NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter95,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD, AND WHILE TURNING TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND FIRE HYDRANT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT YET REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD, AND WHILE TURNING TO AVOID ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A CURB AND FIRE HYDRANT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED, BUT NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10412316
75,000 miles · Jul 14, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE PERIODICALLY LURCHES FORWARD OR BACKWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, FROM PARK TO DRIVE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR DRIVE TO REVERSE. WHEN THIS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURS THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THIS ISSUE OCCURS ON ALMOST A DAILY BASIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10412209
75,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING THE VEHICLE LUNGES SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT HAVING FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, AT LOW SPEEDS. THE RPM INDICATOR CLIMBS HIGH WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING. THE ONLY SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE KEEPING FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TRAVELING AT IDLE SPEEDS…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING THE VEHICLE LUNGES SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WITHOUT HAVING FOOT APPLIED TO GAS PEDAL. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, AT LOW SPEEDS. THE RPM INDICATOR CLIMBS HIGH WHEN THIS IS OCCURRING. THE ONLY SOLUTION SEEMS TO BE KEEPING FOOT APPLIED TO BRAKE AT ALL TIMES WHEN TRAVELING AT IDLE SPEEDS. THIS LUNGING EFFECT HAS RECENTLY APPEARED IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10412174
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
90,499 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING AFTER I PUT IT IN REVERSE AS TO BACK UP IN THE PARKING LOT. IT LUNGES VERY FAST AND FORCIBLY SO THAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A STRONG HOLD ON THE BRAKE IT WILL MOVE. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN FORWARD POSITION IF I AM NOT MOVING OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY SAY IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVE THRU. THE AIR CONDITIONING …
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING AFTER I PUT IT IN REVERSE AS TO BACK UP IN THE PARKING LOT. IT LUNGES VERY FAST AND FORCIBLY SO THAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A STRONG HOLD ON THE BRAKE IT WILL MOVE. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN FORWARD POSITION IF I AM NOT MOVING OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY SAY IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVE THRU. THE AIR CONDITIONING AND OR TURNING SEEMS TO MAKE IT WORSE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERYTIME BUT HAPPENED VERY FORCIBLY THE OTHER DAY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WILL LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR OFTEN INCLUDING MY INFANT. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE SOME SORT OF SAFETY DEFECT WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411594
73,125 miles · Jul 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH UNEXPECTED LUNGING. THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN PARKED OR STOPPED. USUALLY I CAN PRESS THE BRAKES AND CONTROL THE MOVEMENT. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, I WAS IN A LONG LINE OF CARS LEAVING A MULTISTORIED PARKING GARAGAE ON JULY 3RD OF THIS YEAR. AS WE MOVED DOWN TOWARD …
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH UNEXPECTED LUNGING. THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN PARKED OR STOPPED. USUALLY I CAN PRESS THE BRAKES AND CONTROL THE MOVEMENT. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, I WAS IN A LONG LINE OF CARS LEAVING A MULTISTORIED PARKING GARAGAE ON JULY 3RD OF THIS YEAR. AS WE MOVED DOWN TOWARD THE EXIT, THE CAR BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE, LUNGING REPEATEDLY, AND EVEN BRAKING AS USUAL DID NOT STOP THE LUNGE. I BARELY MISSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND WAS GRATEFUL THAT NO PEDESTRIANS CROSSED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10411583
70,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRMLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL PERTAINING…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRMLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10411531
95,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING TO A TRAFFIC STOP AND WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE DESCRIBED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING TO A TRAFFIC STOP AND WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE DESCRIBED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10410847
100,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SOON AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED (OR SO WE WERE TOLD) AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL RECENTLY. NOW IT DOES IT FREQUENTLY AND WITH A NEW DRIVER IN THE FAMILY WE ARE FEARFUL ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER OF TH…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SOON AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED (OR SO WE WERE TOLD) AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL RECENTLY. NOW IT DOES IT FREQUENTLY AND WITH A NEW DRIVER IN THE FAMILY WE ARE FEARFUL ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER OF THIS CAR MUST BE VERY AWARE OF ITS TENDING TO ACCELERATE / SURGE. THE CAR HAS TWICE SHUT DOWN IN SAFE ENGINE MODE WHEN IT SURGED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410790
115,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING WIFE NEARLY HIT SOMEONE ON A BIKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410789
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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