2005 Ford Five Hundred complaints

I HAVE A RECALL OF NOV 2006 ON MY 2005 FORD 500 FOR THE DOORS FLYING OPEN AFTER FREEZING VIN [XXX] AND ROBIN OF FORD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS STATES FORD WILL NOT PICK THIS CAR UP (AS IT HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES AS PREVIOUSLY NOTED TO YOU AND HAS AN AFFIDAVIT OF NON USE FILED). FORD IS REFUSING TO PERFORM WORK ON THE RECALL. *JB UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN JULY 2005. I HAD NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT A LARGE AMOUNT OF BLACK BRAKE DUST ACCUMULATED ON THE REAR WHEELS. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN 80 TO 90 PERCENT OF THE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MINIMAL BRAKING. AT 6000 MILES I NOTICED A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEELS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS HAD WORN OUT AND RUINED THE ROTORS. THEY REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKES ON WARRANTY. AT 32,000 MILES DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE THE SHOP MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE REAR BRAKES WERE GONE. I RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE I HAD PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD COMPLETED THE LAST BRAKE REPLACEMENT AND ASKED THEM IF PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 500 HUNDRED. THEY DID NOT RESPOND. I ASKED THEM IF THEY THOUGHT IT UNUSUAL FOR THE BRAKES TO WEAR OUT TWICE IN 32,000 MILES? I TOLD THEM THAT ALL OF MY OTHER VEHICLES WHICH WEAR/ARE DRIVEN IN SIMILAR CONDITIONS USUALLY DO NOT NEED A BRAKE REPLACEMENT UNTIL THEY ARE AT 80,000 MILES OR MORE? THEY TOLD ME THAT IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE MY DRIVING HABITS. I DO NOT DRIVE ANY DIFFERENTLY NOW THAT I HAVE OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. THEY TOLD ME ON THIS SECOND VISIT FOR A BRAKE PROBLEM THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO CHARGE ME TO INSPECT THE BRAKES AND IF THEY DID NOT FIND A MECHANICAL PROBLEM, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THEY CAME BACK TO ME AND SAID THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE STICKING. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. THE

WHILE CONDUCTING A WEEKLY INSPECTION AND PRESSURE CHECK OF MY TIRES, (CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTACT AS P215/60R17) A SPLIT MEASURING APPROXIMATELY 2" IN LENGTH WAS OBSERVED IN THE SIDEWALL OF ONE TIRE. THE SPLIT DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CAUSED BY ANY ROAD DAMAGE OR OTHER EXTERNAL FORCE. THERE IS NO AIR LEAKAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SPLIT. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN OUT OF SERVICE AND NEW TIRES HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO REPLACE THIS SET. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONCE SHE STARTS THE CAR AND DRIVES A SHORT DISTANCE AT 10 MPH AND COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP THE CAR WILL THEN ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER (FREEMONT FORD) A DOZEN TIMES AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALER.

PURCHASED FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN FEBRUARY 2006, AN SEL AUTOMATIC. AROUND 15,000 MILES BEGAN NOTICING TRANSMISSION ISSUES, MOSTLY HESITATION WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT OCCURRED OCT. 22, 2006 WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE FREEWAY, ENGINE REVVED WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL BUT VEHICLE SLOWED AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THEN IT PUNCHED VIOLENTLY AND RESUMED DRIVING NORMALLY. WE PULLED OVER THINKING SOMETHING MAJOR WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. WE BEGAN OUR JOURNEY AGAIN AND HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS OF MINOR PUNCHING OF THE TRANSMISSION, LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR AND GOING BACK IN AGAIN. AFTER WE RETURNED HOME, THESE PROBLEMS WERE VERY INTERMITTENT. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE RE-ENGAGING. WE BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER THE SECOND WEEK IN NOVEMBER. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THEY SAID THERE WAS A COMPUTER TECHNICIAN LOG THAT SUGGESTED A RESET. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER, CHANGED THE OIL, CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, ETC. A FEW DAYS LATER THE TRANSMISSION WAS BACK TO SLIPPING INTERMITTENTLY. ON NOVEMBER 20, 2006, THE SEVERE PUNCHING BEGAN AGAIN, SO BAD THIS TIME THE VEHICLE ALMOST CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WE HAD TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO 2ND BEFORE IT ENGAGED AND WE WERE ABLE TO ACCELERATE. SINCE WE WERE ON VACATION, WE HAD TO CONTINUE ON OUR TRIP WITH THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING IN AND OUT OF GEAR. WHEN WE RETURNED FROM OUR TRIP, BA

