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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2005 Ford Five Hundred engine problems
severe 62 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
62
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2crashes
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 62 engine complaints filed for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 62 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗MIL WITH DTC P0106 AND/OR P0109.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗ENGINE RPM FLUCTUATION AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 8/2/2005.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe the 2005 Five Hundred as a hazard to drive due to an engine that intermittently enters fail-safe mode and stalls without warning, sometimes at highway speed. The stall is sudden, power steering and brakes go out, and the engine will not restart immediately—owners must wait or get the car towed. Parallel to this, many report unintended acceleration or violent lurching forward or backward when parked or stopped, especially in hot weather. The wrench and check engine lights illuminate, but Ford dealers have run diagnostics repeatedly without finding root causes. Throttle body replacement (at $500–$1,000) has been the go-to repair, but it fails to fix the problem permanently in multiple cases, and parts are chronically on backorder. A few owners also report spark plugs backing out of the aluminum cylinder head, with one case resulting in complete engine failure. Motor mount cracks and transmission issues (loss of forward drive, bucking) round out the complaints. A/C compressor failure is also widespread. Owners across multiple narratives note this is a known problem on the model that Ford has not recalled or addressed despite being told by mechanics that a recall is warranted.
Same Ford Five Hundred engine reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Fail Safe Engine Mode with stalling and loss of power
Engine enters limp/fail-safe mode during driving and stalls without warning. Power steering and power brakes may be lost. Vehicle becomes immobile and difficult or impossible to restart immediately. Owners must wait minutes before engine will turn over, or vehicle requires towing.
When: Intermittent, across all speeds (highway 55–70 mph and residential streets). Incidents reported from 4,000 to 155,000 miles; clusters noted during hot weather and after periods of idle.
Symptoms owners cite: Fail safe engine mode message on dashboard; Engine stalls without warning; Sudden loss of power and acceleration; Wrench warning light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle jerks or lurches before stall; Power steering goes out; Power brakes go out; Vehicle will not restart immediately
Codes mentioned: P0606, Unspecified fault codes reported but mechanics could not identify root cause in multiple instances
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement reported at $500–$1,000; ECU/PCM reprogramming ($340+); injector flush and throttle body cleaning ($340); instrument panel replacement; vacuum operative valve replacement. Multiple owners report throttle body parts on backorder. Repairs often fail to resolve issue permanently.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls issued despite widespread complaints. Ford dealership diagnostics often inconclusive. Some dealers suggested computer-related issues but no root-cause fix applied. One owner report mentions recall letter mailed years later claiming issue resolved, but problem recurred within days.
Unintended acceleration and lurching
Vehicle accelerates or lurches forward or backward without driver depressing accelerator pedal. Occurs when foot is on brake, in gear at idle, or during parking/reversing maneuvers. RPM surge to 1,000+ occurs independently. Hard braking may not stop vehicle; neutral must be engaged to regain control.
When: Intermittent, especially during hot weather (90°+ F) and after idle (red light, drive-through, parking lot). Reported at mileage range 49,000–85,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lurches forward or backward without accelerator input; RPM surge while foot on brake; Uncontrolled acceleration during parking maneuvers; Engine revs as if accelerator pressed while driver's foot is not on pedal; Violent launch in reverse backing out of driveway or parking space; Near-miss or actual collisions (3–4 reported)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement at $500–$1,000 (parts often on backorder with 2–5 month wait); throttle body cleaning; lubrication of unspecified component (ineffective). Repairs frequently do not resolve issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls. Dealers report throttle body parts as #3 most back-ordered part nationwide. One dealer claimed issue was resolved via recall, but problem recurred within days of completion.
Engine jerking, hesitation, and poor acceleration response
Engine jerks or hesitates during acceleration. Vehicle responds sluggishly or not at all to throttle input. Jerking occurs during city and highway driving, particularly on takeoff from stop or light. May progress to stall or fail-safe mode.
When: Intermittent; can occur at any speed but often noted during low-speed driving and acceleration from idle. Reported across mileage range 4,000–122,000 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine jerks or hesitates during acceleration; Sluggish or delayed throttle response; RPM fluctuation (especially at low speeds); Vehicle behaves like manual transmission despite being automatic; Rough idle or rough start; Vehicle will not accelerate when pedal is pressed
Codes mentioned: Unspecified error code from parts store (dealer declined to acknowledge)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement/cleaning; spark plug replacement; spark plug wire replacement (ineffective); fuel additive treatment (temporary relief only); ECU reprogramming. Multiple shops unable to identify defect.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls. Multiple repair attempts by both dealer and independent shops have been unsuccessful. One owner filed formal complaint after 10 years of recurring issue and being rear-ended as a result.
Spark plug backing out / blowout and head thread damage
Spark plugs back out of aluminum cylinder head during engine operation. Plugs may completely eject or pull threads from aluminum head, causing loss of compression and potential engine damage. One owner reported catastrophic engine failure (blown exhaust valve and piston).
When: Reported at 2,600 miles and again at later service intervals. Affects both front and rear cylinder heads.
Symptoms owners cite: Spark plug backing out of cylinder head; Loss of cylinder compression; Aluminum head threads stripped by departing spark plug; Engine loss of power (surging); Check engine light illuminates; Exhaust backfire through tailpipe; Engine stall; Catastrophic engine failure (blown valve, piston damage)
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plug replacement; front head replacement ($2,600 noted); full engine replacement under warranty (new 3-liter Duratech engine ordered in one case). Aluminum head susceptible to thread stripping.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty replacement offered in at least one case; however, issue appears to be a design flaw in aluminum cylinder head that has not been addressed with a recall or replacement program.
Motor mount failure (upper/top mount and torque strut)
Upper engine mounts (torque strut/top motor mount) crack or wear prematurely. Results in excessive engine movement, vibration, and rough running. One case reports headlight harness melting (possibly from mount wear causing misalignment).
When: Reported at 70,000–82,000 miles; upper mounts reported as known dealer problem on 2005 Five Hundreds.
Symptoms owners cite: Violent jerking while driving at 55+ mph; Excessive engine vibration; Vehicle responds as though it will stall; Headlight harness melted (upper mount wear may cause misalignment); Rough running
Repairs/costs cited: Motor mount replacement: $619 reported for torque strut/top mount replacement. Repair is out of warranty.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite being acknowledged as a known dealer problem. Manufacturer offered no assistance when contacted.
Transmission shifting problems and loss of forward drive
Vehicle loses ability to move forward while in gear. In one case, vehicle would only move in reverse. In another, transmission bucked and shifted into neutral on steep grade. Transmission light may illuminate. Hesitation and check engine light also reported with transmission-related failures.
When: Reported at 4,000, 17,000, and 49,000 miles; issues span early years of ownership.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not move forward (only moves in reverse); Transmission bucking on acceleration; Transmission shifts into neutral unexpectedly; Transmission light illuminates; Check engine light illuminates; Vehicle hesitation at low speed
Repairs/costs cited: PCM and TCM reprogramming performed; fluid level checks done. Owners report transmission body part on backorder. One owner spent $500+ on diagnostics with no lasting fix identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No clear manufacturer response documented; dealership diagnostics inconclusive in multiple cases.
Engine fire and underhood smoke
Vehicle caught fire under the hood while parked at ATM. White smoke issued from engine compartment, worsening rapidly. Loud bang heard under hood before fire extinguished by fire department.
When: One incident reported while vehicle parked at ATM (low-mileage context not specified in narrative).
Symptoms owners cite: White smoke from under hood; Rapid increase in smoke intensity; Loud bang under hood; Fire under hood
Repairs/costs cited: Fire department extinguished fire; vehicle towed. Repair details not documented in narrative.
Air conditioning compressor failure
A/C compressor fails or operates only at high engine speeds. Blows hot air at idle and low speeds; cooling only works at highway speeds. Requires compressor replacement. Owners note this is common on 2005–2006 Five Hundreds and represents significant repair cost.
When: Reported across ownership; one owner states they would have reconsidered purchase if aware of this issue beforehand. Noted as widespread on model year 2005–2006.
Symptoms owners cite: A/C blows hot air at idle; A/C blows hot air in city driving; A/C only cools at highway speeds (above idle); No cooling at all (compressor inoperable)
Repairs/costs cited: Compressor replacement; one owner cites $1,200 repair bill. Owners cannot afford repair on top of monthly payments.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or warranty assistance documented. Owners characterize as manufacturing error that should be addressed by Ford.
Synthesized from 62 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I took my 2005 Ford five hundred sel in for a scheduled oil change a couple of weeks ago and was informed by the mechanic that the torque strut mount, also known as the top motor mount was broken. Price to repair is $619. After doing more extensive research, I have found out that this is apparently a dealer known problem with these particular cars! So, why doesn't Ford motor company issue a…
Cars enters into failsafe mode and engine cuts out. I have been almost rear- ended three times since first occurrence and one time almost t-boned. Sluggish acceleration when taking off may occur also. I have noticed this has been a common problem with this model and the faulty throttle body has since been redesigned by Ford. They should recall this as it is a safety hazard. I know that I was…
Had engine trouble with your 2005 Ford Five Hundred?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2005 Ford Five Hundred?
It's a meaningful issue. 62 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 55 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 50,000 and 95,215 miles, with the median around 73,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 95,215. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Ford/Five Hundred.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.