NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports37,400 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH LURCHING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS WITH THE A/C ON. SEVERAL CLOSE MISSES OF ALMOST REARENDING SOMEONE DUE TO THIS ISSUE IN DRIVE TRUS AND OTHER PLACES WHENE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP AT A REDLIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE RPM WILL RAISE AND FEELS L…
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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH LURCHING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS WITH THE A/C ON. SEVERAL CLOSE MISSES OF ALMOST REARENDING SOMEONE DUE TO THIS ISSUE IN DRIVE TRUS AND OTHER PLACES WHENE SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP AT A REDLIGHT OR STOP SIGN. THE RPM WILL RAISE AND FEELS LIKE THE CAR WANTS TO GO FOWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON WHAT GEAR THE CAR IS IS THEN THE ENGINE WILL CUT OFF AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (WRENCH) WILL GO ON ON THE DASH. DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. TAKING IT TO THE DEALER NEXT WEEK TO SEE IF THEY CAN RETRIEVE THE CODE THAT MAY BE STORED ON THE CAR'S MAIL COMPUTER
NHTSA ODI #10412701
85,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
OUR2007 FORD FREESTYLE IS DOING SOMETHING EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED BY MANY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. NOT EVERY TIME, BUT INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR SURGES A FEW FEET. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WHEN IT DOES THIS OUR FOOT WILL BE ON THE BRAKE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE HAD …
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OUR2007 FORD FREESTYLE IS DOING SOMETHING EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED BY MANY OTHER OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. NOT EVERY TIME, BUT INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE REVS AND THE CAR SURGES A FEW FEET. MORE OFTEN THAN NOT WHEN IT DOES THIS OUR FOOT WILL BE ON THE BRAKE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT I MUST HAVE HAD PART OF MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. I NOW KNOW FOR SURE THAT NO PART OF MY FOOT IS ON THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THIS IS HAPPENING. WE ARE HAVING TO BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN DRIVING THE CAR, BECAUSE OF THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION. IF YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE WHEN PUTTING IT INTO GEAR, AND IF THERE WAS A PERSON OR A VEHICLE IN FRONT OR BEHIND YOU, YOU WOULD HIT THEM. INITIALLY IT MAY ONLY HAPPEN ONCE OR TWICE A MONTH, BUT NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY. WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY HAD NO IDEA WHY THIS WAS HAPPENING. NOW THAT OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, WE ARE JUST FINDING OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME DANGEROUS PROBLEM HAPPENING. I HAVE READ THAT IT IS BECAUSE OF A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY UNIT. I AM WORKING WITH A NEW DEALERSHIP TO TRY TO GET IT FIXED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
NHTSA ODI #10412041
120,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MOST FREQUENTLY OCCUR WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MOST FREQUENTLY OCCUR WHEN THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONING WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS DEBRIS IN THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND DISCOLORATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #10412037
67,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SURGING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN I TRY TO PARK AND BACKUP. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT STOPLIGHTS AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL CUT OFF. EVEN WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR STILL TRYS TO SURGE. ITS LIKE IT ACCELERATES ALL ON ITS OWN AND AT TIMES IT HAS EVEN BEEN H…
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I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SURGING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN I TRY TO PARK AND BACKUP. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT STOPLIGHTS AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL CUT OFF. EVEN WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR STILL TRYS TO SURGE. ITS LIKE IT ACCELERATES ALL ON ITS OWN AND AT TIMES IT HAS EVEN BEEN HARD TO STOP THE CAR DUE TO ISSUE. IT WAS ONLY HAPPENING OCCASIONALLY BUT NOW ITS HAPPENS QUITE A FEW TIMES A WEEK. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CAR DUE TO THIS PROBLEM..
NHTSA ODI #10412020
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNK…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEY HAD EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE WITH THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,691.
NHTSA ODI #10411995
70,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH ABRUPTLY TRAVELED TO THE THE FLOOR. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND ACCELERATED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH ABRUPTLY TRAVELED TO THE THE FLOOR. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE CONTACT DROVE UP A SLIGHT INCLINE AND ACCELERATED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10411991
86,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Power Train
DURING LOW SPEEDS, IDLING SPEEDS, CAR ACCELERATES OR SURGES. MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN AIR CONDITIONING IS RUNNING OR IN IDLE MODE IN DRIVE UP LINES. WRENCH WARNING LIGHT COMES ON. IF I TURN CAR OFF AND THEN BACK ON IT USUALLY REMOVES THE PROBLEM. OCCURS WHEN GOING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411972
52,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
THE CAR LEAPED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN. THIS HAPPENED ON 7/02/2011 FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE HAD THIS OCCUR SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, ALWAYS WHILE STOPPING OR PARKING THE CAR. IN ONE INSTANCE THE CAR WOULD OF STRUCK A LIGHT POLE, HAD THERE NOT BEEN A CURB THERE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHETHE…
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THE CAR LEAPED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN. THIS HAPPENED ON 7/02/2011 FOR THE FIRST TIME. WE HAD THIS OCCUR SEVERAL MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS, ALWAYS WHILE STOPPING OR PARKING THE CAR. IN ONE INSTANCE THE CAR WOULD OF STRUCK A LIGHT POLE, HAD THERE NOT BEEN A CURB THERE. THIS SEEMS TO OCCUR WHETHER THE CAR IS COLD OR HAS RUN FOR AWHILE. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO DRIVE THIS CAR LIKE IT MAY LEAP FORWARD AT ANYTIME. FORD NEEDS TO GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE SOME IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA ODI #10412634
97,980 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING AN ISSUE WITH LURCHING FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. SEVERAL CLOSE MISSES OF REARENDING SOMEONE DUE TO THIS ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE AND RECALL THESE VEHICLES. IT IS AN SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR SOMETIME. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411879
79,000 miles · Jul 11, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
MY CAR LUNGES ON ITS OWN. IT HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING. WHEN BACKING OUT THE DRIVEWAY, PULLING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH, OR TURNING FROM A STOP. I HAVE COME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING OTHER VEHICLES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10411872
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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