RoadVitals

2006 Ford Five Hundred Brakes Problems

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

Data refreshed

Brakes 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.
39
Latest Feb 7, 2020
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.
11%
of 364 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.
3
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 service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Ford Five Hundred submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 39 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 brake

The 25 most recent of 39, in the owner's own words

Brakes
Filed Feb 7, 2020

THE BRAKES ARE SPONGY. VERY SELDOM THEY WILL BE NORMAL. MOST OF THE TIME THEY WILL BE SOFT AND HAVE TO BE PUMPED. SOMETIMES THE BRAKES WILL BE FIRM FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS AND THEN THE PEDAL WILL SINK TO THE FLOORBOARDS. THIS OCCURS DURING DURING NORMAL DRIVING AND STOPPING AND ALSO OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARKED. BRAKES HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONALLY SERVICED INCLUDING HOOKED TO A COMPUTER FOR PROPER BLEEDING. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.

NHTSA ID
11307809
Incident
Oct 15, 2019
Mileage
95,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine
Filed Aug 17, 2019

WHILE STOPING AT RED LIGHT CAR STALLS BUCKLES DOSE NOT GO OVER 50 MPH AS IT HITS 50 MPH RPMS GO TO6000 SPEED STAYS ON 50 MPH AND I CAN'T GO ON A HIGH WAY CAUSE I CAN'T KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC NOISE COMING FROM MOTER CAR GOT HOT GOING UP HILLS IN 80 DEGREE WEATHER AND IT JUST ALL AROUND RUNS LIKE [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11244657
Incident
Aug 8, 2019
Mileage
5,100 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Aug 16, 2019

WHEN CAR IS ON, WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE OR REVERSING, CAR SURGES OR JUMPS FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11244415
Incident
Aug 15, 2019
Mileage
128,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance
Filed Aug 8, 2013
Crash reported

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FROM STOP WHEN BRAKE RELEASED. FROM SEPT 2006 UNTIL PRESENT. APPROX $3000 EACH TIME. HIT GARAGE WALL. (APPROX 5 COLLISIONS WITH WALL) STILL DOES IT. FINALLY FOUND OUT WHEN & WHY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10534284
Incident
Sep 13, 2006
Mileage
1,025 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 2013

AS I STARTED MY CAR TO LEAVE, THE PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT RELEASE RIGHT (WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR), THE BRAKE LIGHT WAS DISPLAYED ON THE DASH, AND I COULD TELL THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED. SINCE THE PARKING BRAKES WERE STILL ENGAGED, MY REAR WHEELS WERE LOCKED UP. MY CAR THEREFORE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OF THIS PROBLEM FOR MY FORD 2006 FIVE HUNDRED. I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED OF ANY RECALLS FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10525318
Incident
Jul 14, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesExterior lighting
Filed Dec 6, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND HAVING TO BRAKE ABRUPTLY, THERE WAS A HESITATION IN BRAKING RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THREE SETS OF REAR BRAKE PADS WERE INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO DIM. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE HIMSELF AND NOTICED THAT THE PIG TAIL SOCKET HAD SHORTENED. THE PIG TAIL SOCKET WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10487573
Incident
Dec 7, 2010
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 5, 2012

1ST ISSUE: WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO JUMP FORWARD EVEN WHILE THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. I WORRY ABOUT REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK, THE CAR BEGINS TO REV OR IDLE HIGH AS IF THE ACCELERATOR HAS BEEN PRESSED. 2ND ISSUE: WHILE IN PARK OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS OF 30-35MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL QUITS WORKING AND THE A/C STOPS AS IF THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. IT'LL THEN COME BACK ON AND WILL CONTINUE TO COME ON AND OFF. THE BAD THING IS THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS WON'T EVEN WORK. THERE'S NO WARNING. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPAIRED LAST YEAR IN 2011 WHEN WE FOUND OUT IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM BUT NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY NOR A RECALL ISSUED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10464304
Incident
Apr 10, 2012
Mileage
170,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Oct 16, 2011

THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER CHECKS NORMAL ON MOST START-UPS, BUT UNPREDICTABLY ALL SYSTEMS LIGHT UP SHOWING FAILURE OF ABS, AIR BAGS, TRACTION CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, SEE A MECHANIC, CRUISE CONTROL AND SPEEDOMETER QUITS WORKING. THE WARNING LIGHTS MAY STAY LIT FOR 2 TO 200 MILES. AND NO SPEEDOMETER. AUTO ZONE AND MY MECHANIC ARE BAFFLED AND FRUSTRATED AFTER CHECKING BATTERY CHARGING CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS AND GROUNDS. ITS OBVIOUSLY NOT SAFE DRIVING WITHOUT KNOWING YOUR SPEED OR IF THERE IS A MAJOR HAZARD LOOMING-----LIKE FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10430388
Incident
Aug 20, 2011
Brakes
Filed May 9, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL NEEDED TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED UNSUCCESSFULLY TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE TWENTY TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,600 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 06/06/11 *BF UPDATED 09/19/11

