NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Other complaints
18 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Fuel System, Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTED SURGE AT STOPLIGHT, CONTROLLED BY APPLYING BRAKES HARDER, AND THENVECHICLE STALLED. THE EVENT WOULD HAVE FORCESD US INTO THE INTERSECTION, POSSIBILEY CAUSING BODY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS OCCURANCE ALSO HAPPENED 1 WEEK PRIOR AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. BOTH OCCURENCES HAPPENED AFT…
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTED SURGE AT STOPLIGHT, CONTROLLED BY APPLYING BRAKES HARDER, AND THENVECHICLE STALLED. THE EVENT WOULD HAVE FORCESD US INTO THE INTERSECTION, POSSIBILEY CAUSING BODY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. THIS OCCURANCE ALSO HAPPENED 1 WEEK PRIOR AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. BOTH OCCURENCES HAPPENED AFTER THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF FOR 15-30 MINUTES AND THEN RESTARTED. THIS OCCURANCE HAS HAPPENED AT LEAT 5 OTHER TIMES. ON SOME OF THE OCCURENCES THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WENT TO SAFE MODE OPERATION. SAFE MODE OPERATION WOULD CEASE IF THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF AND THE VECHICLE WAS ALLOWED TO SIT FOR A TIME. FIRST AND SECOND OCCURANCE HAPPENED AFTER USING AN 10% ETANAHOL MIX FROM ONE PARTICULAR COMPANY. THE MOST RECENT OCCURANCES HAPPENED WITH A 10%ETANOL MIX FROM TWO DIFFERENT SUPPLIERS.. FUEL SYSTEM AND AIR FILTER CLEANED PRIOR TO THE LAST TWO EVNTS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417171
165,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Fuel System, Other
MY FORD FREESTYLE HAS ENGINE SURGES, AT IDLE IT LUNGES FORWARD AND SOMETIMES DIES AFTERWARDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417009
90,499 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING AFTER I PUT IT IN REVERSE AS TO BACK UP IN THE PARKING LOT. IT LUNGES VERY FAST AND FORCIBLY SO THAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A STRONG HOLD ON THE BRAKE IT WILL MOVE. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN FORWARD POSITION IF I AM NOT MOVING OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY SAY IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVE THRU. THE AIR CONDITIONING …
Read full complaint
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING AFTER I PUT IT IN REVERSE AS TO BACK UP IN THE PARKING LOT. IT LUNGES VERY FAST AND FORCIBLY SO THAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A STRONG HOLD ON THE BRAKE IT WILL MOVE. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN FORWARD POSITION IF I AM NOT MOVING OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY SAY IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVE THRU. THE AIR CONDITIONING AND OR TURNING SEEMS TO MAKE IT WORSE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERYTIME BUT HAPPENED VERY FORCIBLY THE OTHER DAY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WILL LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR OFTEN INCLUDING MY INFANT. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE SOME SORT OF SAFETY DEFECT WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411594
102,000 miles · Jun 26, 2011
Fuel System, Other
FROM TIME TO TIME THE CAR SURGES AS IF THE GAS HAS BEEN PRESSED REALLY HARD EVEN THOUGH THE PEDAL HAS NOT BEEN PRESSED AT ALL. THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408939
93,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Fuel System, Other
HAD THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY AND I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN YESTERDAY, MAY 31. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 93. AC ON. IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT. CAR STARTED LURCHING FORWARD. HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD AS TO NOT HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR STALLED. RESTARTED, HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER THE THIRD TIME OF LURCHING FORWARD AND STAL…
Read full complaint
HAD THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY AND I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN YESTERDAY, MAY 31. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 93. AC ON. IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT. CAR STARTED LURCHING FORWARD. HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD AS TO NOT HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR STALLED. RESTARTED, HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER THE THIRD TIME OF LURCHING FORWARD AND STALLING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS DID THE WRENCH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. COULDN'T DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT MANAGED TO GET TO DESTINATION. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR 3 HOURS, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT NORMAL SPEED. THE WRENCH IS OFF, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS. CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE NORMALLY THIS MORNING, JUNE 1. RPM STILL A BIT HIGH. OUTSIDE TEMP 89. I DID NOT RUN THE AC YET. PLAN ON CALLING FORD DEALER TO SCHEDULE SERVICE. MANY ONLINE FORUMS SAY THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. I PLAN TO ASK THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TO CHECK THE CODES AND WILL ASK THEM TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE MY AIR FILTER AS WELL. REPORTED PREVIOUSLY #10372235. AGAIN, DRIVING SLOW, CAR SURGED FORWARD. I RAN INTO THE DOOR FRAME OF MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403988
