NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Unknown Or Other complaints
74 reportsClear category filter90,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING FORWARD WITHOUT FEET ON THE PEDAL. I ALMOST RAN OVER AN ATTENDANT AT A CAR WASH. HE HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. GOT THE CAR HOME, BUT, IT WOULD ONLY GO 20MPH. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT OR KILLED BY THIS SITUATION. NOW THE CAR SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND MY WIFE NO LONGER HAS …
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING FORWARD WITHOUT FEET ON THE PEDAL. I ALMOST RAN OVER AN ATTENDANT AT A CAR WASH. HE HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE WAY. GOT THE CAR HOME, BUT, IT WOULD ONLY GO 20MPH. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEONE COULD GET HURT OR KILLED BY THIS SITUATION. NOW THE CAR SITS IN THE DRIVEWAY AND MY WIFE NO LONGER HAS A VEHICLE TO DRIVE TO GET HERSELF AND OUR BOYS AROUND. THANKS GOODNESS MY WIFE OR KIDS HAVE NOT GOTTEN HURT DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. WHAT ARE WE TO DO NOW? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10409233
38,421 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD AND UNEXPLAINED JERK/LUNGE IN MOTION. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCT 08 AND THE PROBLEMS STARTED NOV 08. I HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, AND MY FAITH IN FORD IS SLOWLY WILTING AWAY. THE JERK/LUNGE NORMALLY OCCURS WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, …
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD AND UNEXPLAINED JERK/LUNGE IN MOTION. WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN OCT 08 AND THE PROBLEMS STARTED NOV 08. I HAVE GOTTEN TO THE POINT WHERE I HAVE HAD ENOUGH, AND MY FAITH IN FORD IS SLOWLY WILTING AWAY. THE JERK/LUNGE NORMALLY OCCURS WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN, OR GOING IDLE SPEED IN THE FOLLOWING PLACES DRIVE-THRU, PARKING LOT, WHILE REVERSING OR PARKING THE CAR. TODAY WHEN I GOT BACK FROM THE GROCERY STORE I WAS REVERSING INTO MY GARAGE AND THE CAR STARTED TO LUNGE I APPLIED THE BREAK AND IT CONTINUED TO JERK ABOUT A FOOT TILL IT STOPPED. I WAS NOT SURE THE CAR WOULD STOP, THIS SCARED ME HALF TO DEATH, I KEPT ON THINKING WHAT IF SOMEONE WAS BEHIND ME. I TRIED AGAIN AND IT HAPPENED 2 MORE TIMES BEFORE I SHUT THE CAR OFF. I THEN TURNED EVERYTHING OFF IN THE CAR STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND PUT IT INTO REVERSE AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE. I WAS VERY GRATEFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED IN MY OWN DRIVE WAY. IF I WAS IN A PARKING LOT I COULD HAVE HIT A CAR WITH IT MOVING A FOOT AND I COULD HAVE HIT SOMEONE. THE JERKING/LUNGING IN THE CAR IS VERY SPORADIC AND HAS HAPPENED WHILE MY HUSBAND DROVE THE CAR AS WELL, SO IT IS NOT OPERATOR ERROR. IT IS SO SPORADIC THAT THIS ACTION IS HARD TO RECREATE AT A GIVEN NOTICE YOU CAN NOT PREDICT THE TIME BUT YOU CAN ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. SOME MAY THINK THAT IF IT IS HARD TO RECREATE THEN IT IS NOT A PROBLEM, BUT IF IT HAPPENS AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK THAT IS SOMETHING TO LOOK AT ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT HUMAN LIFE. A VEHICLE IS NOT A LUXURY ITEM ESPECIALLY TO A MILITARY FAMILY LIKE WE ARE. IT IS A NECESSITY THAT SHOULD BE DEPENDABLE AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PRODUCTS. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND WONDER WHAT TO DO NEXT. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS AND I HOPE THERE WILL BE A RESOLUTION TO THIS SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408268
75,463 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY VEHICLE LUNGED INTO TRAFFIC, AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATED A FAILURE, BUT THEN DISAPPEARED AFTER A COUPLE OF MOMENTS. ALSO, WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVE THROUGH THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. THIS LUNGE FORWAR…
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MY VEHICLE LUNGED INTO TRAFFIC, AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT INDICATED A FAILURE, BUT THEN DISAPPEARED AFTER A COUPLE OF MOMENTS. ALSO, WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVE THROUGH THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER CAR AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO PREVENT A CRASH. THIS LUNGE FORWARD, THE ENGINE REVS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND I THINK THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO THE DRIVER AND PEDESTRIANS (IMAGINE THIS HAPPENING AT A SCHOOL CROSSING!!!).
NHTSA ODI #10408261
68,826 miles · Jun 19, 2011
Unknown Or Other
STOPPED AT A STORE AND LEFT THE CAR RUNNING WITH AIR CONDITIONER ON IN 90 DEGREE PLUS HEAT, PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND IT LUNGED AND DIED. TOOK 3 TIMES TO GET IT TO RESTART, AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE THEN WOULD ACCELERATE PROPERLY. HAS NO DONE IT TWO TIMES. I THINK IT MIGHT BE THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY.
NHTSA ODI #10408209
38,000 miles · Jun 15, 2011
Unknown Or Other
WE HAD BEEN DRIVING FOR APPROX. 3 1/2 HOURS AND PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION. WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT AGAIN, I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND IT LUNGED. I PUT ON MY BRAKE FAST. . IT SCARED ME. IT HAD NEVER DONE THAT BEFORE. IT MADE IT THE REST OF THE TRIP. SINCE THEN, IT LUNGES EVERY NOW AND THEN.
NHTSA ODI #10407928
32,000 miles · Jun 11, 2011
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IDLING IN GEAR AND AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN A/C IS ON. WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.
NHTSA ODI #10406508
39,000 miles · Jun 9, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MULTIPLE TIMES, IT SEEMS, WHEN WE HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONER ON, OUR VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. WE HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHERS IN PARKING LOTS, INTERSECTIONS AND ON THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THIS. SOMETIMES, IT EVEN ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. OUR VEHICLE HAS ALSO SHUT OFF WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON.
NHTSA ODI #10406456
40,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE LUNGES/ACCELERATES WHEN IDLING OR JUST AFTER SHIFTING IN TO GEAR OR REVERSE. IT CAN CAUSE A BIG ENOUGH SURGE THAT I'VE ALMOST HIT A CAR OR OBJECT IN FRONT/BEHIND ME SEVERAL TIMES BUT HAVE BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO AVOID THAT. IT OCCURS DAILY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405296
86,574 miles · Jun 4, 2011
Unknown Or Other
WHILE IDLING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR STARTED "SURGING". RPM'S REVVED UP AND HAD TO STAND ON BRAKE TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING. HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, SPORADICALLY, THEN STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. NOW DOING THE SAME THING IN REVERSE. SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO BACK UP THE CAR "LURCHES" 6 O…
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WHILE IDLING WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR STARTED "SURGING". RPM'S REVVED UP AND HAD TO STAND ON BRAKE TO KEEP CAR FROM MOVING. HAPPENED A FEW TIMES, SPORADICALLY, THEN STARTED HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. NOW DOING THE SAME THING IN REVERSE. SEVERAL TIMES, WHEN I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE TO BACK UP THE CAR "LURCHES" 6 OR 8 FEET BEFORE I CAN STOP IT AGAIN. YESTERDAY, THE VEHICLE DIED AFTER DOING THIS, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. CAR STARTED IMMEDIATELY, LIGHT WENT OFF, AND DROVE HOME WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENTS. THIS IS NOW A DAILY OCCURANCE WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. NOT CERTAIN WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. SOME REPORTS CITE TRANSMISSION, SOME CITE THROTTLE BODY, AND SOME CITE THE NEED TO HAVE THE FUEL SYSTEM PROFESSIONALLY "CLEANED".
NHTSA ODI #10405128
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2011
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE THRUST FORWARD OR BACK WARD FAST WITHOUT NOTICE WHILE AC UNIT IS ON TO THE POINT YOU HAVE TO USE 2 FEET ON BRAKE PADDLE. THROTTLE BODY TO THE PCM
NHTSA ODI #10404765
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
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