Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Five Hundred owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission was slipping. The contact restarted the vehicle and the transmission worked as designed for a while. While traveling up a hill or at a stop light, the vehicle would drift backwards. The contact had to let the vehicle drift to shift into gear. At times the vehicle failed to shift. The engine and wrench warning lights were illuminated. The contact was concerned about driving the vehicle. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated that the vehicle had an unexpected acceleration as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to stop the vehicle or place it in reverse when the failure occurred. As a result, the contact crashed into another vehicle. A police report was not filed and there were no injuries reported. Additionally, the contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to accelerate out of first gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 56,000.
I own a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. This past week I had an issue with my car lunging forward while stopped at traffic lights and also while backing up. My husband was parking the vehicle at a restaurant and while the brake was engaged the car lunged forward and hit the curb. Luckily the vehicle came to a stop once it hit the curb. What if the curb was not there but, a person was. We left the restaurant and we were at a stop light. My husband said he felt the car was going to take off. When we got home safely ( thank god ) we went online to investigate. It seems as though we are not the only one with this problem. The Ford freestyle has many complaints and the Mercury montego as well as the Five Hundred have complaints as well. It seems to be a problem with the throttle body. My husband called the dealership and got the part for about $560.00. …
Throttle body is defective due to build up within the throttle body's valve causing it to stick open or stay closed during reverse and forward driving. This in return causes a surge where at any unsuspecting moment the vehicle wood attempt to drive either in reverse or forward on its own regardless you physically pressing the brakes or the gas pedal. This is an obvious problem wiz 2005 2006 and 2007 Ford 500 and some models other than the 500 such as Ford freestyle Ford montego. This is a very dangerous issue and if not already will cause bodily injury or death. In my particular incident my vehicle have surged on a bypass causing me to almost rear end a large truck at speeds up to 70 miles per hour. There had also been countless incidents of my vehicle reverting into safe mode where my car I had slowed from 70 to 75 miles per hour down to 20 miles per hour within seconds. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate and the power train wrench icon illuminated. The contact was able to shut off and restart the vehicle in order to operate normally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the electronic throttle body sensor failed, sending the vehicle into "limp mode", and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted on several occasions. The contact mentioned that the electronic throttle body sensor was replaced twice. The vehicle recently went into "limp mode" again. The dealer performed a diagnostic test, but a failure code could not be found. The vehicle was also test driven, but the failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. While driving 60 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed and the vehicle began to lose power without warning. The vehicle was pulled over to a shoulder lane, restarted, and returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that the throttle body and engine were previously replaced. The failure occurred randomly. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
Car will be driveing 55 and completely shut off. Lossing everything including powerstearing. Have to put in neutral n coast to side of the road, sometimes will restart, others it wont. Also will start bucking and shut off. I can be doing 10mph n go to turn a corner n it shuts off. Can seem to run fine, be in the middle of an intersection and the car shut off and wouldnt restar good thing I can drive and knew what to do or I would have crashed numerous times. Have changed the throttle body and accelerator, n both sensors. Did not fix problem. Now saying it's the PCM shutting the car off.
I am very concerned about my safety and that of others. My Ford 500 , especially when it is warm and I am using the A/C, will without warning surge ahead, and I must apply the brakes as hard as I can . I almost crashed while attempting to park in a handicapped spot in emergency parking area at the hospital, where I was taking my critically ill husband 2 weeks ago. I was braking, but the car was surging ahead. The same happened when I was leaving. Very frightening!! Can this be fixed without charge at my local Ford dealer? (galpin)
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford 500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stopped accelerating. After restarting the engine, the vehicle operated normally. During the failure, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford 500. On many occasions, the vehicle failed to start. Once the vehicle was started, it failed to accelerate forward. The vehicle was examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the throttle body was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
Engine complaints in other Five Hundred years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
NHTSA has 59 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Ford Five Hundred, 16% of the model year's 364 complaints. The component named most often is engine (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Five Hundred engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2006 Ford Five Hundred. 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 2006 Ford Five Hundred engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.