Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 428 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 360 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Engine complaints

93 reports

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120,000 miles · Sep 8, 2012

EnginePower Train

THE CAR SURGES WHEN YOU PUT IN GEAR, EVEN WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT DOES IT IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT IS VERY SCARY, MANY TIMES I ALMOST HIT SOMETHING. THIS PAST WINTER I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE CAR LOST POWER, I COULD NOT GO OVER 30 MILES PER HOUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474356

105,202 miles · Aug 27, 2012

EngineVehicle Speed Control

INCIDENT 1: VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD DURING A LOW SPEED TIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING WAS HIT. AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON. UNABLE TO REPEAT. INCIDENT 2: VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHILE BACKING A SMALL CAMPING TRAILER INTO A DRIVEWAY. DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING …

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NHTSA ODI #10472656

41,000 miles · Aug 23, 2012

EnginePower Train

WHEN STOPPED VEHICLE WILL LUNG FORWARD, IDLE WILL GO UP & DOWN CAUSING THIS TO LUNG, IDLE SPEED WILL VARY FROM ABOUT 600 RPM TO 1300 RPM THIS MAKES IT HARD TO PARK AND WHEN ON THE ROAD STOPPED, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR IN AUG OF 2010 REPAIR (CHANGED THROTTLE BODY) THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND STARTED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10472015

17,236 miles · Aug 20, 2012

EnginePower Train

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CAR LUNGES WHEN HOLDING FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE LUNGING IS GETTING WORSE. VERY SCARY. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK WHEN IDLING OR STOPPED; HAS BEGUN ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE AND THEN LUNGING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NOW. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS SINCE I GOT IT IN 2008, BUT WAS NOT AS SEVERE AND BEING A WOMAN, WASN'T SURE IF THIS WAS JUST HOW THIS CAR ACTED FOR SOME WEIRD REASON. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE NOW. IT FEELS VERY DANGEROUS. NOW THE AIR CONDITIONER WON'T WORK WHEN CAR IS IDLING EITHER. IT WORKS GREAT WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR IN COOL OR RAINY WEATHER. MY LIFE IS DRIVING. I AM A HEALTHCARE CONTRACTOR AND MUST DRIVE OFTEN. I NEED MY CAR. I UNDERSTAND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ (A LOT) THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE FILING CLASS ACTION SUITS. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471629

62,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY VEHICLE HAS MOVED AS MUCH AS 1-2 FEET WHEN THE BRAKE WAS NOT APPLIED OR LIGHTLY APPLIED. I DESCRIBE THE MOVEMENT AS A "LUNGE". ALSO, AS OTHERS HAVE REPORTED,, THE LUNGING HAS OCCURED WHEN MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND WAS EITHER FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL OR LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE ONLY NOTICED THIS CONDITION WHILE IN "DRIVE". LUNGES HAVE BEEN SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED, AND GENERALLY ARE OF BRIEF DURATION. THE CONDITION SEEMS WORSE WITH THE AIR-CONDITIONING IN OPERATION AND/OR WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470565

143,000 miles · Aug 11, 2012

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 8TH, 2012. WE WERE BACKING UP OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND AS MY HUSBAND TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND THE CAR SHUT OFF AFTER HE HIT THE BRAKES. HE DID NOT HAVE HIS FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AT ALL. IN FACT, HE WAS IN TRANSITION FROM THE BRAKE AND HIS FOOT HADN'T EVEN HIT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL YET. THIS IS THE ONLY PROBLEM WE HAVE EXPERIENCED SINCE HAVING THE VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT SAY IT LUNGES FORWARD OR REVERSE- I WOULD SAY IT HOPS FORWARD OR REVERSE. IT'S SEEMS TO BE A SPURT OF ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE SHIFTS FINE INTO GEAR, NO STALLS, NO GRINDING NOISES, JUST LITTLE SPURTS WHEN IT'S BACKING UP. THE ONLY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MY HUSBANDS DRIVING AND MINE IS THAT I ALWAYS ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WHEN I PARK. I'M USED TO DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. SO, WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE I STILL HAVE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON AND THE SPURTS DO NOT OCCUR WITH MY DRIVING. I DID FIND IT ALARMING THAT WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IT DOES NOT REQUIRE MY FOOT TO BE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO START THE VEHICLE. I CAN START THE VEHICLE BY SIMPLY TURNING THE KEY. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I'M USED TO SEEING IN MODERN VEHICLES AS I AM USED TO DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN'S. I'M CONCERNED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF THIS PROBLEM WILL GET WORSE. WILL I DRIVE DOWN THE ROAD AND NOT BE ABLE TO STOP? I CAN'T AFFORD EXTRA PARTS. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS VEHICLE (AND FROM A VOLKSWAGEN ENTHUSIAST THAT SAYS A LOT). I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHAT THE WORST CASE SCENARIO IS. I DON'T WANT TO LOSE MY LIFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470208

83,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012

EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WILL LUNGE UNEXPECTEDLY IN IDLE, WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE AND SHUT DOWN. THIS HAPPENS MORE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. I WILL SHUT OFF THE A/C, THEN RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE WITHOUT A/C. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469392

118,000 miles · Jul 29, 2012

Engine

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ENGINE REVS WITH NO ACCELERATOR PRESSURE WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE. IT IS FORTUNATE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MUST BE DEPRESSED TO REMOVE THE SHIFTER FROM PARK SO THE SUDDEN MOVEMENT CAN BE SOMEWHAT CONTROLLED IF YOU ARE EXPECTING IT. IF YOU WERE IN NEUTRAL WHICH WOULDN'T REQUIRE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CONSEQUENCES COULD BE NASTY TO NEARBY VEHICLES OR PEDESTRIANS. MY WIFE IS TRYING TO JUST DRIVE MY WORK TRUCK AS THE FREESTYLE HAS HER VERY CONCERNED FOR HER AND OTHERS' SAFETY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10468152

58,000 miles · Jul 27, 2012

EnginePower Train

WHEN IDLING/PARKING THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE UNCONTROLLABLY. CAUSING NEAR MISSES OF OTHER CARS AND PERSONNEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467985

130,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012

EnginePower Train

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ON AND OFF OVER THE MONTH OF JULY 2012, WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR DRIVEWAY IT SURGES/JUMPS WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE GAS PEDAL. IT HAPPENS ONLY WHEN I TRY AND REVERSE. THIS KEEPS HAPPENING AND I'M AFRAID ONE DAY I'M GOING TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING AS I CAN'T CONTROL THE SURGES. ALSO ON JULY 7, 2012 THE ENGINE JUST CUT OFF ON ME WHILE REVERSING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I WAS ABLE TO START IT BACK UP AGAIN AFTER IT DIED. IN DECEMBER 2011 I HAD A NEW TRANSMISSION PUT IN. ALSO IN JUNE 2011 I HAD TO REPLACE THE AC COMPRESSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467525

Official recalls

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

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