NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
484 reportsClear category filter80,100 miles · Jun 2, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
AFTER STARTING ENGINE, PLACED IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. LATER, ENGINE WAS PERIODICALLY SURGING FORWARD AS I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC UNTIL THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE DIED. RESTARTED ENGINE AND ID…
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AFTER STARTING ENGINE, PLACED IN REVERSE AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. LATER, ENGINE WAS PERIODICALLY SURGING FORWARD AS I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHILE IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC UNTIL THE "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT WHICH TIME THE ENGINE DIED. RESTARTED ENGINE AND IDLED SMOOTHLY UNTIL I PUT IT IN DRIVE AND STARTED LURCHING FORWARD AGAIN AS "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. IDLE RPM WAS FLUCTUATING BETWEEN 400 TO 1,000 RPM WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. HAD TO KEEP LEFT FOOT ON BRAKE WITH RIGHT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR TO KEEP ENGINE RUNNING WITHOUT BUCKING. MOVED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED OFF ENGINE TO WAIT OUT TRAFFIC. RESTARTED ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER AND DROVE HOME WITH NO MORE PROBLEMS, BUT NOTICED THAT IT PERIODICALLY BUCKS WHEN IDLING SO HAD CAR SERVICED AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER HAD RESET ITSELF. STILL DOES IT PERIODICALLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460328
90,800 miles · May 30, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD NOT BE REPAIRED, ONLY REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,800.
NHTSA ODI #10460055
92,000 miles · May 30, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION MOVING FORWARD OR REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATION MOVING FORWARD OR REVERSING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #10460010
113,500 miles · May 16, 2012
Power TrainCrashInjury
WHILE VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD STRIKING AND PINNING A PERSON BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND BRICK WALL. PERSON RECIEVED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS SURGED EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. FORD HAS TOLD US REPEATED TIMES THAT IT'S NOT A RECALL PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT…
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WHILE VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD STRIKING AND PINNING A PERSON BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND BRICK WALL. PERSON RECIEVED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS SURGED EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. FORD HAS TOLD US REPEATED TIMES THAT IT'S NOT A RECALL PROBLEM BECAUSE IT'S NOT A SAFETY PROBLEM.
NHTSA ODI #10458725
78,000 miles · May 13, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MOTOR SURGE, LEACHING OUT OF CONTROL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10458259
66,700 miles · May 4, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
PURCHASED USED THREE DAYS PRIOR TO FIRST INCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH WHEN I ASKED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT SPEED UP AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLES RPMS SHOT UP TO 5K AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. I HAD MY INFANT DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS FORCED OFF THE R…
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PURCHASED USED THREE DAYS PRIOR TO FIRST INCIDENT. I WAS TRAVELING AT 55MPH WHEN I ASKED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO MAINTAIN THE CURRENT SPEED UP AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLES RPMS SHOT UP TO 5K AND I COULDN'T ACCELERATE. I HAD MY INFANT DAUGHTER IN THE CAR WITH ME AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY ANOTHER CAR BEHIND ME. I WAS FORCED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED ALL WAS OK AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE AND REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE. AS I DID THIS THE VEHICLE LURCHED OUT OF THE SPACE ALMOST STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN THAT WALKED OUT BEHIND ME. I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH AND HIT THE BRAKE STOPPING THE CAR. THIS HAS ALSO HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY IN DRIVE AS WELL. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAVING IT IN THE SHOP MULTIPLE TIMES. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THE PART TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IS IN-ACCESSIBLE AND THAT MY ONLY OPTION IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION FOR $4500.00. WHEN ALL I NEED IS A SINGLE PART INSIDE THE TRANS. ALSO, THE THROTTLE BODY IS ON BACKORDER. THE DEALERSHIPS RESPONSE TO ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS IS WITHOUT AN APOLOGY TO TAKE $50.00 OFF OF MY SERVICE BILL FOR MY INCONVENIENCE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I AM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I HAVE JUST MADE MY FIRST PAYMENT ON A CAR I CANT DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457477
100,000 miles · Apr 22, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR WILL LUNGE ONCE FOOT IS TAKEN OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WITHOUT PRESSING DOWN ON THE GAS PEDAL. CAR LUNGES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10456059
97,000 miles · Apr 18, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL RATTLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AS THE CONTACT LEFT T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL RATTLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. AS THE CONTACT LEFT THE DEALER, THE SHIFTER BECAME STUCK IN DRIVE AND COULD NOT BE SHIFTED INTO ANY OTHER GEAR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO FILED A COMPLAINT ON BEHALF OF THE CONTACT. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
NHTSA ODI #10455616
90,000 miles · Apr 11, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
FIRST, DURING A FAMILY VACATION THE WRENCH LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THE 2006 FREESTYLE WOULD HAVE NO ACCELERATION LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE TO GET THE REQUIRED SPEED TO PASS. THIS RESULTS IN SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN CAUSING ROAD RAGE WITH OTHER DRIVERS IN THE VICINITY. ON ONE OCCASION ONE OF OUR TEENAGERS WHO IS LEARN…
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FIRST, DURING A FAMILY VACATION THE WRENCH LIGHT KEPT COMING ON AND THE 2006 FREESTYLE WOULD HAVE NO ACCELERATION LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE TO GET THE REQUIRED SPEED TO PASS. THIS RESULTS IN SLOWING TRAFFIC DOWN CAUSING ROAD RAGE WITH OTHER DRIVERS IN THE VICINITY. ON ONE OCCASION ONE OF OUR TEENAGERS WHO IS LEARNING TO DRIVE EXPERIENCED THIS AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR FOR THIS REASON. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN ROUTE TO WORK OR THE GROCERY STORE, MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE SEL LIMITED 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 STALL/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 WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE CREATES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION BECAUSE THE ENGINE WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT APPLYING THE GAS PEDAL AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE AT TIMES WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. PEOPLE AT FORD TELL ME THAT THE COMPANY MAKING THE VALVE BODY PART WENT OUT OF BUSINESS WITHOUT NOTICE, WHICH DOES NOT HELP MY SITUATION ANY. SO WHAT IS TO BE DONE? I HAVE NOTIFIED MY STATE AND FEDERAL HIGHWAY SAFETY COMMISSIONERS, NHTSA, AND MY FRIEND WHO ALSO OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE OF THE PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK EVERYONE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM TO DO THE SAME. PLEASE EXPLAIN,WHAT IS TO BE DONE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454854
150,000 miles · Apr 7, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, SHE WENT TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF OUR PORCH WHERE SHE NORMALLY PARKS AT. SHE STILL HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS GETTING READY TO SWITCH GEARS WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER OUR FLOWERPOT AND INTO MY PORCH BRAKING A FEW BOARDS AND SCRATCHING THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS IS N…
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MY WIFE WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK, SHE WENT TO PARK THE CAR OUTSIDE IN FRONT OF OUR PORCH WHERE SHE NORMALLY PARKS AT. SHE STILL HAD HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS GETTING READY TO SWITCH GEARS WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER OUR FLOWERPOT AND INTO MY PORCH BRAKING A FEW BOARDS AND SCRATCHING THE FRONT OF MY CAR. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS ACCELERATED ON US WHILE NOT SUPPOSE TO. WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR IN AUGUST 2011 WE TOOK IT TO MYRTLE BEACH FOR A WEEK, WHILE IN MYRTLE BEACH THE CAR WOULD TRY TO TAKE OFF AND/OR DIE WHILE AT LOW SPEEDS WITH THE A/C ON. THE PROBLEM ALMOST CAUSED US TO HIT A PEDESTRIAN. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE, AND REALLY NEEDS THE PROBLEM FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454423
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