The most-reported Five Hundred run is 1FAFP24135G (2005 builds) with 16 complaints, 5× the typical run. Power train problems make up 25% of reports; 2005 is the worst model year at 3.6 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for Five Hundred model years 2005–2007.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Five Hundred has 283 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every Five Hundred complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1FAFP24135G•••••• | 2005 | — | 1 | |
| 1FAFP241X5G•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 1FAFP231X5G•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 1FAFP24105G•••••• | 2005 | — | 1 | |
| 1FAFP24125G•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 1FAFP23126G•••••• | 2006 | 2 | — | |
| 1FAFP24165G•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 1FAFP24196G•••••• | 2006 | — | 2 | |
| 1FAHP24177G•••••• | 2007 | 1 | — | |
| 1FAFP23185G•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 1FAFP23155G•••••• | 2005 | 1 | — | |
| 1FAFP23166G•••••• | 2006 | — | — |
Each of the other 271 Five Hundred runs has 9 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Five Hundred the gap between build years is 1.3×: a 2005 car draws 3.6 complaints per run, a 2007 one 2.7.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 162 | 60 | 12 | |
| 2006 | 299 | 107 | 18 | |
| 2005 | 438 | 123 | 16 |
Heaviest year here is 2005 at 3.6 complaints per run; lightest is 2007 at 2.7.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Ford Five Hundred owners report: Power Train, 257 of 899 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 10 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 18 | — | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 9 | |
| Engine | 4 | 2 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 2 | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Ford Five Hundred; the 4 below cover build years 2005 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 06E056000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 2005–2007 |
| 11V355000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap | 2007 |
| 05V515000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting | 2005 |
| 06V383000 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 2005 |
The Five Hundred against its rivals
The Five Hundred draws 3.2 complaints per production run; the Cadillac Deville 3, the Buick LeSabre 4.1 and the Buick Park Avenue 3.3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Five Hundred | 899 | 283 | 5.1% | |
| Cadillac Deville | 2,216 | 730 | 8.3% | |
| Buick LeSabre | 2,951 | 713 | 5.6% | |
| Buick Park Avenue | 856 | 263 | 3% |
How serious were they
Of the 899 reports on the Ford Five Hundred, 5.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Five Hundred | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 899 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 46 (5.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 15 (1.7%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 18 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Ford Five Hundred share of that is 899 complaints over 283 runs, 0.08% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Five Hundred VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 899 NHTSA complaints from 283 Five Hundred runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Five Hundred production run has the most complaints?
1FAFP24135G, a 2005 build, with 16 complaints. The typical Five Hundred run has 3.2.
Which Five Hundred years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2005 is heaviest at 3.6 complaints per run and 2007 lightest at 2.7.
Does the Five Hundred get more complaints than the Cadillac Deville?
Yes: 3.2 complaints per production run for the Five Hundred against 3 for the Cadillac Deville.
How many Five Hundred complaints involve a crash?
5.1% of 899 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.
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