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2005 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
131,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT VERY SLOWLY AND THE CAR SURGED BACKWARD ABOUT A FOOT, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND STOP IT. THE FAIL SAFE MODE THEN ENGAGED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SAT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT AND STARTED BACKING OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, THE SURGE BACKWARD AND THE FAILSAFE …

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I WAS BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT VERY SLOWLY AND THE CAR SURGED BACKWARD ABOUT A FOOT, I WAS ABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND STOP IT. THE FAIL SAFE MODE THEN ENGAGED. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND SAT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES AND RESTARTED IT AND STARTED BACKING OUT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, THE SURGE BACKWARD AND THE FAILSAFE MODE ENGAGED. I ONCE AGAIN STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND SAT FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON BUT I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE ALL RIGHT, AND THE FAILSAFE MODE DID NOT COME BACK ON. IT WAS AN EXTREMELY HOT 100 DEGREES DAY, AND THE A/C WAS ON. THIS IS EXTREMELY SCARY. I COULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464123

118,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAD BEEN FOLLOWING A FRIEND ON IH10 IN EAST TEXAS. FRIEND HAD PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, I PULLED IN BEHIND HIM. I STAYED IN MY CAR WITH AC RUNNING FOR APPROX 10 MINUTES I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED TH…

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PURCHASED THE CAR USED FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. I HAD BEEN FOLLOWING A FRIEND ON IH10 IN EAST TEXAS. FRIEND HAD PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD, I PULLED IN BEHIND HIM. I STAYED IN MY CAR WITH AC RUNNING FOR APPROX 10 MINUTES I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND STARTED TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MPH. I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE CAR OFF. MY FRIEND SAW ME AND PULLED HIS VEHICLE OVER AND CAME BACK TO CHECK ON ME. I STARTED THE CAR BACK UP TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY THE ACCELERATOR WAS RACING EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE COMPUTER SAID IT WAS RUNNING IN SAFE MODE. ON JULY 2 2012 I TOOK MY SON TO AIRPORT. I PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT ,WE HAD SET IN THE CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE AND AC RUNNING FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES.. WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE THE ACCELERATOR GOT STUCK AND WITH MY BRAKES STILL APPLIED THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD ACCELERATOR RUNNING FULL FORCE. THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT ENGAGED BY ME AND I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND OPERATING IN SAFE MODE. THIS IS VERY UNNERVING AND I THINK COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT HAD ANY CARS BEEN AROUND ME. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I HAD PURCHASED IT, HAVE AN APPT TO BRING IT BACK IN ON JULY 9 TO HAVE THEM FIX IT. I GOT ON THE WEBSITE OF FORD TODAY FOR ANY RECALLS THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN CALLED FOR MY CAR-DIDN'T SEE ANY FOR THIS TYPE PROBLEM. HOWEVER IN RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD REPORTED IT. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND QUICKLY BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED-AND I PRAY ITS NOT ME. THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING ME $85 TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC THEY ALREADY KNOWS EXISTS. AS FAR AS I CAN TELL, NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED OR FIXED. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464082

88,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Service Brakes

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTO MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

NHTSA ODI #10464063

60,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
EnginePower Train

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES AT THE INITIAL START POSITION. IN THE "PARK" POSITION THE CAR WILL REV WITHOUT COMPRESSING THE GAS PETAL, IT THEN LUNGES FORWARD AS YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR IN EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. IT SHUDDERS AND SHAKES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND OPERATE IS THE "S…

