NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
447 reportsClear category filter82,512 miles · Jul 29, 2012
EnginePower Train
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES VIOLENTLY AFTER WARMING UP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE AND YOU COME TO A STOP. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD QUICKLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL FEET AND WHEN YOU TRY TO BRAKE TO STOP THE FORWARD PROGRESS, IT USUALLY DIES AND GIVES THE "WRENCH" CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL YOU TURN …
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES VIOLENTLY AFTER WARMING UP WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS IN DRIVE AND YOU COME TO A STOP. THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD QUICKLY AND WITHOUT WARNING SEVERAL FEET AND WHEN YOU TRY TO BRAKE TO STOP THE FORWARD PROGRESS, IT USUALLY DIES AND GIVES THE "WRENCH" CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL YOU TURN THE IGNITION OFF AND BACK ON. IT DOES THIS MOSTLY DURING WARM TO HOT WEATHER. RARELY THROUGH THE COOL OR COLD WEATHER. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10468180
106,302 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
CAR WAS PARKED WITH OUT SIDE AIR TEMPERATURE 100+, STARTED CAR AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF ANGLE PARKING STALL, CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT THROTTLE PEDAL NOT YET BEING PRESSED AND I APPLIED RAPID BRAKE STOPPING CAR. ENGINE WRENCH ICON APPEARED ON DASH DISPLAY WITH ENGINE FAILSAFE MESSAGE SHOWING. SHUT OFF KEY, RESTARTED…
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CAR WAS PARKED WITH OUT SIDE AIR TEMPERATURE 100+, STARTED CAR AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF ANGLE PARKING STALL, CAR ACCELERATED WITHOUT THROTTLE PEDAL NOT YET BEING PRESSED AND I APPLIED RAPID BRAKE STOPPING CAR. ENGINE WRENCH ICON APPEARED ON DASH DISPLAY WITH ENGINE FAILSAFE MESSAGE SHOWING. SHUT OFF KEY, RESTARTED AND ICONS DID NOT REAPPEAR. SAME THING OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES AND I GOT CAR TO DEALER WITH THROTTLE CONTROL (BODY) FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED BY DEALER FOR $938.32. PROBLEM CAME BACK ON 07/24/2011 WITH MILEAGE AT 121216, AIR TEMPERATURE 104 AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK ON CITY STREET WITH FAILSAFE MESSAGE SHOWING. SHUT OFF KEY AND RESTARTED CAR WITH NO MESSAGE REAPPEARING. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND CODE FOR DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY FOUND WITH A REPLACEMENT COST OF $623.05 SUGGESTED. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WITH CONCERN THAT FIX WAS SHORT LIVED AND PROBLEM IS DANGEROUS AND COULD COME BACK ANYTIME. FORD ADVISED THEY HAVE NO RECALL IN EFFECT AND ENGINEERING WOULD BE ADVISED AND MY REQUEST FOR A CALL BACK COULD HAPPEN OR NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467991
66,592 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
SAME ISSUES AS INVESTIGATION # PE11018. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO SURGE THREE SEPARATE TIMES. I WAS IN CONTROL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER EXITING THE PARKING LOT, I DROVE ABOUT 400-500 FEET AND STOPPED. BACKED UP AND THEN AS I WENT FORWARD, THE ENGINE SURGED AND THEN THE CAR WENT …
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SAME ISSUES AS INVESTIGATION # PE11018. I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THE ENGINE ATTEMPTED TO SURGE THREE SEPARATE TIMES. I WAS IN CONTROL WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. AFTER EXITING THE PARKING LOT, I DROVE ABOUT 400-500 FEET AND STOPPED. BACKED UP AND THEN AS I WENT FORWARD, THE ENGINE SURGED AND THEN THE CAR WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE SURGE IN REVERSE OVER THE PAST YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED IT, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS RESULTED IN A "FAIL SAFE" MODE. IT IS NOW IN THE SHOP AND THE DEALER BELIEVES THAT IT IS A THROTTLE BODY AND/OR AND ECM MODULE FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467918
135,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
WHEN CAR IS STOPPED, TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE, FOOT USUALLY ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD FOR 2 -3 SECONDS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE AND HAVE TO THIS POINT BEEN ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BEFORE DAMAGE OR INJURY HAS OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467895
67,000 miles · Jul 26, 2012
EnginePower Train
I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE "SURGING" PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE AND THE ENGINE SURGED AND LURCHED BACKWARDS INTO THE DRIVING AREA. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND NOTICED THE ENGINE RPMS GOING UP AND DOWN INSTEAD OF STAYING CONSTANT WHILE IDLI…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE "SURGING" PROBLEM BEING INVESTIGATED BY NHTSA. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, STARTED TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE AND THE ENGINE SURGED AND LURCHED BACKWARDS INTO THE DRIVING AREA. I PUT IT INTO PARK AND NOTICED THE ENGINE RPMS GOING UP AND DOWN INSTEAD OF STAYING CONSTANT WHILE IDLING, THEN IT EVENED OUT. I TRIED AGAIN AND THE CAR SURGED AGAIN (I WAS READY FOR IT THIS TIME AND APPLIED THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN) AND WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT OF THE SPACE AND DRIVE NORMALLY. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS, BUT I AM NOT SURE HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN DOING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467772
