NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
41 reportsClear category filter101,000 miles · Dec 25, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ON THE HWY. THE RPMS WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND RELAX TO NORMAL RPM SPEED. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAY'S AGO. MY WORRY IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPAIR FACILITIES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL DEFECT. I HAVE READ MANY POST…
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THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ON THE HWY. THE RPMS WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND RELAX TO NORMAL RPM SPEED. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAY'S AGO. MY WORRY IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPAIR FACILITIES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL DEFECT. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ABOUT CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED FORDS FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS AND IF THE CVT PROBLEMS ARE NOT ADDRESSED. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER, MY FAMILY WILL NOT BUY AGAIN EITHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490047
120,000 miles · Dec 2, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
VEHICLE LUNGES OR SURGES WHEN AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486748
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
140,000 miles · Nov 4, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ENGINE SPUTTER THEN FAILURE. THEN COMPUTER ERROR STATES, FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE. DIAGNOSTIC REVEALS THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECALL PENDING, WHY WON'T U ACT. WEB FULL OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483289
140,000 miles · Nov 4, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ENGINE SPUTTER THEN FAILURE. THEN COMPUTER ERROR STATES, FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE. DIAGNOSTIC REVEALS THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT RECALL PENDING, WHY WON'T U ACT. WEB FULL OF THIS COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483288
71,700 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION-I STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT A HIGH RPM AND DID NOT DROP TO IDLE RPM. I WAS ABLE TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE UNTIL LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM HA…
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UNINTENDED ACCELERATION-I STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT AND THE ENGINE STAYED AT A HIGH RPM AND DID NOT DROP TO IDLE RPM. I WAS ABLE TO HOLD FOOT ON BRAKE UNTIL LIGHT TURNED GREEN, THE PROBLEM DID NOT REOCCUR. I WAS NOT USING CRUISE CONTROL. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED BUT IS VERY FRIGHTENING WHEN IT OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482374
69,000 miles · Oct 5, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
I WAS PARKED. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. AS I STARTED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP THE SURGE. IT SCARED ME. THE NEXT DAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SEVERAL TIMES. IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, I WATCHED THE RPMS GO UP WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE. THIS IS SCARY AND UNACCEPTABLE! …
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I WAS PARKED. I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. AS I STARTED TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. I PRESSED THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP THE SURGE. IT SCARED ME. THE NEXT DAY, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, SEVERAL TIMES. IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, I WATCHED THE RPMS GO UP WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE THROTTLE. THIS IS SCARY AND UNACCEPTABLE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10478688
125,325 miles · Sep 2, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN GOING AT A LOW SPEED. FOR EXAMPLE, GOING INTO OR COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, IN A DRIVE THRU LINE, OR WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE PROBLEM SEEM WORSE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND/OR THE AIR IS ON. YESTERDAY THE PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN, ENGINE STALLED AN…
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FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS MY CAR HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN GOING AT A LOW SPEED. FOR EXAMPLE, GOING INTO OR COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, IN A DRIVE THRU LINE, OR WAITING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE PROBLEM SEEM WORSE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND/OR THE AIR IS ON. YESTERDAY THE PROBLEM HAPPEN AGAIN, ENGINE STALLED AND WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAVE HAD A FEW NEAR MISSES WITH THE PROBLEM, COMING CLOSE TO HITTING A LITTLE GIRL IN A PARKING LOT AND ALMOST RUNNING INTO A CAR AT A DRIVE THRU LINE JUST TO NAME A COUPLE. I REMEMBER HEARING ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR AND AM VERY SHOCKED TO SEE THAT FORD IS TAKING A CHANCE WITH PEOPLES LIVES LIKE THIS, WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THE PROBLEM? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473606
35,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGES WHEN TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR SITTING AT DRIVE THROUGH. ALSO HAVING ISSUES WITH ENGINE DYING WHEN REVERSING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472985
57,445 miles · Aug 7, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
RECENTLY, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN LUNGING FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND YESTERDAY IT DID IT TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO BIG COUNTRY FORD AND THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL ME IT IS MY WATER-PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. THEY ALSO SAID MY MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN, WHICH WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLES AND TAU…
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RECENTLY, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN LUNGING FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND YESTERDAY IT DID IT TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO BIG COUNTRY FORD AND THEY ARE TRYING TO TELL ME IT IS MY WATER-PUMP AND AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. THEY ALSO SAID MY MOTOR MOUNT WAS BROKEN, WHICH WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLES AND TAURUS X MODELS. AS I READ ONLINE, THE LUNGING PROBLEMS SEEM TO BE COMMON WITH THESE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469581
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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