I TOOK MY 2005 FORD 500 WITH 18,000 MILES TO THE DEALER FOR A NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND AFTER REPLACING THE STRUT UNDER WARRANTY TO TAKE CARE OF THE NOISE, I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY REAR BRAKES SHOULD BE REQUIRED AND CERTAINLY NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHEN THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 18,000 MILES AND THE FRONT BRAKES ARE FINE. IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS VEHICLE HAS A DESIGN PROBLEM SINCE THE REAR BRAKE WHEELS ARE DOING MOST OF THE WORK. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESS BY FORD AND NHTSA. *JB

SUBJECT: EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. NEW CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 17, 2005. REAR BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND ROTORS TURNED BY FORD DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 13, 2006 AT 29,976 MILES. FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ON NOV. 17, 2006 AT 46,691 MILES. WHY DID THE FORD FACTORY REAR BRAKE PADS/ROTORS GET 29,976 MILES AND FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED REAR BRAKE PAD/ROTORS GET ONLY 16,715 MILES? PADS FRONT: FORD FACTORY INSTALLED STILL ON CAR WITH 46,691 MILES: LEFT FRONT: OUTSIDE 6MM THICK INSIDE 8MM THICK RIGHT FRONT: OUTSIDE 6 MM THICK INSIDE 8 MM THICK PADS REAR: FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED NEW 0 MILES LEFT REAR: OUTSIDE 8 MM THICK INSIDE 10 MM THICK RIGHT REAR: OUTSIDE 8MM THICK INSIDE 10 MM THICK FORD RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE PADS IS LESS THAN 3 MM. THE FRONT PADS ARE 6 INCHES LONG AND THE REAR PADS ARE ONLY 2 INCHES LONG. WHY ARE THE REAR PADS ONLY 1/3 THE SIZE OF THE FRONT PADS? THE REAR WHEEL RIMS ARE ALWAYS BLACK WITH EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. THE FRONT WHEEL RIMS HAVE VERY LITTLE BRAKE DUST. THE REAR WHEELS WHEN JACKED UP AND SPUN BY HAND SEEM TO DRAG ON THE PADS/ROTORS. OTHER CARS I HAVE WILL SPIN BY HAND 8 TO 10 SECONDS. THE FORD 500 WILL SPIN ONLY 3 SECONDS. IS IT POSSIBLE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ARE THE PROBLEM FOR THIS DRAG AND WEAR? THE FORD DEALER IS HELPFUL, BUT FORD WARRANTY IS ONLY 18,000 MILES/12 MONTHS ON FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKES, AND 12,000/12 MONTHS ON FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED BRAKES. I HA

THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THROUGH OUT THE CAR IS BEING HEARD IN THE SPEAKERS. IF THE SEATS, WINDOW, ETC., ETC. ARE TOUCHED YOU CAN HEAR THEM THROUGH THE BACK END WITH A LOUD ROARING NOISE. IT IS SO LOUD THAT YOU CAN NOT KEEP THE RADIO ON. IT ONLY REACTS WHEN IT IS EXTREMELY HOT, EXTREMELY COLD OR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN WASHED OR IT RAINS. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS TO THE DEALER WHERE THE AMP, RADIO, CD PLAYER AND SPEAKERS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. THEY HAVE EVEN ELIMINATED WATER LEAK WHICH ONLY LEAVES WIRING ISSUES IN WHICH THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE. OUR FEAR IS THAT IT COULD CAUSE FIRE. WE HAVE ARBITRATED AND CONTACTED CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE EVEN TOOK THIS TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER IN WHICH THEY TOLD US AFTER SHOWING THEM ALL THE WORK ORDERS THAT THEY WILL NOT GET INVOLVED SINCE IT IS A PRE-EXISTING ISSUE THAT ANOTHER DEALER HAS TRIED TO RESOLVE MANY, MANY TIMES. JUST BE CAUTIOUS AND PLACE YOUR VEHICLE INSIDE AWAY FROM THESE CONDITIONS SO IT DOESN'T ACT UP AND CAUSE MORE ISSUES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE REAR ROTORS MADE A GRINDING NOISE WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, WHO REPLACED THE ROTORS DUE TO BRAKE PAD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO STATED THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISORY IN REGARDS TO THIS MATTER # 10014650 ABOUT THE SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC. THE VEHICLE WAS ON ITS THIRD SET OF BRAKE PADS.

