TO 2ND MECHANIC, WHEN THEY SHARED WITH ME THAT IT WAS LIKELY THE PCM AND THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NEED TO FIX. CALLED DEALERSHIP 3 DAYS IN A ROW, ON HOLD FOR NEARLY AN HOUR THE 3RD TIME, WAS NEVER CONNECTED TO A SERVICE WRITER OR TECH, LEFT 3 VOICE MAILS FOR SERVICE MANAGER AND WAS NEVER CALLED BACK. RESEARCHED ISSUE AND FOUND NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018, WHERE FORD INITIATED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 12N03 TO EXTEND COVERAGE TERMS OF REPAIR OF ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGE CAUSED BY PCM NEEDING REPROGRAMMING WITH SOFTWARE CONTAINING UPDATED IDLE SPEED CONTROL. PER NHTSA, SYMPTOMS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONDITION MAY INCLUDE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, DIAGNOSTIC CODES (DTCS) P0505, P0506, OR P061B. FORD ISSUED BULLETIN TSB 11-10-21 THAT INCLUDED UPDATED POWERTRAIN CONTROL CALIBRATION.

• 12/04/2009· STRUCTURE

  I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO WORK WITH FORD REF # 366023289, AND KORUM FORD IN PUYALLUP FOR A "WATER INTRUSION" PROBLEM ON OUR FORD FIVE HUNDRED. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM I SEE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE KEPT GOOD RECORDS OF THESE EMAILS AND HAVE A BILL FROM KORUM. IF YOU SEARCH FOR THE PROBLEM IT IS EVERYWHERE, AND PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING FINANCIALLY DEALING WITH IT BECAUSE FORD IS NOT HOLDING UP THEIR END. THERE IS ONE RECALL ON "DOOR LATCHES" LEADING TO SOME OF THE WATER INTRUSION, BUT IT IS SO HORRIBLE FOR THE ONES LIKE US WHO HAVE PUDDLES OF WATER IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND WATER IN THE DOORS SLOSHING AROUND. KORUM SUPPOSEDLY FIXED THE PROBLEM, THEN CHARGED US FOR THE FIX BECAUSE OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS RAN OUT, ALTHOUGH WE'VE COMPLAINED MANY TIMES WHILE IT WAS STILL A GOOD WARRANTY. PLEASE CHECK THE "FORD FORUM", AND PLEASE TELL THE PEOPLE PAYING OUT OF POCKET THAT ALL OF US ARE HAVING TROUBLE WITH THIS ISSUE. MY HUSBAND IS NOT FEELING WELL SO I'M AFRAID THERE CAN BE MOLD/MILDEW UNDER THE WET CARPET CAUSING HEALTH PROBLEMS. *TR

• 12/04/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE CAR WOULD GO INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE." I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY PUTTING MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY. I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER AT 65 MPH. I BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALER AND MECHANIC WHO RAN THE SYSTEM ON THE COMPUTER SPECULATING IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY BY CLEARED DATA SO THEY COULD GATHER MORE INFORMATION. THESE COMPUTER CHECKS (3 OF THEM) COST ME MORE THAN $420.00. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS INDEED FAULTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $947.98 TO FIX. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS SHOULD BE A FORD RECALL. HE ALSO SAID HE WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF IT DIDN'T TURN INTO A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS HOW PREVALENT THIS PROBLEM IS. *TR

• 12/04/2008· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE SECURELY. THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION WITH THE LATCH SYSTEM. THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE HELD IN ORDER TO SECURE THE DOOR WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOUR ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER A RECALL; HOWEVER, THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNABLE TO BE FOUND. THE RECALL REMEDY HAS NOT CORRECTED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,753.

