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severe 21 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,200 · see fuel system across all vehicles →
Of the 21 fuel system complaints filed for the 2007 Ford Five Hundred, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
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.
No new NHTSA fuel system complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The throttle body is the dominant complaint across these narratives. Owners describe sudden, uncontrolled lunging when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, at stop lights, and even at rest with foot off the brake. The problem starts between 20,000 and 70,000 miles and escalates from intermittent to constant. Mechanics confirm the throttle body sticks or binds. Many owners report the issue recurs after replacement—documented as soon as 11 months and 30,000 miles after repair. Dealers cite throttle body back-orders. One owner's car stalled completely on a two-lane road after highway driving. Repair costs run $700–$950; some dealers tried cleaning and reprogramming before replacement.
Several owners report jerking and surging that mechanics dismiss as normal, even with warning lights flashing. One owner had transmission reprogramming attempted without resolution. Dealers acknowledge throttle body failure is common on 3.0L V6 engines but Ford has issued no recall.
Fuel system defects appear in early miles: punctured fuel line at 2,500 miles with gasoline odor at highway speed, deteriorated tank seals and corroded fuel pump brackets causing leaks, and a fuel filler neck that wouldn't secure to the fender even after dealer attempt to tighten. One owner had a 1/8-inch gap between filler and adapter that persisted.
Same Ford Five Hundred fuel system reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Throttle body sticks, binds, or fails to respond correctly, causing uncontrolled forward or backward lunging when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, at stop signs, or at rest with foot off brake. Problem worsens over time and recurs even after replacement. Owners report near-miss collisions, actual crashes, and loss of vehicle control.
When: Begins between 20,000–70,000 miles; recurrence documented as early as 11 months after replacement at 30,000 miles post-repair
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle lunges forward or backward when shifted into Drive or Reverse; Sudden acceleration without pressing gas pedal; Jerking or surging when releasing brake at stops; Loss of vehicle control even with brake pedal pressed to floor; Throttle motor binds or sticks intermittently, then constantly; Problem worsens after car idles before shifting
Codes mentioned: Wrench indicator light (powertrain warning), Check engine light, No diagnostic trouble codes retrieved in some cases despite symptoms
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer diagnosis: throttle body replacement required. Owners cite repair costs of $700–$950. Some dealers cleaned throttle plate and reprogrammed powertrain control module as temporary fix. Replacement parts reported on back order. One owner paid for fuel injection service and fuel filter replacement alongside throttle body swap.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued despite dealer acknowledgment of prevalence. Warranty denied after 12 months regardless of defect recurrence. Transmission reprogramming attempted in one case but did not resolve issue.
Throttle body exhibits excessive idle oscillation and poor throttle response, with RPM fluctuating between 700 and below 500 RPM during braking. Deceleration occurs suddenly and erratically. Dealer confirms this is a known common issue on 3.0L V6 engines but no manufacturer recall issued.
When: Mileage not specified in all narratives; one case noted approximately 77,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Idle oscillates between 700 and below 500 RPM; Sudden deceleration during normal driving; Slow throttle response on acceleration; Erratic idle behavior
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recommends throttle body replacement. Owner reports dealer acknowledged this is routine for 3.0L V6 models. Cost and parts sourcing not specified in narrative.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall. Dealer confirmed this is a regular/common problem on this engine model.
Throttle body stuck in closed position, causing complete engine stall during driving. Rapid deceleration left vehicle stranded in traffic lane. Owner notes this occurred after highway driving and created serious risk of secondary collision.
When: Approximately 37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning; Rapid deceleration; Throttle body stuck closed
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement performed at dealership.
Fuel line developed puncture, allowing gasoline to leak from vehicle underside. Odor detected while driving at highway speed before puddle observed when parked.
When: 2,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline odor while driving; Visible fuel leak from vehicle underside when parked
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel line replaced by Ford dealer.
Fuel tank seals deteriorated and mounting brackets for fuel pump and fuel sending unit corroded, resulting in fuel leaks and vapor leaks.
Symptoms owners cite: Fuel leaks; Vapor leaks from fuel system
Fuel filler neck adapter not securely fastened to fender due to plate nut not seated deep enough in panel. Persistent gap remained after dealer attempted tightening, creating potential for fuel system exposure.
When: 500–1,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: 1/8 inch gap between fuel filler neck and right rear fender panel; Fuel filler neck moves or rattles; Mounting bolts unable to secure properly
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attempted to tighten bolts but created larger gap instead of closing it. No successful repair documented.
Synthesized from 21 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
Was stopped at a drive-thru window and when I went to pull up to receive my food, the car lurched ahead of the window. I put the car in reverse to pick up my food and it lurched so fast backward that I had no control of it, even with my foot on the brake. This caused a crash into the front of another car. I have never had an accident and I am a careful driver. I received a moving violation…
I have a 2007 Ford five hundred that had less than 60,000 miles when the throttle body began to fail. This causes the car to jerk forward and backward as I am taking my foot off the brake. I have almost hit a pedestrian once and other vehicles on more than one occasion. I took the car to the Ford dealership, was told it was the throttle body and there was not a recall even though this was very…
Wrench indicator light came on and car began to spotter and surge. The next day I took it to the Ford dealership and the wrench light and check engine came on. Car stalled out 2 times on the way to the dealer. Dealer wants $950 to replace throttle body. *tr
Automobile lunged forward without touching gas when air conditioner or heat on. Took car to dealership and they cleaned throttle plate, fuel injection throttle body and reprogrammed powertrain control. Seen online others had this same problem . Car only has 47,000 miles. *tr
2007 Ford five hundred surges forward in parking lots, stop lights, going from park to drive or park to reverse. Almost hitting cars, pedestrians when it surges backward and forward. *tr
It's a meaningful issue. 21 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,200.
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most fuel system failures cluster between 34,000 and 62,600 miles, with the median around 51,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 34,000; a quarter make it past 62,600. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
Independent shops typically charge around $1,200 for fuel system 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.
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover fuel system issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.