10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,558 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Ford Five Hundred electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Ford Five Hundred Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #72

Feb 102021

Five Hundred

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was at red light person crossing road I was I. drive foot on brake, rpms shot up engine reeves cat lunged forward I pressed harder in brake almost hit person. At the time no warning lights. Then at pharmacy drive thru w car I. from and I. back of me car did same thing. I had to press brake hard to prevent moving hitting car in from of me. I was in drive but foot on brake! no warning lights at time. Had throttle body replaced still had similar problems progressing little did I know when throttle body is replaced has to be reprogrammed by Ford! spent so much money and time trying to figure out problem. This is a flaw w Ford 500 2005 throttle body many complaints and test does never issues recall, unsafe. I could have killed someone.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #71

Aug 262020

Five Hundred

  • 237,232 miles
I purchased the car used with the understanding that it had some issues with a misfire. Upon initial inspection I fount the car was throwing the code P0351 I cleared all faults and problem went away weks went by and problem started again but more sever during normal operation the car started shaking and shifting erratic I then came upon some K formation as to a recall Ford put in place stating improper calibration of PCM and tcm cause unnecessary interaction I the electrical system and malfunction of the vehicle

- Patton, MO, USA

problem #70

Feb 072020

Five Hundred

  • 0 miles
I was driving my car it started to shake very hard well I heard a snap sound and my car started to drag I got out my frame above my right lower control had snapped ive read that many other people are having the same problem I contactes Ford about the issue and they said there is nothing they can do well I'm out of a vehicle but vefore all of this I kept going through fuel relay issues and eventually started losing my instrument cluster so now I'm fighting with them to do the repairs

- Frankfort, WV, USA

problem #69

Jul 012019

Five Hundred

  • 172,940 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall my car has a fuel leak problem and fuel tank is damage to weld defect cide: P04442. Also previous own installed a aftermarket remote car starter. Now my car has trouble starting ever after I replaced the starter. Problem might be the (ECU) engine control unit now working properly.

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #68

Jul 092018

Five Hundred

  • 244,141 miles
Gauges drop check engine light comes on then wrench light then one shaped like a car N starts loosen power

- Winston Salem, NC, USA

problem #67

Feb 242018

Five Hundred

  • 250,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. After placing fuel in the vehicle, white smoke emerged from the engine compartment. The contact opened the hood and flames emerged from the engine and the smoke turned black. The fire department extinguished the fire; however, the fire erupted again and would not stop until the battery was disconnected. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 250,000.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #66

Jan 112018

Five Hundred

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have researched online and a lot of people with my same car are having the same problem. While driving my whole dash board goes out. I can no longer see how fast I'm going. Everything goes to 0 the gas goes to E and my reverse lights stay on until the dash board comes back up. If and when it comes back on my check engine light will be on. This has been happening every since I purchased the car 3years ago on and off.

- Dolton, IL, USA

problem #65

Jul 072016

Five Hundred

  • 177,000 miles
I will never buy another Ford vehicle ever again!!!!!! I own a 2005 Ford Five hundred there was a recall in 2012 on the throttle body, a Ford dealer supposably cleaned the throttle body, well now its not driveable. We have since talked to several Ford dealers including Ford Motor Company, they all said it was our responsibility to fix the problem. I do not think it should be my responsibility to pay for this since the part was recalled !!! the car could stall at anytime while driving putting myself and my family at risk, I don't think much of this automobile company for not standing behind there product, I will never recommend a Ford vehicle to friends, family or even my worst enemy never never again!!!!

- Covington, OH, USA

problem #64

May 052016

Five Hundred

  • 110,000 miles
I dont feel safe driving my car I put 2000 dollars of work and still do not feel save.

- Chicopee, MA, USA

problem #63

Apr 042016

Five Hundred

  • 140,000 miles
Instrument cluster not working. Oil and brake light illuminate constantly. Reverse lights and brake lights constantly on on the exterior of the vehichle. Cruise does not work. Blinkers do not work. Starts doing this as soon as the car is started. Started while going down the expressway now constant.

- Howard City, MI, USA

problem #62

May 052010

Five Hundred

  • 95,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle lost power and jerked. All the lights on the instrument panel illuminated. The vehicle had to be turned off and restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the computer needed to be replaced. The computer was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #61

Apr 122016

Five Hundred

  • 188,000 miles
The transmission disengages at various speeds even on the interstate at 55+ mph causing it to lose power. You must be able to get it stopped on the side of the road and shut the car off and then restart it to correct the problem for a short period of time.

