Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 602 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 484 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

1,300 reports

90,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REVERSE FROM A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND PROCEED WITHOUT THE FAILURE RECURRING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. ....UPDATED 08-24-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY AND TOP MOTOR MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 08/29/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462610

55,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012

Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LUNGING OCCURRED WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10462604

36,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012

Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE ENGINE ACCELERATES TO APPROXIMATELY 2100 RPMS WHILE IN GEAR FORCING IT TO LUNDGE FOWARD OR REVERSE WITHOUT THE INTERACTION OF DRIVER THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR WHILE AT IDLE,AND DECELERATION TO STOP, MALFUNCTION IS BECOMING MORE PROBLEMATIC WITH MILEAGE AND AGE OF VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462497

94,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012

Power TrainStructure

Read full complaint

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE HAS LURCHED FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT HAVING MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. APPLYING THE BRAKE HAS STOPPED THE CAR. THE REAR BUMPER WAS DAMAGED WHEN IT HIT A LIGHT POLE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN IT'S WARMER OUTSIDE AND WHEN RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONING. I'M VERY CONCERNE SOMEONE MIGHT GET INJURED. MY WIFE HAS ALSO HAD THIS HAPPEN TO HER ON MULTIPLE OCCASION. I'VE READ A NUMBER OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET. I BELIEVE THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED. I'M A MECHANICAL ENGINEER BY DEGREE AND CAN STATE WITH CERTAINTY THAT THIS IS A DANGEROUS CONDITION ESPECIALLY IN A PARKING LOT WHERE IT MOST FREQUENTLY HAPPENS. I WON'T EVEN ATTEMPT TO BACKUP THE VEHICLE IF SOMEONE IS NEARBY IN CASE IT HAS ONE OF THESE FITS. PLEASE KEEP ME POSTED ON ANY RECALL UPDATES. DO THE RIGHT THING, FORCE THE MANUFACTURER TO OWN UP TO THE PROBLEM AND TAKE CARE OF IT. I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT FIXED, BUT NOBODY SEEMS TO KNOW OR IS WILLING TO SAY WHAT'S WRONG. THEY JUST OFFER TO CHANGE OUT A LOT OF PARTS IN THE HOPES OF HITTING UPON THE PROBLEM. THAT'S TOO EXPENSIVE OF AN APPROACH. DOES FORD KNOW THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM? WILL THEY SHARE THAT INFORMATION WITH THEIR DEALERSHIPS OR THE CONSUMERS? *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462495

69,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012

Engine

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD AND THEN STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO JERK AND DECELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 10 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES COVERING THE FAILURE. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462430

87,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

VEHICLE LURCHES AND LUNGES FORWARD WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED NEARLY A YEAR AGO AND HAVE HAD THE LURCHING PROBLEM AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES. IT IS SPORADIC AND UNEXPECTED EACH TIME IT HAPPENS. I HAVE COME EXTREMELY CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER PARKED CARS, PARKING BARRIERS AND EVEN MY OWN GARAGE DOOR. I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT I HAVE NOT HIT A PERSON. TODAY IT HAPPENED AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT THE MALL. I HAD NEVER HAD THE PROBLEM IN REVERSE AND IT CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD. I WAS EXTREMELY CLOSE TO HITTING THE CAR BEHIND ME. THIS PROBLEM IS EXTRAORDINARILY FRIGHTENING AND WITH VERY LITTLE RESEARCH I WAS ABLE TO SEE THAT IT IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM. I AM APPALLED THAT A PROBLEM THIS WIDESPREAD AND DANGEROUS HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462353

60,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN JUST STARTING TO MOVE OR SOMETIMES WHILE COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA ODI #10462648

64,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012

Power TrainService Brakes

Read full complaint

MY ISSUE STARTED ALMOST A ABOUT A YEAR AGO. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WAITING FOR MY SON AND HAD AIR CONDITIONER ON AND WE SAT FOR ABOUT 30 MIN. AS SOON AS I PUSHED BRAKE IN AND ABOUT TO PUT IN D WE LUNGED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I WAS ABLE TO STOP WITH BRAKE. I TRIED AGAIN AND WE LUNGED AGAIN. I PUT IN R AND WE BOLTED OUT OF SPOT. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US. FINALLY WAS ABLE TO GET IN D AND THEN WE STALLED. I'VE HAD THE TRANSMISSION CLEANED AND FLUIDS REPLACED, BUT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THE SAME ISSUE OVER THIS PAST YEAR.THE LATEST EPISODE WAS WHEN I FINALLY GOT THE CAR TO DRIVE AND I WAS BARELY MOVING. I WAS ON A BUSY ROAD TRYING TO GO PAST 10MPH. I AM SEEING TONS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE AND AM WONDERING WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN SOLVED????? IT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. WHY WAIT TILL SOMEONE GETS KILLED AND THEN SUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462176

85,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

WHILE IDLING THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AND (REVERSE IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS) ALL BY ITS SELF. THIS CONTINOUSLY HAPPENS. I HAVE EVEN HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT DOES THIS. I HAVE NOT NOTICED ANY CONSISTENCY WITH THE INCIDENTS OTHER THAN WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON IT IS WORSE. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IT HAPPENS NO MATTER WHERE I AM, IN THE DRIVE WAY OR PARKING LOT AT PRESCHOOL WHERE THERE ARE PEDESTRIANS AROUND AND I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER MY CAR. SOMETIMES AFTER THE CAR LUNGES (AND IT HAPPENS FORWARD AND REVERSE) THE CAR WILL STALL AND THEN WHEN I TURN IT ON THE WRENCH/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE CAR WILL DRIVE BUT FEELS LIKE IT IS BOGGING DOWN. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT THIS AND THEY CLAIM THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF IT BEFORE. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462069

65,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT AT 60000 MILE. IT COST ME $7000 OUT OF POCKET TO MAKE THE REPAIR. THIS REALLY PUT A BURDEN ON ME FINANCIALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462037

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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

PE11018 · 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