NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports65,000 miles · Aug 21, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY AND CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS, APPARENTLY DISABLING SEVERAL CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES. THE MALFUNCTION AT FIRST OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOW OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY. A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE WITHOUT RESOLVING THE PR…
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DURING VEHICLE OPERATION, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SUDDENLY AND CATASTROPHICALLY FAILS, APPARENTLY DISABLING SEVERAL CRITICAL SAFETY FEATURES. THE MALFUNCTION AT FIRST OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN MORE FREQUENTLY, BUT NOW OCCURS CONTINUOUSLY. A LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER TWICE WITHOUT RESOLVING THE PROBLEM, INDICATING THAT ORIGINAL FORD EQUIPMENT MAY BE DEFECTIVE. THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER NEEDLES SUDDENLY DROP TO ZERO AND FREEZE. THE DIGITAL DISPLAY SHOWS 'ODOMETER DATA ERROR.' ALL WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER COME ON AT ONCE. WITHOUT THESE INSTRUMENTS, THE DRIVER CAN NO LONGER MONITOR VEHICLE PERFORMANCE, SUCH AS SPEED AND ENGINE TEMPERATURE. THE MALFUNCTION DEFINITELY DISABLES THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS AND TRACTION CONTROL. IT MAY VERY WELL ALSO DISABLE THE AIR BAG SYSTEM SINCE THE SELF-CHECK DISPLAY ALSO DOES NOT WORK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350877
60,700 miles · Aug 20, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHEN PUT IN GEAR. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE CAR MOVED A FEW FEET. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO PERSON OR OBJECT IN MY PATH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 60,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHEN PUT IN GEAR. EVEN WITH THE BRAKE APPLIED THE CAR MOVED A FEW FEET. THIS HAS OCCURRED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO PERSON OR OBJECT IN MY PATH. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE CAR HAS 60,700 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350821
59,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR BEGAN SURGING FORWARD EVEN WITH BRAKE APPLIED CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLISIONS. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT STARTED STALLING AND WOULD GO INTO SAFE MODE AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ABOVE 40MPH, WHICH WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE ON THE INTERSTATE. DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED AS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AND PART IS ON BACKORDER. OBVIOUSLY A …
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CAR BEGAN SURGING FORWARD EVEN WITH BRAKE APPLIED CREATING OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLISIONS. A FEW WEEKS LATER IT STARTED STALLING AND WOULD GO INTO SAFE MODE AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ABOVE 40MPH, WHICH WAS A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE ON THE INTERSTATE. DEALERSHIP HAS DIAGNOSED AS THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AND PART IS ON BACKORDER. OBVIOUSLY A HIGH RATE OF REPAIRS BEING DONE IF PART ON BACKORDER. SEVERAL FORUMS INDICATE THIS IS A COMMON OWNER ISSUE AND HAS RESULTED IN UNSAFE CONDITIONS. WE WERE TOLD WE COULD STILL DRIVE IT BUT FEELS UNSAFE AND COULD CREATE A SITUATION THAT WOULD PUT MY CHILDREN IN HARMS WAY WHILE BEING PASSENGERS. WOULD LIKE FORD TO TAKE OWNERSHIP OF ISSUE AND PROVIDE SAFE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350498
134,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 3.0 LITER ENGINE THAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE SITTING AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS ALMOST HITTING OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAS ALSO STALLED OUT PULLING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. IT NEVER SHOWED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE HAD FORD CHANGE THE …
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 3.0 LITER ENGINE THAT HAS AN ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THE CAR HAS SURGED FORWARD SEVERAL TIMES WHILE SITTING AT STOP SIGNS OR RED LIGHTS ALMOST HITTING OTHER CARS IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAS ALSO STALLED OUT PULLING THROUGH INTERSECTIONS. IT NEVER SHOWED A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. WE HAD FORD CHANGE THE PLUGS AND AN OXYGEN SENSOR. THE VERY NEXT DAY IT STARTED AGAIN. TOOK IT BACK TO FORD WHO THEN SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND THEY WERE ON SEVERE BACK ORDER ARE NOT SURE WHEN A REPLACEMENT WILL BE AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350179
60,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER REPEATED PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AS NORMAL. THE FAIL SAFE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO ACCELERATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER REPEATED PRESSURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AS NORMAL. THE FAIL SAFE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. SHE WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10350124
78,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AT LOW IDLE AND THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND WE HAVE ALMOST HIT BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE IN PARKING LOTS BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WILL SURGE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AS WELL AS FORWARD GEARS. YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE V…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IN THE LAST MONTH OR SO THE CAR HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AT LOW IDLE AND THIS HAS PROVEN TO BE VERY DANGEROUS AND WE HAVE ALMOST HIT BUILDINGS AND PEOPLE IN PARKING LOTS BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WILL SURGE ON IT'S OWN. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AS WELL AS FORWARD GEARS. YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE SURGE AND THE CAR SOMETIMES STALLS OUT WITH A CRITICAL ENGINE FAILURE MESSAGE. WE TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALER AND THE PROBLEM IS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD AND THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED TO FIX THIS. IT'S HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THESE CARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10350087
102,000 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,000.
NHTSA ODI #10350042
46,318 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP SIGN AT A CROSSWALK, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RACING AND JERKING FORWARD! PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF-IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN THE CROSSWALK, I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY …
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WHILE SLOWING DOWN TO COME TO A STOP SIGN AT A CROSSWALK, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE'S ENGINE SUDDENLY STARTED RACING AND JERKING FORWARD! PRESSING DOWN AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR AND I HAD TO TURN IT OFF-IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN IN THE CROSSWALK, I WOULD HAVE HIT THEM! NEEDLESS TO SAY, I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR-IT IS BEING TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MILEAGE IS 46,318. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349738
80,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
CAR ACCELERATED WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE AND BRAKE WAS APPLIED, 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ... TOOK TO DEALER... REPLACED THE THROTTLE SENSOR W A KIT. PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED TO THE TUNE OF $700,00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349680
35,000 miles · Aug 16, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AS THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE THEN ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT HAD EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE OVER A DOZEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS OR DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,550.
NHTSA ODI #10349552
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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