75,000 miles · May 16, 2011
Fuel System, Other
I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTED UNTIL I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT (NOT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT). I DID NOTICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT IT WOULD ACCELARATE ON ITS OWN AND NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED I HAD A PROBLEM. IT WAS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER TH…
Read full complaint
I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTED UNTIL I WAS INVOLVED IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT (NOT THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT). I DID NOTICE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS THAT IT WOULD ACCELARATE ON ITS OWN AND NOTHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWED I HAD A PROBLEM. IT WAS AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT I WAS ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT I HAD A PROBLEM AND SINCE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED THAT IT WAS GOING TO COST ME OVER $500 TO FIX IT. I WAS GIVEN AN INFORMATION SHEET SHOWING THAT MY TYPE OF VEHICLE HAD THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEMS BUT NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE A RECALL. I REALLY NEED TO FIND OUT IF INDEED MY VEHICLE WILL BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401103
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2010
Fuel System, Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES FORWARD AND IN REVERSE AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSED. ONCE, WITH MY TWO-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE RETAINING WALL; THE DAMAGE WAS SIMPLE A BUCKLED LICENSE PLATE BUT WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY/ROAD. FORD CLAIMS THE…
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES FORWARD AND IN REVERSE AS THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR IS BEING DEPRESSED. ONCE, WITH MY TWO-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO THE RETAINING WALL; THE DAMAGE WAS SIMPLE A BUCKLED LICENSE PLATE BUT WHAT IF THIS HAPPENED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY/ROAD. FORD CLAIMS THERE ARE NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE LINE SURGING UNEXPECTEDLY ALTHOUGH I'VE DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENS IN DETAIL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10358942
Mileage unknown · Sep 27, 2010
Fuel System, Other
CAR LUNGES AND SURGES WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. RPM REV WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT HAS DONE THIS REPEATEDLY SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. IT USED TO HAPPEN MORE IN THE HEAT NOW IS HAPPENING FREQUENTLY. PERHAPS NOW THE DEALERSHIP WILL BELIEVE ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357970
70,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, Other
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHILE PUTTING IN GEAR, EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE THEN THE AC IS RUNNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IDLED VERY HIGH WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 70,000 MILES AND NOW HAVE 74,000 AND IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT C…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHILE PUTTING IN GEAR, EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE THEN THE AC IS RUNNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IDLED VERY HIGH WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 70,000 MILES AND NOW HAVE 74,000 AND IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE THE THROTTLE BODY PART WILL BE IN AND THAT IT HAS TO BE PRE PAID BEFORE IT CAN BE ORDERED. THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEY ARE GOING TO TRY AND EXPEDITE THE PART, BUT CAN NOT MAKE ANY PROMISES. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344117
95,720 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 95,720 MILES. ON JULY 10TH, 2010, MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ALMOST RAN ME THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW OF A JEWELRY STORE. MY CAR MESSAGE CENTER THEN WENT IN TO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE". THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY IS BAD AND THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE NEW PART WILL TAKE AN ES…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 95,720 MILES. ON JULY 10TH, 2010, MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ALMOST RAN ME THROUGH THE FRONT WINDOW OF A JEWELRY STORE. MY CAR MESSAGE CENTER THEN WENT IN TO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE". THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY IS BAD AND THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE NEW PART WILL TAKE AN ESTIMATED 30-60 DAYS TO COME IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343924
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