NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
447 reportsClear category filter68,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
BOUGHT A FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY 2008 TOOK IT TO THE SHOP JULY 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS LUNGING AND STALLING. FORD KEPT IT ON THEIR LOT UNTIL NOVEMBER. WHEN I GOT IT BACK I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY HAD FLAT SPOTS THEY DID NOT MOVE THE CAR. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOW JULY OF 2011 IT IS DOING THE SAME PROBLEM. …
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BOUGHT A FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY 2008 TOOK IT TO THE SHOP JULY 2009 BECAUSE IT WAS LUNGING AND STALLING. FORD KEPT IT ON THEIR LOT UNTIL NOVEMBER. WHEN I GOT IT BACK I HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE BECAUSE THEY HAD FLAT SPOTS THEY DID NOT MOVE THE CAR. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND NOW JULY OF 2011 IT IS DOING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CAR ENGINE GETS TO HOT AND THE ALTERNATOR CAN'T WORK CORRECTLY. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED JULY 27TH 2011 AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THIS CAR. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS THIS CAR HAS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416457
83,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGES FORWARD IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN HIGH HEAT AFTER USING A/C FOR A WHILE. THANKFULLY I'VE HAD MY FOOT OVER THE BRAKE DURING THESE OCCURRENCES, BUT THIS ISSUE CONCERNS ME. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT MY AC COMPRESSOR IS LEAKING, AND WONDER …
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGES FORWARD IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN HIGH HEAT AFTER USING A/C FOR A WHILE. THANKFULLY I'VE HAD MY FOOT OVER THE BRAKE DURING THESE OCCURRENCES, BUT THIS ISSUE CONCERNS ME. I HAVE ALSO BEEN TOLD BY A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT MY AC COMPRESSOR IS LEAKING, AND WONDER IF THE TWO ARE LINKED SOMEHOW. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416428
122,000 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WE OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE HAD A VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM. IT FIRST STARTED IN 2007 WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LUNGE BACKWARDS WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BY SIMPLY SHIFTING THE CAR INTO GEAR, WITHOUT RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD IN 2008 (UNDER WARRANTY) WHERE WE WERE T…
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WE OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS, WE HAVE HAD A VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM. IT FIRST STARTED IN 2007 WHEN THE CAR STARTED TO LUNGE BACKWARDS WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE BY SIMPLY SHIFTING THE CAR INTO GEAR, WITHOUT RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO FORD IN 2008 (UNDER WARRANTY) WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE "PROBLEM" WAS FIXED AND SO WE TOOK THE CAR HOME. THE PROBLEM ONLY APPEARED TO BECOME WORSE THAN BEFORE. FORD WAS ONCE AGAIN CONTACTED AND THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD TAKE THE CAR AND TAKE CARE OF IT. THEY SAID THAT THE PROBLEM WAS HOW THE COMPUTER WAS NOT RESET/RECALIBRATED. EVENTUALLY, THE LUNGING PROBLEM CONTINUED AND SO WE WENT BACK FORD, WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE GUARANTEE HAD EXPIRED. CORPORATE FORD WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED HOW THEY AGREED WITH THE DEALER. THE LUNGING HAPPENED ONLY SEVERAL TIMES A MONTH UNTIL IT SLOWLY STARTED OCCURRING ON A DAILY BASIS WHERE WE (THE DRIVERS) KNEW TO NEVER REMOVE THE BREAK PEDAL COMPLETELY IN ORDER NOT TO CRASH INTO OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE. THE PROBLEM IS NOW OCCURRING BOTH WHEN IT GOES BACKWARD AND FORWARD. NOW, THE CAR NOT ONLY LUNGES BUT IT STALLS AND THE CAR GOES INTO FAILURE ENGINE MODE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO COMES ON AND DOES NOT TURN OFF. WHEN THE CAR IS TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND TURNED BACK ON THE WRENCH LIGHT DOES NOT LIGHT UP AND NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG AGAIN. BECAUSE OF THIS, MECHANICS TELL US THAT NOTHING IS WRONG, AFTER SPENDING SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS FOR EVERY DIAGNOSTIC. AFTER READING NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME EXACT ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL CAR, WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE BUT WE REFUSE TO REPLACE IT AS IT IS, NOT ONLY, A COSTLY REPAIR (+$800) BUT IT WAS ALREADY "FIXED" OR "REPLACED" BY FORD WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416407
57,500 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Power Train
WHEN IDLING WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN THE RPMS AND "LUNGE" EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHICH GEAR IS SELECTED: DRIVE OR REVERSE. THIS BEHAVIOR HAPPENS INTERMEDIATELY, BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.
