THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ARE USELESS. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WAY BEFORE TIME. I HAD A 1996 CAMRY WITH 230, 000 MILES ON IT AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION OR THE ENGINE. NOW, I AM LEFT TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THAT FORD KNEW WAS A BAD PRODUCT (HENCE, STOPPING THE …
Read full complaint
THE CVT TRANSMISSION IN THE 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ARE USELESS. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION WAY BEFORE TIME. I HAD A 1996 CAMRY WITH 230, 000 MILES ON IT AND I NEVER HAD TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION OR THE ENGINE. NOW, I AM LEFT TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION THAT FORD KNEW WAS A BAD PRODUCT (HENCE, STOPPING THE MANUFACTURING OF THE FREESTYLE, REVAMPING THE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER PROBLEMS AREAS AND PUTTING IT BACK INTO ROTATION AS THE TAURUS X). I STILL OWE ALOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR. I KNOW THAT FORD FINALLY DID A REBATE OF SORTS FOR THE POORLY DESIGNED THROTTLE BODY AND THANKFUL I HAVE RECEIVED A REFUND FOR THAT EXPENSE. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR FORD TO COMPENSATE US FREESTYLE OWNERS WITH A HORRIBLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION? I REALLY WISHED I HAD NEVER GIVEN UP MY TOYOTA CAMRY. I FELT SAFER IN THAT CAR THAN MY FREESTYLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510418
119,708 miles · Apr 21, 2013
Power Train
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR YESTERDAY. IT IDLES SPORADICALLY ON PARK (OFTEN DIES FROM SURGING) AND LUNGES SEVERELY ON DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE TO AVOID PARKING IN FRONT OF OTHER VEHICLES TO PREVENT HITTING THEM AS MY VEHICLE WILL SHOOT FORWARD IMMEDIATELY EVEN WITH MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK. I HAVE TO HIT THE BREAKS FIRMLY AND QUICKLY. …
Read full complaint
I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR YESTERDAY. IT IDLES SPORADICALLY ON PARK (OFTEN DIES FROM SURGING) AND LUNGES SEVERELY ON DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE TO AVOID PARKING IN FRONT OF OTHER VEHICLES TO PREVENT HITTING THEM AS MY VEHICLE WILL SHOOT FORWARD IMMEDIATELY EVEN WITH MY FOOT OFF THE BREAK. I HAVE TO HIT THE BREAKS FIRMLY AND QUICKLY. IT FEELS LIKE THE CAR HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN AND REVS HARD AT THE MOST INCONVENIENT TIMES. I'M VERY AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509019
100,506 miles · Apr 16, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS A CLANKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,506. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508457
70,000 miles · Mar 28, 2013
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY VEHICLE HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS JOLTING/LAUNCING FORWARD. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE. IT STALLS WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. WAITING PATIENTLY FOR A RECALL, FEEL THAT WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TRANSMISSION WILL FALL TO THE GROUND. WORST CAR I HAVE EVERY OWNED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON T…
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE HAS 110,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS JOLTING/LAUNCING FORWARD. IT SOUNDS LIKE AN AIRPLANE. IT STALLS WHEN THE WEATHER IS HOT. WAITING PATIENTLY FOR A RECALL, FEEL THAT WILL BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TRANSMISSION WILL FALL TO THE GROUND. WORST CAR I HAVE EVERY OWNED. I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS VEHICLE. HAVE ALSO HAD AT ON POINT TROUBLE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THINKING SHOULD TRADE CAR IN, BUT RECENTLY PAID THE CAR OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504809
Mileage unknown · Mar 27, 2013
Power Train
MY FREESTYLE CVT TRANNY , I NEED TO WARM IT UP FOR ABOUT 45 MINS TO AN HOUR BEFORE IT EVEN MOVES. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY FORD AND AAMCO TRANSMISSION AND FORD SAYS I NEED A NEW ONE FOR $6000 AAMCO SAYS JUST REBUILD IT FOR $3500.I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GET A NEW TRNS SINCE THE CAR I ONLY HAD FOR 18 MONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504700
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2013
Power Train
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN LUNGING WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND SOON AFTER THAT BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE AROUND $5000 TO PULL AND CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CRAZY. I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LUNGING FORWARD AND NOW THIS NOISE WHICH FORD STAT…
Read full complaint
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN LUNGING WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND SOON AFTER THAT BEGAN MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. I TOOK MY CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD BE AROUND $5000 TO PULL AND CHECK THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS CRAZY. I HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH THE LUNGING FORWARD AND NOW THIS NOISE WHICH FORD STATES THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE CAR ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. I DO BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NOW I'M LEFT WITHOUT A CAR TO DRIVE BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I WILL DO FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION OR EVEN YET HURT SOMEONE WITH THE LUNGING PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT AND IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502233
56,000 miles · Mar 5, 2013
Power Train
AFTER ENDURING A SUMMER FILLED WITH THE TYPICAL SURGING ISSUE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. COME DECEMBER 2012, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, AND IN JANUARY 2013 TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE CVT TRANSMISSION'S …
Read full complaint
AFTER ENDURING A SUMMER FILLED WITH THE TYPICAL SURGING ISSUE, THE TRANSMISSION STARTED MAKING A LIGHT GRINDING SOUND IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. COME DECEMBER 2012, I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD CONCERNING THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, AND IN JANUARY 2013 TOOK IT IN FOR THE RECALL SERVICE. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, THE CVT TRANSMISSION'S GRINDING NOISE HAD GOTTEN WORSE, SO I TOOK IT INTO THE FORD DEALER HERE IN TOWN AND THEY SAID I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF OVER $6000. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I DO NOT HAVE $6000 TO PUT INTO A 6 YEAR OLD CAR THAT I STILL OWE $8000 ON (BOUGHT IT IN 2010). I'VE HAD TIRES LAST LONGER THAN THIS TRANSMISSION, WHICH IS CURRENTLY AT 62,000 MILES. UNTHINKABLE THAT FORD HAS PRODUCED SUCH A FLAWED MAJOR COMPONENT LIKE A TRANSMISSION, AND NOT STOOD BEHIND IT, OR SUPPLIES PARTS FOR IT. I AM LIVID, AND AFTER OWNING FORDS FOR OVER 30 YEARS I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I WILL GET NEXT. I FEEL LIKE I'VE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF, AND THIS FREESTYLE IS INDEED A LEMON. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND THE COST TO REPAIR IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE TAURUS X OF 2008 WHICH THEY INTRODUCED A TRANSMISSION THAT ACTUALLY WORKED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501429
76,123 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EnginePower Train
PUT CAR IN REVERSE VEH LUNGED BACKWARD ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD TOOK VEH IN TO DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL ONLY IS FOR CLEANING THE THROTTLE I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE. COST WAS $850 I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT DID NOT COVER THIS …
Read full complaint
PUT CAR IN REVERSE VEH LUNGED BACKWARD ALMOST CAUSING A CRASH. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD TOOK VEH IN TO DEALER THEY SAID THE RECALL ONLY IS FOR CLEANING THE THROTTLE I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE. COST WAS $850 I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT IT DID NOT COVER THIS PART. I FEEL IF FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS ITEM IT SHOULD BE REPLACED IF NEEDED. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT HAS GONE ON WITH THIS. HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITUATION IT IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500531
130,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Power Train
MY VEHICLE "LUNGES" WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR PARK. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10498263
79,102 miles · Feb 11, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING PLACED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AFTER BEING PLACED IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,102. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10497749
Official recalls
0
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
2
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
2007 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration