NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
95 reportsClear category filter59,200 miles · Sep 4, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THIS CAR HAS AN APPARENTLY WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING, CAUSING: A) SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, AND B) SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY WIFE EXPERIENCED BOTH PROBLEMS YESTERDAY. FIRST, WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD …
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THIS CAR HAS AN APPARENTLY WELL-KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILING, CAUSING: A) SUDDEN UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION FROM A STOP, AND B) SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY WIFE EXPERIENCED BOTH PROBLEMS YESTERDAY. FIRST, WITH MY WIFE'S FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ALMOST REAR-ENDED ANOTHER CAR THAT HAD CHILDREN LOADING INTO IT, WHILE IN SCHOOL CARPOOL LINE. THEN, WHILE MAKING HER WAY IMMEDIATELY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP -- WITH MY TWO CHILDREN -- THIS UNCONTROLLED LUNGING FROM A DEAD STOP CONTINUED AT INTERSECTIONS; AND WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEED, IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY LOSE ALL POWER. THE SUDDEN LUNGE MAKES IT LIKELY YOU'LL HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU; THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER MAKES IT LIKELY YOU'LL BE THE RECIPIENT OF A REAR-END COLLISION. THE REPAIR IS COSTING US $730. IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY, OF COURSE. AND I'VE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP TO GIVE ME BACK THE OLD PART, SO YES, I SHOULD HAVE THAT AVAILABLE WHEN I GET THE CAR BACK. *** IMPORTANT *** THIS IS A WELL-KNOWN ISSUE TO BOTH FORD AND THE ODI OF THE NHTSA. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF MATCHING, PUBLICLY FILED COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTING THIS CHILLING SAFETY ISSUE IN THIS VERY SAME ODI DATABASE TO WHICH I AM SUBMITTING THIS MIRROR COMPLAINT. WHEN SHOULD WE EXPECT TO SEE SOME ACTION FROM THE ODI/NHTSA AND/OR FORD ON THIS???????? I WANT MY MONEY BACK BUT I ALSO WANT FORD TO FIX THIS, NOT JUST ON MY CAR, BUT ON ALL THE OTHER FAMILY'S' CARS THAT HAVE THIS **WELL-KNOWN** SAFETY DEFECT!!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353872
95,000 miles · Sep 3, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
WHEN AT A DEAD STOP OR ACCELERATING SLOWLY (AS IN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE), THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE, REQUIRING HARD BRAKING. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THIS ENTIRE SUMMER. THE 9/2/10 DATE WAS WHEN IT WAS PARTICULARLY BAD AND PERSISTENT. OMINOUSLY, THE TYP…
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WHEN AT A DEAD STOP OR ACCELERATING SLOWLY (AS IN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE), THE ENGINE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE, REQUIRING HARD BRAKING. THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS AT MULTIPLE TIMES. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THIS ENTIRE SUMMER. THE 9/2/10 DATE WAS WHEN IT WAS PARTICULARLY BAD AND PERSISTENT. OMINOUSLY, THE TYPICAL SETTING DESCRIBES THE SITUATION WHEN IN THE LINE OF CARS WHEN PICKING UP OUR DAUGHTERS AT SCHOOL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353834
54,280 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH OUR CAR GOING INTOFAIL SAFE MODE. THIS HAS HAPPEN BACKING UP AFTER FIRST STARTING OUT, BUT HAS ALSO OCCURRED COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND THEN DISPLAYS THE FAIL SAFE. IN FAIL SAFE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERAT…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WITH OUR CAR GOING INTOFAIL SAFE MODE. THIS HAS HAPPEN BACKING UP AFTER FIRST STARTING OUT, BUT HAS ALSO OCCURRED COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD AND THEN DISPLAYS THE FAIL SAFE. IN FAIL SAFE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE MUST BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO CORRECT THE CONDITION. THE "LUNGING" AND/OR LACK OF ACCELERATION WHEN NEEDED IN SAFE MODE ARE DANGEROUS SITUATIONS. I HAVE NOT YET SOUGHT REPAIRS. THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURRED QUITE OFTEN LATELY. I WILL BE FORCED TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE AS IT BECOMES PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW IN MARCH 2006. THE MILEAGE IS NOW 54,280. THIS CONDITION FIRST BEGAN WITHIN THE PAST 6 MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353584
