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

Seat Belts complaints

6 reports

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150,000 miles · Dec 29, 2013

Power TrainSeat Belts

TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT AND CAN'T AFFORD TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF RIDICULOUS COST. SEAT BELT IN MIDDLE SEAT IS STUCK AND MY CHILDREN CAN'T SIT IN THAT SEAT BECAUSE IT IS STUCK. VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS FORD BUY. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN MY FAMILY VEHICLE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10557643

175,000 miles · Mar 2, 2013

Seat Belts

THE MIDDLE BENCH SEATS CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTED IN WHILE THE SEAT WAS FOLDED DOWN, LOCKED, AND WON'T ALLOW THE SEAT TO COME BACK UP. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO GET THE SEAT BACK IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION WAS TO UNBOLTED THE SEATBELT, LET THE LOSE END RETRACT INTO THE MECHANISM UNTIL IT RELEASED ALLOWING THE END TO BE BOLTED BACK…

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NHTSA ODI #10501003

50,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012

Seat BeltsSeats

SECOND ROW BENCH WON'T RECLINE BACK UPRIGHT BECAUSE SEAT BELT MECHANISM STUCK AND PREVENTING UPRIGHT POSITION. DIFFICULT TO FASTEN CHILD'S SEAT BELT NEXT TO THE BENCH THAT WON'T GO UPRIGHT - VERY UNSAFE. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL FOR SEAT BELT AND/OR SECOND ROW'S ALREADY KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY SAID TO PAY …

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NHTSA ODI #10454635

95,149 miles · Nov 15, 2011

Seat Belts

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2ND ROW, TWO SEAT BENCH. I WAS VACUUMING THE CAR. I FOLDED THE BENCH DOWN TO VACUUM UNDER IT AND WHEN I TRIED TO RETURN IT TO THE UP POSITION THE SEAT WOULD NOT UNFOLD. I REALIZED THE SEAT BELT WAS LOCKED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED THINKING ITS A SAFETY ISSUE AND WOULD BE FREE OF CHARGE, BUT IT WASN'T FREE. THEY FIXED IT FOR FREE AFTER DEBATING WITH THEM ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NOW ITS 11.14.2011 AND THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AGAIN WITH THE CHAIR IN DOWN POSITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10435661

101,337 miles · Aug 18, 2009

Power TrainSeat Belts

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THERE WERE NO REAL EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE, IT JUST HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN OUT OF THE BLUE. I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL W/ MY 2 CHILDREN, AND 3 OTHER SMALL CHILDREN. I PULLED OUT AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS IT WENT AND THEN STARTED JUMPING AND STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I FINALLY GOT IT TO GO, BUT WAS ALMOST HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY LISTED IT AS A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS PART IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER AND THEY MADE ME DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND DID NOT OFFER ME A RENTAL CAR. IT HAS BEEN 6 DAYS AND I STILL HAVE ATLEAST 2 MORE BEFORE I FIND OUT IF I WILL GET A RENTAL CAR. IF I DRIVE THE CAR, I PUT MY CHILDREN AND OTHERS AT RISK, AND I DEFINITELY AM VERY UPSET B/C I AM STILL PAYING ON THIS CAR, AND I'M STUCK WITH PAYMENTS AND NO CAR. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280825

9,450 miles · Dec 5, 2008

Seat Belts

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WOULD NOT RELEASE THE LOCK. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER BECAME STUCK IN THE SEAT AND WAS UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE WITH THE FIRST TIME OCCURRING IN APRIL OF 2006. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT OTHER CONSUMERS WERE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUES. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE SEAT BELT IS ALSO LOCKING UP AGAIN. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAS CURRENTLY NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,450 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10250814

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.