2005 Ford Five Hundred: CVT failure

Filed Mar 10, 2016 · Transmission · 141,000 miles · FL

I own a 2005 ford five hundred CVT. 2 months ago the transmission began acting up. Driving along and the "wrench" lite comes on then the "skid" lite comes on. The car goes into a loss of power, like low gear. It moved but revs up and won't shifts up. I know its a constant velocity trans so it is at it's lower ratio. After hours of diagnostic it comes down to the trans control module, and still not sure. The obd codes say loss of communication, a u code. Every inch of harness has been checked the whole interior has been removed, dash disassembled. I'm into it over $2,000. I love the car, it rides great. Its has been well maintained. Ford I need help. Need to recall this issue or how about a p01 or z01 policy adjustment.

Filed Aug 20, 2014 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · IA

Traveling down the interstate at 75 MPH we received a message on the message center about a failure of some sort (I don't remember what it said exactly now). We lost all acceleration of the car. We pulled over and let it sit while I looked up the error on my phone. I tried the car a bit later and it was fine. Then we kept getting the error. I took it to our ford dealer and he cleaned the throttle body...then replace it a week later when that didn't fix it. A about 2 weeks later we were getting another error about the transmission failing. It started making a terrible noise. I still owe 3200 on this car,,.and a new transmission is over 7k. Seriously?? I have read so many posts about the CVT transmission on the five hundred and other cars failing. Ford should be ashamed of themselves for passing off something like this. Now I have a 3200.00 paper weight in my driveway....and I cannot afford to buy another car. Thanks ford!!

Filed Jul 29, 2014 · Transmission · 120,500 miles · MI

2005 ford five hundred this product with a CVT transmission should be investigated and recalled immediately. There are thousands failing and it is very dangerous! The transmission disengages causing the automobile to lose power without warning. I've seen posts of thousands of this same failure beginning at 3500 miles! I contacted ford because mine is doing this and they basically sent a form letter saying oh well, sorry about your luck. Many of ford's products have this same issue with the CVT transmission including the ford flex which is involved in a class action lawsuit. The five hundred should be involved in this lawsuit as well.

Filed Aug 21, 2009 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · TN

I purchased a used 2005 ford five hundred in july 2008. At the time the car had 68k miles, and no warranty. In january, my car started down-shifting very rough around 1000 RPM. This happens at every down-shift after the engine reaches a certain temperature. It also shifts hard when I accelerate as if to pass someone on the interstate. Ford has flashed the computer and found no problems. They suggested that I replace the valve body and fluid. I have been checking message boards and have noticed many other consumers are having the same exact issue with their five hundreds, tauruses, and montegos with the CVT transmission. However, no one seems to have found a solution at this time, and ford has not made any recalls. I refuse to shell out ridiculous amounts of money to "maybe" fix this serious transmission issue. Also, I am unable to trade my car for something else because it is now completely devalued. Please help the hundreds of ford consumers who share in this issue.

Filed Aug 19, 2009 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · AZ

I'm driving a 2005 ford 500 that I have found to be a crash waiting to happen. Car only has 55k miles on it and I'm getting nothing but trouble from the transmission. This is a common problem with fords CVT transmission. Http://www.fordforums.com/f632/merged-transmission-problems-please-post-them-here-160576/ the transmission bucks, skips and shakes when decelerating/accelerating around 25mph. It does the same thing when trying to accelerate fast to pass someone. Or driving on a incline/decline. Ford has a serious problem here and they are not owning up to it!

Filed Apr 23, 2009 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · CA

When the car is very warm (start after a short time of being parked or 100+ degree day), when the transmission is shifted into drive or reverse, the engine revs to 1,500 RPM and the transmission engages making the car lurch forward, then stalls occasionally. The service indicator (wrench) light comes on and the engine operates in fail-safe mode. If this happens, then the car lurches when you let of the throttle (transmission "clunks"). Turn the car off and let it sit until it cools and the service light turns off and the car drives normal again. It's a CVT transmission.