10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,039 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #52

May 222014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
Part of an ongoing series of issues with this vehicle (see earlier reports), initial symptom was the dash lights & needles shutting off intermittently (but now for extended periods). Vehicle then began showing random warning lights including "check engine", which was diagnosed first time as low fuel level sensors a & B. since that time I'd disconnected the battery on a suggestion of a mechanic friend and all the issues disappeared for a few weeks. Yesterday the check engine light came back, and the car was running poorly (creeping when first off brakes, not up shifting), when the dash was operable it showed alternating check engine/check transmission warnings, and vehicle was surging/lagging noticeably at highway speeds. I again did the battery disconnect last night, and the car is operating normal today, but I'm sure it will recur shortly. I am hesitant to take it to a dealer as this sounds like a significant electronics issue, and I have already read up on the Ford tsb 06-17-9 that is documented online, not all of which aligns with my issues. Had the battery reset had no impact on the problems I would say it's a mechanical matter, but it seems clear its a computer or electrical issue.

- Northbridge, MA, USA

problem #51

May 172014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 89,600 miles
On the interstate headed towards denver, after about an hour, when to accelerate from about 70mph to ascend up the hills, the engine rpms accelerate, however, it feels that the transmission is disengaged (slipping) with no power to the drivetrain resulting in a drastic loss of speed. This happened numerous times in efforts to regain control and maintain speed. This was extremely hazardous as traffic was somewhat congested, and other drivers are expecting me to accelerate, however, vehicle was in a decelerating mode. This was only with light pressure to the accelerator. It sounded as if the gears had stripped in the transmission. We turned around and headed home, auto would not allow speeds over 60mph. Later the same happened at speeds of 35-40 on local roads. These transmissions are extremely dangerous. Ford knows of this problem and refuses to do anything about them.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #50

Apr 052014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 96,651 miles
When stopped at red light, car shook a couple times then check engine light immediately came on. When red light turned green, took foot off of brake and pressed gas pedal and was unable to drive, but car was still on. Throttle body control system failed and needs replacement.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #49

May 052013

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 129,928 miles
Approximately two months after service performed under NHTSA campaign PE11018 the vehicle began to accelerate irregularly and then it placed itself into "fail safe" mode and illuminated the check engine light. Vehicle was returned to the Ford dealer that performed the service and they determined that the electric throttle control was at fault but was not associated with the service they performed on the same component just weeks earlier. Dealer contacted Ford Motor Co and they also claimed the two were not related regardless of the similar claims found online.

- Whately, MA, USA

problem #48

Dec 252006

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
I have taken my 2005 Ford 500 to my local Ford dealer so many times I can not count for the same recurring issues. This vehicle always lunges when I put in gear in reverse or forward. The car lunged backward striking a parked car the first week I got it. I paid for all damage cause I didn't want to claim new car on my insurance. While driving on highway engine starts to decelerate while trying to pass car or change lanes..big problem in traffic..have to floor it till it kicks into gear. Dangerous. Then, everytime it rains, all 4 doors fill with water..I have to lift up rubber at the bottom..clear the holes..wait for 5 minutes each door. Every winter the driver side door latch freezes up and I can't close the door..I thought they dealer fixed the door latch due to a safety recall..that is not the case..several times, I have had to drive to work 15 minutes holding the door shut while driving down the highway.dangerous. I have had it lubed with several products, doesn't work..the service manager at my local Ford dealer showed me how to hold the door handle open while using a screwdriver to free the latch..handy little trick. I keep silicone lube spray, screwdriver, pliers, and a jumper box in the car at all times.I have called Ford Motor Co. Many times..always got run around and no straight answers. Finally last week after calling 5 times, I was transferred to a supervisor that explained to me that the other 10 times I called.no complaint was filed and informed me on the complaint process..I just purchased a new Taurus and am hoping to let my son use the 500 to drive to college daily..I am concerned about his safety in this car..so unless these issues are addressed and corrected, I don't know what to do..I have put a lot money into this car.what happen to the lemon law. This car is a lemon.

- Lake Geneva, WI, USA

problem #47

Jul 172013

Five Hundred

  • 55,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while driving uphill at 40 mph. The vehicle was taken to dealer for inspection but a clear diagnosis was not given. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

- Sunbury, PA, USA

problem #46

Oct 162013

Five Hundred

  • 157,000 miles
When I started it up and tried to take off it stalled out and the wrench light came on.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #45

May 062013

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 51,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. The contact received a service notice from the manufacturer about a throttle body remedy. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and routine service. The throttle body was cleaned but the contact stated that the vehicle began to idle at various speeds. The check engine lamp illuminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 01/07/2014 the consumer stated the during the test driving the vehicle it went into fail safe mode. The tech reset the light and returned the vehicle. N the way home the vehicle went into fail safe mode again almost causing an accident. Updated 01/22/2014

- Brooklyn , NY, USA

problem #44

Sep 252013

Five Hundred

  • 133,500 miles
My 2005 Ford 500 while driving 25 mph, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted off road and restarted, but no power. The vehicle was checked where it was diagnosed as a throttle body failure.

