The Ford Five Hundred was equipped with the AWF21 transmission.. But they aren’t without their problems though, so let’s look at some of the most common Ford Five Hundred transmission problems, look at cost estimates and figure out what you can do about them.
What Transmission Do I Have?
Ford Five Hundred Transmission Models
Ford Five Hundred: AWF21 Transmission
Ford Five Hundred Transmission Replacement Cost Estimate
Pricing varies by model. To be 100% sure on pricing, have your VIN# handy and use our Get An Estimate feature to look up your transmission by VIN#.
Replacement AWF21 Transmission:
| Transmission | Street Smart Transmission |
|---|---|
| AWF21 | 2233 |
What are the DTC codes related to Ford Five Hundred transmission problems?
| Trouble Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0711 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0712 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Low Input |
| P0713 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit High Input |
| P0714 | Transmission Fluid Temperature Sensor Circuit Intermittent P0715 |
| P0715 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit |
| P0717 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit No Signal |
| P0718 | Input/Turbine Speed Sensor Circuit Intermittent |
| P0740 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Malfunction |
| P0741 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit |
| P0742 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Stuck On |
| P0743 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Electrical |
| P0744 | Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Intermittent |
| P0748 | Pressure Control Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0750 | Shift Solenoid 'A' |
| P0751 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0752 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Stuck On |
| P0753 | Shift Solenoid 'A' Electrical |
| P0755 | Shift Solenoid 'B' |
| P0756 | Shift Solenoid 'B' Performance or Stuck Off |
| P0757 | Shift Solenoid 'B' Stuck On |
| P0758 | Shift Solenoid 'B' Electrical |
| P0817 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Manual Valve Position Switch Reverse with Drive Ratio |
| P0817 | Starter Disable Circuit |
| P0840 | Transmission Fluid Pressure Sensor/Switch A |
| P0960 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit/Open |
| P0961 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0962 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit Low |
| P0963 | Pressure Control Solenoid A Control Circuit High |
| P0977 | Shift Solenoid B Control Circuit High |
| P0978 | Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit Range/Performance |
| P0979 | Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit Low |
| P0980 | Shift Solenoid C Control Circuit High |
| P0982 | Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit Low |
| P0983 | Shift Solenoid D Control Circuit High |
| P0985 | Shift Solenoid E Control Circuit Low |
| P0986 | Shift Solenoid E Control Circuit High |
Ford Five Hundred Transmission Recalls
None Found
Ford Five Hundred Technical Service Bulletins (TSB)
**Please note: Some of these TSBs may not be specifically for the Ford Five Hundred, but the transmission problems may still apply.
TSB 07-14-7 – Key stuck in ignition / shifter binding condition – AW21 Transmission
2006 – 2007 Ford Fusion – 2006 – 2007 Mercury Milan – 2006 Lincoln Zephyr
Problem – Some vehicles built before 9/4/2006 may exhibit a problem where the ignition key gets trapped in the ignition switch due to a binding shifter button that does not allow the parking prawl to contact the park detect switch. The shifter sliding mechanism may also bind.
Solution – Install new shift knob button
TSB 06-23-12 – Automatic transmission whine between 40 – 60 mph (64 – 97 km/h) 3.0L engine – AW21 Transmission
2006 – 2007 Ford Fusion 3.0L V6 – 2006 – 2007 Mercury Milan 3.0L V6 – 2006 Lincoln Zephyr 3.0L V6
Problem – Some vehicles built before 9/2/2006 may exhibit a noticeable transmission whine during light throttle applications at speeds between 40 – 60 mph.
Solution – Install a mass damper kit on the transmission shift cable near the bulkhead in the engine compartment (part #6E5Z-7L256A)
Common Problems with the Ford Five Hundred Transmission
Lack of Response
Leaking Fluid
Low Fluid
Burning Smell
Grinding or Shaking
Whining, Clunking or Humming
Refuses to Go Into Gear
Torque Converter Issues
Valve Body Issues
Transmission Noisy in Neutral
Gears Slipping
No 3rd or 4th Gear
No 1st or 2nd Gear
No Reverse
Dragging Clutch
Trouble Codes / Check Engine Light
Can I drive with a transmission problem?
If your Ford Five Hundred can still make it up and down the road, you might say “It’s fine, I’ll just drive it until I can get it fixed”. But that is not always a good idea, depending on the symptoms. You see, there are a lot of (very expensive) moving parts inside of a transmission, and if something isn’t right, continuing to drive with a transmission problem could damage something else.
How often does a Ford Five Hundred transmission need to be replaced?
The overall lifespan of a Ford Five Hundred transmission largely depends on how well it was maintained. Factory design flaws also factor into this equation, along with how/how hard you drive. But on average, we’ve seen the Ford Five Hundred transmission last for between 130,000-180,000 miles. A high quality replacement transmission however, can last considerably longer if all of the factory design flaws have been addressed and the vehicle has been maintained.
