NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
120 reportsClear category filter160,000 miles · Feb 2, 2024
EngineVehicle Speed Control
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light…
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleaned and replaced the throttle body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
NHTSA ODI #11569427
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2022
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get to some times 2 hours I can't …
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Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get to some times 2 hours I can't run my AC cuz that over does my alternator and heats my car I've only had it a year and it's been giving me problems 5 months after getting it I have kids and it gets rough going slow in the heat and hoping if I press to much on the gas please help I am broke and have nothing but this car left and I've spent $2000 for people to tell me nothing is wrong with it
NHTSA ODI #11468338
202,000 miles · Mar 12, 2021
EnginePower TrainSteeringFire
I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. INSTEAD HE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST SOME RATTLING THAT WAS COMING FROM SOMETHING LOOSE AND NOT IMPORTANT. ITS RATTLING LIKE CRAZY UNDER MY CAR. I LOOKED UP RECALLS FOR IT AND THERE IS AN IMPORTANT RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON IT. PLEASE. IT CAN HARM MY NEWBORN CHILD…
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I WAS SOLD A VEHICLE WITHOUT BEING TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL. INSTEAD HE TOLD ME IT WAS JUST SOME RATTLING THAT WAS COMING FROM SOMETHING LOOSE AND NOT IMPORTANT. ITS RATTLING LIKE CRAZY UNDER MY CAR. I LOOKED UP RECALLS FOR IT AND THERE IS AN IMPORTANT RECALL THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED ON IT. PLEASE. IT CAN HARM MY NEWBORN CHILD AND MELT WIRES AND IS GONNA COST SO MUCH MONEY THAT I DON'T HAVE TO FIX IT. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR. PLEASE. ITS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND THERE IS A RECALL FOR IT ON EXACTLY WHAT ITS BEEN DOING. EVERYTIME I DRIVE IT FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA FALL APART AND INSIDE THE CAB IS GETTING HOTT AND HARMFUL FUMES ARE COMING INTO THE CAB. ITS DANGEROUS. THE HEAT SHIELD IS BROKEN I GUESS.
NHTSA ODI #11402532
122,000 miles · Aug 3, 2020
EnginePower Train
DRIVING JUST FINE WHENEVER I GOT IT. NOT EVEN 20,000 MILES LATER AT ABOUT 122K MILES THE TRANSMISSION IS BAD AND GOING OUT. IT DRIVES AT HIGH RPM BUT LOW SPEEDS AND WILL NOT SHIFT INTO PROPER GEAR. MAKES A FUNNY AIRPLANE NOISE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN KEPT UP WITH BY ME.
NHTSA ODI #11342877
136,000 miles · Dec 3, 2019
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash
THE CAR STOPS RANDOMLY AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT EVEN STARTUP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND I RECENTLY HIT SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO JERKING OR LERCHING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS
NHTSA ODI #11286718
109,000 miles · Aug 14, 2019
EngineUnknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE STALLS EVERY WEEK STEERING AND BRAKES HARD TO CONTROL, MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO MANY SHOPS, NO CODES STORED IN COMPUTER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, SAME FAULT. THE CAR IS UNSAFE HARD TO STOP SOMETIMES WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF. FORD DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM…
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MY VEHICLE STALLS EVERY WEEK STEERING AND BRAKES HARD TO CONTROL, MY WIFE DRIVES THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO MANY SHOPS, NO CODES STORED IN COMPUTER CANNOT FIND PROBLEM. I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED, REPLACED FUEL PUMP, SAME FAULT. THE CAR IS UNSAFE HARD TO STOP SOMETIMES WHEN ENGINE SHUTS OFF. FORD DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #11243829
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…
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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
188,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, PLACE THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, PLACE THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
NHTSA ODI #11183426
10 miles · Oct 10, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO REV FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. I SEE THE "ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE APPEAR AND A LIT UP WRENCH ALSO APPEARS AND THE ENGINE STARTS STALLING OR SURGING, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.
NHTSA ODI #11139391
120,000 miles · Jun 30, 2018
Engine
ENGINE SURGES AT IDLE AND WHEN BRAKES APPLIED, COULD EASILY REAR END SOMEONE OR RUN OVER SOMEONE WORSE WHEN AC IS RUNNING
NHTSA ODI #11104895
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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