2005 Ford Five Hundred Complaint Log

WHEN THE CAR IS VERY WARM (START AFTER A SHORT TIME OF BEING PARKED OR 100+ DEGREE DAY), WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVS TO 1,500 RPM AND THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES MAKING THE CAR LURCH FORWARD, THEN STALLS OCCASIONALLY. THE SERVICE INDICATOR (WRENCH) LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ENGINE OPERATES IN FAIL-SAFE MODE. IF THIS HAPPENS, THEN THE CAR LURCHES WHEN YOU LET OF THE THROTTLE (TRANSMISSION "CLUNKS"). TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT UNTIL IT COOLS AND THE SERVICE LIGHT TURNS OFF AND THE CAR DRIVES NORMAL AGAIN. IT'S A CVT TRANSMISSION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO PARK, THE CONTACT NOTICED A LOUD WHINING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, SHE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE REPAIR COULD COST UP TO $5,100. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON APRIL 15, 2009, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000.

WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OF OUR 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD GO OUT. ALL THE GAUGES DROP DOWN TO ZERO. SOMETIMES THIS LASTS FOR A SECOND. SOMETIMES IT WILL GO OUT FOR HOURS. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE YOU DO NOT HAVE A SPEEDOMETER READING. *TR

I RECENTLY TOOK MY CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION ONLY TO BE ADVISED THAT I NEEDED REAR BRAKE ROTORS, REAR BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE FLUID FLUSH. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME I'VE REPLACED THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROX. 83,000 MILES ON IT AND I LIVE IN THE SUBURBS. I ARGUE WITH THE SERVICE TECH'S EVERY TIME THEY INSIST THAT THE BRAKES NEED TO BE REPLACED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A CAR CAN GO THROUGH SO MANY BRAKES IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. *TR

2005 FORD 500 - LIMITED RECEIVED A AWD MALFUNCTION WITH IN THE DASHBOARD WARNING SYSTEM. THE MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS. NO APPARENT DRIVABILTY WHEN THE MALFUNCTION COMES ON. WOULD RESET IT SELF AFTER THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND THE WARNING WOULD COME ON BACK ON AFTER APPROXIMATELY 25 MINS OF DRIVING. BROUGHT THE CAR TO AUTO MECHANIC AND HAD THE COMPUTER CONNECTED AND GOT A P1889 CODE, WHICH IS TO REPLACE THE OIL PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. AFTER REPLACING THE SENSOR WITH A KIT SUPPLIED BY FORD THE WARNING STILL CAME UP THE NEXT DAY AFTER 25 MINS OF DRIVING. THAT IS WERE I AM TODAY. *TR

LOW BEAM BULBS AND PLUGS ARE NOT SAFE. THEY HAVE MELTED AND MALFUNCTIONED ON BOTH SIDES. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE DRIVER SIDE. I WORKED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE PLUG/BULB CONNECTION SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. NOW THE PLUG ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAS BURNED UP AS WELL. I HAVE SOMEWHAT DRAMATIC PHOTOS THAT I CAN SEND YOU. *TR STEVE

I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2008. AT THE TIME THE CAR HAD 68K MILES, AND NO WARRANTY. IN JANUARY, MY CAR STARTED DOWN-SHIFTING VERY ROUGH AROUND 1000 RPM. THIS HAPPENS AT EVERY DOWN-SHIFT AFTER THE ENGINE REACHES A CERTAIN TEMPERATURE. IT ALSO SHIFTS HARD WHEN I ACCELERATE AS IF TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE INTERSTATE. FORD HAS FLASHED THE COMPUTER AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. THEY SUGGESTED THAT I REPLACE THE VALVE BODY AND FLUID. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING MESSAGE BOARDS AND HAVE NOTICED MANY OTHER CONSUMERS ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THEIR FIVE HUNDREDS, TAURUSES, AND MONTEGOS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. HOWEVER, NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE FOUND A SOLUTION AT THIS TIME, AND FORD HAS NOT MADE ANY RECALLS. I REFUSE TO SHELL OUT RIDICULOUS AMOUNTS OF MONEY TO "MAYBE" FIX THIS SERIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. ALSO, I AM UNABLE TO TRADE MY CAR FOR SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE IT IS NOW COMPLETELY DEVALUED. PLEASE HELP THE HUNDREDS OF FORD CONSUMERS WHO SHARE IN THIS ISSUE. *TR

