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2006 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,187 reports with mileage · 113 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 602 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 484 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports10 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

85 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2012
EquipmentFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

CAR SURGES WHEN IDLING. SEEMS MORE IN HOT WEATHER BUT AM TOLD IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED AND IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH ALL OF THEM FOR 6-7 YEARS NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10461192

85,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IN DECEMBER 2009. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GOT WARMER I NOTICED THAT WHEN PARKING, BACKING UP, OR TRYING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AS IF I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SOON IT ALSO STARTED SURGING/SPUTTERING WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL, TWICE IN HEAVY T…

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I PURCHASED MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IN DECEMBER 2009. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GOT WARMER I NOTICED THAT WHEN PARKING, BACKING UP, OR TRYING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AS IF I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SOON IT ALSO STARTED SURGING/SPUTTERING WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL, TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO DISCOVER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY & THAT ALL FREESTYLES WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THAT A NEW UNIT COULD BE PUT IN BUT WAS NOT COVERED AS A RECALL AND WAS GOING TO COST $1000. AS A SINGLE MOM, THAT WAS JUST IMPOSSIBLE. LUCKILY MY DISABLED FATHER WAS PREVIOUSLY A MECHANIC AND WAS ABLE TO USE CARB CLEANER TO CLEAN THE SENSOR AND TEMPORARILY STOP THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, EVERY SPRING THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AND I HAVE TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT CLEANED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WINTER. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE BRAKES WEAR OUT UNUSUALLY QUICKLY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE OF HAVING TO FIGHT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR TO STOP THE CAR, OR IF IT'S A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I DO KNOW THAT WHEN IT STARTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WEARING OUT I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ASAP BECAUSE THE MORE THEY GET WORN THE FASTER THEY WEAR OUT, IF THAT MAKES SENSE. SOMETHING I'VE JUST RECENTLY NOTICED IS THAT THE LIGHTS (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, DISPLAY, ALL OF THEM) HAVE BEEN ALMOST BLINKING...GETTING BRIGHTER/DIMMER AND AT THE SAME TIME MY A/C BLOWS HARDER/SOFTER, LIKE THEY ARE SURGING AS WELL. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE TOP AND BOTTOM DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE CRACKED/ROTTED BUSHINGS. FORD SHOULD ABSOLUTELY REPLACE THESE THROTTLE BODIES WITHOUT QUESTION; MY CHILDREN RIDE IN MY FREESTYLE EVERY DAY AND ONE CLOSE CALL IS ONE TOO MANY. I WANT THIS FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10457028

65,000 miles · Jan 11, 2012
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

I WAS IN MYRTLE BEACH SUMMER OF 2010 WHEN I WAS BACKING MY VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IT LUNGED BACK ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THEN WHEN I WENT FORWARD DID THE SAME STALLED. CHANGED FUEL FILTER AND EVERYTHING. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER DID IT AGAIN. I SEEMS TO DO IT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS WARM. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND NOT SU…

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I WAS IN MYRTLE BEACH SUMMER OF 2010 WHEN I WAS BACKING MY VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IT LUNGED BACK ALMOST CAUSING A WRECK. THEN WHEN I WENT FORWARD DID THE SAME STALLED. CHANGED FUEL FILTER AND EVERYTHING. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER DID IT AGAIN. I SEEMS TO DO IT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS WARM. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND NOT SURE WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR FORD TO RECALL. I GUESS SOMEONE HAS TO DIE AND THEY HAVE TO BE SUED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10443491

80,000 miles · Dec 27, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

MY CAR BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS LUNGING FORWARD WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A SCHOOL ZONE CROSS-WALK WAITING FOR CHILDREN TO CROSS. IT LUNGED FORWARD AND STOPPED JUST INCHES FROM HITTING 4 CHILDREN. IT TERRIFIED ME!!!! IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THAT DAY AND THE NEXT DAY UNTIL I COULD GET IT IN THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED THE THRO…