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD 500 NEW IN JULY 2005. I HAD IT SERVICED BY THE BOOK AT MY DEALERSHIP. ON NOV 14,2006 I TOOK IT IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE 22,000 MILE CHECK UP. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED NEW REAR BRAKES AND "ROTORS". SINCE 75% OF THESE MILES ARE ALL HIGHWAY MILES (VERY LITTLE BRAKING), THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO REASON WHY REAR BRAKES SHOULD BE REQUIRED....AND CERTAINLY NO EXCUSE FOR THE ROTORS NEEDING REPLACED. SINCE I TAKE EXTREMELY GOOD CAR OF MY VEHICLES, INCLUDING WASHING IT BY HAND, I HAVE NOTICED SINCE I BOUGHT IT THAT THE REAR WHEELS ARE ALWAYS BLACK WITH BRAKE DUST. THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TYPICALLY CLEAN. THAT MUST MEAN THE REAR WHEELS ARE DOING MOST OF THE WORK. THIS IS WITHOUT A DOUBT AN ENGINEERING ISSUE. ALSO, HAVING VISITED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, IT IS LITTERED WITH COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER FORD 500 OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. AND VIA THEIR REPORTS, A DENIAL BY FORD THAT THERE IS NOT PROBLEM. (WONDER WHY THEY ARE ON THE ROPES AS A CAR MAKER???) I "CHATTED WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR TO NO AVAIL. I PLAN ON GOING HIGHER....WISH ME LUCK. ON THE OTHER HAND, I PRESENT TO BETWEEN 15 AND 20 THOUSAND INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR ACROSS THE COUNTRY TALKING ABOUT INTEGRITY AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. FORD IS ABOUT TO LEARN THE TRUE MEANING OF THE TERM "CUSTOMER TERRORIST". I CAN ASSURE THEM THAT I WILL GET MY MONEY'S WORTH A COUPLE OF HUNDRED TIMES OVER. MAYBE YOU SHOULD WISH THEM LUCK...THEY ARE GOING TO NEED IT. *NM

2005 FORE FIVE HUNDRED- THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED; 1)FOUR TIMES THE CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT HAS COME ON , AND CAR THEN WAS UNABLE TO DRIVE FASTER THAN 40 MPH. EACH TIME CAR WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS, INCLUDING REPLACING MODULES AND THE TRANS AXLE PAN. CURRENTLY THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM. 2) ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT WINDOW WOULD GO TO THE DOWN POSITION WHEN THE BUTTON WAS PRESSED FOR THE UP POSITION. THE WINDOW MOTOR AND HARNESS WERE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP FOR THIS PROBLEM ALSO. *NM

I HAVE HAD MY REAR BRAKES ON MY FORD 500 CHANGED TWICE. VEHICLE HAD 53,000 MILES ON WHEN SECOND BRAKE JOB WAS DONE. DEALERSHIP STATED "THEY ARE SEE THE REAR BRAKES GO ABOUT EVERY 20,000 MILES. HEAVY BRAKE DUST AND HEAT AROUND BRAKES ARE ALSO A CONCERN. *NM

2005 FORD 500 ROBIN MARSHALL FORD MOTOR COMPANY EXECUTIVE OFFICES FORM LETTER STATES THAT FORDS "REVIEW INDICATES THAT THE PREVIOUS DECISION PROVIDED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY IS APPROPRIATE" DATED OCT 3 2006 AS I WAS WATCHING CNN NEWS ABOUT RECALL 06V383000 AND FORD # 06S45 OF SEPT 28 2006. PURCHASED MARCH 28 2005 AND AS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED NUMEROUS SUSPENSION AND BRAKING PROBLEMS. ODI ID NUMBER : 10123895 - ODI ID NUMBER : 10135289 AND NUMEROUS COMMUNICATIONS WITH FORD THEY FINALLY HAD DAVE MUNN FORD REP HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OMEARA FORD FOR AN INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR 15 MONTHS WITH A COLORADO AFFIDAVIT OF NON USE FOR SAFETY RELATED ISSUES, AFTER OMEARA FORD GROUND DOWN THE REAR ROTORS TO WITHIN 1/1000 OF MINIMUM AND BRAKING ISSUES CONTINUED . I HAD A HEART ATTACK AND 5 WAY BYPASS AND CANNOT TAKE THE STRESS THIS VEHICLE HAS PUT ME UNDER. I CONSIDER THE CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORDS INSPECTION WAS A SHAM, AS OMEARA FORD'S SERVICE TICKET INDICATES NO MILEAGE IN AND 5000 MILES OUT BUT THE CAR HAS 4190 MILES ON IT TODAY. THE SERVICE TICKET INDICATES NO-TROUBLE FOUND PLUS THE ROTORS WERE STILL RUSTY WHEN THE CAR ARRIVED BACK AT MY RESIDENCE. EVEN BRAKING AND STRAIGHT TRACKING ON THE ROAD WITH THIS CAR HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE. *JB

BRAND NEW 2005 FORD 500 PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 24 2005 BEGAN AT 15000 MILES WITH BRAKE PROBLEMS. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED AT 30,000 MILES. MY JOB IS 100% SALES AND MY CAR IS MY ONLY REVENUE PROVIDER. AT 35,000 CAR SHOWING PROBLEMS WHEN HITTING THE GAS, IT WOULD NOT RUN. AT 39,000 MILES AN ELECTRIC SHORT CIRCUIT. AT 39,000 I ASKED THE DEALER TO RECHECK THE WHOLE CAR THAT IT WAS SHOWING TRANSMISSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS. AT 43,000 MILES NOW IS SITTING IN THE FORD DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED AT SINCE LAST FRIDAY SEPT 22,2006. THE FORD DEALER MECHANICAL DIRECTOR WAS INSIDE THE CAR AND ME TEST DRIVING IT, AND COULD NOT BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HIS WORDS WERE' IF THIS WAS MY CAR I WOULD NOT BE SITTING IN IT, IT'S A RISK TO ANYONE'S LIFE" TODAY, FORD INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE TO BRING THE TRANSMISSION DOWN AND OPEN IT. THEY ASK ME EVERY TIME TO SIGN IN ACCEPTANCE THEY WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING. IT IS BEING REPORTED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TOMORROW, I HAVE NOTIFIED THE BANK WHO GAVE ME THE LOAN. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE CAR RENTAL EXPENDITURES I'VE HAD TO INCUR IN ADDITION TO CONSTANT REPAIRS PRIOR TO CAR REACHING 1 YEAR. *JB

REAR AND FRONT SUSPENSION HAVE FAILED WITHIN FIVE MONTHS OF POSSESSION. FIRST REPAIR ATTEMPT ON REAR SUSPENSION OCCURRED IN MAY 2006, JUST 4 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASING THE 2005 MODEL. FORD CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS CLAIMED THERE WAS A LOOSE BRACKET AND THAT PROBLEM WAS SOLVED BUT PROBLEM WITH NOISE AND HARD BOUNCE STILL OCCURRED. SECOND REPAIR ATTEMPT OCCURRED ONE MONTH LATER, FOUND BROKEN RIGHT, REAR SHOCK. REPAIR TOOK THREE DAYS. FOUR DAYS LATER HAD TO RETURN TO GET FRONT END ALIGNED. ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2006, TOOK BACK AGAIN FOR SAME NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT REAR SHOCK. CERTIFIED TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WAS NOT FIX FOR PROBLEM AND SIMPLY GREASED CABLES. TAKING BACK TO SHOP TO ADDRESS FRONT SUSPENSION NOISE AND HANDLING PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO OBVIOUS ROAD HAZARDS. COMPLETE TREAD SEPARATION WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PULL OVER WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE TIRE WAS REMOVED AND TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PINHOLE IN THE TIRE THAT POSSIBLY CAUSED THE INITIAL BLOWOUT. THE TIRE WAS SHIPPED TO THE MANUFACTURER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION. THE TIRE WAS A PIRELLI P225/55R18, DOT # N9WNF7. UPDATED 10/31/2006 - PIRELLI REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES UNDER THE CONDITION THAT ALL FOUR TIRES BE SENT TO THEM. *NM

