RoadVitals

2005 Ford 500 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest Apr 2, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
20%
of 99 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford 500 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Apr 2, 2018

FORD TOLD ME IN 2012-2013 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, THE PREVIOUS CAR OWNER HAD BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP AND FIX. WELL THE SAME ISSUE IS OCCURRING NOW ( 138KMILES) I STARTED THE CAR 4/1 AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON, DASH BOARD GAUGES ARE OFF ( NO SPEED, RPM, FUEL GAUGE WORKING) THE VENTS WONT WORK. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE CAR FOR ABOUT 1-2 MILES ( AT FELT LIKE 35-45MPH) AND AS I AM DRIVING THE COMPUTER RESET ( CAR DID NOT TURN OFF, THIS IS STILL WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION) AND ALL THE GAUGES STARTED TO WORK. FORD SAID THAT THE RECALL IS CLOSED AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO EXCEPT HAVE ME SPEND MONEY FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE. THE SAME PROBLEM IS OCCURRING ON THIS CAR THE FORD RECALL SUPPOSE FIXED IN 2013. FORD NEEDS TO RESEARCH THIS SAME ISSUE AS IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN THIS DOES OCCUR. I WOULD LIKE A RESOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE. I DO HAVE A CASE # WITH FORD CASE # 14495583.

NHTSA ID
11082480
Incident
Apr 1, 2018
Mileage
138,450 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 4, 2016

THROTTLE - ENGINE SHUT OFF WHEN PUSHING GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES... WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE BELTWAY OR HWY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I'VE SO FAR BEEN ABLE TO DRIFT ONTO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TWICE BUT THE THIRD TIME THERE WAS NO SHOULDER. I WAS STUCK IN THE TRAFFIC LANE WITH NO POWER. I HAD HEART SPASMS DUE TO FEAR OF BEING RUN-OVER. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS A RECALL ISSUED. SIMILAR PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED IN OTHER FORD MODELS. I DO NOT WANT TO BE KILLED OR HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESULT IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE A HEART ATTACK DUE TO ENGINE FAILURE! HELP! THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN NOVEMBER 2016. I'M FEARFUL OF GOING OUT TO IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS LIKE MY CANCER TREATMENTS AT MERCY MEDICAL CENTER THAT REQUIRES ME TO BE ON HIGHWAYS WITH SPEEDS UP TO 60 MPH. (DATES 11/19, 23 AND 28/2016,)

NHTSA ID
10929770
Incident
Nov 28, 2016
Mileage
104,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 20, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY FAILED TO START. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STARTED, THE CHECK ENGINE AND MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND DIAGNOSED, BUT NO FAILURES COULD BE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10917642
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
129,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 5, 2016

RADIO WOULDN'T WORK AND WINDOWS WON'T WORK OR SUNROOF

NHTSA ID
10863415
Incident
May 5, 2016
Mileage
65,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE LIGHT AND FAILED SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONE MILE AND THEN STALLED. THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND TRANSMISSION LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,300.

NHTSA ID
10808842
Incident
Dec 7, 2015
Mileage
178,300 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 2, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10779259
Incident
Aug 12, 2015
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Sep 28, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND STOPPING FOR A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE INITIATED ITS SAFETY MODE FEATURE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE SAFETY MODE AND MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

NHTSA ID
10778029
Incident
Sep 26, 2015
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 8, 2015

FLICKERING OF INSTRUMENT PANEL, FUEL GAUGE, SPEEDOMETER, RPM'S INTERMITTENTLY FOR A LONG TIME... ALL COMPLETELY DEAD NOW. REVERSE LIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES..BLAH BLAH..SAME AS EVERYBODY ELSE . THIS IS BS. NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10671055
Incident
Jan 11, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 7, 2015

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE REVERSE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000. DJR UPDATED 8/17/15*CN

NHTSA ID
10670626
Incident
Dec 29, 2014
Mileage
119,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE GAUGES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ID
10661827
Incident
Nov 19, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 18, 2014

DRIVING THROUGH TOWN, WE CAME UPON A BRIDGE, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT TAKE ANY GAS AND HAD NO POWER. COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, I RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT WENT WITHOUT PROBLEM. ON TUESDAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS LEAVING THE DRIVEWAY. ON THURSDAY TOO THE CAR TO SHOP AND IT REPEATED THE SAME THING TWICE WHILE IN THE CITY DURING BUSY TRAFFIC HOURS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10637307
Incident
Aug 15, 2014
Mileage
165,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Sep 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DARK AND ALL OF THE GAUGES STOPPED FUNCTIONING. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ID
10636969
Incident
Jul 16, 2014
Mileage
116,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Aug 20, 2014
Fire reported

I HAVE HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS FORD 500. THE SIDE MIRROR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, THE LIGHTS IN THE DASH WOULD GO IN AND OUT AND WHEN THEY WERE OUT I DID NOT HAVE BACK LIGHTS WHICH HAD TO BE FIXED AT MY EXPENSE AND THE WORSE PROBLEM IS THE AIR CONDITION DOES NOT WORK WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN BUT WILL WORK ON THE HIGHWAY WHILE DRIVING OVER 40 MILES PER HOUR. I HAVE SENT APPROX. $1000.00 ON THIS PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL NOT FIXED. THIS VEHICLE HAS LOW MILEAGE AT APPROX 50,000 MILES AND HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN BY ADULT DRIVERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10626695
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Aug 10, 2014

