NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Traction Control System complaints
8 reportsClear category filter224,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES AND WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES AND WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 224,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF *JS
NHTSA ODI #10944292
Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2014
Traction Control SystemVehicle Speed Control
IT FIRST STARTED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND MY WRENCH LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. MY VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO "SAFE MODE"WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO STOP LOSING ALL POWER. I LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER AT FORD.COM AND IT SAID A RECALL IS IN ACTION BY THE COMPANY TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS-RELATED CONCERN REL…
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IT FIRST STARTED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET MY TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND MY WRENCH LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON. MY VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO "SAFE MODE"WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO STOP LOSING ALL POWER. I LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER AT FORD.COM AND IT SAID A RECALL IS IN ACTION BY THE COMPANY TO REMEDY A SAFETY OR EMISSIONS-RELATED CONCERN RELATED TO A VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. I CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT FORD AND THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND WAS TOLD ITS NOT A RECALL IT WAS UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT EXPIRED IN MAY 31ST 2013. JUST ON OCT 4 2014 I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY WIFE AND CHILDREN AND THE CAR SUDDENLY PUT IT INTO SAFE MODE AND ABRUPTLY STOPPED! IM SORRY BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10642009
130,000 miles · Nov 11, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting
I HAVE A 2005 SEL FREESTYLE WITH ABOUT 130K MILES ON IT. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITH SPEED OF 55MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ABS AND AWD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" AND "AWD MALFUNCTION", THEN ENTIRE PANEL WENT DARK (RPM, GAS, OIL, SPEED AND ODOMETER). I NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES…
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I HAVE A 2005 SEL FREESTYLE WITH ABOUT 130K MILES ON IT. THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK WITH SPEED OF 55MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ABS AND AWD LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE MESSAGE CENTER DISPLAYED "CHECK TRACTION CONTROL" AND "AWD MALFUNCTION", THEN ENTIRE PANEL WENT DARK (RPM, GAS, OIL, SPEED AND ODOMETER). I NOTICED THAT THE GAUGES WERE MAKING A TICKING NOISE AT THAT TIME AS WELL. I PULLED OFF THE MAIN HWY AND SHUT CAR OFF, I THEN TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR. ALL OF THE GAUGES LIT UP AGAIN, BUT CAR WOULD NOT START, ACTED LIKE BATTERY/ALTERNATOR WAS SHOT. HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME AND WAS LATE TO WORK. NOT SURE WHERE TO START TO SOLVE THE ISSUE, HAVE SEEN TOO MANY POSTS WITH THE SAME ISSUES. I THINK THAT FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE THE APPROPRIATE STEPS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES BEFORE FATALITIES BEGIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10551756
117,000 miles · Jul 29, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
BOUGHT IT 7/23/2013, DAY ONE FINE. DAY 2, SPOUSE IN CAR, WITH 3 CHILDREN, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT, TRACK CONTROL LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WRENCH LIGHT ALL CAME ON. .ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER, ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, CAR BUCKING AND USING SIGNIFICANT RPMS TO ACCELERATE . RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER 3-4 TIMES…
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BOUGHT IT 7/23/2013, DAY ONE FINE. DAY 2, SPOUSE IN CAR, WITH 3 CHILDREN, CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT, TRACK CONTROL LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, WRENCH LIGHT ALL CAME ON. .ON THE HIGHWAY. CAR LOST SIGNIFICANT POWER, ALMOST RESULTING IN ACCIDENT, CAR BUCKING AND USING SIGNIFICANT RPMS TO ACCELERATE . RESTARTED THE CAR AFTER 3-4 TIMES, LIGHTS GONE CAR RUNNING SMOOTHLY. DAY 3, SAME THING. I'VE OWNED IT FOR 6 DAYS! TERRIFIED FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER DRIVERS WITH THIS VEHICLE. TOO MANY SAFETY COMPLAINTS ON THE VEHICLE/TRANSMISSION FOR FORD NOT TO RECALL. AN AMERICAN COMPANY PUTTING AMERICANS AT RISK FOR HARM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10532473
104,000 miles · Sep 9, 2012
Power TrainTraction Control System
WENT TO START MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE - THE RPMS ON THE VEHICLE INCREASED SLIGHTLY, THE WRENCH, TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, THERE WAS A LOUD THUNK NOISE. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TRIED IT AGAIN. SAME THING, I HAD TO DRIVE IT APPROX. 2 MILES, THERE WAS NO POWER, BUT IT GOT ME TO M…
