2005 Ford FIVE HUNDRED: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
510 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
72,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 442 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 101 of 510 complaints (19.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 106 | 20.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 100 | 19.6% |
| Engine operation | 67 | 13.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 27 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 2.2% |
| Fuel system concerns | 7 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 101 |
| Electrical System | 74 |
| Power Train | 73 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 59 |
| Engine | 58 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 29 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 24 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 20 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 101; Electrical System: 74; Power Train: 73; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 59; Engine: 58; Engine And Engine Cooling: 29; Fuel/Propulsion System: 24; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 20
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 64 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 76 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 87 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 88 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 79 |
| 150,000 and above | 48 |
Under 25,000: 64; 25,000 to 49,999: 76; 50,000 to 74,999: 87; 75,000 to 99,999: 88; 100,000 to 149,999: 79; 150,000 and above: 48
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (88). 68 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 21 |
| 2006 | 38 |
| 2007 | 36 |
| 2008 | 26 |
| 2009 | 35 |
| 2010 | 70 |
| 2011 | 85 |
| 2012 | 64 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 28 |
| 2015 | 12 |
| 2016 | 21 |
| 2017 | 13 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2005: 21; 2006: 38; 2007: 36; 2008: 26; 2009: 35; 2010: 70; 2011: 85; 2012: 64; 2013: 29; 2014: 28; 2015: 12; 2016: 21; 2017: 13; 2018: 6; 2019: 10; 2020: 7; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 106 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 100 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 67 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10104969 · 2005-01-05 (January 5, 2005)
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROSTER DOES NOT DEFROST THE DRIVER'S SIDE PROPERLY. THIS CONDITION CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE UNABLE TO RESOLVE OR CORRECT THIS ISSUE. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS CONDITION ALMOST CAUSED HIM TO BE INVOLVED IN A CRASH.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104969 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111539 · 2005-02-15 (February 15, 2005)
UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT WILL PUT ITSELF INTO REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. GOING DOWN HILL THE AT 50 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WILL DROP TO 20 MPH. LOSING TWO TO TWO AND ONE HALF MILES TO A GALLON. CONTACTED THE DEALER. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN. FORD HAD THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR WEEKS. FORD STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10111539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114184 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
VEHICHLE CONSTANTLY SHIFTING. "SEARCHES" FOR FOR CORRECT GEAR. HAD COMPUTER REPLACED AND A WEEK LATER REOCCURRED. REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER AGAIN AND REOCCURRED. FORD UNABLE TO REPAIR. LOSING 6-8 MPG.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 560 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114184 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114186 · 2005-03-16 (March 16, 2005)
VEHICHLE CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO START ON THE FIRST TRY. HARD STARTS, DIESELING, AND STALLING ARE CONSTANT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10114186 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10114921 · 2005-03-08 (March 8, 2005)
THE CONSUMER'S 2005 FORD 500 PROVIDED INSUFFICIENT LIGHTING IN THE DASH. *NM THIS PROBLEM AFFECTED THE CONSUMERS VIEW OF THE SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL GAUGE AND THE OIL UNIT(S). *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10114921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10123895 · 2005-06-02 (June 2, 2005)
PROBLEMS WITH SUSPENSION ON 2005 FORD 500'S. NUMEROUS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ADDRESS REAR BRAKE AND SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. LEMON LAW CRITERIA MEET IN COLORADO, SUBMITTED CERTIFIED MAIL AND IT TOOK FORD OVER A WEEK TO ACCEPT LETTER, ONLY AFTER I VISITED ATTORNEY GENERAL. CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN AT SPEED LIMIT ON I-80 CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS OF TODAY THE CAR IS AT THE FORD DEALER AGAIN. FORD REGIONAL REP SAYS THEY WON'T TAKE IT BACK. TUESDAY 4/19/2005 MILES IN TO DEALER 2091 MILES PROBLEMS GOING TO LINCOLN, NEBRASKA, COULD NOT HO…
Owner-reported narrative. 714 miles reported. Look up ODI 10123895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127593 · 2005-07-06 (July 6, 2005)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW FORD 500 LIMITED. THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM THAT I FEEL IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE TO CHILDREN. THE SEAT BELTS IN THE REAR ARE POSITIONED IN SUCH A MANNER AS TO CROSS CHILDREN'S NECKS. THE SEAT BELTS HIT OUR 9 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER, WHO IS TALL FOR HER AGE, ON HER NECK AND WE ALSO HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD GRANDSON WHO IS VERY TALL AND THE BELT RIDES HIS KNECK EVEN WITH HIM IN A BOSTER SEAT. THIS CAR NEEDS TO BE EQUIPED WITH "COMFORT GUIDES" LIKE THE ONES FOUND IN GM CARS. IT IS NOT SAFE FOR SMALL ADULTS OR CHILDREN WHO…
Owner-reported narrative. 375 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127593 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10127792 · 2005-07-07 (July 7, 2005)
DT: CONSUMER SAID THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND CAUSED A SAFETY PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAPPENED FOR A MONTH BUT HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT. THE ENGINE FELT LIKE IT WAS SKIPPING. THE SPEED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING WAS NOT A FACTOR NOR WERE THE ROAD CONDITIONS. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP TWICE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE DEALERSHIP SUGGESTED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE A COMPUTER RELATED ISSUE. THE OWNER HAD THE BLACK BOX INSTALLED IN THE VEHI…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10127792 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2005-11-09 (November 9, 2005)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗06V383000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2006-10-05 (October 5, 2006)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
NHTSA campaign record ↗