Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Exterior lighting 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.
14
Latest Dec 25, 2021
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.
4%
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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. 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. 14 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 exterior lighting
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 25, 2021
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
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 7, 2020
CAUSE UNKNOWN- BATTERY LIGHT IS COMING ON MORE WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING IN ALL MODES, LOCAL AUTO STORE DETERMINED IT IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THEY TESTED THE BATTERY, ALTERNATOR & STARTER. ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE IS A MUSTY SMELL & MANY ( IF NOT ALL) OF MY METAL PARTS ARE RUSTED.
NHTSA ID
11297823
Incident
Oct 15, 2019
ElectricalFuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Jul 23, 2019
DOOR FROZE SHUT AND EVER SINCE MANUALLY OPENING THE MESSAGE CENTER STATES DRIVER DOOR AJAR AND PASSENGER DOOR AJAR AND THEY ARE NOT. BUT I CAN'T RESET DRIVER CONTROLS UNTIL DOORS SHOW CLOSED. HAVE RUN CODE IN MY CAR AND ONLY CODE IS P0193 FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR. NO CODES FOR DOORS.
NHTSA ID
11234304
Incident
Jan 1, 2018
Mileage
120,000 mi
Exterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 3, 2019
HARD KNOCKING IN TRANSMISSION DURING NORMAL OPERATION. INTERIOR LIGHTS COME ON WHILE USING VEHICLE AND WON'T GO OFF
NHTSA ID
11183831
Incident
Mar 1, 2019
Mileage
210,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 15, 2018
Fire reported1 injury reported
PULLED IN DROP OFF A DONATION AT A SECOND HAND STORE. I PUT IT IN PARK AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE; OPENED THE TRUNK; AND LOOKED UP STARTLED WHEN A GUY SITTING NEARBY SAID THAT MY CAR WAS SMOKING AND ON FIRE (ABOUT 10 SECONDS SINCE I SWITCHED THE CAR OFF AND GOT OUT). HE WAS ON THE RIGHT, SO I MOVED AROUND THE CAR TO THE RIGHT LOOKING TOWARDS THE ENGINE. AN EMPLOYEE OF THE STORE THAT WAS ON THE BACK, LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR POINTED TOWARDS AND SAID, 'LOOK! YOUR SIDE MIRROR IS ON FIRE!' I THEN SAW THE SMOKE BILLOWING TO THE LEFT (A STRONG AFTERNOON BREEZE WAS BLOWING NORTH). I CAME AROUND AND PEERED IN BEHIND THE ACTUAL 'MIRROR' PART; THE FIRE HAD JUST GONE OUT. LOOKING AT IT, I COULD SEE IT WAS THE SECURITY LIGHT ON THE BOTTOM SIDE OF THE MIRROR; IT WAS COMPLETELY MELTED AND FUSED TO THE MIRROR HOUSING- A BUBBLY MESS OF PLASTIC. IT SMELLED OF ACRID, MELTED PLASTIC AND BURNED ELECTRONICS. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE MIRROR HAD CAUGHT FIRE AND STARTED BURNING FOR A BIT BEFORE THE FUSE FINALLY BLEW. I AM SO GLAD MY BABY AND KINDERGARTENER WEREN'T IN THE CAR AT THIS TIME! THEY USUALLY ARE. THE LENGTH OF TIME OF TIME IT TOOK FOR THE FUSE TO FINALLY BLOW IS QUITE ALARMING! IT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN THE RAPID SPREAD OF A FIRE THAT WOULD QUICKLY OVERTAKE THE VEHICLE. WHAT IF I WAS AT A GAS STATION WHEN THIS HAPPENED WHEN THEIR HAPPENED TO BE SOME PETROL-VAPOR PRESENT. MY NEXT STOP WAS TO GET TWO PROPANE TANKS FILLED. THEY HAVE TO BLEED OFF A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF PROPANE EACH TIME WHEN FINISHED FILLING A TANK. IT ISN'T FAR FETCHED THAT THIS ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH FAILED SAFEGUARDS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FAR MORE INJURY THAN MY SLIGHTLY BURNED FINGERS. THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE SOMETHING TERRIBLE HAPPENS TO SOMEONE. THIS IS A FANTASTIC CAR! WE LOVE IT. THIS IS PROBABLY AN EASY FIX, BUT IF IT ISN'T FIXED, MUCH WORSE COULD HAPPEN!
