NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
428 reportsClear category filter250 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Exterior LightingStructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
OUR CAR WAS QUITE NEW. MY DAUGHTERS AND I WERE IN THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME AND THEY WERE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. WHEN I WAS SLIGHTLY ROLLING FORWARD I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND MY CAR JUMPED OR LUNGED FORWARD-CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH 4 KIDS AND 2 ADULTS INVOLVED. THIS IS THE FI…
Read full complaint
OUR CAR WAS QUITE NEW. MY DAUGHTERS AND I WERE IN THE CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. SOMEONE WAS IN FRONT OF ME AT THE TIME AND THEY WERE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. WHEN I WAS SLIGHTLY ROLLING FORWARD I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE AND MY CAR JUMPED OR LUNGED FORWARD-CAUSING AN ACCIDENT WITH 4 KIDS AND 2 ADULTS INVOLVED. THIS IS THE FIRST OF MANY INCIDENTS WITH MY CAR PROACTIVELY MOVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464415
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
OVER THE MONTHS, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE INCONSISTENT OCCURRENCES OF SURGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT ACCELERATING. TYPICALLY THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT/GARAGE. IT HAS INCREASED LATELY AND THIS PAST FRIDAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED GREATLY AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. T…
Read full complaint
OVER THE MONTHS, WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE WERE INCONSISTENT OCCURRENCES OF SURGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT ACCELERATING. TYPICALLY THIS HAS OCCURRED WHEN PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT/GARAGE. IT HAS INCREASED LATELY AND THIS PAST FRIDAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED GREATLY AND THEN THE ENGINE STALLED. THIS HAS HAPPENED AFTER IDLING. THE ONLY "REMEDY" IS SHUTTING THE VEHICLE DOWN COMPLETELY AND THEN RESTARTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10464313
99,000 miles · Jul 3, 2012
EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR FIRST STARTED WHEN I HAD IT ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND THE TACH WENT TO 4,000 RPMS AND THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WHEN SITTING IDLE WILL IDLE UP AND DOWN. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND YOU CAN BAR…
Read full complaint
THE CAR FIRST STARTED WHEN I HAD IT ON CRUISE CONTROL GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 70MPH. I HAD THE AIR CONDITIONING ON AND THE TACH WENT TO 4,000 RPMS AND THE CAR SHUT OFF WHILE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WHEN SITTING IDLE WILL IDLE UP AND DOWN. WHEN PUT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE THE CAR JUMPS FORWARD OR BACKWARDS AND YOU CAN BARELY STOP IT BY PRESSING THE BRAKES. NOW WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO REVERSE AND YOUR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE THE CAR WILL LUNGE AND THEN TURN OFF. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10464146
85,000 miles · Jun 28, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463482
65,500 miles · Jun 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE CAR LUNGED AND HIT THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAD BEEN DOING THIS MILDLY FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. DURING THIS EVENT, THE SPEED WAS UNEXPECTED AND DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10463323
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
70,000 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463177
100,000 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
IN JULY OF 2011 WE STARTED EXPERIENCING LURCHING. WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE CAR LUNGES WHEN LETTING OFF OF THE BRAKE. THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST ALL POWER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT AWAY BUT NOT THE LUNGING PROBLEM. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP …
Read full complaint
IN JULY OF 2011 WE STARTED EXPERIENCING LURCHING. WHEN YOU PRESS THE BRAKE TO PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE CAR LUNGES WHEN LETTING OFF OF THE BRAKE. THEN THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND LOST ALL POWER. AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON THE LIGHT WENT AWAY BUT NOT THE LUNGING PROBLEM. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE BOUGHT THE CAR AND THEY DID A COMPUTER UPDATE. IT KIND OF FIXED THE PROBLEM. NOW ONE YEAR LATER IN JUNE OF 2012 THE CAR IS LURCHING AGAIN, BUT WORSE THAN EVER. WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE THROUGH LINE, I RELEASED MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. AFTER READING THE MANY REPORTS ONLINE FROM OTHER FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS, THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. AND THE THERE SEEMS TO BE NO FIX FOR THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIPS ARE THROWING PARTS AT CARS HOPING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT NONE SEEM TO BE WORKING. WHILE CAR OWNERS ARE PAYING EXORBITANT FEES TO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM FIXED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10463138
62,000 miles · Jun 26, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463110
111,000 miles · Jun 26, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE HOTEL, THE VALET PARKING DRIVER ALMOST HIT THE CAR ON THE FRONT BECAUSE OF SUDDEN ACCELERATOR OF THE TRANSMISSION. I ALSO ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR AFTER THAT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10463099
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