NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
33 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 7, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SURGING/LUNGING. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, AND YOU HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT. INITIALLY, I ONLY NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IN THE LAST COUPLE…
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WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR JUST OVER A YEAR. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, WE HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SURGING/LUNGING. IT HAPPENS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE, AND YOU HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP IT. INITIALLY, I ONLY NOTICED THE PROBLEM WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT HAS STARTED LUNGING BACKWARD AND FORWARD, REGARDLESS OF HOW FAST I WAS GOING (PULLING IN, BACKING UP, OR DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT A STEADY SPEED.) ONCE, THE CAR LUNGED AS I WAS BACKING UP AND HIT ANOTHER CAR. MINOR DAMAGE. NOT REPORTED. IT IS STARTING TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN, AND THE CAR HAS ALSO BEGUN DYING IF IT HAPPENS WHOLE BACKING UP. TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT SOLVES THAT. I'VE HAD TO START PARKING FURTHER BACK IN SPOTS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS HAS INDIRECTLY CAUSED COSMETIC DAMAGE (COMING OUT OF A STORE TWICE I'VE NOTICED SCRAPES THAT LOOK LIKE SOMEONE BACKED INTO ME.) I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CAN BE SUCH A WIDELY REPORTED AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM WITHOUT A RECALL OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE ISSUE (IF YOU CALL FORD.) MY CAR HAS LUNGED FORWARD AT RED LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS TOWARD ONCOMING TRAFFIC, AS WELL AS DRIVEWAYS WITH CHILDREN NEARBY. IT MAY ONLY BE A FEW FEET, BUT EVEN THAT CAN BE DEADLY CONSIDERING WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS MOST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474287
75,642 miles · Sep 7, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE IDLING IN PARK WHILE I WENT TO CHECK THE MAILBOX. WHEN I GOTBACK I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACK ALMOST STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND I NOTICE THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE MAY 2011 I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THERE HAVE B…
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I HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE IDLING IN PARK WHILE I WENT TO CHECK THE MAILBOX. WHEN I GOTBACK I SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACK ALMOST STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS BEFORE AND I NOTICE THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN OPEN SINCE MAY 2011 I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THERE HAVE BEEN ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON THE WEB. JUST AN FYI IT SEEMS TO LUNGE WHEN TAKING OFF IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. I ALSO NOTICED THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM IN CALIFORNIA. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10474225
58,800 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS GOING TO PULL OUT INTO A 4 LANE ROAD AND WAS EASING UP TO SEE BETTER...OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATING. ONCE I GOT OUT INTO THE ROAD THE CAR JUST CUT OFF AND I HAD TO QUICKLY RESTART IT TO AVOID BEING HIT. THEN I TURNED IN TO CHIC FIL A AND WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU LINE. IT WAS A PRETTY LONG LINE SO WE WOULD …
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I WAS GOING TO PULL OUT INTO A 4 LANE ROAD AND WAS EASING UP TO SEE BETTER...OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATING. ONCE I GOT OUT INTO THE ROAD THE CAR JUST CUT OFF AND I HAD TO QUICKLY RESTART IT TO AVOID BEING HIT. THEN I TURNED IN TO CHIC FIL A AND WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU LINE. IT WAS A PRETTY LONG LINE SO WE WOULD EASE UP EVER FEW MINUTES. THE CAR JUMPS AND STARTS TO ACCELERATING AND I STOMP ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING SO MUCH THAT THE FORCE OF THE BRAKES STOPPING THE CAR MADE MY TIRES SQUEAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472418
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ON VERY HOT DAYS, THE CAR WILL LURCH FORWARD WHEN PUT INTO GEAR THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471351
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
Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
CAR LUNGES WHEN BRAKES, TRAVELING FORWARD SLOWLY OR EVEN WHEN SITTING STILL WITH BRAKE APPLIED. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. STARTED ERRATICALLY BUT PROBLEM IS ALMOST CONSTANT NOW. WE HAVE SURMISED FROM OTHER POSTINGS THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM , HOWEVER REPLACEMENT SEEMS TO RECTIFY ISSUES TEMPO…
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CAR LUNGES WHEN BRAKES, TRAVELING FORWARD SLOWLY OR EVEN WHEN SITTING STILL WITH BRAKE APPLIED. ALSO HAPPENS WHEN CHANGING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. STARTED ERRATICALLY BUT PROBLEM IS ALMOST CONSTANT NOW. WE HAVE SURMISED FROM OTHER POSTINGS THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM , HOWEVER REPLACEMENT SEEMS TO RECTIFY ISSUES TEMPORARILY BUT REAPPEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466867
100,000 miles · Jul 18, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
MY FREESTYLE HAS STARTED TO LUNGE FORWARD AT TIMES WHEN IMMEDIATELY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IN FORWARD OR BACKWARD MOTION. AFTER MAKING A TURN TODAY IT DID IT TOO, BUT THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY HOT TOO. I HAVE A NEW TEEN…
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MY FREESTYLE HAS STARTED TO LUNGE FORWARD AT TIMES WHEN IMMEDIATELY TAKING MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IN FORWARD OR BACKWARD MOTION. AFTER MAKING A TURN TODAY IT DID IT TOO, BUT THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. IT HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. THE WEATHER HAS BEEN VERY HOT TOO. I HAVE A NEW TEENAGED DRIVER SO THIS IS DISCONCERTING.
NHTSA ODI #10466429
98,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING IN 90 DEGREE + TEMPERATURES, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR LURCHES WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPOT, OR AT A STOP. BRAKING DOES STOP THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, HOWEVER IT STILL FEELS UNSAFE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3-6 TIMES, AND AS RECENTLY AS TODAY (7/17/12). IT IS NOT DRIVER ERROR - AGAIN HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH TH…
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WHILE DRIVING IN 90 DEGREE + TEMPERATURES, WE HAVE NOTICED THAT THE CAR LURCHES WHILE REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPOT, OR AT A STOP. BRAKING DOES STOP THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION, HOWEVER IT STILL FEELS UNSAFE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3-6 TIMES, AND AS RECENTLY AS TODAY (7/17/12). IT IS NOT DRIVER ERROR - AGAIN HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH THAT WE ARE ABLE TO ANALYZE THAT THE FOOT IS NOT ON THE GAS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN THIS OCCURS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466294
45,000 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I WAS BACKING MY WIFE'S CAR IN AND IT STARTED ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS, ACTUALLY MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THANK GOODNESS. WE PROMPTLY TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND OF COURSE IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THEY CHARGED ME …
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I WAS BACKING MY WIFE'S CAR IN AND IT STARTED ACCELERATING WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS, ACTUALLY MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE THANK GOODNESS. WE PROMPTLY TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND OF COURSE IT WAS SUPPOSEDLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THEN THEY CHARGED ME $900 TO FIX IT.I HAVE SINCE DONE LOTS OF RESEARCH ONLINE AS WELL AS IN PERSON AND HAVE COME TO THE REALIZATION THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS UPON THOUSANDS OF THIS SAME COMPLAINT FOR THE 2005-2007 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT ALMOST EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD A FAILED THROTTLE BODY HAS HAD MULTIPLE FAILED THROTTLE BODY'S AS WELL AS A/C COMPRESSOR FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463338
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
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