CONTINENTAL TIRES (215/60/17), CHUNKS OF THE TIRE ARE COMING OFF. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT ISSUE, DID NOT SEEM TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUE (JOSE). FORD ALSO WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THEY TOO DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED, HOWEVER BOTH PARTIES ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TIRES. A COMMON QUESTION OF BOTH WAS, DO I DRIVE ON GRAVEL ROADS. I TOLD THEM I DID NOT, HOWEVER FORD DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS SHELL AND SMALL GRAVEL ON UNDERSIDE OF CAR. THERE HAVE BEEN ROADS REPLACE IN THE AREA THAT I HAVE DRIVEN ON. BOTTOM LINE. I NOW HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE TIRE SAFETY ON MY CAR AND BOTH FORD AND CONTINENTAL WILL REPLACE THEM FOR A COST, BUT BOTH REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE A TIRE "ISSUE" AT THIS TIME. WILL SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. I AT ONE TIME OWNED A FORD EXPLORER AND WENT THOUGH THOSE "ISSUES". HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TIRES ON THE FORD 500 OR CONTINENTAL TIRES? COULD SOMEONE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND ASSIST ME. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *JB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED WITH 18000 MILES ON IT ALL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. THE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THEY NEEDED TO ORDER A NEW DASH CLUSTER PANEL ,AFTER 2 WEEKS CALLED DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A MONTH TO GET PART I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF AIR BAG WAS IN FAILURE MODE. NOT ONCE WAS I TOLD THIS BY DEALER. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *JB

ON THE TWO OCCASIONS THAT WE HAD SNOW THIS PAST WINTER, MY FORD 500 BEGAN TO SURGE UNCONTROLLABLY AND THE ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN ACCELERATING. IT BECAME NECESSARY TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE VEHICLE IGNITION OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED, THE TROUBLE LIGHT WAS OFF AND I CONTINUED MY JOURNEY HOME. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, ENGINE FAILURE LIGHT AND THE SURGING. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT TOOK QUITE AWHILE TO GET HOME. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER THE FIST TIME AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. AFTER THE SECOND SNOW STORM, AND THE SAME SYMPTOMS, THE DEALER SAID THE PROBLEM OCCURRED BECAUSE THE FILTER WAS INSTALLED BACKWARDS. SOMEWHAT SKEPTICAL, I ACCEPTED THEIR EXPLANATION BECAUSE OF MY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEALER OWNER AND SERVICE MANAGER. WHILE AT WORK THE OTHER DAY, I NOTICED A CO-WORKER WITH A SIMILAR TYPE VEHICLE AND INQUIRED AS TO HOW SHE LIKED THE FORD 500. HER RESPONSE SHOCKED ME WHEN SHE STATED THAT SHE LIKED THE VEHICLE, BUT HAD TROUBLE THIS PAST WINTER IN THE SNOW. SHE DESCRIBED THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAD EXPERIENCED AND NOW I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER 2005 FORD 500 OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS. I AM HOPING THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME IN DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. *JB

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FIVEHUNDRED THAT IS EQUIPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTACT TOURING TIRES. ACCORDING TO CONTINENTAL'S WEBSITE, THESE TIRES SHOULD LAST FOR SIXTY THOUSAND MILES. CURRENTLY MY VEHICLE HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND TWO OF THE TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY MY DEALER THAT IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. CONTINENTAL STATES THAT FORD SHOULD WARRANTY THE TIRES. FORD STATES CONTINENTAL SHOULD WARRANTY THE TIRES. TIRES THAT WEAR OUT THIS QUICKLY MUST BE DEFECTIVE. THIS TYPE TIRE SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER TO PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AND/OR BEING KILLED.

DASH GAUGES DROP TO ZERO WHILE CAR IS RUNNING USUALLY FOR A FEW SECONDS, SOMETIMES FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. OCCASIONALLY THE LED DISPLAY ALSO GOES OUT WITH HEADLIGHTS AND TURN SIGNALS FOR 10 SECONDS TO 10 MINUTES WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING PERFECT. *JB

2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED TO RESTRAIN PASSENGER WHEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *KB *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60MPH ON WET PAVEMENT AND BLACK ICE, THE VEHICLE SPUN AND COLLIDED WITH A GUARDRAIL. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGER TIGHTLY IN THE SEAT, RESULTING IN LEG AND BACK NEUROLOGICAL INJURIES. THE PASSENGER IN THE REAR SEAT WAS ALSO INJURED DURING THE COLLISION, HOWEVER THE REAR SEAT BELT HELD TIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

