This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I was driving through a parking lot and was pulling into a space to park. I did not have my foot on the accelerator, as I was just easing to a stop. The engine surged and my car lunged forward, almost hitting the vehicle parked in front of me. This has happened multiple times since, at one time almost hitting a pedestrian. I have to keep my foot on the break constantly and hope I can get the car stopped before someone or something is hit, and pray I don't have to use the accelerator at the low levels of speed.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, the vehicle attempted to surge forward. The contact then attempted to accelerate, but the vehicle hesitated and stalled. In addition, the vehicle would attempt to surge forward while driving even thought the accelerator pedal was not depressed. The vehicle also attempted to surge backward on occasions. The failure recurred consistently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the failure was caused by a power surge. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure and current mileages were 125,782.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that upon starting, the vehicle jerked and accelerated on its own. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnosis. The dealer stated that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 67,000.
Since my vehicle was new I have complained to the dealership, and online, that the optional brake and accelerator pedal height adjustment rocker switch is wired improperly. That is, wired in reverse. The mounted switch clearly depicts a foot over a pedal in the center with an arrow pointing 'up' at the top of the switch and an arrow pointing 'down' at the bottom of the switch. This controls the height adjustment of both pedals from the floor and is designed to place the pedals within reach of the operator. On several occasions members of my family have depressed this switch while in motion pushing the top portion of the rocker switch assuming the pedals would rise 'up' as indicated by the arrows on the switch. Wrong!! pressing the switch in the upward position 'lowers' the pedals to the floor, while pressing the lower portion of the switch, with the arrow pointing 'down', actually raises the pedals up, closer to the operator. After pressing the switch several times in the up position and believing the pedals were at their maximum height, several of the drivers in the house whom have short legs, were immediately panicked and desperately began trying to compensate by readjusting the seat to be within reach of the brake! a scary and dangerous condition while the vehicle is in motion! if Ford refuses to simply reverse the operation of the switch, maybe a safety interlock could be devised to prevent operation while the vehicle is in gear.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the entire instrument panel warning indicators illuminated until the engine was turned off. Also, when approaching a stop signal, the brake pedal was applied and the vehicle began to lunge forward unintendedly. The failures occurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the alternator. The failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to a different auto shop for a diagnosis. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the throttle position sensor. The dealer was notified and they stated that the part was on a massive back order. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
- Henrico, VA, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that when shifting out of the park position with the brake pedal engaged, the vehicle would unexpectedly lunge. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer, who both stated that the throttle body would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 79,887 updated 7/12/12 the consumer stated the engine would rev up and then the vehicle would lunge forward or backward when shifting from park or neutral or from reverse to drive. Even when the brake was applied, the vehicle would accelerate. The dealer replaced the throttle body. Updated 07/24/12
For several months car has been lunging forward without my foot on the gas. A couple weeks ago while pulling into my driving way it lunged and the car ran into my concrete steps causing 3,500 worth of damage. This is very dangerous and could have been one of my daughters. I really hope you take this seriously because once lives are lost you can't get them back. I just want Ford to fess up and to take responsibility for this problem, so I may get it fixed and not kill or injure anyone.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact was braking from 15 mph when the vehicle jerked forward with the brakes applied. The vehicle was parked and turned off for several hours and the contact was unable to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they advised that the throttle body needed replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 124,795.
The vehicle will speed up on its own. This vehicle has been doing this several times. It seems to have a mind of its own. My wife has named the car [xxx] and she won't drive it anymore. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that the vehicle would lunge backward when reversing out of parking spaces. The vehicle would also lunge forward when driving out of parking spaces. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. Updated 04/11/12 updated 05/10121
Some months ago, my car started to oscillate in ralenti from 700 to below 500 RPM, when braking even stops. Some times decelerate suddenly, frequently slow response when accelerate, etc. Ford local dealer told me this is a regular problem with this throttle body on this engine models, and I have to replace it. I am aware this is a common issue on 3.0L V6 engines due to I have a friend with a montego 2005 with same problems. So far, no Ford company recall was advised. I do not agree into replace this part, should be Ford responsibility.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited several instances of unintended acceleration. The contact stated that the failure occurred when the vehicle was placed into drive or reverse and also when the air conditioner was activated. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 03/16/12 the consumer stated the vehicle lunged forward when he shifted the gear from park to drive or from park to reverse. It caused a loud banging noise in the transmission. Updated 05/10/12
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Five hundred. While driving approximately 25 mph, the brake pedal was engaged and the vehicle began to accelerate abnormally. The vehicle eventually came to a stop after the second attempt. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician informed the throttle body would need to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the malfunction. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000. The VIN was unavailable.
At a stoplight with the brake on the engine revved up and the car jumped forward about 20 feet before I could stop it. At the next light the same thing happened. At my final destination approximately 2 miles away my son (who was with me the whole time = I was taking him back to college) told me to let the car run to see if it would do it again. With the car in drive and my foot on the brake (hard) it revved up 2 more times in less than 2 minutes to at least 1500 RPM and was very difficult to hold back. I took it in to the dealer the next day and they replaced the throttle body at a cost of $800. After calling Ford and reporting the situation they refused to document this or make a case number until I told them I knew there was a technical bulletin on this according to the dealer. They gave me a case number [xxx] but were rude to me and could not answer if the replacement part addressed the issue and has been fixed. I do not know if it will happen in the next mile, next 100,000 miles, or never again if they will not say if replacement parts have corrected a problem. If a car or pedestrian were in front of me when this happened I would have had an accident without doubt. This car has a safety problem and the incident happened on Nov. 27, 2011. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Ford Five hundred started lurching or lunging when placed in gear. From a parked position.. the car lurched back into the wall of the carport crushing the back bumper. On another occasion the car lurched when the door was open and knocked into the carport post. Very dangerous.
Defective throttle body causing "lunging issues" almost had three accidents, just from the lunging. Once I let off the gas pedal the car would turn off, dealer advised that it due to a defective throttle body that they will replace costing me $900.
This car has lunged forward and backward almost causing several accidents. Dealership say they don't know what is causing it. Warranty is worthless. Air conditioner went out when temp's were over 105 degrees. Over $1000 to repair.
Car will "jump" when shifting into drive or reverse gears!! sometimes the car wont immediately accelerate when applying gas. Was told my multiple mechanics that I was the throttle body control causing this but Ford wont do anything about this!!
In November of 2010 my 2007 Ford 500 began to "leap" foward or backward after shifting from park to reverse or drive. This action has continued for the following months. It seems to be happening more and more often. In may of 2011 it "lunged" when I was backing out of my driveway causing damage to both my vehicle and my husbands who was parked near me. I took it to the dealership today after it "lunged" in a parking lot last week almost hitting a child walking by. I assumed it was the transmission. However, I am told it's a bad electronic throttle body and is not covered under the powertrain warranty. I am told it will go out sometime, there isn't any way of knowing when but it will go into "fail safe mode". after searching online I see Ford had a recall on this part that included models older then mine. The problem isn't fixed as many Ford owners are experiencing the same problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Jackson, MO, USA