NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reportsMileage unknown · May 23, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN COMPLETELY IDLE, STILL IN DRIVE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, RPM'S SURGE AND CAR LURCHES FORWARD 2-3 TIMES BEFORE DYING AND INDICATING "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" ON INFO PANEL. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE (IN TEXAS IS OFTEN) AND A/C ON MAX. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN GOING THROUGH PICK UP LINE AT MY KIDS SCHOOL OR AT A LIGHT IN…
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WHEN COMPLETELY IDLE, STILL IN DRIVE, FOOT ON THE BRAKE, RPM'S SURGE AND CAR LURCHES FORWARD 2-3 TIMES BEFORE DYING AND INDICATING "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" ON INFO PANEL. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE (IN TEXAS IS OFTEN) AND A/C ON MAX. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN GOING THROUGH PICK UP LINE AT MY KIDS SCHOOL OR AT A LIGHT IN TRAFFIC BECAUSE I COULD HIT ANOTHER CAR OR A CHILD IF MY FOOT IS NOT FIRMLY PRESSING THE BRAKE DOWN AS THE SURGE STARTS. CAN ONLY BE FIXED AT DEALERSHIP AND QUOTED AROUND $900. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10459354
45,000 miles · May 22, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459298
Mileage unknown · May 21, 2012
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND LUNGES FORWARD IN DRIVE WITH A HARD JERK. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN REVERSE. HAVE TO HURRY AND SLAM ON THE BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING IN PARK. ALSO KNOCKS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER. STARTED THE CAR AND WAS…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND LUNGES FORWARD IN DRIVE WITH A HARD JERK. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN REVERSE. HAVE TO HURRY AND SLAM ON THE BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING IN PARK. ALSO KNOCKS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER. STARTED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT THEM EVEN TAKING A LOOK. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUT STILL HAVE FAULTY EQUIPMENT. EVENTHOUGH THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR KIDS AND PEOPLE NOT PAYING ATTENTION WALKING BY. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS STILL BEING LOOKED AT TO GET FIXED OR RECALLED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10459140
50,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT AND BEARING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT AND BEARING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10459111
82,000 miles · May 13, 2012
Engine
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND REAR IN GARAGE AT START-UP AND FREEZES AT 30 MILES PER HOUR ON HIGHWAY WHEN USING SPEED CONTROL
NHTSA ODI #10458222
100,000 miles · May 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE FROM PARK, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL LUNGE UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS EVERYTIME, BUT HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH TO POSE A SAFETY RISK TO OTHERS AND THOSE IN THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457875
20,000 miles · May 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MANY TIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, WHETHER IT'S FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR SURGES. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES HELPS BUT DOESN'T COMPLETELY STOP THE INITIAL SURGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457616
139,000 miles · May 4, 2012
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING AT 7 AM IN THE MORNING ON A VERY BUST ROAD IN NEVADA, BOTH THE CHECK IN LIGHT AND THE FAILSAFE MODE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND I HAD SECONDS TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. I GOT AS FAR OUT OF THE ROAD AS POSSIBLE BUT IT WAS A DICEY SITUATION. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. I HAD NO PROBLEMS…
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WHILE DRIVING AT 7 AM IN THE MORNING ON A VERY BUST ROAD IN NEVADA, BOTH THE CHECK IN LIGHT AND THE FAILSAFE MODE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND I HAD SECONDS TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. I GOT AS FAR OUT OF THE ROAD AS POSSIBLE BUT IT WAS A DICEY SITUATION. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR UNTIL I HIT 120000. AS SOON AS I DID, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND GOT A CODE READ ABOUT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, WHICH I DON'T HAVE . I HAVE A MAF SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR, THEN FINE FOR 2 MONTHS. THEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WHILE I WAS AT THE DMV TRYING TO REGISTER MY CAR IN NV. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN AND THE CODE WAS FOR THE EGR VALVE. REPLACED THAT, NO LIGHTS FOR 1 MONTH. THEN LAST MONTH THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND MY MECHANIC DECIDED HE SHOULD CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY. SAID THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH IT BUT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HE SAID HE WOULD CLEAN IT AND SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN THREE DAYS. HOOKED IT UP AGAIN FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THE CODE IS FOR AN OXYGEN SENSOR, ORDERED THAT AND THEN YESTERDAY, THE WRENCH AND THE CEL CAME ON AND I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED. CAR IN SHOP NOW AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS NEXT. CAR IS LURCHING, HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND CHUGS ALONG. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457472
40,000 miles · May 3, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED, IT LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK SUCH AS WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR REVERSE FROM PARKING. THE LUNGING STARTS HAPPEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, SUMMER MONTHS, AND ALWAYS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE LUNGING STARTED OFF SMALL IN THE BEGINNING, NOW ITS AT A POINT TH…
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CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED, IT LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK SUCH AS WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR REVERSE FROM PARKING. THE LUNGING STARTS HAPPEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, SUMMER MONTHS, AND ALWAYS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE LUNGING STARTED OFF SMALL IN THE BEGINNING, NOW ITS AT A POINT THAT IT STALLS MY CAR. I HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO SOMEONE WHILE I WAS BACKING UP BECAUSE THE CAR LUNGED EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. I FEEL INCREDIBLY UNSAFE DRIVING IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, I AM AFRAID TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, BECAUSE THE LUNGING HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY. LUNGING HAS INCREASED FROM 2009 TO PRESENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457429
134,000 miles · May 2, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457142
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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
2PE11018 · 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.
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