NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports19,000 miles · Jun 25, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SURGED, AND EMITTED A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE HESITATED, SURGED, AND EMITTED A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY ONCE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.
NHTSA ODI #10463005
51,000 miles · Jun 24, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLES ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKE IS ON. HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND FOR BOTH DRIVERS OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUST SURGES FORWARD A SHORT DISTANCE. DON'T KNOW EXACT FIRST DATE AS IT WAS INFREQUENT AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I WAS IMAGINING IT. SECOND DRIVER OF VEHICLE CONFIRMED PROBLEM. ONLY GOES FORWARD A FEW INCHES …
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLES ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKE IS ON. HAS HAPPENED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND FOR BOTH DRIVERS OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE JUST SURGES FORWARD A SHORT DISTANCE. DON'T KNOW EXACT FIRST DATE AS IT WAS INFREQUENT AND I THOUGHT MAYBE I WAS IMAGINING IT. SECOND DRIVER OF VEHICLE CONFIRMED PROBLEM. ONLY GOES FORWARD A FEW INCHES BUT VERY SCARY AND FREQUENCY IS INCREASING. WILL BE TAKING TO SHOP. SEE THIS IS LISTED ON WEB SITES AS A FREQUENT PROBLEM WITH THE 2007 FREESTYLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462883
40,000 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Engine
WHEN I'M PARKED THE ENGINE REVS UP OR WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE IT SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN I'M REVERSING OR JUMP AND LUNGE WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S TERRIFYING BECAUSE IT'S SPED UP ON IT'S OWN SO QUICKLY THAT I'VE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL WRECKS. I WON'T EVEN LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE…
Read full complaint
WHEN I'M PARKED THE ENGINE REVS UP OR WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE IT SPEEDS UP, EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR WILL STALL OUT WHEN I'M REVERSING OR JUMP AND LUNGE WHEN I'M DRIVING. IT'S TERRIFYING BECAUSE IT'S SPED UP ON IT'S OWN SO QUICKLY THAT I'VE ALMOST HAD SEVERAL WRECKS. I WON'T EVEN LET ANYONE ELSE DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE AND A LIABILITY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462818
5 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System
OUR CAR HAS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. MOSTLY WHEN IT IS HOT OUT. IT WILL ACCELERATE EITHER IN REVERSE OR FORWARD WITHOUT EVEN HAVING OUR FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ON 6/21/2012 IT ALMOST FORDCED US OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10462731
75,000 miles · Jun 22, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE WHEN DECELERATING OR SITTING IDLE, IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TWO ADDITIONAL MECHANICS WHO ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE WHEN DECELERATING OR SITTING IDLE, IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND TWO ADDITIONAL MECHANICS WHO ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462692
80,000 miles · Jun 21, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LAMP ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHETHER DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION WARNING LAMP ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR WHETHER DRIVING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462596
70,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOMENTS AFTER THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOMENTS AFTER THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
NHTSA ODI #10462256
72,567 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Power Train
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IT STARTED LUNGING WHEN PLACED IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS THE SAME AS THE MANY MANY OTHER 05-07 FREESTYLES I HAVE RED ABOUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. SOME DAY THIS MAY RESULT IN A DEATH. THE FREESTYLE IS A FAMILY CAR, WHICH MEANS THERE ARE CHILDREN AROUND IT…
Read full complaint
ABOUT A WEEK AFTER I BOUGHT MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IT STARTED LUNGING WHEN PLACED IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS THE SAME AS THE MANY MANY OTHER 05-07 FREESTYLES I HAVE RED ABOUT. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. SOME DAY THIS MAY RESULT IN A DEATH. THE FREESTYLE IS A FAMILY CAR, WHICH MEANS THERE ARE CHILDREN AROUND IT. THINK ABOUT WHAT YOU WOULD WANT DONE IF THIS CAR ATTACKED YOUR CHILD. LIFE IS WORTH MUCH MORE THAN A RECALL ON A FLAWED CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10462193
80,000 miles · Jun 15, 2012
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD NECESSITATING A VERY QUICK CHANGE OF FOOT POSITION FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER BRINGING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AGAIN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE REPEATED LURCHING MOVEMENTS, AND AGAIN NECE…
Read full complaint
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD NECESSITATING A VERY QUICK CHANGE OF FOOT POSITION FROM GAS PEDAL TO BRAKE PEDAL. AFTER BRINGING VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP AND AGAIN ATTEMPTING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO A PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE REPEATED LURCHING MOVEMENTS, AND AGAIN NECESSITATED RAPID CHANGE OF FOOT POSITION TO BRAKE. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT PROBLEM, NOT ONLY WHEN MOVING FORWARD, BUT ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN INSPECTED SEVERAL TIMES AT A CERTIFIED FORD DEALERSHIP, WITH NO OBVIOUS DEFECTS DETECTED. ONLINE DEFECTS SEARCH LISTS NUMEROUS REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH SOLUTION BEING TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY, A VERY COSTLY REPAIR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10461849
139,000 miles · Jun 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN THE RPMS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 5 MPH IN REVERSE, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN THE RPMS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE WAS ALSO DIAGNOSED BY A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. ... UPDATED 08/15/12 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10461628
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
Illustration