When you shift from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, the vehicle lunges. And does it several times. Ford is aware but with only half fix the throttle problem, by cleaning it not replacing it. I spoke to a couple dealers and they both said the same thing, "that will only clean the affected part and that 65 per cent end up coming back and the customer ends up paying to $800 to $900 to replace the part. That Ford will not replace the part even though it is a recall part". no crash yet. Have to be sure to keep foot on brake and keep plenty of distance from other vehicles / objects. Updated 09/19/13

- Dallas, TX, USA

Two problems: 1. car surges sporadically (I.e. when pulling into parking space with foot on brake, car surges as if pressing the accelerator). 2. while driving all lights on dash go out, speedometer and tachometer go to zero. I had the throttle body replaced once (several months later, Ford reimbursed me for the cost under customer satisfaction program 12N03. This solved the problem for several months. The problem is now re-occurring. Ford has indicated that they will not repair the car again. This seems to be a safety issue.

- Perry, GA, USA

Ford 500 lurches severely at random times while the engine is engaged. This happens most dangerously at high speeds, due to driver's inability to control vehicle adequately to defend against potential crashes or control speed during turns. This has caused problems on the snow and ice here in Alaska because uncontrolled acceleration reduces traction. Also occurs at low speeds, which is more easily controlled through braking, but requires extreme caution if engaging vehicle when pedestrians or other vehicles are near. It has surprised and scared me on many occasions since I first purchased this car a month ago, but the reason I am writing this is because I had a scary incident today when pulling out of a grocery store parking lot (pedestrians in front of me when it suddenly jumped as soon as engine engaged). Took it to the mechanic and diagnostic check says issues with fuel delivery system. The mechanic stated that after researching the issue this is a very common problem for this model and that it is most likely the throttle body, and says the car should not be driven in its condition. It is one of the scariest issues I've ever had to deal with. After reading more about it on the internet this evening it seems that this issue is very common and hundreds of people have had similar scary incidents with this car that they have reported online. If this many people are writing about it online, presumably there are thousands more who are having the same problem and do not have the resources or know how to report the issue.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

Cruising approx 65 mph. I heard a thud (like running over a pot hole). The car lurched fwd then seemed to shut off, however it was still running. The RPM dropped below 1000 and the throttle would not work. Placed car in neutral and moved to the side of the road. Noticed the wrench lite was illuminated. Turned the car off and restarted. The car seemed to drive fine after that with no lite. Took the car to have the codes checked. Two codes showed: Throttle stuck closed and the throttle forced to idle (apparently a safety feature). Two days ago had to have the PCM and tcm updated and replaced the upper motor mount. From previous complaints there are several with the car taking off and a few of with my issue. All seemed to be attributed to the throttle body malfunctioning which is apparently the case here. Given the amount of complaints and issues concerning this item, surely there is a recall required. At the very least the manufacture should give us what we paid for the vehicle as credit toward another car (any make and model) if they are no going to fix the problem.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

When going slow like pulling into and out of a parking space or going through school line, car will "surge" or lunge unexpectedly. Very unsafe for the people and vehicles nearby.

- Dickson, TN, USA

My Ford Five hundred throttle just shuts down, with no warning at all. I am afraid to drive it because it may shut down in traffic and some get seriously hurt. I have searched the internet and found more complaints same as mine. The problem is with a throttle body malfunction. Some thing should done before someone is killed!

- Marion, NY, USA

5/20-7/18/11 car accelerated quickly and lurched backward with brake on while backing out of parking space; wrench light came on. Error codes were for alternative fuel control module and throttle actuator control system. Sometimes car lurched forward while braking, engine revved, car shuddered, and wrench and/or check engine light came on. Started happening almost daily. Very scary and unpredictable. Mass air flow sensor and egr valve were replaced. Had same issues 2 days later. Throttle body and vacuum hoses were replaced. Contacted Ford and they refused to cover parts and labor because car was no longer under warranty. Last repair was done 30 days ago and I've had no more problems, but it cost me $1600 to repair.

- Youngsville, LA, USA

The engine surges when you put in drive or reverse. This is very dangerous. This is my wife's car and this problem has me concerned about her safety every time she gets in this car. I thought about getting rid of it but I couldn't let someone else have a car with this dangerous problem. I hope someone can find out what the remedy is for this problem. Please help.