How are Ford Five Hundred transmission issues diagnosed?
It is fairly easy to guesstimate what the root cause of your Ford Five Hundred transmission problems might be, but you won’t truly know unless you have the right tools and experience. A good mechanic or transmission repair center will be able to connect your truck to a computer and find out which diagnostic trouble codes (DTC’s) have been stored. Once they know what to look for, they can perform a visual inspection to verify the problem.
How is a Ford Five Hundred transmission replaced?
In order to replace your Ford Five Hundred transmission, the truck has to be lifted from the ground in order to gain access to all of the parts that will need to be unbolted. Then the transmission can be lowered to the ground (typically with a transmission jack), so the new transmission can be installed. Once it is in place, for the 6L80, the vehicle PCM will have to be reprogrammed / reflashed to accept the new transmission using the latest GM subscription.
Recommendations for Ford Five Hundred transmission issues?
To save time and get back on the road faster, have your 17-digit truck VIN# handy and you can get an online quote for a reman Ford Five Hundred transmission here, then find a local shop using our Find a Shop guide to install it for you.
How to Solve Ford Five Hundred Transmission Problems
Solution A: Buy a Used Ford Five Hundred Transmission
The quickest way to fix your transmission problems is to simply buy a used transmission or used transmission. These can be found at most junk yards, and they often come with a 30-90 day warranty. However, there’s no way to determine the actual condition of the internal components, so you could be spending a bunch of money to have the exact same problems. Plus, that warranty only covers the transmission if it’s defective, not the labor costs that you’ll have to pay.
Solution B: Buy a Rebuilt Ford Five Hundred Transmission
Another option would be a rebuilt transmission or rebuilt transmission. A local repair shop will remove your transmission, then install a bunch of new parts during the rebuild. The problem here is, the skills and experience of each transmission rebuilder will vary widely from shop to shop, so you could have problems from something that wasn’t adjusted properly. And the 1-2 year warranty might only cover you at certain transmission repair shops, in a specific geographical area.
Solution C: Buy a Remanufactured Ford Five Hundred Transmission
Many owners depend on their vehicle to commute and get things done. Their gasoline engines are designed to go 100’s of thousands of miles, so it makes sense to invest in a remanufactured transmission.
What Transmission Do I Have?
What Problem Does Your Ford Five Hundred Have?
Let us know the year, mileage and problem you’re having as well as any trouble (OBD) codes you’ve found. If you’ve been given a quote or paid for a repair, we’d like to hear about that too!
I have a 2007 Ford five hundred limited and it won’t shift out of first gear, the guy I bought the car from said it needs to be reprogrammed to shift correctly. Is this true?
It will start pulling when it does pull good shifting correctly no slipping but shortly after starting my car it stops pulling in forward and reverse
it make the tac go up and down
I have a 2007 Ford 500 that will kick itself out of gear leaving me with only first and second gear what is the most common issue that related to this I also have added transmission fluid to bring it up to full level fluid is now depleted no signs of where it went answers and questions thank you
My mechanic put 4 transmission in my 2007 Ford five hundred and it still won’t go in gear could it be something else or solenoid
speedometer not accurate show 35 when going 50 & RPM only moves when you accelerate does not show idle just sits at bottom
clunking sound when in park or neutral. then again when pressing the gas . anyone knows what it can be ? i appreciate the help. Thank you
07 ford 500 cvt .no instruments or warning lights come on!
It vibrates in D only. Motor/Trans. mounts changed, no help. When accelerating hard to merge(on turnpike), RPM’S surge to 5000, hesitates, then goes. Dealers say is “normal” for this transmission
My Ford 500 will not shift out of first gear
Frank did you find out what was wrong with your tyranny
Failsafe mode
When I am slowing down ( braking) when the speedometer hits around 30 mph the car jerks hard like the transmission is slipping. But it don’t happen any other time. Although sometimes when I’m driving it will shift hard around 40-50 mph.
Was wondering if you figured out what was wrong with your transmission when he was slowing down while braking. My vehicle is doing the same thing
It hesitates sometimes when goung down the road and shifts hard between it seems like 4th or 5th gear
I just bought a 2006 ford five hundred 175k miles …the transmission shifts fine untill u get into higher gears and push the pedal so the tranny kicks into a lower gear it then acts like it’s in neutral (revs up ) then the tranny catches ND it jerks u back .(only happens when giving more than half throttle
Mine does the same….you ever find the issue out ?…please help….I love my car ..
Cranks and runs and the shifter shifts but won’t catch any gears
Transmission works fine as lone as the temperature out side isn’t below 20 degrees. As soon as the temperatures go up the transmission is fine agin
It. Is slipping
Where can I find a new transmission?
My 2005 ford 500 transmission slipping