VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford Five Hundred problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 716 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median Five Hundred year — the 2005 model ranks #1 of 4 Five Hundred years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 20 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (139), engine (108), and speed control (104), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

716

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

2

Investigations

27

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

20

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Five Hundred years?

Five Hundred NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted716 complaints2004: 1 complaints2005: 716 complaints2006: 523 complaints2007: 287 complaints
Five Hundred NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Five Hundred years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford Five Hundred problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission13919%
Engine10815%
Speed Control10415%
Electrical System10314%
Brakes497%
Fuel System456%
Body & Structure335%
Other253%
Latches & Locks233%
Lighting172%
Suspension172%
Airbags152%
Tires & Wheels112%
Steering91%
Seat Belts71%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Seats30%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)20%

Does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06V383000Latches & LocksOctober 5, 2006 · 139,537 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

Consequence

AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

05V515000Fuel SystemNovember 9, 2005 · 123,206 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).

Consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL IS BAD. THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACK. IT ALSO GOES INTO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. IT ALSO CAUSED ME A LITTLE ACCIDENT, I WENT IN REVERSE AND THE CAR LUNGED INTO THE GARAGE WALL, BROKE THE FRAME OF GARAGE AND CAR HAS SCRATCHES AND MARKS AT THE REAR. VERY SCARED TO DRIVE,…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 11, 2010 · crash

“BEING STOPPED AT AN ATM, MY CAR BEGAN TO SMOKE. PULLED OVER INTO THE BANK PARKING LOT TO SEE IF IT WAS OVER HEATING. THE WHITE SMOKE WOULD NOT SUBSIDE AND BEGAN GETTING WORSE. DIALED 911 AND A FIRETRUCK CAME OUT OPENED THE HOOD AND EXTINGUISHED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. PRIOR TO THE TRUCK ARRIVING, A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 6, 2012 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH INTO THE GARAGE, THERE WAS AN UNINTENDED INCREASE IN THE ACCELERATION WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO THE WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES; HOWEVER, THE FRONT BUMPER AND HOOD WERE DAMAGED. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · November 30, 2012 · crash

“IT STARTED WITH MY INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOING OUT (NO LIGHTS, GAUGES, ANYTHING) AND IT CAN LAST ANYWHERE FROM 15 MINUTES TO HOURS. THE OTHER NIGHT MY BOYFRIEND AND I HIT A DEER AND WE WENT FROM 70 TO 50 ON IMPACT (WHICH WAS HEAD ON) AND OUR AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. HOWEVER A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 5, 2009 · crash

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES ON HIS VEHICLE. HE FOUND IT TO BE UNUSUAL SINCE THE VEHICLE IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE AND ONLY HAD 19,500 MILES. THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE RECEIVING SEVERAL COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE BRAKES FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · March 1, 2007

2005 Ford Five Hundred — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Five Hundred reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 716 complaints put the 2005 model at #1 of 4 Five Hundred years. It is one of the Five Hundred years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 Five Hundred problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (139 complaints), engine (108 complaints), speed control (104 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford Five Hundred. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Ford Five Hundred under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Five Hundred years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Five Hundred years to avoid are 2005. The cleanest record among Five Hundred years belongs to 2004.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.