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. *TR

2005 FORD 500 SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTS TO NEUTRAL WHEN DRIVER IS ATTEMPTING TO PASS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. SO FAR OTHER DRIVERS HAVE ALSO COMPLAINED TO FORD. SO FAR FORD IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THIS AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. *TR

TAKATA RECALL DOOR LATCHES AND LINKS. AS LIKE ALL THE OTHER COMPLAINTS WHEN IT GETS COLD MY DOOR WILL OPEN BUT IT WILL NOT CLOSE. WHEN IT FIRST OCCURRED MY DOOR FLEW OPEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I LOOKED UP THE RECALL BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED THIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME.ON A CITY STREET AT 6:00 IN THE MORNING.

HI I'M FROM MEXICO AND I GOT A PROBLEM WITH MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 TRANSMISSION WHICH I HAVE READ A LOT OF CONSUMERS ALSO GOT, IN FACT I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE JOB (IN THE CHAOTIC CITY OF MEXICO) WHEN SUDDENLY IT BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN THE CAR GOT NO TRACTION, I CANT ACCELERATE NEITHER SUSTAIN VELOCITY, FORTUNATELY THE CAR THAT WAS BEHIND ME REALIZE OF MY PROBLEM AND AWARE THE TRAFFIC TO DE-ACCELERATE, AFTER THAT I STOP THE CAR AND SEE THAT IT WAS SPILLING OIL FROM THE TRANSMISSION. I TURN IT OFF AND RESTART THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR STILL DOES NOT MOVE BY ITSELF SO I WAIT FOR THE WRECKING CRANE TO TAKE THE CAR WITH THE DEALER. WHAT IMPRESSED ME IS THAT THE CAR ONLY GOT 25,000 MILES AND IT WAS SPILLING OIL. THE TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE CHANGED, BUT MY WARRANTY RUN OUT ON JANUARY AND THE CHANGE OF WILL HAVE A COST OF 10,000 US DOLLARS. I'M WRITING TO YOU TO CHECK WITH FORD THIS PROBLEMS CAUSE THE LOSE THE LOSE CONTROL OF THE ENGINE AND THE JERK SPILLING OIL WILL PROBABLY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

SPORADICALLY, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ON MY CAR FAILS. SOMETIMES THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO OFF, SOMETIMES ALL THE NEEDLES GOT TO "0" AND JUST TWITCH FOR A FEW SECONDS. THEN THEY COME BACK UP. THIS HAPPENS DAY AND NIGHT, WARM AND COLD. IT STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 60,000 MILES. *TR

