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 taken to an authorized dealer for inspection. The failure was related to the throttle body. The technician stated the…
2006 Ford Five Hundred cruise control problems
severe 85 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
85
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
6crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 85 cruise control complaints filed for the 2006 Ford Five Hundred, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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 85 cruise control 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.
Cruise control accounts for 23% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 12 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2006 Ford Five Hundreds report unintended acceleration most commonly triggered by brake release, gear shifts, or idle—sometimes violently. The vehicle surges to 2500+ RPM or lunges forward and backward despite brake pressure, with a wrench warning light on the dash. Incidents happen across multiple mileage ranges (20k–180k) and often repeat multiple times during a drive. Several crashes, near-misses with other vehicles and pedestrians, and one case of a car crashing through a residential wall are documented.
Owners also report loss of acceleration or stalling—vehicle refuses to move when the pedal is pressed, requiring restart. Motor mounts may be replaced initially without fixing the root cause. High idle and erratic RPM behavior occur, especially in warm weather; one owner noted turning off the A/C temporarily reduced surging.
Throttle body replacement is the stated fix ($54–$1200+ including labor), but parts are frequently on backorder. One owner replaced the throttle body at 23k miles in 2007 and the problem recurred by 69.5k miles. A 2013 Ford recall exists for RPM surge cleaning but carries a 150,000-mile limit, and dealers deny coverage beyond that mileage or in cases not explicitly named in the recall letter. Mechanics and dealers consistently acknowledge the throttle as the cause, yet some parts suppliers have gone bankrupt, leaving customers with unfixable vehicles.
Same Ford Five Hundred cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration during braking and gear shifts
Engine surges and vehicle lunges forward or backward despite brake pressure or when shifting between gears, often with RPM spikes to 2500+ without driver input.
When: Occurs across multiple mileage ranges (20k–180k miles); more frequent in warm weather; triggered by brake release, gear changes, or idle.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle surges/lunges when foot on brake pedal; Engine RPM spikes while braking; Sudden acceleration when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse; Forward or backward lunge when releasing brake; Hesitation then rapid acceleration; Occurs more often in warm/hot weather; Wrench warning light illuminates (throttle control fault)
Codes mentioned: P0600–P0699 (Computer Output Circuit), Throttle control fault (wrench symbol on dashboard), Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement; costs reported $54–$1200+ depending on labor and additional work; parts frequently on backorder.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2013 RPM surge recall exists but limited to 150,000 miles or specific conditions; recall letter does not cover all affected vehicles; Ford stated recall was for throttle body cleaning, not replacement; dealers often deny warranty coverage.
Loss of acceleration or stalling
Vehicle fails to accelerate when pedal pressed, stalls mid-drive, or requires restart to regain function; often accompanied by check engine light.
When: Reported from 45k to 151k miles; happens during highway merges, low-speed parking, or cruising.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate despite pedal input; Sudden stall while driving; Failure to start after stall; Requires engine restart to regain function; Hesitation before acceleration; Check Engine Light illuminates
Codes mentioned: Check Engine Light, Throttle control sensor fault
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body, throttle sensor, EGR valve, or mass air flow sensor replacement; costs $800–$1076; parts availability issues reported.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall for loss-of-acceleration complaints; dealer diagnostics inconsistent; one technician stated could not guarantee failure would not recur after repair.
Idle surge and erratic RPM behavior
Engine idles high or surges to 1000–3000 RPM without driver input, especially when stopped or shifting gears; turning off A/C may temporarily reduce surge.
When: Occurs at stop lights, in parking situations, or while idling; reportedly worse in warm weather.
Symptoms owners cite: High idle RPM at traffic lights; Engine surges when brake pressure released; RPM spikes to 3000+ at idle; Turning A/C off reduces surge temporarily; Vehicle feels like it will jump forward despite brake pressure; Stalls when RPM drops
Codes mentioned: Throttle control fault, Wrench warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement; one owner replaced throttle body in 2007 at 23k miles, problem recurred by 69.5k miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers acknowledge throttle body as cause but parts frequently unavailable; manufacturer claims no recall for idle surge.
Intermittent jerking during acceleration and gear changes
Vehicle jerks or lurches violently when accelerating, changing gears, or shifting into Drive/Reverse; can recur multiple times per drive cycle.
When: Occurs during acceleration, gear shifts, and low-speed maneuvers; reported from 24k to 99k miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Harsh jerking motion during acceleration; Vehicle lurches when shifting gears; Banging sensation when transmission engages; Jerking while attempting to park; Multiple occurrences per drive; Unpredictable timing
Codes mentioned: Transmission warning light (Engine and Transmission Light), Throttle control fault
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement; one owner had motor mount replaced first (temporary improvement); problem persisted. Another had throttle body replaced; jerking continued with transmission banging until throttle body cause identified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealers attribute to throttle body; one dealer said vehicle was 'operating as designed' despite lunge behavior.
Instrument panel and electrical dropouts
Dashboard instruments, A/C, and hazard lights quit unexpectedly while driving at low speeds, then resume; no warning before loss of controls.
When: Occurs while in Park or driving at 30–35 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Instrument panel shuts off intermittently; A/C stops working; Hazard lights unresponsive (no warning); Controls return without warning
Repairs/costs cited: No repair described; owner noted throttle body was already replaced the prior year but did not resolve electrical issues.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not covered under recall or warranty.
Synthesized from 85 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford 500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. During the failure, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford five hundred. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH with the cruise control activated the safe mode engaged without warning and decelerated. The engine and transmission light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the throttle body had to be replaced. There was a manufacturers recall for the…
I had just bought a 2006 Ford five hundred with about 131000 miles. Drove great from the dealership then later that afternoon the throttle all of a sudden went dead. I was going 65 MPH on the highway and had no throttle. I went online and researched the car and there have been numerous (upwards of 100+) people who have the same complaint. I just wish Ford would recall the part so it's not going…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford five hundred. The contact stated that while accelerating, the vehicle stalled as the service engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test and the dealer stated that the throttle body sensor needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the throttle body censor replaced. The contact called the manufacturer and…
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
It's a meaningful issue. 85 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 81 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 53,000 and 98,000 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 53,000; a quarter make it past 98,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.