WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 10 TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS AND EVERYTIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM…
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WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 10 TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS AND EVERYTIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CAN NOT FIX IT. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS VEHICLE LUNGES INTO CROSS TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10236293
28,000 miles · Jul 22, 2008
Power Train
WHILE STARTING UP AND PULLING AWAY FROM A PARKED POSITION MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE JERKED AND STALLED. WHEN I RESTARTED THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT UP AND THE ERROR MESSAGE "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" APPEARED. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME ABOUT 4 TO 5 MILES, BUT HAD LITTLE POWER GOING UP HILLS. THE CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS IN FIRST …
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WHILE STARTING UP AND PULLING AWAY FROM A PARKED POSITION MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE JERKED AND STALLED. WHEN I RESTARTED THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH LIT UP AND THE ERROR MESSAGE "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" APPEARED. I WAS ABLE TO LIMP HOME ABOUT 4 TO 5 MILES, BUT HAD LITTLE POWER GOING UP HILLS. THE CAR SEEMED LIKE IT WAS IN FIRST OR SECOND GEAR THE WHOLE TIME. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE FORD DEALER TOMORROW MORNING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A GROWING COMPLAINT WITH THESE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235351
37,411 miles · May 24, 2008
Power Train
ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2008, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 AM, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY TWO (2) CHILDREN TO THE MALL WHICH IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY SIX (6) MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE. MY WIFE RELATED APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF MILES FROM THE MALL SHE FELT A PULL IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AND THEN HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. SHE ATTEMPTED TO M…
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ON SUNDAY, MAY 18, 2008, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 AM, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING MY TWO (2) CHILDREN TO THE MALL WHICH IS LOCATED APPROXIMATELY SIX (6) MILES FROM MY RESIDENCE. MY WIFE RELATED APPROXIMATELY ONE AND A HALF MILES FROM THE MALL SHE FELT A PULL IN THE FRONT END OF THE CAR AND THEN HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. SHE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO NO AVAIL. THE CAR WAS THEN PUSHED OFF THE ROADWAY. AFTER MOVING THE CAR A FEW METAL PARTS WERE SECURED FROM THE ROAD SURFACE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD SUSTAINED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THE BACK OF THE TRANSMISSION IS MISSING AS WELL AS THE PARTS CONTAINED WITHIN. THE DAMAGE TO THIS UNIT APPEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH DAMAGE CAUSED BY A DETONATION. MY WIFE RELATED THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, NOISES OR MECHANICAL FAILURES OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. I REPORTED THIS MATTER TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THEY SEEMED TO SHOW SOME LEVEL OF CONCERN AFTER SEEING THE FAILED PARTS AND OFFERED TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. FORD LATER ACKNOWLEDGED THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE DIFFERENTIAL. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN A RURAL AREA. BASED UPON THE AMOUNT OF MATERIAL WHICH BLASTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION, HAD THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN TOWN THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO SURROUNDING STRUCTURES, PROPERTY, AND PERSONS. IN CLOSING, THE FORD CORP. HAS OFFERED TO PAY ONLY HALF OF THE COST AT $2,100.00 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. IN MY OPINION THIS IS AN ADMISSION OF GUILT AS I DID NOT ASK FOR ANY ASSISTANCE, IT WAS VOLUNTEERED. I COUNTER OFFERED TO PAY ONLY THE LABOR COSTS AND REQUESTED AN ANSWER BY COB FRIDAY, MAY 23, 2008. IT IS NOT SURPRISING FORD FAILED TO RESPOND. ACCORDINGLY, I AM SUBMITTING THIS COMPLAINT AND REQUEST A RECALL OF THESE TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO THE RISK OF PUBLIC SAFETY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228812
59,100 miles · May 22, 2008
Power Train
EXPERIENCED A LOUD SQUEAL FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN VEHICLE DRIVEN AT 40 MPH OR LESS. FOUND FLUID LEAK ON TRANSMISSION CASE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED UPGRADE TO NEW TRANSMISSION CASE BOLTS TO ADDRESS LEAKING PROBLEM AND UPGRADED GEARING TO ADDRESS SQUEAL. TOTAL COST ESTIMATE TO BE …
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EXPERIENCED A LOUD SQUEAL FROM TRANSMISSION WHEN VEHICLE DRIVEN AT 40 MPH OR LESS. FOUND FLUID LEAK ON TRANSMISSION CASE. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE REP THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED UPGRADE TO NEW TRANSMISSION CASE BOLTS TO ADDRESS LEAKING PROBLEM AND UPGRADED GEARING TO ADDRESS SQUEAL. TOTAL COST ESTIMATE TO BE $4,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10228627
1,200 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
