NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
893 reports169,000 miles · May 2, 2017
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD REA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE APPROACHING A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD REACHED THE 10 YEAR WARRANTY AND NO ASSISTANCE WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000.
NHTSA ODI #10983054
150,582 miles · Mar 21, 2017
Power TrainCrash
AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD 'HELICOPTER SOUND' UNDER THE HOOD (TO WHICH I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT WAS THE TRANSMISSION (CVT)). WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, IT VIOLENTLY RACED FORWARD, HITTING THE BRICK WALL OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE PUSHED IT A FEW FEET BACK AND HAVE NOT RESTARTED THE CAR FOR FEAR OF THIS…
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AFTER STARTING THE CAR IN MY DRIVEWAY, I HEARD A LOUD 'HELICOPTER SOUND' UNDER THE HOOD (TO WHICH I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT WAS THE TRANSMISSION (CVT)). WHEN I PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE, IT VIOLENTLY RACED FORWARD, HITTING THE BRICK WALL OF MY HOUSE. I HAVE PUSHED IT A FEW FEET BACK AND HAVE NOT RESTARTED THE CAR FOR FEAR OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10967636
105,000 miles · Feb 2, 2017
Power Train
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE AWD IS SUFFERING FROM WELL KNOWN AND WIDELY REPORTED CVT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE MAKES "HELICOPTER" SOUNDS WHILE IN BOTH PARK AND NEUTRAL. MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS ARE WELL AWARE THAT CVT TRANSMISSION IS FAILING, AND FORD IS NOT SUPPLYING REPLACEMENT PARTS.
NHTSA ODI #10949105
224,000 miles · Jan 3, 2017
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A WHILE AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND BECAME STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AFTER A WHILE AND WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 224,000.
NHTSA ODI #10939184
149,965 miles · Dec 29, 2016
Fuel System, GasolineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
UNKNOWN REASON: ON DEC.28 2016 I@ 1535 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE #30 IN ARKANSAS. I WAS DRIVING @ A SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN ALL THE POWER WENT OFF IN MY CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON FLASHERS OR RESTART CAR. BEHIND ME WAS A 18 WHEELER AND ON MY RIGHT SIDE WAS A CAR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE …
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UNKNOWN REASON: ON DEC.28 2016 I@ 1535 I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE #30 IN ARKANSAS. I WAS DRIVING @ A SPEED OF 70 MPH WHEN ALL THE POWER WENT OFF IN MY CAR. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON FLASHERS OR RESTART CAR. BEHIND ME WAS A 18 WHEELER AND ON MY RIGHT SIDE WAS A CAR. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO LOSE SPEED. IT JUST SO HAPPENED THAT THE OTHER DRIVERS NOTICED I WAS IN TROUBLE. BOTH DRIVERS PUT THEIR HAZARD LIGHTS ON AND SLOWED TRAFFIC ENABLING ME TO STEER THE CAR ( WITH NO POWER) TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TURNED THE RADIO AND HEATER OFF AND TRIED TO RESTART IT. IT DID RESTART BUT I LEFT THE RADIO AND HEATER OFF. I WAS 34.1 MI FROM HOME. I PRAYED ALL THE WAY HOME AND DID NOT DRIVE OVER 60 MPH.( I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED !!!). WHEN I FINALLY ARRIVED AT HOME, I PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND THE CAR TURNED ITSELF OFF. THE CAR KEYS WERE STILL IN THE ON POSITION! I HAVE CHECKED THE FORD WEBSITE ONLINE,NHTSA WEBSITE, CALLED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER @ 1-866-436-7332 AND RISER FORD LINCOLN IN HOT SPRINGS, ARK @ 1 -888 -547 -3820 ( THIS IS WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR) TRYING TO FIND RECALL NOTICES. IF THERE ARE SOME PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10938630
36,000 miles · Nov 22, 2016
Wheels
ATTENTION RECALL DEPARTMENT::: DATE BELOW IS WHEN STARTED AN HAS PROGRESSED DURING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE , THIS VEHICLES RIMS HAVE BROKEN DOWN DUE TO SALTY ROADS , CAUSING TIRES TO DEFLATE WHILE DRIVING , THOUGH SLOWLY IT CAUSES A HAZARD TO DRIVER, PASSENGER, AN OTHERS ON THE ROAD, ? WHY WOULD A DESIGN FLAW OF THIS TYPE BE AL…
