NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports50,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Seat BeltsSeats
SECOND ROW BENCH WON'T RECLINE BACK UPRIGHT BECAUSE SEAT BELT MECHANISM STUCK AND PREVENTING UPRIGHT POSITION. DIFFICULT TO FASTEN CHILD'S SEAT BELT NEXT TO THE BENCH THAT WON'T GO UPRIGHT - VERY UNSAFE. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL FOR SEAT BELT AND/OR SECOND ROW'S ALREADY KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY SAID TO PAY …
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SECOND ROW BENCH WON'T RECLINE BACK UPRIGHT BECAUSE SEAT BELT MECHANISM STUCK AND PREVENTING UPRIGHT POSITION. DIFFICULT TO FASTEN CHILD'S SEAT BELT NEXT TO THE BENCH THAT WON'T GO UPRIGHT - VERY UNSAFE. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE ISN'T ANY RECALL FOR SEAT BELT AND/OR SECOND ROW'S ALREADY KNOWN PROBLEM. THEY SAID TO PAY FOR THESE EXACT PROBLEMS OTHERS HAVE ALREADY POSTED ON MANY WEBSITES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454635
130,000 miles · Apr 3, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE TRAVELING 5-10 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FUNCTIONING, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10454012
56,152 miles · Mar 25, 2012
Electrical SystemExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CLUSTER LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALL WENT OUT AND THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, CONTROL TEMP, AND GAS GAGE ALL ZEROED OUT AND A WRENCH AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING EVERYTHING STARTING WORKING AGAIN AND THE TWO WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF HOWEVER, THEN …
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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CLUSTER LIGHTS IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALL WENT OUT AND THE SPEEDOMETER, ODOMETER, CONTROL TEMP, AND GAS GAGE ALL ZEROED OUT AND A WRENCH AND AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. THEN AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING EVERYTHING STARTING WORKING AGAIN AND THE TWO WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF HOWEVER, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD A DIAGNOSTIC DONE AND THE ERRORS WERE ALL ELECTRICAL. HAVE TO TAKE IT IN A FEW DAYS TO THE FORD DEALER AND BE CHARGED A $90.00 FEE UP FRONT JUST FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO ALL THE COMPLAINTS IT'S BEEN A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE DEALT WITH IN A RECALL. NOT JUST TRY TO SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG. I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO COST ME AN ARM AND A LEG WHEN THEY GET DONE. I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED A FORD BUT NOW I THINK I'M GOING TO MAKE A SWITCH TO A CHRYSLER (SINCE I DO WORK THERE NOW) AND I KNOW I WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF NOT JUST TAKEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452894
79,000 miles · Mar 24, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING SLOW TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN , THIS HAPPENS GOING FORWARDS OR IN REVERSE AND HAPPENS MORE WITH THE AC TURNED ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10452856
72,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Unknown Or Other
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE (SEE PE-11018). FIRST INCIDENT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THEN HAD INCIDENCES OF LURCHING FORWARD AND ALSO IN REVERSED. SECOND FAILURE WAS SAME AS FIRST. AFTER THIRD FAILURE, CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC WHO IN TURN CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED OF PROBLEMS WITH THE TH…
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THROTTLE BODY FAILURE (SEE PE-11018). FIRST INCIDENT VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WOULD TURN OVER BUT NOT START. THEN HAD INCIDENCES OF LURCHING FORWARD AND ALSO IN REVERSED. SECOND FAILURE WAS SAME AS FIRST. AFTER THIRD FAILURE, CONTACTED LOCAL MECHANIC WHO IN TURN CONTACTED LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHO ADVISED OF PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. STATED THAT, ACCORDING TO A SERVICE BULLETIN, THE PART COULD BE REPROGRAMMED BUT THEY HAD NOT HAD ANY SUCCESS WITH THIS AND WERE AT THAT TIME INSTALLING THE PART ON A CUSTOMERS VEHICLE DUE TO UNSUCCESSFUL REPROGRAMMING. PART REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE AT A COST OF $546.56.
NHTSA ODI #10453057
105,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD EXHIBITING AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,100.
