NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
602 reportsClear category filter89,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF FORD FREESTYLE ENGINE REVVING WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ON 7/17/11 CAR LURCHED FORWARD AFTER ENGINE REVVED AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A RESTAURANT DRIVE THROUGH. ALMOST REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. ON 7/23/11 CAR LURCHED BACKWARD AFTER ENGINE REVVED AS WE WERE BACKING UP FROM A P…
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TWO SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF FORD FREESTYLE ENGINE REVVING WITHOUT THE DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ON 7/17/11 CAR LURCHED FORWARD AFTER ENGINE REVVED AS WE WERE PULLING INTO A RESTAURANT DRIVE THROUGH. ALMOST REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. ON 7/23/11 CAR LURCHED BACKWARD AFTER ENGINE REVVED AS WE WERE BACKING UP FROM A PARKING SPOT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AND NOW WILL NOT TURN OFF. IN BOTH CASES, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED QUITE A BIT BUT IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. TEMPERATURE THIS ENTIRE WEEK HAS BEEN WELL OVER 95 DEGREES WITH HEAT INDEX OVER 105 SO AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED ON MAXIMUM FOR FRONT AND BACK AREAS OF THE VEHICLE. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE NO ONE GOT HURT IN EITHER INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414855
77,363 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD SUDDENLY WHILE GOING THRU A BANK DRIVE THRU. IT THEN STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD BARELY MOVE. THEN IT LUNGED FORWARD AGAIN AND STALLED. THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A THROTTLE BODY. THAT VERY NIGHT AFT…
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD SUDDENLY WHILE GOING THRU A BANK DRIVE THRU. IT THEN STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD BARELY MOVE. THEN IT LUNGED FORWARD AGAIN AND STALLED. THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON AND I WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A THROTTLE BODY. THAT VERY NIGHT AFTER "BEING FIXED" THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED AGAIN BUT THERE WAS NO LUNGING OR STALLING. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414800
25,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE BACK AND FORTH AND WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE BACK AND FORTH AND WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,133.
NHTSA ODI #10414717
110,000 miles · Jul 22, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES WHILE BACKING OF DRIVING FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS WITHOUT FOR ON ACCELERATOR PEDDLE. HAVE HIT A WOODEN POLE CAUSING MINOR DAMAGE TO REAR BUMPER. SURGES SEAMS WORSE WITH AC ON OR TURNING STERING WHEEL SHARPLY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10414631
98,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD A LUNGING PROBLEM FOR THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES THAT IT HAS LUNGED IN REVERSE/DRIVE AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR OR OBJECT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414019
78,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO PREVENT THE VEHICLE FROM CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE STOPPED DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE FAILURE OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA ODI #10414007
80,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN MOVING TRANSMISSION OUT OF PARK. CAR LURCHES AND ACCELERATES COVERING DISTANCES OF 5-20 FEET DEPENDING UPON TERRAIN. MOVEMENT CAN BE ARRESTED WITH BRAKING, BUT IS VERY SUDDEN AND INTERMITTENT SO DIFFICULT TO EXPECT AND CONTROL. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413935
108,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING ALL BY ITSELF AND I HAVE TO QUICKLY STEP ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME, I HAD 4 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE ON A VERY HOT DAY AND IT HAPPENED AS I WAS WAITING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO…
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THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING ALL BY ITSELF AND I HAVE TO QUICKLY STEP ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT. IT HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME, I HAD 4 CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE ON A VERY HOT DAY AND IT HAPPENED AS I WAS WAITING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BUT IT WAS VERY SCARY. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INDICATED THAT IT COULD BE THE THROTTLE BODY OR TRANSMISSION, WHICH HE INDICATED COULD BE VERY EXPENSIVE. UPON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET, I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM - SOME HAVE EVEN HAD ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT.
NHTSA ODI #10414488
124,600 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
WHILE PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE CAR SURGED BACKWARDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH CAME ON. DROVE CAR HOME APPROX. FIVE BLOCKS AND SHUT CAR OFF BECAUSE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. STARTED CAR BACK UP AND CAR RAN SMOOTH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH WAS OFF. I SAT IN PARKING LOT FOR APPROX. FIVE MINUTES WHILE MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING WITH CAR RU…
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WHILE PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE CAR SURGED BACKWARDS AND THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH CAME ON. DROVE CAR HOME APPROX. FIVE BLOCKS AND SHUT CAR OFF BECAUSE CAR WAS RUNNING ROUGH. STARTED CAR BACK UP AND CAR RAN SMOOTH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH WAS OFF. I SAT IN PARKING LOT FOR APPROX. FIVE MINUTES WHILE MY WIFE WAS SHOPPING WITH CAR RUNNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN THE LAST MONTH THAT THIS CAR HAS DONE THIS. BOTH WITH THE SAME ISSUES. THE CAR SURGES, THEN RUNS ROUGH, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH COMES ON, THEN WHEN YOU SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT THE CAR RUNS SMOOTH AND THE CHECK ENGINE WRENCH SHUTS OFF.
NHTSA ODI #10414469
100,300 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR LURCHES (IN DRIVE OR REVERSE) WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS ISSUE IS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. ENGINE REVS FROM 1,000 RPM TO 2,500 RPM. ON OCCASION THE "FAIL-SAFE" WILL ENGAGE AND THE ENGINE WILL SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP THE CAR FROM LURCHING. THE ONLY UNUSUAL LIGHT THAT COMES …
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CAR LURCHES (IN DRIVE OR REVERSE) WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS. THIS ISSUE IS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED WHILE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. ENGINE REVS FROM 1,000 RPM TO 2,500 RPM. ON OCCASION THE "FAIL-SAFE" WILL ENGAGE AND THE ENGINE WILL SHUTDOWN COMPLETELY WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED TO STOP THE CAR FROM LURCHING. THE ONLY UNUSUAL LIGHT THAT COMES ON IS "THROTTLE SYSTEM" LIGHT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413869
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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