MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NOT ONLY HAS AN ISSUE W/ LUNGING, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN GOING INTO "FAILSAFE MODE", IN WHICH ACCELERATION IN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY CUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER WHILE TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE B/C I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE MY CAR TO MOVE TO SAFETY. ONCE I WAS ON THE SIDE…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NOT ONLY HAS AN ISSUE W/ LUNGING, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN GOING INTO "FAILSAFE MODE", IN WHICH ACCELERATION IN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY CUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER WHILE TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE B/C I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE MY CAR TO MOVE TO SAFETY. ONCE I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED THE CAR OFF & THEN RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERY FEW MILES UNTIL I REACHED HOME. THE FEELING OF HAVING NO CONTROL OF A VEHICLE MOVING AT 65MPH LEFT ME SHAKING. LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THE FACT THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE AND HAS FAILED TO MAKE ANY EFFORT TO CONTACT THE OWNERS OF THE FORD FREESTYLE HAS LEFT ME FEELING DISMAYED AND I NO LONGER HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422696
60,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY DURING THE OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY DURING THE OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING UPON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER REGARDING THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422658
50,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES FORWARD WITHOUT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422465
61,000 miles · Aug 28, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OR "LUNGING" OR "SURGING". WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS MANEUVERING IN A PARKING LOT OR PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE WILL INCREASE THE RPM'S AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE UP TO 15 FEET IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED AND IS VE…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OR "LUNGING" OR "SURGING". WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS MANEUVERING IN A PARKING LOT OR PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE WILL INCREASE THE RPM'S AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE UP TO 15 FEET IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED AND IS VERY SCARY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10422333
38,800 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE LUNGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,800 AND THE CURRENT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT A PARKING SPACE THE VEHICLE LUNGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,067.
NHTSA ODI #10421499
93,000 miles · Aug 24, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. UPON SHIFTING OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE ETC FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AND SHIFTED INTO PARK. UPON SHIFTING OUT OF PARK AND INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE ETC FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
NHTSA ODI #10421277
86,500 miles · Aug 23, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 10 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED DURING THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,500.
NHTSA ODI #10421176
50,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE. I HAVE JUST PUT THE CAR FROM PARKED INTO REVERSE, WHEN I STEP MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, BUT HAVEN'T TOUCHED THE GAS YET, IT ACCELERATES ON ME. IT'S VERY SCARY, EACH TIME IT HAS OCCURRED (ABOUT ONCE A MONTH IN THE PAST 2 YEARS), I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE QUICK REFL…
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CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE. I HAVE JUST PUT THE CAR FROM PARKED INTO REVERSE, WHEN I STEP MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, BUT HAVEN'T TOUCHED THE GAS YET, IT ACCELERATES ON ME. IT'S VERY SCARY, EACH TIME IT HAS OCCURRED (ABOUT ONCE A MONTH IN THE PAST 2 YEARS), I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE QUICK REFLEX, STEP ON THE BRAKES AND DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING ONE DAY WHEN I AM TOO CLOSE TO OTHER OBJECTS (IE. A DRIVE-THRU) AND HITTING ANOTHER CAR! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420801
44,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN HIS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED WHEN IT WAS IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN HIS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED WHEN IT WAS IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #10420716
100,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER:PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
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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