NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
95 reportsClear category filter61,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFT…
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AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WITH THE AC ON. THE COMPRESSOR DIED, SO WE HAD IT REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. WE HAVE NOT CRASHED INTO ANYTHING BUT HAVE COME VERY CLOSE. IT IS TROUBLING SINCE IT OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS, MEANING WE'RE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CARS, PEOPLE, AND BUILDINGS WHEN THE ENGINE SURGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403979
65,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES. IF BRAKES ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WILL HIT THE CARE IN FRONT. THIS OCCURS WHILE STOPPED AND WAITING FOR TRAFFIC OR TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401277
80,000 miles · May 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A SURGING PROBLEM. AFTER READING ONLINE THIS APPEARS TO BE VERY COMMON. VERY DANGEROUS! SEEMS TO BE RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. FORD RECOMMENDS REPLACING THE TB. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10400603
97,121 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
CAR SURGES THEN STALLS THEN GOES INTO LIMP MODE. HAPPENS ONCE A MONTH OR MORE. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT SEEMS TO CLEAR AND WORK FINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395545
45,554 miles · Nov 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE HAS STALLED AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE NEW, DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND NO FAULT CODES. LATEST INCIDENT OCCURRED 11/28/10. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368023
100,000 miles · Nov 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. SURGING ENGINE. SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES. GOES INTO ENGINE SAFE MODE. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AND REFUSES TO RECALL IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THEY ARE WAITING ON MANY DEATHS AND LAWSUITS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10368019
55,500 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN AND LUNGES FORWARD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE TRIES TO LUNGE MOSTLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN THE PAST MONTHS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND GOES INTO FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE, THE CAR MUST BE RESTAR…
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ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN AND LUNGES FORWARD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE TRIES TO LUNGE MOSTLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN THE PAST MONTHS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR SPUTTERS AND GOES INTO FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE, THE CAR MUST BE RESTARTED IN ORDER TO HAVE ACCELERATION RESUME. HOLDING OFF ON REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY DUE TO HIGH COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359542
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATING ON IT'S OWN AND LUNGE'S FORWARD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. VEHICLE TRIES TO LUNGE, STALLS DASH DISPLAYS "FAIL SAFE MODE". THIS OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR OVER THE PAST 2 YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE IN THE PAST MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357859
Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
HAVE BEEN HAVING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CAR LUNGING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED. TODAY IT STARTED AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT WENT AWAY WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. LATER IT STARTED SURGING VERY BADLY AGAIN AND I PUT FUEL CLEANER IN THE TANK WHEN I FILLED IT UP. A FEW HOURS LATER I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND…
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HAVE BEEN HAVING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH CAR LUNGING, SUDDEN ACCELERATION ESPECIALLY WHEN STOPPED. TODAY IT STARTED AND A WARNING LIGHT CAME ON BUT WENT AWAY WHEN I TURNED THE CAR OFF. LATER IT STARTED SURGING VERY BADLY AGAIN AND I PUT FUEL CLEANER IN THE TANK WHEN I FILLED IT UP. A FEW HOURS LATER I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND IT SURGED AND MOVED FORWARD A FEW FEET AND DIED IN THE ROAD. I WILL BE CONTACTING A FORD DEALER IN THE MORNING BUT WHEN I GOT ONLINE TO RESEARCH THE PROBLEM I FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS THAT WAS BEING RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY(CLEANED, REPLACED). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356225
Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineStructure
ON MAY 2009, THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AFTER HITTING A BAD POT HOLE. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. ON JULY 1, 2009 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR A BRIEF TIME. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE AND SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH AN OVERSENSITIVE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE. WHENEVER WE HIT A BUM…
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ON MAY 2009, THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING AFTER HITTING A BAD POT HOLE. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. ON JULY 1, 2009 THE CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER BEING TURNED OFF FOR A BRIEF TIME. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS BEFORE AND SAID IT APPEARED TO BE A PROBLEM WITH AN OVERSENSITIVE FUEL SHUT OFF VALVE. WHENEVER WE HIT A BUMP NOW, THE CAR THREATENS TO STALL AND THEN SURGES. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. IT STALLED RECENTLY, IN AUGUST 2010, WHEN BACKING UP VERY SLOWLY, BUT RESTARTED. THE CAR DOES NOT FEEL RELIABLE. ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND IT RAINS, THE BACK OF THE CAR IS FLOODED DUE TO A PROBLEM WITH THE DRAINAGE AROUND THE MOON ROOF. THIS HAS LED TO RUSTING IN THE SPARE TIRE AREA, WHICH WE WERE TOLD IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10355053
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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