NHTSA ODI #10452452
94,200 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED! AGAIN, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE MOTOR GAVE OUT. LUCKILY, WE MADE IT WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT TO THE SHOULDER. THE WRENCH SYMBOL AND THE CEL WERE ON. THE MOTOR STARTED AGAIN BUT THE CAR DIDN'T TAKE ANY GAS, DIDN'T ACCELERATE. AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND RUMBLING. I HAD M…
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THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED! AGAIN, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY THE MOTOR GAVE OUT. LUCKILY, WE MADE IT WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT TO THE SHOULDER. THE WRENCH SYMBOL AND THE CEL WERE ON. THE MOTOR STARTED AGAIN BUT THE CAR DIDN'T TAKE ANY GAS, DIDN'T ACCELERATE. AND THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND RUMBLING. I HAD MY WIFE AND KIDS IN THE CAR AND WAS REALLY SO MAD. WE HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND A TAXI TO GET HOME. THE CEL CAME ON SO MANY TIMES IN THE PAST MONTHS, WE CHECKED THE CODE - IT WAS ALWAYS FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. WE CLEANED IT AND THE LIGHT WAS GONE. ONLY TO COME BACK A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER. AS I SAID, WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE SOME MONTHS NOW. BUT THIS IS THE 2ND TIME THE MOTOR ACTUALLY STALLED. AND IN THIS REALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION : ON A HIGHWAY!! FORD NEEDS TO INITIATE A RECALL, I'VE DONE SOME RESEARCH IN THE LAST MONTHS, THERE ARE SO MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. MY FREESTYLE ALSO LUNGES FORWARD/BACKWARD IF I'M ACCELERATING. I THINK IT'S ALL RELATED AND TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF FORD NOT DO DO SOMETHING. IT'S A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. A MIRACLE NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED UNTIL NOW - OR WORSE!!! *KB
NHTSA ODI #10452335
25,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Unknown Or Other
CHRONIC PROBLEM, INCREASING FREQUENCY, CANT REMEMBER WHEN IT ALL STARTED WAS INFREQUENT 1-2X/YEAR AND USUALLY ON HOT DAYS, MAYBE WHEN IT WAS 1 YEAR OLD. HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY HAPPENING NOW IN SPURTS WITH NO RHYME NOR REASON. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, OR DRIVE FROM REVERSE CAR WILL CHOKE AND STALL. SEEMS TO B…
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CHRONIC PROBLEM, INCREASING FREQUENCY, CANT REMEMBER WHEN IT ALL STARTED WAS INFREQUENT 1-2X/YEAR AND USUALLY ON HOT DAYS, MAYBE WHEN IT WAS 1 YEAR OLD. HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY HAPPENING NOW IN SPURTS WITH NO RHYME NOR REASON. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, OR DRIVE FROM REVERSE CAR WILL CHOKE AND STALL. SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN HOT WEATHER, BUT HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN VERY COLD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS UP IN LIMP HOME MODE BUT THEN CORRECTS WHEN SHUT ENGINE OFF FOR AWHILE, BUT THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON EVERY TIME NOTHING SHOWS ON COMPUTER WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON EITHER. NO CODES SHOW, MECHANIC IS CERTIFIED AND A FAMILY FRIEND, HE KEPT THE CAR; IT ACTED UP ONLY ONCE AND HIS COMPUTER SAID THROTTLE BODY SENSOR - IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. HE HAS DONE ALL HE CAN BUT CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE. I WONT LET MY KIDS DRIVE IT FOR FEAR THEIR LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND QUICK THINKING AT THE WHEEL COULD GET THEM KILLED AS IT HAS HAPPENED PULLING OUT AT INTERSECTIONS. I FOUND THIS SITE THROUGH THE EDMONDS RECALL INFORMATION SITE: PLEASE INSTITUTE AN INVESTIGATION TO GET A RECALL ON WHATEVER IS GOING ON. I LOVE THIS CAR, IT NOW HAS 225000 MILES AND THAT IS THE ONLY PROBLEM, I CANT AFFORD A REPLACEMENT, BUT I CANT AFFORD TO DIE EITHER. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10452171
18,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Equipment
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT BLOW COOL AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT BLOW COOL AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10451921
129,956 miles · Mar 8, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FOLLOWED BY STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,956.
NHTSA ODI #10450818
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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