NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
142 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Dec 9, 2025
Electrical SystemStructure
When temperature get below freezing car doors will not latch shut and come back open. Car doors work fine when temp are higher. There is a recall already for this NHTSA# 06v383000 Ford# 06545. I have a Ford Case# XXX My car was not included in recall and either should be or needs to be further investigated. I don't want my kids …
Read full complaint
When temperature get below freezing car doors will not latch shut and come back open. Car doors work fine when temp are higher. There is a recall already for this NHTSA# 06v383000 Ford# 06545. I have a Ford Case# XXX My car was not included in recall and either should be or needs to be further investigated. I don't want my kids falling out while I go down the highway and I can't wait 45 min for the car to warm up. This had done this all last winter and is doing it again and Ford refuses to do anything. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11704107
14,650 miles · Sep 4, 2019
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. OVER TIME, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME TOTALLY INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, OR OTHER GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, OVER THE COURSE OF SEVERAL YEARS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED TO OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. OVER TIME, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME TOTALLY INOPERABLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE SPEED, FUEL LEVEL, OR OTHER GAUGES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VARNEY FORD (LOCATED AT 237 MOOSEHEAD TRAIL, NEWPORT, ME 04953, (888) 460-7356) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR DAYS TO WEEKS AT A TIME. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DIELECTRIC GREASE WAS ADDED TO THE WIRE CONNECTORS AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE SEEMED TO BE MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS BETWEEN 60-68 DEGREES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE THE FIRST FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1200 MILES IN 2007 AND AGAIN BY 2012. *TP
NHTSA ODI #11253137
250,000 miles · Jul 10, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System
DASH CLUSTER DIED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING. FOUND PROBLEM TO BE SHODDY SOLDER WORK ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD CAUSING MULTIPLE FAILURES IN THE DASH CLUSTER AND FUEL SYSTEM. HAPPENED DURING HIGHWAY DRIVING AT 60 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11230688
160,000 miles · Jun 30, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. I AM STILL ABLE TO ACCELERATE, STEER AND STOP; HOWEVER, THE LIGHTS, HEATER AND RADIO SHUT OFF AND ALL OF MY GAUGES QUIT WORKING. MY DASHBOARD SAYS "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" BUT THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER (WAS…
Read full complaint
WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. I AM STILL ABLE TO ACCELERATE, STEER AND STOP; HOWEVER, THE LIGHTS, HEATER AND RADIO SHUT OFF AND ALL OF MY GAUGES QUIT WORKING. MY DASHBOARD SAYS "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" BUT THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER (WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AT TIMES), BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON DIFFERENT ROAD TYPES AND VARYING SPEEDS.
NHTSA ODI #11228563
138,000 miles · Jun 25, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other
ALL ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES WITH NO WORKING GAUGES, BUT CAR DRIVES. WITHING PAST YEAR, HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED 2 TIMES, ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE, INJECTOR COILS & SPARK PLUGS, CLEANED/REPLACED, BATTERY REPLACED, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY & GASKET, . HAD DIAGNOSED AT 2 FORD DEALERS IN DIFFERENT STATES AND N…
Read full complaint
ALL ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON AT VARIOUS TIMES WITH NO WORKING GAUGES, BUT CAR DRIVES. WITHING PAST YEAR, HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED 2 TIMES, ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE, INJECTOR COILS & SPARK PLUGS, CLEANED/REPLACED, BATTERY REPLACED, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY & GASKET, . HAD DIAGNOSED AT 2 FORD DEALERS IN DIFFERENT STATES AND NEITHER CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS CAUSING ALL THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS TO STAY ON. BOTH DEALERS WERE ADAMENT IT WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER, WHICH CLEARLY IT IS NOT SINCE THE ERROR LIGHTS ARE STILL ON. HAVE BEEN TOLD IT COULD BE ELECTRICAL OR RCM, BUT THERE IS NO WAY TO TEST FOR EITHER. DEALER WANTS ME TO FOOT THE (HOURLY / UNION) LABOR RATE WHILE THEY TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT. CURRENTLY CAR IS CURRENTLY WITH LOCAL MECHANIC WHO IS GOING OVER THE CAR TO FIGURE IT OUT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DETERMINED YET.
