NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
95 reportsClear category filter102,032 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
INTIALLY NOTED THE VEHICLES RPMS JUMP AND A QUICK SURGE IN THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65MPHS. THIS CONTINUED TO OCCUR RADOMLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY REPLACED AN EGR VALVE. PUT IN AN FUEL TREATMENT. ONE DAY LATER THE THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND CONDITION HAS GOTTEN WORSE…
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INTIALLY NOTED THE VEHICLES RPMS JUMP AND A QUICK SURGE IN THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65MPHS. THIS CONTINUED TO OCCUR RADOMLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY REPLACED AN EGR VALVE. PUT IN AN FUEL TREATMENT. ONE DAY LATER THE THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND CONDITION HAS GOTTEN WORSE.NOW THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD,STILL RANDOMLY,BUT FREQUENTLY! HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY MAJOR INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS,YET!(JUST RAN UP A CURB) READ THIS IS A COMMON CONDITION AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. I HOPE SOMETHING COMES OF THE INVESTIGATION AND SOON. THIS IS VERY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS! TODAY I HAD THE MOST PRECIOUS CARGO WITH ME....MY DAUGHTER(WHO WAS DRIVING AND IS CURRENTLY OUTRAGED) AND MY GRANDCHILDREN!!!!! *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417736
54,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
NORMAL DRIVING. LUNGES FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AT MY EXPENSE ($800.00). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416992
36,001 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I FIRST NOTICED A SURGE IN THE CAR JUST AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. WHENEVER THE CAR COMES TO A STOP (E.G. IN A PARKING SPOT) THE CAR SURGES IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS SELECTED. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORW…
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I FIRST NOTICED A SURGE IN THE CAR JUST AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. WHENEVER THE CAR COMES TO A STOP (E.G. IN A PARKING SPOT) THE CAR SURGES IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS SELECTED. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. LIKEWISE... WHEN FIRST SELECTING REVERSE FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE VEHICLE SURGES DRASTICALLY WHICH ALSO REQUIRES PROMPT ADDITIONAL BRAKING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER. THE SURGING MAY BE COMING FROM AN ISSUE WITHIN THE FUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT 100% SURE OF THAT. THE ADDITION OF FUEL CLEANERS SEEMS TO HELP, BUT ONLY A LITTLE... AND THEN ONLY TEMPORARILY. SYMPTOMS OCCUR YEAR ROUND, BUT SEEM TO BE WORSENED BY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE IS A THREAT TO SAFETY IN IT'S DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #10417433
135,336 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SMALL EXPLOSION. IMMEDIATELY, GASOLINE FUEL FUMES ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A SMALL EXPLOSION. IMMEDIATELY, GASOLINE FUEL FUMES ENTERED INTO THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE FUEL CLIP HAD FRACTURED. THE ENTIRE FUEL LINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,336 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,400.
NHTSA ODI #10416622
90,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SEPTEMBER 2010. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH IN NASHVILLE TN. IT WAS HOT AND AC WAS RUNNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN REVERSE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ON THE DATE I REPORTED ABOVE SAME SITUATION, IN A PARKING LOT, TEMP OUTSIDE W…
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THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SEPTEMBER 2010. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH IN NASHVILLE TN. IT WAS HOT AND AC WAS RUNNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN REVERSE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ON THE DATE I REPORTED ABOVE SAME SITUATION, IN A PARKING LOT, TEMP OUTSIDE WAS OVER 90 AND AC WAS RUNNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT ACCELERATED FORWARD. MY WIFE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS SIMILAR BUT SHE WAS ONLY AWARE THAT THE AC WAS RUNNING WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WE WERE FORTUNATE EACH TIME THERE WAS ENOUGH SPACE TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND STOP THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10414568
75,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY LURCHES FORWARD OR BACKWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, FROM PARK TO DRIVE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. WHEN THIS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURS THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS ISSUE OCCURS ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10412209
168,000 miles · Jul 2, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES FORWARD WITHOUT ANY ACCELERATOR INPUT OR WARNING. I AM SURE THAT IT IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 140,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME, AND IS GETTING WORSE. VERY DANGEROUS EVENT WHEN IT HAPPENS. FROM WHAT I GATHER FROM OTHERS ON LINE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES FORWARD WITHOUT ANY ACCELERATOR INPUT OR WARNING. I AM SURE THAT IT IS GOING TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. THIS STARTED AT ABOUT 140,000 MILES THE FIRST TIME, AND IS GETTING WORSE. VERY DANGEROUS EVENT WHEN IT HAPPENS. FROM WHAT I GATHER FROM OTHERS ON LINE IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS FOR SURE A SAFETY ISSUE AND FLAW IN THE DESIGN AND USE OF THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH SHOULD BE MADE WHOLE AND FOR SURE BE PUT ON A RECALL TO CORRECT BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT. BEING IT HAPPENS WHEN AT AN IDLE IF COULD CAUSE A COLLISION WITH A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT WORSE THAN THAT COULD BE A CHILD OR PERSON WALKING INFRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND SUDDENLY BEING HIT BY THE LURCHING CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410287
102,000 miles · Jun 18, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
AFTER STARTING CAR AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR FORWARD OR REVERSE CAR WILL SURGE. CONTACTED FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD NO RECALL. MILEAGE 105,000 STARTED AT 102,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407353
55,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS SOME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN IT IDLE AND AT SLOW SPEED FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT WILL ACCELERATE IT SELF SPECIALLY WHEN USING THE AC AND ALSO WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND FORD SERVICE CENTER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG W…
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MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS SOME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN IT IDLE AND AT SLOW SPEED FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT WILL ACCELERATE IT SELF SPECIALLY WHEN USING THE AC AND ALSO WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND FORD SERVICE CENTER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10406189
50,000 miles · Jun 13, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE WHEN IN DRIVE OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE WHEN IN DRIVE OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE DEALER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS FUEL RELATED AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO PERFORM MUCH BETTER. UPDATED 09/01/11
NHTSA ODI #10406133
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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