NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports120,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE GEARS LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE RPMS INCREASED AND THE GEARS LOCKED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463245
126,311 miles · Jun 25, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WE WERE IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD , THE TACH RPM WENT FROM ABOUT 800 RPM (IDLE) TO ABOUT 2600 RPM . FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME SO IT ONLY MOVED ABOUT 6 INCHES. WE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND WERE READY TO GO AND IT DID IT AGAIN. AN ENGINE LITE CAME ON THAT INDICATED SOMET…
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WE WERE IN LINE AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD , THE TACH RPM WENT FROM ABOUT 800 RPM (IDLE) TO ABOUT 2600 RPM . FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME SO IT ONLY MOVED ABOUT 6 INCHES. WE PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT AND WERE READY TO GO AND IT DID IT AGAIN. AN ENGINE LITE CAME ON THAT INDICATED SOMETHING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE THROTTLE WAS AMISS. WE SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAITED A FEW MINUTES AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE ENGINE LITE WAS OFF. SO FAR WE HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER INCIDENCE AND ITS BEEN A WEEK AND ABOUT 300 MILES SINCE THE OCCURRENCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463046
66,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 18 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC STAT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECELERATED AND SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN 18 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. UPDATED 8/6/12 *CN UPDATED 08/15/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10463042
54,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND A WIRE WAS TOUCHING THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MAIN COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE UPDATED AND A WIRE WAS TOUCHING THE AIR CONDITIONER UNIT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463040
64,635 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT THE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD OR BACKWARD, WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT RESOLVED THE FAILURE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT THE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD OR BACKWARD, WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT RESOLVED THE FAILURE BY SHIFTING INTO PARK AND THEN BACK INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED PREVIOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,635.
NHTSA ODI #10462941
90,000 miles · Jun 24, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARD AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 5-10 MPH. THIS REGULARLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM PARKING MY CAR IN REVERSE AND RIGHT WHEN I AM SPEEDING UP. SOMETIMES MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM REVERSE PARKING MY CAR AND I AM SLOWLY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FOOT OFF …
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THIS VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARD AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY AT 5-10 MPH. THIS REGULARLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM PARKING MY CAR IN REVERSE AND RIGHT WHEN I AM SPEEDING UP. SOMETIMES MY FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT MOSTLY HAPPENS WHEN I AM REVERSE PARKING MY CAR AND I AM SLOWLY MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL WITH MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND MY FOOT VERY SLIGHTLY PRESSED ON BRAKES. I HAVE GONE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WE GOT IT CHECKED AT A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS FINE. I HAVE BEEN READING VARIOUS ARTICLES ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE. NOTE: I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN FLORIDA AND BROUGHT IT TO CANADA WITH ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462920
71,089 miles · Jun 23, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING THE FORD REVS UP AND DOWN, WHILE IT IS DOING THIS IT LURCHES FORWARD AND I LOSE ALL DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS, I CANNOT USE THE AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE IT MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE.THE SCARY PART IS I HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENS. ON THURSDAY JUNE 21 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50MILES AN HOUR …
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WHILE DRIVING THE FORD REVS UP AND DOWN, WHILE IT IS DOING THIS IT LURCHES FORWARD AND I LOSE ALL DASHBOARD INSTRUMENTS, I CANNOT USE THE AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE IT MAKES THE PROBLEM WORSE.THE SCARY PART IS I HAVE MY FAMILY IN THE CAR WHEN ALL THIS HAPPENS. ON THURSDAY JUNE 21 I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 50MILES AN HOUR WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR RPM REVVED UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OUT, THE LIGHTS ALL FLASHED. THE CAR WAS LURCHING FORWARD, AND IT WAS WORSE WHEN I WAS ATTEMPTING TO SLOW DOWN. MY DAUGHTER STATED"I AM SCARED" I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED, WHEN WE WERE AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM WE TOLD THEM WHAT WAS HAPPENING, THEY DIDN'T EVEN OFFER TO LOOK AT THE CAR OR SEEM TO CARE. THE PROBLEM IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE, ONE DAY IT RUNS GOOD THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT FREAKS OUT. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462856
80,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
MY FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD ENGINE SURGING ISSUES FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR KNOW. TODAY 6/21/2012 MY CAR STARTED SURGING AT EVERY STOP LIGHT SO SEVERELY IF WE WEREN'T HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE WE WOULD OF HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE PROBLEM BECAME SO SEVERE WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AT EVERY INTERSECTION TO KEEP CAR FROM …
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MY FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD ENGINE SURGING ISSUES FOR APPROXIMATELY A YEAR KNOW. TODAY 6/21/2012 MY CAR STARTED SURGING AT EVERY STOP LIGHT SO SEVERELY IF WE WEREN'T HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE WE WOULD OF HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF US. THE PROBLEM BECAME SO SEVERE WE HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AT EVERY INTERSECTION TO KEEP CAR FROM TRYING TO JUMP INTO THE INTERSECTION AND STALL. TODAY'S TEMP WAS IN THE HIGH NINETIES AND WE WERE USING THE AIR CONDITIONING. TODAY'S INCIDENT WAS THE WORST ITS BEEN. WENT ON LINE AND SEARCH THE SYMPTOMS AND FOUND THAT A LOT OF FREESTYLE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WITH THE SAFETY OF THE CAR OWNER AND PEDESTRIANS THAT COULD BE NEAR THE CAR IN JEOPARDY. FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE CARS AND TRYING TO FIND A PERMANENT SOLUTION TO FIX THIS RATHER THEN CHARGING THE OWNERS HIGH DOLLARS TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE DESIGNED PART WITH THE SAME DEFECTIVE PART. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462679
90,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Engine
WHEN COASTING OR IDLING CAR SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462678
85,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
EnginePower Train
SAME AS OTHERS. CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND/OR BACKWARD WHEN SLOWING TO PARK, OR JUST MOVING SLOW OR IDILING. ALMOST ENDED UP OVER A BERM AT SAM'S CLUB BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. VERY SCARY! TAKING CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IDLING OR GOING SLOW. ACCELERATES AT TIMES LIKE PARKING OR MOVING THROUGH PARKI…
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SAME AS OTHERS. CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND/OR BACKWARD WHEN SLOWING TO PARK, OR JUST MOVING SLOW OR IDILING. ALMOST ENDED UP OVER A BERM AT SAM'S CLUB BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. VERY SCARY! TAKING CAR IN TO DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY. VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IDLING OR GOING SLOW. ACCELERATES AT TIMES LIKE PARKING OR MOVING THROUGH PARKING LOTS OR WHEN STOPPED AT STOPLIGHTS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462674
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