NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports117,000 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Unknown Or Other
WE PURCHASED A USED 2007 FREESTYLE IN NOV. 2010, WHEN WARM WEATHER CAME AROUND WE REALIZED THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK SO WE HAD IT FIXED. SINCE THEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OUR FREESTYLE HAS SURGED, OR LUNGED ON IT'S OWN, USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAS REALLY SCARED ME SEVERAL TIMES A…
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WE PURCHASED A USED 2007 FREESTYLE IN NOV. 2010, WHEN WARM WEATHER CAME AROUND WE REALIZED THE AIR CONDITIONER DID NOT WORK SO WE HAD IT FIXED. SINCE THEN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS OUR FREESTYLE HAS SURGED, OR LUNGED ON IT'S OWN, USUALLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND EVEN WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAS REALLY SCARED ME SEVERAL TIMES AS THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME I'M PARKING AND HAVE BEEN CLOSE ON THREE ACCOUNTS TO HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OR BACK OF ME. I ALSO WAS AT A STOP SIGN IN A PARKING LOT AND SOMEONE WAS WALKING IN THE CROSSWALK IN FRONT ON ME AND IT SURGED FORWARD, THANK GOODNESS NO ONE WAS HURT.
NHTSA ODI #10417277
68,250 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Unknown Or Other
2007 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE OUR FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS BEING USED (I.E.SUMMER MONTHS). THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED IT. NOW WE TRY TO REMEMBER TO BE AWARE BUT WE WANT IT FIXED. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BE FIXED AND THE…
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2007 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE OUR FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS BEING USED (I.E.SUMMER MONTHS). THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHEN WE FIRST NOTICED IT. NOW WE TRY TO REMEMBER TO BE AWARE BUT WE WANT IT FIXED. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO BE FIXED AND THEY CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT THE CAUSE IS. PLEASE HELP US GET THIS FIXED OR RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416424
65,000 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WE PURCHASED A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE ON JULY 18, 2011 FROM A REPUTABLE DEALERSHIP IN LITTLE ROCK, AR. ON JULY 19,2011 WE EXPERIENCED THREE UNEXPECTED "LUNGES" OF THE CAR, ALL AT SLOW SPEEDS OR STOPPED. IT HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST ONE MORE TIME WITHIN THE PAST 10 DAYS. IT WAS/IS QUITE UNNERVING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416421
88,957 miles · Jul 31, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD YESTERDAY WHILE IT WAS IN PARK AT AN ATM. I NOTICED THAT THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THIS HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. AT THE STOP LIGHT I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED TO …
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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGED FORWARD YESTERDAY WHILE IT WAS IN PARK AT AN ATM. I NOTICED THAT THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AFTER THIS HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD AND NOTICED THAT THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING PROPERLY. AT THE STOP LIGHT I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND RESTARTED IT, THE WRENCH LIGHT WENT OFF AND THE CAR SEEMED TO BE BACK TO NORMAL. I AM SCARED THAT IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND RESULT IN A WRECK, SINCE I HAD NO CONTROL OVER IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416380
48,500 miles · Jul 30, 2011
Unknown Or Other
INVOLUNTARY AND UNEXPECTED SUDDEN "LUNGING" WHEN STARTING, STOPPING, OR AT "IDLE" SPEED. USUALLY "LUNGES" FORWARD WHEN LIGHT PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO BRAKE AT "IDLE". FOOT IS NOT NECESSARILY ON THE ACCELERATOR. OCCURS IN GARAGE, PARKING LOTS, AND AT STOP LIGHT. COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DAMAGE.
NHTSA ODI #10417230
51,666 miles · Jul 30, 2011
Unknown Or Other
THIS CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD WHEN PUT IN PARK FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO. ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT, WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE ENGINE HESITATED A COUPLE OF TIMES LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. IT LURCHED FORWARD JUST BEFORE I PULLED OUT INTO THE ROAD. AS I CAME TO A YIELD SIGN I HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. …
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THIS CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING FORWARD WHEN PUT IN PARK FOR THE LAST MONTH OR SO. ON THE DATE OF THE INCIDENT, WHEN I PULLED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE THE ENGINE HESITATED A COUPLE OF TIMES LIKE IT WAS GOING TO CUT OFF. IT LURCHED FORWARD JUST BEFORE I PULLED OUT INTO THE ROAD. AS I CAME TO A YIELD SIGN I HAD TO STOP FOR TRAFFIC. WHEN IT WAS MY TURN TO GO, THE CAR MOVED FORWARD BUT AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON (SLOW AND LABORED). I DROVE TO THE NEXT PARKING LOT AND PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AND CALLED MY HUSBAND TO COME GET ME AND WE TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP. IT WAS SUNDAY EVENING SO WE LEFT IT THERE WITH A DETAILED REPORT AS TO WHAT HAPPENED. BY MONDAY EVENING WE PICKED UP THE REPAIRED CAR AND CONTACTED THIS ORGANIZATION. THE THROTTLE BODY -AIR INTAKE WAS REPLACED.
NHTSA ODI #10417228
73,300 miles · Jul 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
DANGEROUS VEHICLE SURGE WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE. THIS SAME EVENT HAS HAPPENED MANY OTHER TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416348
41,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND DRIVE ALTHOUGH HIS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ENGINE WAS IDLE THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED IN REVERSE AND DRIVE ALTHOUGH HIS FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR OR BRAKE PEDAL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000.
NHTSA ODI #10416254
47,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
JULY 4 2010 CAR SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN STOPPED. ABLE TO RESTART BUT COULD NOT GET ANY SPEED. ABLE TO GET TO FORD DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED TROTTLE BODY PROBLEM, WHICH COULD COST OER 700$. SPRAYED CARBON CLEANER IN WITH GAS, OK FOR A WHILE, BUT IT HAS HAPPED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE. IS THERE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416247
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVE (FROM PARK) THE ENGINE WOULD SPEED UP AND IT WOULD SURGE. IT WOULD DO IT MAYBE ONCE A WEEK. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS.IT IS VERY SCARY. WHEN IT SURGES,YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT FROM C…
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I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. ABOUT 4 OR 5 MONTHS AGO WHEN I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVE (FROM PARK) THE ENGINE WOULD SPEED UP AND IT WOULD SURGE. IT WOULD DO IT MAYBE ONCE A WEEK. IT HAS BEEN DOING IT EVERYDAY FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS.IT IS VERY SCARY. WHEN IT SURGES,YOU HAVE TO PUSH HARDER ON THE BRAKE TO STOP IT FROM CRASHING INTO SOMETHING OR SPEEDING OFF DOWN THE ROAD.WHEN YOU PUSH HARDER ON THE BRAKE THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF.I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME OVER $940 TO FIX A PROBLEM(THROTTLE BODY) THAT IS NOT MY FAULT NOR WAS CAUSED BY ME,AND MANY OTHER FORD FREESTYLES ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.THERE ARE 5 (INCLUDING MINE) THAT I KNOW OF THAT ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM,JUST IN THE SMALL TOWN THAT I LIVE IN. BUT THE DEALERSHIP WILL NOT FIX IT UNLESS I PAY $940,BECAUSE FORD HAS NOT RECALLED IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10416241
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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