NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
36 reportsMileage unknown · Jun 19, 2013
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
IN THE FALL OF 2012, I NOTICED THE ENGINE WOULD 'REV UP' WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO 'LUNGE' IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE BRAKE FIRMLY DEPRESSED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SO NOW I HOLD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN I …
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IN THE FALL OF 2012, I NOTICED THE ENGINE WOULD 'REV UP' WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO 'LUNGE' IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE BRAKE FIRMLY DEPRESSED. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC WHO COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN SO NOW I HOLD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE FOR SEVERAL SECONDS WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IN DECEMBER 2012 OR JANUARY 2013, I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL LETTER FROM FORD FOR THE THROTTLE BODY. THE LETTER STATED EXACTLY WHAT MY CAR WAS DOING. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER (LB SMITH) ON FEBRUARY 18 TO REPAIR THE THROTTLE BODY PER THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER. THE 'REPAIR' DIDN'T FIX THE ISSUE. ON SATURDAY, MAY 11 WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT MY CAR 'LUNGED' FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT WHILE I HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO LB SMITH AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. I WAS INFORMED THE SAFETY RECALL WAS FOR A ONE TIME CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE BODY AND MY THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $750.00. I CALLED FORD'S TOLL FREE NUMBER TO SEE IF SOME ASSISTANCE COULD BE PROVIDED AS IT WAS A SAFETY RECALL THAT WASN'T FIXED. I WAS INFORMED THAT NO ASSISTANCE COULD BE GIVEN. SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS 'LUNGED' WHEN I SLOW DOWN TO PULL INTO GAS STATION PUMPS AND INTO PARKING SPACES. IT HAS ESCALATED FROM LUNGING WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR TO LUNGING WHEN I AM SITTING STILL AND WHEN I SLOW DOWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520674
109,000 miles · Jun 17, 2013
Power Train
USUALLY THIS HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A WHILE AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I WILL BE ACCELERATING SLOWLY AND WHEN I REACH 30-35 MPH (2 OR 3RD GEAR), SUDDENLY THE RPM'S WILL RACE WAY UP BUT THE CAR IS JUST COASTING AND NOT SHIFTING. I LET OFF THE GAS AND SOMETIMES IT WILL KICK INTO GEAR WHEN THE RPM RETURNS TO NORMAL. OTH…
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USUALLY THIS HAPPENS AFTER I HAVE BEEN DRIVING A WHILE AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY. I WILL BE ACCELERATING SLOWLY AND WHEN I REACH 30-35 MPH (2 OR 3RD GEAR), SUDDENLY THE RPM'S WILL RACE WAY UP BUT THE CAR IS JUST COASTING AND NOT SHIFTING. I LET OFF THE GAS AND SOMETIMES IT WILL KICK INTO GEAR WHEN THE RPM RETURNS TO NORMAL. OTHER TIMES IT HARD SHIFTS INTO THE NEXT GEAR, SOMETIMES THE RPM WILL RACE AGAIN AND I NEED TO COAST OFF THE ROAD AND COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM AND DOES NOT DO IT ALL THE TIME. IT WON'T DO IT WHEN I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. I AM AFRAID I WILL GET REAR ENDED ONE OF THESE TIMES ESPECIALLY IF I AM IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE WHERE I CANNOT GET OFF THE ROAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520064
99,100 miles · May 13, 2013
Electrical System
THIS IS THE 3RD HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY THAT'S BEEN REPLACED ON THE CAR, THE BULB KEEPS MELTING. I'VE CONTACTED FORD & THEY SAY THAT THERE'S NO PROBLEM OR COMPLAINTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511661
70,000 miles · Jan 12, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE TO PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. IT IS DANGEROUS, AS YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE LUNGING MOTION THAT COULD POSSIBLY PIN SOMEONE WALKING NEARBY AS YOU ARE PARKING THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORT…
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CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN PUTTING INTO GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE). IT IS EXTREMELY NOTICABLE TO PASSENGERS AND OTHERS. IT IS DANGEROUS, AS YOU HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE LUNGING MOTION THAT COULD POSSIBLY PIN SOMEONE WALKING NEARBY AS YOU ARE PARKING THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BY MANY AND ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN BY THE MAKER TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10492363
70,000 miles · Dec 7, 2012
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER BACKLIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10487640
65,000 miles · Nov 11, 2012
Equipment
THE FACTORY-SUPPLIED VEHICLE SERVICE JACK FAILED DURING A SPARE TIRE CHANGE. THE JACK IS A STANDARD MECHANICAL SCREW JACK WITH A 16-INCH LONG, 3/8-INCH DIAMETER HORIZONTAL BOLT SCREWED INTO A THREADED SUPPORT MEMBER IN THE JACK. THE THREADS IN THE THREADED SUPPORT MEMBER BECAME STRIPPED WHILE THE JACK WAS LIFTING THE VEHICLE, …
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THE FACTORY-SUPPLIED VEHICLE SERVICE JACK FAILED DURING A SPARE TIRE CHANGE. THE JACK IS A STANDARD MECHANICAL SCREW JACK WITH A 16-INCH LONG, 3/8-INCH DIAMETER HORIZONTAL BOLT SCREWED INTO A THREADED SUPPORT MEMBER IN THE JACK. THE THREADS IN THE THREADED SUPPORT MEMBER BECAME STRIPPED WHILE THE JACK WAS LIFTING THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE JACK TO FULLY COLLAPSE AND THE VEHICLE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE THREADED NUT IN THE SUPPORT MEMBER NO LONGER HOLDS THE 16-INCH BOLT IN PLACE, AND METAL SHAVINGS ARE SEEN ON THE HORIZONTAL BOLT. THERE IS NO SIGN OF THREAD WEAR ON THE BOLT ITSELF, SO THE FAILURE IS PURELY DUE TO THE THREADED NUT INSIDE THE SUPPORT MEMBER OF THE JACK. AT THE TIME OF THE COLLAPSE, THE BOLT WAS BEING TURNED USING THE FACTORY-SUPPLIED JACK HANDLE. THE JACK WAS RAISED APPROXIMATELY 10 VERTICAL INCHES FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BASE TO THE TOP OF THE CAR CONTACT POINT AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE JACK HAD NOT YET LIFTED THE VEHICLE ENOUGH OFF THE GROUND TO CHANGE THE TIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483977
85,000 miles · Oct 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10478109
39,145 miles · Sep 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE QUICKLY, THEN DECREASE JUST AS QUICKLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS BEING TU…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. YOU CAN HEAR THE ENGINE RPM INCREASE QUICKLY, THEN DECREASE JUST AS QUICKLY WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED IN REVERSE AND THE WHEEL IS BEING TURNED AND THE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN A MONTH AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10475979
82,000 miles · Aug 28, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS/SCARY "SURGING" PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. A WEB SEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PRETTY COMMON IN THIS AUTO BUT I HA…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS A SERIOUS/SCARY "SURGING" PROBLEM WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, PARK TO REVERSE, DRIVE TO REVERSE, REVERSE TO DRIVE OR WHEN SIMPLY MANEUVERING TO PARK. THIS PROBLEM BEGAN A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. A WEB SEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS PROBLEM IS PRETTY COMMON IN THIS AUTO BUT I HAVE YET TO SEE THE PROBLEM PINPOINTED. THIS IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472724
96,882 miles · Jul 5, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT THE CONTACT OFF, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY. THE POLICE WERE ON SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 MERCURY MONTEGO. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT THE CONTACT OFF, CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES AND WENT TO THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY. THE POLICE WERE ON SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. A COMPLAINT WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,882. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ UPDATED 09/4/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10464321
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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