NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
104 reportsClear category filter52,155 miles · Sep 16, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
ON HOT DAYS, WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, THE CAR HAS SOMETIMES "SURGED" MEANING THAT THERE HAS BEEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING PRESSED AT ALL. I HAVE HAD TO SUDDENLY AND FIRMLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN A…
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ON HOT DAYS, WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, THE CAR HAS SOMETIMES "SURGED" MEANING THAT THERE HAS BEEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING PRESSED AT ALL. I HAVE HAD TO SUDDENLY AND FIRMLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN AUGUST OF 2012. I OWN A 2006 FORD FIVE HUNDRED ALSO AND IT HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN THE SAME CONDITIONS (FILING SEPARATE COMPLAINT). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475563
87,000 miles · Sep 10, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
ROUGH ACCELERATION FROM STOP FOR YEARS. AFTER 218,000 MILES ENGINE SHUTS OFF REPORTING ENGINE FAIL-SAFE MODE. WILL RESTART AFTER SITTING ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR COUPLE, 5-MINUTES. DEALER STATES BAD THROTTLE BODY - $900.00 REPAIR. APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474499
138,000 miles · Sep 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 138,000.
NHTSA ODI #10474077
157,139 miles · Sep 3, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
OUT SIDE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 96 DEGREES SO AC WAS ON . WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED SO HARD IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE,AND UNSTOPPABLE, IF SOME ONE HAD STEPPED OUT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE DIED AS I COULD ONLY STOP REWARD MOVEMENT BY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPAC…
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OUT SIDE AIR TEMP WAS APPROX 96 DEGREES SO AC WAS ON . WHILE SHIFTING INTO REVERSE THE VEHICLE LUNGED SO HARD IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE,AND UNSTOPPABLE, IF SOME ONE HAD STEPPED OUT BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE DIED AS I COULD ONLY STOP REWARD MOVEMENT BY SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES TRYING TO GET OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT A CROWDED MALL.THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE LUNGING WAS SO FAST THE BRAKES COULD HARDLY HOLD THE CAR FROM MOVING IN REVERSE. IN CHECKING THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-05-25-13 FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY ON THIS VERY ISSUE BUT NO RECALL, ALSO MANY INCIDENTS/ACCIDENTS RECORDED IN THIS REGARD. IF I WAS NOT PREPARED ENOUGH DURING THIS INCIDENT IN A CROWDED PARKING LOT SOME ONE WOULD HAVE DIED, THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED B-4 SOMEONE IS RUN OVER. CURRENTLY FORD HAS NO COMMENT. PLEASE CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER DETAILS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473680
120,000 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
AFTER HAVING TURNED ONTO A 35 MPH STREET, HAVING ONLY REACHED 30MPH, THE RPM'S SHOT UP TO SIX AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 40 WITHOUT THE GAS PEDDLE HAVING BEEN PRESSED. IF THERE WERE ANOTHER CAR STOPPED OR A PERSON IN FRONT OF US THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. ANOTHER TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND AGAIN WITH OUT WA…
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AFTER HAVING TURNED ONTO A 35 MPH STREET, HAVING ONLY REACHED 30MPH, THE RPM'S SHOT UP TO SIX AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO ALMOST 40 WITHOUT THE GAS PEDDLE HAVING BEEN PRESSED. IF THERE WERE ANOTHER CAR STOPPED OR A PERSON IN FRONT OF US THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT. ANOTHER TIME THE VEHICLE WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND AGAIN WITH OUT WARNING THE CARS RPM'S SHOT UP TO ABOUT SIX. IF MY FOOT HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED COMPLETELY TO THE BREAKS I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN A BUSY INTERSECTION RESULTING IN THE CAR HAVING BEEN TOTALED, DEATH OF MORE THEN ONE PERSON. THIS IS NOT SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472396
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY IS BAD IN MAJORITY OF VEHICLES IN MY CLASS YEAR. THIS COSTLY REPAIR CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE AND LUNGE BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE. IT IS WORST WHEN THE AC IS ON,,IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO IDLE HIGH AND LOW TO THE POINT OF ALMOST SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471464
93,000 miles · Aug 12, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND WENT TO GET BACK TO SPEED AFTER PASSING THROUGH A SPEED ZONE. I NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER AND LOOKED AT THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE "WRENCH" ICON WAS ON. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I THEN TURNED IT ON AND THE CAR ACTED NORMAL. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE …
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WE WERE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY AND WENT TO GET BACK TO SPEED AFTER PASSING THROUGH A SPEED ZONE. I NOTICED A DECREASE IN POWER AND LOOKED AT THE INFORMATION SCREEN. THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE "WRENCH" ICON WAS ON. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND TURNED IT OFF. I THEN TURNED IT ON AND THE CAR ACTED NORMAL. IT HAS HAPPENED TWICE SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT. MY WIFE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THE ISSUE DOES NOT THROW A CHECK ENGINE CODE OR LEAVES ANY TYPE OF ELECTRONIC HISTORY OF THE ISSUE. I CANNOT ALLOW MY WIFE TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE SHE IS SEVEN MONTH PREGNANT AND CANNOT HAVE HER DRIVE IT IF THE CAR BREAKS DOWN DUE TO THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470327
131,830 miles · Jul 27, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ALMOST DAILY IN THE SUMMER. BUT ON A HOT DAY (90+) WHEN MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR AROUND A CORNER, WHEN YOU LIGHTLY HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED IF YOU TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY (IE BACKING OUT OF A TIGHT PARKING SPACE) THE CAR WILL LUNGE VIOLENTLY AND AGGRESSIVELY IN WHAT EV…
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THIS HAPPENS FREQUENTLY ALMOST DAILY IN THE SUMMER. BUT ON A HOT DAY (90+) WHEN MOVING FROM A STOPPED POSITION OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR AROUND A CORNER, WHEN YOU LIGHTLY HAVE THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED IF YOU TURN THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY (IE BACKING OUT OF A TIGHT PARKING SPACE) THE CAR WILL LUNGE VIOLENTLY AND AGGRESSIVELY IN WHAT EVER DIRECTION YOU ARE TRAVELING, SOMETIMES SO AGGRESSIVELY IT WILL STALL THE VEHICLE OUT AND THEN GO INTO A FAILSAFE MODE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS YOU COULD UNEXPECTEDLY HIT SOMEONE WALKING AROUND THE CAR AT A STOP SIGN OR CROSSWALK. I HAVE ALSO FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS BLOGS, FORUMS, AND OTHER SITES. EVERYONE BASICALLY STATING THE DEALER GIVES THEM THE RUN AROUND. AND AS LONG AS IT IS A HOT DAY I CAN DUPLICATE THE RESULTS CONTINUOUSLY, AND WOULD BE MORE THAN WILLING TO SHOW THIS TO SOMEONE ELSE IF POSSIBLE. I AM TYPICALLY NOT ONE TO COMPLAIN, BUT I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY SINCE I HAVE A 3YR OLD DAUGHTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467909
101,934 miles · Jul 12, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 101,934.
NHTSA ODI #10465397
50,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. UPON SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN EVEN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ENTER INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND STALL. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR UPON RESTART. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. UPON SHIFTING INTO GEAR, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN EVEN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN ENTER INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND STALL. THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR UPON RESTART. THERE WERE NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465200
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE11018 · Idle Instability
Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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