general problems of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred - part 1

48 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred based on all problems reported for the 2005 Five Hundred.

1 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/24/2024

I am having problem with the reset button in my 2005 Five Hundred Ford, the oil light stays on after oil changes, no one does not know how to reset, the reset button does not work, several mechanic told me not to worry about it , but the car can't pass the smog, it reads not ready, they told my to take a ride for about 50 miles and drive up to sixty miles per hour. . On going problem and I am running out of money, can you help, please.

2 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/08/2023

The engine keep going into limp mode. The car stalls out while at lights an stop signs, power steering goes out on highway an other roads making it impossible to steer or steer out of others ways, limp mode causes car to not be able to keep up with traffic on highway and other roads. Engine jerks forward an shifts irractically an shifts an downshifts hard.

3 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/10/2021

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.

4 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/26/2020

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.

5 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/07/2020

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.

6 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/09/2018

Gauges drop check engine light comes on then wrench light then one shaped like a car n starts loosen power.

7 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/24/2018

Tl 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.

8 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/07/2016

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!!!!.

9 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/05/2016

I dont feel safe driving my car I put 2000 dollars of work and still do not feel save.

10 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/12/2016

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.

11 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/04/2016

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.

12 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/17/2015

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.

13 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/21/2014

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.

14 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/16/2014

Only had the car for five months driving doen 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 ive ever bought second major incident that has happend since I got yhe car. It should be a recall major safety violation.

15 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/22/2014

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.

16 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2014

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 ?.

17 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/07/2013

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that the instrument cluster dimmed intermittently which made it difficult to see the display. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

18 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/28/2013

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle became inoperable unable to shift into gear. The failure recurred five times. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the transmission needed top be replaced. The vehicle has not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was a 139,000. Kw.

19 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/15/2013

Car drives on its own! if I do not have foot on gas on break it will continue to move. Said failsafe mode then check engine light illuminated, dash board said check engine check transmission then the light went out the following day. Now driving back to normal. I took to auto zone the day it went haywire & they advised me its a possible recall several ppl said the same issue with their Ford.

20 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2013

Driving down the interstate and the instrument cluster stopped working. The speedometer, tacometer, fuel gauge, turn signal indicator as well as the rest of the digital insturments quite working. I pulled over and checked and my outside lights and radio worked.

21 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/12/2012

Tl-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. Ec.

22 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/26/2012

Was driving my 2005 Five Hundred today. I pulled off the highway and stopped at a red light. When the light turned green I had hardly any power. No power steering, all gauges at home and a message say "engine failsafe mode". I turned the car off and restarted with no problems. I've read on different sites where people have had this same issue of the throttle sticking open and the car lunging forward or back nearly causing a wreck.

23 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/01/2012

Out side air temp was approx 96 degrees so ac was on . While shifting into reverse the vehicle lunged so hard it was uncontrollable,and unstoppable, if some one had stepped out behind me they would have died as I could only stop reward movement by shifting into drive. This occurred three times trying to get out of a parking space at a crowded mall. The vehicle then stalled. The lunging was so fast the brakes could hardly hold the car from moving in reverse. In checking there is a service bulletin TSB-05-25-13 from Ford motor company on this very issue but no recall, also many incidents/accidents recorded in this regard. If I was not prepared enough during this incident in a crowded parking lot some one would have died, this must be addressed b-4 someone is run over. Currently Ford has no comment. Please contact me for further details.

24 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/10/2012

One day in June I was pulling up to a store parking space rolling roughly 5mph. I had my foot on the brake, I was about to stop. Without touching the gas my 2005 Ford Five Hundred lunged at the building as if the throttle was stuck wide open! I had to push the break as hard as I could to keep it from crashing into the store! Ford should have a recall on this issue! it is extremely dangerous! this has happened to many Ford Five Hundred owners! last month in January my Five Hundred had other issues. I was driving 35mph and all of a sudden my car had no power, I gave it gas and it would growl but no power. I had to pull over and shut the car off. One restarted it returned to normal but the wrench icon light was on the dash. I have also had an idling problem. While at idle my car would sputter. The rpm's were low and it would idle rough and surge from low to high, I tried hitting the gas pedal and the car stalled! again other Ford Five Hundred owners also experienced these issues! Ford its time to step up and do a recall!!!!.