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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEEMS TO HAVE ISSUES AT THE INITIAL START POSITION. IN THE "PARK" POSITION THE CAR WILL REV WITHOUT COMPRESSING THE GAS PETAL, IT THEN LUNGES FORWARD AS YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR IN EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. IT SHUDDERS AND SHAKES, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY AND OPERATE IS THE "SAFE" MODE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT USUALLY COMES ON. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SEEN ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS RANGING FROM APRIL OF 2010 TO JULY 2010, EACH TIME THE SYMPTOMS BECAME WORSE, AT ONE POINT WHILE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT JUST BEFORE ENTERING THE ON-RAMP TO THE HIGHWAY, IT STUTTERED, REVVED HIGH AND LUNGED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, EMBARRASSED, I CONTINUED TO PROCEED FORWARD TO THE ON-RAMP WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY CAUSING THE 4 VEHICLES BEHIND ME TO BREAK HARD, AGAIN ALMOST CAUSING ANOTHER ACCIDENT, I DROVE IT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DID WORK ON THE VEHICLE AND THOUGHT TO HAVE SOLVED THE ISSUE. THE ISSUES STARTED TO OCCUR IN THE WINTER AND EARLY SPRING BEFORE THE USAGE OF THE A/C AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE SUMMER MONTHS APPROACHED AND THE A/C FULL WAS IN USAGE. IT HAS BEEN A ALMOST 2 YEARS SINCE I HAVE NEEDED TO REPORT ANYTHING TO THE DEALER. THE FIX DID APPEAR TO LESSEN THE INTENSITY OF THE ISSUE, BUT DID NOT FIX IT ENTIRELY. IT HAS CONTINUED TO ACT UP, BUT IS BACK TO THE SAME INTENSITY AS THE SUMMER OF 2010. THE ENGINE SURGED 3 TIMES IN AN HOUR PERIOD LAST WEEK AND SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN TWICE. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT IT, THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE CONSIDERED A NEW ISSUE SINCE IT HAS BEEN ALMOST 2 YEARS SINCE THEY HAD WORKED ON THE CAR FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THEY MAY HAVE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY IN 2010, WHICH REDUCED THE SURGING INTENSITY, BUT IT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IS FORD WAITING FOR A MAJOR ACCIDENT, FIRE OR DEATH TO OCCUR BEFORE THIS PROBLEM IS RESOLVED OR REPLACED?! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464057

96,900 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Engine

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 96,987 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT LUNGING ISSUES FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IT IS ONLY ON HOT DAYS WHEN I HAVE THE A/C ON. THE LUNGING HAPPENS WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED, OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVE THROUGH AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, THE BANK, …

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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 96,987 MILES. THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT LUNGING ISSUES FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IT IS ONLY ON HOT DAYS WHEN I HAVE THE A/C ON. THE LUNGING HAPPENS WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED, OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE DRIVE THROUGH AT A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT, THE BANK, ETC. BUT MOST RECENTLY IT HAPPENED AT MY DAUGHTERS SCHOOL PARKING LOT! I ALMOST HIT A CHILD AS SHE WAS CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I HAD TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND THANKFULLY THE CAR STOPPED. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH WORSE OUTCOME. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY; PARTS AND LABOR $880. PICKED UP THE CAR AT 6:45PM, ALL THE SERVICE TECS HAD LEFT FOR THE DAY; SO I PAID THE CASHIER THE $880, GOT IN THE CAR, TURNED ON THE IGNITION AND IMMEDIATELY THE ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT WERE STILL ON!! I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT! I COULD NOT EVEN LEAVE THE PARKING LOT...THE CAR "BUCKED" THE ENTIRE WAY OUT...I IMMEDIATELY TURNED AROUND AND LEFT MY CAR AT THE SERVICE LOT AGAIN AND DROPPED OF THE KEYS WITH A NOTE IN THE NIGHT KEY BOX. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED IN MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP; I KNOW THEY NEVER TEST DROVE THE CAR PRIOR TO THEM DIAGNOSING THE PROBLEM NOR DID THEY TEST DRIVE THE CAR AFTER THEY "FIXED" IT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW THEY COULD CONSCIOUSLY TELL ME THE CAR WAS FIXED AND CHARGE ME $880.00?!?! FORD REALLY NEEDS TO STEP TO THE PLATE ON THIS ISSUE AND PLACE A RECALL ON THESE CARS....I HAVE LOVED MY CAR PRIOR TO THIS LUNGING/SURGING SITUATION BUT AT THIS POINT I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464038

114,345 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE, DRIVE, OR WHEN CAR IS SITTING IDLE THERE IS A SUDDEN ABRUPT THROTTLE IN THE TRANSMISSION GAS. THE ACCELERATION IS SO ABRUPT THAT IT CAUSES THE CAR TO MOVE WITH FORCE WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE GAS. THERE WERE A FEW INCIDENCES WHERE I ALMOST RAMMED THE OBJECTS IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME, FROM THE SUDDEN …

