NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports21,049 miles · Jan 18, 2013
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD, RACING AND CLICKING NOISE AS THE RPM READING INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PARKED AND POWERED TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE ENGINE EXHIBITED A LOUD, RACING AND CLICKING NOISE AS THE RPM READING INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE THROTTLE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE PARKED AND POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY TWICE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT INCIDENTS OF SUDDENLY ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,049 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 02/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED FORD WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NEEDED OTHER REPAIRS INCLUDING TWO AXLES, ONE WATER PUMP, AND BRAKE REPAIRS. ON 12/20/2012 THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING UNINTENDED SURGING. UPDATED 3/4/2013 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10493420
92,000 miles · Jan 17, 2013
Power Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2011, RETURNED TO USED VEH DEALER TWICE FOR VARIOUS INDICATORS ON THE DASH. IN NOVEMBER OF 2011 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED WITH A FORD TRANSMISSION THAT WAS REPLACED IN MID DECEMBER OF 2011. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 THIS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND CAUSED AN AXLE BEARING TO BE…
Read full complaint
2006 FORD FREESTYLE PURCHASED IN JUNE OF 2011, RETURNED TO USED VEH DEALER TWICE FOR VARIOUS INDICATORS ON THE DASH. IN NOVEMBER OF 2011 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND WAS REPLACED WITH A FORD TRANSMISSION THAT WAS REPLACED IN MID DECEMBER OF 2011. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 THIS TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND CAUSED AN AXLE BEARING TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE AXLE HAS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE BAD TRANSMISSION THAT IS UNDER WARRANTY. IT IS JANUARY 16, 2013 AND FORD STILL DOES NOT HAVE A TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THEIR BAD ONE. RECEIVED WORD FROM THE DEALER THAT HAS IT WE ARE BEHIND SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAS BEEN WAITING SINCE AUGUST FOR A TRANSMISSION. HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE ALMOST WEEKLY AND SOMETIMES MORE THAN THAT TO GET SOMETHING DONE. IN THE MEAN TIME WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT THE VEH SINCE MID SEPTEMBER AND NO LOANER AS IT IS LONG TERM AND FORD IS NOT HELPING AT ALL. EVEN SUGGESTED THEY BUY IT BACK AND REPLACE WITH A 2008 TAURUS X. WE WOULD GIVE THEM MONEY FOR THE EXCHANGE BUT THEY ARE NOT INTERESTED. WERE TOLD IT COULD BE 6 MONTHS BEFORE A TRANSMISSION IS AVAILABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10493275
136,000 miles · Jan 10, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND ACCELERATION POWER DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA ODI #10492175
59,500 miles · Jan 7, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,500.
NHTSA ODI #10491674
101,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
EnginePower Train
THIS IS A FOLLOW UP COMPLAINT FROM EARLIER. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION A MONTH AFTER BUYING MY FREESTYLE. ALMOST $4000! I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE CARS RPMS SURGING AS I AM DRIVING IT. NOT A SAFE CAR - HOW MANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE A FORD RECALL IS MADE? PLEASE TELL ME SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE TO GET HURT OR DIE FIRST! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10490792
52,000 miles · Dec 23, 2012
EnginePower Train
THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO GO FROM AN EVEN IDLE TO FLOORED SOMETIMES, JUST MOMENTARILY. COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GETTING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION...DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY PARTICULAR CONDITIONS. LATELY…
Read full complaint
THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO GO FROM AN EVEN IDLE TO FLOORED SOMETIMES, JUST MOMENTARILY. COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GETTING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION...DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY PARTICULAR CONDITIONS. LATELY HAS STARTED TO SHUDDER AT MID SPEEDS (15-40 MPH) AND SURGE AHEAD AS IF YOU WERE MOVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, EVEN THOUGH YOUR FOOT IS STOCK STILL. GETTING TO BE A LITTLE UNEASY HAVING MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10489566
170,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 40 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO PERFORM NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED HER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE RECENT FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THEN FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 170,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 183,000.
NHTSA ODI #10488841
39,000 miles · Dec 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
MY FREESTYLE STARTED "LUNGING" OR ACCELERATING WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THIS HAPPENS USUALLY WHEN TRYING TO SLOW DOWN OR BRAKING. FEAR IS THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP OR THAT IT WILL LUNG WHEN IN A PARKING LOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488791
103,000 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND ON 12/12/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE RPMS STARTED REVVING ON IT'S OWN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I WAS NOT INCREASING IT'S GAS. I MADE IT HOME AND STOPPED AT THE MAILBOX; AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. THEN ON 12/13/2012 AS I WAS DR…
Read full complaint
I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND ON 12/12/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE RPMS STARTED REVVING ON IT'S OWN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I WAS NOT INCREASING IT'S GAS. I MADE IT HOME AND STOPPED AT THE MAILBOX; AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. THEN ON 12/13/2012 AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IT DID THE SAME LURCHING COMING OUT OF PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALSO AT STOP LIGHTS AND SIGNS. IT ALSO DID THE SAME REVVING AND HALFWAY TO WORK IT DECIDED NOT TO GO OVER 40 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10488669
60,000 miles · Dec 10, 2012
Power TrainService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
THROTTLE BODY FAILED TWICE. HAD REPAIRED BECAUSE VEHICLE LUNGED AND ALMOST HIT A LADY AT KROGER GROCERY STORE. FOOT WAS FIRM ON BRAKE. VERY DANGEROUS IN MY OPINION . I'M A FORD MOTOR COMPANY EMPLOYEE AND I'VE HEARD THIS PROBLEM FROM FRIENDS AT WORK .ALSO ENGINE RACES SOMETIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10487812
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
Illustration