Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
15325–50K
33950–75K
31275–100K
307100–150K
74150K+
1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
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
75,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN WHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402996
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402984
100,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Unknown Or Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES FORWARD WITHOUT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. OCCURS MOSTLY AT CITY DRIVING SPEEDS, NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. BEGAN APPROX. 2 YEARS AGO (JUNE 2009). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402948
50,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED MOMENTARILY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY SEEMED TO OCCUR WHEN THE A/C WAS ACTIVATED OR WHEN THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED MOMENTARILY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY SEEMED TO OCCUR WHEN THE A/C WAS ACTIVATED OR WHEN THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10402943
55,500 miles · May 26, 2011
Electrical System
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO, WHEN EVER I WOULD BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE OR PULL INTO THE GARAGE AT A SLOW SPEED, SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD LUNGE UNEXPECTEDLY EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON IF I WAS BACKING OUT OR PULLING INTO MY GARAGE. IT OCCURRED AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES PER WEEK UNTIL IT FINALLY GOT SO B…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO, WHEN EVER I WOULD BACK OUT OF MY GARAGE OR PULL INTO THE GARAGE AT A SLOW SPEED, SOMETIMES THE CAR WOULD LUNGE UNEXPECTEDLY EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON IF I WAS BACKING OUT OR PULLING INTO MY GARAGE. IT OCCURRED AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES PER WEEK UNTIL IT FINALLY GOT SO BACK THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THAT POINT, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CHARGED ME OVER $600 TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ON THE CAR. THIS DID RESOLVE THE ISSUE SOMEWHAT, BUT AT LEAST A COUPLE OF TIMES A MONTH I STILL EXPERIENCE THIS LUNGING OF THE CAR, BUT IT IS NOT AS DRAMATIC AS IT WAS BEFORE THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. I WAS REALLY WORRIED ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WE HAVE A LOT OF KIDS THAT LIKE TO PLAY AROUND OUR HOUSE AND I WAS ALWAYS WORRIED I WAS GOING TO RUN INTO ONE OF THEM WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE SO I HAD TO MAKE SURE I KEPT ONE FOOT ON THE BREAK JUST IN CASE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD TO THE PUBLIC. ALSO, MY WIFE HAS A 2006 FORD 500 AND IT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEMS AND WE HAD TO GET THE THROTTLE BODY FIXED ON IT AS WELL. I SPENT OVER $1,000 WITHIN THE SPAN OF A FEW MONTHS ON THE SAME ISSUE IN TWO DIFFERENT FORD VEHICLES. THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE THROTTLE BODY MECHANISM AND FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION THEY HAVE PUT CAR OWNERS IN AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO REFUND THE COST OF ANYONE WHO HAS ALREADY SPENT $600 OR $700 TO FIX THEIR THROTTLE BODY. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS IN CASE THIS ISSUE MADE THE RECALL LIST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402880
52,900 miles · May 26, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING HIS VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LUNGE BACKWARDS. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE NOTICED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD MALFUNCTION MORE FREQUEN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING HIS VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LUNGE BACKWARDS. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE NOTICED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD MALFUNCTION MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IF WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,900.
NHTSA ODI #10402842
130,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH FORCE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED R…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH FORCE. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING WARM WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER FILED REPORT 1312391401 AND STATED THE FAILURE WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 145,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ UPDATED 07//15/11
NHTSA ODI #10402716
65,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGED WHILE REVERSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR MIGHT NE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES OR COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGED WHILE REVERSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EACH TIME VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR MIGHT NEED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THE CONTACT ADVISED THE DEALER THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED ALSO WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 07/26/11 *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLING OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY. UPDATED 08/01/11
NHTSA ODI #10402655
44,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Unknown Or Other
SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM IDLE. CAR WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP FORWARD OR REVERSE AT IDLE ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK. DEALER TAPED SOME WIRING FOR TEMPORARY FIX WARRANTY COVERAGE DURING. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AFTER WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED AND DEALER AND WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 100K+ MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION FROM IDLE. CAR WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP FORWARD OR REVERSE AT IDLE ESPECIALLY WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK. DEALER TAPED SOME WIRING FOR TEMPORARY FIX WARRANTY COVERAGE DURING. PROBLEM REOCCURRED AFTER WARRANTY COVERAGE EXPIRED AND DEALER AND WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. VEHICLE NOW HAS 100K+ MILES AND THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I HAVE LEARNED TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI #10403348
105,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD FREESTYLE STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DISABLING THE POWERED STEERING AMONG OTHER THINGS AND CAUSES VERY UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THIS WILL USUALLY START WITH SOME HESITATIONS OF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT DIES. OFTEN IT STALLS WHILE TAKING OFF FROM STANDSTILL AS WELL EITHER FORWARD OR GOING IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES THERE IS SUR…
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FORD FREESTYLE STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DISABLING THE POWERED STEERING AMONG OTHER THINGS AND CAUSES VERY UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THIS WILL USUALLY START WITH SOME HESITATIONS OF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT DIES. OFTEN IT STALLS WHILE TAKING OFF FROM STANDSTILL AS WELL EITHER FORWARD OR GOING IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES THERE IS SURGING OF THE ENGINE AS WELL, ESPECIALLY WHILE USING AC OR TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON THE ROAD WHERE ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE STALL IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES, LAST TIME FOR FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEMS. *TR
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.
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
2
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
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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