FORD 500 · model year

2005 FORD 500

147 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2005FORD500 carries 147 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 500 is engine with 31 filings, followed by power train (27) and electrical system (19). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2005 500, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

147
Complaints
6
Crashes
3
Fires
7
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

147 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE31
POWER TRAIN27
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL18
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
AIR BAGS5
STRUCTURE:BODY4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH4
SUSPENSION3
SERVICE BRAKES3
STEERING3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING3
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL2

Recent Complaints

20191212ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, AN UNKNOWN WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MIKE CASTRUCCI FORD (1020 OH-28, MILFORD, OH 45150, (513) 275-1048) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SHUTDOWN FEATURE AND IT WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20190509CrashAIR BAGS

MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS INVOLVED IN A SINGLE VEHICLE CRASH ON MAY 2, 2019. HER AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND SHE HAS SUFFERED A SEVERE, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND IS UNLIKELY TO MAKE ANY MEANINGFUL RECOVERY

20190508EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT

2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO MALFUNCTIONS WITH THE VEHICLES TIRE JACK. *AS THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE JACK RAISED THE VEHICLE IT TWISTED. A SCREW WAS BENT ON THE JACK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DROP AND BUMP THE CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A NEW JACK. *JS

20190212UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE CAR SHAKES AND MAKES LOTS OF NOISE. GOING UP HILL IS THE WORST FEELS LIKE THE CAR IS PUTTING ALONG.

Mileage: 80,000

20181221ENGINE

WHILE THE CAR IS STARTED BUT AT A STOP, THE CAR IS FINE. WHEN THE CAR HAS THE GAS PETAL PUSHED DOWN, IT WILL NOT MOVE. THE CAR STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING.

20181130VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE IN OTHER FORD MODELS. IS THERE A RECALL? THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE I GET RUN OVER BY OTHER VEHICLES WHEN MY ENGINE STALLS WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE! IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO ENTER OR EXIT HIGHWAYS AND BELTWAYS WHEN ONE CANNOT BE SURE THE CAR ENGINE WILL REMAIN OPERATIONAL, POWER STEERING GUIDANCE WILL REMAIN AVAILABLE AND ANOTHER VEHICLE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AVOID RUNNING INTO ME. VERY DANGEROUS TO EVERYONE ON THE HIGHWAY. I PERSONALLY CLEAN THE THROTTLE AND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING.

Mileage: 168,000

20181120VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN WHENEVER I GO FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS.

Mileage: 150,000

20180907STRUCTURE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WERE UNSTABLE. THE POLICE TICKETED THE CONTACT FOR DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REAR OF IT SWAYED BACK AND FORTH, WHICH MADE IT LOOK UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PLACED THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELLS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

20180907SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE THAT THE FRONT AND REAR SUSPENSION WERE UNSTABLE. THE POLICE TICKETED THE CONTACT FOR DRIVING THE VEHICLE AFTER THE REAR OF IT SWAYED BACK AND FORTH, WHICH MADE IT LOOK UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS CAUTIOUSLY DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PLACED THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELLS FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY, CAUSING THE SUSPENSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

20180817ENGINE

VEHICLE SPUTTERING DURING ACCELERATION AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE LIGHT ON

20180702STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

20180402ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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.

Mileage: 138,450

20180402ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 138,450

20180402VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

Mileage: 138,450

20180204UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR WOULDN'T PICK UP SPEED THEN I RECEIVE A SUDDEN THRUST CAUSING IT TO HAVE A SMALL JERK THEN TAKES OFF. RECENTLY ITS BEEN SHOWING A RANCH LIGHT KNOW FOR THROTTLE BODY ISSUES CODE P2111 AND P2104. THIS CAUSES MY CAR TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY WHICH IS A HUGE CONCERN.

Mileage: 144,000

20171105POWER TRAIN

VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTS VERY HARD WHEN BRAKING OR WHEN TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE AND YOU GIVE IT GAS AND IT DOWNSHIFTS TO ACCELERATE IT'S LIKE THE VEHICLE GOES INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS DOING 70MPH WITH SOMEONE ON MY REAR END ON I-77N AND WHEN I TRIED TO SPEED UP TO GET OUT OF HIS WAY CAR SHIFTED REALLY HARD TO WHERE I THOUGHT SOMETHING BROKE AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN QUICKLY. SINCE I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON THE CAR SHOT UP TO 7000 RPM. SO I HIT THE BREAK TO SHUT OFF CRUISE CONTROL ALL THE WHILE THIS DRIVER BEHIND ME WAS ABOUT TO GET INTO MY REAR END I QUICKLY MOVED INTO THE RIGHT LANE THEN OVER TO THE BIRM. AT ABOUT 35MPH THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGED AGAIN AND I IMMEDIATELY DROVE THE CAR HOME. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY RECOMMENDED A VALVE BODY REPLACEMENT @$3000. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF BLOGS ON THIS TOPIC AND HUNDREDS OF FORD 500 OWNERS SAYS THE REBUILD REPAIR DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY'RE JUST OUT $3K OR EVEN MORE AND FORD REFUSES TO RECALL THEM AND FIX THE CARS

Mileage: 125,507

20170911POWER TRAIN

2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE EXPERIENCES TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES LISTED IN TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (08-24-1). *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A HARSH SHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF 2012 RECALL NOTICE. THE VALVE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ADDITION TO BEING REPROGRAMMED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO HAVE THE FAILED PARTS RECALLED. UPDATED 09/11/2017*JS

20170530ENGINE

I RECEIVES A FORD ADVISEMENT THAT A FIELD SERVICE ADVISORY #12N03 HAS BEEN ISSUED, I CALLED FORD THEY SAID THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY CAR IS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD NHTSA SHOULD REALLY LOOK AT MY CAR IT IS BARELY DRIVABLE [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 98,751

20170429ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING EITHER A VALVE BODY OR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,865

Mileage: 206,800

20170429POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING EITHER A VALVE BODY OR TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,865

Mileage: 206,800

Compare 2005FORD500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2005 FORD 500 have?
The 2005 FORD 500 has 147 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 3 fires, 7 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2005 FORD 500?
The most-complained component for the 2005 FORD 500 is ENGINE with 31 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2005 FORD 500 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.