NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints
18 reportsClear category filter215,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)
WAS DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WRENCH SHOWED UP IN FAR LEFT HAND CORNER .MY VEHICLE QUIT ACCELERATING GOES TO LIMP MODE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON W BUTLER RD IN MAULDIN SC 29662 DOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED ME.I AM 70 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO DRIVE FOR 52 YRS. THIS SITUATION WAS BY FAR ONE…
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WAS DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WRENCH SHOWED UP IN FAR LEFT HAND CORNER .MY VEHICLE QUIT ACCELERATING GOES TO LIMP MODE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON W BUTLER RD IN MAULDIN SC 29662 DOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED ME.I AM 70 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO DRIVE FOR 52 YRS. THIS SITUATION WAS BY FAR ONE OF THE WORST I HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN. WHAT IF ANYTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION IF ANYTHING TO SAVE LIVES.
NHTSA ODI #11280973
153,000 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System
MY MOM'S 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, SURGES FORWARD WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR DEFROSTER. THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIMES IT HAS DONE THIS ALMOST REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HHER.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE BEET AND MY DECEASED FATHER HAVE OWN IT.(2010?) HER INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BONKERS NOW, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START…
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MY MOM'S 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, SURGES FORWARD WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR DEFROSTER. THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIMES IT HAS DONE THIS ALMOST REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HHER.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE BEET AND MY DECEASED FATHER HAVE OWN IT.(2010?) HER INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BONKERS NOW, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START AND THE PANIC ALARM GOES OFF WHEN WE GET OUT OF THE CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11141290
140,000 miles · Jul 3, 2018
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel/propulsion System
MY CAR WILL TRY TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE AT A STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, IN PARKED POSITION, AND WHILE NO GAS OR BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED IN A PICK UP LINE AND I COULD HAVE HIT A CHILD IF I HADN'T HADN'T MY FOOT IN THE BRAKE AND DONE ALL I COULD TO NOT MOVE FORWARD. SOMETIMES I'M IN…
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MY CAR WILL TRY TO SURGE FORWARD WHILE AT A STOP WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES. IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING, IN PARKED POSITION, AND WHILE NO GAS OR BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. THIS HAPPENED IN A PICK UP LINE AND I COULD HAVE HIT A CHILD IF I HADN'T HADN'T MY FOOT IN THE BRAKE AND DONE ALL I COULD TO NOT MOVE FORWARD. SOMETIMES I'M IN REVERSE AND THIS HAPPENS AND IT'S LIKE I PUT MY FOOT DOWN HARD ON THE GAS. THERE SEEMS TO BE A CONNECTION TO THE AC UNIT, BECAUSE WHEN THAT IS ON IT IS MAKING A LOUD SOUND. I WENT TO CARMAX 3 YEARS AGO (IN 2015) WITH THIS ISSUE AND THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. NOW THEY ARE SAYING IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THERE IS CLEARLY AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS PART IN THE CAR AND IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. SOMETIMES AFTER THE SURGE, MY CAR WILL 'DIE'. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF 6 LANES OF TRAFFIC WHILE STATIONARY AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I COULDN'T GO BECAUSE MY CAR HAD JUST SURGED AND DIED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA ODI #11105296
105,400 miles · Aug 31, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
SAFETY COMPLAINT FOR FORD FREESTYLE 2006. THE WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE ENGINE GOES TO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DROPS TO 30 MILES PER HOUR FROM HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN THE QUICK DROP IN SPEED AND WRENCH LIGHT. DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH TRUCKS AND CARS GOIN…
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SAFETY COMPLAINT FOR FORD FREESTYLE 2006. THE WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD AND THE ENGINE GOES TO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DROPS TO 30 MILES PER HOUR FROM HIGHWAY SPEED OF 60 TO 70 MILES PER HOUR WITH NO WARNING OTHER THAN THE QUICK DROP IN SPEED AND WRENCH LIGHT. DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WITH TRUCKS AND CARS GOING 70 MILES PER HOUR OR MORE IS BEYOND DANGEROUS AND ASKING TO GET HIT. WE HAVE HAD FORD SERVICE ON THIS CAR BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM. VEHICLE IN MOTION ON HIGHWAY. HAVE HAD CAR TOWED, PULLED OVER TO BREAKDOWN LANE AND TRAVELED SIDE ROADS FOR FEAR OF GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO FORD CORP TO FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THERE IS TRAGEDY.
