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
120,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
EngineService Brakes
CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN IN DRIVE THRU. FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND AIR CONDTIONING WAS RUNNING, CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A SURGE OF POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNG FORWARD AND THEN CAR CUT OFF. THIS HAPPEN BEFORE IN AUGUST OF 2008 AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ON AC…
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CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHEN IN DRIVE THRU. FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND AIR CONDTIONING WAS RUNNING, CAR SEEMED TO HAVE A SURGE OF POWER CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNG FORWARD AND THEN CAR CUT OFF. THIS HAPPEN BEFORE IN AUGUST OF 2008 AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ON AC UNIT, BUT IT IS STILL HAPPENING. DEALERSHIP AND FORD CONSUMER CARE WAS CONTACTED,BUT THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM OR FIX IT. THE PROBLEM HAS ALSO AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION NEEDED ONLY A NEW IN PUT SHAFT, BUT FORD FAILED TO TELL CUSTOMERS THAT THEY CLOSED THEIR PLANT THAT MAKES THE PARTS FOR FREESTYLE. NO INPUT SHAFT COULD BE FOUND, SO HAD TO PAY FOR A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION FOR $6000.00. AGAIN FORD WAS CONTACTED, COULD ONLY SAY OH WELL. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462742
125,650 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SURGES WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TAKING OFF FROM STOP SIGNS, PARKING OR BACKING. IT IS WORSE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS OPERATING. WHILE PARKED AND IDLING WITH A/C ON, RPMS INCREASE (NEARLY DOUBLE) WHEN A/C COOMPRESSOR CLUTCH ENGAGES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS NOT ON …
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VEHICLE SURGES WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR WHILE IDLING AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS TAKING OFF FROM STOP SIGNS, PARKING OR BACKING. IT IS WORSE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS OPERATING. WHILE PARKED AND IDLING WITH A/C ON, RPMS INCREASE (NEARLY DOUBLE) WHEN A/C COOMPRESSOR CLUTCH ENGAGES. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT IS NOT ON WHILE THE CONDITION EXISTS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, HOWEVER I DO PLAN ON IT TOMORROW TO SEE IF THEY KNOW OF A PROPER REPAIR. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462669
99,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Unknown Or Other
PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE AND THE BRAKES HAVE TO BE PRESSED REALLY QUICK SO U DON'T HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF U. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE AIR IS RUNNING. IT WILL ALSO DO THIS WHEN U ARE BACKING UP AND GOING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462615
Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2012
Engine
WE HAVE HAD A FEW ISSUES WITH THE CAR LUNGING BUT TODAY, JUNE 18,2012 WAS THE WORST INCIDENT. I WAS BACKING OUT IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR LUNGED SO BAD I HAD TROUBLES STOPPING IT. I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE WHEN IT STOPPED TO TRY BACKING OUT AGAIN AND IT LUNGED IN FORWARD SO HARD I ALMOST COULD NOT GET IT STOPPED AND ABOUT HIT TH…
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WE HAVE HAD A FEW ISSUES WITH THE CAR LUNGING BUT TODAY, JUNE 18,2012 WAS THE WORST INCIDENT. I WAS BACKING OUT IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR LUNGED SO BAD I HAD TROUBLES STOPPING IT. I THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE WHEN IT STOPPED TO TRY BACKING OUT AGAIN AND IT LUNGED IN FORWARD SO HARD I ALMOST COULD NOT GET IT STOPPED AND ABOUT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE DISPLAY THEN SAID IT WENT INTO ENGINE OVERRIDE AND CUT THE POWER. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF AND I WAS FORTUNATE I DID NOT HIT ANYBODY. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10462260
106,987 miles · Jun 18, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion System
IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH BRAKES PRESSED, ENGINE STARTING REVVING UP TO OVER 2000 RPM. VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE AND HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL HARDER TO STOP. VEHICLE MOVED APPROX 10 FT BEFORE IT STOPPED. ISSUE HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, BUT WAS NOT TAKEN IN TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AS IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR QUITE A WHILE. HAS HAPP…
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IDLING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH BRAKES PRESSED, ENGINE STARTING REVVING UP TO OVER 2000 RPM. VEHICLE STARTED TO SURGE AND HAD TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL HARDER TO STOP. VEHICLE MOVED APPROX 10 FT BEFORE IT STOPPED. ISSUE HAPPENED REPEATEDLY, BUT WAS NOT TAKEN IN TO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AS IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN FOR QUITE A WHILE. HAS HAPPENED AROUND 30 TIMES SINCE FEBRUARY. TODAY, 6/18/2012 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH TOWN IN STOP-GO TRAFFIC, VEHICLE STARTED SURGING AGAIN. WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS ERROR WORDING OF ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. HAD TO SLOWLY MANEUVER INTO A PARKING LOT AND TURN CAR OFF. ONCE RESTARTED, LIGHTS WENT OFF AND WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME. TOOK IT TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND THEY STATE THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM AND THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED (THEY JUST DID ON 05 FREESTYLE LAST THURSDAY WITH SAME SYMPTOMS). $758.00 TO REPLACE. REALLY NEED SOME ACTION ON THIS INVESTIGATION! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462141
64,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
1ST OCCURRENCE WAS IN A PARKING LOT. STARTED CAR, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND CAR SURGED BACKWARD. QUICKLY APPLIED BRAKE. 2ND OCCURRENCE, AGAIN IN A PARKING LOT, A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS TIME PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND IT SURGED FORWARD 3 - 4 TIMES IN A ROW. HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BREAK EACH TIME AND WHEN I W…
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1ST OCCURRENCE WAS IN A PARKING LOT. STARTED CAR, HAD FOOT ON BRAKE, REMOVED FOOT FROM BRAKE AND CAR SURGED BACKWARD. QUICKLY APPLIED BRAKE. 2ND OCCURRENCE, AGAIN IN A PARKING LOT, A FEW DAYS LATER. THIS TIME PUT CAR INTO DRIVE AND IT SURGED FORWARD 3 - 4 TIMES IN A ROW. HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BREAK EACH TIME AND WHEN I WOULD RELEASE THE BRAKE IT WOULD SURGE AGAIN. 3RD OCCURRENCE IN FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH. EACH TIME I WOULD ADVANCE IN LINE THE CAR WOULD SURGE AND I HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BRAKE. ALSO HAVE NOTICED SLIGHT SURGING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS. HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE THE CAR WAS AT 20,000 MILES OR LESS. CAN OBSERVE THE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATING WHILE CRUISE IS SET OR WHEN FOOT IS ON ACCELERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462118
125,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
EnginePower Train
THE CAR WILL LUNGE ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY WHEN STOPPED AT ANY LENGTH OF TIME WITH AIR CONDITIONING ON. THIS WILL MAKE THE CAR STALL OUT AND CAUSE THE WRENCH LIGHT TO COME ON RENDERING THE CAR TO OPERATE IN SAFETY MODE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462101
104,500 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
CAR LOST POWER AT 35-40 MPH FOR JUST A FEW SECONDS. MANY INSTANCES OF LUNGING IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. FRIGHTENING TO DRIVE IN PARKING LOTS.
NHTSA ODI #10461755
127,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO THE DRIVE POSITION, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY CONTROL AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
NHTSA ODI #10461625
64,223 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO YEARS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND AGAIN, IT WAS ADVISED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,223 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
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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