2005 Ford Five Hundred: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 30, 2013 · Lights · 81,000 miles · UT

Replaced low beam headlamp on driver side, noted electrical burn marks on one terminal. Replacement bulb did not work, had to wiggle to get it to work. Quit working daily without wiggling whole lighting socket , took apart noticed that the socket housing was brittle and cracked with burn mark on metal female lead. Two to three weeks later passenger low beam headlight would not work, wiggled passenger side light, came back on. Sometimes both light would go out at same time. Problem kept occurring through august. Found this has occurred on other ford five hundreds due to sockets overheating. Checked passenger socket and compared to driver side and both sockets and light bulbs look identical in damage. Burned/melted plastic on bulb base and cracked burned sockets. Replaced both side bulbs and sockets last weekend, both lights worked for three days before apparently fused the socket with the bulb on the driver side. Guessing the passenger side will do the same within next month like it did before.

Filed Nov 13, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · MA

The headlight socket on both headlights are over heating and melting causing the bulb not to operate. I'm just nervous that this will cause a fire as all the parts are plastic. I also noted on line that it is a very real problem and I'm not the only one experiencing this.

Filed Dec 9, 2011 · Engine, Lights · 70,000 miles · ID · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford five hundred. The contact stated that the harness for the front passenger side headlight had to be replaced because it melted. An authorized dealer stated that the failure may have been caused by excess moisture, but the contact stated that the headlight became brittle and fractured. The dealer also stated that the top motor mount had worn. The contact felt that these were manufacturers defects. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 89,700.

Filed Aug 31, 2010 · Lights · 55,389 miles · PA

My 2005 ford 500 bought used september 2009 (around 53,000 miles current miles 55,432) has had a problem with the driver's low beam burning out. On the 3rd bulb replacement in less than a year the entire headlight socket crumbled in my hands. I had to replace the socket and rewire it to the wiring harness.

Filed Jun 3, 2010 · Acceleration, Electrical · 106,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford five hundred. The contact stated the vehicle would intermittently and abnormally accelerate without driver intent. The failure would occur whether the vehicle was in drive or reverse. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was scheduled for further diagnostic testing by the dealer. The failure mileage was 106,000 and the current mileage was 108,000. Updated 08/24/10*lj the consumer stated the vehicle randomly accelerates at a rate of 65 MPH when her foot is not on the gas pedal. The vehicle also has wiring problems that leads to the headlights causing them to fail. The wires overheat and sometimes flickers. The casing melt as well and then the lights begin to smoke. Updated 08/25/10

Filed Jun 6, 2009 · Electrical · 58,150 miles · CA · fire

My wife called me outside and said the passenger side headlight was out, I said no problem I'll have it replaced in the morning, go ahead with one head-light, she only went around the block and came back screaming that the car was on fire, and the fire was right behind the headlight that just went out. I extinguished the flame and disconnected the battery. The car has been towed to the shop for an estimate. I contacted my ford dealer, the car is not under warranty, 2005 ford five-hundred with 58,150 miles in excellent condition. He said " they have never heard of that happening before, and to contact ford customer relations on monday.

Filed Feb 15, 2009 · Lights · AK

Low beam bulbs and plugs are not safe. They have melted and malfunctioned on both sides. This should be recalled. I have photos of the driver side. I worked on the passenger side plug/bulb connection several months ago, but thought it was an isolated incident. Now the plug on the driver side has burned up as well. I have somewhat dramatic photos that I can send you. *tr steve

Filed Jan 16, 2008 · Electrical · 48,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford five hundred. The instrument panel would flicker on and off when the headlights were activated. A few days later, the instrument panel failed completely. The dealer stated that the instrument cluster needed to be repaired. The current and failure mileages were 48,000.

Filed Aug 18, 2006 · Electrical · 13,285 miles · NV

Dash gauges drop to zero while car is running usually for a few seconds, sometimes for several minutes. Occasionally the LED display also goes out with headlights and turn signals for 10 seconds to 10 minutes while the engine is running perfect.