NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
144 reportsClear category filter75,352 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES AND SURGES. WHEN PUT INTO GEAR MY FREESTYLE WILL LURCH VIOLENTLY AND WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SURGE POWER. WHILE SITTING AND IN GEAR POWER SURGES AND LURCHES FORWARD FORCING THE DRIVER TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM JUMPING FORWARD. WHILE CRUISING POWER WILL SURGE WITHOUT INPUT FROM TH…
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES AND SURGES. WHEN PUT INTO GEAR MY FREESTYLE WILL LURCH VIOLENTLY AND WHILE DRIVING IT WILL SURGE POWER. WHILE SITTING AND IN GEAR POWER SURGES AND LURCHES FORWARD FORCING THE DRIVER TO PRESS THE BRAKE HARD TO KEEP THE CAR FROM JUMPING FORWARD. WHILE CRUISING POWER WILL SURGE WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10425402
70,000 miles · Sep 12, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I AM IDLE OR JUST DRIVING AROUND LOCAL, THE CAR IS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ADJUSTED MY DRIVING HABITS AROUND THIS ISSUE, BUT TOOK IT IN THIS MORNING BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, BU…
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WHEN I AM IDLE OR JUST DRIVING AROUND LOCAL, THE CAR IS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ADJUSTED MY DRIVING HABITS AROUND THIS ISSUE, BUT TOOK IT IN THIS MORNING BECAUSE THE CAR WILL NOT START WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, BUT FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL. I CANNOT AFFORD TO MAKE THE REPAIRS THAT OTHERS HAVE DETAILED, AND THEY SAY THAT THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AFTER THE REPAIRS ARE MADE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424738
54,300 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING WHICH GEAR IT IS IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE IT FIRST OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424456
67,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
IT IDLES TO FAST WITH AC ON AND SPEEDS UP YOU GOT HIT BRAKE REAL HARD TO STOP IT THEN WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON IT ONLY HAS 67000 MILES ON IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IT HAPPENED TO IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS A FAULTY PART IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AGAIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO…
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IT IDLES TO FAST WITH AC ON AND SPEEDS UP YOU GOT HIT BRAKE REAL HARD TO STOP IT THEN WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON IT ONLY HAS 67000 MILES ON IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IT HAPPENED TO IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS A FAULTY PART IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AGAIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424350
50,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR LUNGES. VERY UNSAFE. IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT'S HOT. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10424206
42,000 miles · Sep 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE WILL LUNGE OR ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, STOP LIGHT OR ANY LOW SPEED. IT WILL HAPPEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALMOST CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. ENGINE DIED AFTER LUNGING ON ONE OCCASION AFTER I APPLIED BRAKES HARD TO STOP FROM JUMPING INTO TRAFFIC FROM PARKING LOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423259
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
FORD FREESTYLE SURGES, MOVING THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE IS LIGHTLY HELD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423250
90,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR SURGES WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS, IDLING AND IN REVERSE. WE FIRST NOTICED IT IN REVERSE. THIS IS MORE APPARENT WHEN THE A/C IS ON. WE ARE UNSURE EXACTLY WHEN THIS STARTED TO OCCUR SO THE DATE ABOVE IS A CLOSE GUESS. THE SURGING IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING NOW. IF IT HAPPENS WE HAVE TO STEP VERY FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE THE CAR …
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THE CAR SURGES WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS, IDLING AND IN REVERSE. WE FIRST NOTICED IT IN REVERSE. THIS IS MORE APPARENT WHEN THE A/C IS ON. WE ARE UNSURE EXACTLY WHEN THIS STARTED TO OCCUR SO THE DATE ABOVE IS A CLOSE GUESS. THE SURGING IS DEFINITELY HAPPENING NOW. IF IT HAPPENS WE HAVE TO STEP VERY FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE BECAUSE THE CAR WANTS TO JUMP FORWARD. WE HAVE ALSO HAD THE WRENCH LIGHT COME ON. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY THE DEALER BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND HAVE DISCOVERED THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME OR SIMILAR PROBLEM AS I AM.
NHTSA ODI #10423719
22,300 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AT STARTUP WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS THE ENGINE RACES AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES IN REVERSE OR FORWARD DEPENDING WHICH GEAR IT IS IN. SINCE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BREAK WHILE PUTTING IT INTO GEAR I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE…
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AT STARTUP WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS THE ENGINE RACES AND THE VEHICLE LURCHES IN REVERSE OR FORWARD DEPENDING WHICH GEAR IT IS IN. SINCE I HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BREAK WHILE PUTTING IT INTO GEAR I HAVEN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, SEVERAL TIMES WHEN THIS HAPPENED THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE HAD VERY LITTLE POWER. AFTER I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF , SAT AWHILE AND TURNED THE ENGINE ON THE SERVICE LIGHT DID NO COME ON UNTIL THIS HAPPENED AGAIN. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHERS ,SO, CONSEQUENTLY, I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A MANUFACTURING DEFECT.
NHTSA ODI #10423405
Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
ENGINE RPM WILL SUDDENLY INCREASE DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS SUCH AS PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. THIS SUDDEN CHANGE CAN VARY BETWEEN 500 TO 1000 RPM AND SEEMS MORE PRONOUNCED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND THE VEHICLE IS TURNING
NHTSA ODI #10423369
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
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