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
49,332 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I WAS IN A PARKING SPACE IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR WENT BACK VERY FAST BEFORE STALLING OUT. THE DASH BOARD READ "FAIL SAFE MODE". I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY - A PART ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOV 09 AND COSTS $700 PLU…
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I WAS IN A PARKING SPACE IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE CAR WENT BACK VERY FAST BEFORE STALLING OUT. THE DASH BOARD READ "FAIL SAFE MODE". I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY - A PART ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOV 09 AND COSTS $700 PLUS $300 LABOR ~ AND THEY SENT ME HOME WITH MY CAR!! VERY UNSURE OF DRIVING MY VEHICLE UNTIL THEN WITH MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN NEVERMIND THE DANGERS TO OTHER PEOPLE. FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN BACK IN DEC 05 FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE. A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH ON LINE SHOWS THAT THEIR ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL YET. CLEARLY THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION INTO THIS ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279512
38,890 miles · Aug 3, 2009
Power Train
UNEXPECTED TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN BRISK TRAFFIC. NO WARNING LIGHTS ISSUED ON THE DASH UNTIL FAILURE, DEALER SAW NO CODES ON THE COMPUTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279164
66,000 miles · Jul 29, 2009
Power Train
WAS MANEUVERING VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. WAS ABLE TO APPLY BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. CAR ENGINE ALSO STALLS AND UPON RESTART A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EL…
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WAS MANEUVERING VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. WAS ABLE TO APPLY BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. CAR ENGINE ALSO STALLS AND UPON RESTART A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACING. WAS TOLD THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL POSSIBLY IN DECEMBER. AFTER REVIEWING COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB, THIS SEEMS TO BE A LARGE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE CAR WANTING TO SURGE FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278608
97,000 miles · Jul 26, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 FORD FREESTYLE ENGINE IDLES UP BY ITSELF. ALMOST RAN INTO SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, IT ALSO DID IT TWICE IN WHICH I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IT IDLED DOWN TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP IN WHICH WE JUST ABOUT GOT RAN OVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAD A MECHANIC TO PLUG IN A OBD SCANNER WHICH IT DISPLA…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE ENGINE IDLES UP BY ITSELF. ALMOST RAN INTO SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, IT ALSO DID IT TWICE IN WHICH I WAS TRAVELING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IT IDLED DOWN TO AN ALMOST COMPLETE STOP IN WHICH WE JUST ABOUT GOT RAN OVER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I HAD A MECHANIC TO PLUG IN A OBD SCANNER WHICH IT DISPLAYED A CODE WHICH READ P061B, SAID INTERNAL CONTROL MODULE CALCULATION AND PERFORMANCE AND TORQUE. AFTER DOING A GOOGLE SEARCH, I FOUND THERE ARE MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME VEHICLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE CARS. NHTSA NEEDS TO CONTACT FORD ABOUT RECALLING SUCH DEFECTIVE CARS. IM IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE MORE THAN 1000 PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND ADDRESS THEM TOO A CLASS ACTION LAWYER. TO PURSUE AGAINST FORD, AND NHTSA IF THEY DO NOT CONTACT FORD ABOUT A RECALL, ALSO CONTACTING MY LOCAL CONGRESSMAN, AND MY LOCAL ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278362
64,000 miles · Jul 24, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
APPROX. 4 WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE BEGAN SURGE ON RPMS, ABOUT 3 TO 4000, WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. IT LUNGED BACKWARDS WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND CAME APPROX. 5 FEET FROM A PEDESTRIAN. THEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. IT THEN HAD A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASH. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND…
