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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Five Hundred engine problems
severe 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
3crashes
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 23 engine complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Five Hundred, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Ford Five Hundred shows a clear pattern of electronic throttle body failures causing the engine to surge and the vehicle to lurch forward or backward when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, or at stoplights despite brake application. Multiple owners describe the car accelerating uncontrollably to 1500+ RPM and becoming nearly impossible to control. The surge happens increasingly often, from 53,000 miles onward, and gets worse over time. One owner's car spun out on the interstate after the throttle opened fully while backing up, hitting another vehicle. Dealers confirm "bad electronic throttle body assembly" and charge $800–$1,000+ for replacement, but several owners report the problem returns weeks later. Ford issued a technical bulletin on the part, though the company initially refused to document complaints and stated the throttle body is not covered under powertrain warranty.
Separate issues include engine stalling when coming to a stop after normal driving, idle speed fluctuating wildly (500–900 RPM), and jerking when shifting into Drive. A/C compressor failure is also widespread, occurring between 27,000 and 91,000 miles with repair bills exceeding $1,700. One owner experienced an engine fire after parking. Engine mounts can also fail, allowing excessive rocking toward the firewall.
Same Ford Five Hundred engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
The electronic throttle body experiences unintended surging and uncontrolled acceleration when the transmission shifts from Park to Drive or Reverse, or at stoplights with foot on brake. Car lunges, jumps, or accelerates unpredictably. Owners report the vehicle becomes difficult to control and continues lurching unless brake is applied forcefully or until transmission position changes. Some instances cause the vehicle to surge to 1500+ RPM despite brake application.
When: Occurs during gear shifts (Park to Drive/Reverse), at stoplights, in parking lots, or at low speeds (backing up, slow driving). Failures reported from approximately 53,000 miles onward; one instance at 40 MPH.
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled engine surge/rev to 1500+ RPM; Vehicle lurch or jump forward/backward when shifting gears; Car accelerates despite brake pedal pressure; Intermittent surging that gets progressively worse; Throttle light (wrench icon) illuminates; Vehicle difficult to control during events
Codes mentioned: Throttle code (owners cite but specific code not named), Check Engine Light
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement costs $800–$1,000+. Dealers confirm 'bad electronic throttle body' diagnosis. Some repairs do not resolve the issue permanently; problem recurs weeks later.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ford issued technical bulletin on throttle body (referenced in Narrative #1). Ford refused to document complaint initially; only provided case number after customer mentioned TSB. Ford also stated the part is not covered under powertrain warranty. Online forums indicate Ford had recalls on throttle bodies for older Ford 500 models, but not covered for 2007 model year.
Throttle Body Electronic Control & Engine Stall
Engine stalls or dies during normal operation, particularly when coming to a stop after braking or downshifting. Idle speed fluctuates wildly between 500–900 RPM. When shifting into Drive from a stopped position, car jerks forward abruptly. Condition worsens as engine reaches normal operating temperature.
When: Occurs after engine reaches normal operating temperature. Happens at stops, during downshifts, and when placing car in Drive from neutral or Park.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stall or stalling during braking/deceleration; Idle speed fluctuation (500–900 RPM range); Jerking/jumping when shifting into Drive; Chronic recurrence of stalling and jerking; Loping idle in low gear
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports throttle body replacement followed by stalling and dying when slowing for stops (narrative #21).
A/C Compressor Failure
A/C compressor fails prematurely, typically between 27,000 and 91,000 miles. System works properly at highway speeds above 45 MPH but loses cooling when vehicle is stopped or in slow traffic. Later failures show oil and freon leakage from compressor.
When: Reported failures at 27,465 miles, 63,000 miles, 72,000 miles, 87,000 miles, and 91,000 miles. Owners note this is a widespread issue on 2005–2007 Ford 500s.
Symptoms owners cite: A/C cools only at speeds above 45 MPH; A/C fails during stop-and-go traffic or idle; Oil leakage from compressor; Freon leakage from compressor
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost $1,300–$1,700. One owner with 72,000 miles faced $1,300+ repair bill. Another with 87,000 miles quoted $1,400+.
Engine Mount / Anti-Torque Mount Failure
Engine mounts or anti-torque mounts deteriorate, allowing the engine to shift excessively toward the firewall (up to 12 inches reported). One instance involved damage to the roll restrictor (part of engine mount system) during a curb strike, requiring replacement for state inspection.
When: Reported at 45,000 miles on a 5-year-old vehicle. Roll restrictor damage occurred following curb strike impact.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine visibly shifts toward firewall; Engine rocks excessively; Roll restrictor failure (damaged or broken)
Repairs/costs cited: Roll restrictor replacement and related inspections cost over $500.
Engine Fire
Engine caught fire after vehicle was parked approximately 15 minutes at destination. Owner was able to partially suppress fire with hose before fire department arrived and extinguished it completely.
When: At rest, 15 minutes after parking.
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke visible from engine bay; Engine fire
Dashboard Warning Lights and Limp Mode
Engine light (check engine), transmission limp-mode (auto-lock light red), and repair light illuminate during driving. Vehicle enters limp mode, loses power, steering becomes heavy, and vehicle slows or stops on its own. Lights may reset temporarily only to recur.
When: Occurs after approximately 30 minutes of highway driving at around 40 MPH, then again at 60 MPH on highway.
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine Light (yellow); Auto-lock light illuminates (red); Transmission enters limp mode; Loss of engine power; Steering becomes heavy/unresponsive; Vehicle decelerates or stops on its own; Multiple warning light resets and recurrence
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
At a stoplight with the brake on the engine revved up and the car jumped forward about 20 feet before I could stop it. At the next light the same thing happened. At my final destination approximately 2 miles away my son (who was with me the whole time = I was taking him back to college) told me to let the car run to see if it would do it again. With the car in drive and my foot on the brake…
Had engine trouble with your 2007 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 2007 Ford Five Hundred?
It's a meaningful issue. 23 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 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 45,000 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 67,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,000; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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 $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/2007/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.