Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

7 reports

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190,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019

Air BagsCrashInjury

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND BACK AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WEBB FORD 9809 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN 46322 (219) 924-3400. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO PROVIDED CASE NUMBER CAS-21715175 AND REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ODI #11218052

197,000 miles · Sep 20, 2016

Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, STALLED, AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE …

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NHTSA ODI #10908269

1 miles · Oct 30, 2014

Air BagsService BrakesCrash

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I WAS DRIVING MY INFANT SON HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY. IT WAS A LIGHT DRIZZLE FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN. THE ROADS WERE WET BUT THERE WAS NO STANDING WATER. CARS WERE BRAKING IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL WAS UP, BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EVEN BEGIN TO STOP. I PUSHED THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND THERE WAS STILL NO BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHO REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. NOTE: THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! I HAD TO TAKE MY INFANT BACK TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE TO HAVE HIM CHECKED OUT BECAUSE OF THE PRIOR SURGERY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR DID NOT THROW ANY CODES AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO TEST THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND NO WAY TO PROVE THAT THEY FAILED. I AM A VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVER, ALWAYS LEAVE PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BETWEEN ME AND THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR MOVING VIOLATION, AND YET THE RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS "WELL THE FRONT ENDS ARE MADE TO COLLAPSE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT".. THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE ACCIDENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED. THERE WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND DID SO MULTIPLE TIMES TO TRY TO GET THEM TO WORK (SO OBVIOUSLY I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP) AND YET THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN. A VEHICLE SHOULD STOP WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES, ANTI-LOCK MODE OR NOT! SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN MY INFANT SON!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10651287

65,000 miles · Aug 21, 2010

Air BagsElectrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages

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DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY AND CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS, APPARENTLY DISABLING SEVERAL CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES. THE MALFUNCTION AT FIRST OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOW OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY. A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE WITHOUT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT ORIGINAL FORD EQUIPMENT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLES SUDDENLY DROP TO ZERO AND FREEZE. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SHOWS 'ODOMETER DATA ERROR.' ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COME ON AT ONCE. WITHOUT THESE INSTRUMENTS, THE DRIVER CAN NO LONGER MONITOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THE MALFUNCTION DEFINITELY DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT MAY VERY WELL ALSO DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM SINCE THE SELF-CHECK DISPLAY ALSO DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350877

50,000 miles · Aug 30, 2007

Air BagsCrashInjury

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CRASH @ APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. T-BONED A CAR THAT PULLED IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I FEEL THAT MY INJURIES..OF WHIPLASH AND ANOTHER PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS OR NON EXISTENT IF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. IS THIS NEW AIR BAG REQUIREMENTS REALLY HELPING? OR IS IT JUST TRYING TO SAVE INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM TOTALING CARS THAT AIR BAGS DEPLOY? CAR WILL BE SIGNED OFF BY TOMORROW AND INSURANCE COMPANY WILL OWN THE CAR. DOES ANYONE CARE TO LOOK AT THIS CAR AND SEE IF IT FAILED?

NHTSA ODI #10201188

6,500 miles · Mar 28, 2006

Air BagsElectrical System

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE AIR BAG LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES FELL TO ZERO. THIS LASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 10/06/06.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10153897

1,700 miles · Mar 29, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND AT 35 MPH. A WESTBOUND CAR LOST CONTROL AND CROSSED THE MEDIAN. I STRUCK THE CAR T-BONE AT 35 MPH. IT WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION TO MY CAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE EXAMINED.

NHTSA ODI #10116034

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

PE11018 · 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.