NHTSA ID
10399570
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
73,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 27, 2011
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED. AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND AND HIT A SHOPPING CART, WHICH IN TURN THE CART HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. APPROXIMATELY FOUR MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND EXPERIENCED AN INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THE PADS AND ROTORS HAD WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 08/10/11

NHTSA ID
10397989
Incident
Oct 10, 2010
Mileage
15,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 22, 2011

1, PURCHASED MAY 2006 2, JULY 2007 LETTER FROM FORD EXTENDING WARRANTY ON REAR BRAKES. 3,MAY 2008 FORD REPLACED REAR BRAKES UNDER RECALL # 07N10N. 23,927 MILES ON CAR. 4, REAR BRAKES REPLACED 50,085 MILES 5, THE BRAKES REPLACED UNDER RECALL WERE THE SAME POOR QUALITY AS THEY REPLACED. 6, DEALER OFFERED NO HELP. 7, FORD SAID THAT ALL THEY WILL DO. 8,I FEEL THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE BRAKES WITH BETTER BRAKES THAT THE POOR QUALITY THEY USED ON THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10392516
Incident
Jan 11, 2011
Mileage
23,927 mi
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Oct 1, 2010

2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES REGARDING PREMATURE PAD AND ROTOR WEAR *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HEARD A GRINDING NOISE AND/OR DRAGGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. THE LEFT AND RIGHT WHEELS NEEDED NEW BRAKES AND ROTORS. THE CONSUMER STATED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THE BRAKES IN 2007, BECAUSE FORD KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. ALSO, THE BLOWER MOTOR BEHIND THE GLOVE BOX HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. THE GASKET BETWEEN THE CRANK SHAFT SUPPORT HOUSING WAS REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10358693
Incident
Jul 15, 2010
Brakes
Filed Apr 8, 2010

REAR BRAKES PREMATURELY WEAR DOWN TO LESS THAN 2MM OF PAD REMAINING AFTER 11K MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10324517
Incident
Mar 20, 2010
Mileage
31,796 mi
AirbagsBrakes
Filed Feb 17, 2010
Crash reported

TRAVELING SOUTH ON I-26 ACROSS THE TN/NC BORDER THROUGH SAM'S GAP ON A SNOWY DAY LED ME TO DRIVE VERY SLOW AND COME TO A STOP AT THE TRUCK INFORMATION AREA AT THE TOP OF THE HILL. WHEN I SAW A LARGE TRANSFER TRUCK PULL OUT ONTO THE ROAD AND PROCEED DOWN THE HILL I FELT IT WAS SAFE TO FOLLOW. THIS TRUCK WAS MOVING A LOT FASTER THAN I WAS AND I WAS "COVERING THE BRAKE" AND TAPPING IT OCCASIONALLY DOWN THE STEEP INCLINE, BUT THERE WAS ICE ON THE ROAD AND WHEN I TAPPED THE BRAKES THE CAR BEGAN TO SPIN AND HIT THE CONCRETE MEDIAN ON ALL 4 CORNERS OF THE VEHICLE WITH PRETTY STRONG FORCE. THE SEAT BELT CORRECTLY LOCKED DOWN ON THE DRIVER SIDE, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND I COULD SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I ASSUMED THIS WAS THE COMPOUND USED IN THE AIR BAG. WHEN THE POLICE ARRIVED, I WAS GIVEN A CITATION FOR DRIVING TOO FAST FOR THE CONDITIONS AND ANOTHER BECAUSE THE INSURANCE RECENTLY LAPSED. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOOK THE CAR TO THE BOTTOM OF THE HILL (DRIVING TOO FAST FOR THE CONDITIONS BY THE WAY) AND DECLARED THE CAR DRIVABLE SINCE THERE WERE NO FLUIDS LEAKING AND THE CAR WOULD STILL CRANK. THE FUEL SYSTEM HAD TO BE RESET, BECAUSE IT CORRECTLY SHUT OFF DUE TO THE IMPACT. THE SEATBELT WAS LOCKED DOWN COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. SINCE THERE WAS NO SNOW BEYOND THE SAM'S GAP AREA, I DECIDED TO DRIVE HOME AND PARK THE CAR BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE MONEY FOR A HOTEL OR FOR ADDITIONAL TOWING AND THE PERSON AT THE NC WELCOME CENTER SAID WE WERE EXPERIENCING BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. SO RATHER THAN FREEZE TO DEATH OR ASK SOMEONE ELSE TO PUT THEMSELVES IN DANGER TO COME GET ME I DROVE HIM WITH THE AIRBAG / SEATBELT LIGHTS ALARMING. THE BODY SHOP PERSON I SPOKE WITH SAID THAT I NEEDED TO DETERMINE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE RESTRAINT/AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE THEY CAN WORK ON IT BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF THE SYSTEM DEPLOYING WITHOUT WARNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10311337
Incident
Feb 10, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Oct 30, 2009