80,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED AWD, APPROX 80,000 MILES. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SURGES OR LUNGES WHEN NOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT NEEDS A RECALL FIX PUT IN PLACE. NOTICED THAT THE RPM GAUGE JUMPS UP ABOUT 200 TO 300 RPM, ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD OR REV…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED AWD, APPROX 80,000 MILES. WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, CAR SURGES OR LUNGES WHEN NOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION THAT NEEDS A RECALL FIX PUT IN PLACE. NOTICED THAT THE RPM GAUGE JUMPS UP ABOUT 200 TO 300 RPM, ENOUGH TO OVERCOME THE BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. THIS IS DANGEROUS TO PEDESTRIANS AND WHEN ENTERING INTERSECTIONS. THIS HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY, AND HAS OCCURRED WEEKLY OVER THE LAST 3 SUMMER MONTHS FOR US. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE ARE THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER DRIVER CONTROL FOR ABOUT 4 SECONDS, SURGING THE VEHICLE FORWARD OR REVERSE. TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, I HAVE REPLACED THE AIR FILTER (NO EFFECT) AND INSPECTED THE MAF (CLEAN), DONE SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, AND WILL BE CONTACTING THE FORD DEALER. THE BEST 3RD PARTY DESCRIPTION I HAVE SEEN IS THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE FAILS WHEN VEHICLE IS PLACED IN GEAR WITH THE A/C ON. IN FAILURE MODE, THE THROTTLE HAS BEEN SEEN TO OPEN AT 16 TO 18% WITH NO FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. OTHERS SAY FORD HAS A NEWLY DESIGNED THROTTLE PART THAT IS HARD TO GET AND COSTS $800. SOME SAY A COMPUTER FIRMWARE UPDATE IS ALSO NEEDED WITH THE NEW PART TO CORRECT THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352649
72,120 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
ISSUES OCCURS ABOUT 6 TIMES IN LAST TWO WEEKS. CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING. CAR HAVE TO PULL CAR OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURN OFF. RESTARTS ON SECOND TRY. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE SAID THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. $855. CAR IS 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS 72K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351708
Mileage unknown · Aug 24, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR YOU HAVE IT IN. I'VE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND FOUND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351625
102,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
THROTTLE BODY FAILS AND CAR WILL JUMP OR IT WILL BOG DOWN. TENDS TO HAPPEN WHEN BACKING UP. CAR WILL SURGE ON HWY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351479
60,700 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHEN PUT IN GEAR. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE CAR MOVED A FEW FEET. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO PERSON OR OBJECT IN MY PATH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 60,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHEN PUT IN GEAR. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE CAR MOVED A FEW FEET. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO PERSON OR OBJECT IN MY PATH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 60,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350821
134,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 3.0 LITER ENGINE THAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE SITTING AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS ALMOST HITTING OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAS ALSO STALLED OUT PULLING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. IT NEVER SHOWED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE HAD FORD CHANGE THE …
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 3.0 LITER ENGINE THAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE SITTING AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS ALMOST HITTING OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAS ALSO STALLED OUT PULLING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. IT NEVER SHOWED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE HAD FORD CHANGE THE PLUGS AND AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE VERY NEXT DAY IT STARTED AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO FORD WHO THEN SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND THEY WERE ON SEVERE BACK ORDER ARE NOT SURE WHEN A REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350179
78,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AT LOW IDLE AND THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND WE HAVE ALMOST HIT BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE IN PARKING LOTS BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WILL SURGE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AS WELL AS FORWARD GEARS. YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE V…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AT LOW IDLE AND THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND WE HAVE ALMOST HIT BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE IN PARKING LOTS BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WILL SURGE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AS WELL AS FORWARD GEARS. YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE SURGE AND THE CAR SOMETIMES STALLS OUT WITH A CRITICAL ENGINE FAILURE MESSAGE. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX THIS. IT'S HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350087
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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