NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
93 reportsClear category filter99,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR FIRST STARTED WHEN I HAD IT ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND THE TACH WENT TO 4,000 RPMS AND THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WHEN SITTING IDLE WILL IDLE UP AND DOWN. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND YOU CAN BAR…
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THE CAR FIRST STARTED WHEN I HAD IT ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND THE TACH WENT TO 4,000 RPMS AND THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WHEN SITTING IDLE WILL IDLE UP AND DOWN. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND YOU CAN BARELY STOP IT BY PRESSING THE BRAKES. NOW WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE AND YOUR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CAR WILL LUNGE AND THEN TURN OFF. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10464146
88,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY BEFORE COMPLETELY STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSISTENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY BEFORE COMPLETELY STALLING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED CONSISTENTLY ESPECIALLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIR. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10464099
125,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Engine
ENGINE SURGES AT LOW SPEED, VEHICLE LUNGES. ISSUE IS EXACERBATED WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10463998
60,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
EnginePower Train
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN IDLING OR AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PULLING THE CAR IN OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR WHEN SLOWING AT AN INTERSECTION. IT WILL LUNGE SEVERAL FEET SOMETIMES, AND I HAVE NEARLY HIT PARKED CARS AND ONCE NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. …
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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN IDLING OR AT VERY LOW SPEEDS, BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN PULLING THE CAR IN OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE OR WHEN SLOWING AT AN INTERSECTION. IT WILL LUNGE SEVERAL FEET SOMETIMES, AND I HAVE NEARLY HIT PARKED CARS AND ONCE NEARLY HIT A PEDESTRIAN. I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKE TO STOP THE CAR FROM HITTING THINGS! I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD! THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY FORD, BEFORE MANY PEOPLE GET INJURED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463501
50,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
IF YOU HAVE YOUR A/C ON AND LEAVE YOUR CAR IDLING FOR JUST A FEW MINUTES THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, IT SURGES A FEW FEET LIKE 4 TO 5 FT UNLESS YOU REALLY HOLD THE BRAKE DOWN. IT REALLY SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AS TIME GOES ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463286
111,000 miles · Jun 26, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL, THE VALET PARKING DRIVER ALMOST HIT THE CAR ON THE FRONT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATOR OF THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AFTER THAT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10463099
103,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
WHEN IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION OR TAKING OFF FROM A PARKED POSITION...THE FREESTYLE WILL EXPERIENCE A QUICK SURGE OF ACCELERATION. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WHEN SHE WA…
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WHEN IDLING AT AN INTERSECTION OR TAKING OFF FROM A PARKED POSITION...THE FREESTYLE WILL EXPERIENCE A QUICK SURGE OF ACCELERATION. I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR MORE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE WHEN SHE WAS OUT WITH THE KIDS. SHE PUT ON THE GAS, IT LUNGED FORWARD, SHE SLAMMED THE BRAKES AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED...THIS HAPPENED TWICE. WE PARKED THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT OVERNIGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO DRIVE IT THE NEXT MORNING TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. IT'S HAPPENING WAY TOO OFTEN AND IT ISN'T SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463076
40,000 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Engine
WHEN I'M PARKED THE ENGINE REVS UP OR WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE IT SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN I'M REVERSING OR JUMP AND LUNGE WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S TERRIFYING BECAUSE IT'S SPED UP ON IT'S OWN SO QUICKLY THAT I'VE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL WRECKS. I WON'T EVEN LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE…
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WHEN I'M PARKED THE ENGINE REVS UP OR WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE IT SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN I'M REVERSING OR JUMP AND LUNGE WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S TERRIFYING BECAUSE IT'S SPED UP ON IT'S OWN SO QUICKLY THAT I'VE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL WRECKS. I WON'T EVEN LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE AND A LIABILITY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462818
70,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOMENTS AFTER THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOMENTS AFTER THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462256
44,000 miles · Jun 6, 2012
EnginePower Train
AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, WHILE THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED OR I'M JUST LETTING OFF THE BRAKES. I HAVE TO MASH THE BRAKES HARD AND KEEP THEM ENGAGED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL THE ACCELERATION SLOWS TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQU…
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AS HAS BEEN REPORTED BY OTHERS, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN IN REVERSE AND DRIVE, WHILE THE BRAKE IS ENGAGED OR I'M JUST LETTING OFF THE BRAKES. I HAVE TO MASH THE BRAKES HARD AND KEEP THEM ENGAGED FOR SEVERAL SECONDS UNTIL THE ACCELERATION SLOWS TO NORMAL. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460735
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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