60 of the 287 complaints about the 2007 Ford Five Hundred are about the transmission — 21% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 62,000 miles.
60
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN
It's starting not going into highway gears (5&6) just revs real high and when it does finally, it kicks really hard. Sounds and feels like it's going to drop out from under the car.
NHTSA complaint #11554575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVES IT REVS. IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT I HAVE TO ENSURE THAT MY FEET ARE ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES! THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE I'VE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT ME!
NHTSA complaint #10898093 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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
NHTSA complaint #10871761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
CAR IN THE MORNINGS IS ACCELERATED AND WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE IT MOVES BY ITSELF VERY ACCELERATED AND ITS PARKED ON A FLAT SURFACE WITH NO SLOPES. TRANSMISSION FEELS AS IF RUNNING FORCEFULLY BUT CHANGES GEARS I GUESS FINE JUST GOT THE CAR AND HAS LOW MILES AT 27000 MILES. AND DOES IT EVERYDAY.
NHTSA complaint #10822259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS A DELAY IN ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
NHTSA complaint #10725709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE WILL GO INTO LIMP MODE AND HAVE NO POWER, WHEN I PULL OVER AFTER ALMOST SMASHING UP THE CAR JERKED AND I SHUT IT OFF AND TURN IT ON ITS FINE BUT THIS SAME PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURRING EVERY DAY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I HAVE A TRICK I PUT IT IN NUTRAL AND SHUT IT OFF WHILE IM DRIVING AND THAT WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM, IT WILL DO IT TEN TIMES IM A ROW AND ITS VERY DANGERIOUS, I WENT TO THE DEALER AND PO 701 CODE CAME UP AND THEY SAID OT A INTERNAL FAILURE AND FOUND NO METAL SCRAPS UNDER THE PAN FILTER, SO FAR THEY SAOD THE TRANSMISSION IS NO GOOD AND CANT BE REPAIR BUT AFTER 15,000 MILES LATER THE CAR STILL DRIVES BUT DOES THAT EVERYDAY, IS THERE AMYTHIMG I CAN DO TO REPAIR THIS TRANSMISSION I CANT AFFORD THE $7,500 PRICE QUOTE THEY SAID. I. NEED HELP WITH CAR AND STILL DRIVING IT TILL THIS DAY 5 12 15
NHTSA complaint #10716062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY THROTTLE BODY WENT COMPLETELY OUT AT 99481 MILES. I PAID APPROX. $800 FOR THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. FORD MOTOR COMPANY REIMBURSED FOR THE SERVICE ON 12/11/2012 AFTER SO MANY COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN MADE ABOUT THE THROTTLE BODY IN THIS MODEL THAT THEY WERE PAYING FOR PREVIOUS SERVICES FOR ANY REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS MADE FOR THIS PART. I BELIEVE THE REPLACEMENT PART USED WAS ALSO DEFECTIVE, AND MADE MENTION OF MY CONCERN TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME. THEY AGREED THAT THERE WAS NO GUARANTEE THAT I DID NOT RECEIVE A DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PART AS THE NEW PART THEY WERE USING A YEAR LATER WAS DIFFERENT. I HAVE HAD MY REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND RE-PROGRAMMED SEVERAL TIMES (AT LEAST TWICE A YEAR SINCE THE REPLACEMENT). FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL DO NOTHING NOW THAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY WHICH IS ABOUT AN $800 REPAIR. FORD MOTOR COMPANY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE THOSE OF US, WHO RECEIVED A FAULTY OR DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT PART, US WHOLE. I HOPE THAT OTHERS WILL MAKE IT KNOWN IF THEY HAVE HAD A DEFECTIVE REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10715159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR WILL SURGE WHEN YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. DOES IT IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I AM AWAY FROM A CAR OR BUILDING AS IT WILL JUMP INTO THEM. I NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO DO IT. I ESTIMATED WHEN IT STARTED AND IS STILL DOING IT.
