NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports45,485 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE FORD FREESTYLE SE 2005, 45,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MAY 2009. IN APRIL 2010 WHILE REVERSING MY CAR STALLED AND "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" CAME ON WITH WRENCH SYMBOL. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED CAR, WRENCH SYMBOL WAS GONE AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WAS GONE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, SAME THING HAPP…
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VEHICLE FORD FREESTYLE SE 2005, 45,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MAY 2009. IN APRIL 2010 WHILE REVERSING MY CAR STALLED AND "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" CAME ON WITH WRENCH SYMBOL. IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF CAR, RESTARTED CAR, WRENCH SYMBOL WAS GONE AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WAS GONE. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, SAME THING HAPPENED WHEN I PUT INTO REVERSE, FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE CAME BACK ON. AFTER I TURNED CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON ALONG WITH THE SYMBOL FOR EMISSION SYSTEM. TOOK TO MY DEALER AND HAD THEM CHECK IT OUT. I WAS TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS A BAD THROTTLE BODY, COST TO FIX $900 PARTS AND LABOR. WE TOLD THEM NOT TO FIX AT THIS TIME AND DID SOME RESEARCH. SPOKE TO A MECHANIC FRIEND AND HE RECOMMENDED CLEANING THROTTLE BODY FIRST TO REMOVE ANY CARBON THAT COULD BE CAUSING BLOCKAGE. WE DID THAT AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. WHILE DOING THIS RESEARCH FOUND MANY ONLINE FORUMS OF OTHER FORD CUSTOMERS WITH SAME MAKE AND MODEL THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. SEEMS TO PERTAIN TO 2005/2006 MODELS. THE PROBLEM HAS COME BACK IN AUGUST 2010. WE ARE NOW RESEARCHING BUYING A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND HAVING THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349469
48,000 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Power Train
CAR SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT IS ACCELERATING, OR BUCKING, WHEN THE BRAKE IS ON OR SLOWING DOWN SUCH AS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349446
48,000 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Electrical System
2005 FORD FREESTYLE EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT FAILURE. ALL GAUGES FAIL (DROP TO ZERO) AND DASH LIGHT GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING. GAUGES MAY RESUME TO WORKING POSITION, BUT SOMETIMES CONTINUE TO FAIL WHILE DRIVING. VERY SCARY WHEN SPEEDOMETER REGISTERS 0 MPH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349444
93,000 miles · Aug 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AND ACCELERATE FROM IDLE WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS, BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES, ETC. I WAS BACKING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND IT SURGED BACKWARDS AND ALMOST CAUSED A COLLISION WITH A PARKED VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349442
Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SE, SELF ACCELERATING AND LUNGE'S FORWARD ON ITS OWN (WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE) AND DISPLAYS "FAIL SAFE MODE ON DASH", VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN-MOSTLY WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. JUST BOUGHT USED VEHICLE FROM DEALERSHIP APPROX 3 WEEKS AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349348
114,500 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES IN DRIVE AND REVERSE, SOMETIMES THE BRAKE WON'T EVEN HOLD IT. THE CAR THEN STALLS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349295
33,100 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS OR LUNGES FORWARD/REVERSE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE, AND WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE. CODE READER RESULTED IN CODES P061B AND P2106. MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND AUTOMECHANIC WEBSITES IDENTIFY THE SAME DANGEROUS SCENARIOS WITH THE SAME CODE READER RESULTS.…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS OR LUNGES FORWARD/REVERSE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE, AND WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE. CODE READER RESULTED IN CODES P061B AND P2106. MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND AUTOMECHANIC WEBSITES IDENTIFY THE SAME DANGEROUS SCENARIOS WITH THE SAME CODE READER RESULTS. DEALERSHIPS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE FORD FREESTYLE, YET NO RECALL HAS OCCURRED AND REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349294
65,000 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10349200
78,569 miles · Aug 13, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL SPEED UP AND SURGE FORWARD. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHILE PULLING INTO THE GARAGE. THE SURGE FORWARDED HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE LIKE THE CAR AND HAVE BECOME VERY CAREFUL WHEN PULLING UP TO INTERSECTION, INTO PARKING SPACE, ETC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349139
79,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Electric
WHEN BRAKES ARE ENGAGED, VEHICLE ATTEMPTS TO SPEED UP. HAVE TO BARE DOWN ON BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN. SOMETIMES THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO GO INTO A BACK UP SAFETY MODE. TWICE VEHICLE CUT OFF AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10349106
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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