NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
49 reportsClear category filter59,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE THE AUTO WOULD SURGE WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE FUEL PEDAL WERE APPLIED. THIS ALSO DID IT WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. HAD TO KEEP FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES OR RISK AN ACCIDENT. CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. AT 80,472 MILES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER A…
Read full complaint
WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE THE AUTO WOULD SURGE WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE FUEL PEDAL WERE APPLIED. THIS ALSO DID IT WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. HAD TO KEEP FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES OR RISK AN ACCIDENT. CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. AT 80,472 MILES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER ANOTHER SURGE PROBLEM THAT STALLED THE AUTO. RAY SKILLMAN FORD IN GREENWOOD, IN DETERMINED IT WAS THE "THROTTLE BODY". IT WAS REPLACED AND WHILE THE SERVICE MAN DROVE THE CAR, THE ENTIRE A/C UNIT WENT OUT. THEY PUT A NEW CLUTCH & COMPRESSOR. AFTER CALLING SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS, THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE BACKORDER OF THESE THROTTLE BODY'S. CAPITAL CITY FORD IS INSTALLING TWO A DAY THE SAME WITH RAY SKILLMAN FORD.
NHTSA ODI #10418889
72,000 miles · Jul 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 1-5 MPH AND PRESSING THE BRAKES, THEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND MOVED 2 TO 4 FEET (AT NO POINT I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL). AFTER THAT, THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT WORK, AND I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO BE ABLE TO MOVE IT AGAIN. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY D…
Read full complaint
I WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AT ABOUT 1-5 MPH AND PRESSING THE BRAKES, THEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND MOVED 2 TO 4 FEET (AT NO POINT I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL). AFTER THAT, THE GAS PEDAL DID NOT WORK, AND I HAD TO RESTART THE CAR TO BE ABLE TO MOVE IT AGAIN. THIS ALL HAPPENED AT AN INTERSECTION. I BELIEVE THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WITH THE LUNGE I COULD HAVE HIT A PEDESTRIAN. WITH THE NEED TO RE-START AT THE MIDDLE OF A CONGESTED INTERSECTION, I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY A CAR MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.
NHTSA ODI #10414240
20,000 miles · Jul 3, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES/ROTORS ON 2006 FORD FREESTYLE ONCE RECALLED BY FORD AND REPLACED NOW THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE ALL WORN OUT AGAIN AFTER 20000 MILES. FRONT BRAKES HAVE NOT EVEN BEEN REPLACED WITH 45000 MILES NO PROBLEM THERE. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10410363
37,270 miles · Jun 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IN MARCH, 2007. ON JUNE 14, 2011, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, PERIODICALLY SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SURGED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL; THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED; AND, IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR. THE JUNE 14, 20…
Read full complaint
WE PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IN MARCH, 2007. ON JUNE 14, 2011, AND TO A LESSER EXTENT, PERIODICALLY SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SURGED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL; THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED; AND, IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO SHIFT INTO NEXT GEAR. THE JUNE 14, 2011 OCCURRENCE WAS THE WORST ONE, PLUS, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED...AT ONLY 37,200 MILES. REPAIR ESTIMATE FROM THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE PART IS $836.48. DEALERSHIP ALSO DETERMINED THAT AN ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET/GASKET NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR COST OF $424.00; REAR BRAKES WILL BE NEEDED WITHIN 5,00 MILES FOR $374, IF NEW ROTORS ARE NEEDED; AND, NEW BATTERY IS NEEDED NOW FOR A COST OF $138...ALL THIS AT ONLY 37,200 MILES. WE FOOLISHLY PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. FORD TELLS US THAT THE WARRANTY ONLY COVERS THE POWER TRAIN, AND SINCE THE THROTTLE BODY IS CONSIDERED TO BE ELECTRONIC, THE WARRANTY WILL NOT APPLY. WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE THAT IT WAS A BUMPER-TO-BUMPER EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN WE AGREED TO PURCHASE THE WARRANTY. WE ARE VERY UNHAPPY CAMPERS! NO MORE EXTENDED WARRANTIES FOR US. WE BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE AT LEAST FOR THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT, IN FULL. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE NOW, AND EVEN WHEN IT IS "REPAIRED" WE WILL STILL BE AFRAID BECAUSE OF THE HISTORY OF THE FREESTYLE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE READ ABOUT ONLINE. PLEASE HELP! THANKS.
NHTSA ODI #10408088
60,100 miles · Jun 11, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN BACKING BUT WILL HAPPEN ALSO WHEN IN DRIVE. SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT NOT FOR SURE. ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN VERY HOT WEATHER OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. ACCELERATION IS MINOR TO MODE…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN BACKING BUT WILL HAPPEN ALSO WHEN IN DRIVE. SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT NOT FOR SURE. ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN VERY HOT WEATHER OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. ACCELERATION IS MINOR TO MODERATE AND HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. FORD REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER LAST SUMMER BUT STILL OCCURS. VEHICLE IS ALSO WEARING OUT RIGHT REAR BRAKE FASTER THAT OTHER BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #10406528
2,500 miles · Jan 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW FROM BEARTOOTH FORD IN HARDIN, MT. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED/REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKES WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS DRAGGING TO THE EXTENT THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WOULD GET SO HOT YOU COULD NOT TOUCH IT CREATING A DAN…
Read full complaint
MY FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD REAR BRAKE PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT NEW FROM BEARTOOTH FORD IN HARDIN, MT. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED/REPAIRED THE REAR BRAKES WHILE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS DRAGGING TO THE EXTENT THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WOULD GET SO HOT YOU COULD NOT TOUCH IT CREATING A DANGER OF FIRE. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED EACH TIME AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED. THE MOST RECENT REPAIR WAS MADE BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MISSOULA, MT. AT A COST OF $500.00 AFTER THE BRAKES WENT OUT AGAIN, WE TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE MISSOULA FORD DEALERSHIP AND ASKED THEM TO REPAIR/REPLACE THE BRAKES. THEY REFUSED TO DO SO. SO NOW I HAVE AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH ONLY THREE (3) BRAKES. THIS PROBLEM IS CLEARLY A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF MY CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10377479
100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES/SURGES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR PARK TO REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR .IT IS VERY SCAREY AND UNSAFE FOR MY TEENAGE DRIVER WHO IS JUST LEARNING TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS TWICE ALREADY. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY AROUND 15,000 M…
Read full complaint
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES/SURGES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR PARK TO REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR .IT IS VERY SCAREY AND UNSAFE FOR MY TEENAGE DRIVER WHO IS JUST LEARNING TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS TWICE ALREADY. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY AROUND 15,000 MILES. LAST I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 100,000. I BOUGHT A USED 2007 TRANSMISSION TO SAVE SOME MONEY. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS BAD AGAIN. IT IS ONCE AGAIN SLIPPING AND I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 15,000 SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ONE OD ONLY 56,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359414
18,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT UNUSUALLY FAST, IN THE FIRST 18,000 MILES. SOUND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE EITHER. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS THAT WERE COMPLETELY RUINED IN 38,000 MILES OF USUAL DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. THE INSIDES OF THE TIRES GO BALD WI…
Read full complaint
REAR BRAKES WEAR OUT UNUSUALLY FAST, IN THE FIRST 18,000 MILES. SOUND FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE EITHER. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS THAT WERE COMPLETELY RUINED IN 38,000 MILES OF USUAL DRIVING. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR. THE INSIDES OF THE TIRES GO BALD WITH IN THE FIRST 35,000 MILES EVEN WITH ROUTINE SERVICING AND ROTATIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10353217
42,460 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
CV BOOT FAILED, MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, BATTERY DEAD, ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM EXHAUST, NOW PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEARS WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE SURGES LIKE MY FOOT IS ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT'S ON THE BRAKE, AND DOES NOT GO OVER 25 WHEN PULLING FORWARD ALMOST GOT INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS FROM VEHICLE ACCELERATION,THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENIN…
Read full complaint
CV BOOT FAILED, MOTOR MOUNTS FAILED, BATTERY DEAD, ROTTEN EGG SMELL FROM EXHAUST, NOW PUTTING VEHICLE INTO GEARS WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE SURGES LIKE MY FOOT IS ON THE GAS PEDAL BUT IT'S ON THE BRAKE, AND DOES NOT GO OVER 25 WHEN PULLING FORWARD ALMOST GOT INTO SEVERAL ACCIDENTS FROM VEHICLE ACCELERATION,THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVERYDAY NOW I GOT MY VEHICLE IN 2009 AND ONLY HAD IT FOR A YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10351848
66,000 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Electrical SystemService Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE SPEEDOMETER DISPLAYED ZERO AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO APPLY THE BRAKES. WITHIN A FEW MINUTES THE GAUGE BEGAN TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344282
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