NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports129,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Seat BeltsSeats
I FOLDED DOWN THE SECOND ROW 2/3 SEAT TO VACUUM MY SEATS AND THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND THE SEAT WON'T GO BACK UP. EWALD IN HARTFORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEN CHANGED THEIR MIND. THERE'S A WARNING STICKER SAYING NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THE THIRD ROW WHILE THE SEAT IN FRONT IS FOLDED. I'M STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MY KIDS IN T…
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I FOLDED DOWN THE SECOND ROW 2/3 SEAT TO VACUUM MY SEATS AND THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND THE SEAT WON'T GO BACK UP. EWALD IN HARTFORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEN CHANGED THEIR MIND. THERE'S A WARNING STICKER SAYING NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THE THIRD ROW WHILE THE SEAT IN FRONT IS FOLDED. I'M STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MY KIDS IN THE THIRD ROW. I HAVE 3 KIDS. EWALD SAID IT WOULD BE $600 SOME TO FIX IT AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I KNOW IT'S AN OLDER CAR BUT IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE EVER FOLDED THE SEAT DOWN BEFORE WHERE IT WOULD WEAR OUT. I FOLD THE SECOND ROW 1/3 SEAT DOWN ALL THE TIME TO LET SOMEONE IN THE BACK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL OR THE EWALD DEALERSHIP SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584668
235,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Power Train
THIS HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERYDAY, IF YOU STOP FOR A SHORT TIME EITHER LONG LIGHT OR PULL IN SOME WHERE AND TAKE OFF THE WRENCH COMES ON AND AT THAT POINT I KNOW THE CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 54 MILES PER HOUR AND ACTS LIKE IT WON'T UP SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR EVEN THOUGH I KNOW ITS A CVT , THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS , FO…
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THIS HAS HAPPENED ALMOST EVERYDAY, IF YOU STOP FOR A SHORT TIME EITHER LONG LIGHT OR PULL IN SOME WHERE AND TAKE OFF THE WRENCH COMES ON AND AT THAT POINT I KNOW THE CAR WILL NOT GO OVER 54 MILES PER HOUR AND ACTS LIKE IT WON'T UP SHIFT OUT OF SECOND GEAR EVEN THOUGH I KNOW ITS A CVT , THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND DANGEROUS , FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT , UNTIL ENOUGH PEOPLE DIE OR GET SEVERELY INJURED , I MUST BE LUCKY THOUGH MINE HAPPENS ALL THE TIME I KNOW IF I SHUT THE FREE STYLE OFF AND RE START IT GOES BACK TO NORMAL FOR A WHILE ... PEOPLE NEED TO PETITION FORD .... OR START A MASS LAWSUIT AGAINST WHAT SHOULD BE A MASSIVE RE-CALL , WHY IS THE GOVERNMENT NOT JUMPING IN TO FORCE ACTION , LIKE THEY ARE NOW DOING WITH GM ..... A 35K CAR SHOULD BE BUILT SAFER, TO WORRIED ABOUT EVERYONE WEARING SEATBELTS, BUT NOT ABOUT VEHICLES THAT LUNGE FORWARD OR JUST CAN'T ACCELERATE , THE TRANSMISSION IS JUNK AND WE PAY FOR IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10578786
97,000 miles · Apr 3, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION BURST AND SOME TIMES I WILL BE DRIVING AND THE ENGINE TOTALLY SHUTS OFF THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND FORD RAN A DIAGNOSTIC WITH NO APPARENT PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10577165
140,000 miles · Apr 2, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
STOPPED AT SIGNAL LIGHT, WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE RPM'S MOVED ERRATICALLY AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 35MPH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE WENT INTO "FAIL SAFE MODE" TRANSMISSION IS NONE REPAIRABLE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PREVIOUSLY HA…
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STOPPED AT SIGNAL LIGHT, WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, VEHICLE RPM'S MOVED ERRATICALLY AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT DRIVE ABOVE 35MPH. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD VEHICLE WENT INTO "FAIL SAFE MODE" TRANSMISSION IS NONE REPAIRABLE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. PREVIOUSLY HAD CAR SERVICED UNDER RECALL WITH THROTTLE. ONE DAY PRIOR, THE CAR "SURGED/LUNGED" WHEN PUT IN REVERSE. HAD RECALL DONE 12 MONTHS AGO AND JUST WENT OVER 12000 MILES SINCE WORK DONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10576669
79,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.
NHTSA ODI #10576010
20,000 miles · Mar 31, 2014
Electrical System
OWNED VEHICLE FOR THREE YEARS. 4-7 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ONLY IN CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY TURN OFF. SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN STARTING IT AGAIN WOULD RESULT IN NORMAL FUNCTION. GOT SO THAT I DID NOT EVEN HAVE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AS I COULD COMPLETE THE SWITCH OFF ON IN NEUTRAL AND RES…
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OWNED VEHICLE FOR THREE YEARS. 4-7 TIMES WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ONLY IN CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR WOULD COMPLETELY TURN OFF. SWITCHING THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN STARTING IT AGAIN WOULD RESULT IN NORMAL FUNCTION. GOT SO THAT I DID NOT EVEN HAVE TO PULL TO SIDE OF ROAD AS I COULD COMPLETE THE SWITCH OFF ON IN NEUTRAL AND RESTART WHOLE STILL IN MOTION. OCCURRENCE WAS RANDOM. ALWAYS WEEKS OR MONTHS APART. HAD DEALER CHECK SYSTEM THREE TIMES BUT NO CAUSE COULD BE FOUND. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10575860
54,000 miles · Mar 25, 2014
Power Train
WHEN CAR IS RUNNING THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, (HAS BEEN VERIFY BY A FORD DEALERSHIP) THAT IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER AND OUR EXT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ACCORDING TO DEALER. COST OF REPAIRS IS $6000 TO $8000. THIS SEEMS TO BE AND ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THEY HAVEN…
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WHEN CAR IS RUNNING THERE IS NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION, (HAS BEEN VERIFY BY A FORD DEALERSHIP) THAT IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION. IT HAS BEEN GETTING LOUDER AND OUR EXT WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED ACCORDING TO DEALER. COST OF REPAIRS IS $6000 TO $8000. THIS SEEMS TO BE AND ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, BUT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SAID THEY HAVEN'T HEARD OF THIS,FORD ALSO SAID WE SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT, BUT WE HAVE NO CHOICE. CAR ONLY HAS 64'000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10574826
117,000 miles · Mar 21, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOOSE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10574024
87,000 miles · Mar 20, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED WHILE IN IDLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER:…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SURGED WHILE IN IDLE. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS ALERTED TO THE FAILURE AND DECLINED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10573752
30,000 miles · Mar 10, 2014
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568221
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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