THE REAR CARGO AREA ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN TO LEAK SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE FROM BOB BELL FORD. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER 4 OR 5 TIMES. THEY KEEP IT FOR A WEEK OR MORE. REPLACE THE CARPET. REMOVE THE MOLD THAT HAS BEGUN TO GROW IN THE REAR CARGO AREA. REPLACED THE CARPETS AND MASK THE SMELL WITH DEODORI…
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THE REAR CARGO AREA ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN TO LEAK SHORTLY AFTER THE PURCHASE FROM BOB BELL FORD. IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE DEALER 4 OR 5 TIMES. THEY KEEP IT FOR A WEEK OR MORE. REPLACE THE CARPET. REMOVE THE MOLD THAT HAS BEGUN TO GROW IN THE REAR CARGO AREA. REPLACED THE CARPETS AND MASK THE SMELL WITH DEODORIZER. THE WORK IS ALWAYS PERFORMED BY A SUB-CONTRACTOR HIRED BY FORD. THE COMPANY VISITS THE DEALER HERE IN MARYLAND TWICE A WEEK, WHICH MAKES YOU WONDER HOW BAD THE FORD PRODUCTS ARE. THE PAPERWORK IS WRITTEN SO THAT YOU CAN'T TELL WHAT REPAIRS IF ANY ARE EVER CONDUCTED. THE DEALERS PAPERWORK PROVIDES LITTLE OR NO DETAIL AND WHEN ASKED ABOUT THE REPAIRS, THE SERVICE WRITER ACTS AS IF YOU ARE BOTHERING HIM FOR THE DETAILS. OF COURSE THE VEHICLE HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR MORE WATER LEAKS. THE FORD CORPORATE COMPLAINT OFFICE HAS BEEN CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROBLEM. THEY ACT AS IF THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. WE WERE ADVISED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL US BACK IN TWO DAYS. BOTH OFFICE AND HOME NUMBERS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO FORD IN HOPES OF A REAL CONTACT WITH SOMEONE THAT CAN FIX THE PROBLEM. SO THEY KEEP CALLING THE HOUSE AND LEAVING A MESSAGE. YET THEY WILL NOT RETURN THREE VOICE MAIL MESSAGES THAT I LEFT TODAY. FORD DID OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT AS SOON AS THEY OFFERED IT THEY STATED THEY COULDN'T MAKE THE OFFER AND IT WOULDN'T COVER THE WATER LEAK ANYWAY. HOW STUPID. WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH BOB BELL FORD, FORD AND THE LOCAL GLASS REPAIR COMPANY. WE KNOW THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS FOR MANY FREESTYLE OWNERS CROSSING SEVERAL YEARS 2005-2007. SO WHY CAN'T FORD FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. OUR WARRANTY EXPIRES THIS MONTH. WHERE DO WE TURN NEXT? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223754
38,000 miles · Sep 27, 2007
Structure
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 30,000 MILES IN DEC 2006. AT 38,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL FLARES AND ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS DULLING. IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THE TIRES WERE CAUSING DIRT AND MUD TO SAND BLAST THESE AREAS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 30,000 MILES IN DEC 2006. AT 38,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL FLARES AND ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS DULLING. IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THE TIRES WERE CAUSING DIRT AND MUD TO SAND BLAST THESE AREAS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS OUT WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10204275
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure
2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS HAVING INTERMITTENT DASH BOARD PROBLEMS. GAUGES ON DIGITAL DASHBOARD WILL GO TO ZERO FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW ZERO EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189778
11,600 miles · Mar 27, 2007
Structure
FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS SPIT AND CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS OR HITS ON THE BUMPER. OUR WEATHER WENT FROM HOT TO COLD IN A SHORT TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM CURIOUS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS OR HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I PURCHASE A NEW BUMPER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186285
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2007
Structure
LEAKS WATER FROM WET WEATHER INTO VEHICLE'S CARGO AREA AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. FREEZING TO SUB-FREEZING TEMPS CAUSE WATER TO FREEZE CARPET AND ANYTHING IN CAR WITH MOISTURE ON IT. FIRST TIME THIS WAS APPARENT, CAR WAS IN FOR RECALL ON DOOR LATCHES; AT THAT TIME, WE TOLD DEALER ABOUT WATER LEAK IN CARGO AREA AFTER IT HAS…
