2004 Ford FIVE HUNDRED: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
Not available median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.
This selection has limited data. It remains available for lookup but is excluded from search indexing.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic is the most frequently named component, appearing in 1 of 1 complaints (100.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 1 | 100.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
No usable failure mileage is recorded. 1 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
2010: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10344302 · 2010-07-20 (July 20, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN PERTAINING TO THE BRAKES. THE CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE RECALL ADVISED CONSUMERS WITH 15,000 MILES OR MORE ON THEIR VEHICLE TO HAVE THE REMEDY PERFORMED AT THE MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DID NOT DRIVE OFTEN AND ONLY ACCRUED 2,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE PER YEAR; THEREFORE, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL AS THOUGH THE IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN WAS ADEQUATE. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10344302 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.
Vehicle analysis explorer
Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.
Data completeness
1 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.
Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.
Problems by model year
Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.
| Component | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 10119.8%ODI 10111539UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT WILL PUT ITSELF INTO REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. GOING DOWN HILL THE AT 50 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER WILL DROP TO 20 MPH. LOSING TWO TO TWO AND ONE HALF MILES TO A GALLON. CONTACTED THE DEALER. TOOK THE VEHICLE IN. FORD HAD THE VEHICLE FOR FOUR WEEKS. FORD STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK | 11832.4%ODI 10158807 · 1,018 miACCELERATOR JUMPED TO FULL THROTTLE AS MY WIFE PULLED INTO PARKING SPOT-CAR JUMPED OVER CONCRETE CURB AND CROSSED A GRASSY STRIP AND STRUCK A PICKUP TRUCK. SHE WAS MOVING SLOWLY INTO THE SPOT WHEN CAR JUMPED ONTO FULL THROTTLE. *NM | 7035.2%ODI 10290396 · 50,357 mi2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED OPERATING ON THE MA. TURNPIKE... STEPPED ON ACCELERATOR TO KICK INTO PASSING GEAR TO PASS A TRAILER TRUCK AND ACCELERATED TO APP 75 MPH...... LIFTED FOOT OFF ACCELERATOR, BUT CAR STAYED IN PASSING GEAR AND ACCELERATED FURTHER..(TO APP 90 MPH BEFORE EPISODE ENDED) APPLIED BRAKES AND FOUGHT THE ACCELERATION WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE... TRIED PUSHING THE "OFF" SWITCH FOR CRUISE CONTROL (EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL TO NO AVAIL..... TRIED LIFTING GAS PEDAL UP WITH TOE OF MY FOOT...NO RESULTS.... HAVE NO FLOOR MATS … |
| Power Train | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 7314.3%ODI 10234387 · 50,076 miI HAVE A FORD FIVE HUNDRED LIMITED. THE CAR HAS STOP RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS IN GEAR AND MOVING. IT ALSO STOPPED WHEN I STARTED TO DRIVE FROM A STOP LIGHT. WHILE IT WAS BEING FIXED AT THE CAR DEALERSHIP IT STOP (DIED) ON THEM SEVERAL TIMES. THE FORD DEALER COMPANY THOUGHT IT WAS THE POWER STEERING PUMP BECAUSE THE POWER STEERING PUMP WAS MAKING A KNOCKING SOUND. THEY ALSO NOTICED THAT IF THEY WAS TO TURN THE WHEEL IT WOULD USUALLY DIE ON THEM. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, POWERSTEERING PUMP, BELT AND THE THROTTLE AND THE CAR … | 7119.5%ODI 10340755 · 60,000 miWHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR, OR WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE AFTER SITTING FOR A BRIEF PERIOD, CAR LUNGES FORWARD (OR BACKWARDS) WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY NEAR ACCIDENTS INVOLVING BUILDINGS, OTHER AUTOS, AND PEDESTRIANS, VERY VERY DANGEROUS. FORD DEALERS CLAIM THEY CAN NEVER DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WHILE IT IS IN THEIR SHOP. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT DUE TO FORD AND THEIR INABILITY TO DO THE RIGHT THING AND MAKE PROPER REPAIRS AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR | 4321.6%ODI 10282493 · 37,000 miWITH A/C ON I START CAR. PUT CAR IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. ENGINE SURGES THEN SETTLES DOWN, THIS IS QUITE DANGEROUS. BROUGHT IT IN FOR WARRANTY HELP. WAS INFORMED THAT IT MAY BE THROTTLE BODY AND THROTTLE BODY IS NOT COVERED IN DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY. FORD, ARE YOU KIDDING ME? VEHICLE HAS 41,170 MILES, THE WARRANTY FOR THIS ITEM APPARENTLY RAN OUT AT 36,000 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE MORE THAN ANYTHING. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. PUTTING CAR IN GEAR AND HAVING THE ENGINE SURGE IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER. *TR |
| Electrical System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 7414.5%ODI 10160877 · 11,000 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL THE INDICATORS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. | 4412.1%ODI 10162381 · 200 miDT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THERE WAS A SMELLED OF SMOKE. THE SMELL MAY HAVE BEEN COMING FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR 8 TO 9 HOURS. WHEN THE CONTACT RETURN TO THE VEHICLE, IT WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS OF AN ELECTRICAL NATURE AND SEEMED TO ORIGINATE FROM THE WIRE IN THE SPEAKER AREA LOCATED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER HAVE… | 2010.1%ODI 10259452FAILURE OF THE HEATING ELEMENT FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. DEALERSHIP TESTED AND FOUND HEATING ELEMENT HAS INTERMITTENT FAULT. REPAIRED WITH FORD PARTS, UNDER WARRANTY ON 11-12-07. HEATING ELEMENT FOR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT FAILED AGAIN 2-12-09. BROUGHT INTO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. AT THE COST OF APPROXIMATELY $679, DID NOT HAVE SEAT FIXED. *TR |
| Engine | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 5811.4%ODI 10459598 · 76,000 miMY WIFE, SON AND I WERE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE HAD RANDOM ACCELERATION WHILE AT FULL STOPPED. ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER AFTER A FULL STOP THE VEHICLE HAD ANOTHER ACCELERATION WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT. ONCE STALLED OUT THE COMPUTER DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING ERROR "FAIL SAFE ENGINE". AFTER DOING AN ONLINE REVIEW I NOTICED THAT MANY OTHER FORD FIVE HUNDRED OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE CAUSED BY "THROTTLE BODY". PLEASE NOTE THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS ON PARK AND PUT INTO REVERSE, THE HIGHER ACCELERATION TAKES PL… | 369.9%ODI 10460431 · 75,000 miI HAVE OWNED MY 2006 FORD 500 FOR 5 YRS AND HAVE HAD AND ISSUE FOR THE LAST 2 YRS. WHILE BRAKING, THE CAR WILL LURCH AND I MEAN REALLY JUMP FORWARD (OR ALSO IN REVERSE) WHILE RPM'S SURGE/REV EXTREMELY HIGH CAUSING ME TO PRESS VERY,VERY HARD ON THE BRAKES AT TIMES SLAMMING DOWN TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING OUT OF CONTROL BY ITSELF. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STALL WHEN THE RPM'S ARE DROPPING DOWN. THIS HAPPENS AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF DAY AND SEEMS TO BE MORE OFTEN WHEN IT IS WARMER. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE SLOWING INTO A PARKING SPACE, BACKING UP, PULLING… | 2110.6%ODI 10458146 · 140,000 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT OIL AND FREON WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPRESSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000. |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 5911.6%ODI 10114184 · 560 miVEHICHLE CONSTANTLY SHIFTING. "SEARCHES" FOR FOR CORRECT GEAR. HAD COMPUTER REPLACED AND A WEEK LATER REOCCURRED. REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER AGAIN AND REOCCURRED. FORD UNABLE TO REPAIR. LOSING 6-8 MPG.*AK | 318.5%ODI 10202017 · 68,900 miTRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. POWER INPUT SHAFT AND BEARINGS FAILED RESULTING IN THE NEED FOR A $5,078.60 REPAIR. | 178.5%ODI 10254067 · 150,000 miIT STARTED OUT AS A LOUD THUMP THAT ROCKED THE CAR WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR... THAT HAS CONTINUED BUT NOW IT ALSO WHEN ACCELERATING HESITATES THEN YOU HEAR THE THUMP AND THEN IT WILL ACCELERATE. I HAVE HAD THIS AT MY DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES NOW AND THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT. THEY CONTINUALLY SAY THE CANNOT "RECREATE" THE PROBLEM. I ALSO HAVE A AIRLEAK IN THE CAR THAT IS SO LOUD YOU CANNOT HEAR THE RADIO WHEN DRIVING ON A INTERSTATE. THEY ARE BLAMING THAT ON THE ANTENNA ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. I HAVE LESS THEN 20,000 MILES ON THIS CAR AND A EXTEND… |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 295.7%ODI 10156107 · 750 miOIL LIFE DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE CONTINUES TO REPORT ZERO PERCENTAGE LIFE REMAINING. *JB | 154.1%ODI 10346683 · 42,300 miPURCHASED A FORD FIVE-HUNDRED BRAND NEW IN 2006. AT LESS THAN 45K MILES THE A/C NO LONGER IS FUNCTIONAL, UNLESS DRIVEN AT HIGHER SPEEDS (SUCH AS THE CASE ON HIGHWAYS). I HAVE HAD BOTH LOW AND HIGH SIDE PRESSURE VALVES CHECKED, THERMOSTAT REPLACED, AND A/C UNIT FLUSHED TO NO AVAIL. *TR | 147.0%ODI 10184438 · 11,400 miTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE DURING A TORNADO. AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED THE BATTERY AND THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE OIL LEVELS IN THE VEHICLE WERE NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,090. *AK |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 244.7%ODI 10467182 · 91,110 miWHEN BACK UP THE CAR ACCELERATES LIKE YOU ARE ON THE GAS BUT THE GAS PEDAL IS NOT TOUCH. WHEN THE CAR COMES TO A STOP AND THE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, ONCE YOU TAKE THE FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPEN IF STOP AT A LIGHT, BACKING OUT OR EVEN WHILE IN PARK THE CAR WILL JUST ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING! MY DAUGHTER ALMOST HIT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WALKING IN THE CROSS WALK AND ALL SHE DID WAS RELEASE THE BRAKE TO MOVE UP AFTER A CAR TURN AND ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE HAD THE CAR ACCELERATE AFTER JUST BEIN… | 143.8%ODI 10462963 · 62,000 mi2006 FORD 500. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AT IDLE...IT ALSO SURGES DURING GEAR SHIFTS FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND PARK TO REVERSE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. THIS CAN LEAD TO DAMAGE OF THE VEHICLE OR INJURY TO A PEDESTRIAN. ARFC WEBSITE HAS 125 REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM. SEEMS TO GET WORSE AROUND THE 60-65,000 MILE RANGE....CONVENIENTLY OUT OF WARRANTY. TAKING CAR TO DEALER TODAY FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR. *TR | 136.5%ODI 10461670 · 81,421 miMY 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 PED… |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 00.0%No examples available for this selection. | 112.2%ODI 10344996 · 116,000 miWHEN VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND THERE IS A LOAD ON THE ENGINE (A/C ON HIGH) AND YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I GO TO TURN AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE GARAGE SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY THAT NEEDED REPLACED. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *TR | 184.9%ODI 10264273 · 38,399 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LINE SEPARATED FROM THE GAS FILTER, WHICH CAUSED GASOLINE TO SPILL EVERYWHERE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND INFORMED HIM TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE BEFORE A FIRE STARTED. THE CONTACT WILL CALL THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER TO INFORM THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,399. | 2110.6%ODI 10204755 · 500 miTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. DURING AN INSPECTION, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE PLATE NUT WAS NOT PLACED DEEP ENOUGH INTO THE PANEL, WHICH PREVENTED THE FUEL FILLER NECK FROM BEING SECURELY FASTENED TO THE FENDER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL FILLER NECK ADAPTER WAS NOT SECURELY ATTACHED. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS, HOWEVER, IT CREATED A LARGER GAP. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A STILL A 1/8" GAP BETWEEN FUEL FILLER AND NECK ADAPTOR AND RIGHT R… |
Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.
Failure mileage by component
Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.
| Component | Mileage range (25th–75th percentile) | Median | Usable records | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No usable records for this analysis. | ||||
Complaint and recall timeline
Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.
Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.
Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
| Month | Complaints | Campaigns announced | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2024-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-10 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-11 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2025-12 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-01 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-02 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-03 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-04 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-05 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-06 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-07 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-08 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-09 | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
| 2026-10 (partial) | 0 | None | No examples available for this selection. |
Emerging complaint spikes
Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.
This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.
No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.
Equal-age model-year comparison
Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.
2006: 63 complaints · 2007: 40 complaints
| Model year | Through age 0 | Through age 1 | Through age 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 25 | 43 | 63 |
| 2007 | 18 | 24 | 40 |
Date coverage across each selected cohort
| Year | Incident dates used | Filing date fallbacks | Excluded dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 363 | 0 | 1 |
| 2007 | 199 | 0 | 0 |
Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.
Components reported together
Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.
| Component | Service Brakes, Hydraulic |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | — |
Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.
Recurring narrative patterns
Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.
0 patterns with matching reports.
No narratives match the published patterns.