NHTSA complaint #10653138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AT MIDNIGHT THE CAR WARNING LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON (ABS, BATTERY, TRACTION CONTROL, AND FINALLY THE FACTORY STEREO/GPS UNIT) ONE BY ONE. THEN FOLLOWED BY THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATION GOING OUT WHICH MEANS I NOW HAD NO TAILLIGHTS. THEN FINALLY LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO ILLEGALLY PARK THE CAR BLOCKING A DRIVEWAY AND FIRE HYDRANT. HAD I BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY I MAY HAVE HAD A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENDING. A WEEK AFTER THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AGAIN ONLY I GOT NO LIGHTS ON, IT JUST DIED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR FOR A WEEK MY MECHANIC REPLACED A FAULTY GROUND AND THE BATTERY. THE CAR STILL DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY. HE HAS NO IDEA WHY.
NHTSA complaint #10641434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
CAR STALLED WITHOUT ANY PRIOR INCIDENT, OR WARNING. AS SOON PUT MY CAR INTO DRIVE, IT LURCHED AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, NOTHING HAPPENED. AFTER A FEW MORE ATTEMPTS, IT MOVED AT 10-20 MPH. I STALLED COMPLETELY CLOSE TO HOME.
NHTSA complaint #10608218 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
CHECK SYSTEM LIGHT ON. TURN OFF MOTOR AND LIGHT GOES OFF INTERMITTENTLY. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND TOLD "MECHATRONICS UNIT" WITHIN TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ONLY 45,000 MILES ON CAR AND WITHIN 60,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT OVER THE 5 YR WARRANTY TIME LIMIT. NHTSA SITE SHOWS SYSTEMIC PROBLEMS WITH POWERTRAIN ON THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10564211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR BEGAN TO SPOTTER AND SURGE. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. CAR STALLED OUT 2 TIMES ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER. DEALER WANTS $950 TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #10553851 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE EXACT DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,489.
NHTSA complaint #10551378 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THIS FORD 500, LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHERS I SEE AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, HAS A LUNGING PROBLEM.... I MUST DEPRESS THE BREAK PEDAL FULLY IN ORDER TO KEEP THIS CAR FROM JUMPING OUT OF THE GARAGE. WE HAD A NEAR MISS WITH A PEDESTRIAN WALKING THEIR DOG. WE NOW BACK INTO THE GARAGE AS TO HAVE FULL VIEW OF OUR SIDEWALK. THIS IS A HORRIBLE WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. THE PROOF IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. WHAT IS FORD WAITING FOR? I HAVE SEVERAL PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT HAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DEFECT ASK ANY OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNER. WHAT IS THE ANSWER TO THIS PROBLEM? IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE!!
NHTSA complaint #10534792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED IS ACTING UP. WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE IT REVS UP AND JUMPS. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE SO IT DOESN'T CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NOW IT IS STARTING TO REV UP AND JUMP WHEN IM SITTING AT A STOP SIGN. THIS PAST FRIDAY I WAS SITTING AT A STOP SIGN AND IT REVVED UP AND JUMPED AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAREND A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. I REALLY NEED THIS FIXED BEFORE IT GETS WORSE AND IT KILLS ME OR I KILL SOMEONE ELSE. WHEN YOU ARE SITTING WITH THE CAR IN GEAR WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF THE RPM NEEDLE WILL MOVE WITHOUT GIVING IT ANY GAS. IT SHOULD NOT DO THIS. PLEASE HELP ME AND LET ME KNOW IF THEIR IS A RECALL ON SOMETHING THAT COULD CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10521240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A TRAFFIC STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE WITH A SUDDEN INCREASE OF ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED DOWN AN INCLINE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10503812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE WHOLE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU ARE NOT CAREFULLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND SEE WHAT THEY SAY IS WRONG. BUT THIS SHOULD DEFINITELY BE LOOKED INTO BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED.
