NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
360 reportsClear category filter120,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND A LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND A LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, INDICATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463035
19,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SURGED, AND EMITTED A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SURGED, AND EMITTED A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463005
72,567 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Power Train
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IT STARTED LUNGING WHEN PLACED IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS THE SAME AS THE MANY MANY OTHER 05-07 FREESTYLES I HAVE RED ABOUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. SOME DAY THIS MAY RESULT IN A DEATH. THE FREESTYLE IS A FAMILY CAR, WHICH MEANS THERE ARE CHILDREN AROUND IT…
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ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IT STARTED LUNGING WHEN PLACED IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS THE SAME AS THE MANY MANY OTHER 05-07 FREESTYLES I HAVE RED ABOUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. SOME DAY THIS MAY RESULT IN A DEATH. THE FREESTYLE IS A FAMILY CAR, WHICH MEANS THERE ARE CHILDREN AROUND IT. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD WANT DONE IF THIS CAR ATTACKED YOUR CHILD. LIFE IS WORTH MUCH MORE THAN A RECALL ON A FLAWED CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462193
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
70,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
EnginePower Train
WHILE HOLDING BRAKE AND SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE RPM'S INCREASE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE, ALMOST HIT A MAN IN A PARKING LOT,HAVE CAME CLOSE TO CAR'S ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WAS HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT'S EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION,THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT …
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WHILE HOLDING BRAKE AND SHIFTING TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE RPM'S INCREASE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE, ALMOST HIT A MAN IN A PARKING LOT,HAVE CAME CLOSE TO CAR'S ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. WAS HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW IT'S EVERY TIME YOU DRIVE THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER DURING ACCELERATION,THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. YOU HAVE TO STOP AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THEN RESTART ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460607
109,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LUNGES ABOUT 1 FT WHILE FOOT IS ON BREAK NO REASON IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH NO GAS PRESSURE, LUNGES ABOUT 6 FEET WITHOUT FOOT ON BREAK NO WARNING OR REASON, VEHICLE JERKS AND STALLS AND LOSES POWER AFTER LUNGING 1-2 FT IN REVERSE, THROTTLE /TRANSMISSION LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND OFF. WHEN PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC THE COMPUTER …
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VEHICLE LUNGES ABOUT 1 FT WHILE FOOT IS ON BREAK NO REASON IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITH NO GAS PRESSURE, LUNGES ABOUT 6 FEET WITHOUT FOOT ON BREAK NO WARNING OR REASON, VEHICLE JERKS AND STALLS AND LOSES POWER AFTER LUNGING 1-2 FT IN REVERSE, THROTTLE /TRANSMISSION LIGHT WILL TURN ON AND OFF. WHEN PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC THE COMPUTER THE CAR COMPUTER WILL NOT KEEP CODE, I LIVE IN A FAMILY NEIGHBORHOOD THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS KIDS PLAY IN THE STREET!!!! FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10460184
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2012
Power Train
DRIVING VEHICLE WITH A/C ON, VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING IF IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS UP AND CAR SHUTS DOWN OR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. HAVE TO SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART AND LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND POWER WILL RETURN. AS LONG AS A/C IS ON, VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALMOST HAVE HIT…
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DRIVING VEHICLE WITH A/C ON, VEHICLE JERKS FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING IF IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, CONTROL PANEL LIGHTS UP AND CAR SHUTS DOWN OR LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING. HAVE TO SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART AND LIGHT WILL GO OUT AND POWER WILL RETURN. AS LONG AS A/C IS ON, VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ALMOST HAVE HIT OTHER CARS IN PARKING LOT AND ROAD DUE TO IT ACTING UP. VERY UNSAFE, FORD NEEDS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459999
56,000 miles · May 27, 2012
Power Train
WHILE BACKING FROM PARKING SPACE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD LIKE IN ACCELERATION. SECOND TIME WAS PUT INTO DRIVE AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT HAD PEDAL BEING PRESSED. EACH TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459783
67,000 miles · May 10, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
JUST ABOVE IDLE THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHETHER WE ARE MOVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457979
83,000 miles · May 5, 2012
Power Train
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN IN REVERSE. IT DOES NOT DO IT EVERYTIME. THE LAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN DOING IT IN DRIVE AS WELL. TODAY IT WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. I WAS ABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. THIS IS GETTING WORSE…
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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN ACCELERATING WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PRESSED. IT USUALLY OCCURS WHEN IN REVERSE. IT DOES NOT DO IT EVERYTIME. THE LAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN DOING IT IN DRIVE AS WELL. TODAY IT WAS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. I WAS ABLE TO STOP MY VEHICLE WITH THE BRAKES. THIS IS GETTING WORSE AND I AM AFRAID IT MAY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457571
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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