NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
447 reportsClear category filter98,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE / SPEED SURGING ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN PARKING. WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ENGINE MODERATES ONLY SLIGHTLY BUT CAR LURCHES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS OF THE SAME CAR, SAME DAY, SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. EXTRA PRESSURE WAS NEEDED ON BRAKE TO PREVENT CAR FROM HITTING OTHER CARS IN PARKING LOT. . . . CIR…
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ENGINE / SPEED SURGING ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN PARKING. WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ENGINE MODERATES ONLY SLIGHTLY BUT CAR LURCHES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS OF THE SAME CAR, SAME DAY, SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. EXTRA PRESSURE WAS NEEDED ON BRAKE TO PREVENT CAR FROM HITTING OTHER CARS IN PARKING LOT. . . . CIRCUMSTANCES: HOT DAY ( 90+ F), AIR CONDITIONING ON, ENGINE AT IDLE SPEED WHILE MANEUVERING INTO / OUT FROM PARKING, TURNING WHEEL OR HOLDING WHEEL TURNED DURING MANEUVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423823
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
-COMPONENT- THROTTLE BODY!!!!! THE CAR MOVE UP HALF A FOOT FORWARD WITH OUT ME DOING ANYTHING AND BACK AS WELL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423096
125,000 miles · Aug 21, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AND ACCELERATES FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. IT IS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE ACCELERATION CAN LAST FOR MAXIMUM 5 SECONDS BUT YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE OR THE VEHICLE COULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTO ON…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AND ACCELERATES FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. IT IS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE ACCELERATION CAN LAST FOR MAXIMUM 5 SECONDS BUT YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE OR THE VEHICLE COULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTO ONCOMING OR PARKED CARS AND PEDESTRIANS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AL THE TIME, OFTEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUN AND PARKED FOR A 15-30 MINUTE PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420891
70,000 miles · Aug 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
UPDATE ON ODI 10419757: TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER BECAUSE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AFTER CAR LUNGED (WHILE BACKING UP). SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE CONTROL ACTUATOR STICKING WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $895.00. TWO OTHER CUSTOMERS WITH FORD FREESTYLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419909
70,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS-WHEN BACKING OUT THE CAR LUNGES AND GOES DEAD. FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE IS DISPLAYED. HAVE HAD IT LUNGE FORWARD WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE AND ENGINE DIES. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. FORD DEALER SAID AIR COMPRESSOR WAS NO GOOD. DID NOT REPLACE BECAUSE WE SAW…
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NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS-WHEN BACKING OUT THE CAR LUNGES AND GOES DEAD. FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE IS DISPLAYED. HAVE HAD IT LUNGE FORWARD WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE AND ENGINE DIES. HAPPENS MORE OFTEN WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. FORD DEALER SAID AIR COMPRESSOR WAS NO GOOD. DID NOT REPLACE BECAUSE WE SAW COMPLAINT ABOUT FORD FREESTYLE. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419757
77,000 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT SURGES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT AND I HAVE THE A/C ON. THIS SURGING OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. IT HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR WAITING IN LINE AT THE DRIVE-THRU. I HAVE ALMOST REAR-ENDED PEOPLE SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ON THE INTERNE…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT SURGES, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS HOT AND I HAVE THE A/C ON. THIS SURGING OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY. IT HAPPENS WHILE I AM DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR WAITING IN LINE AT THE DRIVE-THRU. I HAVE ALMOST REAR-ENDED PEOPLE SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ON THE INTERNET, I HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. THE ISSUE IS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY BUT APPARENTLY FORD WILL NOT RECOGNIZE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419407
75,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Power Train
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SEEMS TO SURGE EITHER IN FORWARD AND REVERSE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE BEFORE YOU EVEN HIT THE GAS PEDAL. ON OR ABOUT AUG 1ST, 2011 WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IT SURGED IN REVERSE AND THEN QUIT. IT DID THAT TWICE. ONCE I RESTARTED AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT SEEMED TO STABILIZE ALMOST LIKE THE COMPU…
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VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY SEEMS TO SURGE EITHER IN FORWARD AND REVERSE WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF BRAKE BEFORE YOU EVEN HIT THE GAS PEDAL. ON OR ABOUT AUG 1ST, 2011 WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IT SURGED IN REVERSE AND THEN QUIT. IT DID THAT TWICE. ONCE I RESTARTED AFTER THE SECOND TIME IT SEEMED TO STABILIZE ALMOST LIKE THE COMPUTER ADJUSTED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE IN THE WARM TO HOT WEATHER. AT THIS POINT WITH MY VEHICLE I FEEL VERY UNCOMFORTABLE AND WOULD NOT LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE IT AS I AM AWARE OF IT AND AM I KNOW THAT I NEED A FIRM FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. MY REVIEWS OF MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM POINT TO THE THROTTLE BODY AND I WOULD ALSO THINK MAYBE A POSSIBLE COMPUTER CONTROL.
NHTSA ODI #10418964
115,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlInjury
2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL ACCELERATE AND USUALLY STALL. THE CAR HIT THE GARAGE HITTING A PERSON AND BREAKING THE SIDE MIRROR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418326
120,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR (FORWARD OR REVERSE), THIS SEEMS TO BE ALIGNED WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE11018. THE ENGINE WILL REV WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND WILL LURCH IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GEAR THAT IT WAS PLACED IN. THIS IS NOT DUE TO THE DRIV…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR (FORWARD OR REVERSE), THIS SEEMS TO BE ALIGNED WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE11018. THE ENGINE WILL REV WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND WILL LURCH IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GEAR THAT IT WAS PLACED IN. THIS IS NOT DUE TO THE DRIVER INADVERTENTLY PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRAKE. THE DRIVER HAS TO FIRMLY PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING. IF THE BRAKE IS ONLY PRESSED JUST ENOUGH TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE VEHICLE WILL ACTUALLY MOVE 3-4 FEET. THE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY BUT DOES OCCUR AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES A WEEK.
NHTSA ODI #10418843
94,656 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train
HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE . IN THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AND TAKING OFF WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE GAS. IT SURGED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND RAN UP ON THE CURB . I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO A FAULT MODE. IT DID THIS THREE TIMES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR EACH TIME.…
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HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE . IN THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AND TAKING OFF WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE GAS. IT SURGED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND RAN UP ON THE CURB . I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO A FAULT MODE. IT DID THIS THREE TIMES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR EACH TIME. IT ALSO ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO SURGED FORWARD INTO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS NOW SURGING AT A THIRD OF MY STOPS. I DON'T TRY AND BACK IT UP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO ALLOW ANYONE IN MY FAMILY TO DRIVE IT.I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE RE-CALLED AND FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418069
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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