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WHEN I PUT CAR IN REVERSE, DRIVE, OR WHEN CAR IS SITTING IDLE THERE IS A SUDDEN ABRUPT THROTTLE IN THE TRANSMISSION GAS. THE ACCELERATION IS SO ABRUPT THAT IT CAUSES THE CAR TO MOVE WITH FORCE WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE GAS. THERE WERE A FEW INCIDENCES WHERE I ALMOST RAMMED THE OBJECTS IN FRONT AND BEHIND ME, FROM THE SUDDEN THROTTLES/ACCELERATION. IVE NOTICED THAT IF IM SITTING BEHIND THE WHEEL AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BREAK AND IF I MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR WILL ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. *JS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10463957

89,000 miles · Jun 30, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

WITH THE A/C ON FULL (VERY HOT DAY OUTSIDE), WHEN STOPPING OR STARTING TO REVERSE, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD TWICE. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463843

87,229 miles · Jun 30, 2012
EnginePower Train

ON 6/18/12 AS I WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE I HEARD THE CAR REVVED UP A BIT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. IT'S A GOOD THING I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SO THE CAR DIDN'T JUST SPEED BACKWARDS ALL THE WAY. *TR ON 6/20/12 AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GROCERY COMPLEX, TURNING RIGHT I…

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ON 6/18/12 AS I WAS SLOWLY BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE I HEARD THE CAR REVVED UP A BIT AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS. IT'S A GOOD THING I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL SO THE CAR DIDN'T JUST SPEED BACKWARDS ALL THE WAY. *TR ON 6/20/12 AS I WAS PULLING OUT OF THE GROCERY COMPLEX, TURNING RIGHT INTO THE MAIN ROAD THE CAR SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND STARTED LUNGING FORWARD. IT'S A GOOD THING I HAD MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL AGAIN. ALSO IT'S A GOOD THING THERE WAS ENOUGH DISTANCE BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE ONE IN FRONT. OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE HIT THAT CAR BECAUSE THE LUNGE WAS PRETTY SIGNIFICANT. I BROUGHT IT TO FORD UPLAND, CA FOR THE THROTTLE BODY SERVICE. I GAVE THEM A COPY OF THE FORD TSB 09-24-12 BUT IN INSPECTING THE VEHICLE AFTERWARDS, I DO NOT SEE ANY EVIDENCE THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REMOVED AND THEN CLEANED THOROUGHLY. THE TSB SPECIFICALLY STATES TO REMOVE THE TB AND CLEAN IT PROPERLY. I AM GUESSING THAT THEY JUST OPENED UP THE OTHER END AND SPRAYED TB CLEANING COMPOUND AND THAT'S IT. NOW I AM WEARY THAT THE LUNGING MIGHT HAPPEN AGAIN. I AM HOPING THROUGH THE NHTSA THIS VEHICLE CAN BE RECALLED AND FORD TO ASSUME ALL COSTS OF REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TB AND ANY OTHER CONNECTED PROBLEMS TO LUNGING. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND I USE THIS TO DRIVE MY FAMILY WHICH INCLUDES A 1 YEAR OLD BABY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463636

85,000 miles · Jun 29, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

ABOUT 2 YRS AGO DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER I NOTICED THAT MY AIR CONDITION ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS NOT COOLING. SITTING STILL YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE ON THE HEAT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT MUCH WARMER THAT THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. COOLS OK IN THE MORNINGS WHEN IT IS NOT SO HOT BUT LATER IN THE DAY…

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ABOUT 2 YRS AGO DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER I NOTICED THAT MY AIR CONDITION ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS NOT COOLING. SITTING STILL YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE ON THE HEAT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT MUCH WARMER THAT THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. COOLS OK IN THE MORNINGS WHEN IT IS NOT SO HOT BUT LATER IN THE DAY YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THE AIR. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECK MORE THAN ONCE WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT LOW. THIS YEAR IT WORST THAN EVER. BEFORE IT WOULD START TO COOL ABOUT 20 MILES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. NOT NOW! I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC ALSO THE THE MOTOR BRACK IS BROKEN. WHAT IS NEXT. I ALSO HAD THE LUNGING PROBLEM THAT WAS FIXED, ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD SURE HAS HAD LOT OF PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463609

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2012
Power Train

I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND MY CAR LUNCHED ON ITS OWN AND ON MANY DIFFERENT OCCASSIONS IT LUNCHES EVEN WHEN REVERSING OR PARKING. ONE TIME I ALMOST HIT A VEHICLE BECAUSE THIS OCCURRED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I WANT TO FIND OUT IF THIS WILL BE FIXED BY FORD OR IS THIS AN EXPENSE I WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10463427

Official recalls

2

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

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

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.