Ford Five Hundred problems
364 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced.
- 5 fire-related complaints on the electrical system
- Cruise-control: 85 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 53,000–98,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford five hundred. While driving approximately between 45-50 MPH he applied pressure to the accelerator pedal, but the vehicle would not accelerate. Then the vehicle began to rapidly accelerate. The failure occurred frequently. The vehicle was…
Starting since february 2010. My car lunges forward whenever at a dead stop. When shifting to drive and reverse. I have had to have my foot on brake and even almost had an accident while parking and hit the wall. Went to dealership and first they said it was my engine mount that…
Air bag system failed , was told by dealer none of the air bag in the auto will work with the passengers air bag defective.. We replaced the seat but that one also didn't work so this problem is not limited to our auto. We have high mileage because my wife drives 600 miles a…
2006 Ford five hundred, internal failure of CVT transmission (torque converter and shaft), no notice. Drove and entered parking spot, put car in reverse and no gear. Put back in d and no gear. Wrench light then came on and became a rather expensive 10 mile tow car was well taken…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Ford Five Hundred reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Ford Five Hundred is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
On the NHTSA data, the 2006 Ford Five Hundred is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the cruise-control was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 5 fire-related complaints on the electrical system; Cruise-control: 85 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 53,000–98,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 94 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,372 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,372 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Ford Five Hundred has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 364 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.