NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter59,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE AP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462978
100,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHEN PARKING, DRIVING VERY SLOW (UNDER 10MPH) OR BACKING UP MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD WITH SURGE OF POWER AND FOOT ON BRAKE NOT GAS. SOMETIMES IT DIES AND GAVE ERROR CODE ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. WORSE WHEN ACON, DON'T REMEMBER IT BEING AN ISSUE IN THE WINTER. TOOK TO DOBBS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY AND MY COMPUTER WOULD NE…
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WHEN PARKING, DRIVING VERY SLOW (UNDER 10MPH) OR BACKING UP MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD WITH SURGE OF POWER AND FOOT ON BRAKE NOT GAS. SOMETIMES IT DIES AND GAVE ERROR CODE ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. WORSE WHEN ACON, DON'T REMEMBER IT BEING AN ISSUE IN THE WINTER. TOOK TO DOBBS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS MY THROTTLE BODY AND MY COMPUTER WOULD NEED RESET. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY TO SEE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT ISSUE. IMPROVED, BUT DID NOT CORRECT. VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC, APPROACHING STOP SIGNS, ESPECIALLY IF PEDESTRIANS NEARBY. FEAR COULD LUNGE AT THEM. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462799
116,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT BECAME CONSISTENT AFTER TIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL AFTER CONTINUALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY BUT BECAME CONSISTENT AFTER TIME. THE VEHICLE WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL AFTER CONTINUALLY APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE PCM WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE LUNGING INCREASED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462776
125,650 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SURGES WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TAKING OFF FROM STOP SIGNS, PARKING OR BACKING. IT IS WORSE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS OPERATING. WHILE PARKED AND IDLING WITH A/C ON, RPMS INCREASE (NEARLY DOUBLE) WHEN A/C COOMPRESSOR CLUTCH ENGAGES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS NOT ON …
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VEHICLE SURGES WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TAKING OFF FROM STOP SIGNS, PARKING OR BACKING. IT IS WORSE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS OPERATING. WHILE PARKED AND IDLING WITH A/C ON, RPMS INCREASE (NEARLY DOUBLE) WHEN A/C COOMPRESSOR CLUTCH ENGAGES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS NOT ON WHILE THE CONDITION EXISTS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER I DO PLAN ON IT TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY KNOW OF A PROPER REPAIR. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462669
64,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
1ST OCCURRENCE WAS IN A PARKING LOT. STARTED CAR, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND CAR SURGED BACKWARD. QUICKLY APPLIED BRAKE. 2ND OCCURRENCE, AGAIN IN A PARKING LOT, A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS TIME PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND IT SURGED FORWARD 3 - 4 TIMES IN A ROW. HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BREAK EACH TIME AND WHEN I W…
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1ST OCCURRENCE WAS IN A PARKING LOT. STARTED CAR, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND CAR SURGED BACKWARD. QUICKLY APPLIED BRAKE. 2ND OCCURRENCE, AGAIN IN A PARKING LOT, A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS TIME PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND IT SURGED FORWARD 3 - 4 TIMES IN A ROW. HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BREAK EACH TIME AND WHEN I WOULD RELEASE THE BRAKE IT WOULD SURGE AGAIN. 3RD OCCURRENCE IN FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH. EACH TIME I WOULD ADVANCE IN LINE THE CAR WOULD SURGE AND I HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BRAKE. ALSO HAVE NOTICED SLIGHT SURGING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS AT 20,000 MILES OR LESS. CAN OBSERVE THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATING WHILE CRUISE IS SET OR WHEN FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462118
104,500 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
CAR LOST POWER AT 35-40 MPH FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS. MANY INSTANCES OF LUNGING IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. FRIGHTENING TO DRIVE IN PARKING LOTS.
NHTSA ODI #10461755
127,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461625
64,223 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND AGAIN, IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,223 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461480
70,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
FIRST INCIDENT - HOT JULY DAY, 2011; IDLING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON; CAR LUNGED FORWARD A FEW TIMES; AGGRESSIVELY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STALLED EACH TIME. SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS - ALL SIMILAR. AIR CONDITIONER ON; PROCEEDING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. HAVE NOT SOUGHT SERVIC…
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FIRST INCIDENT - HOT JULY DAY, 2011; IDLING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON; CAR LUNGED FORWARD A FEW TIMES; AGGRESSIVELY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STALLED EACH TIME. SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS - ALL SIMILAR. AIR CONDITIONER ON; PROCEEDING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. HAVE NOT SOUGHT SERVICE AS MANY BLOGS INDICATE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460207
114,100 miles · May 29, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR WAS SURGING AND LURCHING FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. WE HAD NEAR MISSES RUNNING IN TO CARS IN FRONT OF US JUST TRYING TO GET IT TO A SAFE LOCATION AS WE WERE STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IS WOULD JUST LOOSE ALMOST ALL POWER EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOOR…
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THE CAR WAS SURGING AND LURCHING FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. WE HAD NEAR MISSES RUNNING IN TO CARS IN FRONT OF US JUST TRYING TO GET IT TO A SAFE LOCATION AS WE WERE STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IS WOULD JUST LOOSE ALMOST ALL POWER EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459924
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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