2005 Ford Five Hundred recalls and problems

The 2005 Ford Five Hundred has 2 safety recalls and 510 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls
2
Complaints
510
Crashes / fires
20 / 6
Injuries / deaths
14 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Ford Five Hundred vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Ford Five Hundred recalls

Recall 06V-383: Latches/Locks/Linkages

Reported Oct 5, 2006 · 139,537 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles currently registered in the following states: alaska, colorado, connecticut, delaware, idaho, illinois, indiana, iowa, kansas, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, montana, nebraska, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, north dakota, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, south dakota, utah, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and wyoming. The side door latch mechanisms may experience water intrusion allowing the latch mechanism to freeze in cold weather.

Risk: As a result, the door latch pawl may not return to the latch position when the door is closed, and the door could open while the vehicle is moving.

Fix: Dealers will install a shield over the front latches; seal a drain hole in the rear window trim molding on the freestyle rear side doors; and apply grease to all front and rear side-door latch mechanisms free of charge. The recall began on november 8, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Recall 05V-515: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Nov 9, 2005 · 123,206 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the straps that secure the fuel tank to the vehicle body may break, causing the fuel tank and fuel tank heat shield to drop on the driveshaft (All wheel drive vehicles) or exhaust system (Front wheel drive vehicles).

Risk: If this happens, drivers may notice a noise or a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will replace both fuel tank straps. The recall began on december 1, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

2005 Ford Five Hundred problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train139
Vehicle Speed Control104
Electrical System95
Engine58
Engine and Engine Cooling50
Service Brakes, Hydraulic45
Structure33
Fuel/Propulsion System24
Latches/Locks/Linkages23
Unknown or Other20
Suspension17
Fuel System, Gasoline17

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 59
  • Structure › Body — 17
  • Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 17
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 13
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 12
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor — 11
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 7
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Pads — 6

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 72,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Ford Five Hundred complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · at 80,000 miles · reported Aug 19, 2025
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made an abnormal knocking sound. The vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics, where the flywheel was replaced twice with used parts because the part had been discontinued. The contact stated that while her son was driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The check transmission warning light, the check engine warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The driver was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart but…
Engine · reported Aug 22, 2023
I have 2 very serious and dangerous issues. The 1st issue, the car will shut off while driving and without warning. I'll be cruzing down the highway and out of no where it shuts off. I then do not have breaks or power stearing. This last Winter my daughter was driving it and it shut off while she was on black ice. The car flew into the ditch and the snow was so deep it was compacted in the entire engine so it was impossible to restart the car. It was akso -37 below temperature. It took me almost a half hour to get to her and she almost froze to death. She sustained frost bite on her hands…
Engine · reported Jul 8, 2023
The engine keep going into limp mode. The car stalls out while at lights an stop signs, power steering goes out on highway an other roads making it impossible to steer or steer out of others ways, limp mode causes car to not be able to keep up with traffic on highway and other roads. Engine jerks forward an shifts irractically an shifts an downshifts hard.
Suspension · reported Jul 8, 2023
While driving the front end suspension slips, bounces up and down very harshly, tires slip, squeak, and slide in an hard to control way, sometimes into oncoming traffic when in slightly damp conditions an on roads with any amount of bumps, to the point that I need to drive extremely slow to avoid danger which in turn puts my and my passengers and my kids in danger by goin to slow in regards to the traffic around us. When hitting relatively small bumps the suspension bounces the car severely up and down and across the road into harms way.
Power Train · reported Jul 12, 2022
While waiting at the light in traffic, my car all of a sudden Accelerated, and decelerates, I have to push hard on the breaks in order for it to not slam into the cars infront of me.. this is really dangerous, from what I have been reading this is a wide spread issue that ford has ignored for years..

Other Ford Five Hundred years

Compare all Ford Five Hundred years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred: 06V-383 (latches/locks/linkages), 05V-515 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Five Hundred?

Owners report power train problems most often (139 reports), followed by vehicle speed control (104). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 72,000 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.