Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
15325–50K
33950–75K
31275–100K
307100–150K
74150K+
1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,459 reports
100,000 miles · Aug 12, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY DRIVER ACTION AND WILL DIE AFTER ACCELERATING. THIS OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES PER MONTH. THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I WAS ALSO ADVISED BY THE DE…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT ANY DRIVER ACTION AND WILL DIE AFTER ACCELERATING. THIS OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES PER MONTH. THE FORD DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY. THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. I WAS ALSO ADVISED BY THE DEALER THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL 2005 FORD FREESTYLES IN MY AREA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348938
85,000 miles · Aug 11, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PLACING HER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SHE DROVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART WAS CLEANED, BUT THE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT PLACING HER FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN SHE DROVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE PART WAS CLEANED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO EVENTUALLY STALL BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95000.
NHTSA ODI #10348853
102,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Equipment
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHENEVER THE CONTACT TURNED ON THE AIR CONDITIONER SHE NOTICED THAT THE AIR WAS NOT COMING OUT AS COLD AS THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE AND WOULD NOT COOL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103000.
NHTSA ODI #10348537
70,000 miles · Aug 10, 2010
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control
WHILE THE CAR IS IN IDLE OR NO ACCELERATION MADE, AT A STOP OR IN REVERSE, MY CAR WILL SURGE, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE ON. I CHECKED WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND ALSO WITH FORD.COM. THEY SUGGESTED I SCHEDULE A CHECK UP, WHICH I DID. I WENT TO THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE AND THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO. ONE MECHANIC SUGGES…
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WHILE THE CAR IS IN IDLE OR NO ACCELERATION MADE, AT A STOP OR IN REVERSE, MY CAR WILL SURGE, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE ON. I CHECKED WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU, AND ALSO WITH FORD.COM. THEY SUGGESTED I SCHEDULE A CHECK UP, WHICH I DID. I WENT TO THE DEALER REPAIR SERVICE AND THEY WERE UNSURE OF WHAT TO DO. ONE MECHANIC SUGGESTED A THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT WHICH IS 700 DOLLARS, BUT SAID HE'S UNSURE OF HOW TO PROCEED. THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD CONSTITUTE INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA. ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE TOYOTA. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF INQUIRIES BY CONSUMERS. SOME OF WHICH REAR-ENDED VEHICLES. WHEN WILL NHTSA TAKE ACTION? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348462
73,500 miles · Aug 10, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE AND HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. HE APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND CONTINUED TO OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. THE VEHI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLE AND HIS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. HE APPLIED EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND CONTINUED TO OCCUR SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON AUGUST 9, 2010 AND THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART AND IT WOULD BE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE IT WAS AVAILABLE. HE ALSO ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT HE WOULD HAVE THE PART IN A DAY. THE THROTTLE BODY WILL BE REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,913.
NHTSA ODI #10348411
105,600 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT (1000 MILES FROM HOME) AND MY 2005 FREESTYLE LURCHED FORWARD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT AND FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE WARNINGS APPEARED ON THE DASH. I CAREFULLY DRIVE THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART WAS IN NA…
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I WAS SITTING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT (1000 MILES FROM HOME) AND MY 2005 FREESTYLE LURCHED FORWARD WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT AND FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE WARNINGS APPEARED ON THE DASH. I CAREFULLY DRIVE THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO FIND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE PART WAS IN NATIONAL BACKORDER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348353
65,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM CAUSES CAR TO SURGE WHILE DRIVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348331
59,994 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE ENGINE SAFE MODE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE CONTACT ENGAGED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59994. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61000.
NHTSA ODI #10348322
120,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREETSTYLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN PLACED IN GEAR AND SOMETIMES WHEN SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. ALSO LUNGES BACKWARD WHEN IN REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10348275
73,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
EquipmentPower Train
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AT SLOW SPEEDS. AGAIN YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THIS IS TYPICAL OF WHEN THE CAR LURCHES/SURGES FORWARD. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY THE CAR ALSO WENT INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGI…
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FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AT SLOW SPEEDS. AGAIN YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THIS IS TYPICAL OF WHEN THE CAR LURCHES/SURGES FORWARD. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY THE CAR ALSO WENT INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE". I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS INCIDENT SINCE PRIOR TO THE STANDARD WARRANTY EXPIRING ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT 'THROW ANY CODES' WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY ACTION TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ALTHOUGH I CONTINUE TO NOTIFY MY DEALERSHIP EVERYTIME THE CAR IS IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, ETC. IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY/THROTTLE BODY CONTROL. *TR
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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