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APPROX. 4 WEEKS AGO MY VEHICLE BEGAN SURGE ON RPMS, ABOUT 3 TO 4000, WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. IT LUNGED BACKWARDS WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AND CAME APPROX. 5 FEET FROM A PEDESTRIAN. THEN THE ENTIRE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. IT THEN HAD A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASH. WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN FIXED. HOWEVER 2 DAYS LATER IT DOES THE SAME THING WHILE IN A FAST FOOD DRIVE-THROUGH, EXCEPT THIS TIME IT SURGED AND LUNGED FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO APPLY BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE AND IT CONTINUED TO TRY TO DRIVE FORWARD WHILE CARS WERE IN FRONT OF ME. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. AFTER HAVING MY VEHICLE FOR 10 DAYS I WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE PART IS ON BACKORDER AND IS UNAVAILABLE TO BE FIXED UNTIL NOVEMBER OF 2009. I WAS ALSO TOLD TO COME PICK UP MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOWEVER WHILE BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY LATER ON THE SAME DAY, IT SURGES IN RPMS AND LUNGES BACKWARDS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD CAN SAY THAT IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA ODI #10278160
52,000 miles · Jul 23, 2009
Fuel System, Other
THROTTLE BODY, THE CAR WILL SURGE RANDOMLY AT STOPLIGHTS OR BACKING UP WITH NO WARNING. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278130
44,000 miles · Jul 22, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE JUST BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN AT BOB BELL FORD FOR OVER A WEEK. I WAS AT THE BEACH AND THE CAR STALLED TWICE AND WENT IN TO A FAIL SAFE MODE. I TOOK IT TO BOB BELL FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. I WAS TOLD THAT I COU…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE JUST BOUGHT IT LAST YEAR AND IT HAS BEEN AT BOB BELL FORD FOR OVER A WEEK. I WAS AT THE BEACH AND THE CAR STALLED TWICE AND WENT IN TO A FAIL SAFE MODE. I TOOK IT TO BOB BELL FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT IT WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL NOVEMBER 2009. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD COME PICK UP MY CAR AND IF IT BREAKS DOWN THEY WILL COME GET ME. NOT THINKING THAT I COULD BE INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT IF IT STALLS WELL DRIVING. I HAVE CALLED HEADQUARTERS TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO FOR ME AS FAR AS A RENTAL AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING FOR THAT LENGTH OF TIME. THIS ALL HAS TO DO WITH THE PLANTS BEING SHUT DOWN AND PARTS NO BEING MADE. SOMEONE JUST BOUGHT A NEW GM CAMARO AND HAD TO SIGN A WAIVER STATING THAT IF THE CAR BREAKS DOWN THEY COULD HAVE TO WAIT 6 MONTHS TO A YEAR TO GET PARTS AND THEY ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING THE PAYMENT. THE PART THAT I NEED IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME CAR ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. JUST LOOKING TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE BECAUSE I CAN NOT GO WITHOUT A CAR UNTIL NOVEMBER. I HAVE 3 KIDS AND I WORK 2 JOBS TO SUPPORT MY FAMILY. WITHOUT A CAR HOE AM I SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277926
83,358 miles · Jul 18, 2009
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT DEAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277313
60,000 miles · Jul 16, 2009
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline
SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REPLACED. THEN WAS TOLD A WEEK LATER THAT THE PART …
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SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD WHEN FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. ALMOST GOT HIT IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. CAR THEN IMMEDIATELY WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 30 MPH. TOOK IT TO DEALER AND WAS DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO REPLACED. THEN WAS TOLD A WEEK LATER THAT THE PART WAS BACKORDERED AND WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR OVER 90 DAYS. DEALER THEN TOLD ME IT WAS OK TO DRIVE. NO WAY I'M PUTTING MY FAMILY IN THIS CAR WHICH COULD GAS FORWARD ON IT'S OWN AS IT IS A DRIVE BY WIRE SYSTEM. MANY PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEMS. FORD EVEN HAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED REGARDING THIS PROBLEM--TSB 05-25-13. SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED TO VOLVO'S WHICH USE SAME PARTS. HOPEFULLY MORE REPORTS OF THIS WILL CAUSE FORD TO RECALL THE PART! AND ALSO AFTER EVERY TWO FILL UPS THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT GOES BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277062
58,123 miles · Jul 13, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
MULTIPLE CASES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, CODES INDICATE FAILED THROTTLE BODY. CHECK ENGINE COMES ON AND FORCED LIMITED POWER KEEPS SPEED BELOW 25 MPH. *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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