NHTSA ODI #10415958
168,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT 40MPH CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND STALLED OUT. CAR RESTARTED AND AT NEXT INTERSECTION LURCHED FORWARD AGAIN AND WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415244
52,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL AWD. THE CAR LUNGES OUT OF PARK. HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 30~ 60 DAYS THE CAR COMES TO A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO CLEAR THE FAILSAFE MODE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414942
9,200 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
FOR 4 YEARS THE CAR HAS SURGED WHEN PLACING THE CARE IN REVERSE, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. TWO DAYS AGO THE CAR SURGED FORWARD 3 TIMES AND I WAS INCHES FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. YESTERDAY I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SURGED BACK WARDS SO FO…
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FOR 4 YEARS THE CAR HAS SURGED WHEN PLACING THE CARE IN REVERSE, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. TWO DAYS AGO THE CAR SURGED FORWARD 3 TIMES AND I WAS INCHES FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. YESTERDAY I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SURGED BACK WARDS SO FORCEFULLY I COULD ALMOST NOT CONTAIN IT WITH THE BREAKS. TODAY THE CAR SURGED BACK AGAIN BUT I WAS READY OR IT AND THE CAR STALLED STATING "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" I AGAIN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AND IT WORKED WITH OUT A PROBLEM. ALL 3 TIMES THE CAR WAS IDLE IN 90+ DEGREE WEATHER FOR >5 MIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414929
94,114 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Power Train
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN MOVING IN RESERVE QUICKLY AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND THEN THE WRENCH(TRANSMISSION) LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE PREVIOUSLY HAD BEGAN REVVING VERY HIGH LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I EXITED THE…
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OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN MOVING IN RESERVE QUICKLY AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND THEN THE WRENCH(TRANSMISSION) LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE PREVIOUSLY HAD BEGAN REVVING VERY HIGH LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I EXITED THE ROAD THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS NOT GOING TO STOP AND I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STOMP ON THE BRAKE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE FROM REVVING SO HIGH. IT WAS FRIGHTENING. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414910
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2011
Power Train
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES (CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND GAS PEDAL DROPS WITH NO DRIVER ACTION) IN FIRST GEAR AND LOW TO NO RPM IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS AT STOP LIGHTS, PARKING, AND EASING OUT OF PARKING. ALL OF THESE TIMES HAVE THE PROPENSITY TO CAUSE MINOR ACCIDENTS. IF IT DOES CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, I WILL HAVE…
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OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES (CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND GAS PEDAL DROPS WITH NO DRIVER ACTION) IN FIRST GEAR AND LOW TO NO RPM IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS AT STOP LIGHTS, PARKING, AND EASING OUT OF PARKING. ALL OF THESE TIMES HAVE THE PROPENSITY TO CAUSE MINOR ACCIDENTS. IF IT DOES CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, I WILL HAVE MY LAWYERS CONTACT YOURS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414906
59,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Power Train
WHEN TURNING MY CAR ON AND SWITCHING FROM DIFFERENT GEARS, THE RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LUNGE EVEN WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR 2 YEARS, BUT HAS MORE RECENTLY BEEN HAPPENING DAILY. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO GET REPAIRED YET, BUT WILL HAVE NO CHOICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414875
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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