The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 136 of 510 complaints (27%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (10) than those mentioning any other identified area.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 510
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,950–$3,300
- Combined MPG
- 19–21
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2005 Large Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | 2,950–3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–21 | 19–21 | 19–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–19 / 23–26 | 17–19 / 23–26 | 17–19 / 23–26 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423–468 | 423–468 | 423–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 510 | 364 | 199 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 20 | 20 | 17 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 6 | 6 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 5 | 6 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2005 Ford Five Hundred?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 136 of 510 NHTSA complaints (27%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Five Hundred get?
EPA rates it 19–21 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Ford Five Hundred?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (high) | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 18 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 6-spd | 6 | 3.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Large Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 423 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 107 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 136 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 96 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 51 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 26 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 20 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 104 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 54 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
- Consequence
- AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Defect
- CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
- Consequence
- FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
- Remedy
- UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
- Consequence
- IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.