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Vehicle safety record

2006 Ford 500 Problems, complaints & recalls

Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 2006 Ford 500 with NHTSA, most often about the acceleration & cruise control (24) and the transmission & drivetrain (20). Those complaints describe 4 crashes, 3 fires and 2 injuries. There are no recalls for it. For comparison, the 2005 has 99 and the 2007 has 37.

NHTSA data checked

CAbout as many problems as a typical 500 year, for its age

#124 most complained-about 2006 vehicle

Complaints
68
Recalls
0
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Most common 2006 Ford 500 problems

Share of all 68 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.

No recalls for the 2006 Ford 500

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Ford 500. Recalls can be announced at any time - this page updates daily.

What owners say

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68 complaints about the 2006 Ford 500

Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.

Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

It has check engine light on, momentary engine idle, rpm surge when stopped or during low speed driving, such as turning into a parking or backing out of a parking spot. Pulling in or backing out of the garage. Stoping at a stop light, lunges forward: came close to causing property damage by running into another vehicle in parking lot or at stop light. Safety issue, what if the car lunges forward at a stop light into incoming traffic, causing bodily injury and property damage. Ford should have recalled this...

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safety issue. I purchased this cause after the 10 year warranty extension was issued. The previous owner did not fix this, I just found out about it, now I will have to fight to get ford to cover a known safety issue, that puts my children at risk. .

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11100342
Engine & coolingFuel system

Hi. The recall ford had on the throttle body issues back in 2013 when I got mine fixed. Now 40 thousands miles later the car almost lunge into traffic at a red light 2 times. Well the car is having the same problem as before I got the throttle body fixed. I called ford in cabot and they wanted over 200.00 Hundred dollars to run a diagnostic and to clean the throttle. I thought this was a fixed issue and it is not. Ford in cabot told me it will have to be clean or the unit has to be replaced and that is around...

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500 dollars. What a scam they are pulling. This needs to be dealt with asap. I have to spend 100 dollars to have it cleaned scam. While the car is in motion. It has loss of power and runs bad.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11097155
Electrical systemFire

While starting my car ( parked ) with the front passenger window down smoke began to appear from behind the passenger rear view window. I saw a flame ( fire ) appear from behind the passenger rear view mirror. When I turned off the vehicle the flame went out. After the fire none of the windows will work and the interior lights will not come on manually or come on as usual when the key is taken out of the ignition.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 11072122
Transmission & drivetrain

Transmission is broken and need replacement. Said to be non-repairable as ford discontinued making the transmission 3 years after introduction car has only 70,000 miles on it. Now I have large flower planter as I can't drive it! Ford, but for this issue I had a perfectly usable/reliable car! Now it is a safety hazard! What are you going to do about it! Happens in motion

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 11044684
AirbagsSeats & seat beltsCrash1 injury

Airbag failed to deploy in a crash with a vehicle which made a left turn in front of me. Speed was 35-40mph. I suffered fractured sternum as a result when my chest hit the steering wheel. Crash happened in eagan, mn. On cliff road

Filed Incident Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 11032022
Airbags

Takata recall- for over a year I have been trying to get my truck air bags fixed and they had given me the run around [[redacted]]avila service advisor from casa ford el paso, tx 915-775-8295, has ignored my requests to please assist me . He stated that they do not have them in stock, but for over a year? I am 80 yrs. Old and feel that's why they keep ignoring me. Can someone please help me? Sincerely,[[redacted]]( spanish speaking only, my daughter helped me with this letter.) Went over speed bump and my...

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air bags opened! Call my daughter [[redacted]] if needed [[redacted]], leave her a message if no answer. Thank you. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr

Filed Incident Air bagsNHTSA 11024511
Engine & cooling

Vehicle lurches forwards when engine is started and put into gear. Could case damage to other objects or people.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11002101
Electrical systemDriver assistanceFire

There many issues motor just blew up today sitting in drive way I just bought it and started it and it blew up power steering wiring cadillac converters it has a lot of problems

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · Electronic stability control (ESC)NHTSA 10991730
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. While driving various speeds, the alternator burned out without warning. The contact had the alternator replaced five times. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10968208
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. While driving various speeds, the transmission warning indicator illuminated without warning. In addition, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was diagnosed as needing either a valve body or transmission replacement. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000. Updated 01/05/17*lj

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10926444
Acceleration & cruise control

The engine surges and the car lurches periodically - normally after the engine warms up. It surges when you take the car out of park and place the selector in drive or reverse. It also surges and lurches when sitting at a light and removing pressure on the brake pedal. The potential for property and personal damage are substantial. Ford should be compelled to issue a recall. There are many complaints regarding this defect on other websites and nothing seems to be moving in the direction of resolution. Please help.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10915792
Acceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse, it experienced unintended acceleration and a complete loss of power. The maintenance warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10905004
Acceleration & cruise control

Throttle body has been replaced twice now. Vehicle currently has 106,982 miles. Third throttle body needs to be replaced. Very dangerous for my teenager to drive as there is no warning when the acceleration won't work and she can be on a highway in traffic. Also, the back doors are constantly filling with water after a rain storm and need to be drained.

