Ford 500 Problems by Year

We compared every Ford 500 model year from 2005–2007 using 204 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 0 recalls and federal defect investigations. No 500 year stands out with an unusual number of complaints. The best years are 2007.

3model years
204complaints
0recalls
—worst years
2007best years

Complaints by model year

200520062007996837
Owner complaints per model year, Ford 500. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
200737−25%—TransmissionAverage
2006681.3×—AccelerationAverage
200599typical—EngineAverage

* Complaints compared with the median 500 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Ford 500 problems

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Ford 500 should you avoid?

None of the Ford 500 years has an unusually high number of complaints compared with the others at the same age.

What is the best year for the Ford 500?

2007 has the fewest complaints compared with other 500 years at the same age. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Ford 500 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the transmission & drivetrain (59), engine & cooling (57) and speed control & acceleration (50). Transmission complaints peak in the 2005 model year.

How many recalls has the Ford 500 had?

0 recalls across 2005–2007.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.