NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
53 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Sep 3, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
AT A VERY LOW SPEED THE THROTTLE BODY STUCK OPEN, AND THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS HARD TO NOT ZOOM OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT INTO A PASSING CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE, "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE LUNGING KEPT CONTINUING BOTH IN FORWARD AND REVERSE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. FINALLY, IT APPEARED TO STOP ONCE I …
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AT A VERY LOW SPEED THE THROTTLE BODY STUCK OPEN, AND THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BREAKS HARD TO NOT ZOOM OUT INTO THE PARKING LOT INTO A PASSING CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE, "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE LUNGING KEPT CONTINUING BOTH IN FORWARD AND REVERSE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. FINALLY, IT APPEARED TO STOP ONCE I PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, AND I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE. AFTER THAT, THERE WAS SOMETHING DEFINITELY WRONG WITH THE THROTTLE ITSELF. I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC AT THE NECESSARY RATE. THIS IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM AS THERE ARE HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF REPORTS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT 2005-2006 FREESTYLES AND 500S. I WOULD HOPE THAT FORD WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL THIS PART FOR THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS AND EVERYONE ON THE ROADWAY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473641
85,000 miles · Aug 31, 2012
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LUNGE ON ME, AT 0MPH IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD, AND IN REVERSE. FORTUNATELY I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE EVERY TIME. I DON'T THINK IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FEELING THAT IT IS ALL ELECTRICAL. I HAVE HAD THE LUNGING PROBLEM SINCE LAST YEAR. (2011)…
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED HAS MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR LUNGE ON ME, AT 0MPH IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD, AND IN REVERSE. FORTUNATELY I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE EVERY TIME. I DON'T THINK IT IS THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE A FEELING THAT IT IS ALL ELECTRICAL. I HAVE HAD THE LUNGING PROBLEM SINCE LAST YEAR. (2011) AND THE CAR HAS BEEN DETERIORATING SINCE. YESTERDAY I GOT "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" AND NOW IT KILLS ALL OF THE LIGHTS AND GAUGES... YET IT STILL KIND OF RAN.(NOT VERY GOOD UP HILL, AND NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, NO SPEEDOMETER NOTHING.)ANOTHER RECENT PROBLEM I HAVE IS THE CENTER ENGINE (SHOCK?)MOUNT IS BUSTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10473129
110,000 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
MY COMPLAINT MIRRORS VERBATIM OTHERS RELATED TO THE MAY 2011 INVESTIGATION OPENED INTO THE "LUNGING" AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR THE 05-07 FORD FREESTYLE. THE AC, HOT TEMPS, & LUNGING. ONE OCCURRENCE TRAVELING 60MPH & BEGAN TO "STALL OUT" & SLOW ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH THREE CHILDREN IN CAR. ANY PRESSURE ON FUEL PEDAL NO RESULT. BUSY TRAFF…
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MY COMPLAINT MIRRORS VERBATIM OTHERS RELATED TO THE MAY 2011 INVESTIGATION OPENED INTO THE "LUNGING" AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR THE 05-07 FORD FREESTYLE. THE AC, HOT TEMPS, & LUNGING. ONE OCCURRENCE TRAVELING 60MPH & BEGAN TO "STALL OUT" & SLOW ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH THREE CHILDREN IN CAR. ANY PRESSURE ON FUEL PEDAL NO RESULT. BUSY TRAFFIC, COULD ONLY TRAVEL MAX 35-40MPH. PUT FLASHERS ON & STRUGGLED TO MAKE IT TO REPAIR SHOP. TURNED OFF AC IN 100 DEGREE HEAT TO GET ANY KIND OF RESPONSE FROM ENGINE. I WAS WORRIED & FEARED FOR MINE & MY CHILDREN'S SAFETY. VEHICLE WOULD BARELY ACCELERATE THRU INTERSECTION AFTER STOPPING FOR RED LIGHT. FINALLY MADE IT TO SHOP. VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON MACHINE. CODES APPEARED: P061B ALTER FUEL CONTROL MODULE ERROR, P2106 THROTTLE ACTUATOR FORCED LIMITED. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD HOUSE & EXPLAINED ISSUES AS WELL AS CODES FROM PREVIOUS SHOP. WAS TOLD WOULD BE $100 FOR FORD TO HOOK UP FOR A DX. IF THE CODES I HAD WERE SAME,WOULD COST EST $800 TO REPAIR. AS MOM OF 3 & WHO DRIVES GREAT DISTANCES FOR WORK, THIS REPAIR ASAP. HAVE HAD MANY OCCASIONS IF NOT HAD FOOT FIRMLY ON BRAKE THE VEHICLE WOULD'VE CAUSED A WRECK AT STOP LIGHT, PULLING INTO, OUT OF PARKING LOTS, ETC. CAR LITERALLY DRIVES ITSELF IN D/R AT 10MPH WITH NO ACCELERATION AT ALL AFTER PLACING IN D/R. ON 8-12-12 WAS IN DRIVE THRU LINE & CAR LUNGED AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED FORWARD AFTER BARELY LIFTING FOOT OFF BRAKE. CAME MM FROM SLAMMING INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT. PUT CAR IN P & THE VEHICLE DIED. WRENCH/ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TURNED ENGINE OFF, TURNED AC OFF & RESTARTED THE CAR. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD'VE HAPPENED IF THIS HAD OCCURRED AT A STOP LIGHT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION? THIS ISSUE IS A FATALITY WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS CANNOT BE A FLUKE RANDOM ISSUE IF YOU HAVE REC'D 238 PRIOR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I URGE NHTSA TO PLACE A RECALL, IF FOR THE ONLY REASON TO SAVE LIVES. *TR UPDATED 08-03-12 *BF UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10471628
