NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports63,500 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
MY FAMILY WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN DRIVE. IT STALLED OUT AND MADE A STRANGE SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT IS HOT IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS AND REVERSE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HA…
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MY FAMILY WAS SITTING IN THE CAR WHILE IT WAS PARKED IN DRIVE. IT STALLED OUT AND MADE A STRANGE SOUND THAT SOUNDED LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN IT IS HOT IT SEEMS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT USUALLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS AND REVERSE. I FEEL THAT THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS CAR ONLINE AND HAVE READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO QUITE A FEW OF THESE CARS. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN NOTED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466437
40,399 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CONTINUED TO MOVE WITHOUT STOPPING. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE EGR VAILE AND THE CRANK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND CONTINUED TO MOVE WITHOUT STOPPING. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE EGR VAILE AND THE CRANK SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,399 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10466423
70,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Power Train
VEHICLE CAN MAKE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN MOVING SLOWLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF. WHEN ARRIVING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY PRIOR TO GET VEHICLE INTO GARAGE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND IN "D" CAR HAS A SUDDEN JOLT OR ACCELERATION. FORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THIS COULD B…
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VEHICLE CAN MAKE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHEN MOVING SLOWLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE TO BOTH MY WIFE AND MYSELF. WHEN ARRIVING INTO OUR DRIVEWAY PRIOR TO GET VEHICLE INTO GARAGE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND IN "D" CAR HAS A SUDDEN JOLT OR ACCELERATION. FORTUNATELY BECAUSE THE BRAKES STOPPED THE CAR NOTHING HAPPENED BUT THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM IF BRAKES DO NOT STOP VEHICLE OR IF SUDDEN ACCELERATION OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466323
70,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
OUR '06 FREESTYLE LURCHED FORWARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ALLOW A PEDESTRIAN TO PASS IN A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND MORE BRAKE PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE CAR. SLIGHT ENGINE REVVING WAS FIRST NOTICED AT A MILEAGE OF ~60,000 MILES AND GREW OVER THE NEXT 10,000 TO THE POINT OF THE CAR ACTUALLY LURCHING …
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OUR '06 FREESTYLE LURCHED FORWARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ALLOW A PEDESTRIAN TO PASS IN A PARKING LOT. THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND MORE BRAKE PRESSURE HAD TO BE APPLIED TO STOP THE CAR. SLIGHT ENGINE REVVING WAS FIRST NOTICED AT A MILEAGE OF ~60,000 MILES AND GREW OVER THE NEXT 10,000 TO THE POINT OF THE CAR ACTUALLY LURCHING FORWARD UNLESS HEAVY PRESSURE WAS APPLIED ON THE BREAKS. EVENTUALLY, I LEARNED THAT IF I HAD THE A/C ON MAX, VEHICLE STOPPED AND IDLING, LIGHT PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, A TURN OF THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE THE CAR LURCH EVERY TIME. THE LURCHING MADE PARKING, ESPECIALLY PARALLEL PARKING, WHICH REQUIRES THE STEERING WHEEL TO BE TURNED RIGHT AND LEFT, A RISK TO NEARBY PEDESTRIANS. ON-LINE POSTS AND FORUMS LED ME TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIXED FOR THE PAST FEW HUNDRED MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466307
120,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10465977
72,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
THROTTLE SURGE UPON BACKING UP. FOOT ON BRAKE, THANK GOD, WHILE BACKING WHEN VEHICLE SURGED BACKWARDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465974
81,138 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
98 DEGREES (103 WITH HEAT INDEX), SAT IN PARKING LOT WITH AC ON HIGH FOR 3 - 5 MINUTES. BACKED OUT OF PARKING STALL, AND APPROACHED STOP SIGN. WHEN HIT BRAKES THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. PULLED OUT OF LOT AND 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WOULDN'T RUN RIGHT. TONIGHT TESTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT RUNS FINE. AFTER READING ONLINE IT…
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98 DEGREES (103 WITH HEAT INDEX), SAT IN PARKING LOT WITH AC ON HIGH FOR 3 - 5 MINUTES. BACKED OUT OF PARKING STALL, AND APPROACHED STOP SIGN. WHEN HIT BRAKES THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. PULLED OUT OF LOT AND 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR WOULDN'T RUN RIGHT. TONIGHT TESTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT RUNS FINE. AFTER READING ONLINE IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS MAY BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE RELATED TO A THROTTLE BODY FAILURE/MALFUNCTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465919
30,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN LETTING OFF BRAKE IN 2010. FORD REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER WARRANTY AT THAT TIME. THE CAR STARTED LUNGING AGAIN SEVERAL TIMES IN JUNE 2012 AND IN JULY THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP ADVISED US TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ONCE AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465900
60,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Engine
CAR SURGES VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465852
53,000 miles · Jul 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED MY FORD FREESTYLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND BEGAN STRUGGLING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH THE CAR LUNGING FORWARD (OR BACKWARD) UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN AT A STOP. IF MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, MY ENGINE RACES AS IF THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND IS OVERRIDING MY WILL TO REMAIN STATIONERY, AND GREATLY INCREASES THE RPM'S . IF MY FO…
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I PURCHASED MY FORD FREESTYLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND BEGAN STRUGGLING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH THE CAR LUNGING FORWARD (OR BACKWARD) UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN AT A STOP. IF MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, MY ENGINE RACES AS IF THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND IS OVERRIDING MY WILL TO REMAIN STATIONERY, AND GREATLY INCREASES THE RPM'S . IF MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE BRAKE OR IS LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD (OR BACKWARD IF IN REVERSE), PUTTING PEDESTRIANS OR CARS IN OUR PATH AT RISK OF BEING RUN OVER. PLEASE ADVISE AS TO HOW TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10465830
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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