NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
74 reportsClear category filter66,673 miles · Sep 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
AT FIRST OCCURRENCE, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PLACED IT ON THE BRAKE MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS UNEXPECTED LURCHING HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND HAPPENS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND IT REVS, AS IF I AM PUSHIN…
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AT FIRST OCCURRENCE, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND PLACED IT ON THE BRAKE MY CAR LURCHED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THIS UNEXPECTED LURCHING HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY AND HAPPENS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INCIDENTS WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK AND IT REVS, AS IF I AM PUSHING ON THE GAS PEDAL. IT WILL REV LIKE THAT AND IDLE DOWN A FEW TIMES AND THEN THE ENGINE WILL STALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423175
68,500 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN PUTTING INTO DRIVE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. ALSO, SURGES WHEN BRAKING WHEN COMING TO A STOP. HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP/MECHANIC YET.
NHTSA ODI #10422188
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AS REPORTED IN MAY 2011, MY FORD FREESTYLE IS ALSO LUNGING. IT HAPPENS TYPICALLY WHEN THE CAR IS STARTING OR STOPPING. IT HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY. I WAS HOPING TO SEE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE FORD IS CHARGING $900 TO FIX THIS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10421531
89,000 miles · Aug 21, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
LAST SEPTEMBER, AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES, MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN AN ENGINE SURGE INTERMITTENTLY. THE SURGE HAPPENED EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND, OCCASIONALLY, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WOULD MOVE VERY SLOWL…
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LAST SEPTEMBER, AT ABOUT 75,000 MILES, MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN AN ENGINE SURGE INTERMITTENTLY. THE SURGE HAPPENED EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. WHEN IT HAPPENED, THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND, OCCASIONALLY, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. WHEN I RESTARTED THE CAR, IT WOULD MOVE VERY SLOWLY AND THE SPEED DID NOT MATCH WHAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS TELLING IT TO DO. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC WHO COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE ISSUE, NOR COULD HE RECREATE IT IN HIS SHOP. OVER THE WINTER, THE CAR STOPPED HAVING THE ISSUE; HOWEVER, DURING THE SPRING, WHEN I BEGAN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE ISSUE STARTED AGAIN. I TRIED CHANGING THE OIL AND HAD FLUIDS CHECKED, THINKING THIS WOULD HELP BUT TO NO AVAIL. THIS CONTINUED ALL SUMMER AND WAS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC IF I WAS STOPPED IN TRAFFIC OR TRYING TO PARK. ADDITIONALLY, IT WAS VERY STRESSFUL FOR ME AS A DRIVER AND FRIGHTENING FOR MY CHILDREN. LAST TUESDAY EVENING, AFTER IT SAT DURING MY CHILDREN'S OPEN HOUSE, THE FREESTYLE BEGAN SURGING IMMEDIATELY UPON DRIVING IT. THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THE CAR TURNED OFF. WHEN WE TURNED IT BACK ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AND THE CAR MOVED VERY SLOWLY. WHEN I STARTED THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK. I TOOK MY FREESTYLE TO ANOTHER, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED MECHANIC, WHO HAS DIAGNOSED (BASED ON THE CODES AND HIS EXPERIENCE) THAT THE CAR NEEDS A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10420865
54,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE AND ITS JUST GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AS THE MILEAGE GOES UP. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CANT EVEN USE MY A/C OR HEATER AS THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD HARD AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR CUTS OFF CAUSING ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT TO CUT ON. WHILE BACKING INTO MY PARKING GARAGE I RAN …
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I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE AND ITS JUST GETTING WORSE AND WORSE AS THE MILEAGE GOES UP. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CANT EVEN USE MY A/C OR HEATER AS THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO LUNGE FORWARD HARD AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR CUTS OFF CAUSING ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT TO CUT ON. WHILE BACKING INTO MY PARKING GARAGE I RAN INTO THE BUILDING BECAUSE THE CAR LUNGED BACK BY ITSELF, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS, COULD CAUSE ME TO HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING VERY BADLY. IM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE BUT DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CHOICE, HAVE TO GO TO WORK. THIS IS SCARY, I NEED HELP WITH THIS. JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR DON'T HAVE THE CASH TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10419692
61,500 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN COMING OUT OF PARK INTO DRIVE, SUDDEN MOMENTARY ACCELERATION BEFORE PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS SEEMS TO BE INCREASING IN FREQUENCY AND NOW STARTING TO DO IT IN REVERSE.
NHTSA ODI #10420229
45,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN AND OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THE THRO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN AND OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED HIM THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY FOR THE THROTTLE FAILURE. THE TOP MOTOR MOUNT CONNECTED TO THE ENGINE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND DETERIORATED WHICH WAS MADE OUT OF RUBBER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10419526
75,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN SURGING WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW MONTHS AGO. INCONSISTENT, MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN A/C IS RUNNING. ALSO SURGES RIGHT WHEN RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL (FROM STOPPED POSITION OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS). SIGNIFICANT RISK OF THE CONDITION LEADING TO A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHIC…
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2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN SURGING WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL A FEW MONTHS AGO. INCONSISTENT, MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN A/C IS RUNNING. ALSO SURGES RIGHT WHEN RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL (FROM STOPPED POSITION OR MOVING VERY SLOWLY EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARDS). SIGNIFICANT RISK OF THE CONDITION LEADING TO A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE, STATIONARY OBJECT, OR EVEN PEDESTRIAN. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418625
120,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainSeats
WE OWN A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN WE COME TO A STOP, FOR INSTANCE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. THIS OFTEN CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO THEN STALL. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IF WE ARE RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER. NOW WE SHUT THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. WE HAVE AVOID…
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WE OWN A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN WE COME TO A STOP, FOR INSTANCE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND THE VEHICLE WILL LURCH FORWARD. THIS OFTEN CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO THEN STALL. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IF WE ARE RUNNING THE AIR CONDITIONER. NOW WE SHUT THE AIR CONDITIONER OFF WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN. WE HAVE AVOIDED ANY INCIDENTS SO FAR. ALTHOUGH MANY TIMES HAVE HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO KEEP FROM LURCHING INTO A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. THE VEHICLE WILL STILL LURCH, BUT SO FAR WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP IT IN TIME. AS I SAID BEFORE THE PRESSURE WE HAVE TO APPLY TO THE BRAKES IS EXTREME. THIS ALSO WILL HAPPEN WHEN BACKING UP. THE ENGINE WILL REV UP AND THEN DIE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418204
106,028 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
WHILE PULLING IN TO PARK, WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND APPLYING BRAKE TO STOP, MY VEHICLE RPMS SURGED. I HAD TO SHARPLY APPLY ADDITIONAL BRAKE, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE STRUCK A BOLLARD. TODAY'S EPISODE IS ANOTHER IN A LONG STRING OF SUDDEN RPM SURGE EVENTS DATING BACK TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEWLY PURCHASED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHI…
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WHILE PULLING IN TO PARK, WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND APPLYING BRAKE TO STOP, MY VEHICLE RPMS SURGED. I HAD TO SHARPLY APPLY ADDITIONAL BRAKE, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE STRUCK A BOLLARD. TODAY'S EPISODE IS ANOTHER IN A LONG STRING OF SUDDEN RPM SURGE EVENTS DATING BACK TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEWLY PURCHASED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY OUR LOCAL FORD/LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, WITH NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. WE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417803
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