NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports128,934 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT ON A HOT DAY (A/C RUNNING), MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT STOPPED THE ENGINE. A MESSAGE APPEARED READING "ENGINE IN FAIL-SAFE MODE." APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS LATER, THIS SAME CONDITION WAS REPEATED WITH THE SAME RESULT. IN BETWEEN THESE EVENTS THE C…
Read full complaint
WHILE SITTING IN A PARKING LOT ON A HOT DAY (A/C RUNNING), MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, IT STOPPED THE ENGINE. A MESSAGE APPEARED READING "ENGINE IN FAIL-SAFE MODE." APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS LATER, THIS SAME CONDITION WAS REPEATED WITH THE SAME RESULT. IN BETWEEN THESE EVENTS THE CAR SEEMS TO PERFORM AS EXPECTED. AS OF NOW WE HAVE TAKEN NO ACTION HOWEVER NEXT WEDNESDAY THE DEALER CAN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND HOPEFULLY HAVE SOME GOOD NEWS ON THE REPAIRS. I HAD THE LOCAL AUTOZONE TECHNICIAN RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK AND TWO CODES CAME UP HE SAID WERE UNIQUE TO FORD SO A FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN WOULD BE REQUIRED TO INTERPRET. HE LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THESE CODES READ "TAC" AND SOMETHING REFERRING TO THE TORQUE CONTROL MODULE. CODES MAY HAVE BEEN "P061B" AND A P1202" (?). *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416981
99,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING ON A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING ON A RED LIGHT, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416897
92,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE OR IN REVERSE IT WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE NOTICED THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE OR IN REVERSE IT WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. SHE NOTICED THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416864
85,000 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. SHE NOTICED THE FAILURE WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THE CURRENT MILEA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. SHE NOTICED THE FAILURE WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS HOTTER THAN NORMAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10416837
137,450 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLES LUNGES INVOLUNTARILY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN FOOT IS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE (WITHOUT ANY DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR). THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS (I.E. BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, ADVANCING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT, SWIPING A BADGE AT A GATED ENTRANCE). BACKING OUT …
Read full complaint
VEHICLES LUNGES INVOLUNTARILY AND UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN FOOT IS RELEASED FROM THE BRAKE (WITHOUT ANY DEPRESSION OF THE ACCELERATOR). THE PROBLEM OCCURS IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE AT VERY SLOW SPEEDS (I.E. BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, ADVANCING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT, SWIPING A BADGE AT A GATED ENTRANCE). BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE HAS BECOME DANGEROUS DUE TO LACK OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THE LUNGING REQUIRES VERY FIRM BRAKE APPLICATION TO STOP AND AVOID A CRASH. THIS REQUIRES AN IMMEDIATE RECALL TO MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH.
NHTSA ODI #10417436
36,001 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
I FIRST NOTICED A SURGE IN THE CAR JUST AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. WHENEVER THE CAR COMES TO A STOP (E.G. IN A PARKING SPOT) THE CAR SURGES IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS SELECTED. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORW…
Read full complaint
I FIRST NOTICED A SURGE IN THE CAR JUST AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. WHENEVER THE CAR COMES TO A STOP (E.G. IN A PARKING SPOT) THE CAR SURGES IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS SELECTED. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. LIKEWISE... WHEN FIRST SELECTING REVERSE FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE VEHICLE SURGES DRASTICALLY WHICH ALSO REQUIRES PROMPT ADDITIONAL BRAKING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER. THE SURGING MAY BE COMING FROM AN ISSUE WITHIN THE FUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT 100% SURE OF THAT. THE ADDITION OF FUEL CLEANERS SEEMS TO HELP, BUT ONLY A LITTLE... AND THEN ONLY TEMPORARILY. SYMPTOMS OCCUR YEAR ROUND, BUT SEEM TO BE WORSENED BY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE IS A THREAT TO SAFETY IN IT'S DESIGN AND SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA ODI #10417433
64,800 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
AFTER SITTING IN A RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE IDLING AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD SEVERAL FEET WHEN THE CAR WITH PLACED INTO REVERSE. ONCE THE CAR WAS STOPPED, I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. LUCKILY, THERE ONCE NO ONE…
Read full complaint
AFTER SITTING IN A RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE IDLING AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD SEVERAL FEET WHEN THE CAR WITH PLACED INTO REVERSE. ONCE THE CAR WAS STOPPED, I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. LUCKILY, THERE ONCE NO ONE AROUND THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES CAUSED BY THE CAR'S ACTIONS. ALSO, THE CAR'S "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS CAUSED THE CAR'S POWER TO BE MINIMIZED TO A CRAWL. WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR'S SPEED UP TO AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH. AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY COMPONENT ON THIS MODEL THAT IS BAD AND CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD HOPE THAT FORD WOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THIS PART UNDER A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10417412
70,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD AT ANYTIME. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFUED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416770
86,500 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AFTER SHIFTING THE SELECTED GEAR WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR AFTER SHIFTING THE SELECTED GEAR WITH PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,500.
NHTSA ODI #10416745
83,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION SURGING WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. HAD BEEN MINOR UP TO THIS POINT BUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT LAST NIGHT, ENGINE REVVED HIGHER THAN BEFORE AND STALLED . CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND 'SYSTEM FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLE…
Read full complaint
2005 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION SURGING WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. HAD BEEN MINOR UP TO THIS POINT BUT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT LAST NIGHT, ENGINE REVVED HIGHER THAN BEFORE AND STALLED . CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND 'SYSTEM FAILURE" MESSAGE APPEARED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM THAT IS PREVALENT WITH THIS VEHICLE. OF COURSE, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED 2 WEEKS AGO. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416679
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.
Illustration