2
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Large car; Built in USA
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $4,800 – $10,500*


2005 Ford Five Hundred


2005 Ford Five Hundred


2005 Ford Five Hundred

Pros:
  • Available all-wheel drive
  • Control layout
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Visibility
Cons:
  • Automatic-transmission performance

The Five Hundred earns high marks for its generous passenger and cargo space, a take-charge driving position, good road manners, and available all-wheel drive. Engine choice is limited to a single V6, but it has adequate power for this duty. And while the transmissions have some quirks, they’re not deal-breakers.

Overview

For 2005, Ford debuted a new 4-dr sedan with available all-wheel drive. The Five Hundred accommodated five passengers on seats that were mounted about 4 inches higher than in other sedans. SE, SEL, and Limited models were offered, all with a 203-hp 3.0-liter V6 and a choice of front-wheel drive or AWD. Front-drive SEs and all AWD Five Hundreds used a continuously variable automatic transmission, or CVT. A CVT provides variable drive ratios vs. a conventional automatic’s preset ratios. Front-drive SEL and Limited versions got a 6-speed automatic transmission. Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes and traction control were standard. No antiskid system was available. SE and SEL had 17-inch wheels, Limited had 18s. Front torso side airbags and curtain side airbags were optional. Standard equipment included a power driver seat and split folding rear seatbacks; SEL and Limiteds added a folding front-passenger seat. Options included sunroof and rear obstacle detection. The Five Hundred shared its basic design and powertrains with the Mercury Montego sedan and with Ford’s Freestyle crossover SUV.

Yearly Updates

2006 Five Hundred
For 2006, a DVD entertainment system was newly optional for SELs and Limiteds, while a navigation system arrived as a Limited-exclusive option.
2007 Five Hundred
Side airbags were standard instead of optional on 2007 versions of Ford’s large sedan. SE models were dropped for 2007. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags with rollover deployment were now standard; they had been optional. DVD entertainment and a navigation system were available for both, and were joined for ’07 by optional satellite radio.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive

Only one powertrain was available in 2005-07 Five Hundreds: a 3.0-liter V6 that was rated at 203 hp. Two transmissions were available: a 6-speed automatic or a CVT automatic.

ohc V61
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/182
Engine HP 203
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 207
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
6-speed automatic
CVT automatic 		21/29
20/27 		19.0
19.1

1. CVT 19/26 with AWD.

Road Test

The Five Hundred’s acceleration is adequate and on par with most V6 rivals, even though it has one of the smallest engines in its class. A test AWD Five Hundred did 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds; a test front-drive Mercury Montego did 7.9. The CVT’s best trait is good highway-passing response, though some drivers may need time to adjust to its behavior in rapid acceleration, where the engine speed can race ahead of road speed until CVT reaches the “right” ratio. Disappointingly, the 6-speed automatic hunts between gears, particularly in hilly terrain, and includes neither a manual-shift feature nor the capability to lock out the top three gears. A test AWD Five Hundred averaged 19.1 mpg in a mix of city/highway driving. A front-wheel-drive Mercury Montego with 6-speed automatic averaged 15.9 mpg in a test that included gas-eating acceleration runs. Ford recommended regular-grade fuel for all Five Hundreds.

The Five Hundred’s ride is generally absorbent and composed on all surfaces, though the sharpest bumps can jolt. There is little difference in ride quality between the available 17- and 18-inch tires, or between front-drive and AWD. The Five Hundred exhibits good balance in turns, with only moderate lean despite its relatively tall body. Steering feel is light at low speeds for easy parking, and becomes satisfyingly linear at higher speeds. Test AWD Five Hundreds furnished outstanding grip on wet and snowy surfaces. Both brake-pedal feel and stopping power are good.

Inside, the Five Hundred’s gauges are clearly marked and unobstructed, though some testers say the electronic display for audio, climate, and vehicle-information settings is not easy to read. Some audio/climate controls are mounted too low, requiring a long look from the road to adjust. Some testers complain that the stalks for the windshield wipers and turn signals are too far from the steering wheel. Overall, Five Hundred is reasonably quiet, with fine suppression of wind and road noise. However, the AWD test versions’ powertrain whined audibly in even modest acceleration, and the 6-speed automatic transmission’s frequent downshifts means the engine roars more often than with the CVT.

Up front, the commanding driving position is aided by the low cowl, tall windows, and standard height-adjustable seat. Head room is ample and leg room is fine, though the tallest drivers may wish for more rearward seat travel. The front seats are comfortably supportive, and their high mounting eases entry/exit. Visibility to the rear corners is unusually good. The rear seat area has sofa-high seating with limousinelike leg room and generous head room. Three adults fit shoulder to shoulder. Rear ingress and egress is easy.

The Five Hundred’s voluminous trunk can hold eight full-size golf bags. Strut-type trunklid hinges don’t rob space or threaten cargo. The rear seats fold, but the pass-through is restricted at the bottom by angled side supports. SEL and Limited include a fold-flat front-passenger seat that’s useful for hauling long items. The covered dashtop bin is handy, but interior storage is nothing special.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Ford Five Hundred

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 6
60%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Front - 9
90%
Room/Comfort Rear - 8
80%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 8
80%

Total: 69

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
112.9 200.7 74.5 60.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
21.2 20.0 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
39.4 38.6 41.2 41.9
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Five Hunderd 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 5
100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Rear Passenger Injury - 5
100%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Brake noise
Description: Noise or roughness from the rear brakes is caused by rust on the brake rotors, requiring refinishing and installation of updated pads. (2005)
Brakes
Description: The rear brakes may drag after the car has been parked for a couple days causing noise and excessive brake dust on the wheels due to the brake pads. (2005-06)
Cold-starting problems
Description: The engine may be slow to start (long cranking time) in cold weather, requiring reprogramming the PCM. (2005-06)
Cruise control
Description: The cruise control may work intermittently or quit working because the brake light switch is out of adjustment. (2005)
Fuel gauge
Description: The fuel tank may fill slowly with repeated nozzle click-offs due to either a flooded charcoal canister or a problem inside the fuel tank. (2005-07)
Steering noise
Description: The steering may squeak, especially at slow speed, requiring steering boot lubrication and power steering fluid replacement with Mercon V transmission fluid, or a defective upper strut bushing. (2005-07)
Suspension noise
Description: Noise from the rear suspension in cold weather (below 15 degrees F) requires revised shock absorbers. (2005-06)
Vehicle noise
Description: Whining or buzzing from the speakers is caused by the electric fuel pump in the tank, requiring installation of an RFI (radio frequency interference) filter in the circuit. (2002-03)
Transmission problems
Description: The engine speed may vary from 50-100 rpm on vehicles equipped with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) requiring reprogramming the powertrain control module. (2005)
Fuel door
Description: The gas cap may be hard to close, but there is a revised cap whose tether must be relocated. (2005)

Recall History

2005 Five Hundred
Description: On certain vehicles, the straps that secure the fuel tank may break. Dealers will replace the fuel tank straps.
2005 Five Hundred
Description: Five Hundreds sold in 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. Dealers will inspect and repair or replace affected parts.
2005-06 Five Hundred
Description: Certain aftermarket fuel filters sold under the Purolator brand name, P/N F65277, for use on Ford Five Hundreds are defective. Manufacturer will replace any defective filters.
2007 Five Hundred vehicles manufactured from September 5, 2006, through September 11, 2006.
Description: 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. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire. Dealers will replace the fuel tank free of charge.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 10, 2014.
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