2007 Ford Five Hundred Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster around two themes: an unexpected surge or lunge when the vehicle is shifted into gear or creeping at low speed, which owners often trace to the throttle body, and rough shifting or transmission faults in the continuously variable unit. Reports span a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles up to well past 100,000, and many owners describe the surge as intermittent and worsened by hot weather or air conditioning use.

1. 1
   Vehicle speed control

   Surge or lunge when shifting into drive or reverse

   • 105 complaints (53%)
   • median 65,180 mi at 4.7 yrs old (100 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $800 (median of 9 quotes)
   • filed 2009–2021

   Owners describe the car jumping forward or backward shortly after the selector is moved out of park, or lurching while creeping at parking-lot and stoplight speeds, in some cases with the brake pedal applied. Several say the engine revs on its own and the car moves a short distance before they can stop it. Complaints frequently report that a dealer diagnosed the throttle body and either cleaned it or quoted a replacement; some owners say the behavior returned after cleaning. Reported from roughly 20,000 to 130,000 miles, often at low speed or just after shifting into gear, and sometimes more noticeable in hot weather with the air conditioning on.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: During a test drive from a cold start, note whether the car creeps or jumps abruptly when shifted into drive or reverse with the brake applied. Ask whether the throttle body has been cleaned or replaced and request service records for it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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, filed 2014-11, 30,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10462465, filed 2012-06, 130,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Rough shifting and lurching from the CVT

   Mentioned in 9 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a loud thump when engaging a gear and hesitation followed by a jolt on acceleration, as well as occasional loss of drive with a sudden rise in engine speed. Some owners report that dealers could not duplicate the symptom, while others were told the transmission or its internal control unit needed replacement. Fluid specification for the continuously variable unit is also the subject of a service bulletin. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 130,000 miles, with several owners citing symptoms appearing from a stop or during light acceleration.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced and with which specification, and check for any stored transmission codes. On the test drive, listen for a thump or hesitation when shifting from park into drive and reverse.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car: 2007 Ford 500 limited. Moving shift lever from park to reverse or to drive, after about 1 second the car lurches forward or backward. I keep the brake locked down when changing gears for several seconds until I'm sure it won't jump.this is dangerous. When this first started happening, I almost ran over someone in a parking lot as I wanted to back out of a parking spot. I took this in for service and mentioned it to the service manager. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10355852, filed 2010-09, 65,000 miles

   “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, filed 2014-07, 125,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Instrument cluster and electrical flickering

   • 9 complaints (5%)
   • median 78,708 mi at 7.9 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2020

   Complaints describe the dashboard lights flickering or all gauges dropping to zero while driving, reverse lights coming on in drive, and an inaccurate fuel gauge. Several owners report the battery draining and that replacing the battery or alternator did not resolve the problem; one complaint describes a short in a door mirror wiring harness. Reported from roughly 67,000 to 140,000 miles, often intermittent and sometimes triggered by running the air conditioning.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Watch the instrument cluster during the test drive for flickering or dropping gauges, and check that the fuel gauge reads consistently. Ask about battery drain history and any prior alternator or cluster repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving approximately 40 MPH, all of the gauges on the instrument cluster stopped functioning and displayed readings of zero. Continued to drive and the instrument cluster began working a few moments later. The failure occurred intermittently while driving at any speed. When this happens the reverse lights come on even when in drive. This, as well as no speedometer to me is very dangerous. I think corrective action should be taken towards a resolution. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10621633, filed 2014-08, 89,750 miles

   “This is not the first time I have complained nor am I the only one having this issue. I bought the car back in 2010 and informed the car lot of flickering lights well now its gone as far as my whole dash lights flicker and when they come back they do not come back correctly all the time. My gas gauge doesn't register properly. This happens when I run the AC. When I had it checked I was told that it had something do with battery. The alternator is pulling too much power when AC is on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10609195, filed 2014-07, 67,667 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel smell or leak around the tank and filler neck

   Mentioned in 5 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners describe a strong fuel odor outside the vehicle while parked and, in some cases, visible fuel leaking from the tank or filler neck area. One complaint concerning the filler neck attachment describes a gap that a dealer could not close. A recall covers certain vehicles from a narrow production window for fuel tank weld strength. Reported from a few thousand miles up to about 170,000 miles, in some cases noted while the vehicle was parked.

   Recall 11V355000

   What to check: Ask whether the vehicle has had recall 11V355000 performed, and inspect the filler neck and tank area for fuel residue or odor after the car has sat parked.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car is leaking fuel from the gas tank area, looks like its leaking from the filler neck. At times it leaks a considerable amount. I'm also having surging issues. Mainly at low speeds. The vehicle has also shut down in the middle of traffic. These problems truly concern me and I question the safety of the vehicle and my children and myself while in this vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11308904, filed 2020-02, 170,000 miles

   “Fuel tank failure ,fuel leak, vapor leak. This due to a failure of the seals on the fuel tank along with the deterioration of the mounting brackets on the fuel pump and fuel sending units.”

   NHTSA complaint #11072549, filed 2018-02, 62,967 miles
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Air conditioning weak at low speed or not cooling

   • 13 complaints (7%)
   • median 70,500 mi at 4.9 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • owner-quoted repair $1,200 (median of 5 quotes)
   • filed 2010–2014

   Owners report the air conditioning blowing warm air in hot weather, particularly in stop-and-go traffic or at low speeds, with cooling returning at highway speed. Complaints describe failed compressors and leaking seals, with repair estimates ranging from roughly $1,000 to $1,700 at dealers and independent shops. Reported from about 27,000 to 75,000 miles, most often in hot weather and at low vehicle speeds.

   What to check: Test the air conditioning on a warm day while idling and in slow traffic, not just on the highway, and ask whether the compressor or any seals have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After only 72000 miles, my A/C compressor on the 2007 Ford Five Hundred has given out, leaving me a hefty repair bill of $1300+! My car is currently in a private mechanic's shop being worked on and he has completed our regular maintenance on the vehicle. The A/C would work at speeds over 45 MPH, but in 100 degree heat here in texas all summer, in stop and go traffic, it was miserable.”

   NHTSA complaint #10415063, filed 2011-07, 72,000 miles

   “This car has lunged forward and backward almost causing several accidents. Dealership say they don't know what is causing it. Warranty is worthless. Air conditioner went out when temp's were over 105 degrees. Over $1000 to repair.”

   NHTSA complaint #10427128, filed 2011-09, 35,000 miles

Buying note. Check the throttle body and transmission service history closely, since those account for most of the complaints here, and verify recall 11V355000 status. A thorough low-speed and cold-start test drive will surface most of the reported symptoms.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.