2006 Ford Five Hundred: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 364 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is vehicle speed control (26% of complaints); the 2007 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2006
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 364 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Five Hundred. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the instrument cluster lights turned became inoperable. The contact veered to the side of the road. The contact stated that the instrument cluster lights illuminated after 5 minutes. The contact was able to continue driving. However, the failure reoccurred on four different occasions. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2022
“I would be driving on highway my wrench light would come on and my car would come to a crawl I always have kids in my car I could easily be rear ended and maybe hurt or killed I have to find a place to pull off where people behind me is cussing me out they think I did on purpose I then shut car off and tirn back on. Then ok till happens again there should be a recall I am on a fixed income and can't afford another car please help”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2022
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“when I'm The vehicle and the temperature reaches middle temp ,the car starts to beep and all the dashboard lights go completely out and the head lights and tail lights be blinking as if they are about to go off . Even when I have the heater or a/c on they turns off and I'm a afraid that if or when I'm on the highway all my lights will just stop working on the middle of the highway at night and no one will be able to see me. And that will cause a big wreck and maybe kill myself or worst someone else. I have looked my car up to see if it has a recall but none are given. I'm afraid for the safety of my fellow drivers on the at night . And I don't know what to do about this problem.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Nov 2021
“Vehicle stops and starts with a jerk. Jumping causing slow down even while on the interstate. Ford is aware of this problem and has done to fix it. Seems like every ford has this problem at some point”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2021
“Battery just goes dead over night. Signal lights melted and quit working. Cluster panel just shuts off while running and can't use air, radio, windows, locks, seats, etc. Car shuts off while driving down the road. Have replaced all parts suggested by codes. Still no fix. Wont shift from first gear after cluster panel shuts off. There are hundreds other complaints. This is dangerous and should be an electrical recall. Happens running driving and sitting still.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2020
“Got into an accident and right mirror was fully broken. Right side of the body was also smashed in. Left brake lights stopped working and engine makes weird sounds.”Owner report · Structure · Sep 2020
“The car is surging and feels like it is about to fall apart the car has low miles and the engine feels like the transmission is slipping but was told that this is a common problem with the ford 500 I see there is a extended warranty but I just recently purchased this car and seems like the warranty expired and I see ford is aware of this and refuses to fix this issue which is a hazardous condition and I feel like that im going to have to get a lawyer to get anything done because ford is refusing to fix this issue with these cars and its very dangerous driving the car makes a loud knock and the engine drops back in and its breaking the motor mounts”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2020
“The intake manifold is melting on the inside causing melting plastic to drip into the throttle body,causing the car to run very poorly are not at all!!!”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2020
“Cause unknown- battery light is coming on more while vehicle is running in all modes, local auto store determined it is an electrical problem. They tested the battery, alternator & starter. Also noticed that there is a musty smell & many ( if not all) of my metal parts are rusted.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
How other years compare
Check your exact Five Hundred by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Ford Five Hundred reliable?
NHTSA has 364 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2006 Ford Five Hundred. The most complained-about area is vehicle speed control (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Five Hundred problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 73,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Ford Five Hundred have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.