Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Five Hundred owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 was undrivable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.
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..
Leaving a grocer at 13:15 on 9/7/2015 started to back out of parking spot when auto suddenly accelerated backward, across the aisle and slammed into parked vehicle with impact sending that auto into a 3rd. Damages to both vehicles. When I went to pull into my original slot to deal with situation, as soon as I removed foot from brake, auto lunged forward at high rate of speed, jumped a 6" landscape curb and plowed into the front end of a Cadillac srx causing major damage to that vehicle, still unk total damage to mine. It was a very hot day and the ac was running. No other vehicles were occupied other than mine, and I was sole occupant. My airbag did not deploy and passenger's was not turned on. I did receive a significant bruise on my sternum from the shoulder component of my seat belt. My foot was not on the accelerator for either "lunge". …
Transmission has very hard and delayed upshift and downshift making it difficult to control speed when accelerating and decelerating. RPM gets stuck around 3000 at lower speeds and upon engaging into gear has made my tires squawk with a sudden lunge in speed and same problem when trying to stop, the car lunges forward. It acts as though it is in neutral but then when it engages into gear sudden changes in speed occur causing rapid acceleration or deceleration. The problem gets worse after the car is up to normal operating temperature. It doesn't occur as often at colder operating temperature. This problem makes it difficult to get back up to safe highway speeds after having to stop for traffic or red lights as well as hard to get up to speed to safely merge into traffic from an on ramp. As far as "when" this happened it is every day as I drive daily.
I own a 2005 Ford Five Hundred CVT. 2 months ago the transmission began acting up. Driving along and the "wrench" lite comes on then the "skid" lite comes on. The car goes into a loss of power, like low gear. It moved but revs up and won't shifts up. I know its a constant velocity trans so it is at it's lower ratio. After hours of diagnostic it comes down to the trans control module, and still not sure. The OBD codes say loss of communication, a u code. Every inch of harness has been checked the whole interior has been removed, dash disassembled. I'm into it over $2,000. I love the car, it rides great. Its has been well maintained. Ford I need help. Need to recall this issue or how about a p01 or z01 policy adjustment.
Front driver side lower control arm ball joint sheared off at 25 MPH while making a left hand turn and then snapped the cv joint axle shaft causing the driver side wheel to jam inside the wheel well and damage lower part of body and fender. The vehicl was totally disable at this point sitting in the middle of an intersection. Similar incident happened two years ago with the passenger side front wheel and the lower control arm ball joint sheared and snapped the cv joint axle shaft at 45 MPH and caused vehicle to turn 180 degrees blocking two lanes of hwy. That time front wheel damaged wheel well and sensor wires on that side fo the engine bay
Electronic throttle control is bad. The car lunges forward and back. It also goes into engine fail safe mode. It also caused me a little accident, I went in reverse and the car lunged into the garage wall, broke the frame of garage and car has scratches and marks at the rear. Very scared to drive, wife wont drive. Part is on back-order, and its my only car. Have wife and two kids and I do not want them to drive in the car. This is a serious safety issue and I can not believe how lightly it is getting taken care of. Ford needs to force a recall fast.
I purchased the car used with the understanding that it had some issues with a misfire. Upon initial inspection I fount the car was throwing the code p0351 I cleared all faults and problem went away weks went by and problem started again but more sever during normal operation the car started shaking and shifting erratic I then came upon some k formation as to a recall Ford put in place stating improper calibration of PCM and TCM cause unnecessary interaction I the electrical system and malfunction of the vehicle
This problem is going for a while, even in a stop light, foot on brake pedal the engine accelerate himself and while shifting from park to reverse or drive the sound on the transmission is hard. It go from 700 rpms to 1300 rpms on seconds, and now is worse. Took the vehicle to two Ford repair dealers, after putting on the computer,both wanted to charge me $6,000.00 on a transmission, even knowing the recalls on this units.this car looks like new I can send you photos, and I love my car.
(etb) electronic throttle body on my car causes an acceleration that makes the car jerk forward. I've almost hit a wall, and god forbid this happens on the highway I could cause an accident. Its unsafe and should be recalled. Poor design I guess but it's not worth my life. This happened while idling in drive thru when I tried to go forward it idled really high then dropped down. Would bot accelerate afterwards.
Transmission complaints in other Five Hundred years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Ford Five Hundred?
NHTSA has 136 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred, 27% of the model year's 510 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (59 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Five Hundred transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Five Hundred transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 7% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.