2006 Ford Five Hundred Problems: 5 Known Issues
2006 model year · 820+ owner reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 820+ owner reports, the 2006 Ford Five Hundred has 5 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are CVT Transmission Shuddering, Slipping, and Premature Failure ($200-$5,000 repair), Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure ($300-$600 repair) and Sludged 3.0L Duratec Electronic Throttle Body Sticks and Forces the Car to Idle ($400-$1,200 repair). The most commonly reported issue is CVT Transmission Shuddering, Slipping, and Premature Failure with 380 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $5,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
2006 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
No email neededHow interest is saved
Interest applies to the selected vehicle and configuration; it is not a reservation. Voting stores a first-party identifier for up to 180 days to prevent repeat votes. No account or email is needed. Clearing cookies or using another device may count separately. Privacy
Visual coming soon
Your interest helps us choose what to build next.
Visual Known Issues · Coming soon
$7.99/month plus taxes at launch on January 1, 2027 · No payment today
All 5 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls4 recalls
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
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).
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED AND MERCURY MONTEGO VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 5, 2006, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 11, 2006. THE FUEL TANKS MAY NOT HAVE CONSISTENT WELDS BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL FILLER NECK SPUD WHICH CAN AFFECT THE STRENGTH OF THE JOINT. SOME FUEL TANK SPUD WELDS MAY NOT PROVIDE THE EXPECTED STRENGTH IN THE EVENT OF A SEVERE REAR IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE. AN IMPROPER WELD CAN RESULT IN A CRACK IN THE JOINT WHICH COULD ILLUMINATE THE EMISSIONS MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT, CAUSE A FUEL ODOR, OR ALLOW FUEL TO LEAK OUT.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.
Join 700+ subscribers following Au7o for vehicle insights and updates.
Don't see your problem? Describe your symptoms to get a diagnosis, or get a full repair guide.
Other Ford Models
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Ford Five Hundred problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 820+ owner reports, the 2006 Ford Five Hundred has 5 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: CVT Transmission Shuddering, Slipping, and Premature Failure, Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure, Sludged 3.0L Duratec Electronic Throttle Body Sticks and Forces the Car to Idle. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Ford Five Hundred reliable?
The 2006 Ford Five Hundred has 5 known issues documented across 820+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: CVT Transmission Shuddering, Slipping, and Premature Failure and Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure and Sludged 3.0L Duratec Electronic Throttle Body Sticks and Forces the Car to Idle. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Ford Five Hundred problems?
Repair costs for known Ford Five Hundred issues range from $100 to $5,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, CVT Transmission Shuddering, Slipping, and Premature Failure, typically costs $200-$5,000 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred CVT Transmission Shuddering, Slipping, and Premature Failure?
The Ford Five Hundred equipped with the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) suffers from chronic shuddering, slipping, and premature failure. The CVT transmission bucks and shakes when decelerating or accelerating around 25 MPH, and the problem worsens as the transmission he… Repairs typically run $200-$5,000. Severity: high.
What is the 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred Lower Control Arm Ball Joint Failure?
The Ford Five Hundred has a documented problem with premature lower control arm ball joint failure. The ball joints can wear and separate at relatively low mileage, causing the steering knuckle to disconnect from the control arm. In severe cases, the ball joint has sheared comple… Repairs typically run $300-$600. Severity: high.
What is the 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred Sludged 3.0L Duratec Electronic Throttle Body Sticks and Forces the Car to Idle?
The 2005-2007 Five Hundred, and its Freestyle and Mercury Montego siblings, use a coolant-heated electronic throttle body on the 3.0L Duratec V6 that is unusually prone to internal sludging and actuator failure. Crankcase vapour routed through the intake tract deposits an oily va… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: high.
What is the 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred Premature Power Steering Rack and Pump Failure?
Five Hundred owners report power steering trouble that usually starts as a whine or groan when turning. One owner of a 2005 model says the steering is quiet on a cold start but whines loudly once the engine warms up. Owners also report fluid that has to be topped off often, leaks… Repairs typically run $100-$1,100. Severity: medium.
What is the 2005-2007 Ford Five Hundred Front Wheel Bearing Hub Assembly Failure?
Owners report that the front wheel bearing hub assemblies fail, causing a droning or humming noise that grows louder with speed. The bearing is sealed inside the hub assembly and cannot be pressed out and replaced on its own. The whole hub bolts to the aluminum steering knuckle w… Repairs typically run $200-$400. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.