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WENT TO START MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE - THE RPMS ON THE VEHICLE INCREASED SLIGHTLY, THE WRENCH, TRACTION CONTROL AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, THERE WAS A LOUD THUNK NOISE. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND TRIED IT AGAIN. SAME THING, I HAD TO DRIVE IT APPROX. 2 MILES, THERE WAS NO POWER, BUT IT GOT ME TO MY CLASS. WHEN I CAME BACK OUT TO MY CAR AN HOUR AN A HALF LATER, ONLY THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TO DIAGNOSE. AT FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION THAT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS A $4000 REPAIR. THE DIAGNOSTIC CODES WERE GENERIC AND THEY COULD NOT TELL FOR SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THIS BEHAVIOR USUALLY STARTS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS SAT FOR A FEW HOURS. WHEN ALL THE LIGHTS FIRST COME ON, IT SAYS IT HAS HAD A DATA TRANSMISSION ERROR. I TURN OFF THE CAR AND RESTART. THIS USUALLY RESETS THE COMPUTER IN SOME WAY. WHEN ONLY THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, IT WILL SAY "CHECK ENGINE, CHECK TRANSMISSION". SOMETIMES NO LIGHTS COME ON. IT DRIVES NORMALLY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER SO THEY COULD EXPERIENCE THE WHOLE ISSUE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. THEY HAVE NOW SAID THAT IT IS A SHORT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE REPAIR WILL BE $1025.00, BUT THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL RESOLVE THE ISSUE FOR SURE. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED WHERE THE LIGHTS WILL COME ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE TO TURN MY VEHICLE OFF IN TRAFFIC TO RESET IT. THIS IS NOT REAL SAFE. I SEE THAT MY YEAR OF CAR AND NEWER HAS HAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS FOR THIS ISSUE AND A LUNGING ISSUE. I WILL BE CONTACTING FORD TOMORROW TO SEE IF I CAN GET SOME HELP ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474400
Mileage unknown · Oct 30, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringTraction Control System
TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AFTER A COUPLE OF MINUTES OF THE CAR BEING TURNED ON (DOES NOT HAVE TO BE IN MOTION). STEERING GETS REAL SENSITIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10433613
111,000 miles · Nov 10, 2010
Power TrainTraction Control System
2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS "AWD MALFUNCTION" MESSAGE (FORD DIAGNOSTIC CODE: P1889). MALFUNCTION MESSAGE COMES ON SPORADICALLY. NO CLEAR REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE REVERTS TO 2WD. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING (ESPECIALLY IN WET, SNOWY, ICY CONDITIONS) AND HAPPENS…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS "AWD MALFUNCTION" MESSAGE (FORD DIAGNOSTIC CODE: P1889). MALFUNCTION MESSAGE COMES ON SPORADICALLY. NO CLEAR REASON FOR THE MALFUNCTION. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE REVERTS TO 2WD. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING (ESPECIALLY IN WET, SNOWY, ICY CONDITIONS) AND HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER, WITH NO SUCCESS IN FIXING. THE DEALER FOLLOWED WHAT FORD SAYS TO DO ACCORDING TO THE CODE AND CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. DEALER HAS REPLACED OIL PRESSURE AND TEMP SENSOR WITH NO CHANGE IN ISSUE. NOW WANTS TO TRY TO CHANGE THE TRACTION COUPLER AT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WITHOUT ANY GUARANTEE THAT WILL WOK EITHER. FORD DOES NOT HAVE A CLEAR FIX FOR ISSUE AND WILL NOT COVER COSTS OF REPAIRS FOR AWD DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10365323
65,000 miles · Aug 21, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY AND CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS, APPARENTLY DISABLING SEVERAL CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES. THE MALFUNCTION AT FIRST OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOW OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY. A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE WITHOUT RESOLVING THE PR…
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DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY AND CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS, APPARENTLY DISABLING SEVERAL CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES. THE MALFUNCTION AT FIRST OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOW OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY. A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE WITHOUT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT ORIGINAL FORD EQUIPMENT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLES SUDDENLY DROP TO ZERO AND FREEZE. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SHOWS 'ODOMETER DATA ERROR.' ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COME ON AT ONCE. WITHOUT THESE INSTRUMENTS, THE DRIVER CAN NO LONGER MONITOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THE MALFUNCTION DEFINITELY DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT MAY VERY WELL ALSO DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM SINCE THE SELF-CHECK DISPLAY ALSO DOES NOT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350877
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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
2PE11018 · 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.
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