I own a 2005 Ford Five hundred. When I took the car for oil change maintenance on 11/25 and to have the tires rotated and aligned, the mechanic said the rear brakes on the vehicle were 95% worn, and should be replaced in short order. This is unusual since the vehicle is front wheel drive and only had 21,300 miles. The mechanic at the dealer stated that they were receiving several complaints regarding the brakes for that make of vehicle.

- Nashville, TN, USA

I purchased a 2005 Ford 500 new in September 2005. On April 17, 2007, 20 months I took it to the Ford dealer for a routine oil change and the 16,000 mile check up and I was told it needed new rear brakes. There was absolutely no reason why rear brakes should be required since I drive very little, and I took extremely good car of the vehicles. I own two other cars. This appeared to be a manufacturing or an engineering flaw. I was surprised on how quickly the Ford dealer knew to look at the brakes for problems. They must be doing this on a regular basis. I called Ford, and they said that the warranty on the brakes was only for 12 months, very convenient. NHTSA should start an investigation giving the number of complaints on this problem.ak

- East Brunswick, NJ, USA

The Ford Five hundred had rear brake pad and rotor failures after only 22,137 miles. This required replacing the pads and rotors at my expense. My last car required new brakes at 53,000 miles. In addition only the rear brakes were warn out. The front pads were still okay. In my opinion this was clearly either a design failure or a materials failure. I contacted Ford, and was told that brakes were a wear item, and they will do nothing. From the number of cases of this type failure on the Ford Five hundred and the Mercury montego, on this web site I would think an investigation would be started.

- Apalachin, NY, USA

Took my 2005 Ford Five hundred in for an oil change and tire rotation (17K miles), 12 months old. Was called by the Ford dealer service manger and told I needed rear brake pads asap!. I question how a car that has only been owned for 12 months need brakes (and only rear ones!). told Ford knows of the problem and resigned the pads, but I would have to pay $250 for the brake job (I declined). Multiple contacts (via email) to Ford hqts. Have been a waste of time. No response to the problem, no attempt to resolve the issue.

- Marlborough, MA, USA

- the contact has a 2005 Ford 500 with an odometer reading of 34900 miles and his rear break pads have worn out. The contact heard a grinding noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and found that his rear break pads are grinding into the rotors, but his front break pads are less than half way warn. The contact stated that there is service bulletin (06-22-17) from Ford which states that defective materials used on the rear break pads. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer (webster dudley Lincoln Mercury) and they stated that he was not covered by Ford and he would have to pay for the repair. The contact also called Ford and stated that it is a wear item and is no longer covered.

- Dudley, MA, USA

I purchased a 2005 Ford 500 new in July 2005. I had it serviced by the book at my dealership. On Nov 14,2006 I took it in for a routine oil change and the 22,000 mile check up. I was told it needed new rear brakes and "rotors". since 75% of these miles are all highway miles (very little braking), there is absolutely no reason why rear brakes should be required....and certainly no excuse for the rotors needing replaced. Since I take extremely good car of my vehicles, including washing it by hand, I have noticed since I bought it that the rear wheels are always black with brake dust. The front wheels are typically clean. That must mean the rear wheels are doing most of the work. This is without a doubt an engineering issue. Also, having visited the NHTSA website, it is littered with complaints from other Ford 500 owners experiencing the exact same problem. And via their reports, a denial by Ford that there is not problem. (wonder why they are on the ropes as a car maker"?") I "chatted with the service advisor to no avail. I plan on going higher....wish me luck. On the other hand, I present to between 15 and 20 thousand individuals each year across the country talking about integrity and customer service. Ford is about to learn the true meaning of the term "customer terrorist". I can assure them that I will get my money's worth a couple of hundred times over. Maybe you should wish them luck...they are going to need it.

- Munhall, PA, USA