NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
95 reportsClear category filter67,000 miles · Jan 6, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD, STALLING OUT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WRENCH ICON LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOPPING, AND VERY PORE ACCELERATION. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AT READING CODES DISCOVERED IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY. I NOTICED ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE POSTED ON L…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD, STALLING OUT, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WRENCH ICON LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS DANGEROUS TO BE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOPPING, AND VERY PORE ACCELERATION. AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AT READING CODES DISCOVERED IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY. I NOTICED ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WERE POSTED ON LINE ABOUT THIS SAME VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED YOUR INVESTIGATION OPENED IN 2011. REPAIRS WERE MADE BY MYSELF AT THE COST OF $608.00. ALSO, I NOTICED THE NEW REPLACEMENT PART HAD AN ENGINEERING CHANGE THAT ELIMINATED THE ANTI FREEZE HEATER SECTION. I FEEL SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BY RECALLING THE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM USED IN THIS FORD VEHICLE. I ALSO WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE I PURCHASED THE THROTTLE BODY ,THAT THIS PART WAS COMMON TO BE REPLACED. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10442754
79,800 miles · Oct 24, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE WITH BRAKE APPLIED THIS WAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ESPECIALLY AT DRIVE THROUGH FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FOR $653.00 AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10432614
53,000 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR WOULD "SURGE" WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. HAD TO BREAK TO STOP. ALSO, WOULD STALL OUT WHEN SHIFTED BACK FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY OVER THE COURSE OF A YEAR. ULTIMATELY HAD TO HAVE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY REPLACED TO CORRECT PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10429876
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
I BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY FREESTYLE SURGING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR IDLING WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHILE WAITING ON PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS IN FRONT OF ME. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN THE CAR STARTS LUNGING AND YOU'RE AFRAID YOU'RE GOING TO HURT SOMEONE. THIS PROBLEM FIRST ST…
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I BEGAN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY FREESTYLE SURGING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR IDLING WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHILE WAITING ON PEDESTRIANS TO CROSS IN FRONT OF ME. IT'S VERY SCARY WHEN THE CAR STARTS LUNGING AND YOU'RE AFRAID YOU'RE GOING TO HURT SOMEONE. THIS PROBLEM FIRST STARTED HAPPENING IN 2010. AFTER READING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE INTERNET, I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND HAD THEM CLEAN IT. THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS (SEPTEMBER 2011) AND NOW IT IS STARTING TO DO IT AGAIN. LAST YEAR I ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH IT BOGGING DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE NOT KNOWING IF WE WERE GOING TO GET REAR ENDED OR NOT. I HOPE YOU FINISH YOUR INVESTIGATION SOON. FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECT IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10425320
105,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE STARTED SURGING WITHOUT FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPING. HAVE HAD TO RAPIDLY PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HOLD IT TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. WHEN THE SURGING OCCURS, MANY TIMES THE VEHICLE GOES INTO FAIL-SAFE ENGINE MODE WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ONE TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. THIS CAUSED A PR…
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THE VEHICLE STARTED SURGING WITHOUT FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPING. HAVE HAD TO RAPIDLY PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HOLD IT TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. WHEN THE SURGING OCCURS, MANY TIMES THE VEHICLE GOES INTO FAIL-SAFE ENGINE MODE WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ONE TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. THIS CAUSED A PROBLEM ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN CAUGHT IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. COULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER SURGE-ENGINE DYING-FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER OCCURRENCE AND FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE WAS SOLVED BY PULLING OVER, KILLING THE MOTOR, WAITING, AND THEN RESTARTING. SURGING IS CAUSING A STRESS ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NOW APPEARS TO HAVE SLACK IN IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424710
100,222 miles · Sep 4, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
CAR AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH FOOT OFF GAS PEDALS MOVES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY AND RPMS JUMP TO 2000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423204
60,000 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
SOMETIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND SOMEONE CAN GET HURT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN…
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SOMETIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVE AND I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. IT IS UNCONTROLLABLE AND SOMEONE CAN GET HURT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR YEARS. NOW, IN ADDITION TO THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM, THE CAR WILL JUST LOSE POWER WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND I HAVE TO HOPE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I HAVE TO TURN THE TRUCK OFF AND THEN TRY RESTARTING A FEW TIMES TO GET IT GOING AGAIN. THESE ARE CONTINUING PROBLEMS FOR MYSELF AND MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10422035
99,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND WOULD ONLY HAPPEN ONCE IN A WHILE. NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. IF YOUR NOT CAREFUL YOU WILL HIT SOMETHING. EVEN WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL STILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE PROBLEM IS WO…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT STARTED A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND WOULD ONLY HAPPEN ONCE IN A WHILE. NOW IT HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY. IF YOUR NOT CAREFUL YOU WILL HIT SOMETHING. EVEN WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE WILL STILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE PROBLEM IS WORSE IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT IT WILL COST OVER $800.00 TO FIX. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS REPAIR AND THINK FORD SHOULD FIX IT UNDER A RECALL DUE TO THIS BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419572
111,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE SURGED AS IF I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I HAD A NEW THROTTLE BODY INSTALLED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE. MY SON WHO HAS A 2007 FREE…
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WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE ENGINE SURGED AS IF I HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR. I IMMEDIATELY HIT THE BRAKES AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES BEFORE I HAD A NEW THROTTLE BODY INSTALLED AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE. MY SON WHO HAS A 2007 FREESTYLE HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND HAD THE SAME REPAIR DONE TO HIS.
NHTSA ODI #10419092
102,336 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
MY VEHICLE SURGES FROM TIME TO TIME AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON THE CAR WILL CUT OF AND GO INTO FAIL SAFE MODE I'VE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418359
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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