NHTSA ID
11140496
Incident
Oct 12, 2018
Mileage
98,100 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE REVERSE LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTROL PANEL AND DRIVER SIDE BLINKERS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ID
10915641
Incident
Sep 19, 2016
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Oct 22, 2013
Fire reported
CPSC: I1390188A. 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT HEAD LIGHT CAUGHT ON FIRE SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE HAVING BEEN PARKED FOR 30 MINUTES IN THE GARAGE AND ENGINE WAS OFF. *LN THE FIRE DESTROYED THE LEFT FRONT ENGINE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY.
NHTSA ID
10549160
Incident
Jul 29, 2013
EngineExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 5, 2013
AT TIMES WHEN PLACING CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE IT WILL LURCH FORWARD. WHEN GOING UP ANY HILL AND THE 6 SPEED TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO DOWN SHIFT, IT SEEMS THAT IT POPS INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN POPS INTO LOWER GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK VERY HARD.. THE JERKING CAN BE SO HARD THAT I AM SCARED THAT ITS GOING TO BREAK THE MOTOR MOUNTS OR THE DRIVE AXLES. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM GOING UP A HILL OR TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE ON FLAT LAND. HAD TO REPLACE THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT SOCKETS DUE TO THEM OVERHEATING AND MELTING THE SOCKET AND CAUSING THE BULBS TO STOP WORKING. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, WHEN TRYING TO BRING IT UP IT WILL STOP AND GO BACK DOWN. SOMETIMES IT WILL DO IT A COUPLE TIMES BEFORE I CAN GET THE WINDOW ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS MY FIRST FORD I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I AM LOVE WITH THE CAR BUT NOT WITH THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING WITH THE CAR. ALSO, WHEN THE CAR HIT 100,000 MILES IT STARTED TO BURN 1 QUART OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. I CANNOT FIND ANY LEAKS. I HAVE SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THE LURCHING AND JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION. WISH FORD WOULD DO A REAL CALL FOR THESE PROBLEMS BECAUSE I JUST LOVE THIS CAR! *JB
NHTSA ID
10542164
Incident
Sep 4, 2013
Mileage
103,682 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
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed May 15, 2012
DASH CLUSTER MALFUNCTION FOR ALL GAUGES. AT THE TIME OF MALFUNCTION, REVERSE LAMPS TURN ON. IF MALFUNCTION OCCURS AT NIGHT, DASH ILLUMINATION ALSO SHUTS DOWN. GAUGES ZERO OUT, TOP OUT THEN FLUTTER AT ZERO. *JS HAVE NOTICED AIRBAG LAMP ON OCCASIONALLY. *JS
NHTSA ID
10458503
Incident
May 15, 2012
Mileage
135,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed May 15, 2009
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM BULB HOLDER/MOUNTS/SOCKET, MELTED- DEFORMED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10268825
Incident
Mar 20, 2009
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 2, 2008
LOW BEAM HEADLAMP SOCKET ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FAILED. ONE OF THE SOCKET CONTACTS SHOWED EVIDENCE OF A CATASTROPHIC ELECTRICAL FAILURE - LOOKS LIKE SEVERE ARCING, BURNED PLASTIC, BROKEN SOCKET SHELL AND BADLY BURNED PIN IN THE LAMP. THE LAMP ITSELF IS STILL O.K., EXCEPT FOR THE BADLY BURNED PIN. ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO THE LOW BEAM LAMP ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. SAME DAMAGE TO THE SAME PIN IN THE SOCKET. THAT LAMP IS ALSO O.K. EXCEPT FOR THE BURNED PIN. THIS WOULD APPEAR TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE SOCKETS/VEHICLE WIRING, NOT THE LAMPS. THESE LAMPS ARE MOUNTED QUITE HIGH AND ARE REASONABLY WELL PROTECTED SO IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THIS IS A MOISTURE PROBLEM. THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT SOCKET FROM FORD IS SIMPLY OUTRAGEOUS! DEALER SAYS THIS IS THE FIRST CASE THEY'VE SEEN OF THIS HAPPENING - BUT I HEARD THE SAME THING WHEN I HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE REAR BRAKES AND I NOW KNOW THAT CERTAINLY WASN'T TRUE! HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ID
10247460
Incident
Oct 20, 2008
Mileage
48,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 25, 2008
LEFT HEADLAMP (RUNNING LAMP) IS NOT WORKING. WENT TO CHANGE THE BULB AND FOUND THE END OF THE HARNESS IS MELTED. LOOKS LIKE A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. WILL TAKE TO DEALER ASAP FOR REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ID
10222306
Incident
Mar 25, 2008
Mileage
71,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Mar 31, 2006
AUTO HEADLIGHTS FAIL DURING OPERATION, DRIVING IN RURAL NON LIGHT SENSITIVE AREAS. *NM
NHTSA ID
10154315
Incident
Mar 28, 2006
Mileage
172 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