general problems of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred - part 2

The gauges periodically go flat and the reverse lights come on. Ford knows about this, they've issued a technical service bulletin (TSB 06-17-9). The problem is a faulty solder joint and the instrument cluster needs to be replaced. This is not due to normal wear from driving but from poor design and should be recalled. Ford should correct their mistakes.

As I was slowing to turn off of a state highway, my car shut off and displayed a message that said "failsafe engine mode. " I was somewhat able to steer, so I completed my turn onto a side street, where the car drifted to a stop. I was able to restart the car and drive home. The next morning, the car would start but immediately shut off, displaying the same error message. I had it towed to a garage, which indicated that the diagnostic test revealed a failed electronic throttle body. They ordered a replacement part, which was then installed. Incidentally, the part had since been redesigned by Ford. Once that part was reinstalled, the computer was reflashed to "learn" that a new throttle body assembly was installed. The computer would not learn the new part, though, so a new computer had to be ordered and installed. Over the last five years, this same problem (shutting off while driving) had occurred, but in each case I was able to restart the car without any further problem. This was dangerous in that my car simply shut off while I was driving,making a left turn across oncoming traffic. Fortunately nobody was coming the other direction, so I was able to safely drift through the oncoming lane to another side street. Also, it is important to note that while my car was at the dealership having the throttle body replaced, I was told that there were approximately five other Ford Five Hundred vehicles in the shop at the same time for the same problem with their electronic throttles as well.

Not sure the exact time but within the past year or so my 2005 Ford Five Hundred ( purchased new) is going into failsafe mode limited throttle power, very sporatic at first but now happening quite often. If you pull over and shut the car off and restart it clears and drives normal. My daughter was driving it yesterday and it happened 7 times from mall to the house (about 20 miles). Once while she was in heavy traffic driving about 55 mph. Car jerked then started slowing down. This is a safety issue that needs to be looked at. Very dangerous. My mechanic is trouble shooting problem, looking like throttle body or gas pedal. I believe Ford came out with a new throttle body in 2010 to correct the problem (TSB 05-25-13)but will only replace it at their cost if still under warranty, otherwise the cost is on us the consumer. (about a thousand dollars).

Ford 500 2005 - 74k miles. . . . Car started jerking forward as soon as I lift my foot off the brake,which has almost caused me to run into things in a parking lot full of cars. The sensors went out,which I wasn't aware of until I backed into a tree without warning. Now the air conditioning has gone out and it seems my car is not the only one with these problems.

We own a 2005 Ford 500 and my wife has taken it to 3 different Ford dealers to have an issue looked at. The vehicle has stalled on her over a dozen times while driving down the highway and it has gone into fail safe mode. The vehicle seems to lurch when in gear either drive or reverse. I've looked up the issue on line and it appears to be very common with this model of vehicle. Throttle body and reprogramming of the pcm. I believe this to be a very big safety issue and there needs to be a recall on these before someone gets severely hurt.

I purchased a 2005 Ford 500 4-door sedan 2-1/2 years ago from a Ford dealership. It was described as a "program" car. I soon noticed that the dashboard display lights would not light up during daylight hours, even though the rheostat was set on maximum brilliance. I proved this by driving into a dark parking garage and saw that the said lights turned on at maximum. I asked the service manager about this and he said Ford had wired the lights through the solar switch via the electronic control unit and could not be changed. This is a dangerous distraction when driving in daylight hours and to see the information o the dashboard the running lights must be turned off. In my opinion this defect needs to be remedied with a recall. Thank you.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact noticed that the instrument cluster would become dark intermittently which made it impossible to see the instrument display. When the vehicle accelerated forward the back up lights would illuminate without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who informed the contact that the instrument cluster was faulty and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. None of the repairs were performed. The current mileage was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

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.

My needles and controls fail on my 2005 Ford Five Hundred awd. I have had the cluster replaced twice (out of pocket) when it fails, my reverse lights come on, turn signals fail and sometimes my radio fails (not really a safety issue but is annoying) my airbags are deactive when the event occurs. I know Ford knows about the issue and should do a recall as I have noticed (more than I should for there not to be a recall) alot of other Five Hundred/monteigo drivers with the exact same problem.

I am driving a 2005 Ford Five Hundred with the characteristics of TSB 06-17-9 where the instrumentation quits working and then comes back. This has happened several times. However, in addition to that, sometimes the turn signals quit working and when that happens the air bag light comes on and the back up light comes on even though the car is not in reverse. After the car sits a while, this clears up, but the check engine light will be on. It is going in the shop in two days and hopefully can be fixed, hopefully no charge. The turn signal issue is obviously a safety issue.

I purchased a 2005 Ford 500 ltd. The first incident occurred while driving home from atlantic city. The dashboard lit up like I was starting the car and went into failsafe engine mode. After pulling over, the car ran normal. The next occurrence was when the car started shutting off while driving. It has done this on numerous occastions. Then the dashboard lit up again and the reverse lights stayed on. This winter season the door latches would not catch to keep the doors shut. After it rains the rear doors have water sitting inside of them. Upon doing some research, I found that these problems were on Ford's technical service bulliten (TSB). I called Ford and they said there were no recalls according to the vehicle identification number. They also stated that there was work done prior to me purchasing the vehicle. I also had the car worked on for the electrical problem and was told the car was fixed. The car is still experiencing these problems. I don't have the finances to continue to have work done and the problems not be fixed.

Upon starting car and a few minutes after driving the car, the car starts to spit and sputter and totally shuts down. This has happened at least 8 times in the past 4 months and has left me to swerve on the highway before it shuts completely down so I am not in a dangerous situation (completely stopped in the middle of flowing traffic). The message "engine fail safe mode" comes on. We have had car to the dealer numerous times and they cannot find anything wrong. Problem has not been fixed and car continues to stop.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. While driving 30 mph the vehicle began shaking and then idling as if it wanted to shut off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and inspected where it was determined that the valve body box was failing and the cost for repair would be $1800. 00. The vehicle has not been repaired and the contact is trying to get the manufacturer to cover the cost of the repair. The contact called the manufacturer and a complaint was filed and the contact was advised that her claim would be reviewed. The failure mileage was 25,281 and the current mileage was 74,000. Updated 11/10/09 the consumer stated the vehicle shut off several times, the gauge act erratically. Updated 11/18/09.