NHTSA complaint #10493767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
AT VERY LOW SPEEDS (EXAMPLE IN A PARKING LOT) TRYING TO PARK THE CAR IT WILL SURGE REALLY HARD EVEN WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE.. MAKES PARKING VERY DANGEROUS.. I ALMOST HIT A PERSON AND ALMOST WRECKED INTO ANOTHER CAR ANOTHER TIME.. WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE RPMS GO AWAY UP AND IT IS AS IF SOMEONE IS FLOORING THE GAS PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10489216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE VEHICLE SURGES/LUNGES FORWARD/BACKWARD WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE/DRIVE WITHOUT ANY GAS BEING APPLIED. WHEN BRAKE IS APPLIED THE VEHICLE STILL DOESN'T STOP AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OF THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE CAR MAINLY DOES IT WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT WILL DO IT OTHER TIMES AS WELL. THE CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING WITH THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARING ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR IT SHUT OFF AGAIN. WHEN I TURNED THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF THE CAR STOPPED SHUTTING OFF. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY FORD, BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. I'M HAVING TO PAY OUT $800 FOR A PART THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD OWNERS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART.
NHTSA complaint #10476511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
CAR ACCELERATES WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON (MORE SO WHEN TURNING WHEEL) WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALREADY HAD ACCIDENT IN REVERSE. NOTED SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT THIS FROM OWNERS ON GOOGLE. ALMOST HAD ANOTHER ACCIDENT IN JACK IN THE BOX DRIVE THRU WHERE CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. MISSED CAR IN FRONT OF ME BY INCHES. HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR WAS IN DRIVE BUT NOT MOVING WHEN THIS HAPPEN. ACCELERATION OVER POWERED BRAKE PRESSURE. VERY, VERY SCARY. PLEASE HELP. OTHERWISE LOVE CAR. PLEASE CONTACT MY COUSIN. SEE BELOW.
NHTSA complaint #10475548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO JERK ABNORMALLY WHEN IN DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 150,000. UPDATED 10/16/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A CURB AND EVENTUALLY HIT A METAL WHERE A SIGN ONCE WAS. THE VEHICLE WAS JERKING BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. UPDATED 10/24/2012
NHTSA complaint #10474242 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION WILL ENGAGE THE ENGINE AND LEAP FORWARD WITHOUT GIVING IT ANY GAS. NO CREEP, JUST LEAPS FORWARD SEVERAL YARDS. .. UPDATED 08-27-12
NHTSA complaint #10472182 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN CAR WAS PLACED IN GEAR THROTTLE SURGED CAUSING CAR TO JUMP WHILE FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE., ALSO SURGES WHEN PULLING SLOWLY INTO PARKING PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10470369 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WHEN AFTER STARTING CAR AND GEAR SHIFT PUT INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE WILL SURGE CAUSING CAR TO LUNGE. IF NOT AWARE OF ISSUE AND HAVE FOOT ON BRAKE WOULD HIT WHAT EVER IN THE WAY OF CAR. THE SAME THING HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPACE. I HAD MY CAR FIXED AT A FORD DEALER AND THEN CONTACTED FORD MOTOR ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T SEEM TO TAKE THE ISSUE SERIOUSLY. ACCORDING TO MY FORD DEALER THE PROBLEM IS IN THE THROTTLE BODY. I WENT OUT ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OTHER FORD 500 OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME THING. THE BIG PROBLEM IS THAT IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS COMPLIANT IS THAT FORD DOESN'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEY HAVE A PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10470290 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE STOPPED WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL INTERMITTENTLY AFTER THE JERKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION KIT BUT AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10467046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
THE CAR SURGES WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT OR STOP SIGN ALSO WHILE GOING SLOW BACKING OUT OF GARAGE OR DRIVING SLOW IN A PARKING LOT. I AM AFRAID I WILL HIT SOME OR SOMEONE WHEN CAR IS SURGING THE TACH WILL JUMP TO 2000 OR MORE RPMS WHILE SITTING OR GOING SLOW..SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE !!!
