NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports145,294 miles · Feb 4, 2017
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE NHTSA PRELIMINARY EVALUATION #PE07058 STATUS: CLOSED DATE OPENED: NOVEMBER 16, 2007 DATE CLOSED: MARCH 11, 2008 RECALL: NO RECALL ISSUED COMPONENT(S): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL SUMMARY: THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEAR…
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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE NHTSA PRELIMINARY EVALUATION #PE07058 STATUS: CLOSED DATE OPENED: NOVEMBER 16, 2007 DATE CLOSED: MARCH 11, 2008 RECALL: NO RECALL ISSUED COMPONENT(S): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL SUMMARY: 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. NHTSA: THIS IS WHAT HAPPEND TO ME LASTNIGHT ON A DARK HWY AT 55 MPH
NHTSA ODI #10949554
224,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Service Brakes, HydraulicTraction Control System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES AND WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE TRACTION CONTROL AND ALL WHEEL DRIVE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKES AND WHEEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 224,000. ...UPDATED 03/13/17 *BF *JS
NHTSA ODI #10944292
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2017
Unknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION ISSUES. STARTED MAKING AWFUL NOISES AND LOW ACCELERATION. WENT TO MECHANIC AND TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT
NHTSA ODI #10940007
129,030 miles · Jan 2, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
CVT FAIL, THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2016. CAR NOW HAS 135,030 MILES. HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY, WHEN IDLE AND MOVING DOWN THE ROAD. I SENT A LETTER TO FORD AND THEY RESPONDED WITH A "SORRY...WE CAN'T HELP YOU". MAKING HELICOPTER NOISE. LOSES POWER AND GOES INTO FAILSAFE MODE. I WILL ATTACH BOTH LETTERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10939023
140,000 miles · Dec 30, 2016
Electrical System
WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. ALL INSTRUMENTS GO OUT AND BATTERY LIGHT GOES OUT. NOTHING WORKS. INTERIOR LIGHTS,LOCKS HEAT RADIO.HAS BEEN IN SHOP 6 TIMES AND HAVE BATTERY REPLACED ALTERNATOR TWICE. CLUSTER REPAIRED AND SMART JUNCTION BOX. CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. HAS BEEN A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE . THEY SAID HAD TSB OUT FOR IT AND IT WOU…
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WHEN TRYING TO START CAR. ALL INSTRUMENTS GO OUT AND BATTERY LIGHT GOES OUT. NOTHING WORKS. INTERIOR LIGHTS,LOCKS HEAT RADIO.HAS BEEN IN SHOP 6 TIMES AND HAVE BATTERY REPLACED ALTERNATOR TWICE. CLUSTER REPAIRED AND SMART JUNCTION BOX. CAR IS STILL NOT FIXED. HAS BEEN A COMPLETE NIGHTMARE . THEY SAID HAD TSB OUT FOR IT AND IT WOULD HAVE FIXED. DIDNT. PLEASE HELP. AM A MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER WHO NEEDS RELIABLE CAR AND CANNOT HAVE THIS TO KEEP HAPPENING . EVERYTIME I GET BACK FROM MECHANIC IT WILL WORK FOR 3 DAYS. THEN DIES AGAIN. LAST TIME IT BROKE WHICH WAS YESTERDAY IT WORKRD FOR OVER 2 WEEKS.
NHTSA ODI #10938803
Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2016
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10937874
53,000 miles · Dec 19, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
AWD MALFUNCTION IS PRESENT AND IT INTERFERES WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS. IT SOMETIMES CAUSES ABS NOT TO GET ENGAGED.
NHTSA ODI #10936312
114,000 miles · Dec 15, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
DOOR LATCHES FREEZING EVERY WINTER AND DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND STAY SHUT. ALSO WENT TO FORD WEBSITE AND REALIZED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FSA TITLE: ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGE EXTENDED WARRANTY FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 12N03. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL AND MY CAR DOES THIS QUITE FREQUENTLY AND I AM AFRAID THE TENS YEARS IS UP FO…
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DOOR LATCHES FREEZING EVERY WINTER AND DOORS WILL NOT LATCH AND STAY SHUT. ALSO WENT TO FORD WEBSITE AND REALIZED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FSA TITLE: ENGINE IDLE RPM SURGE EXTENDED WARRANTY FIELD SERVICE ACTION NUMBER: 12N03. I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS RECALL AND MY CAR DOES THIS QUITE FREQUENTLY AND I AM AFRAID THE TENS YEARS IS UP FOR THIS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. WHEN PULL UP TO A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, SOMETIMES THE ENGINE WILL REV REALLY HIGH AND LURCH FORWARD CAUSING ME TO STOMP ON BRAKE PEDAL REALLY HARD.
NHTSA ODI #10935411
194,000 miles · Nov 18, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHILE VEICHLE IS STATIONARY, THE ENGINE REVS BETWEEN 500-1000 RPM. TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO HAVE STOPPED SHIFTING AND MADE THE RPM GO ALL OVER THE PLACE. WHILE TURNING AT A SLOW SPEED IT SEEMED TO MAKE THE ISSUE WORSE. WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #10927045
13,800 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
MY CAR JUST STOPS I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THRODEL BODY BUT FIXING IT WS ONLY TRMPAREY I HAVE 6 KIDS IN MY CAR AT ALL TIMES IT IS VERY SCAREY I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN
NHTSA ODI #10926153
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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