2005 Ford Five Hundred Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 510 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 74,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred, 3% of the 510 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 74,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2005 Ford 500 bought used september 2009 (around 53,000 miles current miles 55,432) has had a problem with the driver's low beam burning out. On the 3rd bulb replacement in less than a year the entire headlight socket crumbled in my hands. I had to replace the socket and rewire it to the wiring harness.”
NHTSA complaint #10352968, filed 2010-08, 55,389 miles“At first our 2005 Ford Five Hundred had issues with instrument cluster failures (blacking out and needles zeroing etc. But now rear back up lights come on going down the highway because of this electrical problem. I believe this has to be considered a safety issue and should warrant a recall .thank you”
NHTSA complaint #10360193, filed 2010-10, 80,000 miles“Instrument cluster intermittently went dark and/or gauges went to zero/off positions, we pulled over to see if exterior lights worked and all did, as well as blinkers and flashers, but we noted that reverse lights were now on. It has recurred a few times, its most noticeable after dark as dash lights go black. Only light on dash was the airbag light. I went online & found info on a technical service bulletin TSB 06-17-9 09/04/06 - intermittent instrument cluster , it does not appear to be a recall item so assuming any repairs are entirely owner cost ?”
NHTSA complaint #10576613, filed 2014-04, 33,850 miles“Started driving my 2005 Ford Five Hundred sel front wheel drive as I normally do, except the instrument cluster and lights started flickering, my A/C turned off and check engine light came on. After stopping on the side of the road everything returned to normal. About 40 minutes later a similar situation occurred, only this time just the instrument panel failed. My cruise control still worked but my tach, speed, battery and power gauge all dropped to zero, however the lights remained on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10242029, filed 2008-09, 74,500 miles“I would like to see the investigation reopened for NHTSA action number : pe07058 and a recall by the Ford motor company due to the failure of the electrical system:instrument panel on the 2005 Ford Five Hundred. While driving my 2005 Ford Five Hundred the oil pressure light and brake light illuminated. At the same time this occurred the radio volume would decrease as if I was coming to a stop, the turn signals would fail (just the indication on the instrument cluster), and most importantly the reverse lights would illuminate. This would last from a few seconds to several minutes at a time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244077, filed 2008-10, 52,000 milesExterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Five Hundred
136 complaintsVehicle speed control
104 complaintsElectrical system
95 complaintsEngine
58 complaintsEngine cooling
49 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsFuel system
44 complaintsBody and structure
33 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
22 complaintsOther or unknown
21 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsAir bags
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Five Hundred
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology