The Ford Five Hundred is a roomy, comfortable large sedan that delivers solid value in the used market, but two of its three model years carry documented problems that can cost you hundreds to thousands of dollars. Before you buy, you should know exactly which years to skip and which one stands out as the cleaner pick. This guide draws on NHTSA complaint data, CarComplaints PainRank scores, and RepairPal repair costs so every recommendation is backed by real numbers.
At a glance
- Worst years
- 2005
- 2006
- Best years
- 2007
- Top failure
- Electronic throttle body malfunction on 2005-2006 cars (CarComplaints rates 2006 as worst on repair cost; TSB 05-25-13 covers the 2005 model)
- Always do before buying
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker to confirm every open recall is closed, plus check the throttle body service history on any 2005 or 2006 car
How we rated the best and worst Ford Five Hundred years
The 2006 Ford Five Hundred is rated the worst year by CarComplaints because of higher repair cost and more problems at lower mileage, even though the 2005 carries the highest raw complaint volume on NHTSA. That distinction matters: CarComplaints ranks a year worst by its PainRank (repair cost and mileage at failure), while NHTSA shows raw complaint volume - and those are often different years.
To build this guide, we pulled data from NHTSA complaints and recalls, CarComplaints PainRank scores, RepairPal repair cost estimates, Consumer Reports crash-test results, and owner reports from community forums. The ratings follow a years to avoid research methodology that weights repair cost, mileage at failure, and complaint volume together rather than treating any single metric as definitive. The 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred has accumulated 1,073 NHTSA complaints in total, with the most frequently reported problem areas being transmission, engine, and electrical system.
| Ford Five Hundred Generation | Best Ford Five Hundred Years | Worst Ford Five Hundred Years |
|---|---|---|
| First (and only) gen: 2005-2007 | 2007 | 2005, 2006 |
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Every Ford Five Hundred model year ranked
The 2007 Ford Five Hundred is the only model year that earns a "Best" verdict; the 2005 and 2006 carry the bulk of documented failures across every major complaint category.
| Model Year | Generation | Verdict | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gen 1 | Avoid | Most NHTSA complaints; throttle body, transmission, electrical |
| 2006 | Gen 1 | Avoid | Worst CarComplaints PainRank; highest repair cost; AC/heater top complaint |
| 2007 | Gen 1 | Best | Fewest complaints (328); fuel tank weld recall resolved; cleaner record |
Most common Ford Five Hundred problems
The single biggest failure across the Ford Five Hundred's production run is the electronic throttle body, which affects the 2005 and 2006 models most severely and drives the highest repair bills in the lineup. Beyond that, owners across all three years also encountered transmission issues, electrical gremlins, AC and heater faults, and body/paint defects.
Electronic throttle body (ETB) malfunction
Some Ford Five Hundred owners report experiencing throttle body issues that cause the check engine light to illuminate and stalling when releasing the gas pedal. These problems stem from a defective electronic throttle body (ETB), resulting in limited or no throttle response. Common complaints include throttle body malfunctions, RPM surges, and deposits that can lead to sludge buildup, triggering MIL codes like P0505 or P0506.
There is a technical service bulletin for this defective electronic throttle body part: TSB 05-25-13, which pertains not only to the 2005 Ford Five Hundred but also the 2005 Ford Freestyle and the Mercury Montego. Ford issued a revised ETB part under this bulletin. The repair and replacement may be eligible under Ford's warranty according to the TSB, though many owners have reported paying out of pocket.
The 2005 Ford Five Hundred has 22 problems reported for throttle body malfunction on CarComplaints, with an average repair cost of $720 at 97,750 miles. The 2006 model shows 6 complaints specifically for throttle body failure, with an average repair cost of $910 at 102,850 miles. RepairPal puts the broader throttle body replacement range at $544 to $797 for the Five Hundred. Before buying a 2005 or 2006, ask for the ETB service history and confirm the repair has already been done.
Transmission slipping and failure
The worst complaint categories on the 2005 Ford Five Hundred are engine, transmission, and body/paint problems. Transmission trouble shows up across all three years, but it's worst on the 2005 and 2006. Symptoms include the car lurching or refusing to move from a stop, slipping between gears at highway speed, and in severe cases a total loss of drive.
Transmission problems can include shifting delays, grinding when accelerating, the car shaking on the road, or whistling noises and a burning smell coming from under the hood. According to owners, Ford has acknowledged knowing of the problem but only offers selling a new transmission, with replacement quoted at around $4,600. The 2005 Five Hundred has 72 NHTSA complaints for the power train at an average failure mileage of 102,039. A transmission fluid leak when parked is one of the early warning signs to look for when inspecting any used Five Hundred.
There is also a TSB for shifting irregularities whose solution is a TCM (Transmission Control Module) software update. Check with a dealer whether that update has been applied before you buy.
Electrical system failures
Some Ford Five Hundred owners report experiencing various electrical system issues, including dashboard flickering, power loss, and intermittent starting problems, linked to a total of 78 reported issues on RepairPal. Some users have noted random flickering of instrument lights alongside air conditioner noise, and these failures may lead to power fluctuations resulting in power loss while driving.
The 2005 Ford Five Hundred has 74 NHTSA complaints for the electrical system at an average failure mileage of 86,165 miles. The 2007 model has 20 NHTSA electrical complaints at an average of 55,809 miles. Dashboard blackouts, premature battery drain, and flickering instrument panels are the most common specific complaints. If low transmission fluid symptoms appear alongside dashboard warnings, the issue may be electrical rather than purely mechanical.
AC and heater faults
The 2006 Ford Five Hundred's top complaint category is AC/heater, alongside engine and transmission problems. The 2006 is the only year where climate control ranks as the single most-reported complaint type on CarComplaints, with 18 owner complaints in that category alone.
The 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred with automatic climate control may have a problem with frequent fan speed changes when using the heater or air conditioner. Normally, the fan speed changes only to maintain a selected temperature, but when the fan speed changes frequently and needlessly, there is an issue with the fan speed control unit. The fan speed control unit regulates the speed for the blower motor in order to maintain the temperature set by the driver, and when it fails the fan will run at random settings.
Repairing a faulty AC compressor can average around $1,260, particularly at approximately 76,500 miles. The average cost for blower motor resistor replacement is between $115 and $160, making that the lower-cost fix to try first. Test the AC on full cold and the heater on full hot during any test drive.
Body and paint defects
The 2005 Ford Five Hundred has 33 NHTSA complaints specifically for body/paint problems. Paint chipping and peeling is something 2006 Ford Five Hundred owners have to deal with regularly, and a paint job may be needed to prevent rusting.
Structural complaints on the 2005 include a documented case where an A-frame detached from the subframe at 55,000 miles. The 2006 has 18 NHTSA body/paint complaints and 8 NHTSA electrical complaints on record. Inspect the door jambs, wheel arches, and lower rocker panels carefully on any used example, especially in rust-belt states.
Which Ford Five Hundred years should you avoid?
The Ford Five Hundred years to avoid are 2005 and 2006. CarComplaints rates the 2006 model year as worse than 2005 because of higher repair cost and more problems at lower mileage, while NHTSA complaint volume is highest on the 2005, which logged the most raw owner complaints of the three model years. Either way, both years carry more documented risk than the 2007.
| Ford Five Hundred Generation | Model Years | Verdict | Main Issues |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen 1 (2005-2006) | 2005, 2006 | Avoid | Throttle body failure, transmission slipping, electrical, AC/heater |
| Gen 1 (2007) | 2007 | Best | Fewest complaints, lowest repair burden, fuel tank recall resolved |
Worst Ford Five Hundred years: 2005, 2006
First-generation Ford Five Hundred (2005-2006) - years to avoid
The 2005 Ford Five Hundred has 802 problems and defects reported by owners on CarComplaints, with the worst complaints being engine, transmission, and body/paint problems. The 2005 has 205 NHTSA engine complaints, 61 NHTSA transmission complaints, and 33 NHTSA body/paint complaints on record.