NHTSA ODI #10899730
90,000 miles · Jul 26, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemSteering
I'M WRITING AGAIN. I'VE HAD A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE TWICE. THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT FORD DID WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. FORD KNEW THIS. FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANICS HAVE TOLD THEM IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I HAD TO THE C. S. P. ON MY CAR I WAS STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE TH…
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I'M WRITING AGAIN. I'VE HAD A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE TWICE. THE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT FORD DID WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. FORD KNEW THIS. FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANICS HAVE TOLD THEM IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE ISSUE. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER I HAD TO THE C. S. P. ON MY CAR I WAS STRANDED ON SIDE OF ROAD ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY I COULD HAVE IT CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED AGAIN AT MY COST WHICH WAS NEARLY THE SAME COST TO REPLACE. I HAD IT REPLACED AT MY COST. IN MY SITUATION THE 1ST TIME MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD TOWARD WALL OF MY HOME. I HAD TO USE BOTH FEET AND ALL MY WEIGHT TO STOP IT. THE 2ND TIME I LOST POWER AND CONTROL . ALL WHILE TRYING TO GET OUT OF HEAVY TRAFFIC. I COULD NOT GET MY CAR OFF THE ROAD AND IN A SAFE POSITION. AFTER THIS PROBLEM MY AC WILL NOT WORK UNLESS ACCELERATING. AND MY MOTOR WENT OUT. ALL THIS BEFORE I HIT 100,000 MILES. I'VE CALLED FORD AND FILED COMPLAINTS WITH NHTSA. ALL TO NO AVAIL. FORD IS REPLACING THE SAME PART FOR OTHER VEHICLES AT A FULL RECALL AND NO COST TO THE CONSUMER MY VIN# IS NOT ASSOC. WITH RECALL. I FEEL FORD AND NHTSA IS IGNORING THE COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I FEEL THAT WE CONSUMERS THAT HAVE THIS PROBLEM NEED TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD & NHTSA. NEITHER IS ADDRESSING THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY & NHTSA NEEDS TO FORCE THEM TO. CONTINUING TO IGNORE THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO CAUSE HEARINGS ON CAPITAL HILL & A BAD NAME FOR BOTH. I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH MY STATE REPRESENTATIVE & MY CONGRESS PERSON. I INTEND TO SEE THAT BOTH FORD & NHTSA STOP IGNORING THE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU INVESTIGATE YOU'LL FIND NEWER MODELS THAN MINE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. SAME PART SAME PART NUMBER, MINE AND OTHERS OF MY YEAR ARE NOT RECALLED WHILE THE OTHERS ARE & REPLACED. SOMEONE BETTER TAKE THIS SERIOUS.
NHTSA ODI #10888530
123,653 miles · Apr 9, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control
I JUST BUY A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND SINCE DAY ONE I HAVE SAVETY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR , SOME TIME THE SPEED CHANGE WITH OUT MY KNOWLEDGE , IT GOES FROM 40 TO 45 OR TRY TO SPEDD WIT OUT ME HITTING ON THE GAS . *TR EVERYDAY THE CAR STOP AND TURN OFF NO MATTER SPEED I`AM DRIVING ON. I WENT TO MANY GARAGE AND FORD DEALER AND THE…
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I JUST BUY A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND SINCE DAY ONE I HAVE SAVETY PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR , SOME TIME THE SPEED CHANGE WITH OUT MY KNOWLEDGE , IT GOES FROM 40 TO 45 OR TRY TO SPEDD WIT OUT ME HITTING ON THE GAS . *TR EVERYDAY THE CAR STOP AND TURN OFF NO MATTER SPEED I`AM DRIVING ON. I WENT TO MANY GARAGE AND FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME IS A PROBLEM THEY HAVING WITH MOST FORD 2006 FREESTYLE . I THINK FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL PEOPLE WHO USING THIS 2006 FORD FREESTYLES WITH THEIR FAMILY ON BORAD , WITH THEIR KIDS ON BOARD AND TO SAVE A LIFES WE HAVE TO RECALL THIS CARS . THIS 2006 FORDSTYLE CAN`T BE FIXE OR REPAIR .....
