Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Power Train complaints

447 reports

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83,205 miles · Jun 27, 2011

Power Train

VEHICLE REVS UP WHEN TURNING INTO A TIGHT PARKING SPACE. FEELS LIKE A SURGE WHICH REQUIRES FASTER THAN NORMAL BRAKING TO STOP. THE CAR DOES STOP BUT IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR SUDDENLY HAS SOMEONE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME FOR A MOMENT OR TWO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409034

90,000 miles · Jun 26, 2011

Electrical SystemPower Train

SITTING AT STOP LIGHT, ENGINE SURGES AND LURCHES INTO "FAIL SAFE" MODE. CAR SLIPS OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND LIMPS TO A STOP. HAS OCCURED MULTIPLE TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT OF SUMMER. TAKEN CAR INTO MULTIPLE SHOPS, HAVE NEVER RECEIVED CONSISTENT ANSWER. ANSWERS RANGE FROM TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO A BAD COMPUTER, OR A S…

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NHTSA ODI #10409715

50,000 miles · Jun 26, 2011

Power Train

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I WAS DRIVING AND STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD ALMOST TWO FEET. I PULLED INTO A RESTAURANT AND IT DID THE SAME THING AT THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW. IT THEN SHUT OFF AND WHEN I TURNED IT BACK ON IT WENT INTO SAFETY MODE. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND THEY TOOK SOME MONEY OFF FOR THE REPAIR - THROTTLE BODY, ETC. HAVE ALSO HAD OVER 1,000 IN BRAKE REPAIRS AND NOW THE AIR CONDITIONER ISN'T WORKING; LOOKS LIKE THE COMPRESSOR. WHY HASN'T THIS CAR BEEN RECALLED? THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408969

77,050 miles · Jun 25, 2011

Power Train

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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL WITH JUST OVER 77,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE LUNGING AT LOW SPEEDS (DRIVING FORWARD AND REVERSE) AND ONE TIME WHERE IT LUNGED, STALLED AND ENTERED INTO SAFE MODE WHILE BACKING UP. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON DURING THE INCIDENTS. I USE THE BRAKES TO STOP IT FROM LUNGING BUT THAT IS BECAUSE I EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN. TO SOMEONE WHO IS UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEM MIGHT NOT REACT THE SAME AS I DO. IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE THAT HAD I NOT BEEN AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND REACTED PROPERLY THAT I COULD OF HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR ANOTHER VEHICLE. TO GET MY VEHICLE OUT OF SAFE MODE I CYCLED MY KEY A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH THE LAST TIME ACTUALLY TAKING THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE RETURNED TO NORMAL DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408867

128,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011

Power Train

CAR LURCHES WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. NEEDED TO STOMP BRAKES TO PREVENT CRASHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH. LURCHING STOPS IF CAR IS TURNED OFF FOR A WHILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10408584

43,824 miles · Jun 21, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FAIL SAFE MODE ERROR MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,824 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,100. THIS WOULD ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. ALTHOUGH LUNGING FORWARD. UPDATED 09/29/2011 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407744

72,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011

Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THEN STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED A FILTER IN THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,0…

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NHTSA ODI #10407739

67,000 miles · Jun 21, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407663

102,000 miles · Jun 18, 2011

Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

AFTER STARTING CAR AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR FORWARD OR REVERSE CAR WILL SURGE. CONTACTED FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD NO RECALL. MILEAGE 105,000 STARTED AT 102,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407353

65,000 miles · Jun 18, 2011

Power Train

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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 74K MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM P TO D OR R WITH THE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD/BACKWARD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT WOULD MOVE A FOOT OR TWO. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE LAST TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO CAME ON BUT DISAPPEARED AFTER I RESTATED THE CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WITH 65K. LUCKILY ALL TIMES I EITHER CAUGHT THE LUNGING ON TIME AND INCREASED THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE OR I WAS LUCKY THAT NO CAR WAS IN FRONT/BACK. ONE TIME MY FRIEND SAW THE LUNGING WHILE WAITING FOR ME TO FINISH PARKING AND WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ME HITTING SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC YET THINKING THAT IT'S JUST AN ELECTRONIC MISHAP THAT WOULD DISAPPEAR UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, BUT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MANY FREESTYLE OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407332

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

PE11018 · 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.