Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford 500. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle decelerated and unintentionally lost power. In addition, the transmission fault and check engine indicators illuminated. The contact mentioned that the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the speedometer only showed that the vehicle was traveling 20 MPH. Afterwards, the vehicle would accelerate without warning. The vehicle was taken to key Hyundai of salem (470 s broadway, salem, nh 03079, [phone]) where the contact was informed that the throttle body was full of carbon and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was not made ware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 83,000.
Whenever I put the car into drive or reverse, the car jerks very violently. I have to keep my foot on the brake when I am shifting into drive or reverse in fear of jerking and hitting someone or another car. It launching forward too. I have taken it to capital Ford before and they told me it is nothing wrong but I am not a fool something is definitely wrong. I have spoken to other people who have 500's and they have told me they experienced the same exact issue.
The local Ford dealership, interstate Ford, states our car's entire rear differential assembly is bad, is non serviceable, and is obsolete. We purchased the car new, it is accident free, and the dealership verifies the situation is not due to excessive wear and tear (only 101,000 miles on odometer and well maintained). We cannot fix the car, trade in the car, or sell the car. I've contacted Ford twice to no avail. Our car is paid off, has low mileage for a 2006, and we planned on driving it many more years. Now it is defunct. Another car like ours is for sale in the area with over 244,000 miles on it; yet Ford is telling me that the 101,000 miles on our car is all we are going to get. We filed a lemon law claim in 2008 on this car but subsequently worked with Ford to fix some very serious problems. We have asked them to work with us and we have been refused. …
First off I couldn't get the date to populate the correct date this problem has been happening for years but the year on the date section wouldn't change for me. So whenever iam pulling into a parking space like at the grocery store its like the car gives gas and lunges forward while as iam only doing maybe 3 MPH I have to hit the brake harder because my foot is already on the brake from pulling into a parking space with a car on left and right of me in order to not hit the car that is parked in front. When putting the car into gear from park its like it lunges once I get into gear. When in park and I turn the steering wheel from left to right the car like lunges as if im giving it gas with it in gear with foot on gas. Im not sure what is wrong I've looked up my VIN for recalls and nothing is recalled. …
Vehicle downshifts very hard when braking or when trying to pass someone and you give it gas and it downshifts to accelerate it's like the vehicle goes into neutral. I was doing 70mph with someone on my rear end on I-77n and when I tried to speed up to get out of his way car shifted really hard to where I thought something broke and started to slow down quickly. Since I had the cruise control on the car shot up to 7000 RPM. So I hit the break to shut off cruise control all the while this driver behind me was about to get into my rear end I quickly moved into the right lane then over to the birm. At about 35mph the transmission engaged again and I immediately drove the car home. I took it to the Ford dealership and they recommended a valve body replacement @$3000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford 500. While driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked without warning. The engine light and failed safe mode light illuminated. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and shut off. The vehicle was able to be restarted, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was driven one mile and then stalled. The throttle control and transmission lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to be restarted and was taken to a local mechanic where it could not be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 178,300.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford 500 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (28), 2006 (20) and 2007 (11) model years. Transmission complaints make up 28% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford 500 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Ford 500 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford 500 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles; 5% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission › control module (tcm/pcm/tecm) (1 mentions).
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.