I HAVE A 2006 FORD 500 THE DEALER REPLACED MY REAR BRAKES AT 14,000 MILES N/C. AT 28,000 I PAID FOR BOTH REAR & FRONT BRAKES ROTORS AND CALIPERS, AT 52,000 MILES REAR & FRONT PADS I WAS JUST TOLD AT 76,000 I NEED THE WORKS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10290351
Incident
Oct 26, 2009
Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2009

I OWN A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WHICH I PURCHASED USED WITH APPROX. 12000 MILES. PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE FORD RECALLED IT AND PUT NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON THE REAR. IT NOW HAS 29000 MILES ON IT AND THE REAR PADS ARE WORN OUT AND FORD SAYS THE ROTORS NEED REPLACING. THE BRAKES DRAG IN THE REAR. FORD SAYS THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND A LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS IDENTICAL TO MINE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DESIGN PROBLEM AND A SAFETY HAZARD SINCE THERE ARE REPORTS OF THE BRAKES WEARING COMPLETELY INTO THE ROTOR AND LOCKING CAUSING ACCIDENTS. THE OWNER HAS NO CLUE SINCE THEY WEAR OUT SO FAST. FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW BEFORE THERE ARE DEATHS CAUSED BY THIS FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ID
10283443
Incident
Sep 9, 2009
Mileage
29,632 mi
Brakes
Filed May 10, 2009

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES CHANGED TWICE SINCE OWNING MY 2006 FORD 500 SINCE IT WAS NEW. I HAVE 45,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. FRONT BRAKES ARE STILL 75% GOOD. I BELIEVE FORD HAS A DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD HAVE A NATIONAL RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10268318
Incident
May 7, 2009
Mileage
22,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Apr 17, 2009

IN JUNE 2007, MY WIFE TOOK OUR 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED (SEL) TO THE LOCAL DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE. SHE WAS INFORMED AT THE TIME THAT SHE NEEDED TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THE CAR HAD ONLY 26,800 MILES ON IT. I WAS IN DISBELIEF AND TOLD HER NOT TO ALLOW THE WORK. I TOOK THE CAR TO AN AUTO SERVICE CENTER THAT I TRUSTED THE NEXT DAY. SURE ENOUGH, THE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THEM DO THE WORK. I THEN COMPLAINED TO THE LOCAL DEALER THAT THIS WEAR RATE WAS UNACCEPTABLE AND CARS NORMALLY GO SIGNIFICANTLY LONGER BEFORE NEEDING REAR PAD REPLACEMENT. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THEM STATING THAT THE "BRAKE WEAR ON YOUR VEHICLE IS CONSIDERED TO BE WITHIN NORMAL PARAMETERS" . I KNEW THIS WAS NOT TRUE. IN JULY, I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR CO. STATING THAT THEY WERE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY ON THE REAR PADS TO 36,000. I RECEIVED A REFUND FROM THE DEALER. JUST RECENTLY AT 68,584 MILES, WE HAD TO HAVE THE PADS REPLACED ONCE AGAIN. I DON'T THINK THIS IS ACCEPTABLE WEAR FOR THESE PADS. IT COST US $227.01 TO HAVE THEM REPLACED. MY WIFE USES THIS CAR FOR BUSINESS, SO IT LOOKS LIKE WE'LL NEED TO PLAN ON REPLACING THESE PADS EVERY YEAR. INTERESTINGLY, THE FRONT PADS HAVE NOT WORN OUT YET. THE SECOND PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD IS WITH THE TIE ROD END LINKS WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 53,671 MILES. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO PERFORM THIS REPLACEMENT ON ANY OTHER VEHICLE I'VE OWNED, MANY HAVE GONE WELL OVER 100,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE CAR IN THIS RESPECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10265729
Incident
Jun 8, 2007
Mileage
26,822 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedTires & wheels
Filed Mar 18, 2009

