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2005 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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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135,000 miles · Jan 29, 2015
EnginePower Train

THROTTLE BODY STUCK CLOSED, FORCING LIMP HOME MODE - STALL IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, FORD RECALL 12N03 DID NOT WORK - AFTER IDLING, THERE IS A POWER SURGE WHICH LUNGES VEHICLE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE AT A STOP SIGN, HAPPENED DIRECTLY AFTER SERVICE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679826

187,000 miles · Dec 10, 2014
Power TrainSuspension

FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING THIS LOUD "HELICOPTER" NOISE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO I HAD THAT CHANGED, THOUGHT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND COOLING FAN, HAD THAT CHANGED. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I SEE THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON AND DAN…

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FOR ABOUT A MONTH NOW MY CAR HAS BEEN MAKING THIS LOUD "HELICOPTER" NOISE. WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO I HAD THAT CHANGED, THOUGHT IT WAS THE WATER PUMP AND COOLING FAN, HAD THAT CHANGED. THE MECHANIC BELIEVES IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I SEE THIS IS A VERY VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION. THANKFULLY MY CAR HAS NOT LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING BUT HAS GONE INTO SAFE MODE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE. A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS TRYING TO BACKUP AND I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I REVVED THE ENGINE BUT INSTEAD OF REVVING UP THE RPM'S WENT DOWN...IT HAD HAPPENED AGAIN TWICE LAST WEEK. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND LET IT SIT FOR AWHILE AND IT STARTED WORKING AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT AND IT FEELS LIKE IT COULD STOP AT ANY MOMENT. I CONTACTED FORD TODAY BUT THEY SAY IT'S NOTHING THEY CAN DO BEING THERE IS NO RECALL AND MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (I BOUGHT IT USED 4 YEARS AGO). I HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED ABOUT A YEAR AGO BECAUSE OF THE SURGING ISSUES AND HAD THE MOTOR MOUNTS REPLACED A MONTH AGO. TOO MANY ISSUES WITH THE 2005-2007 MODELS. I FIND IT FUNNY THEY STOPPED MAKING THEM, THEN STARTED AGAIN UNDER THE NAME TAURUS X WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TRANSMISSION. SEEMS THEY KNOW THEY MESSED UP. I GOOGLED MY ISSUES AND FOUND A LAWSUIT PLUS MANY MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE AS THESE TRANSMISSIONS ARE NO LONGER BEING MADE AND YOU RUN THE RISK OF HAVING THE SAME ISSUE IF YOU "FIX IT" OR REBUILD IT. NOT SAFE AT ALL AND FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE! NOW I EITHER HAVE TO FIX IT OR SAVE FOR A NEW CAR. WE HAVE 4 KIDS AND NEED SOMETHING SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663375

98,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, V6, 3.0, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, LIMITED EDITION. I STARTED HEARING LOUD GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISES FROM THE CVT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WILL START, AND THE RPMS WILL INCREASE AND DECREASE UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS IS THE REASON THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES ARE GOING BAD, MALFUNCTIONING, AND BREAKING…

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OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, V6, 3.0, ALL WHEEL DRIVE, LIMITED EDITION. I STARTED HEARING LOUD GRINDING AND KNOCKING NOISES FROM THE CVT TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WILL START, AND THE RPMS WILL INCREASE AND DECREASE UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS IS THE REASON THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THESE VEHICLES ARE GOING BAD, MALFUNCTIONING, AND BREAKING CONTINUOUSLY. THE RPMS ARE DELAYED IN THE DECREASING RPMS PROCESS, WHICH TELLS THE COMPUTER TO SHIFT PREMATURELY, OR TO QUICKLY, CAUSING ANY INTERNAL PARTS AND EXTERNAL PARTS TO BE DAMAGED. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH A COMPUTERIZED THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE ACTUAL THROTTLE BODY. THE COMPUTER IS SENDING IMPROPER COMMANDS TO THE THROTTLING POSITION SENSOR, RPMS, SHIFTING DELAY AND SYNCHRONIZED SHIFTING SENSORS. THIS IS PUTTING TOO MUCH OF A LOAD ON THE GEARS, BEARINGS, CLUTCHES, AND OTHER PARTS PERTAINING TO THE FUNCTIONING OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION SHIFTING AND EVERYDAY USE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY (AS STAMPED ON THE VIN AND VEHICLE INFORMATION STICKER INSIDE AND ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR JAM OF THE VEHICLE) SHOULD HAVE PERFECTED AND OR RECOGNIZED THESE ISSUES DURING THE MANUFACTURING, TESTING, AND OR DINO SESSIONS. ALL VEHICLE DESIGNS ARE TO BE TESTED, DIAGNOSED IF ANY ISSUES OCCUR, AND ARE TO BE FIXED, REDESIGNED, AND REPLACED. FORD SHOULD TAKE RECOGNITION TO THE CUSTOMERS AND DEALERS THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES. PEOPLE ARE PURCHASING THESE VEHICLES WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF POSSIBLE FAILURE AND TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES OF THESE UNITS. THESE ISSUES CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY THE VEHICLES THAT ARE ALL WHEEL DRIVE, TO LOCK UP, BRAKE, BREAK, ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY, AND CAUSE WRECKS, FENDER BENDERS, OR MORE SEVERE INJURIES, AND EVEN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT NATION. THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT WILL NEED TO TAKE ACTION IMMEDIATELY, BEFORE FORD MOTOR COMPANY VEHICLES KILL, ELIMINATE, AND OR DECEASE PEOPLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654639

