NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter152,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE IDLING IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465957
70,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REVERSING OR WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND MOVING FORWARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN REVERSING OR WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED AND MOVING FORWARD, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465865
980,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITH GREAT SPEED LURCHES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. I NOTICE THE ISSUE MOST OFTEN WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR JUST AFTER USING THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING FORCING ME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO THAT I DO NOT HIT OTHER VEHICLES OR UNINTENTIONALLY ENTER TRAFFI…
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VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITH GREAT SPEED LURCHES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. I NOTICE THE ISSUE MOST OFTEN WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR JUST AFTER USING THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING FORCING ME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO THAT I DO NOT HIT OTHER VEHICLES OR UNINTENTIONALLY ENTER TRAFFIC. THE ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS NO FOREWARNING AND HAS APPEARED TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND WITH GREATER FORCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465093
55,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IN PARKING LOT WITH BOTH MY WIFE'S FEET PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. HIT PARKING DIVIDER AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK. ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN PARK, THEN RESUMED NORMAL IDLE. DASH SERVICE AND ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED. TAKEN TO FORD GARAGE IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP RESIS…
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VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IN PARKING LOT WITH BOTH MY WIFE'S FEET PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. HIT PARKING DIVIDER AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK. ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN PARK, THEN RESUMED NORMAL IDLE. DASH SERVICE AND ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED. TAKEN TO FORD GARAGE IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP RESISTING COVERAGE UNDER EXTENDED FORD POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464837
87,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH LURCHES BACKWARD WHEN YOU HAVE THE A/C ON AND YOU BACK UP. IT ALSO STARTED DOING THE SAME IN FOWARD. FORD SHOULD ACT UPON THIS BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464783
83,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MOMENTARY INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MOMENTARY INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED WITH A USED THROTTLE BODY DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE PART BEING ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. CURRENTLY, A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS BEING REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THERE WAS A CURRENT OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10464730
90,000 miles · Jul 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
AT SLOW PARKING LOT MANEUVER SPEEDS VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD, USUALLY ON A HOT DAY WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON. AFTER BRAKING ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR IS SLUGGISH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464572
84,340 miles · Jul 7, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
ON A HOT DAY (98 DEGREES) WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IT SURGED AHEAD IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WALKING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ACTED LIKE THIS ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND RUNNING IN THE PAST. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND AWARE THAT THIS WIL…
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ON A HOT DAY (98 DEGREES) WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IT SURGED AHEAD IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WALKING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ACTED LIKE THIS ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND RUNNING IN THE PAST. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND AWARE THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN, IF SOMEONE WAS TO BORROW MY CAR I WOULD BE AFRAID THAT THEY WOULD RUN SOMEONE OVER. IT HAPPENS IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND USUALLY ONLY AT SLOW SPEEDS/IDLE SPEED. ITS DANGEROUS IN PARKING LOTS WHEN YOU ARE BOTH PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOTS YOU HAVE TO BRAKE QUICKLY OR YOU'LL SPEED UP AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF YOU, THEN BACKING OUT OF THE SPOT IT DOES THE SAME THING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. ONE TIME LAST YEAR ON A LONG DRIVE THROUGH PHILADELPHIA THIS HAPPENED AND THE CAR STALLED AND LOCKED UP AT A GREEN LIGHT. WE JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464519
64,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464448
82,531 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR STARTED LUNGING WHEN MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND I'D HAVE TO JAM ON BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING ANOTHER CAR, BUILDING, ETC. HAPPENS PRIMARILY WHEN A/C IS ON ALSO. LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION, BUT LUNGES WHEN APPLYING SLIGHT GAS IN BOTH REVERSE AND FORWARD. SCARY BEYOND BELIEF. I HAVE A HEART CONDITION, AND NEARLY FAINTE…
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MY CAR STARTED LUNGING WHEN MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS, AND I'D HAVE TO JAM ON BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM HITTING ANOTHER CAR, BUILDING, ETC. HAPPENS PRIMARILY WHEN A/C IS ON ALSO. LOSES POWER ON ACCELERATION, BUT LUNGES WHEN APPLYING SLIGHT GAS IN BOTH REVERSE AND FORWARD. SCARY BEYOND BELIEF. I HAVE A HEART CONDITION, AND NEARLY FAINTED WHEN IT HAPPENED LAST TIME, AT AN INTERSECTION WITH WILD TRAFFIC, AND I HAD TO JAM THE BRAKES TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING INTO TRAFFIC. SEEN ENOUGH SIMILAR REPORTS ONLINE THAT MY NEXT STOP WILL BE NEWS MEDIA. PLEASE HELP US! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464416
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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