- Princeton, WV, USA

problem #43

Apr 092013

Five Hundred

  • miles
I bought this car a year ago through rondupratt used cars in January 2012 car seemed to drag a little but didn't pay much attention to is as summer came around tried to use the ac it only blew cold on the freeway I just thinking it needed to be serviced buy the time I got the ac charged it was winter again. Buy March of next year the car started doing this weird shaking at every stop light and every stop sign the car would start to shake in April a letter comes in the mail explaining the car was being recalled due to the cars RPM idle surging took the car to fairfield Ford an when I got the car back it was worse then it. Had ever been so I decided to go pay rondupratt to diagnostic the car the said where I took the car to didn't perform the recall and the car needed an ac compressor and an egr valve I have gotten the egr valve replaced an the same day the car wouldn't go in to gear so confused on why they are allowed to sell cars that they know are experiencing theses problems and rant willing to do anything to fix the problem.

- Vacaville, CA, USA

problem #42

Mar 152013

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 74,000 miles
While attempting to slow to a stop or make a turn, at approximately 25 mph, the transmission downshifted hard. It does not do this while speeding up. I have had two mechanics tell me there is no known fix, short of replacing the transmission, and there is no information available, parts brake down, etc, for them to diagnosis the problem. I had the vehicle at a Ford dealer to have the throttle body issue fixed. At that time, the power control module and the transmission control module were both re-programmed. No long term fix was achieved.

- Carrollton, MO, USA

problem #41

May 202013

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 168,400 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate and both the fail safe engine mode and the wrench warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was stopped and restarted, as it operated normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the throttle body would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 168,400. Updated 08/15/13

- Lexington, MA, USA

problem #40

Aug 012012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 53,000 miles
I had previously had problems with unintended acceleration when parked and then putting the car into reverse (automatic transmission). After reading many complaints on your site in which consumers said the throttle body had been diagnosed as causing the problem, I had the dealership replace the throttle body. ( a few months later, Ford sent a letter offering to replace the throttle body). Despite having had the dealership replace the throttle body, the car continues to accelerate faster than it should sometimes when put in reverse and I must always be prepared to brake rapidly. If a driver was unaware of the problem or had slow reaction time, a car or person in a parking lot could be hit.

- Diamond Springs, CA, USA

problem #39

Jan 212013

Five Hundred

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 mph, the all wheel drive malfunctioned and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact merged to the shoulder of the road, powered off, then restarted the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the oxygen sensor and dim module needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 150,000.

- Romuluf, MI, USA

problem #38

May 242012

Five Hundred

  • 200,000 miles
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.

- Woodstock, GA, USA

problem #37

Oct 222012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 146,500 miles
In August 2010, I had the continuously variable transmission replaced at ~98,000 miles. Luckily, it was under warranty. Now in October 2012, the second transmission as the service member said at the Ford dealership "the transmission exploded, we're not even sure how you were able to drive this vehicle. This was at ~146,000 miles, but there is only ~48,000 miles on the transmission itself. Two transmissions have failed in this vehicle. Searching the internet I have come across several instances of the Ford Five hundreds continuously variable transmission failing. I called the Ford care line to report it, but they claim they are unaware of any issues. My concern is this third transmission will also fail at some point.

- Perryopolis, PA, USA

problem #36

Aug 082012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 52,155 miles
On hot days, when backing out of parking spaces, the car has sometimes "surged" meaning that there has been unintended acceleration without the accelerator being pressed at all. I have had to suddenly and firmly put my foot on the brake to prevent the car from hitting other vehicles. This has happened on several occasions in August of 2012. I own a 2006 Ford Five hundred also and it has had the same problem in the same conditions (filing separate complaint).

- Diamond Springs, CA, USA

problem #35

Jun 022012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
My Ford Five hundred has been unexpectedly surging when releasing the brake pedal when going forward and reverse. It has almost caused me to hit other vehicles in a parking lot on several occasions and makes it extremely difficult to control the speed of the vehicle when starting to accelerate. Something needs to be done about this issue. I am not the only person who is experiencing this. There are many more people who have posted the same issue on blogs and websites I have read. Please look into this issue.

- Trenton, MO, USA

problem #34

Sep 012012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 157,139 miles
Out side air temp was approx 96 degrees so ac was on. While shifting into reverse the vehicle lunged so hard it was uncontrollable, and unstoppable, if some one had stepped out behind me they would have died as I could only stop reward movement by shifting into drive. This occurred three times trying to get out of a parking space at a crowded mall.the vehicle then stalled. The lunging was so fast the brakes could hardly hold the car from moving in reverse. In checking there is a service bulletin tsb-05-25-13 from Ford Motor Company on this very issue but no recall, also many incidents/accidents recorded in this regard. If I was not prepared enough during this incident in a crowded parking lot some one would have died, this must be addressed B-4 someone is run over. Currently Ford has no comment. Please contact me for further details.

- Markleeville, CA, USA

problem #33

Jan 092012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 79,000 miles
The car sudden surges forward or back when moving out of park. If your foot is not firmly on the brake it will go move significantly. Upon research online and talking to Ford directly this is known problem that is not under re-call yet but should be. Our local Ford dealer carries the throttle bottle in stock because they sell so many of them. They average 10 a year. A simple research of the problem shows up. It is extremely dangerous. Also if there is quick stop it will go to a fail safe mode and basically shut off the car completely. The car has to be shut off and restarted in order to move the vehicle again. The throttle bottle must be replaced in order for it to be safe as a parts cost of almost $600.

- Plainfield, IL, USA

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