P0507 on Ford vehicles
Idle Higher Than Expected — what it means on a Ford, whether it's safe to drive, and the fixes by model and year.
P0507 on a Ford means idle higher than expected. Most vehicles stay drivable short-term, but diagnose it promptly. The most common cause is vacuum leak (intake gasket, pcv hose, brake-booster hose, throttle-body gasket) (typically $80–$600). Pick your Ford model below for its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
What does P0507 mean on a Ford?
P0507 is set when the ECM commands the throttle to a specific idle RPM and measures actual idle higher than that target by more than a calibrated amount (typically 200+ RPM higher). The cause is almost always unmetered air entering the engine — a vacuum leak somewhere — or a stuck throttle body / idle control issue.
P0507 is a standardized OBD-II code, so its definition is the same on every Ford. What differs by model and engine is which cause is most likely — pick your Ford model below for a diagnosis tuned to its known failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Is it safe to drive a Ford with P0507?
In most cases a Ford stays drivable for short trips with P0507 active, but diagnose and repair it promptly. This is a moderate-severity code — ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on the model and engine.
What causes P0507 on a Ford?
| Cause | Likelihood | Estimated repair (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum leak (intake gasket, PCV hose, brake-booster hose, throttle-body gasket) — Most P0507 codes trace to unmetered air entering the engine. | Most common | $80–$600 |
| Carbon-coked throttle body keeping the blade slightly open | Common | $20–$200 |
| Failed or sticking idle air control (IAC) valve on older non-ETC vehicles | Common | $80–$300 |
| Failed throttle body needing replacement and relearn | Occasional | $250–$800 |
| Sticking accelerator pedal or throttle cable (older vehicles) | Occasional | $50–$250 |
| Cracked plastic intake manifold | Occasional | $250–$900 |
| EVAP purge valve stuck open (often sets P0496 alongside) | Occasional | $80–$300 |
Repair costs are typical US ranges and vary by Ford model, model year, and labor rate. A diagnostic trouble code is a symptom, not a guaranteed failed part — confirm the root cause before replacing anything.
P0507 by Ford model
Select your Ford model and year for a P0507 diagnosis tuned to that vehicle's failure patterns, recalls, and TSBs.
Ford F-150
43 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Ford Escape
3,364 NHTSA owner complaints · 24 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Ford Explorer
2,694 NHTSA owner complaints · 43 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Ford Bronco
328 NHTSA owner complaints · 21 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Ford Mustang
771 NHTSA owner complaints · 22 recalls on record across the years covered below.
Complaint and recall counts are NHTSA totals for the model years covered on this site, not counts specific to P0507.
P0507 on other makes
Other codes on Ford vehicles
P0507 on a Ford: frequently asked questions
What does diagnostic trouble code P0507 mean on a Ford?
P0507 is set when the ECM commands the throttle to a specific idle RPM and measures actual idle higher than that target by more than a calibrated amount (typically 200+ RPM higher). The cause is almost always unmetered air entering the engine — a vacuum leak somewhere — or a stuck throttle body / idle control issue. P0507 is a standardized OBD-II code, so the definition is the same on every Ford — which cause is most likely varies by model and engine.
What are the symptoms of P0507 on a Ford?
Check Engine Light is illuminated. Engine idles noticeably high (1000-1500 RPM instead of 700-900). Possible whistling or hissing sound from the intake area. Reduced fuel economy. Hesitation as the engine tries to slow when stopping. May be paired with P0171 (lean code)
What causes P0507 on a Ford?
Vacuum leak (intake gasket, PCV hose, brake-booster hose, throttle-body gasket) (most-common). Carbon-coked throttle body keeping the blade slightly open (common). Failed or sticking idle air control (IAC) valve on older non-ETC vehicles (common). Failed throttle body needing replacement and relearn (occasional). Sticking accelerator pedal or throttle cable (older vehicles) (occasional). Cracked plastic intake manifold (occasional). EVAP purge valve stuck open (often sets P0496 alongside) (occasional)
Is it safe to drive a Ford with P0507?
In most cases a Ford stays drivable for short trips with P0507 active, but it should be diagnosed and repaired promptly — this is a moderate-severity code. Ignoring it can lead to further damage or a failed emissions test. Exact tolerance depends on the model and engine.