I PURCHASED A USED 2005 FORD 500 LTD AWD IN MAY 2008. I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LEASE TURN IN. THE MILEAGE WAS VERY LOW, UNDER 30,000 MILES. THE FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JULY 2008. IN OCTOBER 2008, MY DASH BEGAN MALFUNCTIONING. THE GAUGES WOULD GO COMPLETELY DEAD. I COULD NOT TELL HOW FAST I WAS GOING, HOW MUCH GAS I HAD LEFT OR THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ENGINE. NOTHING ON MY DASH WOULD WORK. IT VARIED FROM LASTING SECONDS TO APPX A HALF AN HOUR. I DROVE HOME ONE NIGHT (IT TOOK ME APPX 25 MINUTES) NOT KNOWING HOW FAST I WAS GOING OR HOW MUCH GAS I HAD LEFT. ALSO, THE REVERSE LIGHTS WERE ON WHEN MY CAR WAS IN BOTH DRIVE AND PARK. I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT (MY CAR WAS IN DRIVE) AND THE REVERSE SENSOR ALARM WENT OFF WHEN A CAR PULLED UP BEHIND ME. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IT FROM & WERE TOLD IT WAS A CLUSTER IN THE DASH THAT WAS A "KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE" BUT BECAUSE IT WAS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE" FORD DID NOT HAVE TO RECALL THIS. I FEEL THAT NOT BEING ABLE TO KNOW WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY TO BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO HAVING YOUR REVERSE LIGHTS ON WHILE THE CAR IS IN PARK OR DRIVE SEEMS A BIT DANGEROUS AS WELL. WE HAD IT REPAIRED AND IT COST US OVER 400.00. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, WE HAD TO HAVE ANOTHER "CLUSTER" REPAIRED THAT WAS MAKING MY TRANSMISSION SHAKE & THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AS WELL ANOTHER WARNING LIGHT APPEAR. IT WAS A SENSOR THAT WENT BAD AND WAS MAKING MY CAR THINK IT WAS OUT OF GAS. THIS COST US ALMOST 350.00 TO REPAIR. NOT SURE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE SENSORS/CLUSTERS ON THESE CARS BUT IT SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE TO ME. *TR

WHEN IT RAINS OR WHEN I GO TO THE CARWASH RIGHT REAR DOOR FILLS WITH WATER THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS. *TR

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE INVESTIGATION REOPENED FOR NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE07058 AND A RECALL BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. AT THE SAME TIME THIS OCCURRED THE RADIO VOLUME WOULD DECREASE AS IF I WAS COMING TO A STOP, THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD FAIL (JUST THE INDICATION ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER), AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE. THIS WOULD LAST FROM A FEW SECONDS TO SEVERAL MINUTES AT A TIME. ON THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS PULLED OVER BY THE POLICE AND GIVEN A VERBAL WARNING IN REGARDS TO MY REVERSE LIGHTS BEING ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE POLICE ASSUMED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE(BLOWN BULB/BROKE LENSES) AS MY REVERSE LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED CAUSING AN UNSAFE CONDITION. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE FORD DEALER NOW, THE DEALER DID SUPPLY ME WITH ANOTHER CAR UNTIL MINE WAS REPAIRED AS THEY DEEMED THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THIS CONDITION. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT I WILL BE LOOKING AT A $100-200 DOLLAR DEDUCTIBLE AS THIS IS NOT DIRECTLY COVERED ON THE WARRANTY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE AN ACCIDENT/DEATH OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THIS KNOWN EXISTING PROBLEM. *TR

2005 FORD 500 REAR BRAKE PROBLEM. AT 42,469 MILES A GRINDING NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. BOTH REAR ROTORS AND PADS WERE DAMAGED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE NOT WORN. FORD DOES NOT PAY TO CORRECT THIS WHICH IS EVIDENTLY A DESIGN PROBLEM. *TR

STARTED DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AS I NORMALLY DO, EXCEPT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING, MY A/C TURNED OFF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER STOPPING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL. ABOUT 40 MINUTES LATER A SIMILAR SITUATION OCCURRED, ONLY THIS TIME JUST THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. MY CRUISE CONTROL STILL WORKED BUT MY TACH, SPEED, BATTERY AND POWER GAUGE ALL DROPPED TO ZERO, HOWEVER THE LIGHTS REMAINED ON. I AM WRITING TODAY BECAUSE I SAW ONLINE THAT OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL ARE HAVING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IF THE LIGHTS CUT OFF AT RANDOM. I'M SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ISSUED OR AN ACCIDENT YET AS A RESULT OF THIS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHAKES AND EXPERIENCES DIFFICULTY SWITCHING GEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 10/16/08 *BF THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THERE WAS SOME INTERNAL DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 10/20/08.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DOWNSHIFTED GEARS AND THE RPMS BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT INCREASE IN SPEED AND IT STAYED IN ONE GEAR. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP BUT THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 41,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 31,000.

FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO MY FORD FIVE HUNDRED (2005 @ 64,000 TEXAS HWY MILES) HAS BEEN SHIFTING HARD AND CHANGING GEARS ERRATICALLY, WHILE MAKING CLUNKING NOISES. WE TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR SHOP AND THEY WERE MYSTIFIED SO THEY SENT IT TO THEIR TRANSMISSION SPECIALTY SHOP. IT TURNS OUT THAT THEY HAVE ANOTHER FIVE HUNDRED IN THE SHOP GETTING ITS TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE SAME PROBLEMS. WE JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND OIL CHANGED BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER SERVICE CENTER AND THEY GAVE THEM THE CODES TO 'FLASH' THE NEWEST CODES INTO THE TRANSMISSION & THROTTLE COMPUTERS. NO CHANGE. THEY TESTED NEW TRANSMISSION MODULES WITH NO CHANGE. SO NOW THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO CHANGE OUT THE TRANSMISSION @ $4,300. THIS IS NOT GOOD! THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST SAYS THIS IS THE 4TH FIVE HUNDRED HE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH AND THAT THEY CANNOT GET PARTS TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION SO THEY HAVE NO OTHER OPTION BUT TO REPLACE IT. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND THEY ALSO SAY THEY CANNOT GET PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION. TOMORROW I AM GOING TO THE BIG GUYS AT FORD AND GET AN ANSWER FROM THEM ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON. *TR

I HAVE AN 05 FORD 500, 2 WHEEL DRIVE, W/6 SPEED AT/TRANS. AT 30K MILES IT DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION "SLIPPAGE/JERK" WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP FROM 35MPH OR LESS. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE SAME WHEN ACCELERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OR CLIMBING A HILL WHEN I HIT PASSING GEAR. I CANNOT USE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN HILLY TERRAIN BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. IT FEELS AS IF THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE CAR WILL JERK LOOSE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED TO SWITCH LANES; HOWEVER, THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT. HE HEARD A LOUD, BANGING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO REMAIN AT THE SPEED HE WAS TRAVELING BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED THREE DAYS LATER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS DOWNSHIFTING FAILURE, AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,100 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

I NOTICE YEARS AGO THAT WHEN I WOULD BE BACKING UP OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THAT MY CAR WOULD WANT TO ACCELERATE OR JUST SPEED UP. I WOULD BE BARELY PRESSING ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE I WAS LETTING THE CAR USE IT'S IDLENESS SPEED TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE OR PULL INTO THE PARKING SPACE. MY HUSBAND THOUGHT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS USING THE ADJUSTABLE FOOT PEDAL. HE DOES NOT DRIVE THE CAR VERY MUCH. SHORTLY AFTER THIS ALL STARTED WE PURCHASED ME ANOTHER CAR, I STOP DRIVING MY FORD 500 VERY MUCH. IT SITS IN THE GARAGE A LOT. I LET MY DAUGHTER USE THE CAR ONCE AND SHE COMPLAIN OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO HER AND HOW IT SCARED HER. I AM ALSO SCARED OF IT AND ONLY DRIVE IT IN EMERGENCY AND I ALWAYS TRY TO BE PREPARED TO EXPECT THIS TO HAPPEN. IT HAS NO PATTERN OF WHEN OR HOW IT HAPPENS IT ALL UNEXPECTED, WORKING PROPERLY ONE MINUTE AND SPEEDING UP THE NEXT. THIS CAR HAS ONE OTHER ISSUE WHEN IT RAINS IT LEAKS WE FIND WATER IN THE FLOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE FLOOR. THIS CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR TESTING IF NEEDED BECAUSE WE HAVE A 2ND CAR THAT I DRIVE BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. WE KEEP IT BECAUSE IT IS PAID FOR. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THEY ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THEY WAS TO TURN THE WHEEL IT WOULD USUALLY DIE ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, POWERSTEERING PUMP, BELT AND THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR STILL DIES. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THEM IS THAT THEY HAVE NEVER COME ACROSS THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. WHAT MADE ME TAKE THE CAR IN TO BEGIN WITH WAS THAT I WENT TO START THE CAR AFTER PLAYING TENNIS FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES AND IT WOULDN'T START. THE BATTERY WAS SOMEWHAT DEAD AND THE SECURITY LIGHT WAS FLASHING RAPIDLY. *TR

