Is the 2006 Ford Five Hundred a bad year?
364 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 104.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Ford Five Hundred were filed between 60k and 105k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Five Hundred owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 78,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed controlSTANDS OUT | 118 (32%) | 50k–94k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 104 (29%) | 60k–105k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 56 (15%) | 56k–116k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 51 (14%) | 64k–130k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Fuel system | 38 (10%) | 57k–98k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 17 (5%) | 27k–117k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 14 (4%) | 55k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Air bags | 7 (2%) | 23k–93k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Brakes | 39 (11%) | 16k–37k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Equipment | 10 (3%) | 40k–75k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Stability control | 8 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 7 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 78,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 364 complaints: 20 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 4 report an injury · 1 says the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Aug 2022.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
When I start the car.. Everything is good.. I start driving and about 15 minutes later .. The check engine light comes on and the wrench light comes on...
When shifting into gear, or when taking foot off of brake after sitting for a brief period, car lunges forward (Or backwards) without touching the gas pedal.
I have a 2006 Ford Five Hundred that will lunge forward at odd times especially when the A/C is on. It is a major problem and I believe should have been recalled a long time ago.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 78,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Ford Five Hundred: 1
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. Failure of this connection could lead to fuel spillage and, in the presence of an ignition source, a fire could occur.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Ford: 3
Repair instructions Ford sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Ford Five Hundred. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Idle instability
Neighbouring years
2005 Five Hundred: 510 complaints, keep it · 2007 Five Hundred: 199 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Ford Five Hundred year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · All Five Hundred years side by side
Other Ford models: Ford 500 · Ford Bronco · Ford Bronco Sport · Ford C-Max · Ford Contour · Ford Crown Victoria · Ford E-150 · Ford E-250 · Ford E-350 · Ford E-450 · Ford EcoSport · Ford Edge · Ford Escape · Ford Escape Hybrid · Ford Escort · Ford Excursion · Ford Expedition · Ford Explorer · Ford Explorer Sport · Ford Explorer Sport Trac · Ford F SD · Ford F-150 · Ford F-150 Hybrid · Ford F-150 Lightning BEV · Ford F-250 SD · Ford F-350 SD · Ford F-450 SD · Ford F-550 SD · Ford Fiesta · Ford Flex · Ford Focus · Ford Focus Electric · Ford Ford · Ford Freestar · Ford Freestyle · Ford Fusion · Ford Fusion Energi · Ford Fusion Hybrid · Ford Maverick · Ford Maverick Hybrid · Ford Mustang · Ford Mustang GT · Ford Mustang Mach-E · Ford Ranger · Ford Taurus · Ford Taurus X · Ford Thunderbird · Ford Transit · Ford Transit Connect · Ford Windstar. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Ford Five Hundred a bad year?
364 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 104. At 78,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Ford Five Hundred were filed between 60k and 105k miles. You're at 78,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Five Hundred?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: speed control (118), transmission and drivetrain (104), engine (56), electrical system (51), fuel system (38). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 60k–105k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Five Hundred have?
1 recall campaign list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 06E056000). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.