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ATTENTION RECALL DEPARTMENT::: DATE BELOW IS WHEN STARTED AN HAS PROGRESSED DURING OWNERSHIP OF VEHICLE , THIS VEHICLES RIMS HAVE BROKEN DOWN DUE TO SALTY ROADS , CAUSING TIRES TO DEFLATE WHILE DRIVING , THOUGH SLOWLY IT CAUSES A HAZARD TO DRIVER, PASSENGER, AN OTHERS ON THE ROAD, ? WHY WOULD A DESIGN FLAW OF THIS TYPE BE ALLOWED , IT ENDANGERS ALL IN AN AROUND WHILE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED ON THE ROAD . ALUMINUM WHEELS SHOULD NOT BE A STANDARD PART ON VEHICLES THAT ARE DRIVEN AN BOUGHT IN NORTHERN STATES WERE THIS CONDITIONS ARE A CONSTANT AN THIS DANGER EXSISITS TO THE PUBLIC , INCIDENTS THAT HAVE OCCURRED DURING DRIVES CONSIST OF MULTIPLE BLOWOUTS , WHILE TAKING MY SPOUSE TO VA DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS COMING OUT TO FIND TWO OR MORE TIRES WITHOUT ARE REQUIRING HAVING TO PURCHASE TIRE INFLATER CARRIED TO AIR BACK UP , BUT AS TIME GOES THAT DOESN'T WORK BECAUSE OF TIRE DAMAGE ITSELF DUE TO THE LACK OF PRESSUR LOST IN TIRES WHILE DRIVING WEARS THEM OUT TO BE REPLACED AT AN EARLY WEAR TIME SPAN . THIS PROBLEM I FEEL SHOULD LIE WITH THE MANUFACTURE . THE HARDSHIPS CAUSE BYE THE AREA DESIGN IS FAULTY, IT'S COMMON KNOWLEDGE THAT SALT BREAKS DOWN ALUMINUM , TO PLACE ALUMINUM WHEELS ON A VEHICLE PURCHASED IN MAINE !! IS LIKE SENDING ONE OF OUR SERVICE PERSONS. TO WAR WITH GUNS THAT BACK FIRE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION ON THIS MATTER ,GOD BLESS , AWAITING YOUR REPLY FOR A SAFE RESOLUTION TO A HAZARDOUS DESIGN .
NHTSA ODI #10927415
135,358 miles · Jul 29, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE MAKING A TURN AND STALLED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHOOK WHILE MAKING A TURN AND STALLED. THE FAILURE USUALLY OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. ... UPDATED 08/23/16 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10891669
181,087 miles · Jul 25, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE ACCELERATES (SURGES) WHEN STOPPED, ESPECIALLY WHEN PARKING OR REVERSING.
NHTSA ODI #10888129
Mileage unknown · Jul 16, 2016
Unknown Or Other
OUR 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING WHEN IT IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING INCREASINGLY FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND NOT ALWAYS PREDICTABLE. …
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OUR 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING WHEN IT IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAPPENS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING INCREASINGLY FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THERE HAS NOT BEEN AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL AND NOT ALWAYS PREDICTABLE. WE ARE VERY CAUTIOUS WHERE WE PARK AND TRY TO AVOID PARKING NEXT TO CARS(NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE) AND ESPECIALLY EXPENSIVE VEHICLES BECAUSE IT IS LIKELY THIS WILL CAUSE US TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT SOME POINT.
NHTSA ODI #10885258
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control
HAVING VEHICLE SURGING AND STALLING WHEN DECREASE SPEED - FOUND YOUR ACTION NUMBER PE11018 THAT DESCRIBES MY ISSUE. NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD SENT IN 2012 THAT ISSUES A FREE FIX FOR THIS. WE HAVE BEEN AT CURRENT ADDRESS 20+ YEARS. FIX IS TO 150K MILES AND WE ARE AT 156K - FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX. PLEASE HELP AS IT IS A …
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HAVING VEHICLE SURGING AND STALLING WHEN DECREASE SPEED - FOUND YOUR ACTION NUMBER PE11018 THAT DESCRIBES MY ISSUE. NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD SENT IN 2012 THAT ISSUES A FREE FIX FOR THIS. WE HAVE BEEN AT CURRENT ADDRESS 20+ YEARS. FIX IS TO 150K MILES AND WE ARE AT 156K - FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX. PLEASE HELP AS IT IS A DANGER TO MY FAMILY TO BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND I WOULD HAVE NEVER KNOWN ABOUT THE "RECALL" IF NOT FOR A FORD FORUM WHEN I WAS RESEARCHING THE ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10883565
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