- Weston, WV, USA

problem #60

Dec 122012

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, the vehicle was shifted out of park and the RPM gauge fluctuated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the RPM surge failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000. The VIN was unavailable. MA 10/25/15

- Boilings Springs , SC, USA

problem #59

Aug 172015

Five Hundred

  • 220,000 miles
While driving dash lights, speedometer, tachometer, gas level, and temperature go out for several minutes at a time. Reverse lights come on and airbag light comes on. This is dangerous; unable to tell speed! per internet research this is happening in several Ford models and stems from a bad solder joint.

- Taneytown, MD, USA

problem #58

Aug 252014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 159,985 miles
Was driving in heavy traffic through metro city in rush hour on interstate.on 4 lane highway had to cross 2 lanes of traffic to exit;car lost power and message center said engine fail safe mode.tried to accelerate to exit;car had lost power with no acceleration.when I finally got to exit was down to 20 miles per hour.

- Morristown, TN, USA

problem #57

Aug 212014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 177,320 miles
I was driving in town going about 40 mph when the car lost all power, then engine failsafe mode displayed on the information center and a little wrench was also displayed. With no power steering, I had to pull over quickly in lunchtime traffic. After stopping the car, I waited a few seconds and restarted it. No problems with it until the next day when the check engine light came on. I have also noticed a mechanical smell coming from the ac. It appeared, at first, that this problem had come out of nowhere when I suddenly remembered two occasions when the rpms suddenly stuck on 3000 and would not stop until I put the car in neutral. Also, when using cruise control, the whole car shakes and stutters slightly when going up or down very slight inclines.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #56

Jun 162014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
Only had the car for five months driving down the street the check engine light came out car stopped in the middle of the street with my children in it and wouldn't start up..worst car I've ever bought second major incident that has happened since I got the car.it should be a recall major safety violation.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #55

May 222014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 36,000 miles
Part of an ongoing series of issues with this vehicle (see earlier reports), initial symptom was the dash lights & needles shutting off intermittently (but now for extended periods). Vehicle then began showing random warning lights including "check engine", which was diagnosed first time as low fuel level sensors a & B. since that time I'd disconnected the battery on a suggestion of a mechanic friend and all the issues disappeared for a few weeks. Yesterday the check engine light came back, and the car was running poorly (creeping when first off brakes, not up shifting), when the dash was operable it showed alternating check engine/check transmission warnings, and vehicle was surging/lagging noticeably at highway speeds. I again did the battery disconnect last night, and the car is operating normal today, but I'm sure it will recur shortly. I am hesitant to take it to a dealer as this sounds like a significant electronics issue, and I have already read up on the Ford tsb 06-17-9 that is documented online, not all of which aligns with my issues. Had the battery reset had no impact on the problems I would say it's a mechanical matter, but it seems clear its a computer or electrical issue.

- Northbridge, MA, USA

problem #54

May 092014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 35,500 miles
I purchased the vehicle used on 2/21/14 w/31,000+/- miles, initial issue was with instrument cluster intermittently blipping on & off (sometimes for extended periods). That issue was followed by a check engine light, which when analyzed showed low fuel sensors a&B (occurred in late April 2014). Up to this point the vehicle was drivable with no impact on actual drivability. Last Friday 5/9/14, I was at a light and when it turned green I proceeded to drive off, but vehicle was barley moving or responding to throttle input, this continued for a short distance & eventually built up to normal speed. It recurred again at the next light, with same symptoms. I contacted a mechanic I know and the next day I disconnected the battery cable in an attempt to clear the system, and as of a week later only the dash lights issue has recurred. However I feel the loss of power is a significant concern if it were to occur on a busy road or at highway speeds.

- Northbridge, MA, USA

problem #53

Apr 012014

Five Hundred 6-cyl

  • 33,850 miles
Instrument cluster intermittently went dark and/or gauges went to zero/off positions, we pulled over to see if exterior lights worked and all did, as well as blinkers and flashers, but we noted that reverse lights were now on. It has recurred a few times, its most noticeable after dark as dash lights go black. Only light on dash was the airbag light. I went online & found info on a technical service bulletin "tsb 06-17-9 09/04/06 - intermittent instrument cluster", it does not appear to be a recall item so assuming any repairs are entirely owner cost ?

- Northbridge, MA, USA

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