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LEAKS WATER FROM WET WEATHER INTO VEHICLE'S CARGO AREA AND FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AREA. FREEZING TO SUB-FREEZING TEMPS CAUSE WATER TO FREEZE CARPET AND ANYTHING IN CAR WITH MOISTURE ON IT. FIRST TIME THIS WAS APPARENT, CAR WAS IN FOR RECALL ON DOOR LATCHES; AT THAT TIME, WE TOLD DEALER ABOUT WATER LEAK IN CARGO AREA AFTER IT HAS JUST RAINED - THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND THE LEAK, AND THEREFORE NEVER FILED WITH FORD. SECOND TIME CAR WAS IN WAS AT THE END OF DECEMBER '06 FOR A WATER LEAK ON FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR. DEALER SAID THEY SPENT MORE THAN AN HOUR WATER TESTING UNTIL IT DID LEAK IN THEIR PRESENCE. SAID THEY REMOVED AREAS OF CARPET AND DOORS WHERE WATER WAS COMING IN, FIXED SEAL, AND DRIED OUT CARPET BEFORE RE-INSTALLING AND GIVING CAR BACK TO US (KEEP IN MIND THIS IS ROUGHLY 11-12 TOTAL HOURS OF LABOR). A MONTH LATER, WE ARE IN THE SAME POSITION AFTER A LIGHT SNOW (1-2"). THIS TIME, HOWEVER, THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AND REAR CARGO AREA ARE SOAKING WET. DEALER HAS HAD CAR FOR ALMOST A FULL WEEK. ORDERED NEW CARPET FOR FRONT AND REAR, REPLACED ANY PANELS AND ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATED WITH WHERE WATER WAS COMING IN, SAID THEY HAVE MADE FIXES TO SEALS WHERE WATER IS NOW COMING IN *ANOTHER 12-14 HOURS). STILL WAITING FOR VEHICLE TO BE RETURNED. DEALER SAYS THAT, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE THE HIGHEST END WARRANTY YOU CAN BUY THROUGH THEM AT 7 YEARS/75,000 MILES, THIS PROBLEM WILL MORE THAN LIKELY NOT BE COVERED BEYOND THE 3YR/36,000 MILE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. WE ARE TALKING ROUGHLY 25 HOURS OF LABOR AT ALMOST $100/HR. I CANNOT AFFORD $2,500/MONTH. WHAT IS FORD GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? THERE IS A BLOG ONLINE, HTTP://WWW.FORD-FORUMS.COM/FORD-FREESTYLE/3008-WATER-LEAK-ISSUES.HTML, ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM, HOSTED BY FORD, YET THERE ARE ZERO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS (TSBS) OR COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS (NHTSA) SITE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10180951
Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2006
StructureVisibility
REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD MAKES VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT. THIS CAUSES DRIVING BLIND FOR SHORT INSTANCES AND MAKES MANEUVERING/PARKING IN TIGHT SPOTS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10161263
200 miles · Nov 25, 2005
Structure
MANY NOISES ON CAR , MANY TIMES ON SERVICE , REAR NOISE NEVER REPAIRED AND SERVICE TECH SAID " THE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A FIX AT THIS TIME". *JB
NHTSA ODI #10143670
2,995 miles · Oct 18, 2005
Structure
OPENED REAR DOOR WINDOW AND WIND NOISE AND VIBRATING SOUND SEEMED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BURST OUR EAR DRUMS,NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10140173
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2005
StructureVisibility
WINDSHIELD GLARE UNSAFE. E.G. ROUNDING CORNER INTO SUNLIGHT CAUSES DASH REFLECTION ONTO WINDSHIELD & UNABLE TO SEE OBJECTS OR VEHICLES IN FRONT. USE OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HELPS...BUT CAN'T WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME. DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DISTANCE, SEE OTHER VEHICLES.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10135388
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2005
Back Over PreventionStructure
DT: CONTACT STATED THE BEIGE COLOR OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSED A REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REDESIGN. THE CAR, AND THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO GET USED TO THE REFLECTION. *AK THE REVERSE SENSOR WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD OVER …
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DT: CONTACT STATED THE BEIGE COLOR OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSED A REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REDESIGN. THE CAR, AND THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO GET USED TO THE REFLECTION. *AK THE REVERSE SENSOR WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD OVER THE VEHICLE A/C OR RADIO. *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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