NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
85 reportsClear category filter107,000 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
WAS SITTING IN CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH AC RUNNING WAITING FOR MY WIFE. AS I BEGAN TO BACK UP I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO LET CAR GO BY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR GAS PEDAL. THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LATER WE WERE WAITING IN A LINE AT A DRIVE-THRU AS WE WAITED IN L…
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WAS SITTING IN CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH AC RUNNING WAITING FOR MY WIFE. AS I BEGAN TO BACK UP I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO LET CAR GO BY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR GAS PEDAL. THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LATER WE WERE WAITING IN A LINE AT A DRIVE-THRU AS WE WAITED IN LINE I HAD CAR IN DRIVE BUT FOOT ON BRAKE. THEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I COULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR DIED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME. I TOOK IT TO AUTO PART STORE TO DIAGNOSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT GAVE ME CODE P2106 AND WHICH IS THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM-FORCED LIMITED POWER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10625798
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
108,791 miles · Jul 22, 2014
Fuel System, Gasoline
ON 8-23-2011 WE HAD THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM REPLACED BECAUSE OF UNCONTROLLABLE EXHILARATION. IT HAS STARTED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AGAIN AND WE NEED TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615436
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
101,792 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
MARCH OF 2013 ONE OF THE 5 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED . LUNGING AT LOW SPEEDS , NOT SHIFTING GEARS , DYING,ERROR CODES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON , THIS HAS OCCURED WITH EVERY INCIDENT WHICH EVENTUALLY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE EVERYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605145
120,000 miles · Jan 20, 2014
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LURCHES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON ALSO WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I CHECKS THREADS ON THE INTERNET AND SAW THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AS SHOWN ON …
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VEHICLE LURCHES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. HAPPENED MANY TIMES. THE WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON ALSO WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHEN WE FIRST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I CHECKS THREADS ON THE INTERNET AND SAW THIS AS A COMMON PROBLEM. I PERSONALLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AS SHOWN ON YOUTUBE BY A GENTLEMAN AND IT FIXED THE PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. THIS HAPPENED RECENTLY TO MY WIFE AS SHE WAS LEAVING HER WORK PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED. LURCHED WHEN PUT IN GEAR WITH BRAKES APPLIED. CAR FELT UNCONTROLLABLE. WE SEE THAT AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS PROBLEM HAS BEGUN SO I WOULD CONFER WITH OTHER VEHICLE OWNERS. MORE TIMES AND DATES THAN I CAN REMEMBER THAT LURCHING HAS TAKEN PLACE. ONE TIME I HAD TO SLIP IT INTO NEUTRAL TO STOP THE CAR AND APPLY THE BRAKES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10560724
110,800 miles · Sep 12, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP BUT STILL ON DRIVE, BRAKES MUST BE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED OR THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF BY ITSELF. HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE SHIFT IS IN THE DRIVE POSITION BUT IS BEING HELD BY THE BRAKE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME LIKE IN A LINE, A DRIVE THRU, OR LONG TRAFFIC LIGHT. VERY SCARY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543362
120,000 miles · Aug 22, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
VEHICLE LUNGES AND HAS POOR GAS MILEAGE. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND GOING THRU BRAKES MORE THAN NORMAL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. FORD ISSUED A COMPLIMENTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FORD WAS NOTIFIED AND WE WERE TOLD THAT ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE …
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VEHICLE LUNGES AND HAS POOR GAS MILEAGE. WE HAVE ALMOST BEEN IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AND GOING THRU BRAKES MORE THAN NORMAL DUE TO THIS ISSUE. FORD ISSUED A COMPLIMENTARY CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SERVICE TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND I AM CONTINUING TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM. FORD WAS NOTIFIED AND WE WERE TOLD THAT ITS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE AND ANY REPAIR IS MY RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536716
74,000 miles · Jun 24, 2013
Fuel System, Gasoline
THIS CAR HAS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHICH I EXPERIENCED, WHERE CARBON DEPOSITS IN THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSE IT TO SURGE OR STALL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE REMEDY AS GIVEN BY FORD IS TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND THE COMPUTER (PCM) REPROGRAMMED. LOOKING IN TO VARIOUS FORUMS FOR INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC, SUCH AS EDMUNDS AND FREESTYLE OWNE…
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THIS CAR HAS A KNOWN ISSUE, WHICH I EXPERIENCED, WHERE CARBON DEPOSITS IN THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSE IT TO SURGE OR STALL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE REMEDY AS GIVEN BY FORD IS TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND THE COMPUTER (PCM) REPROGRAMMED. LOOKING IN TO VARIOUS FORUMS FOR INFORMATION ON THE TOPIC, SUCH AS EDMUNDS AND FREESTYLE OWNER FORUMS, MANY OWNERS REPORT THE PROBLEM RECURRING AFTER THIS FIX HAD BEEN IMPLEMENTED, MOSTLY A FEW 10'S OF THOUSANDS OF MILES LATER. OTHERS, WHO HAD THEIR THROTTLE BODIES COMPLETELY REPLACED, WITH A THROTTLE OF NEWER DESIGN, REPORT NO FURTHER ISSUES AT ANY REPORTED RANGE. I AM ASKING WHY FORD IS ALLOWED TO TEMPORARILY BANDAGE A KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE, THAT IS ALSO KNOWN TO RECUR AFTER THIS FIX HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, RATHER THAT APPLYING WHAT SEEMS TO BE A PERMANENT SAFETY FIX, REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE? THE SURGING IS BAD ENOUGH THAT HAD I NOT EXPERIENCED IT PREVIOUSLY, AND BEEN SEMI-ANTICIPATING IT, I WOULD HAVE BEEN PUSHED INTO AN INTERSECTION AND INTO TRAFFIC. NONETHELESS, THE CAR DID MOVE FORWARD SEVERAL FEET. THIS WAS ON MY TRIP TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP (24 JUNE 2013) TO HAVE THE PRESCRIBED FIX APPLIED. I DO NOT BELIEVE A TEMPORARY FIX, ONE THAT ALLOWS TO PROBLEM TO RECUR, IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THAT FORD SHOULD, INSTEAD, FOCUS ON A PERMANENT FIX TO ITS SAFETY ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE, THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THEIR THROTTLES REPLACED STATE THE NEW ONE IS OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. FOR EXAMPLE: THE NEW ONE IS A NON-HEATED BODY, VS THE PREVIOUS DESIGN WHICH HAS A HEATED BODY, WHICH IS SUSPECT TO FAILURE. THE OLD THROTTLE (5F9Z-9E926-AA) VS THE NEW ONES (6F9Z-9E926-A) ARE DESIGNATED BY THE DIFFERENT PARTS NUMBERS PROVIDED, FURTHER SHOWING FORD'S KNOWLEDGE THE OLD (HEATED) VERSION OF THE THROTTLE IS, ITSELF, CAUSING THE SAFETY ISSUE, AND THAT THEIR ONE-TIME FIX IS ONLY TEMPORARY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10521554
105,000 miles · Jun 19, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
AFFECTED PART: THROTTLE BODY. TWO YRS AGO WE HAD OUR CAR REPAIRED FOR A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE OUR CAR WAS LUNGING FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY AND SOMETIMES STALLED. IT WAS A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, B/C IT WAS ALSO HAPPENING WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THAT TIME WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO ONE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY …
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AFFECTED PART: THROTTLE BODY. TWO YRS AGO WE HAD OUR CAR REPAIRED FOR A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE OUR CAR WAS LUNGING FORWARD AGGRESSIVELY AND SOMETIMES STALLED. IT WAS A TERRIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, B/C IT WAS ALSO HAPPENING WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. THERE WAS NO RECALL AT THAT TIME WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR TO ONE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY REPAIRED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE CAR RAN FOR 2 YRS WITHOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, HERE WE ARE 2 YRS LATER, & OUR CAR IS AT ANOTHER FORD DEALERSHIP THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE SPENT SO MUCH ALREADY, AND NOW WE HAVE TO PAY $1700 TO FIX THE THROTTLE BODY & ALSO THE ALTERNATOR. THERE ARE SO MANY FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED? I JUST FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SERVICE SATISFACTION PROGRAM FOR JUST A CLEANING BACK IN NOV 2012. I DID NOT RECEIVE THIS LETTER, BUT IT WILL NOT HELP US ANYWAY SINCE THE THROTTLE BODY IS NO LONGER USABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520743
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