NHTSA ODI #10704847
15,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON JAN 01, 2008 WE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH LUNGING AND HIGH IDLING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR A FEW MONTHS AND STARTED BACK. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE TBS AND ANOTHER PART. CAR WORKED GREAT FOR A WHILE, …
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SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON JAN 01, 2008 WE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH LUNGING AND HIGH IDLING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR A FEW MONTHS AND STARTED BACK. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE TBS AND ANOTHER PART. CAR WORKED GREAT FOR A WHILE, BUT HAD TO HAVE THE TBS CLEANED AGAIN IN 2011 AND 2012 AND IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN AND MORE. NOW IT IS EXTREME. I WORK ABOUT 6 MILES FROM HOME AND HAVE TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE WRENCH THAT COMES ON IN ORDER TO RESET THE HIGH IDLE. IF I DON'T, WHEN I HIT THE GAS, THE RPM'S GO UP TO 4 AND 5K ONLY DOING 30 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THE ERROR CODE IS P0701 INDICATING TRANSMISSION AND TB ISSUES. THE CAR ALSO LUNGES FORWARD A GREAT DEAL AND I HAVE TO STAY BACK A SAFE DISTANCE IN ORDER TO BE SURE IF IT LUNGES I DON'T HIT ANYONE. THE ISSUE IS FAR BEYOND THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT HAS TO ALSO DO WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD KNOWS IS A LEMON. PLEASE PUSH THIS ISSUE SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO RECALL THE FAULTY PARTS AND PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE FAMILIES IN THEIR VEHICLES. IF I HAD ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE IN THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615929
75,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 10/2013 FROM NATIONAL USED CAR RETAIL CHAIN. *RECORDS, VIA FORD DEALERSHIP (AS OF 07/2014), INDICATE TB ISSUE (REF. NHTSA PE11018) ADDRESSED UNDER FORD CSP 12N03; 08/13 [TB CLEANED & PROGRAMMING EDITED BY 2ND LOCAL FORD DEALER.] INITIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED 10/2013, LESS THAN 72 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE, CODES IN…
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VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 10/2013 FROM NATIONAL USED CAR RETAIL CHAIN. *RECORDS, VIA FORD DEALERSHIP (AS OF 07/2014), INDICATE TB ISSUE (REF. NHTSA PE11018) ADDRESSED UNDER FORD CSP 12N03; 08/13 [TB CLEANED & PROGRAMMING EDITED BY 2ND LOCAL FORD DEALER.] INITIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED 10/2013, LESS THAN 72 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE, CODES INDICATED; AS PER RETAIL CHAIN REPAIR SHOP*, A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 6. REPAIR MADE VIA DEALER WARRANTY, REPLACING PLUG & ASSOCIATED PARTS.DROVE CAR FROM DATE OF REPAIR, INCLUDING HIGHWAY, LONG DISTANCES & LOCALLY W/O NOTABLE INCIDENT. LATER, SERVICE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON & OFF; NO CODES PRESENT. ASSUMED INDICATOR SHORT. ENG. LIGHT & SVC. LIGHTS CAME ON & WENT OFF PERIODICALLY BUT NEVER READABLE FOR CODES. CAR THEN BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES OCCASIONALLY UPON START UP SIMILAR TO SOLENOID FAILURE & EXHIBIT "DIESELING" UPON IGNITION. WEATHER RELATED? THEN; 03/2014, ENTERED HIGHWAY, ACCELERATING TO 60/MPH - AT HALF MILE UP, CAR "SHUT DOWN"; RPM FLAT, SPEEDOMETER FLAT, PEDAL NON-REACTIVE, STEERING IMPAIRED, NO ELECTRICITY. COASTED TO DIVIDE IN HIGHWAY; CRANKED VEHICLE, TURNED & CROSSED TO SHOULDER; STOPPING & STARTING SEVERAL TIMES. MOVING 10/MPH TO SAFETY. STILL NO CODES. THOUGHT CLOG IN FUEL SYSTEM/ TRASH IN GAS. NEXT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE, FILLED TANK, NEW GAS; NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, NO PROBLEMS. THEN: INCIDENT:05/2014: CRANKED & BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PLACED G.SHIFT IN D.. NOTHING...NO MOVEMENT, RPM FLAT,SPEEDOMETER FLAT. SERVICE & ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ROLLED BACK IN DRIVE, CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. CRANKED IT, ENG, & SVC. LIGHTS STILL ON; DROVE TO PARTS STORE. CODES PRESENT INDICATE TB MALFUNCTION. PROBLEM NOT COVERED VIA PURCHASE AGREEMENT. FORD SAYS; "PROBLEM SOLVED". PART/ $500 PLUS LABOR.PAYMENT:$475/MO. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. DON'T WANT TO BE THE STALLED CAR HIT FROM BEHIND @ 65/MPH BY A BIG RIG STATISTIC TO FIX IT. IT IS STILL BROKEN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10611013
98,642 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train
CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT TO COME ON. TRANSMISSION WENT INTO A VARIANCE OF NEUTRAL. FIXED BY TURNING OFF CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN. VEHICLE WORKED FINE WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED VIA RECALL. EVER SINCE THEN BATTERY HAS HAD AN UNDUE AMOUNT OF BUILDUP…
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CRUISE CONTROL CAUSED TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT TO COME ON. TRANSMISSION WENT INTO A VARIANCE OF NEUTRAL. FIXED BY TURNING OFF CAR AND TURNING IT BACK ON AGAIN. VEHICLE WORKED FINE WITHOUT USING CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED VIA RECALL. EVER SINCE THEN BATTERY HAS HAD AN UNDUE AMOUNT OF BUILDUP AT TERMINALS AND SEQUENCE ABOVE HAPPENED AT IRREGULAR INTERVALS. INTERVAL NEVER MORE THAN 100 MILES. ALWAYS FIXABLE BY TURNING CAR OFF AND TURNING IT BACK ON. FORD SAYS MAYBE $7100 WILL FIX IT. AS OF 3/1/2014 TRANSMISSION WENT OUT BUT RESTART DIDN'T FIX IT. THIS IS NOT ONLY DANGEROUS, BUT THOUSANDS OF THESE CARS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. PLEASE HELP. MOST TRANNIES COST MAYBE $2000, FORD SHOULD HAVE A BETTER FIX. OTHERWISE I LIKE THE CAR AND WOULDN'T MIND PAYING A REASONABLE AMOUNT FOR A TRANSMISSION REPLACE. FORD IS SAYING $4500 IN LABOR, THERE'S NO WAY IT TAKES A WEEK FOR A COMPETENT QUALIFIED MECHANIC TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10573768
124,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
THE PROBLEM IM HAVING IS THAT AS THE CAR GOES 20-25 MPH IT COMPLETE STOPS AND THE WRENCH LIGHT GOES ON. IT HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT A NORMAL HIGH SPEED IT COMPLETE WENT OFF. IT SURE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. NOW I CANT EVEN TAKE THE FAMILY WITH ME CAUSE IM SCARE TO PUT THEM AT RISK. THE FORD DEALER DID NOT FIX T…
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THE PROBLEM IM HAVING IS THAT AS THE CAR GOES 20-25 MPH IT COMPLETE STOPS AND THE WRENCH LIGHT GOES ON. IT HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT A NORMAL HIGH SPEED IT COMPLETE WENT OFF. IT SURE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. NOW I CANT EVEN TAKE THE FAMILY WITH ME CAUSE IM SCARE TO PUT THEM AT RISK. THE FORD DEALER DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IM AT THE POINT THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHO TO CALL . EVERY NUMBER I CALL ITS AN OPERATOR AND THE RECORDING HANGS UP ON ME AFTER A FEW TIMES. I HAD A RECALL LETTER THAT WAS SEND TO ME BUT THE REPAIR DEPT AT THE FORD DEALER DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT BACK. I JUST HOPE THE NHTSA CAN HELP ME IN SOME WAY . I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IM HAVING HAS TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE BODY . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501215
Official recalls
1Oct 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.
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
1PE11018 · 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