NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 3, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT BEING MAY 28, 2011, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. ON SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011, THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE FOUND THAT ONLY BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT WILL THIS CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN BOTH DRIVE…
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT BEING MAY 28, 2011, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. ON SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011, THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE FOUND THAT ONLY BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT WILL THIS CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. LUCKILY IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HAVE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND I AM MOVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED EITHER IN MY DRIVEWAY OR IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT HEARING ON THE NEWS THAT THIS IS A REPORTED ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE ENCOURAGED ME TO DO MORE RESEARCH AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT WOULD ALLOW ME TO HAVE A DEALER REPLICATE THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404323
102,000 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT LUNGES AFTER I'VE BEEN SITTING IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IF I AM BACKING UP. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT JUST WONDER WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STAL…
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OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT LUNGES AFTER I'VE BEEN SITTING IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IF I AM BACKING UP. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT JUST WONDER WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STALL OUT AND GO IN TO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. ALSO I WILL HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SEEMS TO OVER RIDE THIS ACTION AND LUNGES/ACCELARATE ON ITS OWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404273
105,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN STOPPING, PARKING, OR BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, IT HAS HAPPENED A MINIMUM OF 10 TIMES. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, AS I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404234
90,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Power Train
THE CAR SURGES WHILE IDLING AND WHEN PLACE IN DRIVE-THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS IN SAFE MODE AND THE TRANSMISSION WRENCH COMES ON--YOU CAN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART AND THE WRENCH GOES AWAY--THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS--FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM 5/21/11. THE CAR HAS OVER 90,000 MIL…
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THE CAR SURGES WHILE IDLING AND WHEN PLACE IN DRIVE-THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS IN SAFE MODE AND THE TRANSMISSION WRENCH COMES ON--YOU CAN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART AND THE WRENCH GOES AWAY--THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS--FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM 5/21/11. THE CAR HAS OVER 90,000 MILES ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404136
93,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Fuel System, Other
HAD THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY AND I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN YESTERDAY, MAY 31. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 93. AC ON. IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT. CAR STARTED LURCHING FORWARD. HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD AS TO NOT HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR STALLED. RESTARTED, HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER THE THIRD TIME OF LURCHING FORWARD AND STAL…
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HAD THIS PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY AND I EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN YESTERDAY, MAY 31. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 93. AC ON. IN A CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT. CAR STARTED LURCHING FORWARD. HAD TO APPLY BREAKS HARD AS TO NOT HIT A PARKED CAR. CAR STALLED. RESTARTED, HAPPENED AGAIN. AFTER THE THIRD TIME OF LURCHING FORWARD AND STALLING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS DID THE WRENCH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. COULDN'T DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT MANAGED TO GET TO DESTINATION. AFTER THE CAR SAT FOR 3 HOURS, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME AT NORMAL SPEED. THE WRENCH IS OFF, BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS. CAR SEEMED TO DRIVE NORMALLY THIS MORNING, JUNE 1. RPM STILL A BIT HIGH. OUTSIDE TEMP 89. I DID NOT RUN THE AC YET. PLAN ON CALLING FORD DEALER TO SCHEDULE SERVICE. MANY ONLINE FORUMS SAY THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. I PLAN TO ASK THE DEALER TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TO CHECK THE CODES AND WILL ASK THEM TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPLACE MY AIR FILTER AS WELL. REPORTED PREVIOUSLY #10372235. AGAIN, DRIVING SLOW, CAR SURGED FORWARD. I RAN INTO THE DOOR FRAME OF MY GARAGE BECAUSE THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403988
61,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFT…
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AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WITH THE AC ON. THE COMPRESSOR DIED, SO WE HAD IT REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. WE HAVE NOT CRASHED INTO ANYTHING BUT HAVE COME VERY CLOSE. IT IS TROUBLING SINCE IT OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS, MEANING WE'RE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CARS, PEOPLE, AND BUILDINGS WHEN THE ENGINE SURGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403979
99,268 miles · May 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN AIR TEMPERATURE IS HOT THE CAR TENDS TO JUMP A FOOT IN MOVING FORWARD FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR IDLE POSITION OR BACK A FOOT IF MOVING BACKWARD FROM A STOPPED OR IDLE POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403735
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2011
Power Train
I EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED AND OVERCOMPENSATING THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE BACKING UP. AT THE TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS ENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT ONE TURN FROM FULL LOCK. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLES SPEED WITH THE BRAKES AND NO INCIDENT RESULTED, HOWEVER WITHOUT A TIMELY RESPONSE THE OUTCOME MAY H…
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I EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED AND OVERCOMPENSATING THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE BACKING UP. AT THE TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS ENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT ONE TURN FROM FULL LOCK. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLES SPEED WITH THE BRAKES AND NO INCIDENT RESULTED, HOWEVER WITHOUT A TIMELY RESPONSE THE OUTCOME MAY HAVE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY. THE "WRENCH LIGHT" ILLUMINATED DURING THE OCCURRENCE BUT TURNED OFF AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. THE THROTTLE DOES SERGE SLIGHTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT IS BARLEY NOTICEABLE COMPARED TO A LOAD PLACED ON THE ENGINE AT IDLE. LOOKING BACK SEVERAL YEARS, WE ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME STARTING PROBLEMS, WHICH I THINK IS RELATED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT, PART # 5F9Z9E926B. THE PROBLEM IS INCONSISTENT. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE UNIT, ONLY CLEANED IT, WHICH IS NOT A SOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403713
44,000 miles · May 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL SURGE IN SPEED, WHEN SHIFTED INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, DURING LOW IDLE. IN ALL SITUATIONS WHEN THE SPEED SURGE HAS OCCURRED, I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ONLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS CONDITION IS MOST PRONOUNCED AFTER A COLD START. THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO …
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FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL SURGE IN SPEED, WHEN SHIFTED INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, DURING LOW IDLE. IN ALL SITUATIONS WHEN THE SPEED SURGE HAS OCCURRED, I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ONLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS CONDITION IS MOST PRONOUNCED AFTER A COLD START. THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO START THE ENGINE HAS ALSO INCREASED SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIRST NOTICED. ALSO, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE RPM'S CAN FLUCTUATE 200 TO 300 RPMS EVEN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE, THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED ON A RELATIVELY FLAT AND STRAIGHT SURFACE. THIS ISSUE OF RPM FLUCTUATION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS OR GREATER. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN SUBLTLY GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE FLUXUATION, IT WAS BARELY NOTICABLE. NOW, YOU CAN FEEL YOURSELF ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SLIGHTLY WITH THE ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE DURING A FLUCTUATION OCCURRANCE. THE OCCURRANCES CAN LAST ANYWHERE FROM 10 SECONDS TO 30 SECONDS. AND SOMETIMES CAN BE REPLICATED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ALONG USING SIMILAR ROAD CONDITIONS. I POST TWO ISSUES WITHIN THIS COMPLAINT ONLY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY ARE RELATED. SHOULD INFORMATION ARISE TO INDICATE A SEPERATE ISSUE, I SHALL RESUBMIT THE 2ND PARAGRAPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403684
63,000 miles · May 28, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. STALLING OUT IN TRAFFIC JAMS AND ALSO SURGING WHEN A/C IS ON AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403654
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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