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2005 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

129 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 16, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

THE DASH BOARD INFO READS SAFE MODE (ENGINE FAILURE) THE LITE AND A WRENCH APPEAR ON THE DATA ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE MOTOR STILL ON GOES DOWN TO 1 TO 3 MPH WHILE DRIVING, ON STREET OR FREEWAY, THE CAR HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND PROCEEDS TO RUN FOR AWHILE AND DOES THE SAME THING AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT…

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THE DASH BOARD INFO READS SAFE MODE (ENGINE FAILURE) THE LITE AND A WRENCH APPEAR ON THE DATA ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE MOTOR STILL ON GOES DOWN TO 1 TO 3 MPH WHILE DRIVING, ON STREET OR FREEWAY, THE CAR HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND PROCEEDS TO RUN FOR AWHILE AND DOES THE SAME THING AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.IT HAVE BEEN WORKED ON BY LICENSE MECHANICS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.. NEED A SOLUTION. IT IS A UNSAFE SITUATIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10552551

40,760 miles · Jun 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure

I WENT IN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR TIRE ROTATION AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR CRADLE WAS RUSTING OUT WITH A BIG HOLE IN THE CRADLE FRAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10514749

72,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

IN 2010, MY CAR WOULD GO INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT. AFTER A FEW TIMES, IS STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT WAS IDLING. AT THAT TIME, I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. TODAY, APRIL 10, 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" KICK…

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IN 2010, MY CAR WOULD GO INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT. AFTER A FEW TIMES, IS STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT WAS IDLING. AT THAT TIME, I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. TODAY, APRIL 10, 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" KICKED ON TWICE AND THE SECOND TIME, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO WORK AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY OFFICE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC RUN. IT COST $75 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL THAT THEY CAN DO IS CLEAN AND RESET THE COMPUTER UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RECALL. I PLAN TO DROP IT OFF TODAY AT A DEALERSHIP ON MY WAY HOME. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR NOW HAS OVER 109,000 MILES AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY IN 2010 AND IT IS MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND I WANT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS FIXED CORRECTLY AND THE COST IS TAKEN ON BY FORD FOR THE FAULTY PART! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505811

Mileage unknown · Nov 24, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. I FILED A COMPLAINT ON HERE ONCE BUT DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES OR THE USERNAME/PASSWORD I USED. THIS VEHICLE IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I'VE SUNK THOUSANDS INTO REPAIRS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I'VE HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED 4 TIME…

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I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. I FILED A COMPLAINT ON HERE ONCE BUT DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES OR THE USERNAME/PASSWORD I USED. THIS VEHICLE IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I'VE SUNK THOUSANDS INTO REPAIRS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I'VE HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED 4 TIMES, REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS, MY A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT ON IT, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. AND NOW IT SITS ON BLOCKS WE THOUGHT WAS THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT SO REPLACED IT. DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STILL DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY, IT WAS SURGING TIL THE DAY THE OTHER DAY WHEN IT JUST WONT GO ANYMORE, IT WILL START AND RUN BUT WON'T GO. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE NUMEROUS THINGS, THROTTLE BODY AGAIN, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STILL NOT RIGHT, MIGHT BE MY TRANSMISSION, COULD BE MY PEDAL THROTTLE SENSOR, FUEL SWITCH OUT..........SO WHAT DO I DO NICKEL AND PENNY EVERYTHING I HAVE INTO A LEMON THAT OBVIOUSLY THE NHTSA NOR FORD CARE ABOUT. I'M A SINGLE MOTHER WITH TWO CHILDREN, WE LIVE 7 MILES FROM TOWN...AND NOW I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN 2005 AND PAID QUITE A BIT FOR IT. ITS LIKE TOILET PAPER OR DIAPERS....DISPOSABLE! I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485886

125,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHEN AT A STOP, OUR CAR LUNGES WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, FORWARD OR REVERSE. THERE IS A HESITATION AFTER PUSHING ON THE PEDAL THAN IT LEAPS FORWARD OR REVERSE. I WAS TOLD FROM A DEALER THAT IT NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND WAS TOLD THE SAME FROM A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP INFORMED ME OF SOME PROBLEM…

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WHEN AT A STOP, OUR CAR LUNGES WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, FORWARD OR REVERSE. THERE IS A HESITATION AFTER PUSHING ON THE PEDAL THAN IT LEAPS FORWARD OR REVERSE. I WAS TOLD FROM A DEALER THAT IT NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND WAS TOLD THE SAME FROM A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP INFORMED ME OF SOME PROBLEMS FORD WAS HAVING WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED IT UP ON LINE AND SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS. I CLEANED IT AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, IT STARTED THE LUNGING AGAIN. THIS MORNING, THE CAR SHUTTERED AND STOPPED AND SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP, WRENCH, MOTOR. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, IT WOULDN'T EVEN REV UP. IT STRANDED MY WIFE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CAME TO MEET HER AND HAD IT TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. I CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AGAIN. WHEN I GOT IN TO TRY IT, ALL THE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER THERE BUT IT STILL LUNGES. VERY AFRAID TO LET MY WIFE DRIVE IT AGAIN WITH THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED.