MY INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WILL BLINK OFF AND ON. STARTED ABOUT 6/1/2008. DOES IT RANDOMLY IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. MOSTLY ON INITITAL START UP. *TR

REAR BRAKES EXCESSIVE WEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,500.

I WOULD LIKE A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED FOR THE FORD 500, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAS A DEFECT CAUSING ALL OF THE NEEDLES AND CONTROLS TO MALFUNCTION LEAVING THE DRIVER WITH NO SPEEDOMETER, GAS GAUGE OR TEMPERATURE GAUGE, FORD IS AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN TO THE DEALERS, HOWEVER, WITH NO RECALL YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PANEL AND THIS MAY KEEP SOME PEOPLE FROM HAVING THEM REPLACED, I WAS CHARGED A $100 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR AND IN ALL FAIRNESS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY A FORD RECALL SINCE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE!! *TR

ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY(SURGING). CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. JUST BEFORE GETTING HOME THE ENGINE BACKFIRED THROUGH THE TAILPIPE(TWICE) THE CAR STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE ENGINE HAD BLOWN UP. AN EXHAUST VALVE HEAD AND THE REMAINS OF THE PISTON WERE FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. A NEW 3 LITRE DURATECH ENGINE IS GOING TO BE ORDERED UNDER WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE BROKEN ONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S CLIENT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE THE CLIENT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH, SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. SHE ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, BUT THE SPEED CONTINUED TO INCREASE. THE CLIENT ALSO APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND ENCOUNTERED A PICKUP TRUCK TRAVELING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. SHE CROSSED OVER THE DOUBLE-YELLOW LINE ON A 2-LANE ROAD AND PASSED THE PICKUP TRUCK. THE DRIVER OF THE PICKUP INFORMED POLICE THAT HE NOTICED BRAKES BEING APPLIED, SMELLED, AND SAW BLUE SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CLIENT THEN SIDE SWIPED A GUARDRAIL FOR APPROXIMATELY 40 FEET. THE FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT AND THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED ACROSS THE ROADWAY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED INJURIES. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE STRUCK AN EMBANKMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE BECAME AIRBORNE FOR APPROXIMATELY 70 FEET AND LANDED ON ITS SIDE. AT THAT TIME, ONLY THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER TWICE AND LANDED AT A RECENTLY PLANTED FLOWER BED. THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DISENGAGED AS WELL. PART OF THE CRASH WAS CAUGHT ON TAPE BY A PENNSYLVANIA DOT SURVEILLANCE CAMERA. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000. UPDATED 04/29/08. *LJ

WAS DRIVING IN TOWN ON TUESDAY MORNING AND MY FORD 500 (2005) SHUT DOWN AND THE MESSAGE FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE CAME ON ALONG WITH A WRENCH. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS, I WAS FORTUNATE THAT THIS OCCURRENCE HAPPENED WHEN THERE WAS NOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. CAR IS NOW IMMOVABLE AND WAITING TO BE TOWED IN TO DEALERSHIP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT PARKED THE VEHICLE, TURNED OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. HE WALKED INTO THE HOUSE WITH HIS KEYS AND THE VEHICLE TURNED ITSELF ON. THE CONTACT ORIGINALLY THOUGHT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC START SYSTEM, BUT IT DOES NOT. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 23,820.

