NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
93 reportsClear category filter115,000 miles · Aug 28, 2020
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU AND AFTER TURNING ON THE AC, WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU AND AFTER TURNING ON THE AC, WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA ODI #11351894
192,000 miles · Jun 24, 2020
Engine
DURING LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SURGES!. WITHOUT HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN HARD THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND IN SOME CASES OTHERS. THIS OCCURS SOMETIMES AT A COMPLETE STOP LIKE IN LINE AT A RESTAURANT OR EVEN IN A PARKING SPOT. THIS OBVIOUSLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR (DRIVE). THIS HAS HAPPENED …
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DURING LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SURGES!. WITHOUT HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN HARD THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND IN SOME CASES OTHERS. THIS OCCURS SOMETIMES AT A COMPLETE STOP LIKE IN LINE AT A RESTAURANT OR EVEN IN A PARKING SPOT. THIS OBVIOUSLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR (DRIVE). THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP. IT HAS ALSO DIED AFTER THE SURGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11330629
80,000 miles · Dec 21, 2019
Engine
LUNGING, LUGGING, WHILE STATIONARY OR AT LOW SPEED, FORWARD OR REVERSE, WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I SEE THIS SAME COMPLAINT HUNDREDS OF TIMES ON THIS NHTSA SITE AS WELL AS INTERNET SEARCHES. AFTER READING NUMEROUS DETAILED ISSUES AND MATCHING MINE TO SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE IS THE THROTTLE BODY. I …
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LUNGING, LUGGING, WHILE STATIONARY OR AT LOW SPEED, FORWARD OR REVERSE, WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I SEE THIS SAME COMPLAINT HUNDREDS OF TIMES ON THIS NHTSA SITE AS WELL AS INTERNET SEARCHES. AFTER READING NUMEROUS DETAILED ISSUES AND MATCHING MINE TO SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE IS THE THROTTLE BODY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC FOR REMOVAL AND THOROUGH CLEANING. THIS INEXPENSIVE REPAIR RESOLVED THE ENGINE LUNGING ISSUE. PLEASE PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS VIA BULLETINS OR WHATEVER, SO THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED EASILY AND QUICKLY. THE LUNGING IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, WITH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD FROM AN IDLING POSITION WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I SEE THAT EXPENSIVE, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS ARE BEING PERFORMED WHICH HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUE. IT IS A THROTTLE BODY THAT JUST NEEDS TO BE CLEANED.
NHTSA ODI #11290472
130,000 miles · Jun 21, 2018
Engine
ENGINE SURGES WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS HAPPENS WHEN IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS. SURGING CAUSES CAR TO ACCELERATE UNLESS DRIVERS FOOT IS READY TO STOP IT BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. VERY DANGEROUS TO ANY NON AWARE DRIVERS.
NHTSA ODI #11103091
126,000 miles · May 14, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE THROTTLE CONTROL AND TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO OPERATE NORMALLY; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, OR WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA ODI #11093795
168 miles · May 8, 2018
EngineUnknown Or Other
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE SEL STALLED OUT ON ME WHEN I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND A WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON I PUT A NEW THROTTLE BODY ON IT AND ALSO NEW TRANSMISSION FILTERS AND CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID
NHTSA ODI #11092466
60,000 miles · Sep 7, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
MY CAR RANDOMLY SURGES. THIS USUALY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE CAR IS AT OR CLOSE TO IDLE. THE CAR WILL SUGRE LIKE THE GASS IS BEING PRESSED BUT IT IS DEFINETLY NOT. IT ALSO SURGES RANDOMLY WHEN SHIFTED INTO DIFFERENT GEARS PARK,REVERSE,NEUTRAL. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT IS INPREDICTABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11022224
250,000 miles · Aug 12, 2017
Engine
ENGINE WILL STALL (COLD OR WARM CONDITION) RESULTING IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. VEHICLE WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR IT TO RESTART. CAR MAY THEN RUN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD OR STALL OUT UPON RIVING OFF.
NHTSA ODI #11014861
147,400 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Engine
I WAS ON THE PARKWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO TURN. AS I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY. IT WAS SLUGGISH. I PULLED OVER TO LET TRAFFIC PASS. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT A 1/4 MILE BEFORE IT STOPPED ACCELERATING. IN THAT…
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I WAS ON THE PARKWAY GOING ABOUT 65 MPH. I STOPPED AT A LIGHT TO TURN. AS I PRESSED ON THE PEDAL THE CAR DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY. IT WAS SLUGGISH. I PULLED OVER TO LET TRAFFIC PASS. I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT ABOUT A 1/4 MILE BEFORE IT STOPPED ACCELERATING. IN THAT 1/4 MILE THE CAR BARELY ACCELERATED. I HAD TO PRESS THE PEDAL FAR TO RAISE THE RPMS A LITTLE BIT. HAD I CONTINUED TO DRIVE DOWN THAT PARKWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. I HAD TO BE TOWED HOME.
NHTSA ODI #10994248
135,358 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE MAKING A TURN AND STALLED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE MAKING A TURN AND STALLED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. ... UPDATED 08/23/16 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10891669
NHTSA investigations
2PE11018 · 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
PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking
Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve
ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO
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