Ford Five Hundred ball joint problems

Filed Aug 22, 2023 · Engine, Suspension · ND · crash · 2 injuries

I have 2 very serious and dangerous issues. The 1st issue, the car will shut off while driving and without warning. I'll be cruzing down the highway and out of no where it shuts off. I then do not have breaks or power stearing. This last Winter my daughter was driving it and it shut off while she was on black ice. The car flew into the ditch and the snow was so deep it was compacted in the entire engine so it was impossible to restart the car. It was akso -37 below temperature. It took me almost a half hour to get to her and she almost froze to death. She sustained frost bite on her hands, toes, ears, and cheeks. She almost died. Issue 2, my daughter was driving and all of the sudden a loud noise and she couldn't steer. The rear control arm bracket that is part of the subframe busted causing the control arm to no longer be attached to the frame. She almost flipped the car when that happened. I looked into it and many cars this year make and model had the exact same thing happen in the exact same spot. So that tells me that it is a manufacturer defect. I had this looked at and inspected by Trusted Tires & Auto. Neither of these issues had any warning at all. So now the car sits unable to be driven. Even if it was fixed I won't drive it or let my daughter drive it and I can't sell it because I don't want anyone else to drive it period. It is a death trap literally and puts everyone's life in dangernear that come near the car. It needs to be recalled immediately. This is absolutely unacceptable and Ford needs to stand behind their product. If this car continues to stay on the roads Many people will die because of all the defects on the car.

Filed Feb 22, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 295,000 miles · TN

Front driver side lower control arm ball joint sheared off at 25 MPH while making a left hand turn and then snapped the cv joint axle shaft causing the driver side wheel to jam inside the wheel well and damage lower part of body and fender. The vehicl was totally disable at this point sitting in the middle of an intersection. Similar incident happened two years ago with the passenger side front wheel and the lower control arm ball joint sheared and snapped the cv joint axle shaft at 45 MPH and caused vehicle to turn 180 degrees blocking two lanes of hwy. That time front wheel damaged wheel well and sensor wires on that side fo the engine bay

Filed Jul 11, 2016 · Body · 153,675 miles · PA

I was driving down the road about 45/55 MPH going around a slight turn when all of a sudden the rear lower control arm and the mount its bolted to snaps lose and I start doing 360s thank god no one was in the other lane they'd be dead probably. Ford needs to fix this pos car cuz that's definitely a manufacturer problem

Filed Sep 6, 2014 · Steering, Tires · 74,000 miles · AZ

I recently ran into a major issue with my 2007 ford five hundred which really scared me. I was rotating the tires on the car and when I was removing the wheel from the drivers side of the car I noticed that the wheel wobbled back and forth. At first I thought this was just a bad ball joint and purchased a new one to replace it. When I started to remove the factory installed ball joint I noticed that the nut that holds the ball joint to the lower connection joint was on the verge of coming off. I find this very disturbing as I live in a very mountainous state with many curvy roads and steep drop offs. Had this nut finished coming off while on one of these roads I may not be writing this letter. I will also contact nafta about this situation as it may be occurring on more vehicles than just mine. I would also like to be reimbursed for the part I had installed as it in itself was not defective. I have bought many ford vehicles and will probably continue to as I think overall ford makes a high quality car. I have since checked the other side and found no problems on the passenger side of the vehicle. Thanks for looking into this matter and I hope to hear from you soon!

Filed Jan 15, 2013 · Suspension · 130,000 miles · GA

Rear upper control arm sheared off at inside bushings during normal driving. Wheel assembly fell against frame and some loss of control was experienced. Both sides of control arm (ford part# 5a804) broke off from fatigue.

Filed Nov 7, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 53,000 miles · VA

My ford began acting strangely when turning, and would hydroplane badly when raining. I took it to my independent garage and they found that the left lower ball joint retaining nut had worked loose. That caused the left front wheel to move in toward the ball joint and the joint or nut tore the tire down to the steel belt. The service manager indicated that it appeared that the nut was not torqued correctly at the factory. Of course, I had to have the ball joint replaced and two new tires. I did notify ford motor co.

Filed Oct 11, 2011 · Suspension · PA

Tsb 10-2-13. I have inner rear tire wear, especially on the right (this likely existed when purchased new). There is a tsb that talks about some cars with rr negative camber, (which my car does have), and also talks about how to modify the rear control arm to remedy the problem. The danger in this defect is a blowout of a tire or tires while driving. Car is immaculate. I bought it new and take great care of it. This is obviously a defect given how many other owners are commenting it on-line via forums. Also, there is a tsb on it, so ford is aware of it. Even though they should take care of it since it is a defect, they won't. Ford, even with all their hype on quality and safety as job one, are just a bunch of hypocrites. They act only when forced to do so by you folks at the federal level. I'm old school. It's all about integrity for me. Why do you think ford still lives up to their reputation as fix or repair daily. Had a similar issue with the rear brakes several years ago on this vehicle. I took it for ford and they would not own up to it until I complained to you folks like many other did and they finally reimbursed us because of your intervention. Again, they always have to be forced to do the right thing! Just a bunch of thugs. Where is elliot ness when you need him! 02/15/10. Suspension - rear tire inner edge wear ford: 2005-2007 five hundred, freestyle, 2008-2009 taurus x, taurus.

Filed May 17, 2011 · Suspension · 56,544 miles · WV

I work for a chevy dealer and they diagnosed my 2007 ford five hundred with a bad right front lower ball joint. My car only has 56,000 miles. I have had trouble with tires, alignment and checking online I see other people complaining about bad ball joints on their 500's.

Filed Mar 26, 2011 · Brakes, Steering · 47,000 miles · AL

I own a 2005 ford 500. I have had to have the right passenger front ball joint tightened several times. The local ford dealer does not what is causing this issue. The ball joint becomes loose cause the front end to come out of alignment and will jerk the car across the highway.

Filed Apr 17, 2009 · Brakes, Steering · 26,822 miles · NC

In june 2007, my wife took our 2006 ford five hundred (sel) to the local dealer for an oil change. She was informed at the time that she needed to have the rear brake pads replaced. The car had only 26,800 miles on it. I was in disbelief and told her not to allow the work. I took the car to an auto service center that I trusted the next day. Sure enough, the pads needed to be replaced. I had them do the work. I then complained to the local dealer that this wear rate was unacceptable and cars normally go significantly longer before needing rear pad replacement. I received a letter from them stating that the "brake wear on your vehicle is considered to be within normal parameters" . I knew this was not true. In july, I received a letter from ford motor co. Stating that they were extending the warranty on the rear pads to 36,000. I received a refund from the dealer. Just recently at 68,584 miles, we had to have the pads replaced once again. I don't think this is acceptable wear for these pads. It cost us $227.01 to have them replaced. My wife uses this car for business, so it looks like we'll need to plan on replacing these pads every year. Interestingly, the front pads have not worn out yet. The second problem we have had is with the tie rod end links which needed to be replaced at 53,671 miles. I have never had to perform this replacement on any other vehicle I've owned, many have gone well over 100,000 miles. I believe there is a design problem with the car in this respect.