Filed Incident Vehicle speed control · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10863722
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Vehicle has rough or hard shift, jerks, every so often after driving for so long.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 10860231
Electrical systemLights

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. While driving 70 mph, the rear turn signals failed to respond. In addition, the parking and reverse lights remained illuminated while driving. When locking the doors from inside the vehicle, the doors unlock after they were closed. The dealer found no failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 91,278.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10855296
Electrical systemLights

Exterior lighting, right and left low beams not working, melted connector discolored headlight pins.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Exterior lightingNHTSA 10852375
Fuel system

Fuel tanks may not have consistent welds between the fuel tank and the fuel filler neck, affecting the strength of the joint. In the event of a severe rear impact, an improper weld can result in a crack in the joint. This could illuminate the check engine light, cause a fuel odor, or allow fuel to leak out. Any fuel leak increases the risk of a fire. Dealers will replace the affected fuel tanks to correct this concern

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10823444
LightsAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph during inclement weather, the vehicle lost power as the headlights dimmed. In addition, the vehicle jerked and the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact also stated that the vehicle then stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, who diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. However, the failure...

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recurred and the vehicle was towed to another dealer, who diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 04/07/16*lj *js

Filed Incident Exterior lighting · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10822831
Lights

Customer reported right lowbeam inoperative. Inspection revealed melted connector and discolored headlight pin. Replaced right lowbeam headlight connector only. 2 Months later customer reported right lowbeam inoperative. Inspection revealed melted right lowbeam connector melted and discolored headlight pin. Replaced headlight bulb and connector. 371 Days later customer reports right lowbeam inoperative. Inspection revealed melted right lowbeam connector melted. Right lowbeam currently taken out of service. Problem always reported in cold weather months and low outdoor temperatures and short daylight hours.

Filed Incident Exterior lightingNHTSA 10811808
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The technician diagnosed that the electrical throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,685.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10809278
Transmission & drivetrain

The local ford dealership, interstate ford, states our car's entire rear differential assembly is bad, is non serviceable, and is obsolete. We purchased the car new, it is accident free, and the dealership verifies the situation is not due to excessive wear and tear (only 101,000 miles on odometer and well maintained). We cannot fix the car, trade in the car, or sell the car. I've contacted ford twice to no avail. Our car is paid off, has low mileage for a 2006, and we planned on driving it many more years. Now it...

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is defunct. Another car like ours is for sale in the area with over 244,000 miles on it; yet ford is telling me that the 101,000 miles on our car is all we are going to get. We filed a lemon law claim in 2008 on this car but subsequently worked with ford to fix some very serious problems. We have asked them to work with us and we have been refused. The car's rear assembly is getting louder and louder. The noise begins at accelerations of 35mph and over. The dealership told us that the rear axle could bind up at any moment and there is no way to know when. The car is now dangerous to drive in a very unseemly and untimely manner.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10788725
Body, doors & structureEngine & cooling

Engine died at 83,000 miles and the doors fill with water when it rains hard or for more than 1 day.

Filed Incident Structure · EngineNHTSA 10787655
Transmission & drivetrain

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford 500. While attempting to start the vehicle and shift the vehicle into gear, it would not shift and the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mesh belt within the transmission deteriorated and the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The vin was not available.

Filed Incident Power trainNHTSA 10782388
Transmission & drivetrain

I work 30 minutes away from where I live and while I was on the road pressing the brake it was still accelerating... I even parked for fear of getting in a wreck and the rpm kept increasing as if 8 was pressing on the gas. I took it into ford apparently the recall expired: over 150k miles or 10 years whichever comes first.

Filed Incident Power train · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10766348
Fuel system

After stopping at a traffic light the car only accelerated to 15 mph on a busy six lane street, the engine then died and the car was stalled in traffic. Upon turning the ignition off and re-starting the car it proceeded without any problems. Since this occurrence the engine will, without warning, accelerate to higher speed than I want to travel, and has also repeated the low speed and eventually stalling also. The dealership reports the the throttle body has failed, ford will clean the throttle body, but will not...

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replace the part. The dealership reports that in 100% of the cases when the throttle body was cleaned as opposed to being replaced the throttle body fails and leaves the motorist stranded with a car that must be towed.

Filed Incident Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10763983

Ford 500: every year compared

YearComplaintsRecallsCrashesFiresTop problemGrade
200737021Transmission & drivetrainB
200668043Acceleration & cruise controlC
200599041Engine & coolingD
All 500 years

2006 Ford 500 vs rivals

More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.

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Questions about the 2006 Ford 500

Does the 2006 Ford 500 have any recalls?

NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2006 Ford 500 right now. Recalls can be announced at any time, and this page checks NHTSA every day. You can also check your exact vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford 500?

By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the acceleration & cruise control (24), transmission & drivetrain (20), engine & cooling (17).

How many complaints has the 2006 Ford 500 had?

68 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on November 13, 2012 and the latest on June 7, 2018. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 3 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.

Is the 2006 Ford 500 a reliable vehicle?

Its Safety Index is 40 out of 100 (grade C: about as many problems as a typical Ford 500 year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.

Which Ford 500 years have the most complaints?
What should I do if my 2006 Ford 500 has a problem?

If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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