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED USED LAST 2/07; ON 3/4/08 MY INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE DRIVING. NO GAUGES, LIGHTS, NOTHING. I TOOK IT TO MY FORD DEALER 3/5/08 WHO LOOKED AT IT, AFTER 3 HOURS RETURNED IT TO ME SAYING I NEEDED A NEW INSTRUMENT PANEL, BUT THEY HAD TO ORDER ONE AND SAID TO COME BACK WHEN THEY HAD IT. THE PANEL WORKED, SO I WONDERED WHAT WAS UP; HOWEVER AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE GAUGES WOULD QUIT MOMENTARILY BEFORE WORKING AGAIN PERIODICALLY. I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM FORD ABOUT MY PART, ALSO, THEY SAY I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT, I'VE OWNED 5 CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD AN INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED EVER. I'VE OWNED VEHICLES FOR 10 YEARS. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR A FACTORY DEFECT WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE YET TO GET THE PART REPLACED, AS THEY DON'T SEEM TO HAVE ONE YET. SO I RISK MY SAFETY EVERY TIME I DRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM'S INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR DUE TO THE OVER ACCELERATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I PURCHASED MY FIRST FORD PRODUCT IN THE SPRING OF 2007. IN DECEMBER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR WOULD NOT CLOSE. THERE WAS A TSB DATED 06-25-04 FOR WHICH SERVICE WAS CLAIMED TO HAVE BEEN PERFORMED. ON FEBRUARY 11, 2008 AGAIN THE DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. I HAD TO DRIVE IT UP TO FAMILY FORD IN WATERBURY, HOLDING THE DOOR CLOSED. ALL THEY DID ON THAT DAY WAS SPRAY SOME SORT OF LUBRICANT IN THE DOOR LATCH. TODAY, FEBRUARY 28TH AT 5:30 AM WHILE TAKING A RIGHT TURN ON MY WAY INTO WORK, THE DOOR FLEW OPEN. IT HAD NOT LATCHED. I HAD TO SLAM THE DOOR FIVE TIMES TO GET IT TO LATCH CLOSED. THIS IS NOW THE THIRD INCIDENT WITH THIS DOOR. I FEEL THIS NOW FALLS INTO THE LEMON LAW CATEGORY. FAMILY FORD JUST WANTS TO SPRAY LUBRICANT AND TRY TO BLAME DAMP WEATHER. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED GM VEHICLES AND NEVER HAVE I HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED, INTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, VEHICLE ODO 20K MILES, MULTIPLE FAILURES, PANEL GOES DARK, THEN ALL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE. DRIVABILITY NOT AFFECTED. NEW DEFECT ON CAR. *TR

PURCHASED MY 500 9/05 IT ONLY HAD 5 MILES ON IT. 6 MONTHS LATER LOUD EXPLOSION IN ENGINE WHICH BEGAN TO LEAK SOME SORT OF FLUID GOT THE CAR TOWED TO DEALER PURCHASED WAS TOLD A/C LEAKING OIL AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MANIFOLD I WASN'T EVEN USING THE A/C WAS MARCH!!! MY DASH CONSOLE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE IT WAS DEFECTIVE AND THE COMPUTER ALSO HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED SINCE THE CAR WOULDN'T START IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER THIS HAPPENED IN JAN06......MY FUEL STRAPS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL AND MY DOOR LOCKS WERE REPLACED DUE TO RECALL AND I HAD 22K MILES WHEN THE BACK BRAKES BEGAN MAKING A TERRIBLE GRINDING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP TOOK TO DEALER SAID THAT ALTHOUGH CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY BRAKES ARE UNDER WEAR AND TEAR AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED NOW WHICH DIDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE SINCE THE FRONT BRAKES WERE GOOD HOW COULD BACK BRAKES GO BAD BEFORE FRONT BRAKES UNLESS YOU ONLY DRIVE YOUR CAR IN REVERSE????? I PAID THE $400 TO FIX SINCE WAS INFORMED 500 ROTORS CANT BE TURNED EVER WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW ONES......THEN 6 MONTHS LATER BRAKES WERE RECALLED AND I DID REQUEST REFUND WHICH I DID RECEIVE. HOWEVER I NOW HAVE 44K NO LONGER HAVE WARRANTY SINCE EXPIRED AND I DIDN'T BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY BROUGHT CAR IN TO FORD SINCE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF ALONG WITH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT THEN HAD TRANS CENSOR REPLACED WAS TOLD THAT WAS PROBLEM THEN 2 DAYS LATER LIGHT STILL TURNING ON AND CAR WILL NOT REVERSE TOOK INTO DEALER AGAIN WAS TOLD TRANS AXLE BROKE IN HALF AND NEED NEW TRANS WHICH COSTS $5300 CAR IS ONLY WORK 9K!!!! FORD COMPANY SAID THEY WILL OFFER ASSISTANCE ONLY OF 3K SINCE OUT OF WARRANTY THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HAD I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I WOULD ONLY BE PAYING $100 NOTHING LIKE THROWING THAT IN YOUR FACE. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO PAY IT NEED A CAR AND AM A SINGLE PARENT OF 2. ALSO BACK DOORS TRIM IS COMING APART PASSENGER SINCE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD FLICKER ON AND OFF WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED COMPLETELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 48,000.

