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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

85 reports

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5,000 miles · May 29, 2006

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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I PURCHASED A FORD FREESTYLE ON MAY 5, 2005. SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE FIRST WAS THE STRUT BEARING AT 5,000 MILES. THEN ANOTHER STRUT BEARING A MONTH OR SO LATER. DURING THIS TIME I NOTICED HEAVY BRAKE DUST ON BACK WHEELS. EVERYTIME I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE I HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKES. THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME THEIR WAS NO PROBLEM. THEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE HOOD VIBRATING, AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT HOOD LATCH. AT 12,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE PAD WERE DOWN TO METAL, THEY ALSO HAD TO TURN THE ROTORS AT THIS TIME, TOO. A RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WENT OUT AT THIS TIME. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 13,600 MILES AND ANOTHER (LEFT SIDE) TURN SIGNAL LAMP HAS FAILED. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT AFTER HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. MY FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DOES NOT EVEN FEEL SAFE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10158503

10,000 miles · Jan 2, 2006

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

VIOLENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PULSATION DURING HARD BRAKING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. VEHICLE CANNOT BE STOPPED IN A REASONABLE DISTANCE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146721

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2005

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

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WHEN DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL WILL DESCEND BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS ALLOWS THE FOOT TO CONTACT THE ACCELERATOR (GAS) PEDAL BEFORE THE CAR IS STOPPED. DEALER TECHNICIAN HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY ACTUALLY CONTACT THE FLOOR IN A HARD STOP. WHEN ASKED FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NONE, EXCEPT FULLY MOVING ONE'S FOOT FARTHER TO THE LEFT. WHEN ASKED IF THE PAD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD BE ELEVATED, I WAS TOLD NO. AS THESE TWO SURFACES ARE IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY, ESPECIALLY FOR A LARGE SHOE, AND AS A PANIC STOP MAY NOT ALWAYS ALLOW THE TIME AND SENSE TO FULLY CLEAR THE GAS PEDAL, I CONSIDER THIS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH SURFACES AT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION STOPS. I TRY TO BE WARY, BUT I AM UNCERTAIN THAT I CAN ALWAYS ACCOMPLISH THE MANEUVER. I DO NOT WISH TO BE DRAWN INTO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE DETAILS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144530

3,250 miles · Jul 14, 2005

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

OWNER HAS HAD NUMEROUS SERIOUS REPAIR ISSUES SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED. THIS IS COMPLAINT 2 OF 4. CAR IS 3 MONTHS OLD. OWNER MUST PUSH BRAKE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISES AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH OR LESS.

NHTSA ODI #10128809

3,000 miles · Jun 7, 2005

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER'S FRONT BRAKES RUMBLED BADLY WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. IT MOSTLY SHAKES WHEN COMING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS. IT WAS A HIDDEN DEFECT THE DEALER IS FIXING BUT NOT SENDING OUT NOTICES TO EVERYONE. *JB *SB

NHTSA ODI #10120860

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.