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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Ford Five Hundred powertrain problems
moderate 53 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
53
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
1crash
When does it fail?
Of the 53 powertrain complaints filed for the 2007 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 53 powertrain 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.
Powertrain accounts for 27% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe a powertrain system that's fundamentally unreliable. The main complaint is idle surge: the engine suddenly revs 500–1500+ RPM above normal without driver input, and the car lurches forward or backward when shifted from Park to Drive or Reverse. This happens randomly at low speeds—parking lots, driveways, stop lights—and has caused near-misses with pedestrians and parked cars. A/C operation consistently worsens it, especially in hot weather. One owner documented the computer commanding throttle input above 16% without any pedal application.
Separately, many report complete loss of drive power mid-drive. The wrench icon and check engine light appear, the transmission enters limp mode or won't engage, and the vehicle becomes immobile on roads or interstates. A temporary fix is shutting off the engine and restarting. This failure pattern occurs across mileage ranges—as early as 8,000 miles, as late as 150,000.
Transmission bucking and jerking during acceleration round out the picture. Owners hear loud thumps on gear shifts, experience hesitation followed by hard kicks, and describe inability to accelerate safely on highways or uphill. Dealers blame throttle body ($800 replacement), transmission control module ($1,000), or full transmission replacement ($7,500+). Owners report replacement throttle bodies sometimes fail too. Ford initially recalled throttle body and MAF sensor issues but extended warranties often exclude throttle body coverage, leaving owners with out-of-pocket bills.
Same Ford Five Hundred powertrain reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Idle surge and lurch on shift
Engine surges and vehicle lunges or jumps unexpectedly when shifted from Park to Drive or Reverse, or while idling in gear. Happens both with and without A/C on, though A/C activation worsens it. RPM jumps 500–1500+ points without driver input. Occurs randomly and intermittently, making it hard to predict.
When: Ranges from 8,000 miles to 150,000 miles; many start around 40,000–50,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Uncontrolled lurch or jump when shifting into Drive or Reverse; RPM surge to 2,000 RPM or higher while idling; Vehicle moves several feet despite brake application; Worse with A/C on, especially in hot weather; Intermittent and unpredictable—may happen once per drive or multiple times in sequence; No warning lights in early stages; wrench icon and check engine light may appear later
Codes mentioned: P0701, Wrench icon (transmission/powertrain malfunction), Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Throttle body replacement $800; some owners report cleaning and reprogramming has been attempted with temporary results. Multiple owners state replacement throttle bodies have also proven defective. TCM (transmission control module) replacement $1,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Throttle body and MAF sensor recall mentioned; Ford reimbursed some throttle body repairs after complaints mounted (noted in one complaint). Extended warranties often exclude throttle body; some owners found warranty expired or had been back-dated.
Loss of power and limp mode
Vehicle suddenly loses drive power, goes into limp mode, or transmission fails to engage. Wrench icon and check engine light illuminate. Problem resets temporarily if engine is shut off and restarted. Occurs at various speeds including highway.
When: Mileage varies widely; some early (42,000 miles), some later (124,000+ miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of drive power or transmission engagement; Vehicle enters limp mode with severely reduced power; Wrench icon and check engine light illuminate; Problem resets temporarily when engine shut off and restarted; Occurs at idle, low speed, and highway speeds; Strange thumping or 'helicopter-like' sound at idle
Codes mentioned: P0701, Wrench icon, Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers initially suspect transmission failure; one owner quoted $7,500 for transmission replacement. Some suggest internal transmission failure, though one shop found no metal debris under pan filter. Mechatronics unit replacement mentioned in one case.
Transmission buck and hesitation
Transmission shudders, bucks, jerks, or hesitates during acceleration, particularly at higher speeds or on inclines. Vehicle may produce loud thumping noise when shifting into gear. Acceleration hesitation followed by sudden engagement.
When: Varies from early ownership to 149,000 miles; one complaint at 27,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud thump or banging noise when shifting into gear; Transmission bucking and jerking during acceleration; Hesitation followed by sudden hard engagement; Severe acceleration sluggishness, especially uphill; Cannot pass other vehicles safely; Worsens over time with each drive
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Traction control warning
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission kit replacement attempted in at least one case without success. Some dealers say transmission must be replaced; one owner given $7,500 quote.
Delayed or failed gear engagement
Transmission fails to shift into Drive or Reverse on demand, or shifts are severely delayed. Engine revs but gears do not change. Vehicle may suddenly shift hard after delay or refuse to engage.
When: Variable; one case at 35,000 miles, another at 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gear shift knob moves but transmission does not change gears; Engine revs with no corresponding gear engagement; Delayed shift response requiring coasting downhill to restore function; Hard kick when transmission finally engages after delay
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to pinpoint cause in at least one case; transmission replacement recommended but not performed by owner.
Synthesized from 53 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Car: 2007 Ford 500 limited. Moving shift lever from park to reverse or to drive, after about 1 second the car "lurches" forward or backward. I keep the brake locked down when changing gears for several seconds until im sure it wont jump but I have to remember to do it. This is dangerous. When this first started happening, I almost ran over someone. I hope you can identify the problem and let me…
At very low speeds (example in a parking lot) trying to park the car it will surge really hard even when foot is on brake.. Makes parking very dangerous.. I almost hit a person and almost wrecked into another car another time.. When shifting from park to reverse with foot on brake the rpms go away up and it is as if someone is flooring the gas pedal. *tr
It's starting not going into highway gears (5&6) just revs real high and when it does finally, it kicks really hard. Sounds and feels like it's going to drop out from under the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford five hundred. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated then the vehicle produced a loud noise and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for inspection. The vehicle was diagnosed with an issue with the transmission but the exact diagnosis was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
The car will surge when you put it in gear. Does it in drive and reverse. I have to keep my foot on the brake until I am away from a car or building as it will jump into them. I never know when its going to do it. I estimated when it started and is still doing it. *tr
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2007 Ford Five Hundred?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 53 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 47 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 50,000 and 100,000 miles, with the median around 69,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 50,000; a quarter make it past 100,000. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.