The 2006 Ford Five Hundred has 601 problems and defects reported, with the worst complaints being AC/heater, engine, and transmission problems. CarComplaints lists 174 NHTSA engine complaints, 33 NHTSA transmission complaints, and 51 NHTSA electrical complaints for the 2006. The 2006's PainRank on CarComplaints makes it the single worst year to buy, driven by higher repair bills and problems appearing at lower mileage than the 2005.
What are the best Ford Five Hundred years to buy?
The best Ford Five Hundred year to buy is 2007, the final model year and the one with the fewest documented problems across every major category.
| Best Ford Five Hundred Year | Why It's a Strong Buy |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Fewest complaints (328 total); lowest NHTSA engine, transmission, and body complaint counts; throttle body issues less frequent |
Most reliable Ford Five Hundred years: 2007
2007 Ford Five Hundred
The 2007 Ford Five Hundred has 328 problems and defects reported on CarComplaints, with the worst complaints being engine, body/paint, and transmission - but those counts are significantly lower than the 2005 or 2006. CarComplaints records 328 total complaints for the 2007, with 2 recalls and 25 TSBs on file.
The 2007's NHTSA complaint breakdown shows 108 engine complaints, 8 body/paint complaints, 17 transmission complaints, and 22 electrical complaints - all lower than the 2005 and 2006. IIHS crash-test results for the Five Hundred show a "Good" rating for both Front Moderate Overlap and Side Crash categories. The 2007 is the most sensible pick if one is available in your budget. Check the NHTSA complaint data for the 2007 Five Hundred and confirm the fuel tank weld recall has been completed before purchase.
Ford Five Hundred pre-purchase checklist
Before handing over money for a used Ford Five Hundred, work through each of these checks:
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall checker to confirm every open recall has been resolved, including the 2007 fuel tank weld recall.
- Check the electronic throttle body history on 2005-2006 cars - ask for service records showing the ETB was replaced or cleaned under TSB 05-25-13, and test-drive the car at low speeds to feel for surging, lunging, or fail-safe mode.
- Test the transmission cold - let the car sit, then drive it from a cold start. Cold weather can cause CVT fluid to thicken, leading to sluggish acceleration and poor transmission response. Any hesitation from a dead stop on a cold engine warrants further inspection.
- Check the AC and heater - run the climate control on full hot and full cold, and listen for a clicking AC compressor or erratic fan speed changes, which signal the fan speed control unit issue common to all three years.
- Inspect the instrument panel - cycle the ignition and watch for flickering gauges, a darkened cluster, or warning lights that don't clear. Electrical gremlins are hard to repair on a 20-year-old platform.
- Look for paint chipping and rust at the lower door sills, wheel arches, and trunk lip, particularly on 2005 and 2006 examples in northern climates.
- Request full service records - confirm oil changes, transmission fluid exchanges, and any throttle body or electrical repairs were completed on schedule.
Better alternatives to consider
If the Ford Five Hundred years in your budget land on the avoid list, consider these alternatives instead:
- Chrysler 300 - a rear-wheel-drive large sedan from the same era with a broader model-year spread and a clearer reliability record across multiple generations; buyers who also cross-shop muscle-influenced large sedans will find certain Dodge Charger model years carry their own set of years to avoid before committing
- Chevy Impala - a front-wheel-drive large sedan with a longer production run, giving you more model years to choose from and stronger parts availability; shoppers open to a larger SUV format should check which Ford Expedition years to avoid before assuming a bigger vehicle means a more reliable one
- Ford Taurus - the direct replacement sedan for the Five Hundred after 2007, offering more model years, a wider trim range, and an easier time finding a low-complaint year
Is the Ford Five Hundred worth buying?
The Ford Five Hundred is worth buying as long as you stick to the 2007 model year and avoid the 2005 and 2006. IIHS rates the Five Hundred "Good" in Front Moderate Overlap and Side Crash testing, which is a reasonable safety baseline for a large sedan of its era. The 2007 carries fewer than 330 total owner complaints and is meaningfully cleaner than its predecessors on every major category. Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall database, confirm the fuel tank weld recall is closed, and verify the throttle body has been serviced if the car was previously a 2005 or 2006 and the engine was swapped or rebuilt - then the Five Hundred can be a comfortable, spacious daily driver at a modest price.