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MY CAR BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS LUNGING FORWARD WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A SCHOOL ZONE CROSS-WALK WAITING FOR CHILDREN TO CROSS. IT LUNGED FORWARD AND STOPPED JUST INCHES FROM HITTING 4 CHILDREN. IT TERRIFIED ME!!!! IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES THAT DAY AND THE NEXT DAY UNTIL I COULD GET IT IN THE SHOP. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED BY THE FORD MECHANICS BUT LUCKILY I GOT BY WITH JUST A THROTTLE BODY CLEANING. THE CAR NO LONGER LUNGES FORWARD. ABOUT THE SAME TIME, THE CAR HAD PROBLEMS FEELING LIKE IT WOULDN'T GET PAST 2ND GEAR AND IT WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I STILL DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THIS. A FEW MONTHS LATER THE CAR STARTED MAKING A STRANGE CLICKING NOISE THAT WOULD GET FASTER WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE THEN SLOWER WHEN I WOULD BRAKE. IT QUIT MAKING THE NOISE BY THE TIME I COULD TAKE IT TO GET IT LOOKED AT A FEW DAYS LATER. THE AIR CONDITIONER WON'T GET COLD UNLESS THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THE HEATER DOES THE SAME THING. IT ONLY SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON EXTREME TEMPERATURE DAYS. THEN SPONTANEOUSLY, BOTH THESE PROBLEMS SEEMED TO FIX THEMSELVES. JUST THIS WEEK, MY CAR BACKFIRED 2 TIMES, THEN THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I STARTED IT, IT SMELLED HORRIBLE! I TURNED IT OFF IMMEDIATELY, THEN THE NEXT DAY, IT WOULDN'T START. TOOK IT TO MY FORD MECHANIC, AND HE SAID EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT OK. HE NOW THINKS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET SUGGESTS THAT THESE HAVE BEEN HUGE PROBLEMS FOR MANY FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS. AND YET NO RECALL? COME ON FORD!! YOU HAVE LOST MANY LOYAL CUSTOMERS OVER THIS!! PLEASE HELP ALL OF US TO GET A RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS CAR!! I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN, AND IF I GET STRANDED, I, LIKE MANY PEOPLE, HAVE NOBODY TO CALL AND NO WAY TO PAY IF I GET STRANDED. PLEASE HELP BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR EVEN KILLED. MANY OTHER PROBS BUT NO ROOM TO LIST. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10441409

72,000 miles · Dec 22, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACE ALONG WITH A COMPUTER UPDATE TO A TUNE OF $800+. VARIOUS POSTS HAVE BEEN FOUND ON THE INTERNET REGARDING A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS MODEL YEAR'S THROTTLE BODY INCLUDING A "LUNGING ISSUE" CAUSED BY THIS FAILED COMPONENT. I WOULD LIKE THIS ISS…

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VEHICLE WILL NOT START. DEALERSHIP CLAIMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACE ALONG WITH A COMPUTER UPDATE TO A TUNE OF $800+. VARIOUS POSTS HAVE BEEN FOUND ON THE INTERNET REGARDING A KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS MODEL YEAR'S THROTTLE BODY INCLUDING A "LUNGING ISSUE" CAUSED BY THIS FAILED COMPONENT. I WOULD LIKE THIS ISSUE TO BE INVESTIGATED AND FORD TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND REMEDY OF THIS DEFECTIVE COMPONENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10440937

119,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower TrainUnknown Or Other

I DRIVE A 2006 FREESTYLE. JUST WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT FROM USED DEALER THE VEHICLE STARTED LUNGING WHEN I WOULD ATTEMPT TO STOP OR BE AT A SLOW PACE. EXAMPLE BEING IN PARKING LOT AND TRYING TO PARK IT WOULD LUNG FROM ABOUT 1000 RPM TO 4000-5000 RPMS. THIS WOULD THROW MY CAR FORWARD. I DID TAP A CAR THAT DAY BUT NO BODY DAMAGE. A…

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I DRIVE A 2006 FREESTYLE. JUST WEEKS AFTER BUYING IT FROM USED DEALER THE VEHICLE STARTED LUNGING WHEN I WOULD ATTEMPT TO STOP OR BE AT A SLOW PACE. EXAMPLE BEING IN PARKING LOT AND TRYING TO PARK IT WOULD LUNG FROM ABOUT 1000 RPM TO 4000-5000 RPMS. THIS WOULD THROW MY CAR FORWARD. I DID TAP A CAR THAT DAY BUT NO BODY DAMAGE. ALSO THE CAR WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WRENCH COMES ON AND MOTOR SHUTS DOWN. THERE IS NO WARNING AND HAS BEEN VERY SCARY WHEN MERGING INTO 75MPH TRAFFIC WITH NO WHERE TO GO. ON THE 6TH OF JUNE 2011 THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER WITHIN THE 30 DAYS ALL SYMPTOMS WERE OCCURRING AGAIN. I HAD THE COMPRESSOR GO OUT WHICH COST $1000 TO REPLACE. ON 12/02/11 I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SHOP, THEY RAN CODES AND FOUND IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE MANY ACCOUNTS OF THE LUNGING AND THE WRENCH SHUT DOWN ISSUE. IT HAS BECOME VERY REGULAR AND MAKES MY CAR VERY UNRELIABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10439568