2005 FORD 500 REAR RIGHT FEMALE HALF SEAT BELT IS DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE DUE TO POOR DESIGN. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD AND WAS REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO AFTER MONTHS OF DELAY REFERRED BACK TO FORD WHO STATED THAT IT MEETS THEIR STANDARDS. THE BELT IS TOO SHORT AND FLEXIBLE. IT RETRACTS BACK INTO THE SEAT CUSHION MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO BUCKLE. THIS CONDITION CAN AND WILL LEAD TO NON USE OF THE BELT AND CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM A STOP SIGN, GOING LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE FUEL CUTOFF INERTIA SWITCH WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ON 6-14-06 THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD GOING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME ALLOWING THE CONTACT TO GET OUT OF THE ROAD. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, IT STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE INERTIA SWITCH; WHICH WAS PARTIALLY DETACHED. THE DEALERSHIP PUT A STRAP AROUND THE SWITCH. ON 6-16-06 THE DEALERSHIP WAS ASKED TO START THE VEHICLE AND TAP THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD WHERE THE INERTIA SWITCH WAS LOCATED. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AGAIN. THE SERVICE DEPT. MANAGER TESTED OTHER FORD 500S ON THE LOT TO SEE IF THE SAME THING OCCURRED AND IT DID. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THE SAME THING WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN.

MY 2005 FORD FIVE-HUNDRED. IT DOES HAVE 56,000 MILES BUT ALMOST ALL ARE INTERSTATE MILES. REAR PASSENGER BRAKE IS SCRAPING BADLY AND EVEN MAKING NOISE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I SUSPECT A FAILED SYSTEM AND THE PAD'S ON THE ROTOR ALL THE TIME. KAYSER FORD IN MADISON TRIED TO SELL ME ENTIRELY NEW REAR BRAKES FOR $400. THAT'S RIDICULOUS. I DON'T RIDE THE BRAKE. WHY ARE THE FRONT BRAKES OKAY AND THE REARS GONE ALREADY ON A 2005??? I SUSPECT A DEFECT. I WANT IT FIXED WITHOUT BEING GOUGED. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.

I PURCHASED A NEW 2005 FORD 500 IN MID 2005. I ONLY HAVE 3600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. REAR WHEELS OF MY VEHICLE ARE COMPLETELY BLACKENED BY BRAKE DUST THAT HE HAD . REAR ROTORS WERE ARE DEEPLY GROOVED AND SHOULD BE REPAIRED OR REPLACED. SHOP FOREMAN AT DEALERSHIP SHOWED A RELEASE FROM THE FORD ENGINEER DIVISION THAT NOTIFIED FORD DEALERS THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE INVESTIGATING THE PROBLEM AND WILL USE DIFFERENT BRAKE PADS IN THE ....4TH QUARTER OF 2006, BUT WERE PRESENTLY CONSIDERING THE PROBLEM TO BE NORMAL AND WILL NOT ALLOW ANY WARRANTY WORK. THE SHOP FOREMAN ADMITTED THAT HE CONSIDERED THE PROBLEM TO BE AN ENGINEERING ISSUE, WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH OTHER NEW FORD VEHICLES, AND WAS GOING TO CALL FORD ENGINEERING ABOUT THE ISSUE. SHOP FOREMAN CALLED JUNE 22, 2006 AND ADVISED THAT FORD WAS NOT CONSIDERING THE PROBLEM TO BE A PROBLEM AND WERE NOT GOING TO BACK ANY WARRANTY WORK. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE ''OWNER''S MANUAL" RECOMMENDS THAT THE WHEELS BE WASHED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK. A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE ANSWER IS TO WASH THE WHEELS ONCE A WEEK? SON-IN-LAW ALSO DETERMINED THAT AFTER DRIVING SEVERAL BLOCKS, THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS WERE BE INCREDIBLY HOT. HE ADVISED ME THAT THE EXCESSIVE HEAT COULD CAUSE MY BRAKES TO BRAKES TO FAIL AND ME OR OTHERS COULD BE INJURED, OR WORSE. ** REAR BRAKE PADS DEGRADING AND REAR BRAKE ROTORS NEED REPLACED. EXCESSIVE HEAT IN REAR ROTORS. *NM

EXCESSIVE REAR BRAKE WEAR. REAR BRAKES WORE BEFORE THE FRONT. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL GAUGE WAS STICKING INTERMITTENTLY AND WOULD NOT INDICATE THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. EVENTUALLY THE GAUGE WOULD NOT OPERATE AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL QUALITY AND ADDED FUEL ENHANCERS TO THE FUEL TANK. CURRENTLY THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT MAINTAINED IF THERE WAS ACTUALLY A PROBLEM WITH FUEL QUALITY THE PROPER AUTHORITIES SHOULD BE NOTIFIED. UPDATED *AK UPDATED 6/20/2006 - *NM UPDATED 06/19/06- THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT SULFUR WAS IN THE FUEL THAT HE WAS USING, WHICH WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB

