NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports36,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE ACCELERATING, AND SURGE BACKWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY DID …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE ACCELERATING, AND SURGE BACKWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN IN EITHER DIRECTION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER; HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. A PRIVATE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAULTY AND THAT HE SHOULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER FOR CONFIRMATION. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10418070
Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE SEL HAS A LUNGING ACTION WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LAST OCTOBER. THE LUNGING WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SUNDAY IF THERE WASN'T AMPLE SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DIDN'T SEE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS AND DEC…
Read full complaint
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE SEL HAS A LUNGING ACTION WHEN THE CAR IS IN DRIVE. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE LAST OCTOBER. THE LUNGING WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT SUNDAY IF THERE WASN'T AMPLE SPACE BETWEEN ME AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I DIDN'T SEE A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT I HAVE SEEN COMPLAINTS AND DECIDED TO SUBMIT THIS. HOPEFULLY, THIS PROBLEM WILL BE EVALUATED BEFORE IT CAUSES A FATALITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418024
95,278 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER OR A MECHANIC TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,278.
NHTSA ODI #10417996
57,500 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Fuel System, OtherVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2007 FORD FREESTYLE, WHILE IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN I PUTT IT IN DRIVE. I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE LUNGING QUICKLY CEASED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 08/03/2011 THIS TIME THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TODAY 08/08/2011 THAT IT IS THE…
Read full complaint
I WAS DRIVING MY WIFE'S 2007 FORD FREESTYLE, WHILE IN REVERSE THE CAR BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN I PUTT IT IN DRIVE. I QUICKLY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE LUNGING QUICKLY CEASED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ON 08/03/2011 THIS TIME THE CAR SHUT OFF AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME TODAY 08/08/2011 THAT IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND NEEDS REPLACING. NO ACCIDENTS OCCURRED FROM THESE INCIDENTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10417956
96,809 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Unknown Or Other
TRANSMISSION (CVT) STARTED MAKING NOISES AND LUNGING FORWARD EVEN WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE. HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. ON MAY 13TH, 2011 TOOK VEHICLE BACK IN FOR THE LUNGING FORWARD ISSUE. HAD AIR FILTER REPLACED DUE TO NOT SEALING PROPERLY AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF THE LUNGING. IT WAS FINE FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION (CVT) STARTED MAKING NOISES AND LUNGING FORWARD EVEN WHEN FOOT ON BRAKE. HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. ON MAY 13TH, 2011 TOOK VEHICLE BACK IN FOR THE LUNGING FORWARD ISSUE. HAD AIR FILTER REPLACED DUE TO NOT SEALING PROPERLY AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY TAKE CARE OF THE LUNGING. IT WAS FINE FINE FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND THE LUNGING IS HAPPENING NOW ON A DAILY BASIS AND IT'S VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND ALSO PARKING IN THE GARAGE IT HAS ALMOST HIT THE GARAGE WALL BECAUSE IT LUNGED FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE.
NHTSA ODI #10418753
120,000 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY CAR HAS BEGAN LUNGING FORWARD AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE I AM DRIVING. IT HAS ALSO DIED SEVERAL TIMES. THIS PROBLEM DOES SEEM TO BE WORSE WHILE GOING SLOW AND WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417878
57,600 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY FORD 2007 FREESTYLE SEL AND I WAS EXITING A PARKING GARAGE AND WHILE I WAS SITTING TO LEAVE THE LOT WHILE HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, MY CAR LUNGED APPROX. 2 FEET ON IT'S ON. I WAS ABLE TO PREVENT OTHE VEHICLE FROM HITTING ANYONE'S CAR OR PERSON. THIS WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417877
128,000 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE SEL PROBLEMS STARTED OUT WITH THE WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHED 90 DEGREES.IT WOULD SURGE VIOLENTLY WHEN PUT IN REVERSE,AND HAD NO POWER AFTER THAT.TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RE-STARTING WOULD CLEAR THE PROBLEM.IT NOW SURGES VIOLENTLY WHEN BACKING UP,OR MANUVERING…
Read full complaint
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE SEL PROBLEMS STARTED OUT WITH THE WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON OCCASIONALLY WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE REACHED 90 DEGREES.IT WOULD SURGE VIOLENTLY WHEN PUT IN REVERSE,AND HAD NO POWER AFTER THAT.TURNING THE ENGINE OFF AND RE-STARTING WOULD CLEAR THE PROBLEM.IT NOW SURGES VIOLENTLY WHEN BACKING UP,OR MANUVERING AT SLOW SPEEDS .IT RUNS FINE ON THE OPEN HI-WAY,BUT WILL STALL AT A STOP.THE ENGINE RACES WHEN SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE,OR INTO PARK.I HAVE READ WHERE OTHERS ARE EXPERIENCING THIS SAME PROBLEM,AND YET FORD MOTORS CONTINUES TO IGNORE THE ISSUE.I ALSO READ WHERE HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS HAVE BEEN SPENT BY OTHERS ,AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS.I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALER FOR 8/08/11,AND DREADING THE COST TO REPAIR A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN APPARENT FOR SOME TIME. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417813
83,200 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Unknown Or Other
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR IN FACT IT WAS LIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS EASING INTO THE SPOT. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HUMMING NOISE WITH THE RPM'S HOVERING ABOVE NORM…
Read full complaint
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR IN FACT IT WAS LIGHTLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AS I WAS EASING INTO THE SPOT. FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HUMMING NOISE WITH THE RPM'S HOVERING ABOVE NORMAL. A REDUCTION IN POWER OCCURS AT LOWER SPEEDS ESPECIALLY WITH A/C ON. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE, HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME MECHANICAL PROBLEMS IN THE SAME VEHICLE AS MY OWN. APPEARS FROM PREVIOUS REPORTS READ THAT THE ISSUE HAS TO DO WITH A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY.
NHTSA ODI #10418688
106,028 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash
WHILE PULLING IN TO PARK, WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND APPLYING BRAKE TO STOP, MY VEHICLE RPMS SURGED. I HAD TO SHARPLY APPLY ADDITIONAL BRAKE, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE STRUCK A BOLLARD. TODAY'S EPISODE IS ANOTHER IN A LONG STRING OF SUDDEN RPM SURGE EVENTS DATING BACK TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEWLY PURCHASED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHI…
Read full complaint
WHILE PULLING IN TO PARK, WITH FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND APPLYING BRAKE TO STOP, MY VEHICLE RPMS SURGED. I HAD TO SHARPLY APPLY ADDITIONAL BRAKE, HOWEVER MY VEHICLE STRUCK A BOLLARD. TODAY'S EPISODE IS ANOTHER IN A LONG STRING OF SUDDEN RPM SURGE EVENTS DATING BACK TO WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEWLY PURCHASED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY OUR LOCAL FORD/LINCOLN DEALERSHIP THREE TIMES, WITH NO CORRECTIVE ACTION TAKEN. WE HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS UNSAFE CONDITION AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY ASSISTANCE FROM FORD. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417803
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