81,200 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN ROUTE TO WORK OR THE GROCERY STORE, MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE SEEMED SLOW AND SLUGGISH TO RESPOND AS I WOULD BE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT FOR THE GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT DID TURN GREEN AND I WOULD PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO GO, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. A FEW TIMES THERE WERE CLOSE CALLS AS THE CAR BE…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN ROUTE TO WORK OR THE GROCERY STORE, MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE SEEMED SLOW AND SLUGGISH TO RESPOND AS I WOULD BE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT FOR THE GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT DID TURN GREEN AND I WOULD PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO GO, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. A FEW TIMES THERE WERE CLOSE CALLS AS THE CAR BEHIND ME WOULD BE UNAWARE I WAS HAVING TROUBLE AND ALMOST REAR-END ME. WHEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF, I WOULD PROCEED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THEN PRESS THE GAS TO GO. THE CAR SEEMED TO RESPOND EXTREMELY SLOW LIKE I WOULD HAVE THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO GO 20 - 25 MPH. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE CAR WOULD SEEM TO LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD (DEPENDING ON IF I HAD THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE) THE THROTTLE BODY FAILURE ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT APPLYING THE GAS PEDALAND WILL NO ACCELERATE AT TIMES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. AFTER A LITTLE RESEARCH I FOUND THIS TO BE ARECURRING PROBLEM ON 2006, AND 2007 FORD FREESTYLE VEHICLES. FORD IS OR SHOULD BE WELL AWARE THE PROBLE EXIST AND HAS FOR SOME TIME AND HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT IT , TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR OVER A MONTH BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR IT [ THROTTLEBODY ] IS NOT AVAILIABLE AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME FOR SURE WHEN IT WILL BE PEOPLE AT FORD TELL ME THAT THE COMPANY MAKING THE PART WENT OUT OF BUSSINESS WITHOUT NOTICE, WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS DOES NOT HELP MY SITUATION, I HAVE NOTIFIED MY STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISHNERS OF THE PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM TO DO THE SAME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430867

80,000 miles · Oct 13, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE REVS AND VEHICLE LURCHES WHILE PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE, EVEN WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKES. APPEARS TO BE WORSE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. VEHICLE HAS LOST VIRTUALLY ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU CAN FLOOR THE GAS PEDDLE BUT THE VEHICLE WON'T GO OVER 10-15MPH. PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, T…

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ENGINE REVS AND VEHICLE LURCHES WHILE PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE, EVEN WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKES. APPEARS TO BE WORSE WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. VEHICLE HAS LOST VIRTUALLY ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU CAN FLOOR THE GAS PEDDLE BUT THE VEHICLE WON'T GO OVER 10-15MPH. PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNING VEHICLE OFF, WAITING 15 SECONDS OR SO, THEN RESTARTING, SEEMS TO RESET THE VEHICLE TO A MORE FUNCTIONAL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS AN EXTENSIVE EXHAUST SMELL AND IT IS CURRENTLY AT THE SHOP FOR A $566 REPAIR FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC EXAM AND THAT DIAGNOSIS INDICATING THAT THE EGR VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD AND THEY DO NOT HAVE A CURRENT RECALL FOR THE EGR VALVE, OR THROTTLE BODY-WHICH SEEMS TO BE A CORRELATED PROBLEM WITHIN THE TWO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430041

69,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS PARKED WITH CAR RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP THE CAR, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ENGAGED ON THE BRAKE. CAR STALLED BUT I WAS ABLE TO RE-START CAR. WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BUT THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LABORED AND DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND WOUL…

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I WAS PARKED WITH CAR RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP THE CAR, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ENGAGED ON THE BRAKE. CAR STALLED BUT I WAS ABLE TO RE-START CAR. WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BUT THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LABORED AND DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME, BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL LIT AFTER SEVERAL DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428270

67,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME MINOR SURGING WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BAD GAS OR NEEDED A NEW FUEL OR AIR FILTER. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT WAS IN AUGUST WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. BEFORE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATE…

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FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME MINOR SURGING WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BAD GAS OR NEEDED A NEW FUEL OR AIR FILTER. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT WAS IN AUGUST WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. BEFORE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND THEN STALLED SUDDENLY. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WHILE I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY BEGAN TO WORK PROPERLY AND I COULD DRIVE IT HOME AGAIN. BOTH WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428264

Official recalls

1

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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

1

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