BATTERY ACID EATS AWAY PLASTIC TRANSMISSION CABLE LINKAGE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE DOES NOT AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STOP WITHIN A REASONABLE DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE ABS SENSOR, AND HAS BLED THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM IS NOT AS SEVERE OR AS OFTEN, IT STILL OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. UPDATED 05/30/06.*AK

OIL LIFE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE CONTINUES TO REPORT ZERO PERCENTAGE LIFE REMAINING. *JB

STARTING IN DECEMBER WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS STARTING PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR. WE HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FIVE TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THREE OTHER TIMES FOR OTHER WARRANTY PROBLEMS. WHEN YOU GO TO START THE CAR IS TURNS OVER BUT WILL NOT START OR IT WILL START THEN DIE. WHEN IT ACTED UP WE ALSO HAD A LOSS OF POWER ONCE IT WOULD START THE SECOND TIME IT WENT TO DEALER FOR THE PROBLEM WE COULD NOT GET IT STATED AT ALL AND IT HAD TO BE TOWED. AFTER THE LAST REPAIR IT NOW IS GETTING ONLY ABOUT 19 MILES TO THE GALLON IN COMBINED DRIVING. WE HAVE ASKED FORD TO BUY THE VEHICLE BACK AND THREE TIMES WE WERE TOLD A FORD REGIONAL REP WOULD CALL US BACK TO WORK WITH US AND THEY NEVER WOULD CALL US BACK. WE ARE CURRENTLY TRYING TO HAVE FORD BUY THE VEHICLE BACK OR REPLACE IT THROUGH THE BBB DISPUTE REPLACEMENT BUT THEY WILL NOT. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DOORS AND MOLDINGS NOT BEING ALIGNED CORRECTLY AND THIS CAUSED DAMAGE WHEN THE REAR DOOR OPENED AND DAMAGED THE DOORS. ALSO THE POWER WINDOWS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED TWICE AND NEEDED REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT OF THE WINDOW REGULATOR. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THIS VEHICLE AND FORD. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT WHISTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT 30 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS PULLED TO THE LEFT TO AVOID A CURB AND THE STEERING FAILED. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT WAS NOT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. THE KNUCKLE, PISTON, AND SPRING WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 02/28/06

PURCHASED A NEW FORD FIVE HUNDRED IN OCTOBER OF 2005. I WAS UNFORTUNATELY INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. MY CONCERN IS THAT THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. WITH THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *JB

CONSUMER 2005 FORD 500 DOOR CAME OPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TS WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE FROM THE DOORS. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH FRONT DOOR LATCHES AND NEW WATER CANELS. THE DASH HAD A BUBBLE IN THE LEATHER AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT. THE MOLDING WAS COMING OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON ONE OCCASION. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN APPLYING BRAKE PRESSURE THE ENGINE REVVED AT AN ELEVATED LEVEL. HE SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. WHEN THIS OCCURRED AND THE RPMS SUBSIDED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, BUT THIS DID NOT PRODUCE ANY CODES INDICATING THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. HE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFERRED HIM BACK TO THE LOCAL DEALER.*AK

FORD FIVE HUNDRED 2005 WITH BRAKE FAILURE, DEFECTIVE RADIO, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR REPLACED TWICE. *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE, THE LEFT REAR BRAKE CALIPER AT THE PISTON SEAL WAS LEAKING. *JB

DT: THE PARKING BRAKE IN THE REAR WHEEL AREA DID NOT RELEASE PROPERLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN THE MIDDLE OF SEPTEMBER 2005. HE COULD SMELL A HOT ODOR INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WHEELS WERE ALUMINUM, AND THE REAR WHEELS WERE BLACK FROM BRAKE LINING DUST. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TWICE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE PARKING BRAKE. THE CONTACT WILL BE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO DEALE R AGAIN. THE CONTACT NOTICED GROVES FORMING ON THE BRAKE ROTORS. *AK UPDATED 11/29/05. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD NEW MODEL 500 THAT HAD A LIGHT TAN INTERIOR INCLUDING THE DASHBOARD. DUE TO THE INTERIOR COLOR THERE WAS A REFLECTION FROM THE WINDSHIELD THAT WAS PRESENT ONLY IN DAYLIGHT HOURS. THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, BUT THE CONTACT WISHED TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT AT THIS TIME. THE CONTACT PUT A BLACK BLANKET TO ELIMINATE THE REFLECTION WHILE DRIVING DURING THE DAY. THIS WAS NO LONGER A PROBLEM WITH THE CONTACT. THE CONTACT CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY WOULD NOT RETURN HIS CALLS REGARDING THE MATTER. *AK