105,000 miles · Jul 22, 2012
EnginePower Train
WELL ITS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE NOW MY 2005 FREESTYLE HAS THE TENDENCY TO LUNG FORWARD AND IN REVERSE IN LOW SPEEDS OR EVEN AT STOPS CAUSING THE CAR TO RATTLE AND STALL OR GO INTO ENGINE PROTECT MODE WHICH MAKES IT DRIVE VERY SLOW. BUT ITS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE TRANNY WINES NOW AND ONE OF THE ENGI…
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WELL ITS BEEN HAPPENING FOR AWHILE NOW MY 2005 FREESTYLE HAS THE TENDENCY TO LUNG FORWARD AND IN REVERSE IN LOW SPEEDS OR EVEN AT STOPS CAUSING THE CAR TO RATTLE AND STALL OR GO INTO ENGINE PROTECT MODE WHICH MAKES IT DRIVE VERY SLOW. BUT ITS IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENT. I ALSO NOTICE THAT THE TRANNY WINES NOW AND ONE OF THE ENGINE MOUNTS IS BROKE. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY WIFE WONT EVEN LET ME TAKE MY KIDS IN THE CAR. VERY FRUSTRATING THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS WHAT DOES IT TAKE SOMEONE TO GET KILLED????? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466976
110,600 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION FREESTYLE HAS A FEW ISSUES THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. MY THROTTLE IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED IT TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTLY ACCELERATING WHEN IN MOTION AND STARTING THE IGNITION. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SURGE FO…
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MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION FREESTYLE HAS A FEW ISSUES THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. MY THROTTLE IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED IT TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTLY ACCELERATING WHEN IN MOTION AND STARTING THE IGNITION. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SURGE FORWARD AND CAUSE ME TO HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WHERE IT GETS SO BAD THAT THEY'VE EVEN LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ONE PERSON WHO HIT SOMETHING IN HIS GARAGE SENDING IT FLYING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL. MY HUSBAND HAS TRIED CLEANING OUT THE THROTTLE WITH NO SUCCESS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH NO WARRANTY AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466649
110,560 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EnginePower TrainSteering
WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE IF TURNING THE STERRING WHEEL THE CAR TAKE OFF AND YOU HAVE TO BUT THE BRAKE ON HARD TO STOP CAR. THIS HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466646
61,000 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Power Train
WHILE AT A STOP AND IDOLING THE VEHICLE'S RPM'S WILL GO UP TO ABOUT 6 AND THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD....OR GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE GO UP TO ABOUT 6 AND THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE. DURING THE REVERSE THE VEHICLE'S DASH WARNINGS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED. THIS IS NOT A SAFE!....I COULD ACCIDENTLY HURT S…
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WHILE AT A STOP AND IDOLING THE VEHICLE'S RPM'S WILL GO UP TO ABOUT 6 AND THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD....OR GOING FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE THE RPM'S ON THE VEHICLE GO UP TO ABOUT 6 AND THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE. DURING THE REVERSE THE VEHICLE'S DASH WARNINGS CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED. THIS IS NOT A SAFE!....I COULD ACCIDENTLY HURT SOMEONE THATS WITHIN A FEW STEPS OF MY VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 TIMES NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466541
70,000 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD SUDDENLY. ONLY A QUICK APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES LAST SUMMER ALSO AS IT SEEMS TO BE AGGRAVATED BY VERY HOT WEATHER AND THE USE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. WE GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A "THR…
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WHILE STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD SUDDENLY. ONLY A QUICK APPLICATION OF THE BRAKE PREVENTED AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SEVERAL TIMES LAST SUMMER ALSO AS IT SEEMS TO BE AGGRAVATED BY VERY HOT WEATHER AND THE USE OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. WE GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE DEALER RECOMMENDED A "THROTTLE BODY UPDATE" AND WANTS $945 BUT ACKNOWLEDGED THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM OR NOT. I SEE THIS AS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT HAS SIGNIFICANT RISK POTENTIAL. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IF OTHER FREESTYLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466417
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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