NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports50,000 miles · Aug 28, 2012
Power Train
LAST YEAR MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING, WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO WE PUT A NEW ONE IN. THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THE HUMMING NOISE RETURNED AND HAS GOTTEN LOUDER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAR IT IS IN THE TRANSMISSION PART. IT IS QUIET AS LONG AS IT IS NOT GOING DOWN THE ROAD. AS SOON AS YOU GET ANY…
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LAST YEAR MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING, WE THOUGHT IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR SO WE PUT A NEW ONE IN. THAT WORKED FOR A LITTLE WHILE, BUT THE HUMMING NOISE RETURNED AND HAS GOTTEN LOUDER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAR IT IS IN THE TRANSMISSION PART. IT IS QUIET AS LONG AS IT IS NOT GOING DOWN THE ROAD. AS SOON AS YOU GET ANY SPEED IT WHINES TERRIBLE. IT IS SO LOUD YOU CAN HEAR IT OVER LARGE EQUIPMENT RUNNING. THIS IS THE SECOND VEHICLE I HAVE PURCHASED FROM FORD WITH THE SAME FAILURE. IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED LIKE THE OTHER TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472815
105,202 miles · Aug 27, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
INCIDENT 1: VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD DURING A LOW SPEED TIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING WAS HIT. AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON. UNABLE TO REPEAT. INCIDENT 2: VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHILE BACKING A SMALL CAMPING TRAILER INTO A DRIVEWAY. DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING …
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INCIDENT 1: VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD DURING A LOW SPEED TIGHT TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT. DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING WAS HIT. AIR CONDITIONING WAS ON. UNABLE TO REPEAT. INCIDENT 2: VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD WHILE BACKING A SMALL CAMPING TRAILER INTO A DRIVEWAY. DRIVER'S RIGHT FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, NOTHING WAS HIT. STEERING WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT, AIR CONDITIONING ON. NO DAMAGE. UNABLE TO REPEAT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472656
75,000 miles · Aug 26, 2012
Power TrainStructure
LOUD WHIRRING NOISE WHICH GETS LOUDER WITH ACCELERATION AND IS REALLY LOUD GOING DOWNHILL WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOLDING BACK. ALSO HAVE TWO RUST SPOTS ON THE HOOD AND THE CAR IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN KEPT CLEAN AND IS WAXED AT LEAST ONCE PER YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472525
58,800 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS GOING TO PULL OUT INTO A 4 LANE ROAD AND WAS EASING UP TO SEE BETTER...OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATING. ONCE I GOT OUT INTO THE ROAD THE CAR JUST CUT OFF AND I HAD TO QUICKLY RESTART IT TO AVOID BEING HIT. THEN I TURNED IN TO CHIC FIL A AND WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU LINE. IT WAS A PRETTY LONG LINE SO WE WOULD …
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I WAS GOING TO PULL OUT INTO A 4 LANE ROAD AND WAS EASING UP TO SEE BETTER...OUT OF NOWHERE THE CAR BEGINS TO ACCELERATING. ONCE I GOT OUT INTO THE ROAD THE CAR JUST CUT OFF AND I HAD TO QUICKLY RESTART IT TO AVOID BEING HIT. THEN I TURNED IN TO CHIC FIL A AND WAS IN THE DRIVE THRU LINE. IT WAS A PRETTY LONG LINE SO WE WOULD EASE UP EVER FEW MINUTES. THE CAR JUMPS AND STARTS TO ACCELERATING AND I STOMP ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING SO MUCH THAT THE FORCE OF THE BRAKES STOPPING THE CAR MADE MY TIRES SQUEAL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472418
1,500 miles · Aug 23, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ELECTRIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,286. ..UPDATED 09-21-12*BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, SHE HAD JUST MADE A RIGHT TURN OUT OF A BUSINESS, AND THE VEHICLE JUST TOOK OFF TO THE RIGHT AND HIT THE CURB. THE DEALER SAID NOTHING COULD BE AS THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. AS MORE MILES WAS PUT ON THE VEHICLE, THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION WAS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK, BUT WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. UPDATED 09/25/12
NHTSA ODI #10472020
41,000 miles · Aug 23, 2012
EnginePower Train