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES/ROTORS ON THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED 2 YEARS STRAIGHT AND NOW THIS IS THE THIRD YEAR AND THE SAME PROBLEM IS DEVELOPING. THE FIRST REPLACEMENT WAS PAID FOR BY FORD. A YEAR LATER, CROWN FORD INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY, BUT REDUCED THE COST BY ONLY CHARGING ME FOR PARTS, WHICH WAS OVER $300.00+. UPON GETTING A FRONT-END ALIGNMENT, I WAS TOLD BY FIRESTONE THAT THE REAR ROTORS WILL SOON NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A PROBLEM HERE WITH THIS CAR AND BRAKES AND I FEEL I AM BEING MISLEAD. MY FORD 2006 WAS PURCHASED IN DECEMBER 2005. *TR

NHTSA ID
10262247
Incident
Apr 1, 2008
Brakes
Filed Mar 9, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. A MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WERE GRINDING INTO THE ROTORS. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE OF THE LOW MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED AT HIS EXPENSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALL WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. HE DISCOVERED SEVERAL OTHER CONSUMERS WHO WERE EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGES ON THEIR VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,544.

NHTSA ID
10261327
Incident
Feb 9, 2009
Mileage
29,000 mi
AirbagsBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Jan 26, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2006, THE CONTACT HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING BRAKE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE AND CHANGED THE BRAKES EACH TIME. THE VEHICLE FAILED COMPLETELY AND WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,922. UPDATED 3/3/09 *CN THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATED WHEN A PASSENGER SAT IN THE SEAT. THE SHIFTER WAS HARD TO MOVE. THE FRONT MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN. UPDATED 03/04/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10256315
Incident
May 5, 2008
Mileage
23,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+1 more
Filed Jan 13, 2009

ON JAN 8, 2009, I HAD TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 1050 MILES FROM OKLAHOMA TO OHIO. WHILE IN OHIO, 6 INCHES OF SNOW HAD FALLEN, AND THE ROADS WERE SLICK WITH SNOW AND ICE. IN PREPARING FOR MY RETURN TRIP ON JAN 11, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN CONTROL AND BRAKING IN THE VEHICLE. UPON DRIVING FURTHER, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO REVERSE WITH A HUGE "BANG" SOUND AND VIBRATION. THE VEHICLE'S CVT TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS IN DRIVE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF, AND BACK ON, ALL LIGHTS WOULD GO OFF, AND COME BACK ON WITHIN 5 MINUTES. AFTER THE 6TH RESTART, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT, AFTER A FEW RESTARTS, DID NOT COME BACK ON. HOWEVER, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS STAYED ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 650 MILES. AFTER THAT TIME, ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT, BUT THE RPMS WENT FROM 2000 TO 3500 ON THEIR OWN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL ON A FLAT ROAD. THAT CORRECTED ITSELF ABOUT 100 MILES LATER. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER ON MY RETURN, THEY TOLD ME THAT SINCE NO LIGHTS WERE ON, AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOW ACTING NORMALLY, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. MY FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRES IN 14 DAYS, AND I AM NOT SURE IF I'LL BE ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM TO THE DEALER BY THAT TIME. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BLAMED THE MALFUNCTION ON THE COLD WEATHER AND THE SNOW, BUT THE AWD VEHICLE WITH TRACTION CONTROL WAS, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, MANUFACTURED TO DEAL WITH SNOW AND COLD WEATHER. ONE DOES NOT NEED AWD, TRACTION CONTROL OR ABS DURING DRY, WARM DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10254903
Incident
Jan 11, 2009
Mileage
27,158 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 12, 2008

2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED, CAR HAS 40,000 MILES AND I HAVE REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS TWICE SO FAR, ALSO THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN TURNED AND IN NEED OF BEING CHANGED AS OF RIGHT NOW. MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10248561
Incident
Oct 20, 2008
Brakes
Filed Oct 15, 2008

AT 37,000 MILES (MOSTLY FREEWAY MILES) I WAS GETTING A LOUD GRINDING SOUND FROM MY REAR BRAKES. DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PADS WERE TOTALLY WORN AWAY AND THE ROTORS WERE RUINED. THE MECHANIC SAID IT LOOKED AS IF THE CALIPERS WERE NOT OPENING PROPERLY, CAUSING A CONTINUAL DRAG OF THE PADS AGAINST THE ROTORS. THE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS ALSO NEEDED REPLACING AS THEY WERE WORN BEYOND THE POINT OF BEING RESURFACED. TOTAL BILL = $1,200! I LATER FOUND OUT FORD HAD KNOWN ABOUT A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE PADS, BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY NOTICE FROM THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10245527
Incident
Oct 11, 2008
Mileage
37,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 8, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 10-15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A SCRAPING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE SERVICE AND REAR BRAKE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THE PADS AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. TSB NUMBER 10021463 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS REFERENCED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 12-15-08 *BF UPDATED 12/17/08. *JB

NHTSA ID
10233551
Incident
Jul 5, 2008
Mileage
40,000 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

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .