TRACTION CONTROL LAMP ON--NO DTC'S PRESENT, OR DTC P1889 IN DIFFERENTIAL ELECTRONIC MODULE (DEM).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Ford Five Hundred brakes problems
severe 33 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
2crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 33 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Ford Five Hundred, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 33 brakes 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 brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 19 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 brakes 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.
FORD MERCURY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SEE DOCUMENT SEARCH BUTTON FOR OWNER LETTER. CERTAIN 2005 THROUGH 2007 FWD AND AWD FORD FIVE HUNDRED, FREESTYLE AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES - REAR BRAKE WEAR. ALSO HAVE AN OWNER'S LETTER. UPDATED 1/25/08.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗REAR BRAKE DRAG, NOISE, DUST, AND/OR PREMATURE PAD WEAR.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The dominant issue here is premature rear brake pad and rotor wear occurring well before normal service intervals. Owners consistently report excessive brake dust visible on rear wheels as early as 3,000 miles, followed by grinding or scraping noises and brake failure between 10,000 and 37,000 miles. The wear is so severe that some pads disintegrate completely through to the rotor, requiring immediate replacement. Some vehicles have needed brake work twice or three times by 45,000–76,000 miles, while front brakes remain relatively healthy.
Ford issued recall 07N10 in 2007, acknowledging that moisture exposure caused brake pads to swell and drag against rotors. The recall replaced rear pads and rotors at no cost. However, owners report the replacement parts failed again at similar mileage—a critical problem because most follow-up repairs fall outside warranty and cost owners $300 to $1,200 per visit.
Secondary complaints include spongy or soft brake pedals that require pumping, brake drag causing jerking or grabbing (especially at low speeds), and at least one parking brake that would not engage. One owner experienced complete brake failure requiring six dealer visits and eventual towing. Rotors are described as non-resurfaceable throwaway design, forcing full replacement rather than turning. The design problem appears systemic and recurring even after factory recall replacement.
Same Ford Five Hundred brakes reports on nearby years: 2005
Failure modes owners describe
Premature rear brake pad and rotor wear
Rear brake pads and rotors wear out well before expected service life, often within 10,000–37,000 miles. Owners report excessive brake dust collection at the wheels, grinding noises, and loss of stopping ability. Some pads are described as disintegrating or worn completely through to the rotor.
When: 3,000–37,000 miles; many reported between 10,000–23,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive brake dust visible on rear wheels; Grinding or scraping noise from rear wheels; Increased stopping distance or loss of stopping power; Pads worn thin or completely through; Rotors heavily scored or ruined
Codes mentioned: TSB 10021463 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC)
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brake pads and rotors replaced repeatedly; some owners replaced them 2–3 times in 45,000–76,000 miles. Ford replaced parts at no charge under early warranty or recall 07N10, but replacement pads and rotors exhibited the same premature wear. Rotors noted as non-resurfaceable throwaway design; some repairs cost $300–$1,200.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 07N10 issued; warranty extension letter (July 2007) acknowledged moisture-caused brake pad swell and drag condition. Recall replaced rear pads and rotors at no cost, but owners report the replacement parts failed again at similar mileage. Service bulletin 10021463 referenced. Dealer offered extended warranty on brakes in 2007.
Rear brake drag and caliper binding
Brake pads and rotors drag continuously or intermittently against each other, causing excessive heat, accelerated wear, and jerking or grabbing sensations during braking. Mechanics suspect calipers not opening properly, trapping pads against rotors.
When: Occurs across vehicle lifespan; one complaint at 5,800 miles initial mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Continuous drag of pads on rotors; Excessive heating of pads and rotors; Jerking or grabbing sensation when braking, especially at low speeds; Neck pain from jerking after rain; Brake pedal requires excessive depression to stop vehicle
Codes mentioned: TSB 10021463 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC)
Repairs/costs cited: Rear brakes and rotors replaced; mechanic noted calipers appeared not to be opening fully. Some owners report pads expanding when wet, worsening drag. Total repair bills cited around $1,200.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 07N10 acknowledged moisture exposure causing brake pad swell and drag. Extended warranty issued. Ford service bulletin referenced but specifics not detailed in narratives.
Spongy or soft brake pedal
Brake pedal feels spongy, soft, or requires pumping to achieve firmness. Pedal may sink to floorboards even when the vehicle is parked. Problem persists after professional service and computer-aided bleeding.
When: Intermittent; ongoing issue across driving and parked conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Pedal soft and requires pumping; Pedal sinks to floorboards; Intermittent firmness lasting only a few seconds; Problem occurs during normal driving and stopping
Repairs/costs cited: Professional service including computer-aided brake bleeding attempted but did not resolve issue.
Parking brake failure (electronic/mechanical binding)
Parking brake lever moves to floor without engaging properly; rear wheels remain locked even with lever down. Brake warning light illuminates but vehicle is not drivable.
When: At cold start; one narrative
Symptoms owners cite: Parking brake lever travels to floor without resistance; Parking brake warning light on; Rear wheels remain locked, vehicle immobile
Rapid rear brake pad and rotor wear after factory recall repair
Brake pads and rotors replaced under recall 07N10 or warranty fail again at similar mileage. Owners report the replacement parts are the same poor quality as the original defective parts and wear out prematurely a second or third time.
When: Within 1–3 years or 20,000–26,000 miles after first recall replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Same grinding, dragging, or excessive wear symptoms as original failure; Brake dust accumulation; Loss of stopping power
Repairs/costs cited: Owners forced to pay out-of-pocket for second and third replacements ($300+ for parts; $375 cited for one repair). Dealers offered no warranty coverage and reduced or refused assistance.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 07N10 replaced pads and rotors at no charge; extended warranty issued (2007). Ford declined further restitution or recalls, stating replacement parts met standards and were not defective.
Brake failure during normal driving (loss of stopping response)
Vehicle does not respond to brake application, resulting in loss of stopping ability. One case occurred while reversing; another involved chronic repeated failures requiring six dealer visits and eventually a total failure requiring towing.
When: 15,000–23,000 miles; recurring over extended ownership period
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not stop or slow in response to brake pedal; Increased stopping distance; Complete loss of braking function (towed)
Repairs/costs cited: One rear brake pad replacement at independent shop (15,000 miles). Chronic case taken to dealer six times with repeated brake and throttle replacements; vehicle eventually failed completely at 23,000 miles and was towed.
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I bought my 2006 Ford 500 in june of 2006. I had a problem with the rear brakes getting very dusty (on rims), so I went to the Ford dealership and asked about this problem. At the time the answer was, "those are the brakes which the manufacturer installed and there is nothing we can do about it. So, I had to accept this answer and go on about my business. At 12000 miles (december 2006) I took the…
Dt*: the contact stated the brake rotors and pads wore out quickly. The contact expressed there was too much brake dust in the rear brakes. The service dealer did not find any problem.
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 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 brakes problem on the 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
It's a meaningful issue. 33 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 26 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 21,000 and 38,000 miles, with the median around 29,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 21,000; a quarter make it past 38,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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/2006/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.