THIS IS THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING #06V383000 WITH MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE IT WAS NOT A FORD RECALL THAT THEY COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT GET EXTREMELY COLD OUT. SOME TIMES I HAVE TO DRIVE TO WORK HOLDING THE DOOR UNTIL THE LATCH CATCHES. ANY AND ALL HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK YOU *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE A FRAME DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 55,000.

FORD FIVE HUNDRED '05 BRAKES APPLIED IN HEAVY BRAKING SITUATION ON HIGHWAY AND THE FUEL CUT-OFF MECHANISM ACTIVATED. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART, HAD TO BE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP. DEALER REPORTED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE CUT-OFF SWITCH, BY THE FRONT PASSENGER FOOT AREA HAD COME LOSE. RE-SET OF MECHANISM NOT POSSIBLE, HAD TO HAVE THE WIRING RE-DONE AND RE-CONFIGURED BY THE DEALER SERVICE AREA. THIS IS A DEFINITE DESIGN FLAW AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS IT COULD OCCUR WHEN CAR IS OPERATING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IF IT IS EXPOSED TO PASSENGER FOOT BUMP. *TR

I OWN A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR OIL CHANGE MAINTENANCE ON 11/25 AND TO HAVE THE TIRES ROTATED AND ALIGNED, THE MECHANIC SAID THE REAR BRAKES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 95% WORN, AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IN SHORT ORDER. THIS IS UNUSUAL SINCE THE VEHICLE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND ONLY HAD 21,300 MILES. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR THAT MAKE OF VEHICLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ONLY THE WRENCH AND AIR BAG INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IT WAS DARK OUTSIDE AND THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER WERE NOT VISIBLE. THE RADIO WAS STILL OPERATING. AFTER 15 MINUTES, THERE WAS A POWER SURGE AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL AT THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,200. UPDATED 01-30-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON JANUARY 11, 2008 AND STATED THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TO PROBLEM AND RESET THE SYSTEM. UPDATED 01/30/08 *TR

DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MILES PER HOUR A LOUD NOISE EMANATED FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, ENGINE RPMS RACED FROM 1500 TO 4500, A CLATTERING NOISE FOLLOWED SOUNDING LIKE A METAL SPOON DROPPED INTO A RUNNING GARBAGE DISPOSAL, CAR DRAMATICALLY SLOWED COMPLETE LOSS OF ACCELERATION CONTROL, STEERING CONTROL UNCERTAIN AS CAR WANDERED. NO UNUSUAL EVENTS OCCURRED PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, ITS OCCURRENCE CAME WITHOUT WARNING AND WAS TOTALLY UNEXPECTED. EVENT OCCURRED ON TWO LANE RURAL ROAD,VEHICLES FOLLOWING AND ONCOMING HAD TO TAKE EVASIVE ACTION BUT NO COLLISION OCCURRED. PASSENGERS STRANDED. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. RIGHT AXLE SHAFT BROKEN IN HALF. RIGHT AXLE CARRIER BEARING BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND SPLINES DAMAGED. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. AXLE SHAFT AND CARRIER BEARING WERE REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION SPLINES FILED DOWN. *TR