69,000 miles · Aug 13, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
BACKING FROM DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET, CAR SURGED BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE STALLED. ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT WARNING "WRENCH" LIGHT WAS ON INDICATING THROTTLE / TRANSMISSION FAULT WAS DETECTED AND SERVICE REQUIRED. AFTER RESTARTING LATER THAT DAY NO PROBLEM…
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BACKING FROM DRIVEWAY INTO THE STREET, CAR SURGED BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP IT WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. AT THAT POINT THE VEHICLE STALLED. ABLE TO RESTART AND CONTINUE WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT WARNING "WRENCH" LIGHT WAS ON INDICATING THROTTLE / TRANSMISSION FAULT WAS DETECTED AND SERVICE REQUIRED. AFTER RESTARTING LATER THAT DAY NO PROBLEMS NOTICED AND NO WARNING LIGHT. THIS WAS THE MOST SEVERE CASE SO FAR BUT HAD NOTICED SOME SMALL SURGING IN PRIOR WEEKS BOTH IN REVERSE AND DRIVE WHEN STARTING OUT BOTH FROM COLD START AND FROM RESTART CONDITIONS. FURTHER RESEARCH SUGGESTS THIS IS A WELL KNOW THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM FOR FORD FREESTYLE / 500 / MONTEGO MODELS FROM 2005 / 2006 TIMEFRAME. SAFETY RISK IS SIGNIFICANT, CANNOT LET OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS OR ANY LESS EXPERIENCED OPERATORS DRIVE THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED. REPLACEMENT OR AT LEAST MAINTENANCE FOR THIS KNOWN FAULTY SYSTEM SHOULD BE PROVIDED AT NO CHARGE BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470422
62,000 miles · Aug 12, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS STOPPED AND IN A LINE OF VEHICLES IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE SURGED. FORTUNATELY, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WITH SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE GOING INTO (LIMP MODE) FORCED LIMITED POWER MODE. I…
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I WAS STOPPED AND IN A LINE OF VEHICLES IN A PARKING LOT WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE SURGED. FORTUNATELY, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WITH SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM LUNGING FORWARD. THIS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE IN THE PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE GOING INTO (LIMP MODE) FORCED LIMITED POWER MODE. I DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS PURCHASED. THE MECHANICS DID NOT DETECT ANY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. SINCE THEN THERE HAVE BEEN PROBABLY SIX (6) MORE EVENTS WITHOUT THE ENGINE GOING INTO FORCED LIMITED POWER MODE. IN ALL EVENTS THE ENGINES SURGES TO APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 1500RPM AND 1800RPM WITH THE CAR IN DRIVE AND THE FOOT SECURELY ON THE BRAKE. THE EVENT GENERALLY LASTS LESS THAN 5 SECONDS. ALL EVENTS OCCURRED DURING SUMMER MONTHS. LAST EVENT WAS THIS PAST WEDNESDAY WHEN MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR. I WITNESSED THE EVENT AS A PASSENGER. THE TWO CODES THAT CAME UP ARE P2106 AND P061B. I PURCHASED A TESTER TO READ THE CODES. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 77995. RESEARCHING THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM LED ME TO YOUR SITE AND PROMPTED ME TO FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470307
63,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT SHUT DOWN, DIED COMPLETELY. 30 MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OVER. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED THROTTLE BODY BUT IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER UNTIL AUGUST 2009. SO HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME. HAPPENED QUITE A BIT THROUGHOUT THAT TIME UNTIL I REALIZED THAT IT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH HAVING…
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FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT SHUT DOWN, DIED COMPLETELY. 30 MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OVER. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED THROTTLE BODY BUT IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER UNTIL AUGUST 2009. SO HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME. HAPPENED QUITE A BIT THROUGHOUT THAT TIME UNTIL I REALIZED THAT IT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH HAVING THE A/C ON. IT HAPPENS EVEN WITHOUT THE A/C ON SOMETIMES AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, AND IN PARKING LOTS, AND ALSO WHEN IN REVERSE IT LUNGES IN THAT DIRECTION AS WELL; SOMETIMES AT VERY HIGH RATE WHICH IS SCARY. HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND CANNOT FATHOM WHY THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT AND NOW IT IS SITTING IN MY MECHANICS GARAGE BECAUSE THE CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT.. 5 WEEKS NOW AND I DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CVT TRANSMISSION THAT ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469482
98,213 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES MAINLY IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO DOES IT IN DRIVE AT TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SURGED I THOUGHT MAYBE MY FOOT HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND DISMISSED IT. I STARTED DRIVING THIS CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT PREVI…
