FORD 500 · model year

2006 FORD 500

105 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006FORD500 carries 105 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 7 fires, 3 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 2006 500 is vehicle speed control with 24 filings, followed by power train (20) and engine (17). 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 2006 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.

105
Complaints
5
Crashes
7
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

105 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL24
POWER TRAIN20
ENGINE17
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM7
UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
EXTERIOR LIGHTING5
SERVICE BRAKES3
AIR BAGS3
STRUCTURE:BODY2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
SEAT BELTS1

Recent Complaints

20180607ENGINE

IT HAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, MOMENTARY ENGINE IDLE, RPM SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING, SUCH AS TURNING INTO A PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. PULLING IN OR BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. STOPING AT A STOP LIGHT, LUNGES FORWARD: CAME CLOSE TO CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE BY RUNNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT OR AT STOP LIGHT. SAFETY ISSUE, WHAT IF THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AT A STOP LIGHT INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, CAUSING BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS CAUSE AFTER THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS ISSUED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT FIX THIS, I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT, NOW I WILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET FORD TO COVER A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE, THAT PUTS MY CHILDREN AT RISK. .

Mileage: 100,000

20180607VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

IT HAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, MOMENTARY ENGINE IDLE, RPM SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING, SUCH AS TURNING INTO A PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. PULLING IN OR BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. STOPING AT A STOP LIGHT, LUNGES FORWARD: CAME CLOSE TO CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE BY RUNNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT OR AT STOP LIGHT. SAFETY ISSUE, WHAT IF THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AT A STOP LIGHT INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, CAUSING BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS CAUSE AFTER THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS ISSUED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT FIX THIS, I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT, NOW I WILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET FORD TO COVER A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE, THAT PUTS MY CHILDREN AT RISK. .

Mileage: 100,000

20180607UNKNOWN OR OTHER

IT HAS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, MOMENTARY ENGINE IDLE, RPM SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR DURING LOW SPEED DRIVING, SUCH AS TURNING INTO A PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. PULLING IN OR BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE. STOPING AT A STOP LIGHT, LUNGES FORWARD: CAME CLOSE TO CAUSING PROPERTY DAMAGE BY RUNNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE IN PARKING LOT OR AT STOP LIGHT. SAFETY ISSUE, WHAT IF THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AT A STOP LIGHT INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC, CAUSING BODILY INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. FORD SHOULD HAVE RECALLED THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I PURCHASED THIS CAUSE AFTER THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS ISSUED. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT FIX THIS, I JUST FOUND OUT ABOUT IT, NOW I WILL HAVE TO FIGHT TO GET FORD TO COVER A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE, THAT PUTS MY CHILDREN AT RISK. .

Mileage: 100,000

20180521ENGINE

HI. THE RECALL FORD HAD ON THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES BACK IN 2013 WHEN I GOT MINE FIXED. NOW 40 THOUSANDS MILES LATER THE CAR ALMOST LUNGE INTO TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT 2 TIMES. WELL THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED. I CALLED FORD IN CABOT AND THEY WANTED OVER 200.00 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FIXED ISSUE AND IT IS NOT. FORD IN CABOT TOLD ME IT WILL HAVE TO BE CLEAN OR THE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IS AROUND 500 DOLLARS. WHAT A SCAM THEY ARE PULLING. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH ASAP. I HAVE TO SPEND 100 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT CLEANED SCAM. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT HAS LOSS OF POWER AND RUNS BAD.

Mileage: 149,897

20180521FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

HI. THE RECALL FORD HAD ON THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUES BACK IN 2013 WHEN I GOT MINE FIXED. NOW 40 THOUSANDS MILES LATER THE CAR ALMOST LUNGE INTO TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT 2 TIMES. WELL THE CAR IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE I GOT THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED. I CALLED FORD IN CABOT AND THEY WANTED OVER 200.00 HUNDRED DOLLARS TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC AND TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE. I THOUGHT THIS WAS A FIXED ISSUE AND IT IS NOT. FORD IN CABOT TOLD ME IT WILL HAVE TO BE CLEAN OR THE UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THAT IS AROUND 500 DOLLARS. WHAT A SCAM THEY ARE PULLING. THIS NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH ASAP. I HAVE TO SPEND 100 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT CLEANED SCAM. WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. IT HAS LOSS OF POWER AND RUNS BAD.

Mileage: 149,897

20180210FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE STARTING MY CAR ( PARKED ) WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN SMOKE BEGAN TO APPEAR FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER REAR VIEW WINDOW. I SAW A FLAME ( FIRE ) APPEAR FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE THE FLAME WENT OUT. AFTER THE FIRE NONE OF THE WINDOWS WILL WORK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON MANUALLY OR COME ON AS USUAL WHEN THE KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION.