25 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/01/2012

During warm weather with the a/c operating, the rpms surge and the vehicle lunges in the direction of the transmission lever selection (forward or reverse) when moving the shift lever from park to drive or from park to reverse with driver's foot on the brake. Engine rpms surge up to approx. 1,500 from idle at a dead stop without input from accelerator pedal. Different indicator lights come on and often the engine dies after the surge. If driver does not keep appropriate pressure on break pedal while shifting from park, the vehicle will accelerate without input from gas pedal. This surge also happens when decelerating to a stop. Vehicle slows down and rpms decrease to approx 600 (idle), and with pressure applied to brake pedal, engine rpms will increase, without input from accelerator pedal, forcing the driver to increase pressure on brake pedal or risk uncontrolled forward movement. Initial reports indicate a faulty throttle body as referenced in NHTSA investigation # pe110818.

26 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/01/2012

The headlight socket on both headlights are over heating and melting causing the bulb not to operate. I'm just nervous that this will cause a fire as all the parts are plastic. I also noted on line that it is a very real problem and I'm not the only one experiencing this.

27 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/02/2012

The electronic throttle body is bad in majority of vehicles in my class year. This costly repair causes the vehicle to lunge forward while in drive and lunge backwards while in reverse. It is worst when the ac is on,,it causes the vehicle to idle high and low to the point of almost shutting off the vehicle in traffic.

28 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/13/2012

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that while entering the vehicle, he noticed that smoke filled the interior. The contact then noticed that the trunk light was on fire. The contact was able to extinguish the fire. The fire department was not called and no one was injured. The contact called the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000.

29 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/11/2011

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that the lights on the instrument failed and all of the gauges were inoperable. In addition, the rear back up sensors were buzzing haphazardly. The contact checked all of the fuses and was unable to locate a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not inspected by the dealer or a mechanic. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

30 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/23/2011

We have a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. Two days ago, the car failed to respond when the accelerator was pressed, even as it was pressed to the floor. The wrench light came on and the car started lunging and hesitating in addition to not accelerating properly. This occurred while driving through a very busy intersection; thankfully, I was able to move the car with my two small children out of traffic. A diagnostic computer provided two codes - p2106 and p061b. This is not the first time the car has lunged; it has been doing this for approximately 1. 5 years. It has repeated this several times in both drive and reverse. In most instances, the air conditioner was running at the same time; however, the car has lunged when the a/c was not on. The lunging occurs when the car is being driven or sitting idle (I. E. , stop lights, preparing to merge into traffic). I have been able to avoid accidents by keeping my foot firmly on the brake and by creating a large stopping distance cushion. We contacted the dealer and were told the entire throttle body would need replaced, at a cost of over $530. 00. We are now reviewing our options.

31 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/29/2011

Dashboard has been erratic, completely blank.

32 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/22/2011

During normal operation the instrument cluster gauges (speedometer, tachometer, etc. . ) swing from 0 to max and then down to 0. The gauges stay like that for awhile then return to operation. During the gauge outage the reverse lights on the car come on. This could lead to an accident if the driver behind you is not paying attention as well as possible equipment violation tickets from the local police. There is a technical service bulliten about the problem but Ford doesn't seem to think this is a safety issue. The car in question is a 2005 Ford 500 with less than 50k miles on it. The car is pristine in all other areas, we baby the car.

33 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/23/2011

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. While driving approximately 70 mph, all of the gauges on the instrument cluster stopped functioning and displayed readings of zero. The contact continued to drive and the instrument cluster began working a few moments later. The failure occurred intermittently while driving at any speed. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 70,000.

34 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/07/2011

The throttle body is defective and needs to be replaced. The symptoms are very dangerous: the car goes into fail safe mode and cannot accelerate. On one occasion this happened in the middle of the road; fortunately it was a quiet street and I was able to coast to the side of the street. If this had happened on a busy street it could have caused injury or death. Several mechanics did different kinds of repairs, but the problem kept recurring. We are now getting the throttle body replaced and hope this is the final repair that removes the problem. Numerous other Ford Five Hundred owners have experienced this (per internet research). Ford needs to recall the Five Hundred and replace the throttle body to prevent injury or death.

35 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/12/2011

My 05 Ford 500 has 58,000 miles on it and now the dash lights flash/go off and the gauges read 0. The reverse lights come on too. It was very scary when it happened. It appears to be at random: no particular time of day, no certain weather, and at no particular speed. I have family members who also have Ford 500s and say this has happened to them as well. This issue needs to be addressed!.



Fuel Economy of Five Hundred Vehicles
Five Hundred Service Bulletins
Five Hundred Safety Recalls
Five Hundred Defect Investigations