• 12/03/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SUBJECT: EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. NEW CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 17, 2005. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED BY FORD DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 13, 2006 AT 29,976 MILES. FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON NOV. 17, 2006 AT 46,691 MILES. WHY DID THE FORD FACTORY REAR BRAKE PADS/ROTORS GET 29,976 MILES AND FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED REAR BRAKE PAD/ROTORS GET ONLY 16,715 MILES? PADS FRONT: FORD FACTORY INSTALLED STILL ON CAR WITH 46,691 MILES: LEFT FRONT: OUTSIDE 6MM THICK INSIDE 8MM THICK RIGHT FRONT: OUTSIDE 6 MM THICK INSIDE 8 MM THICK PADS REAR: FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW 0 MILES LEFT REAR: OUTSIDE 8 MM THICK INSIDE 10 MM THICK RIGHT REAR: OUTSIDE 8MM THICK INSIDE 10 MM THICK FORD RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS IS LESS THAN 3 MM. THE FRONT PADS ARE 6 INCHES LONG AND THE REAR PADS ARE ONLY 2 INCHES LONG. WHY ARE THE REAR PADS ONLY 1/3 THE SIZE OF THE FRONT PADS? THE REAR WHEEL RIMS ARE ALWAYS BLACK WITH EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. THE FRONT WHEEL RIMS HAVE VERY LITTLE BRAKE DUST. THE REAR WHEELS WHEN JACKED UP AND SPUN BY HAND SEEM TO DRAG ON THE PADS/ROTORS. OTHER CARS I HAVE WILL SPIN BY HAND 8 TO 10 SECONDS. THE FORD 500 WILL SPIN ONLY 3 SECONDS. IS IT POSSIBLE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE THE PROBLEM FOR THIS DRAG AND WEAR? THE FORD DEALER IS HELPFUL, BUT FORD WARRANTY IS ONLY 18,000 MILES/12 MONTHS ON FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES, AND 12,000/12 MONTHS ON FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED BRAKES. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD MOTOR CO. CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER. THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THERE ARE NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. FORD DEALERSHIP CHECKED WITH THE FORD FACTORY TECH AND AGAIN NO BRAKE PROBLEMS. NHTSA WEB SITE HAS 11 COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. HOW CAN FORD CORP AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP TELL ME THERE ARE NO REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. *JB

• 11/30/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHILE REVERSING MY CAR IT WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATE QUICKLY ON ITS OWN, I IMMEDIATELY STEP ON THE BRAKES AND MY CAR STALLS. ON THE DASH BOARD "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" APPEARS ON MY CONSOLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 7 TIMES NOW. *TR

• 11/28/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THROUGH OUT THE CAR IS BEING HEARD IN THE SPEAKERS. IF THE SEATS, WINDOW, ETC., ETC. ARE TOUCHED YOU CAN HEAR THEM THROUGH THE BACK END WITH A LOUD ROARING NOISE. IT IS SO LOUD THAT YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE RADIO ON. IT ONLY REACTS WHEN IT IS EXTREMELY HOT, EXTREMELY COLD OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN WASHED OR IT RAINS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AMP, RADIO, CD PLAYER AND SPEAKERS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THEY HAVE EVEN ELIMINATED WATER LEAK WHICH ONLY LEAVES WIRING ISSUES IN WHICH THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE. OUR FEAR IS THAT IT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WE HAVE ARBITRATED AND CONTACTED CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE EVEN TOOK THIS TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER IN WHICH THEY TOLD US AFTER SHOWING THEM ALL THE WORK ORDERS THAT THEY WILL NOT GET INVOLVED SINCE IT IS A PRE-EXISTING ISSUE THAT ANOTHER DEALER HAS TRIED TO RESOLVE MANY, MANY TIMES. JUST BE CAUTIOUS AND PLACE YOUR VEHICLE INSIDE AWAY FROM THESE CONDITIONS SO IT DOESN'T ACT UP AND CAUSE MORE ISSUES. *NM