Mileage: 144,000

20180210FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHILE STARTING MY CAR ( PARKED ) WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW DOWN SMOKE BEGAN TO APPEAR FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER REAR VIEW WINDOW. I SAW A FLAME ( FIRE ) APPEAR FROM BEHIND THE PASSENGER REAR VIEW MIRROR. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE THE FLAME WENT OUT. AFTER THE FIRE NONE OF THE WINDOWS WILL WORK AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT COME ON MANUALLY OR COME ON AS USUAL WHEN THE KEY IS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION.

Mileage: 144,000

20171108POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION IS BROKEN AND NEED REPLACEMENT. SAID TO BE NON-REPAIRABLE AS FORD DISCONTINUED MAKING THE TRANSMISSION 3 YEARS AFTER INTRODUCTION CAR HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES ON IT. NOW I HAVE LARGE FLOWER PLANTER AS I CAN'T DRIVE IT! FORD, BUT FOR THIS ISSUE I HAD A PERFECTLY USABLE/RELIABLE CAR! NOW IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD! WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT! HAPPENS IN MOTION

Mileage: 70,000

20171006CrashAIR BAGS

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH WITH A VEHICLE WHICH MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME. SPEED WAS 35-40MPH. I SUFFERED FRACTURED STERNUM AS A RESULT WHEN MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. CRASH HAPPENED IN EAGAN, MN. ON CLIFF ROAD

Mileage: 130,000

20171006CrashSEAT BELTS

AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH WITH A VEHICLE WHICH MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME. SPEED WAS 35-40MPH. I SUFFERED FRACTURED STERNUM AS A RESULT WHEN MY CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. CRASH HAPPENED IN EAGAN, MN. ON CLIFF ROAD

Mileage: 130,000

20170919AIR BAGS

TAKATA RECALL- FOR OVER A YEAR I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET MY TRUCK AIR BAGS FIXED AND THEY HAD GIVEN ME THE RUN AROUND [XXX]AVILA SERVICE ADVISOR FROM CASA FORD EL PASO, TX 915-775-8295, HAS IGNORED MY REQUESTS TO PLEASE ASSIST ME . HE STATED THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THEM IN STOCK, BUT FOR OVER A YEAR? I AM 80 YRS. OLD AND FEEL THAT'S WHY THEY KEEP IGNORING ME. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME? SINCERELY,[XXX]( SPANISH SPEAKING ONLY, MY DAUGHTER HELPED ME WITH THIS LETTER.) WENT OVER SPEED BUMP AND MY AIR BAGS OPENED! CALL MY DAUGHTER [XXX] IF NEEDED [XXX], LEAVE HER A MESSAGE IF NO ANSWER. THANK YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 100,000

20170629ENGINE

VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARDS WHEN ENGINE IS STARTED AND PUT INTO GEAR. COULD CASE DAMAGE TO OTHER OBJECTS OR PEOPLE.

Mileage: 100,100

20170525FireELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

THERE MANY ISSUES MOTOR JUST BLEW UP TODAY SITTING IN DRIVE WAY I JUST BOUGHT IT AND STARTED IT AND IT BLEW UP POWER STEERING WIRING CADILLAC CONVERTERS IT HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS

Mileage: 150,000

20170525FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE MANY ISSUES MOTOR JUST BLEW UP TODAY SITTING IN DRIVE WAY I JUST BOUGHT IT AND STARTED IT AND IT BLEW UP POWER STEERING WIRING CADILLAC CONVERTERS IT HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS

Mileage: 150,000

20170525FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

THERE MANY ISSUES MOTOR JUST BLEW UP TODAY SITTING IN DRIVE WAY I JUST BOUGHT IT AND STARTED IT AND IT BLEW UP POWER STEERING WIRING CADILLAC CONVERTERS IT HAS A LOT OF PROBLEMS

Mileage: 150,000

20170323ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD 500. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ALTERNATOR BURNED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED FIVE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 98,000

20161116ENGINE

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 128,000. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ

Mileage: 128,000

20161116POWER 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 128,000. UPDATED 01/05/17*LJ

Mileage: 128,000

20161013VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE ENGINE SURGES AND THE CAR LURCHES PERIODICALLY - NORMALLY AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP. IT SURGES WHEN YOU TAKE THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND PLACE THE SELECTOR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT ALSO SURGES AND LURCHES WHEN SITTING AT A LIGHT AND REMOVING PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE POTENTIAL FOR PROPERTY AND PERSONAL DAMAGE ARE SUBSTANTIAL. FORD SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS DEFECT ON OTHER WEBSITES AND NOTHING SEEMS TO BE MOVING IN THE DIRECTION OF RESOLUTION. PLEASE HELP.

Mileage: 142,000

20160909ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD 500. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THE MAINTENANCE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

Compare 2006FORD500 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 FORD 500 have?
The 2006 FORD 500 has 105 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 7 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 FORD 500?
The most-complained component for the 2006 FORD 500 is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 24 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ENGINE.
Is the 2006 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.