2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED REAR BRAKES WORN AT 14,000 MILES. SCRAPPING SOUNDS WERE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE, TAKEN TO DEALER, TOLD 15 DAYS TO GET PARTS. 1 MONTH LATER WENT TO DEALER, TOLD PARTS AVAILABLE FEB 2008, TOLD TO REPAIR VEHICLE ON MY OWN AND WOULD BE REIMBURSED. CALLED FORD, TOLD TO GO AHEAD. FOUND PARTS AND HAD VEHICLE REPAIRED (NEW PADS AND ROTORS - $192.00), LATER IN THE AFTERNOON DEALER CALLS, PARTS HAVE MAGICALLY APPEARED, DEALER TOLD CAR IS REPAIRED. BOTH FORD AND DEALER REFUSE TO REIMBURSE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AND FORD WILL NOT OWN UP TO IT. THE REAR WHEELS UP TO THE TIME OF SCRAPPING SOUNDS SHOWED EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST VS THE FRONT WHICH SHOWED ALMOST NO DUST. BOTH FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP DISMISSED THE REIMBURSEMENT SAYING REPAIR WAS OFFERED, WHERE WERE THE PARTS THAT JUST APPEARED OUT OF THIN AIR WHEN THE WERE SUPPOSED TO BE RECEIVED IN FEB 2008? THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD IS IGNORING. GUESS I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN IF THIS IS THE WAY THEY TREAT A CUSTOMER. *TR

DESIGN FLAW IN FORD 500 HEATED SEATS, WIRING TO HEATED SEAT FAILS DUE TO PROXIMITY WITH TORSION BAR. TSB 06211. ALSO WHEN YOU CALL CUSTOMER SERVICE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO SPEAK TO HIGHER LEVEL MANAGEMENT. I REQUESTED AND WAS REFUSED AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR NAMES AND PHONE NUMBERS WERE PRIVATE INFO. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHE COULD HEAR A SQUEAKING NOISE IN THE BRAKES. THE FAILURE BEGAN TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHE WAS NOTIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER OF AN UNKNOWN BRAKE RECALL SO THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE OPENED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND NOTICED WATER LEAKING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE BUT SHE INSTALLED WINDOW RAIN GUARDS ON ALL FOUR WINDOWS. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH SHE COULD FEEL THE VEHICLE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE OEM MOTOR MOUNT AND BRACKET WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE HAD NOT RECURRED. SHE ALSO STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER BUT THERE WAS ONLY MINOR AIR FLOW COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A NEW COMPRESSOR AND EXPANSION VALVE WERE INSTALLED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 12/23/10*LJ THE BLEND DOOR MOTOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 04/06/11 UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF UPDATED 05/31/11

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, A LOUD GRINDING NOISE SOUNDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS; AND THE BRAKE LINING KIT WAS REPLACED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED THREE YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE LINING KIT WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,400. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 05/02/11

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED TO WORK AND THE "FAIL SAFE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON AND THE WRENCH LIT UP. THE ENGINE STARTS TO DIE AND THE CAR STARTS LURCHING FORWARD. I PULLED OVER, SHUT THE CAR OFF. WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP, IT RAN FINE. I CALLED THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY WOULD NEED TO HAVE ME BRING THE CAR IN SO THEY CAN LOOK INTO IT. FORD HAS NO BULLETINS ON THIS - THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. AS I RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FORD VEHICLES, NOT JUST THE FIVE HUNDRED. *TR