NHTSA ODI #10485661

85,000 miles · Jun 29, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

ABOUT 2 YRS AGO DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER I NOTICED THAT MY AIR CONDITION ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS NOT COOLING. SITTING STILL YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE ON THE HEAT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT MUCH WARMER THAT THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. COOLS OK IN THE MORNINGS WHEN IT IS NOT SO HOT BUT LATER IN THE DAY…

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ABOUT 2 YRS AGO DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER I NOTICED THAT MY AIR CONDITION ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS NOT COOLING. SITTING STILL YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE ON THE HEAT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT MUCH WARMER THAT THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. COOLS OK IN THE MORNINGS WHEN IT IS NOT SO HOT BUT LATER IN THE DAY YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THE AIR. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECK MORE THAN ONCE WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT LOW. THIS YEAR IT WORST THAN EVER. BEFORE IT WOULD START TO COOL ABOUT 20 MILES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. NOT NOW! I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC ALSO THE THE MOTOR BRACK IS BROKEN. WHAT IS NEXT. I ALSO HAD THE LUNGING PROBLEM THAT WAS FIXED, ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD SURE HAS HAD LOT OF PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463609

20,000 miles · May 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MANY TIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, WHETHER IT'S FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR SURGES. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES HELPS BUT DOESN'T COMPLETELY STOP THE INITIAL SURGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457616

40,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED, IT LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK SUCH AS WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR REVERSE FROM PARKING. THE LUNGING STARTS HAPPEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, SUMMER MONTHS, AND ALWAYS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE LUNGING STARTED OFF SMALL IN THE BEGINNING, NOW ITS AT A POINT TH…

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CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED, IT LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK SUCH AS WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR REVERSE FROM PARKING. THE LUNGING STARTS HAPPEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, SUMMER MONTHS, AND ALWAYS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE LUNGING STARTED OFF SMALL IN THE BEGINNING, NOW ITS AT A POINT THAT IT STALLS MY CAR. I HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO SOMEONE WHILE I WAS BACKING UP BECAUSE THE CAR LUNGED EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. I FEEL INCREDIBLY UNSAFE DRIVING IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, I AM AFRAID TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, BECAUSE THE LUNGING HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY. LUNGING HAS INCREASED FROM 2009 TO PRESENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457429

134,000 miles · May 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,000.

NHTSA ODI #10457142

40,000 miles · Apr 25, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

SCARY CAR. A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN CAR IS IDLE/FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THIS IS CREEPY. FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHEN PARKING IN FRONT OF A WALL. LUCKILY, I HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO NOT HIT THE FRONT. I JUST CAME HOME AND ROLLED INTO PARKING SPACE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE BUT OUT OF NOWHERE IT JUST WENT B…

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SCARY CAR. A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN CAR IS IDLE/FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THIS IS CREEPY. FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHEN PARKING IN FRONT OF A WALL. LUCKILY, I HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO NOT HIT THE FRONT. I JUST CAME HOME AND ROLLED INTO PARKING SPACE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE BUT OUT OF NOWHERE IT JUST WENT BY ITSELF SO MY NATURAL RESPONSE WAS TO BRAKE REALLY HARD. IT SLOWED THE SURGING, BUT DANG IT! IT SCARED THE BEGEZZY OUT OF ME. IF I WASN'T ALERT, I THINK THAT WALL WOULD DAMAGE THE FRONT CAR...LET ALONE HIT SOMEONE(S) IF THEY ARE IN FRONT OF THIS IDLE CAR. SECOND TIME WHEN MY HUSBAND ROLLED INTO THE MALL'S PARKING SPACE AND IT DID IT TOO. I SAT NEXT TO HIM AND IT WAS JUST FREAKY WEIRD. IT HAPPENED 3 OTHER TIMES ALSO. FORD BETTER RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM SEEING HOW MANY COMPLAINTS ARE POSTED ONLINE ALREADY. I HAD TO LOOK IT UP ONLINE AND FOUND A MAJOR CAR MAGAZINE STATED IT WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM. IF THEY DON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS, I THINK I WILL HAVE TO SWITCH TO ANOTHER CAR MAKER. THIS FORD FREESTYLE 2005 AWD LIMITED IS A SCARY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10456500

Official recalls

2

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

2

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.