WELL I TOOK IT TO MIDAS THEY SAID THROTTLE PEDAL WAS BAD SK I REPLACED IT AND THE THROTTLE BODY WELL IT STILL DOES THE SAME THING .. *TR

NHTSA ID
10621183
Incident
Aug 6, 2014
Mileage
219,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Apr 16, 2014

THE DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL WILL SUDDENLY GO OUT, CAUSING THE FORD 500 2005 TO LOSE ALL READ OUTS, THE SPEEDOMETER AND ALL DASH LIGHTS WILL GO OUT, AND IF AT NIGHT, THE LIGHT PANELS AND LIGHTS AS WELL. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY FORD IN A BULLETIN THAT THEY HAVE SENT TO ITS DEALERS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT TO MENTION A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. I BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A BIG SELLING CAR THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS MADE IN 2005 AND BECAUSE OF THE EXPENSE TO FIX. *TT

NHTSA ID
10583044
Incident
Sep 12, 2013
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 22, 2014

SAME SYMPTOMS AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE07058. ALTHOUGH NOW THE ISSUE HAS PROGRESSED TO INCLUDE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOING COMPLETELY DARK FOR INTERMITTENT PERIODS. IT WAS NOTED IN PE07058 FORD STATED THIS ISSUE DOES NOT CAUSE EXTERIOR LIGHT ISSUES. WHEN THE PANEL GOES COMPLETELY DARK THE SIGNAL LIGHTS WILL NOT FUNCTION AND OCCASIONALLY THE BACKUP LIGHTS COME ON WHILE MOVING FORWARD. THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUES IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10565385
Incident
Dec 20, 2013
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalFuel system
Filed Jan 17, 2014

RAN OUT OF GAS ON FREEWAY AND ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED. FUEL GAUGE READ HALF FULL AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. FILLED IT UP AFTER AND NO MOVEMENT TO GAUGE. A FEW DAYS LATER THE GAUGE STARTED WORKING PROPERLY AGAIN. NOW WE ARE NEVER SURE IF THE GAUGE IS CORRECT OR NOT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560364
Incident
Nov 27, 2013
Mileage
146,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 17, 2014

THE CAR HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. HAD TO LIMP OFF TO THE SIDE TO TRY TO RESET VEHICLE. AFTER GETTING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, I COULD ONLY DRIVE THE CAR NO FASTER TO 35 MPH BECAUSE THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THIS PROBLEM ALSO EFFECTS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. WHEN IT IS OCCURRING YOU WILL NOTICE A HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE THAT TEARS UP THE GEARS. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY COUPLE MONTHS WITH NO NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560363
Incident
Jul 17, 2013
Mileage
146,000 mi
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 17, 2014

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPS WORKING AT RANDOM, NO FUEL, SPEED OR RPM INFORMATION. ALL THE WARNINGS LIGHTS COME ON AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE EVEN WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS NOT USED. THIS PROBLEM HAS GONE FROM INTERMITTENT TO ALMOST ALWAYS HAPPENING. MOST RECENTLY THE CAR HAS LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE ON THE FREEWAY WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. HAD TO LIMP OFF TO THE SIDE TO TRY TO RESET VEHICLE. AFTER GETTING TO THE SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY, I COULD ONLY DRIVE THE CAR NO FASTER TO 35 MPH BECAUSE THERE WAS NO THROTTLE RESPONSE AND IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THIS PROBLEM ALSO EFFECTS SHIFTING INTO REVERSE. WHEN IT IS OCCURRING YOU WILL NOTICE A HARD SHIFT INTO REVERSE THAT TEARS UP THE GEARS. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN EVERY COUPLE MONTHS WITH NO NOTICE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10560361
Incident
May 1, 2013
Mileage
146,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 15, 2013

I WAS DRIVING AT THE APPROX. SPEED OF 58MPH AND MY CAR STARTING SKIPPING AND CHUGGING. I SLOWED DOWN AND AS I BEGUN TO SLOW DOWN MY CAR GAVE ME A DIAGNOSIS CODE OF FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE, THEN MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO POWER AT ALL. IT WAS HARD TO PULL OFF THE RODE AND STEER THE CAR OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL TIGHTENED UP. I PULLED OVER AND LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND THEN TRIED RE-CRANKING THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO RE-CRANK THE CAR AND DROVE FURTHER UP THE RODE. I CONTINUED TO HAVE THESE PROBLEMS. I DROVE APPROX. 10 MILES FROM THE FIRST INDICATION THAT HAPPENED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO CUT OFF AND GIVE ME THE SAME ERROR MESSAGE APPROX 4 MORE TIMES BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET HOME WITH THE CAR. I LET THE CAR COOL FOR AN HOUR OR SO AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE ENTIRE COAL PACK, ALL 6 SPARK PLUGS, AND REPLACED THE MANIFEST. I PICKED MY CAR UP ONCE REPAIRED AT THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND GOT APPROX. 6 MILES FROM THE SHOP AND IT CUT OFF AND DID THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN. I AM NOT ABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR AT ALL WITHOUT IT GIVING ME THE ERROR MESSAGE AND CUTTING OFF. I HAVE READ ALOT OF FORUMS AND BLOGS AND OTHERS ARE HAVING THESE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING. HAS THERE BEEN A RECALL FOR THESE ISSUES FOR THIS MODEL? I HAVE A FORD 500 V6 LIMITED ADDITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10508267
Incident
Apr 9, 2013
Mileage
151,385 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .