NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports128,885 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainStructureCrashInjury
WE WERE AT A STAND STILL IN TRAFFIC LEADING TO THE OFF RAMP, A VEHICLE CAME SPEEDING DOWN THE ON RAMP AND BY HIS OWN ADMISSION WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. HE THEN RAMMED INTO THE BACK OF OUR VEHICLE AND HIT US SO HARD THAT IT TRIGGERED A MULTI CAR CRASH, 6 VEHICLES IN ALL. DURING REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE…
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WE WERE AT A STAND STILL IN TRAFFIC LEADING TO THE OFF RAMP, A VEHICLE CAME SPEEDING DOWN THE ON RAMP AND BY HIS OWN ADMISSION WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. HE THEN RAMMED INTO THE BACK OF OUR VEHICLE AND HIT US SO HARD THAT IT TRIGGERED A MULTI CAR CRASH, 6 VEHICLES IN ALL. DURING REPAIRS OF THE VEHICLE WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS EXPERIENCING IDLE SURGE. IT WAS ALSO NOTED THAT THIS WAS NOT DUE TO THE VEHICLE ACCIDENT. WE PAID OUT OF POCKET SOME 1,700.00 AND WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUES. THE FORD DEALERSHIP HAS NOT AND WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FORD IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME ACTION TAKEN ON THEIR PART. I CALLED FORD CORPORATE OFFICE AND WAS TOLD DESPITE MY VEHICLE BEING INCLUDED IN THE 2005-2007 RECALL MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED IN THAT LOT. NOT GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605708
101,792 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
MARCH OF 2013 ONE OF THE 5 TRANSMISSIONS REPLACED . LUNGING AT LOW SPEEDS , NOT SHIFTING GEARS , DYING,ERROR CODES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON , THIS HAS OCCURED WITH EVERY INCIDENT WHICH EVENTUALLY LEAD TO TRANSMISSION FAILURE EVERYTIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605145
80,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IF THE A/C WAS ON. THE CONTACT HAD TO POWER THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IF THE A/C WAS ON. THE CONTACT HAD TO POWER THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10598980
108,000 miles · Jun 13, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
AS OUTLINED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD FILED IN CALIFORNIA, OUR CAR EXPERIENCED A "SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED CVT TRANSMISSIONS FAILURE". THIS RESULTED IN A "SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION" WHEN MERGING ONTO A 40 MPH STREET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE WRENCH LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL DA…
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AS OUTLINED IN THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD FILED IN CALIFORNIA, OUR CAR EXPERIENCED A "SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED CVT TRANSMISSIONS FAILURE". THIS RESULTED IN A "SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION" WHEN MERGING ONTO A 40 MPH STREET. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE WRENCH LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED HIGH RPM'S WITH LITTLE FORWARD MOVEMENT. WE TOOK THE PROBLEM TO AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER WHO RECOMMENDED REPAIRS TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM COSTING US $2,000 EVEN THOUGH IT KNEW ABOUT THE SYSTEMIC TRANSMISSION DEFECT THE FORD GENERAL MANAGER STATED IN A PHONE CALL THIS MORNING (6 13 2014) HIS SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS HAD TWO OTHER FORD FREESTYLES IN THEIR SHOP PRESENTING THE EXACT ISSUES AS OUR CAR. FOLLOWING FORD PROTOCOL RESULTED IN A "FINAL" DIAGNOSIS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE. POINT BEING, THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ADMITTEDLY HAD PRIOR KNOWLEDGE OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURES YET DID NOT RELAY THAT INFORMATION TO US AT THE ONSET OF THE SYSTEMIC DEFECT. THE VEHICLE SITS IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IT IS NOT SAFE TO OPERATE AS WE ELECTED NOT TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CVT TRANSMISSION AT A QUOTED COST OF $5,000 PLUS INSTALLATION. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10598157
36,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE WITH FORD FREESTYLE HAS AFFECTED US TWICE WITH THE SAME CAR. THE INITIAL TIME IS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY FORD. THE ISSUE HAS RESURFACED AND IT MAKES THE CAR VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT MASHING THE BRAKE DOWN AT IDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL LUNGE OR LURCH UNCONTROLLABLY.…
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THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE WITH FORD FREESTYLE HAS AFFECTED US TWICE WITH THE SAME CAR. THE INITIAL TIME IS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY FORD. THE ISSUE HAS RESURFACED AND IT MAKES THE CAR VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT MASHING THE BRAKE DOWN AT IDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL LUNGE OR LURCH UNCONTROLLABLY. IT ACCELERATES RAPIDLY AT IDLE WITHOUT CONTROL. THE LURCHING OCCURS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597095
120,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY ENGINE BLEW AND HAD TO BE REBUILT. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT 2 MONTHS AFTER GETTING IT BACK. THE INNER TIE ROD ENDS WENT OUT. THERE WAS A NUMBER OF .THERE THINGS THAT WENT WRONG AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE STARTED FALLING APART AT 120000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595572
98,326 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,326. UPDATED 10/24/14*CN
NHTSA ODI #10595520
108,000 miles · May 30, 2014
Electrical SystemSteering
OUR STEERING IS LOCKING UP AND THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON AND SOMETIMES THE DOORS WONT LATCH THE STEERING IS VERY DANGEROUS IT LOCKS UP AND YOU CANT KEEP IT ON THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595007
185,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR GIVES CODES FOR SAFEMODE AND THERE IS NO SOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595003
121,000 miles · May 21, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
NHTSA ODI #10593229
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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