CAR STOPS ON ITS OWN. SHUTS OFF. BUCKS AND JERKS AND IS GOING TO KILL ME AND MY KIDS AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CAN'T EVEN GET A FORD DEALERSHIP TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE THEY TELL ME THEY DON'T WANT THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE TO MANY REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING WELL YOUR WARRANTY IS UP NOW. THEY KEP…
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CAR STOPS ON ITS OWN. SHUTS OFF. BUCKS AND JERKS AND IS GOING TO KILL ME AND MY KIDS AND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I CAN'T EVEN GET A FORD DEALERSHIP TO WORK ON MY VEHICLE THEY TELL ME THEY DON'T WANT THIS PROBLEM. THERE ARE TO MANY REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING WELL YOUR WARRANTY IS UP NOW. THEY KEPT TELLING ME AT FORD (1-800) WE ARE WORKING ON IT, GETTING ME A BUY BACK. NOW THEY TELL ME IT IS DO DEAL AND THEY WILL NOT FIX MY VEHICLE. MY CAR NOW FILLS UP WITH WATER WHEN IT RAINS. I HAVE HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS PUT IN THIS VEHICLE, THEY REPLACED MY BRAKES A FEW TIMES, THEY REPLACED MY COMPUTER A FEW TIMES, AND ALL THE WHILE KEPT TELLING ME WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING YOU A NEW VEHICLE. THEY THE DEALERSHIP SHUTS DOWN. I HAVE BEEN TO OTHERS AND THEY DON'T WANT MY PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED FORD A LOT OF TIMES. THEY JUST TAKE MY INFORMATION AND TELL ME THEY DON'T HAVE TO FIX YOUR VEHICLE. I AM FED UP WITH THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10224674
87,000 miles · Apr 1, 2008
Power Train
1. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE OF SORTS COMING FROM MY VEHICLE WHEN I WOULD PUT IT IN DRIVE. AT FIRST, IT WOULD ONLY DO IT IN DRIVE. NOW, IT MAKES THE NOISE IN PARK AND IN EVERY GEAR EXCEPT REVERSE. IT IS EXTREMELY LOUD. 2. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE IN…
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1. I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A KNOCKING NOISE OF SORTS COMING FROM MY VEHICLE WHEN I WOULD PUT IT IN DRIVE. AT FIRST, IT WOULD ONLY DO IT IN DRIVE. NOW, IT MAKES THE NOISE IN PARK AND IN EVERY GEAR EXCEPT REVERSE. IT IS EXTREMELY LOUD. 2. AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THREE DIFFERENT PLACES, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE INPUT SHAFT AND BEARING NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN MY TRANSMISSION. PER THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THIS WILL RUN ROUGHLY AROUND $2,200.00! 3. I AM CURRENTLY WAITING TO GET AN APPOINTMENT TO GET MY CAR REPAIRED. HAVE CALLED 2 SEPARATE FORD DEALERSHIPS AND ONE OF THEM TOLD US TO CALL BACK IN A WEEK WHEN HIS TRANSMISSION GUY WOULD BE IN, THE OTHER TOLD US TO CALL BACK WHEN THEY OPEN TODAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10222995
65,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65000 MILES ON INTERSTATE. WOULD NOT WORK IN ANY GEAR. $1500+ TO REBUILD. COMMON PROBLEM WITH FREESTARS AND WINDSTARS ACCORDING TO FORD FORUMS.*CN
NHTSA ODI #10213457
31,252 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Power Train
MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AT 8 AM WHEN IT STOPPED MOVING, IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. MY VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED AWAY ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS AT A FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO NEED AN ENTIRE…
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MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AT 8 AM WHEN IT STOPPED MOVING, IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. MY VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED AWAY ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS AT A FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE 6 FAILURE CODES INSIDE MY CVT TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED FORD CORP. SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST IN COSTS AS MY 3 YEARS HAD EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH AT 30,000 MILES I HAD COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER STATES $5600.00 TO REPLACE. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AT 23,000 MILES AS MANUFACTURER CONTINENTAL TIRES HAD WORN OUT, POWER STEERING LINE BROKE AT 30,000 MILES. VEHICLE IS SOLELY USED FOR FAMILY TRANSPORTATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212938
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2007
Power Train
BOUGHT CAR USED LAST MONTH AND WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD US TO CALL FORD ROADSIDE SERVICE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND SHIFT BEZEL TO BE BROKEN
NHTSA ODI #10194724
25,000 miles · Jan 10, 2007
Power Train
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 17, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 TO 15 MPH HE HEARD A WHIRLING SOUND. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS ASKED TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - AS OF 1 19/07 THE DEALER STILL …
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 17, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 TO 15 MPH HE HEARD A WHIRLING SOUND. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS ASKED TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - AS OF 1 19/07 THE DEALER STILL HAS THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *NM UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM
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.
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
2
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
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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