• 11/27/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TRAVELING ON MOUNTAIN HIGHWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO PASS TRACTOR TRAILER DEPRESSED THROTTLE AND TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED TO NEXT LOWER GEAR THAN SLAMMED INTO THE NEXT LOWER GEAR. LOSS OF ALL ACCELERATION TRANSMISSION ILLUMINATED. THAN TRANSMISSION APPEARS TO HAVE ELECTRONICALLY DISENGAGED FROM ENGINE (NO FORWARD MOVEMENT AT ALL, MIND YOU I WAS TRYING TO PASS) ENGINE REVOLUTIONS INCREASED TO OVER 7,000 RPM. BOTH TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AFTER A BRIEF REST AT SIDE OF RODE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND COULD BE MOVED BOTH LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED. AFTER 5 OR 10 RESTARTS BOTH ERROR LIGHTS EXTINGUISHED. *TR

• 11/27/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE REAR ROTORS MADE A GRINDING NOISE WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO REPLACED THE ROTORS DUE TO BRAKE PAD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISORY IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER # 10014650 ABOUT THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS THIRD SET OF BRAKE PADS.

• 11/26/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ONLY THE WRENCH AND AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT VISIBLE. THE RADIO WAS STILL OPERATING. AFTER 15 MINUTES, THERE WAS A POWER SURGE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,200. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 11, 2008 AND STATED THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROBLEM AND RESET THE SYSTEM. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR

• 11/26/2007· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED INSTRUMENT PANEL TEMPORARILY STOPS WORKING AND ALL GAUGES GO TO ZERO. I WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW NODULE, BUT IT WAS NOT IMMEDIATE. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST DAILY FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

• 11/23/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  SIMILAR ISSUE AS IN PE07058. INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILS FOR EXTENDED PERIODS. IN THIS TIME I HAVE NO INSTRUMENTATION AVAILABLE, SPEED, RPM, FUEL, ETC. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, INCLUDING AIRBAG. ALL INTERIOR LIGHTING DIMS SIGNIFICANTLY. REVERSE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE EVEN WHILE IN PARK, OR DRIVING FORWARD. *TR

• 11/19/2011· POWER TRAIN

  2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL 3.0L V6 AUTOMATIC 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION ACCELERATING ON INTERSTATE CAR SEVERELY HARD SHIFTED AND THEN RPMS FLARED LET OFF GAS AND CAR SLAMMED INTO A LOWER GEAR NOW CAR HARD SHIFTS IN DOWN GEARS AND RPMS GO UP CAR DOESN'T MOVE SOMETIMES WHILE ACCELERATING VERY SPORADIC AND DANGEROUS. *TR

• 11/18/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD 500 NEW IN JULY 2005. I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE BOOK AT MY DEALERSHIP. ON NOV 14,2006 I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE 22,000 MILE CHECK UP. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AND "ROTORS". SINCE 75% OF THESE MILES ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES (VERY LITTLE BRAKING), THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY REAR BRAKES SHOULD BE REQUIRED....AND CERTAINLY NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS NEEDING REPLACED. SINCE I TAKE EXTREMELY GOOD CAR OF MY VEHICLES, INCLUDING WASHING IT BY HAND, I HAVE NOTICED SINCE I BOUGHT IT THAT THE REAR WHEELS ARE ALWAYS BLACK WITH BRAKE DUST. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TYPICALLY CLEAN. THAT MUST MEAN THE REAR WHEELS ARE DOING MOST OF THE WORK. THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT AN ENGINEERING ISSUE. ALSO, HAVING VISITED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT IS LITTERED WITH COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD 500 OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. AND VIA THEIR REPORTS, A DENIAL BY FORD THAT THERE IS NOT PROBLEM. (WONDER WHY THEY ARE ON THE ROPES AS A CAR MAKER???) I "CHATTED WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR TO NO AVAIL. I PLAN ON GOING HIGHER....WISH ME LUCK. ON THE OTHER HAND, I PRESENT TO BETWEEN 15 AND 20 THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY TALKING ABOUT INTEGRITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. FORD IS ABOUT TO LEARN THE TRUE MEANING OF THE TERM "CUSTOMER TERRORIST". I CAN ASSURE THEM THAT I WILL GET MY MONEY'S WORTH A COUPLE OF HUNDRED TIMES OVER. MAYBE YOU SHOULD WISH THEM LUCK...THEY ARE GOING TO NEED IT. *NM

• 11/16/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 216,551.

