NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
72 reportsClear category filter89,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE PERIODICALLY LUNGES WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO STOP OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I AM UNSURE IF RUNNING MY AIRCONDITIONING HAS CAUSED THE INCREASED LUNGIN…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE PERIODICALLY LUNGES WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO STOP OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I AM UNSURE IF RUNNING MY AIRCONDITIONING HAS CAUSED THE INCREASED LUNGING, BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD YET, BUT I'VE NOTICED MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. I REALLY THINK THAT FORD SHOULD PUT OUT A NOTICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH OR EVEN A DEATH. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411765
148,000 miles · Jul 10, 2011
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAVE HAD OVER 10 INCIDENTS WHERE MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. TODAY WHEN IT HAPPENED THE CAR ENDED UP STALLING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND…
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WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAVE HAD OVER 10 INCIDENTS WHERE MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. TODAY WHEN IT HAPPENED THE CAR ENDED UP STALLING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I WILL CONTACT MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE WHAT WHAT STEPS FORD IS TAKING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10412543
107,050 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Unknown Or Other
THE FREESTYLE SUDDEN-ACCELERATION INCIDENTS OCCUR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS EITHER IDLING OR TRAVELING AT A LOW SPEED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410764
100,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011
Unknown Or Other
AS I WAS PREPARING TO TURN, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD CONTINUOUSLY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND THE SURGE CONTINUED, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS, AS I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I PUT IT IN PARK AND THE SURGE CONTINUED, AS IT DID AFTER I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE BEAST INTO THE PARKING GARAGE. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A …
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AS I WAS PREPARING TO TURN, THE CAR SURGED FORWARD CONTINUOUSLY. I PRESSED THE BRAKE AS HARD AS POSSIBLE AND THE SURGE CONTINUED, WHICH WAS DANGEROUS, AS I ALMOST HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I PUT IT IN PARK AND THE SURGE CONTINUED, AS IT DID AFTER I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE TO GET THE BEAST INTO THE PARKING GARAGE. IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WAS REPLACED ON JULY 7, 2010 AT A COST OF $821.33 BY CROWN FORD, NASHVILLE TN.
NHTSA ODI #10411069
130,793 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Unknown Or Other
INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION IN ANOTHER STATE. CAR WAS IDLING WITH AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, UPON SHIFTING GEAR INTO REVERSE AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, CAR SURGED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT FOOT ACCELERATING THE PETAL. DRIVER BRAKED AND CAR STALLED. CAR RESTARTED IN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. CA…
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INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION IN ANOTHER STATE. CAR WAS IDLING WITH AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, UPON SHIFTING GEAR INTO REVERSE AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, CAR SURGED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT FOOT ACCELERATING THE PETAL. DRIVER BRAKED AND CAR STALLED. CAR RESTARTED IN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. CAR REPEATEDLY STALLED UPON SUCCESSIVE RESTARTS EACH TIME CONTINUING TO DISPLAY ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, CAR RESTARTED IN NORMAL MODE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINING ON. CAR WAS SLUGGISH, BUT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT STALLING. DROVE CAR TO TROPICAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO THE NEXT DAY. SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED MULTIPLE ITEMS, INCLUDING REPLACING THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, PCV VALVE, PCV CONTROL VALVE, REPROGRAMMING THE PCM. UPON ADVISE OF SERVICE ADVISOR THAT IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT "CAR COULD SURGE AND STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE" ON THE LONG DRIVE HOME, WE AUTHORIZED TROPICAL FORD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY ( REPLACED WITH FP # 6F9Z-9E926-A) AND REPROGRAM THE PCM.
NHTSA ODI #10408262
63,000 miles · Jun 17, 2011
Unknown Or Other
SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR FROM PARK THE MOTOR SURGES. ALSO IT SURGES WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY.
NHTSA ODI #10408109
145,950 miles · Jun 16, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING HER TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID STOP, BUT IT ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS DISPLAYED THIS PROBLEM. OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT A MONTH OR SO AG…
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MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING HER TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID STOP, BUT IT ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS DISPLAYED THIS PROBLEM. OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT A MONTH OR SO AGO, AND IT DID THE SAME THING.
NHTSA ODI #10408068
250,000 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
MY 2005 FREESTYLE IS MAKING LOUD RATTLING SOUND (COMING FROM TRANS) AND THE FAILSAFE MODE INDICATOR AS WELL AS THE YELLOW WRENCH HAVE BEEN APPEARING. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SERVICE DEPT OF DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES FOR SURGING AND POWER FAILURES, ETC, AND THEY HAVE MADE NUMEROUS REPAIRS - (INCLUDING THE AC COMPRESSOR) AND REPLACED A H…
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MY 2005 FREESTYLE IS MAKING LOUD RATTLING SOUND (COMING FROM TRANS) AND THE FAILSAFE MODE INDICATOR AS WELL AS THE YELLOW WRENCH HAVE BEEN APPEARING. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SERVICE DEPT OF DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES FOR SURGING AND POWER FAILURES, ETC, AND THEY HAVE MADE NUMEROUS REPAIRS - (INCLUDING THE AC COMPRESSOR) AND REPLACED A HEAD GASKET (WHICH IS LEAKING BADLY NOW?), AND IT APPEARS THIS TIME IT MAY BE A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM? THE DEALER WON'T LOOK AT IT TILL NEXT WEEK AND WANTS $200 TO CHECK IT OUT? PEOPLE WAITING IN LINE (AT THE SERVICE DEPT) TODAY TOLD ME THEY HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS (WITH FREESTYLES). THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING.
NHTSA ODI #10404359
100,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Unknown Or Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES FORWARD WITHOUT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. OCCURS MOSTLY AT CITY DRIVING SPEEDS, NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. BEGAN APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2009). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402948
44,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Unknown Or Other
SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM IDLE. CAR WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP FORWARD OR REVERSE AT IDLE ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK. DEALER TAPED SOME WIRING FOR TEMPORARY FIX WARRANTY COVERAGE DURING. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AFTER WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED AND DEALER AND WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 100K+ MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM IDLE. CAR WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP FORWARD OR REVERSE AT IDLE ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK. DEALER TAPED SOME WIRING FOR TEMPORARY FIX WARRANTY COVERAGE DURING. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AFTER WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED AND DEALER AND WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 100K+ MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE LEARNED TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI #10403348
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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