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
143,865 miles · Jul 10, 2012
EnginePower Train
WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL LUNG FORWARD. RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND HAD HARD TIME STOPPING VEHICLE AND STALLED. LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR PERSON. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED I HAD TROUBLE CODES: PO61 AND P2106. FORD STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW…
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WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL LUNG FORWARD. RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND HAD HARD TIME STOPPING VEHICLE AND STALLED. LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR PERSON. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED I HAD TROUBLE CODES: PO61 AND P2106. FORD STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED STALLING AND LUNGING. ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH UPPER MOTOR MOUNT AND AC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465153
980,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITH GREAT SPEED LURCHES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. I NOTICE THE ISSUE MOST OFTEN WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR JUST AFTER USING THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING FORCING ME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO THAT I DO NOT HIT OTHER VEHICLES OR UNINTENTIONALLY ENTER TRAFFI…
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VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY AND WITH GREAT SPEED LURCHES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. I NOTICE THE ISSUE MOST OFTEN WHEN PULLING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR JUST AFTER USING THE BRAKE. THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING FORCING ME TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES SO THAT I DO NOT HIT OTHER VEHICLES OR UNINTENTIONALLY ENTER TRAFFIC. THE ISSUE IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE THERE IS NO FOREWARNING AND HAS APPEARED TO BE HAPPENING MORE OFTEN AND WITH GREATER FORCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465093
55,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IN PARKING LOT WITH BOTH MY WIFE'S FEET PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. HIT PARKING DIVIDER AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK. ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN PARK, THEN RESUMED NORMAL IDLE. DASH SERVICE AND ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED. TAKEN TO FORD GARAGE IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP RESIS…
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VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD IN PARKING LOT WITH BOTH MY WIFE'S FEET PUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. HIT PARKING DIVIDER AND MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK. ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE IN PARK, THEN RESUMED NORMAL IDLE. DASH SERVICE AND ENGINE LIGHTS APPEARED. TAKEN TO FORD GARAGE IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP RESISTING COVERAGE UNDER EXTENDED FORD POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464837
87,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH LURCHES BACKWARD WHEN YOU HAVE THE A/C ON AND YOU BACK UP. IT ALSO STARTED DOING THE SAME IN FOWARD. FORD SHOULD ACT UPON THIS BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464783
130,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OR DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OR DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464757
83,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MOMENTARY INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE APPROXIMATELY 3 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A MOMENTARY INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED WITH A USED THROTTLE BODY DUE TO THE SAFETY ISSUE AND THE PART BEING ON A MASSIVE BACK ORDER. TWO YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. CURRENTLY, A NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS BEING REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. ALSO, THERE WAS A CURRENT OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 08/07/12*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10464730
Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2012
Power Train
CAR LUNGES IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. USUALLY IN HOT WEATHER. IDLES LOW AND STALLED A FEW TIME. IF IT DOES NOT STALL IT IS SLUGGISH AND NO POWER. PLEASE LETS HAVE SOME SERVICE AFTER THE SALE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464723
61,900 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Power Train
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN I AM EITHER STOPPED OR DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MAINLY WHEN IT A HOT DAY AND THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS OFF. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND I LOO…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN I AM EITHER STOPPED OR DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MAINLY WHEN IT A HOT DAY AND THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS OFF. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND I LOOSE POWER AND THE CAR SAYS FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE. NOW I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH THE FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE. THIS IS JUST THE LATEST OCCURRENCE. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464680
90,000 miles · Jul 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
AT SLOW PARKING LOT MANEUVER SPEEDS VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD, USUALLY ON A HOT DAY WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON. AFTER BRAKING ,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR IS SLUGGISH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464572
80,000 miles · Jul 7, 2012
Latches/locks/linkagesStructure
1.)EVERY WINTER THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL FREEZE. SO, ONCE YOU OPEN YOUR DOOR & YOU GO TO SHUT IT, IT WILL NOT LATCH SHUT, INSTEAD IT WILL JUST BOUNCE BACK OPEN. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 1/2 HOUR EACH TIME OF MANUALLY MOVING THE LATCH UP & DOWN IT FINALLY ENGAGES. 2.) POWER WINDOW BUTTONS DO NOT WORK ON…
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1.)EVERY WINTER THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL FREEZE. SO, ONCE YOU OPEN YOUR DOOR & YOU GO TO SHUT IT, IT WILL NOT LATCH SHUT, INSTEAD IT WILL JUST BOUNCE BACK OPEN. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 1/2 HOUR EACH TIME OF MANUALLY MOVING THE LATCH UP & DOWN IT FINALLY ENGAGES. 2.) POWER WINDOW BUTTONS DO NOT WORK ON ANY WINDOW EXCEPT DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I HAVE IT REPAIRED, & IF I PUT THE WINDOW LOCKS ON, AFTER THAT NONE WILL WORK AGAIN. I'M TIRED OF FIXING AN ONGOING PROBLEM! 3.) DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK IS INTERMITTENT IN WORKING. IT MUST BE PRESSED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 TIMES USUALLY BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE. *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.
2005 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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