WHEN STOPPED VEHICLE WILL LUNG FORWARD, IDLE WILL GO UP & DOWN CAUSING THIS TO LUNG, IDLE SPEED WILL VARY FROM ABOUT 600 RPM TO 1300 RPM THIS MAKES IT HARD TO PARK AND WHEN ON THE ROAD STOPPED, TOOK TO DEALER FOR REPAIR IN AUG OF 2010 REPAIR (CHANGED THROTTLE BODY) THAT LASTED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS AND STARTED AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472015
122,600 miles · Aug 22, 2012
Power Train
THE CAR STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHILE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, BEGAN MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHILE GOING IN REVERSE IN ADDITION TO THE NOISE IT WAS MAKING WHILE IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. IT IS NOW IN THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND COSTING ME $2,500 TO FIX MANY OF THE COMPONENTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION INCLUDING THE BEARINGS; T…
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THE CAR STARTED MAKING A NOISE WHILE IN PARK OR NEUTRAL. AFTER A FEW WEEKS, BEGAN MAKING A WHINING NOISE WHILE GOING IN REVERSE IN ADDITION TO THE NOISE IT WAS MAKING WHILE IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. IT IS NOW IN THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND COSTING ME $2,500 TO FIX MANY OF THE COMPONENTS WITH THE TRANSMISSION INCLUDING THE BEARINGS; TORQUE CONVERTER, FLUSH KIT AND SOME OTHER THINGS; ALONG WITH LABOR. I HAVE READ WHERE THIS TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471921
81,326 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK WHEN DRIVING UNDER 35 MPH OR ESPECIALLY WHEN AT AN IDLE. AIR IS NOT COOL AT ALL. THEN WHEN I SPEED UP, I HAVE AIR AGAIN ALTHOUGH OCCASIONALLY CAR WILL START TO DIE AND DASH LIGHTS UP AND THEN IT SURGES AND IS FINE AGAIN WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS IS MOSTLY WHEN IT IS HOT …
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AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK WHEN DRIVING UNDER 35 MPH OR ESPECIALLY WHEN AT AN IDLE. AIR IS NOT COOL AT ALL. THEN WHEN I SPEED UP, I HAVE AIR AGAIN ALTHOUGH OCCASIONALLY CAR WILL START TO DIE AND DASH LIGHTS UP AND THEN IT SURGES AND IS FINE AGAIN WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT HIGHER SPEEDS. THIS IS MOSTLY WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE. WHEN COOL OR RAINING, THE PROBLEM IS BETTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471635
17,236 miles · Aug 20, 2012
EnginePower Train
CAR LUNGES WHEN HOLDING FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE LUNGING IS GETTING WORSE. VERY SCARY. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK WHEN IDLING OR STOPPED; HAS BEGUN ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE AND THEN LUNGING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NOW. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS SINCE I GOT IT IN 2008, BUT WAS NOT AS SEVE…
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CAR LUNGES WHEN HOLDING FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE LUNGING IS GETTING WORSE. VERY SCARY. ALSO, AIR CONDITIONING DOES NOT WORK WHEN IDLING OR STOPPED; HAS BEGUN ACTING LIKE IT'S GOING TO DIE AND THEN LUNGING WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY NOW. THE CAR HAS DONE THIS SINCE I GOT IT IN 2008, BUT WAS NOT AS SEVERE AND BEING A WOMAN, WASN'T SURE IF THIS WAS JUST HOW THIS CAR ACTED FOR SOME WEIRD REASON. IT IS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE NOW. IT FEELS VERY DANGEROUS. NOW THE AIR CONDITIONER WON'T WORK WHEN CAR IS IDLING EITHER. IT WORKS GREAT WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR IN COOL OR RAINY WEATHER. MY LIFE IS DRIVING. I AM A HEALTHCARE CONTRACTOR AND MUST DRIVE OFTEN. I NEED MY CAR. I UNDERSTAND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ (A LOT) THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE FILING CLASS ACTION SUITS. I JUST WANT MY CAR FIXED ASAP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471629
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT RECURRING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS RUNNING AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS SLOWING DECELERATING TO ATTEMPT A TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT RECURRING UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURES. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS RUNNING AND WHEN THE CONTACT WAS SLOWING DECELERATING TO ATTEMPT A TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 10/03/12*LJ UPDATED 10/05/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10471552
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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