NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
447 reportsClear category filter98,000 miles · Jul 23, 2010
Power Train
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN JERKING BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE DIRECTIONS OR SPEED THE CAR WAS GOING. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. TODAY WHILE BACKING OUT OF A SPOT MY CAR JERKED BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEN WOULD NOT SWITCH IN TO DRIVE AND STALLED. AFTER REST…
Read full complaint
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN JERKING BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE TO THE POINT THAT I COULD NOT CONTROL THE DIRECTIONS OR SPEED THE CAR WAS GOING. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. TODAY WHILE BACKING OUT OF A SPOT MY CAR JERKED BACK SEVERAL TIMES THEN WOULD NOT SWITCH IN TO DRIVE AND STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING, THE CAR WENT INTO DRIVE AND I PULLED OUT ON TO A BUSY STREET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OVER SO I DIDN'T GET HIT AND KILLED AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON BUT I WENT TO AUTO ZONE TO GET IT DIAGNOSED. THE CODES CAME BACK SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT AN INTERNAL MODULE AND THE TAC SWITCH. I TRIED BACKING OUT OF THE PARKING SPOT AT AUTO ZONE AND THE CAR WOULD JERK BACKWARDS AND THEN STALL. I HAVE NOT SUCCESSFULLY FOUND ANY INFORMATION ON EXACTLY WHAT IS WRONG AND HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344938
65,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Power Train
CVT TRANSMISSION FOR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT 65,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE AND CHECKED AT 61,000. THE FAILURE INCLUDED PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION PIERCING THE OUTER CASING AND DEPOSITING METAL PARTS ON THE DRIVEWAY ALONG WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FLUID. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATIONS (…
Read full complaint
CVT TRANSMISSION FOR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT 65,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE AND CHECKED AT 61,000. THE FAILURE INCLUDED PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION PIERCING THE OUTER CASING AND DEPOSITING METAL PARTS ON THE DRIVEWAY ALONG WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FLUID. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATIONS (LIGHTS, SHIFTING OR ANYTHING ELSE) THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN JEOPARDY. MY WORRY WOULD BE FOR OTHERS IS THAT IF THE CORE OF THE TRANSMISSION PIERCED THE CASE IT COULD HAVE ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344687
55,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN GEAR. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT NEVER FIXED. DEALER NOW TELLS ME THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY BUT HE IS NOT ABLE TO GET ONE FROM FORD AS THEY ARE BACK ORDERED. NOW I'M FORCED TO USE A CAR WHICH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID WAS DANGEROUS.…
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN GEAR. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT NEVER FIXED. DEALER NOW TELLS ME THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY BUT HE IS NOT ABLE TO GET ONE FROM FORD AS THEY ARE BACK ORDERED. NOW I'M FORCED TO USE A CAR WHICH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID WAS DANGEROUS. I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO RENT AND MY FORD ESP WON'T REIMBURSE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344470
59,800 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TWO INCIDENTS - WHILE MANEUVERING AT PARKING LOTS (EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE AROUND 100 DEGREES), VEHICLE'S ENGINE SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND A SECOND TIME BACKWARD. HAD TO APPLY HEAVY BREAKING TO AVOID HITTING A TREE IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND OTHER CARS ON THE SECOND INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND…
Read full complaint
TWO INCIDENTS - WHILE MANEUVERING AT PARKING LOTS (EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE AROUND 100 DEGREES), VEHICLE'S ENGINE SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND A SECOND TIME BACKWARD. HAD TO APPLY HEAVY BREAKING TO AVOID HITTING A TREE IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND OTHER CARS ON THE SECOND INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE MESSAGE ENGINE SAFE MODE APPEARED IN THE PANEL. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344176
92,991 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
CAR SURGED AFTER STARTING IN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE BEHIND ME. CAR MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED "FAIL SAFE MODE". CUT CAR OFF, RESTARTED TOOK TO DEALER WHERE CODES INDICATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL AT A COST OF OVER $800. DEALER SAID THIS WAS ONE OF MANY THAT HAD …
Read full complaint
CAR SURGED AFTER STARTING IN PUTTING INTO REVERSE. PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO STOP. THANK GOODNESS NO ONE BEHIND ME. CAR MESSAGE CENTER INDICATED "FAIL SAFE MODE". CUT CAR OFF, RESTARTED TOOK TO DEALER WHERE CODES INDICATED I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL AT A COST OF OVER $800. DEALER SAID THIS WAS ONE OF MANY THAT HAD FAILED AND ALL HAD CAUSED A SUDDEN SURGE WITHOUT WARNING AS MY CAR ALSO LUNGED INTO REVERSE WITH NO WARNING. WEB SITE ALSO INDICATED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS SAME POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM ON 3.0 V6 UNITS MADE IN 2005. DEALER SAID IT USUALLY HAPPENS JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY GOES OUT AND MINE LASTED MUCH LONGER, BUT I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNLESS FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344044
