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

Power Train complaints

360 reports

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56,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011

Power Train

SURGING AND LURCHING FORWARD WHILE PARKING OR SLOWING DOWN. I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AND A PERSON ON THE SIDE WALK. TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT A DOZEN TIMES AND BECOMES MORE FREQUENT AND POWERFUL EACH TIME. THE WRENCH LIGHT HAS COME ON THE DASH BOARD NOW. 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413415

40,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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2007 FORD FREESTYLE CROSSOVER - THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD, SOMETIMES THE MOTOR SHUTS DOWN AND THE "RED WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FREQUENTLY IN THE LAST MONTH. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAY THEY THINK IT MAY BE DUE TO THROTTLE PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOT DONE AN EXTENSIVE INVESTIGATION INTO WHEN THE ABOVE HAPPENS, I HAVE NOTICED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON HIGH, IT HAPPENS. THIS MAY BE COINCIDENTAL BUT NEVERTHELESS I HAVE NOTICED THE SURGE WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS ON. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET FOR OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THERE CERTAINLY SEEMS TO BE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS IN THAT IF YOU DO NOT CURRENTLY HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD (POSSIBLY HITTING ANOTHER CAR, A PEDESTRIAN OR HAVE EVEN HAVING A DEADLY ACCIDENT). THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED A RECALL BY FORD AND REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE BY FORD. THIS SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HARMED. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413346

50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE REVS UP BY ITSELF. WHEN BACKING INTO MY PARKING SPACE I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON BRAKES BACK UP VERY VERY SLOWLY DUE TO THE CAR WANTING TO LUNG BACK ON ITS OWN. NOT ABLE TO USE MY A/C OR HEATER. WHEN A/C IS ON THE CAR REALLY REVS UP AND THEN EVENTUALLY CUTS OFF WITH ALL THE LIGHT BEING LIT UP , THE WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHTS UP, THEN I HAVE TO WAIT ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR CUTS BACK ON. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS WHEN IM WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD BY ITSELF, I COULD HIT SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY OR I COULD JUST RUN INTO ANOTHER CAR. THE CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN, ITS SCARY. I PAY FOR THIS CAR AND I CANT EVEN USE THE A/C OR HEATER MY KIDS AND I JUST HAVE TO SUFFER. I CANT AFFORD ALL THESE PROBLEMS AS I HAVE SIX CHILDREN TO FEED. THEY NEED TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM IT COULD BE LIFE OR DEATH. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413290

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE WRENCH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE VEHICLE IDLES UP WHEN AT STOP LIGHT OR JUST STOPPING VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WITH USE OF BRAKE. CAN'T USE A/C VEHICLE WILL LUNGE ALSO AND THEN SHUT OFF COMPLETELY. VERY UNSAFE... *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413265

Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2011

Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

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WHEN I AM GOING AT A LOW SPEED THE CAR GOES DEAD. EXAMPLE BEING WHEN I TURN IN MY DRIVEWAY OR INTO A PARKING SPACE. ALSO THE CAR SURGES AND JUMPS FORWARD OR SOMETIMES BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE OR PARK. IT IS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN ALL THE TIME AND IS DANGEROUS! I AM SO FRUSTRATED I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I ACTUALLY RAN ACROSS A SITE WHERE TONS OF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I DO NOT HAVE 750.00 PLUS TO PAY ON FIXING SOMETHING THAT FORD IS WELL AWARE THEY FOULED UP AND DID NOTHING ABOUT. AS WITH ALL THE OTHER CASES MY A/C QUIT LONG AGO. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND A RECALL ISSUED SO THEY CAN PAY FOR THE REPAIR OF AN ITEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOLD IN PROPER WORKING ORDER. THANK YOU. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10413246

70,500 miles · Jul 13, 2011

Power Train

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2007 FORD FREESTYLE SEL W/ APPROX 71K MILES. VEHICLE RPMS SURGE AT IDLE OR VERY LOW SPEED WHILE IN DRIVE (SUCH AS MANEUVERING INTO A PARKING SPOT). VEHICLE STALLS AFTER PUTTING IN REVERSE, THEN FORWARD GEAR, THEN REVERSE AFTER IDLING FOR A WHILE W/ AC ON. AFTER RE-STARTING, DOES NOT GET ABOVE 35 MPH (MECHANIC LIGHT COMES ON AND . UNTIL YOU TURN THE CAR OFF FOR A WHILE -THEN RESTART. THE OPERATES MORE NORMALLY. FUEL GAUGE LIGHT DOESN'T LIGHT AND THE FIRST 1/3 OF THE RPM RANGE IS NOT LIT WHEN THE ABOVE AFOREMENTIONED STALLING PROBLEM OCCURS (THEN COMES BACK ON). NOBODY HURT YET. TONIGHT I EMAILED FORD, GIVING THEM MY VIN AND ASKED THEM TO PURSUE A RECALL. PLEASE PRESS THEM TO DO THAT, CLEARLY THERE IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. TODAY THE SURGING NEARLY HURT A CHILD IN A PARKING LOT; THANK GOD MY WIFE'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412199

70,000 miles · Jul 13, 2011

Power Train

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MY FORD FREESTYLE SURGES IN DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS IN. IF IN DRIVE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD, IF IN REVERSE IT WILL SURGE BACKWARDS. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. I'M AFRAID I AM GOING TO HIT A PEDESTRIAN WHILE TRYING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I'M ALSO CONCERNED WHEN MY DAUGHTER USES THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF HER INEXPERIENCE. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED TO BE THE THROTTLE BODY AND IS MOST PREDOMINANT DURING WARM WEATHER OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS THOROUGHLY WARMED UP. HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND WAS WAITING FOR A REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED IN AN ACCIDENT. NOW HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR 2007 MODEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10412134

120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MOST FREQUENTLY OCCUR WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS DEBRIS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DISCOLORATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10412037

67,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011

Power Train

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I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SURGING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN I TRY TO PARK AND BACKUP. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT STOPLIGHTS AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL CUT OFF. EVEN WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR STILL TRYS TO SURGE. ITS LIKE IT ACCELERATES ALL ON ITS OWN AND AT TIMES IT HAS EVEN BEEN HARD TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO ISSUE. IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW ITS HAPPENS QUITE A FEW TIMES A WEEK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM..

NHTSA ODI #10412020

86,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011

Power Train

DURING LOW SPEEDS, IDLING SPEEDS, CAR ACCELERATES OR SURGES. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING OR IN IDLE MODE IN DRIVE UP LINES. WRENCH WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IF I TURN CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON IT USUALLY REMOVES THE PROBLEM. OCCURS WHEN GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10411972

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