NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
95 reportsClear category filter45,485 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE FORD FREESTYLE SE 2005, 45,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MAY 2009. IN APRIL 2010 WHILE REVERSING MY CAR STALLED AND "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" CAME ON WITH WRENCH SYMBOL. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED CAR, WRENCH SYMBOL WAS GONE AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WAS GONE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, SAME THING HAPP…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE FORD FREESTYLE SE 2005, 45,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MAY 2009. IN APRIL 2010 WHILE REVERSING MY CAR STALLED AND "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" CAME ON WITH WRENCH SYMBOL. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED CAR, WRENCH SYMBOL WAS GONE AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WAS GONE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I PUT INTO REVERSE, FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE CAME BACK ON. AFTER I TURNED CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALONG WITH THE SYMBOL FOR EMISSION SYSTEM. TOOK TO MY DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY, COST TO FIX $900 PARTS AND LABOR. WE TOLD THEM NOT TO FIX AT THIS TIME AND DID SOME RESEARCH. SPOKE TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND HE RECOMMENDED CLEANING THROTTLE BODY FIRST TO REMOVE ANY CARBON THAT COULD BE CAUSING BLOCKAGE. WE DID THAT AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. WHILE DOING THIS RESEARCH FOUND MANY ONLINE FORUMS OF OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. SEEMS TO PERTAIN TO 2005/2006 MODELS. THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK IN AUGUST 2010. WE ARE NOW RESEARCHING BUYING A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND HAVING THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349469
93,000 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AND ACCELERATE FROM IDLE WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS, BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, ETC. I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND IT SURGED BACKWARDS AND ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349442
114,500 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, SOMETIMES THE BRAKE WON'T EVEN HOLD IT. THE CAR THEN STALLS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349295
65,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM CAUSES CAR TO SURGE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348331
94,700 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY - WHICH APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. WHY NO RECALL FROM FORD? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345999
20,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS AND MOTOR REVS WHILE AT SLOW SPEED OR AT A FULL STOP. MOTOR REVS AND THEN STALLS ALSO THE CAR GOES INTO "SAFE" MODE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW 9/05 AND EVERY SUMMER WE GO THROUGH THIS THE PROBLEM HAS BE MIS-DIAGNOSED BY FORD DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES CAPITOL FORD IN SAN JOSE CA, HAS P…
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS AND MOTOR REVS WHILE AT SLOW SPEED OR AT A FULL STOP. MOTOR REVS AND THEN STALLS ALSO THE CAR GOES INTO "SAFE" MODE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW 9/05 AND EVERY SUMMER WE GO THROUGH THIS THE PROBLEM HAS BE MIS-DIAGNOSED BY FORD DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES CAPITOL FORD IN SAN JOSE CA, HAS PUT A "PATCH" IN COMPUTER, LITHA FORD IN FRESNO, REPLACED M.A.F SENSOR, AND FUTURE FORD IN CLOVIS BLAMED INCORRECT AIR BOX INSTALLATION AFTER THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND AIR FILTER REPLACED. EACH WARM SEASON THE CAR DOES THIS. DROVE THE CAR 2 MILES FROM FUTURE FORD ONLY TO HAVE IT REPEAT THE SAME PROBLEM WE CAME IN WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345882
47,670 miles · Jul 24, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHILE STOPPED A TRAFFIC LIGHT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANYTHING TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE THEN DIED AND WHEN RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH SYMBOL WERE LIT UP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE …
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHILE STOPPED A TRAFFIC LIGHT SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANYTHING TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAD TO APPLY A LOT OF PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM ENTERING THE INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE THEN DIED AND WHEN RESTARTED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH SYMBOL WERE LIT UP. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS DUE TO A FAILED THROTTLE BODY. IT HAS BEEN 6 DAYS AND THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO NO PARTS AVAILABLE AND FROM WHAT I AM SEEING ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND I THINK IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT RESOLVED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10345101
92,991 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
CAR SURGED AFTER STARTING IN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE BEHIND ME. CAR MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED "FAIL SAFE MODE". CUT CAR OFF, RESTARTED TOOK TO DEALER WHERE CODES INDICATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL AT A COST OF OVER $800. DEALER SAID THIS WAS ONE OF MANY THAT HAD …
Read full complaint
CAR SURGED AFTER STARTING IN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE BEHIND ME. CAR MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED "FAIL SAFE MODE". CUT CAR OFF, RESTARTED TOOK TO DEALER WHERE CODES INDICATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL AT A COST OF OVER $800. DEALER SAID THIS WAS ONE OF MANY THAT HAD FAILED AND ALL HAD CAUSED A SUDDEN SURGE WITHOUT WARNING AS MY CAR ALSO LUNGED INTO REVERSE WITH NO WARNING. WEB SITE ALSO INDICATED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM ON 3.0 V6 UNITS MADE IN 2005. DEALER SAID IT USUALLY HAPPENS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY GOES OUT AND MINE LASTED MUCH LONGER, BUT I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNLESS FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344044
49,500 miles · Jul 17, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FROM ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER OBTAINING THE VEHICLE. AND I CURRENTLY HAVE 49500 MILES APPROX. THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, STALL AT TIMES, CLUNKING NOISES. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE IN MANY TIMES, AND WAS AT ONE TIME NOTHING WRONG. THEN FORD DEALER REPLACED SOME PART IN ENGINE. WHILE THE VE…
Read full complaint
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FROM ABOUT 2 MONTHS AFTER OBTAINING THE VEHICLE. AND I CURRENTLY HAVE 49500 MILES APPROX. THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS, STALL AT TIMES, CLUNKING NOISES. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE IN MANY TIMES, AND WAS AT ONE TIME NOTHING WRONG. THEN FORD DEALER REPLACED SOME PART IN ENGINE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING AND A/C WAS ON IN PARK, PLACED IN REVERSE VEHICLE LUNGED AGAIN THEN THE FAIL SAFE NOTIFICATION ALONG WITH THE WRENCH CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER AS I WAS TOLD TO BRING IT BACK WHEN IT WAS HAPPENING AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME TODAY THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND MAP SENSORS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED AS THEY MECHANICALLY FAILED I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND IT IS NOT A COVERED ITEM WHICH FOR BOTH ITEMS WILL COST ALMOST $1500 WHICH SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER THE COMPREHENSIVE COVERAGE OF ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY AS IT IS PART OF THE ENGINE AND WORKING COMPREHENSIVE PARTS. I KNOW OF AT LEAST 100 PEOPLE IN MY AREA THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY, YET FORD WILL NOT DO A RECALL ON THIS AS IT IS CONSIDERED A FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD AS THE MAP SENSORS ARE ON THE MANIFOLD WHICH CONTROLS THE FUEL. IF YOU REVIEW THE INTERNET YOU WILL FIND MANY PEOPLE WITH THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE ITEMS AND SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343787
69,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
CAR LURCHES WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343170
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.
Illustration