FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2006 Ford Five Hundred
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 364 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Ford Five Hundred, most frequently naming the driver assistance, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 25 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 269 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 270 |
| Jun 2013 | 2 | 272 |
| Jul 2013 | 4 | 276 |
| Aug 2013 | 5 | 281 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 282 |
| Oct 2013 | 2 | 284 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 285 |
| Dec 2013 | 3 | 288 |
| Feb 2014 | 2 | 290 |
| Mar 2014 | 2 | 292 |
| Apr 2014 | 2 | 294 |
| May 2014 | 5 | 299 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 300 |
| Jul 2014 | 4 | 304 |
| Aug 2014 | 2 | 306 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 308 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 310 |
| Nov 2014 | 2 | 312 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 313 |
| Feb 2015 | 3 | 316 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 317 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 318 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 319 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 320 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 321 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 322 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 323 |
| Nov 2016 | 1 | 324 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 325 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 326 |
| Feb 2017 | 2 | 328 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 329 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 330 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 331 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 332 |
| Aug 2018 | 1 | 333 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 334 |
| Oct 2018 | 2 | 336 |
| Nov 2018 | 2 | 338 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 339 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 340 |
| Feb 2019 | 1 | 341 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 342 |
| May 2019 | 1 | 343 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 344 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 345 |
| Aug 2019 | 3 | 348 |
| Oct 2019 | 2 | 350 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 351 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 352 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 353 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 354 |
| Sep 2020 | 2 | 356 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 357 |
| Jan 2021 | 2 | 359 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 360 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 361 |
| Jan 2022 | 1 | 362 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 364 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Driver assistance12525.4%
- Powertrain (other)7214.6%
- Engine5912.0%
- Electrical5010.1%
- Brakes397.9%
- Fuel system387.7%
- Transmission336.7%
- Body & structure183.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSafety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Idle instability
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I would be driving on highway my wrench light would come on and my car would come to a crawl I always have kids in my car I could easily be rear ended and maybe hurt or killed I have to find a place to pull off where people behind me is cussing me out they think I did on purpose I then shut car off and tirn back on. Then ok till happens again there should be a recall I am on a fixed income and can't afford another car please help
- NHTSA ID
- 11481505
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the instrument cluster lights turned became inoperable. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the instrument cluster lights illuminated after 5 minutes. The contact was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred on four different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11481067
- Incident
- Aug 24, 2022
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
Door latch freezes i cold weather causing the door not to latch closed.
- NHTSA ID
- 11448311
- Incident
- Jan 17, 2022
when I’m The vehicle and the temperature reaches middle temp ,the car starts to beep and all the dashboard lights go completely out and the head lights and tail lights be blinking as if they are about to go off . Even when I have the heater or a/c on they turns off and I’m a afraid that if or when I’m on the highway all my lights will just stop working on the middle of the highway at night and no one will be able to see me. And that will cause a big wreck and maybe kill myself or worst someone else. I have looked my car up to see if it has a recall but none are given. I’m afraid for the safety of my fellow drivers on the at night . And I don’t know what to do about this problem.
- NHTSA ID
- 11444954
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2021
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The contact restarted the vehicle and the transmission worked as designed for a while. While traveling up a hill or at a stop light, the vehicle would drift backwards. The contact had to let the vehicle drift to shift into gear. At times the vehicle failed to shift. The engine and wrench warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11441008
- Incident
- Nov 14, 2021
- Mileage
- 104,000 mi
I WAS ON MY WAY HOME COMING DOWN FARROW RD. AND MY CAR STALLED OUT, SO I SLOWLY PULLED IN THE MEDIAN TURN CAR OFF AND BACK ON. WHEN I GOT READY TO PULL OUT OF THE MEDIAN THE CAR WOULDN'T GO NO FASTER THAN 5 MILES AND HOUR. SO I HAD MY FRIEND HELP ME PULL IT OUT OF THE ROAD AND TAKE ME HOME AND TOW MY CAR TO THE HOUSE. WHEN I GOT IT HOME THERE WASN'T ANY ACCELERATION, RPMS WONT MOVE AT ALL, CAR HAS POWER AND CRANKS BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WON'T GO ANYWHERE. IT STALLS AND CUTS OFF, EVEN IN NEUTRAL NO ACCELERATION. EVERYTHING LIGHTS UP AND CUTS ON BUT NO ACCELERATION. FROM MY PHOTOS BELOW YOU WILL SEE I HAVE REPLACED ALTERNATOR, THROTTLEBODY, THE RED AND BLACK WIRING ON THE BACK OF THE INTAKE I'VE CHECKED ALL MY HOSES THERE WAS NO SPLITS NO CUTS NO VACUUM LEAK AND EVERY TIME I GET A READING ON IT IT GIVES ME A DIFFERENT CODE PLEASE READ AND REPLY IF THIS IS A RECALL I NEED MY CAR FIXED IMMEDIATELY
- NHTSA ID
- 11388625
- Incident
- Dec 21, 2020
- Mileage
- 201,000 mi
VEHICLE STOPS AND STARTS WITH A JERK. JUMPING CAUSING SLOW DOWN EVEN WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS DONE TO FIX IT. SEEMS LIKE EVERY FORD HAS THIS PROBLEM AT SOME POINT
- NHTSA ID
- 11386131
- Incident
- Jan 1, 2021
- Mileage
- 134,167 mi
BATTERY JUST GOES DEAD OVER NIGHT. SIGNAL LIGHTS MELTED AND QUIT WORKING. CLUSTER PANEL JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE RUNNING AND CAN'T USE AIR, RADIO, WINDOWS, LOCKS, SEATS, ETC. CAR SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. HAVE REPLACED ALL PARTS SUGGESTED BY CODES. STILL NO FIX. WONT SHIFT FROM FIRST GEAR AFTER CLUSTER PANEL SHUTS OFF. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OTHER COMPLAINTS. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE AN ELECTRICAL RECALL. HAPPENS RUNNING DRIVING AND SITTING STILL.
- NHTSA ID
- 11365647
- Incident
- Oct 19, 2020
- Mileage
- 230,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
POWER TRAIN
Motorcraft® Continuously Variable Chain-Type Transmission Fluid (XT-7-QCFT in non-Canadian markets, CXT-7-LCF12 in Canada) is no longer manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes. The recommended replacement fluids are Phillips 66 VersaTrans® CVT Plus Fluid or Kendall VersaTrans® CVT Plus Fluid. Mixing Motorcraft® CVT fluid (blue-green color) with these replacement fluids (red color) in the same transmission is acceptable.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
When performing any transmission fluid change or topoff involving Motorcraft® Premium ATF, MERCON® V has replaced all versions of Motorcraft® Premium ATF and can be used going forward. Mixing Motorcraft® Premium ATF and MERCON® V in the same transmission is acceptable. After 31-Jan-2024, Motorcraft® Premium ATF will no longer be manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes.
ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:RADIATOR ASSEMBLY; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OTHER FUEL TYPES:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CRANKCASE (PCV); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DIFFERENTIAL PROPORTIONAL VALVE
TRACTION CONTROL LAMP ON--NO DTC'S PRESENT, OR DTC P1889 IN DIFFERENTIAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (DEM). *NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
FORD MERCURY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN 2005 THROUGH 2007 FWD AND AWD FORD FIVE HUNDRED, FREESTYLE AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES - REAR BRAKE WEAR. ALSO HAVE AN OWNER'S LETTER. *NJ UPDATED 1/25/08. *NJ
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
MIL WITH DTC P0106 AND/OR P0109. *KB
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.