NHTSA complaint #10466486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
WITH THE A/C ON AND THE CAR TRAVELING AT LOW SPEED, THE CAR SURGES(LURCHES) FORWARD OR IN REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR. IT HAPPENS, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PULLING IN TO A PARKING STALL. AS I'M APPROACHING THE FINAL POSITION WHERE I'M NEARLY READY TO PUT THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD NEARLY HITTING THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN PULLING INTO MY GARAGE OR AT A STOP LIGHT. OCCURRENCES ARE OBVIOUSLY WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE WHICH IS WHY I'VE GOT THE A/C ON. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ALL THE TIME WITH THE A/C ON, JUST SOME OF THE TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10462465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
MY 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED SEL FWD WITH THE 3.0 V-6 (81,421 MILES) AND 6 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WILL INTERMITTENTLY SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT GAS PEDAL APPLICATION WHEN IDLING IN GEAR. IT IS AS IF I FLOORED IN A JACKRABBIT START. IT DOES NOT DO THIS EVERY TIME THAT THE CAR GOES TO IDLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE (FOR EXAMPLE, IF I AM IN TRAFFIC AT A STOPLIGHT) BUT IT WILL DO THIS AT LEAST ONCE EVERY TIME I DRIVE. I HAVE HAD TO KEEP MY RIGHT FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE BACKING OR IN A PARKING LOT TO KEEP THE CAR FROM HITTING PEDESTRIANS, OTHER CARS, SIGN POLES IN PARKING LOTS AND MY CARPORT'S WALL. IT WILL SUDDENLY REV UP WHEN IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND TRY TO MOVE IN AN UNCONTROLLED MANNER. IT MAY ONLY DO IT ONCE OR IT MAY DO IT THREE OR FOUR TIMES IN JUST AS MANY SECONDS. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND NEARLY HIT ANOTHER CAR THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED. THERE WAS NO WARNING. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATED. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH A TACHOMETER, I HAVE SEEN IT JUMP AS HIGH AS 2000 RPM FROM A 750 RPM IDLE AND THEN FALL RIGHT BACK TO 750. THE FACT THAT I HAVE NOT HIT ANYONE YET IS PROOF THAT THIS IS NOT A PEDAL MISAPPLICATION ERROR, BUT MY CONCERN IS THAT AN INEXPERIENCED DRIVER OR SOMEONE WHO IS UNAWARE OF THIS DEFECT WILL BE SURPRISED BY IT AND KILL OR INJURE THEMSELVES OR SOMEONE ELSE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER OWNED A VEHICLE WITH SUCH A PROBLEM I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY WHICH IS BEING REPLACED TOMORROW. I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND REPORTS THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART IS NO BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL. THE FACT THAT A DEFECTIVE PART CAN CAUSE A VEHICLE TO ACT IN SUCH A DANGEROUS MANNER IS SYMPTOMATIC OF A FACTORY DEFECT AND SHOULD BE ACTED UPON BY THE NHTSA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
NHTSA complaint #10461670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
STARTING AROUND MARCH 2011, MY 2007 FORD 500 WOULD LURCH WHEN I MOVED IT FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR FROM PARK TO DRIVE. IT SEEMED TO GET WORSE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE AND THEY "CLEANED" THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS DID NOT REALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN MUCH WORSE. IT NOW LURCHES WHEN I AM SITTING STILL. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, IT WILL LURCH SEVERAL INCHES. I HAVE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL WRECKS BECAUSE OF THIS. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE THE CAR. IT NOW HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT BUT IS NOT PAID OFF YET. I WAS QUOTED $800 TO FIX THE THROTTLE BODY. I FEEL LIKE WITH THE EXTENT OF THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS PART, FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS PRODUCT ON ALL OF THESE VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10460921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN HE SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT CAUSED A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 05/10/12
NHTSA complaint #10449403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.