VEHICLE IS SURGING AT LOW SPEEDS. PARKING LOT SPEEDS. MUST APPLY BRAKES TO STOP MOTION. SEVERAL FEET COVERED BEFORE ABLE TO APPLY BRAKES. HAPPENED IN EXCESS OF 10 TIMES. CAR IS AT DEALER NOW AND THEY HAVE WITNESSED TO SURGING. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD SERVICE NOW AND THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 24 HOURS. THEY ARE STATING THEY …
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VEHICLE IS SURGING AT LOW SPEEDS. PARKING LOT SPEEDS. MUST APPLY BRAKES TO STOP MOTION. SEVERAL FEET COVERED BEFORE ABLE TO APPLY BRAKES. HAPPENED IN EXCESS OF 10 TIMES. CAR IS AT DEALER NOW AND THEY HAVE WITNESSED TO SURGING. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD SERVICE NOW AND THEY HAVE HAD IT FOR 24 HOURS. THEY ARE STATING THEY DO NOT KNOW THE CAUSE.
NHTSA ODI #10419089
Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2011
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARDS OR SPEEDS UP WHILE SLOWING DOWN (AT STOP SIGNS, GOING INTO GARAGE ETC)
NHTSA ODI #10418849
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CROSSOVER FREQUENTLY LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE OCCURING MORE OFTEN AND WITH MORE POWER AND IS GETTING HARDER TO STOP. TODAY IT ALMOST JUMPED OVER A PARKING LOT CURB AT A RETAIL STORE PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTANTLY IN F…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CROSSOVER FREQUENTLY LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE OCCURING MORE OFTEN AND WITH MORE POWER AND IS GETTING HARDER TO STOP. TODAY IT ALMOST JUMPED OVER A PARKING LOT CURB AT A RETAIL STORE PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTANTLY IN FORWARD AND REVERSE AND SEAMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS ON. IN FACT, OUR A/C WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT NEAR AS BAD. HOWEVER, WHEN THE A/C WAS REPAIRED (THE EXPANSION VALVES WERE REPLACED) THE PROBLEM RETURNED TO ITS PREVIOUS "STRENGTH" OR STRONGER AND MORE OFTEN. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417773
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Unknown Or Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING...VERY DANGEROUS!! I'VE HEARD MULTIPLE OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417734
67,000 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY "SURGED" FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE/ANYTHING BY APPLYING THE BRAKE MORE FORCEFULLY, BUT THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED ON REPEATED OCCASIONS NOW BOTH IN "DRIVE" (WHEN THE CAR SURGES FORWARD) AND IN "REVERSE" (WHEN THE CAR SURGE…
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WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY "SURGED" FORWARD. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR FROM HITTING ANYONE/ANYTHING BY APPLYING THE BRAKE MORE FORCEFULLY, BUT THIS INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED ON REPEATED OCCASIONS NOW BOTH IN "DRIVE" (WHEN THE CAR SURGES FORWARD) AND IN "REVERSE" (WHEN THE CAR SURGES BACKWARDS). IT SEEMS PARTICULARLY PRONOUNCED DURING HOT DAYS WHEN THE AC IS RUNNING FULL BLAST. IN EACH INCIDENT, I WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH OR LESS, AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, EITHER PREPARING TO PARK OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. SO FAR IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, BUT THERE IS CLEARLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE SPEED CONTROL OR THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF A SIMILAR NATURE MADE ONLINE BY OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 AND 2006 FORD FREESTYLES. THERE CLEARLY SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE OF THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL AND I AM HOPING FORD WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND ISSUE A RECALL IN ORDER TO PREVENT FUTURE POTENTIAL INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #10417548
100,000 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Unknown Or Other
WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, MY VEHICLE "JUMPED" FORWARD BY ITSELF. IT THEN WENT INTO "ENGINE OVERRIDE MODE" AND STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO CRANK THE VEHICLE BACK UP AND CONTINUE DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #10416141
88,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Unknown Or Other
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 88,000 MILES AND I HAD TROUBLE WITH MY CAR LUNGING FORWARD THIS HAPPEN TO ME VERY BAD TODAY WHERE TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. I DID HAVE MY AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH BECAUSE IT WAS 100 DEGREES IN THE MIDWEST. THE PROBLEM WAS THE WORST TODAY SINCE IT STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY THROTTLE …
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 88,000 MILES AND I HAD TROUBLE WITH MY CAR LUNGING FORWARD THIS HAPPEN TO ME VERY BAD TODAY WHERE TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. I DID HAVE MY AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH BECAUSE IT WAS 100 DEGREES IN THE MIDWEST. THE PROBLEM WAS THE WORST TODAY SINCE IT STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? I NEED TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. DO I NEED TO CONTACT FORD? DO I GO AHEAD AND PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED? THANKS SO MUCH.
NHTSA ODI #10415674
Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2011
Unknown Or Other
WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT SURGES AND I HAVE TO BE READY TO BRAKE OR CRASH INTO SOMETHING. FOLLOWING THE SURGE, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, AND THEN IT WILL GO AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER C…
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WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT SURGES AND I HAVE TO BE READY TO BRAKE OR CRASH INTO SOMETHING. FOLLOWING THE SURGE, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, AND THEN IT WILL GO AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. THEY SCANNED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THERE WERE NO CODES. THEY ADVISED THAT UNLESS I CAN MAKE THE SURGE HAPPEN, NOT TO LEAVE THE CAR. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10414628
Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 2011
Unknown Or Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE - WHEN FIRST PUTTING MY CAR INTO GEAR, EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR LUNGES OR "REVS" UP AS IF IT IS GOING TO TAKE OFF. PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF OR ON LOW SEEMS TO HELP SOMEWHAT. IN AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAS GONE INTO AN "ENGINE SAFE MODE" AND HAS STOPPED …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE - WHEN FIRST PUTTING MY CAR INTO GEAR, EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR LUNGES OR "REVS" UP AS IF IT IS GOING TO TAKE OFF. PLACING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE OR HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF OR ON LOW SEEMS TO HELP SOMEWHAT. IN AT LEAST ONE INCIDENT, THE CAR HAS GONE INTO AN "ENGINE SAFE MODE" AND HAS STOPPED COMPLETELY. LUCKILY, I WAS IN A NOT SO CROWDED PARKING LOT AT THE TIME. WE RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER REPLACED IN ITS ENTIRETY WHICH HAS MADE THE PROBLEM WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10412396
65,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED AND THE CAR LUNGES WHEN GOING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE WHEN THE AC IS ON. *TT
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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