VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AFTER VERY LIGHTLY TOUCHING THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING. I WAS MANEUVERING THE CAR INTO A FAIRLY TIGHT PARKING SPACE, AND THE SUDDEN SURGE CAUSE THE CAR TO LUNCH INTO A FENCE POST, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER AND FENDER (AND THE FENCE POST). THIS IS THE 3RD OR 4TH OCCURRENCE, BUT WAS THE MOST VIOLENT. THE CAR…
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VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AFTER VERY LIGHTLY TOUCHING THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING. I WAS MANEUVERING THE CAR INTO A FAIRLY TIGHT PARKING SPACE, AND THE SUDDEN SURGE CAUSE THE CAR TO LUNCH INTO A FENCE POST, DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER AND FENDER (AND THE FENCE POST). THIS IS THE 3RD OR 4TH OCCURRENCE, BUT WAS THE MOST VIOLENT. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT 6-8 FEET, AND THE IDLE JUMPED UP FROM 750 TO 2,500 OR SO. THE OTHER SURGING INSTANCES ALSO OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER APPLYING LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SURGES IN THOSE INSTANCES, THE IDLE THEN DROPPED TO NORMAL. THE CAR HAS APPROXIMATELY 100K MILES ON IT, AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN CLEANED ON A REGULAR BASIS SINE 20K, TYPICALLY EVERY 20K. THE FIRST SURGE WAS NOTICED AT AROUND 98K. IT HAPPENS APPROXIMATELY ONCE A WEEK NOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10419238
65,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY WITH AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY WITH AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10419233
Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE FOR 1YR 1/2 NOW IT HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT, I ALMOST TWICE LOST MY FAMILY AND MY LIFE BUT THANK GOD AND THE QUICK REFLEX OF MY HUSBAND WE ARE ALIVE, ALL DUE TO THE THROTTLE, I CANT DESCRIBE IT HOW I WISH WELL I WOULD NEED A WHOLE PAGE TO EXPLAIN WE HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITH…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE FOR 1YR 1/2 NOW IT HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT, I ALMOST TWICE LOST MY FAMILY AND MY LIFE BUT THANK GOD AND THE QUICK REFLEX OF MY HUSBAND WE ARE ALIVE, ALL DUE TO THE THROTTLE, I CANT DESCRIBE IT HOW I WISH WELL I WOULD NEED A WHOLE PAGE TO EXPLAIN WE HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT WE ARE RIGHT NOW WITHOUT A VEHICLE IT COST TOO MUCH AND WE HAVE NO WARRANTY, SO WE WILL HAVE TO MANAGE FOR NOW UNTIL WE CAN, ALTHOUGH MY HUSBAND IS IN THE MILITARY WE ARE NOT RICH AND I WORK 6 DAYS A WEEK AND HAVE 3 CHILDREN STUDENTS WHOM ALL HAVE AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS ACTIVITIES, I AM IN TOTAL SHOCK I REALLY THOUGHT WE HAD IT MADE WITH THIS CAR ITS COMFORTABLE 3RD ROW BUT NOW AFTER READING ALL THE REVIEWS WE ARE SO HORRIBLY UPSET AND FEEL SO TAKEN OF ****TS, THIS PROBABLY HAS NO AFFECT ON WHOSE RESPONSABILITY THIS PROBLEM FALLS ON WELL IM SURE THEY HAVE A SUPERB CAR, BUT FOR THE AMERICAN FAMILIES TRYING TO MAKE IT, IT IS A SHAME THAT FORD KNOWING ABOUT THIS HASNT TAKEN NO ACTION, BUT TO EACH HIS OWN AND ALTHOUGH IT SEEMS MINOR TO THE HIGH POWER CORPORATES LIKE FORD WHOEVER NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM AND HASNT AND JUST SEEMS TO PASS THE HOT POTATO TO OTHERS THEY TOO WILL HAVE THEIR JUDGEMET DAY, AND YES I MIGHT SOUND DRASTIC TO YOU IT IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER TO US THE PEOPLE WHO TRUSTED IN PURCHASING A FORD, THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418616
87,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL, FWD IS HAVING SUDDEN SURGES OF ACCELERATION (FORWARD AND REVERSE) AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS GETTING MORE FREQUENT. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SURGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE CAR TO RUN INTO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING, OR TO UNEXPECTEDLY ENTER AN INTERSECTION.…
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OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL, FWD IS HAVING SUDDEN SURGES OF ACCELERATION (FORWARD AND REVERSE) AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS HAS NOW HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES AND IS GETTING MORE FREQUENT. THIS PRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE AS THE SURGE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE THE CAR TO RUN INTO SOMEONE OR SOMETHING, OR TO UNEXPECTEDLY ENTER AN INTERSECTION. THE CAR HAS 87000 MILES AS OF AUGUST, 2011. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418569
65,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE OVER FOUR YEARS AGO. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED COOLING AS WELL AS BEFORE AND AT THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN GOING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD BE RUNNING FOR A SHORT WHILE. IT IS WORSE WHEN YOU ARE TURNING THE WHEEL AND GOING SLO…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE OVER FOUR YEARS AGO. AFTER THE FIRST YEAR THE AIR CONDITIONING STOPPED COOLING AS WELL AS BEFORE AND AT THE SAME TIME THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN GOING AT A SLOW SPEED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD BE RUNNING FOR A SHORT WHILE. IT IS WORSE WHEN YOU ARE TURNING THE WHEEL AND GOING SLOW SUCH AS IN A DRIVE-THRU AND OR BACKING OUT OR PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT. I HAVE TO KEEP ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND MOST OF THE TIME I DO NOT NEED TO TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL BECAUSE ITS ALREADY ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. MY CAR NOW EITHER PUTS IT SELF IN FAIL SAFE MODE AND RUNS REAL SLOW AND OR IT JUST DIES WHERE EVER WE ARE WHEN IT STARTS THE ACCELERATING AND LURCHING FORWARD. I DO NOT HAVE THE $900 I HAVE HEARD IT TAKE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY. MAYBE WHEN ITS PAID OFF IN 7 MONTHS I CAN SAVE THE MONEY UP TO GET IT FIXED. I'M NOT SURE THE CAR WILL LAST THAT LONG. I CAN'T TRADE IT IN FOR ANOTHER CAR BECAUSE I WOULD WORRY WHO WOULD GET IT NEXT AND MAYBE BE IN AN ACCIDENT AND BE HURT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418413
147,100 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR WOULD SURGE BACKWARDS WHEN PUT IN REVERSE SOMETIMES. WHEN DRIVING THE CAR WOULD HAVE TROUBLES GOING UP HILLS WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED DOWN TO COMPENSATE FOR SPEED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. HAVE 149K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418387
102,336 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
MY VEHICLE SURGES FROM TIME TO TIME AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON THE CAR WILL CUT OF AND GO INTO FAIL SAFE MODE I'VE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418359
115,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlInjury
2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL ACCELERATE AND USUALLY STALL. THE CAR HIT THE GARAGE HITTING A PERSON AND BREAKING THE SIDE MIRROR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418326
60,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKES SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FAILED SAFE MODE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKES SLIGHTLY DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE FAILED SAFE MODE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN THEN REPLACED THE FUEL AND AIR FILTERS AS A TEMPORARY FIX. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10418236
69,432 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD OR IN REVERSE WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAILURE CODE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD OR IN REVERSE WHEN BRAKING TO A STOP, WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FAIL SAFE MODE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE FAILURE CODE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,432.
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.
2005 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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