116,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE WHICH PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGED BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWAR…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE WHICH PREVENTED THE TRANSMISSION FROM SHIFTING IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGED BACKWARDS INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW IF THEY WILL REPAIR THE FAILURE OR NOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 116,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT WAS ONLY WHEN HE APPLIED HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE DID THE ENGINE REV DOWN TO IDLE. UPDATED EVOQ 11/15/10
NHTSA ODI #10343937
69,000 miles · Jul 14, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
CAR LURCHES WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343170
66,961 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS PARKED WITH THE CAR IN PARK. I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I HAD TO TURN IT AROUND FIRST. I PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE FORWARD A LITTLE. STOPPED PUT IN REVERSE, DROVE BACKWARDS A LITTLE THEN PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND JUST AS I WAS STOPPING CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING MY DEEP FREEZER. THE CAR HAS ACTED LIKE IT WANTE…
Read full complaint
I WAS PARKED WITH THE CAR IN PARK. I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I HAD TO TURN IT AROUND FIRST. I PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE FORWARD A LITTLE. STOPPED PUT IN REVERSE, DROVE BACKWARDS A LITTLE THEN PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND JUST AS I WAS STOPPING CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING MY DEEP FREEZER. THE CAR HAS ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO GO FORWARD BEFORE WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES LIGHTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES BUT, TODAY WAS THE WORST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341804
68,421 miles · Jun 27, 2010
Power Train
HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE AWD MALFUNCTION MESSAGE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON. HAD IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT. DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT HAS RETURNED. DEALER AGAIN REPLACED THE PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. MY WIFE GOT 5 MINUTES FROM THE DEALER AND THE MESSAGES REAPPEA…
Read full complaint
HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE AWD MALFUNCTION MESSAGE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMING ON. HAD IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT. DEALER REPLACED THE PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT HAS RETURNED. DEALER AGAIN REPLACED THE PUMP PRESSURE SENSOR. MY WIFE GOT 5 MINUTES FROM THE DEALER AND THE MESSAGES REAPPEARED. DEALER NOW SAYS THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I JUST SPENT 2 HOURS READING FROM OTHER FREESYTLE OWNERS WHO HAVE BEEN THROUGH THE SAME THING. FORD DOESN'T SPECIFY THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED AT ANY CERTAIN MILEAGE, BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS WHAT CAUSES THE PUMP TO FAIL. FURTHERMORE, WHEN THIS PUMP GOES BAD IT CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO MESS UP PREVENTING THE ALTERNATOR FROM RE-CHARGING. MY WIFE BARELY MADE IT TO WORK BEFORE THE CARE SHUT DOWN. IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE DURING RUSH HOUR I'D BE TYPING THIS FROM THE HOSPITAL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS I"M NO THE ONLY FREESTYLE OWNER TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. GO TO WWW.MYFORDFREESTYLE.COM TO SEE MORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10340266
125,483 miles · Jun 23, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. STARTED TO NOTICE IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MINUTES IN PARK. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION AT FIRST. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES WHEN I DROVE IT (THIS IS NOT THE CAR I USUALLY DRIVE). THEN ON JUNE 5, 2010 I WAS IN PARK AT A GAS STATION WITH THE ENGINE ON AND I PUT IT …
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. STARTED TO NOTICE IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AFTER IDLING FOR A FEW MINUTES IN PARK. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY IMAGINATION AT FIRST. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 6 TIMES WHEN I DROVE IT (THIS IS NOT THE CAR I USUALLY DRIVE). THEN ON JUNE 5, 2010 I WAS IN PARK AT A GAS STATION WITH THE ENGINE ON AND I PUT IT IN REVERSE AND IT LUNGED BACKWARDS...I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES AND THEY DIDN'T WORK...I SWITCHED IT TO NEUTRAL AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AND ALL THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON (OIL, REPAIR, ENGINE, FAIL MODE). I TURNED THE KEY SWITCH TO OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, THEN RESTARTED IT AND ALL THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. I WAS ABLE TO RETURN HOME SAFELY. I WAS JUST GLAD NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM/DEFECT!! I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT NOW! ESPECIALLY AFTER READING ABOUT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR FREESTYLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10339791
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