Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,459 reports

65,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011

Unknown Or Other

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED AND THE CAR LUNGES WHEN GOING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE WHEN THE AC IS ON. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10411895

89,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011

Unknown Or Other

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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE PERIODICALLY LUNGES WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO STOP OR PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES OVER THE PAST COUPLE YEARS, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. I AM UNSURE IF RUNNING MY AIRCONDITIONING HAS CAUSED THE INCREASED LUNGING, BUT IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING MULTIPLE TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS. I HAVE NOT CONTACTED FORD YET, BUT I'VE NOTICED MANY REPORTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ONLINE. I REALLY THINK THAT FORD SHOULD PUT OUT A NOTICE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT COULD LEAD TO A CRASH OR EVEN A DEATH. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10411765

148,000 miles · Jul 10, 2011

Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARALLEL PARK, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN AND ALMOST CAUSED ME TO COLLIDE WITH THE CAR BEHIND ME. I HAVE HAD OVER 10 INCIDENTS WHERE MY CAR HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. TODAY WHEN IT HAPPENED THE CAR ENDED UP STALLING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS BECOME A SAFETY ISSUE AND…

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NHTSA ODI #10412543

90,499 miles · Jul 9, 2011

Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control

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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS SURGING AFTER I PUT IT IN REVERSE AS TO BACK UP IN THE PARKING LOT. IT LUNGES VERY FAST AND FORCIBLY SO THAT IF I DO NOT HAVE A STRONG HOLD ON THE BRAKE IT WILL MOVE. IT ALSO HAPPENS IN FORWARD POSITION IF I AM NOT MOVING OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY SAY IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVE THRU. THE AIR CONDITIONING AND OR TURNING SEEMS TO MAKE IT WORSE. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERYTIME BUT HAPPENED VERY FORCIBLY THE OTHER DAY. I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IT WILL LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL AND HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEBODY. I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY CAR OFTEN INCLUDING MY INFANT. IT SEEMS TO ME TO BE SOME SORT OF SAFETY DEFECT WHICH NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411594

73,125 miles · Jul 9, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD INCREASING PROBLEMS WITH UNEXPECTED LUNGING. THIS HAS OCCURED NUMEROUS TIMES WHEN PARKED OR STOPPED. USUALLY I CAN PRESS THE BRAKES AND CONTROL THE MOVEMENT. RECENTLY, HOWEVER, I WAS IN A LONG LINE OF CARS LEAVING A MULTISTORIED PARKING GARAGAE ON JULY 3RD OF THIS YEAR. AS WE MOVED DOWN TOWARD THE EXIT, THE CAR BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO MANAGE, LUNGING REPEATEDLY, AND EVEN BRAKING AS USUAL DID NOT STOP THE LUNGE. I BARELY MISSED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, AND WAS GRATEFUL THAT NO PEDESTRIANS CROSSED IN FRONT OF MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10411583

70,000 miles · Jul 8, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FIRMLY ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON FIVE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FAILURE. ALSO, THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10411531

73,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011

Power Train

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THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAD TO TOW THIS CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. I HAVE ALREADY SPENT $6,000.00 ON THE TRANSMISSION AND THEN IT LUNGES WHILE BACKING UP AND I HAVE TO TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. IT IS VERY SCARY TO DRIVE THIS CAR WHEN IT DOES THIS. THEY HAVE THE NERVE TO TELL ME IT IS THE AIR FILTER!!!!! HOW CAN THE AIR FILTER CAUSE THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE SAFE MODE TO COME ON!!! THEY KNOW THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY DON'T WANT TO FIX IT SO THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUN AROUND. THERE IS NO WAY I SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION TWICE ON A 2005 VEHICLE. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE IT CAUSE I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL LEAVE ME STRANDED OR JUST LUNGED INTO SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410892

95,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING TO A TRAFFIC STOP AND WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THE FAILURE DESCRIBED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000 AND …

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NHTSA ODI #10410847

100,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

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2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS EXPERIENCING SUDDEN ACCELERATION. WE FIRST EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM SOON AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED (OR SO WE WERE TOLD) AND THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL RECENTLY. NOW IT DOES IT FREQUENTLY AND WITH A NEW DRIVER IN THE FAMILY WE ARE FEARFUL ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE CAR. THE DRIVER OF THIS CAR MUST BE VERY AWARE OF ITS TENDING TO ACCELERATE / SURGE. THE CAR HAS TWICE SHUT DOWN IN SAFE ENGINE MODE WHEN IT SURGED WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410790

115,000 miles · Jul 6, 2011

Vehicle Speed Control

FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING WIFE NEARLY HIT SOMEONE ON A BIKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10410789

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

PE11018 · 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.