NHTSA ODI #11222441
164,100 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainWheels
VEHICLES SAYS AWD MALFUNCTION AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WON'T SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE POWER LOCKS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED SHORTLY BEFORE THE AWD MALFUNCTION, MAKING IT WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT. THE POWER LOCK WAS UNLOCKED/LOCKED A COUPLE TIMES FIXING THE ISSUE FOR NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11171879
Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2018
Electrical System
I AM HAVING THE ISSUES THAT THE INVESTIGATION WITH THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY. THEY HAVE A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM CALLED 12N03 AND IT DIDN'T LAST LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET THE CAR THAT I PURCHASED (THIS YEAR) FIXED. I HAVE 66K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE USING THE 10 YEARS OR 150000 MILES TO MEAN THAT SINCE M…
Read full complaint
I AM HAVING THE ISSUES THAT THE INVESTIGATION WITH THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY. THEY HAVE A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM CALLED 12N03 AND IT DIDN'T LAST LONG ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET THE CAR THAT I PURCHASED (THIS YEAR) FIXED. I HAVE 66K MILES ON THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIPS ARE USING THE 10 YEARS OR 150000 MILES TO MEAN THAT SINCE MY CAR IS OLDER THAN 10 YEARS I DON'T QUALIFY TO GET MY CAR FIXED TO WORKING ORDER. WHEN I USE THE KEY TO START THE CAR, IT DOESN'T ACCELERATE. THE RPMS LURCH LIKE THE CAR IS GOING TO GO SOMEWHERE AND IT DOESN'T AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. I GOT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO AND THE DEALERSHIP ISN'T FIXING IT AND THE FORD DEALERSHIPS AREN'T FIXING IT. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER WHETHER THE PREVIOUS OWNER GOT THE MESSAGE TO GET IT FIXED OR NOT OR WHETHER THEY TOOK THE CAR TO GET FIXED. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT I CANNOT DRIVE AND IF IT DOES "RESET" (BECAUSE TURNING IT OFF AND WAITING A WHILE USED TO KIND OF RESET IT TO WHERE IT WOULD WORK) THERE IS A CHANCE IT WILL TURN OFF ON ME/NO LONGER ACCELERATE.
NHTSA ODI #11121695
175,000 miles · Dec 14, 2017
Electrical System
ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO IN MY FORD FREESTYLE 2005, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GLITCHED AND STOPPED WORKING MID DRIVE. ALL THE ODOMETERS, FUEL AND LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD TURNED OFF AND WONT COME BACK ON. NO WAY TO TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING ON. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN A REPORTED PROBLEM TO FORD BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. VERY UNSAFE. WILL…
Read full complaint
ABOUT 1 WEEK AGO IN MY FORD FREESTYLE 2005, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GLITCHED AND STOPPED WORKING MID DRIVE. ALL THE ODOMETERS, FUEL AND LIGHTS ON MY DASHBOARD TURNED OFF AND WONT COME BACK ON. NO WAY TO TELL WHAT SPEED YOU ARE GOING ON. THIS SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN A REPORTED PROBLEM TO FORD BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. VERY UNSAFE. WILL BE TAKING IT IN TO DEALERSHIP TO ASSES IT.
NHTSA ODI #11054762
11,000 miles · Dec 8, 2017
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEATING FAN WOULD ALTER IN SPEEDS DESPITE THE HEAT TEMPERATURE BEING ADJUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLAMPS FLUCTUATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS FORD INC (1975 HIGHWAY 2, EAST CROOKSTON, MN 56716; 218-281-1338) WH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE HEATING FAN WOULD ALTER IN SPEEDS DESPITE THE HEAT TEMPERATURE BEING ADJUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE HEADLAMPS FLUCTUATED SIMULTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO CHRISTIAN BROTHERS FORD INC (1975 HIGHWAY 2, EAST CROOKSTON, MN 56716; 218-281-1338) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED TWO SEPARATE TIMES WITHIN ONE MONTH, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000. *BF UPDATED 8/24/18*JB
NHTSA ODI #11053554
107,500 miles · Nov 25, 2017
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING 25 AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55, THE LIGHTS IN CLUSTER OF GUAGES WENT OUT. THE WRENCH ICON LIGHTS UP AND ALL POWER GOES OUT TO THE GUAGES. ALL NEEDLES DROP. CHECKED THE FUZES. NOTHING BLOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE A.C. ALSO STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR.
NHTSA ODI #11048378
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.
Illustration