2007 Ford Five Hundred cruise control problems
severe 42 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Owners have filed 42 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 21% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a consistent problem: the 2007 Five Hundred surges forward or backward unexpectedly, especially when shifting from Park into Drive or Reverse, or while braking at low speeds. The vehicle accelerates on its own without the driver's foot on the pedal, and in several cases, the engine continues accelerating even after the driver lifts off the pedal entirely—one owner reported the car reaching 90 mph on the highway despite releasing the accelerator. Many report the surging is random and intermittent, making diagnosis difficult. Several owners note the problem worsens in hot weather or when the AC is on.
Dealers and independent mechanics consistently identify the throttle body or throttle position sensor as the culprit. Repair attempts include throttle body cleaning, replacement, computer resets, and accelerator module replacement. The pattern is clear: cleaning provides temporary relief lasting weeks to months before the surge returns. One owner had the work done twice; another reported the failure recurring within two years of throttle body replacement. Multiple owners report throttle body parts on back order, delaying repairs. Ford issued at least one customer satisfaction letter for throttle body cleaning, suggesting awareness of the defect, but owners report the manufacturer offered limited assistance when contacted directly. One owner cited an NHTSA investigation that reportedly went nowhere.
Same Ford Five Hundred cruise control reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration and surging
Vehicle surges, lunges, or accelerates on its own without driver input, particularly when shifting from Park into Drive or Reverse, at low speeds, or while braking. Occurs randomly and intermittently, sometimes worsening in hot weather or with AC on. Affects vehicle control and creates collision risk.
When: Mostly 40k–95k miles; some as low as 25k or early as 3k miles with recurrence at 60k+
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden forward or backward lunge when shifting gears; Acceleration without foot on gas pedal; Engine revving or RPM climbing when stopped with brake applied; Vehicle continues accelerating after foot lifted from pedal; Hesitation or delay in acceleration response followed by surging; Stalling after surging episode; Difficulty stopping despite brake application
Codes mentioned: TPS (Throttle Position Sensor)
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaning (temporary fix; often returns within 6 months to 2 years). Throttle body replacement. Accelerator module replacement. Computer system reset. Throttle body parts frequently on back order. Some shops replaced alternator and AC compressor before correct diagnosis.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Customer satisfaction letter issued for throttle body cleaning (warranty/TSB program). Dealer-initiated throttle body service. Manufacturer contacted in several cases but offered limited or no assistance. One case noted manufacturer stated design flaw within throttle body. NHTSA investigation mentioned but reportedly inconclusive.
Loss of acceleration or throttle response
Vehicle loses power or hesitates when accelerator is depressed, or fails to move forward after applying gas from a stop. Wrench warning light may illuminate. Intermittent and recurring even after repair attempts.
When: 50k–80k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate or moves sluggishly when gas pedal pressed; Delay before acceleration engages; Wrench warning icon illuminates; Loss of power at various speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body cleaning (dealer attempted but did not resolve issue). Throttle body replacement advised but not completed in some cases.
Cruise control malfunction
Cruise control fails to disengage or malfunctions, leaving vehicle in 'passing gear' even after driver releases accelerator pedal. Engine remains idle when attempting to accelerate after cruise malfunction.
When: 65k miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control set at 60 mph, vehicle continues accelerating to 75–90 mph after foot lifted off pedal; Engine idle and unresponsive after cruise control malfunction; Vehicle sticks in passing gear
Repairs/costs cited: Computer module reset by tow truck driver restored function. Dealer advised computer module replacement if reoccurred.
Synthesized from 42 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2007 Ford Five Hundred?
It's a meaningful issue. 42 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 39 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 55,000 and 93,840 miles, with the median around 75,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 55,000; a quarter make it past 93,840. 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.