NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
129 reportsClear category filter91,000 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE HAS A SUDDEN JUMP IN ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN DRIVER IS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FEELS AS IF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE BEING PRESSED AND THE CAR IS IN CONFLICT. THEN THE IDLE SEEMS TO DROP EITHER TO A POINT OF THE VEHICLE DYING OR ALMOST STALLING. WHEN RESTARTED (SOMETIMES THIS TAKES 2-3 TRIES TO KEEP IT…
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VEHICLE HAS A SUDDEN JUMP IN ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN DRIVER IS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FEELS AS IF BOTH THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR ARE BEING PRESSED AND THE CAR IS IN CONFLICT. THEN THE IDLE SEEMS TO DROP EITHER TO A POINT OF THE VEHICLE DYING OR ALMOST STALLING. WHEN RESTARTED (SOMETIMES THIS TAKES 2-3 TRIES TO KEEP IT RUNNING) OR IDLE EVENS OUT THE RPMS AND ACCELERATION ARE DELAYED FOR SOME TIME. WHILE PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR (EVEN PUSHING ALMOST TO THE FLOOR) THE VEHICLE WILL NOT INCREASE IN SPEED (IN A NORMAL RESPONSE TIME-WITHIN 3-4 MILES) AND RPMS TOP OUT AT 2000. THIS HAPPENS AT BOTH LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACHIEVE HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE TRIGGER FOR THIS IS TYPICALLY A SHARP TURN. THIS ALSO RESULTS IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND GIVING DIAGNOSTIC CODES OF P061B AND P2106 WHICH I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO FIND A DESCRIPTION OF THESE CODES. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE EVERY 4-6 WEEKS TO BEGIN WITH, BUT HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY TO 3-4 TIMES A MONTH. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THAT APPEARS TO BE THE COMMON FIX AS REPORTED BY OTHERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. AFTER LEAVING THE CAR SIT FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND RESTARTING THE NEXT DAY OR 4-5 HOURS LATER THE PROBLEM IS NOT APPARENT UNTIL THE NEXT TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415575
66,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE NOTICED THESE LAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN SURGING WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED. TONIGHT JUST AFTER I TURNED IT ON IT PUTITSELF IN ENGINE SAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE FASTER THAN 5 MPH. IT WAS CHUGGING THE WHOLE WAY DOWN THE STREET, THEN F…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE NOTICED THESE LAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN SURGING WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED. TONIGHT JUST AFTER I TURNED IT ON IT PUTITSELF IN ENGINE SAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE FASTER THAN 5 MPH. IT WAS CHUGGING THE WHOLE WAY DOWN THE STREET, THEN FINALLY JUST TURNED OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415122
46,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGES FORWARD WHILE IDLING AT A STOP, MOVING AS SLOW SPEED OR SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, I.E., WHILE EITHER PARKED OR IDLING. ENGINE ENTERS "FAIL-SA…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGES FORWARD WHILE IDLING AT A STOP, MOVING AS SLOW SPEED OR SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, I.E., WHILE EITHER PARKED OR IDLING. ENGINE ENTERS "FAIL-SAFE" MODE AND RESTARTING ENGINE TEMPORARILY CLEARS THE ERROR AND ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414978
52,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL AWD. THE CAR LUNGES OUT OF PARK. HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 30~ 60 DAYS THE CAR COMES TO A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO CLEAR THE FAILSAFE MODE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414942
500 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO STOPS WHEN DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS......6 OR 7 TIMES PER 25 MILES! I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GAR…
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THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO STOPS WHEN DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS......6 OR 7 TIMES PER 25 MILES! I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN CLINTON, NC. THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO TURN OFF AIR OR HEAT!!! NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I FIND OUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY OUR LOCAL ADVANCE AUTO STORE. THE MECHANIC WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THE SAME ISSUE. THE SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS A NEW THROTTLE BODY. AT A COST OF $520.00. I CALLED THE FORD GARAGE IN CLINTON, NC TO SEE IF THEY HAD THE PART SO MY LOCAL MECHANIC COULD FIX IT. NOW THE PARTS EMPLOYEE, BOBBY TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS A "HUGE" ISSUE WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE FORD TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. BY THE WAY, I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, TO NO AVAIL. THE WRENCH LIGHT ISSUE STARTED ONCE IN A WHILE ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. IT NOW IS A DAILY THING MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY SINCE APRIL 5, 2011. UPDATED 10/06/11 STATUS UPDATE 11/15/11
NHTSA ODI #10415872
9,200 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
FOR 4 YEARS THE CAR HAS SURGED WHEN PLACING THE CARE IN REVERSE, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. TWO DAYS AGO THE CAR SURGED FORWARD 3 TIMES AND I WAS INCHES FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. YESTERDAY I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SURGED BACK WARDS SO FO…
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FOR 4 YEARS THE CAR HAS SURGED WHEN PLACING THE CARE IN REVERSE, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. TWO DAYS AGO THE CAR SURGED FORWARD 3 TIMES AND I WAS INCHES FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. YESTERDAY I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SURGED BACK WARDS SO FORCEFULLY I COULD ALMOST NOT CONTAIN IT WITH THE BREAKS. TODAY THE CAR SURGED BACK AGAIN BUT I WAS READY OR IT AND THE CAR STALLED STATING "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" I AGAIN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AND IT WORKED WITH OUT A PROBLEM. ALL 3 TIMES THE CAR WAS IDLE IN 90+ DEGREE WEATHER FOR >5 MIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414929
73,522 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED LURCHING WITH OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER THE LURCHING OCCURRED, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. TWO OUT OF THREE TIMES DAMAGE OR INJURY ALMOST OCCURRED AND WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. ALL THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD. THE AC WAS ON. …
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED LURCHING WITH OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER THE LURCHING OCCURRED, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. TWO OUT OF THREE TIMES DAMAGE OR INJURY ALMOST OCCURRED AND WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. ALL THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD. THE AC WAS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414863
94,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT WILL SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD SUDDENLY WHEN I STOPPED AND SOMETIMES WILL SPUTTER AND ENGINE LITE WILL COME ON AND WILL HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET TO RUN RIGHT IT IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE OFTEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414841
115,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR LOST MOST OF ITS POWER WHEN RESUMING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. HAVE HAD MANY SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE THIS INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD BY ITSELF WHEN THE BRAKE IS PARTIALLY DEPRESSED OR THE WHEN THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED THE ENGINE REVS UP BY ITSELF. DRIVETRAIN L…
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AFTER IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR LOST MOST OF ITS POWER WHEN RESUMING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. HAVE HAD MANY SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE THIS INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD BY ITSELF WHEN THE BRAKE IS PARTIALLY DEPRESSED OR THE WHEN THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED THE ENGINE REVS UP BY ITSELF. DRIVETRAIN LIGHT CAME ON ONCE WHEN POWER WAS DECREASED AND THEN WENT AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED AN OFF FOR AN HOUR. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE THROTTLEBODY IS CRACKED. OFFERED TO FIX FOR $900. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BECAUSE OF THE STEEP EXPENSE.
NHTSA ODI #10415669
9,900 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR LURCHES FORWARD IF MY FOOT IS NOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE OR WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON. I WAS RUNNING MY AC IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER THIS LAST TIME. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414043
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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