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES MAINLY IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO DOES IT IN DRIVE AT TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SURGED I THOUGHT MAYBE MY FOOT HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND DISMISSED IT. I STARTED DRIVING THIS CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT PREVIOUS OWNERS OR THE CAR'S HISTORY SO I ONLY KNOW HOW IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. ALSO THERE ARE 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT ARE ALSO WRONG WITH MY CAR. TSB 07-1-8 AND 06-11-4 I THINK THAT SINCE FORD KNOWS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CVT TRANSMISSION THAT THEY OUGHT TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND REPAIR THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468872
113,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM HOLIDAY, MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR AND WE COULD SMELL THE ENGINE BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT. MY ENGINE WAS TRYING TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO DECELERATE AND I BARELY MADE IT OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY VIA AN EXIT RAMP. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE…
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WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM HOLIDAY, MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR AND WE COULD SMELL THE ENGINE BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT. MY ENGINE WAS TRYING TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO DECELERATE AND I BARELY MADE IT OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY VIA AN EXIT RAMP. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD TO LET THE ENGINE COOL OFF. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM MAY BE GEAR OR TRANSMISSION RELATED OR PERHAPS BAD GAS. I TRIED A TRICK TOLD TO ME BY MECHANIC FRIEND TO BACK UP THE CAR AND GO FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 40-50 FEET, STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPEAT THE MOVEMENT AGAIN TO RESET THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLS. I ALSO ADDED FUEL INJECTION CLEANER AND FILLED THE TANK AGAIN. AFTER FUEL INJECTION AND LETTING THE CAR SIT, IT WAS OKAY FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT JUST RECENTLY (JULY 2012). THE SAME WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR ONCE AGAIN LUNGED AND DECELERATED AND I HAD TO PULL OFF. LUCKILY, THERE WAS A GAS STATION AT EXIT AGAIN. AND, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC WHEN DECELERATING WITHOUT HARM TO MY FAMILY. I BOUGHT MORE FUEL INJECTION CLEANER AND FILLED THE TANK. I THEN LET THE CAR SIT AGAIN. THAT SEEMED TO HELP. WE MADE IT HOME AFTER ANOTHER REST STOP FOR THE CAR. SHORTLY AFTER, MY HUSBAND USED THROTTLE BODY CLEANER TO CLEAN OUT MY FUEL INJECTION PATHWAY. HE REMOVED AIR CONNECTION AND FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY TO BE CLOGGED WITH GUNKY MATERIAL AND SPRAYED A GOOD DOSE OF THE CLEANER INTO IT WHILE I GUNNED THE ENGINE TO CLEAR IT OUT. I AM NOW USING FUEL INJECTION CLEANER WITH EVERY GAS FILLUP TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW I PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY, BUT I AM LEARY FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON INTERNET WITH OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM, REPLACING THROTTLE BODY AND THEN IT HAVING TO DO IT AGAIN A YEAR LATER. I AM GOING TO FIX CAR AND THEN PROBABLY SELL IT. NOT SAFE ANYMORE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467265
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE THROTTLE WILL RACE UP ESPECIALLY WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP. I BELONG TO A COUPLE OF FORUMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TRIED MANY OF TIMES TO GET THIS SERIOUS REPAIR RECALLED. ONE PERSON EVEN PINNED THEIR CHILD AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL. I HAVE NOT FIXED MINE YET AS FORD GARAGE SAYS IT IS ABOUT $750 REPAIR. MY WIFE ALMOST TOOK A GUYS DOO…
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THE THROTTLE WILL RACE UP ESPECIALLY WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP. I BELONG TO A COUPLE OF FORUMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TRIED MANY OF TIMES TO GET THIS SERIOUS REPAIR RECALLED. ONE PERSON EVEN PINNED THEIR CHILD AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL. I HAVE NOT FIXED MINE YET AS FORD GARAGE SAYS IT IS ABOUT $750 REPAIR. MY WIFE ALMOST TOOK A GUYS DOOR OFF. AS SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT A GUY WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND AS SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE HARDER IT MADE THE THROTTLE INCREASE. THE GUY THEN THOUGH SHE WAS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO RUN HIM OVER. WE HAD TO DEMONSTRATE THE ISSUE OF THIS AND THEN HE UNDERSTOOD. I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS THROTTLE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467194
64,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARD EVEN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. USED TO ONLY DO IT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON BUT NOW WILL DO IT AT ANY TIME. WHEN SPEAKING WITH FORD THEY CLAIM THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS DESPITE ME READING THEM THE 23 PAGE LETTER BETWEEN FORD AND [XXX] (OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION). INFORMATION REDACTED…
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CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARD EVEN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. USED TO ONLY DO IT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON BUT NOW WILL DO IT AT ANY TIME. WHEN SPEAKING WITH FORD THEY CLAIM THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS DESPITE ME READING THEM THE 23 PAGE LETTER BETWEEN FORD AND [XXX] (OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467064
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