141,000 miles · Oct 11, 2014
EnginePower Train

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WRENCH LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON & MY CAR WAS PUT IN "SAFE MODE" . THIS MAKE MY CAR STOP. I ALMOST SLAM ANOTHER CAR. HAD ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME ON READ & WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STUCK OPEN. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHANGED THE THROTTLE BODY. WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON …

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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE WRENCH LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON & MY CAR WAS PUT IN "SAFE MODE" . THIS MAKE MY CAR STOP. I ALMOST SLAM ANOTHER CAR. HAD ENGINE LIGHT THAT CAME ON READ & WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY WAS STUCK OPEN. TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY CHANGED THE THROTTLE BODY. WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR DOESN'T WANT TO ACCELERATE & GOES INTO SAFE MODE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS REPLACED FEW YEARS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644017

142,000 miles · Sep 6, 2014
Electrical SystemPower Train

CAR LUNGES WHEN SITTING STILL WITH ENGINE RUNNING BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND IS WORSE WHEN AIR COND IS ON. LOUD NOISE I BELIEVE IS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION WHILE PARKED AND RUNNING AND SITTING STILL. SYSTEM WAS OVERCHARGING AND CAUSED MY BATTERY TO EXPLODE. CHECK LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10631293

141,090 miles · Aug 29, 2014
Power Train

CARS RUNS FINE WHEN COLD OR EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER FEW MINUTES WRENCH LIGHT GETS ON AND TRANSMISSION START TO MAKE NOISE WHEN SHIFTED AND WON'T ACCELERATE WELL, RUNS BUT ENGINE STAY AT HIGH RPMS , IF I TURN IT OFF FOR FEW SECONDS WRENCH LIGHT COME OFF AND RUNS FINES BUT AFTER FEW MINUTES RUNNING WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND THE…

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CARS RUNS FINE WHEN COLD OR EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER FEW MINUTES WRENCH LIGHT GETS ON AND TRANSMISSION START TO MAKE NOISE WHEN SHIFTED AND WON'T ACCELERATE WELL, RUNS BUT ENGINE STAY AT HIGH RPMS , IF I TURN IT OFF FOR FEW SECONDS WRENCH LIGHT COME OFF AND RUNS FINES BUT AFTER FEW MINUTES RUNNING WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND THE PROBLEM AGAIN . *TR

NHTSA ODI #10629425

104,000 miles · Aug 14, 2014
EnginePower Train

CAR WAS FINANCED AND PURCHASED USED FROM AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN 2007 @ APPROX. 64K MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REGISTERED AS FORD MOTOR CO., INDIANA. ON 12 JUN 2014, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTINUOUSLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) FIRST SHOWED SIGNS OF A PROBLEM: FAILING TO SHIFT OUT OF LOWER SPEED GEAR FROM A STOP TO HIGHER GEA…

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CAR WAS FINANCED AND PURCHASED USED FROM AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN 2007 @ APPROX. 64K MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REGISTERED AS FORD MOTOR CO., INDIANA. ON 12 JUN 2014, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTINUOUSLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) FIRST SHOWED SIGNS OF A PROBLEM: FAILING TO SHIFT OUT OF LOWER SPEED GEAR FROM A STOP TO HIGHER GEARS DURING TRAVEL. PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED TEMPORARILY BY SHIFTING FROM D TO R AND BACK TO D WHILE STOPPED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED SPORADICALLY, BUT WITHIN LAST WEEK FREQUENCY OF PROBLEM HAS INCREASED WHILE AWAITING SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THIS MORNING, 13-AUG-2014, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD GEAR WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION. PROBLEM REMEDIED BY SHIFTING FROM D TO R AND BACK TO D, WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTLY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATES THAT CVT FAILURES IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE COMMON AND RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION WITH REBUILT (AS TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED BY FORD). MOREOVER, ONLY FORD CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED DURING ANY OF THESE EVENTS. COST OF REPAIR WILL EXCEED VALUE OF CAR. $5800 OR MORE VERSUS $3600 TRADE-IN OR INSTANT-CASH OFFER PRICE $1500. AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE AND REBUILD (INCLUDING REAR AC) IN 2012 COST $875. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622268

105,000 miles · Aug 6, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THE TRANSMISSION FILTER REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THE TRANSMISSION FILTER REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ODI #10619298

145,000 miles · Aug 4, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHCLE WOULD SURGE AT LOW SPEEDS AND EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. UPDATED 03/2/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10618580

170,000 miles · Aug 2, 2014
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER BUT THEY ONLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE LAST EVENT WAS IN AUGUST 1 WHEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME UP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER AND WOULDN'T RUN FASTER THAN P…

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THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER BUT THEY ONLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE LAST EVENT WAS IN AUGUST 1 WHEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME UP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER AND WOULDN'T RUN FASTER THAN PROBABLY 0.1 MILE PER HOUR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME I WAS WITH MY KIDS IN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING. THANK GOD I HAD A CHANCE TO STEER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2005-2007 FREESTYLE, THIS IS A SUPER SAFETY ISSUE AND NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN MY CAR STOPPED I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT ON THE BACK WITH A WORST OUTCOME. I GOT A TOW TRUCK AND THEY TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER. THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND TREATED ME WITH A BAD ATTITUDE. VERY EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE THAT'S WHY FORD IS NOT GETTING INVOLVED AND ONLY OFFERED TO CLEAN THE PART IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, KNOWING THAT WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE BODY PART BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10618367

Official recalls

2

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

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

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.