• 11/14/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SPECIFIC EVENTS LEANING TO FAILURE, INTERMITTENT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY OVER THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WHILE DRIVING CAR GOES INTO THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE, TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR IS RATHER DANGEROUS, CAR STALLS,WON'T GO, THEN SUDDENLY TAKES OFF. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP TOLD, THROTTLE BODY BAD AND THE PART IS BACK ORDERED (THE #3 MOST BACK ORDERED PART OUT OF 500). *TR

• 11/13/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE HEADLIGHT SOCKET ON BOTH HEADLIGHTS ARE OVER HEATING AND MELTING CAUSING THE BULB NOT TO OPERATE. I'M JUST NERVOUS THAT THIS WILL CAUSE A FIRE AS ALL THE PARTS ARE PLASTIC. I ALSO NOTED ON LINE THAT IT IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS. *TR

• 11/13/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE THROTTLE BODY IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE SYMPTOMS ARE VERY DANGEROUS: THE CAR GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND CANNOT ACCELERATE. ON ONE OCCASION THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD; FORTUNATELY IT WAS A QUIET STREET AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON A BUSY STREET IT COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURY OR DEATH. SEVERAL MECHANICS DID DIFFERENT KINDS OF REPAIRS, BUT THE PROBLEM KEPT RECURRING. WE ARE NOW GETTING THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AND HOPE THIS IS THE FINAL REPAIR THAT REMOVES THE PROBLEM. NUMEROUS OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS (PER INTERNET RESEARCH). FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE FIVE HUNDRED AND REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY TO PREVENT INJURY OR DEATH. *TR

• 11/12/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE-HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICE UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED AND THE PCM WAS REPROGRAMMED. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,903. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,797. UPDATED 12/24/13*LJ

• 11/12/2009· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 55-60 MPH THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFETY MODE. THIS CONDITIONS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DOWN-SHIFT. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DAMAGED. ANOTHER TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE OF THROTTLE BODY CAUSED DAMAGES TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS ON BACKORDER. A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MANUFACTURER SPECULATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN DECEMBER OF 2009. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 52,000.

• 11/11/2008· POWER TRAIN

  HI I'M FROM MEXICO AND I GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMERS ALSO GOT, IN FACT I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE JOB (IN THE CHAOTIC CITY OF MEXICO) WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN THE CAR GOT NO TRACTION, I CANT ACCELERATE NEITHER SUSTAIN VELOCITY, FORTUNATELY THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME REALIZE OF MY PROBLEM AND AWARE THE TRAFFIC TO DE-ACCELERATE, AFTER THAT I STOP THE CAR AND SEE THAT IT WAS SPILLING OIL FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR STILL DOES NOT MOVE BY ITSELF SO I WAIT FOR THE WRECKING CRANE TO TAKE THE CAR WITH THE DEALER. WHAT IMPRESSED ME IS THAT THE CAR ONLY GOT 25,000 MILES AND IT WAS SPILLING OIL. THE TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE CHANGED, BUT MY WARRANTY RUN OUT ON JANUARY AND THE CHANGE OF WILL HAVE A COST OF 10,000 US DOLLARS. I'M WRITING TO YOU TO CHECK WITH FORD THIS PROBLEMS CAUSE THE LOSE THE LOSE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE AND THE JERK SPILLING OIL WILL PROBABLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

• 11/09/2013· POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND TRIED TO TAKE OFF IT STALLED OUT AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

• 11/08/2012· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE SPEED DROPPED TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY AND ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO COOL DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.