- Hamilton, OH, USA

A fueld delivery system issue on my 2006 Ford five hindred. The engine accelerates the vehicle during low speeds in forward and reverse, while approaching an intersection with foot on brake. This has happend 4 times in the last week.

- Allen Park, MI, USA

My Ford 500 lunges forward when applying brake or going into reverse. I read about the freestyle investigation on lunging and my 500 is doing the very same thing. Investigation needs to be done on the 500 as well because it seems I'm not the only one with this problem.

- Madison, MS, USA

Car lunges when coming to a stop or backing. Took car in for an oil change and brake job. When I picked my car up, it was running rough sometimes stalling when letting off the accelerator. In addition to spontaneously lurching forward, the engine will race when put into park. I have come close to hitting other cars, parking garage walls, etc due to this problem. My dealership now is telling me the throttle body is not within the proper parameters and needs replacement. After some research this seems to be a common problem.

- Lowry Crossing, TX, USA

Addendum to ODI id number : 10386714 the fuel pump, fuel filter had to be replaced, and the injectors flushed - cost $800 ++. dealer now states codes show PCM needs to be replaced. Repair covered under federal emissions warranty (8 years or 80,000 miles) due to my current mileage being 79,008 miles. Dealer covered car rental until part arrives and is installed. I have a "bucking" behavior, after traveling approximately 2 hrs at speeds over 60mph (interstate travel). The car would lurch severely and hesitate, the engine revved very loudly, and the speed reduced to 40 mph, even though I had my foot to the floor on the gas pedal. After driving off the highway, it would do the same thing at city speeds and had little to no acceleration. Dealer said the codes showed it was the fuel pump and it would do the bucking and lack of acceleration after the pump heated up. Dealer said the car was unsafe to drive. The fuel pump, fuel filter had to be replaced, and the injectors flushed.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

I have a "bucking" behavior, after traveling approximately 2 hrs at speeds over 60mph (interstate travel). The car would lurch severely and hesitate, the engine revved very loudly, and the speed reduced to 40 mph, even though I had my foot to the floor on the gas pedal. After driving off the highway, it would do the same thing at city speeds and had little to no acceleration. Dealer said the codes showed it was the fuel pump and it would do the bucking and lack of acceleration after the pump heated up. Dealer said the car was unsafe to drive. The fuel pump, fuel filter had to be replaced, and the injectors flushed.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

The fuel line separated from the gas filter, which caused gasoline to spill everywhere. Fire department was called, as leaking fuel was a hazed. Dealer replaced the broken fuel line clip at the fuel filter.

- Gloucester, MA, USA

Car surges forward/backward when engaged in gear from dead stop and brake is released without having even touched the accelerator. Seems to be worse when heating/cooling fan is on, especially on recirculate, and rpms will surge/race at dead stop with brake firmly applied when the steering wheel is turned to either side. Problem is especially noticeable in parking lots or anywhere in low speed stop/go driving conditions. Concerned for pedestrian safety as I have had the car jump unexpectedly and nearly hit them. Check engine light came on a couple of weeks ago and car went into limp home mode indicating error codes P061B & P2016 which means the throttle body needs to be replaced after driving in deep snow, extremely cold temperature after car had been sitting for 3 days, the check engine light has cleared but the car continues to have the surging issues though it does seem worse in warmer weather than cold. So far I have not replaced the throttle body though I intend to as soon as I can get ahold of the part.

- Mancos, CO, USA

When you shift out of park into either reverse or drive the car surges forward very quickly. If you don't hold the brake to the floor you can't stop it. This is very dangerous! when unloading my children at school I almost ran over a child due to this defect. When I looked online I found thousands of complaints about this same issue. Ford won't recall it and the parts (throttle body assembly $800) are on a 2 month back order!

- Altus, OK, USA

Car goes to limp mode and jerks and accelerates abruptly.

- Neworleans, LA, USA

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that the fuel line separated from the gas filter, which caused gasoline to spill everywhere. The fire department was called and informed him to turn off the vehicle before a fire started. The contact will call the dealer and manufacturer to inform them of the failure. The failure mileage was 38,399.

- Somerset, NJ, USA