NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports125,000 miles · Aug 21, 2011
Electrical SystemPower Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AND ACCELERATES FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. IT IS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE ACCELERATION CAN LAST FOR MAXIMUM 5 SECONDS BUT YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE OR THE VEHICLE COULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTO ON…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AND ACCELERATES FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED. IT IS PARTICULARLY EVIDENT WHEN SHIFTING THE TRANSMISSION FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE ACCELERATION CAN LAST FOR MAXIMUM 5 SECONDS BUT YOU BETTER HAVE YOUR FOOT FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE OR THE VEHICLE COULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTO ONCOMING OR PARKED CARS AND PEDESTRIANS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN AL THE TIME, OFTEN AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN RUN AND PARKED FOR A 15-30 MINUTE PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420891
120,000 miles · Aug 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON ACCELERATOR, OR SUDDENLY SPEEDS UP AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS PARKING OR BACKING UP.I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES ALMOST DROVE INTO TRAFFIC , AND REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH THIS EVENT. FIRST OCCURRED IN 02/JULY/2009 FORD REPLACED THROTTLE BODY M…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON ACCELERATOR, OR SUDDENLY SPEEDS UP AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS PARKING OR BACKING UP.I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES ALMOST DROVE INTO TRAFFIC , AND REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH THIS EVENT. FIRST OCCURRED IN 02/JULY/2009 FORD REPLACED THROTTLE BODY MOTOR THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THIS WEEK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420835
50,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE. I HAVE JUST PUT THE CAR FROM PARKED INTO REVERSE, WHEN I STEP MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, BUT HAVEN'T TOUCHED THE GAS YET, IT ACCELERATES ON ME. IT'S VERY SCARY, EACH TIME IT HAS OCCURRED (ABOUT ONCE A MONTH IN THE PAST 2 YEARS), I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE QUICK REFL…
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CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I LEAVE THE HOUSE. I HAVE JUST PUT THE CAR FROM PARKED INTO REVERSE, WHEN I STEP MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, BUT HAVEN'T TOUCHED THE GAS YET, IT ACCELERATES ON ME. IT'S VERY SCARY, EACH TIME IT HAS OCCURRED (ABOUT ONCE A MONTH IN THE PAST 2 YEARS), I WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE QUICK REFLEX, STEP ON THE BRAKES AND DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. BUT I AM WORRIED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING ONE DAY WHEN I AM TOO CLOSE TO OTHER OBJECTS (IE. A DRIVE-THRU) AND HITTING ANOTHER CAR! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420801
78,500 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Unknown Or Other
THE VEHICLE LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS ACT HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND HAS OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #10421711
44,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN HIS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED WHEN IT WAS IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN HIS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE ALSO ACCELERATED WHEN IT WAS IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 46,000.
NHTSA ODI #10420716
100,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFT IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE GEAR WAS PLACED IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER:PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10420115
61,000 miles · Aug 19, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATION PROBLEM PRIMARILY WITH AC RUNNING. ONLY STARTED HAPPENING IN JULY 2011 AT END OF ROAD TRIP FROM OHIO TO NORTH CAROLINA, WHEN WE WOULD COME TO STOPS IN TRAFFIC. NOW THAT IT STARTED IT KEEPS HAPPENING. JUST LAST NIGHT I PARKED AT THE CURB, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN PA…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATION PROBLEM PRIMARILY WITH AC RUNNING. ONLY STARTED HAPPENING IN JULY 2011 AT END OF ROAD TRIP FROM OHIO TO NORTH CAROLINA, WHEN WE WOULD COME TO STOPS IN TRAFFIC. NOW THAT IT STARTED IT KEEPS HAPPENING. JUST LAST NIGHT I PARKED AT THE CURB, HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND BEFORE I COULD GET IT IN PARK, IT LUNGED FORWARD. WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE ALREADY I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT AND IMMEDIATELY SHUT IT OFF. I'M GOING TO TEST TO SEE IF I TURN OFF THE AC BEFORE I COME TO A STOP OR ONCE IT STARTS HAPPENING, IF THAT MAKES ANY DIFFERENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420103
70,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE WILL LUNGE AND JERK WHILE BACKING OR UNDER BRAKING. ENGINE WILL REV AND THEN STALL AS WELL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH COME ON OR IT WILL GO INTO "FAIL-SAFE" MODE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE WE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH TH…
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VEHICLE WILL LUNGE AND JERK WHILE BACKING OR UNDER BRAKING. ENGINE WILL REV AND THEN STALL AS WELL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH COME ON OR IT WILL GO INTO "FAIL-SAFE" MODE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE WE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR.
NHTSA ODI #10420648
158,623 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS FREESTYLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IT SURGING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON SINCE ITS PURCHASE. INITIALLY, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND OTHER SERVICE COMPANIES, BUT THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. THE SURGING HAS GROWN WORSE AS THE CAR AGES. PRESENTLY, I CANNOT GO …
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I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS FREESTYLE AND HAVE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH IT SURGING WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON SINCE ITS PURCHASE. INITIALLY, I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND OTHER SERVICE COMPANIES, BUT THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE" THE PROBLEM. THE SURGING HAS GROWN WORSE AS THE CAR AGES. PRESENTLY, I CANNOT GO THROUGH A FAST FOOD DRIVE THROUGH WITH THE AIR ON BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR LUNGING AND REAR ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT ME. FURTHER, I WORK IN A CITY WITH PEDESTRIANS AND CANNOT TURN THE AIR ON UNTIL I AM OUT OF THE CITY BECAUSE I FEAR HITTING A PERSON. RECENTLY, I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY, BUT THEY RESPONDED WITH A SCRIPTED MESSAGE THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #10420528
71,800 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE WHILE LIGHT PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR STALL WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATE WHILE LIGHT PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR STALL WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 11/07/11
NHTSA ODI #10419950
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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