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, ELECTRONIC THROTTLE IS VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. IN TIMES WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY, THROTTLE WILL NOT LET YOU. IT CAN BE VERY SCARY. THIS IS A BIG SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. DEALER HAS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. DEALER SAID IT IS COMMON WITH OTHER 500'S. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD 500 SEL. THE VEHICLE WAS MADE WITH A SIX SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN GOING DOWN HILL IT HAS A OVERDRIVE IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN THE CONSUMER REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPEED UP GOING DOWN HILL AND IF PRESSING THE BRAKES FOR A LONG DISTANCE, THE BRAKES WILL GET HOT. MANUFACTURER TOLD HIM THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THERE SHOULD BE SOME WAY TO TURN THE OVERDRIVE OFF. HE OWNED OTHER FORD VEHICLES THAT HAD THE OPTION TO TURN THE OVERDRIVE OFF. *AK *JB

PAINT CHIPS DUE TO WHAT I FEEL IS A BODY FLAW. THE TIRES FLIP SMALL GRAVEL AGAINST THE FLARE DIRECTLY BEHIND THE REAR CAR DOORS. THIS CAUSED CHIPS IN THE PAINT. *JB

CONTINUATION OF SUSPENSION AND BRAKE PROBLEMS AFTER LAST FILING WITH NHTSA. BRAKING IN WET WEATHER, DESCENDING STEEP GRADE, CAR PULLS AND FADES. 2 DAYS AFTER LONGMONT FORD HAD CAR FOR 6 DAYS AND RETURNED IT WITH CLEAN BILL OF HEALTH. OMERA FORD DIAGNOSED BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION PROGRAMMING PROBLEMS AND ONCE AGAIN TURNED DOWN REAR ROTORS TO VERY CLOSE TO MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS. CONSUMER REPORT JAN 2005 REPORTS SIMILAR ISSUES WITH BRAKING, AUTO-WEEK MAY-16-2005 REPORTS BRAKE FADE AND STABILITY PROBLEMS IN THEIR TEST TRACK REPORT. THIS IS A FIRST MODEL YEAR CAR FOR FORD WHICH IS BASED OFF OF A MODIFIED VOLVO DESIGN OF UNDER-CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE IS NOW PARKED WITH AN AFFIDAVIT OF NON USE ON IT BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF INCIDENTS AND REPAIRS THAT HAVE OCCURRED ON REAR SUSPENSION AND BRAKES. FORD AT ARBITRATION MAINTAINED THAT IN LATE JULY THERE WERE MORE TSB'S ISSUED FOR THE 2005 FORD 500, BUT I AM UNABLE TO FIND SAME ON NHTSA WEBSITE. WITH THE NUMBER OF INDEPENDENT TRADE AND CONSUMER PUBLICATIONS THAT SITE THE SAME ISSUES THAT I AM HAVING WITH THIS CAR, I PETITION NHTSA TO PULL SOME OF THESE EARLY MODEL CARS AND SUBJECT THEM TO SUSPENSION AND BRAKING TEST AS STATED IN NHTSA 99.6583-1 CONSUMER BRAKING INFORMATION INITIATIVE, ABERDEEN TEST CENTER FALL 1998. *JB

DT: LAST SUNDAY THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE MOTOR STARTING RACING AND MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE IT WAS REVVING UP. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THEY THINK IT WAS JUST A GLITCH. *JB

DT: 2005 FORD 500 SEDAN DID NOT HAVE AN INTERMEDIATE OR SECOND GEAR FOR GEARING DOWN TO GOING DOWN MOUNTAINS. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AND NEEDED TO BE BROUGHT TO FORD'S ATTENTION. *AK *NM

DT: CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT REFLECTION OF DASHBOARD ON WINDSHIELD. THE TAN COLORED DASHBOARD REFLECTED IN THE WINDSHIELD EVEN IN THE DAYLIGHT, BUT IT WAS WORSE IN THE SUN, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY OF FRONT WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER SAID THAT REFLECTION OF WINDSHIELD IN THE SUN LIGHT WAS VERY BAD AND VERY DANGEROUS. *AK *NM