NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
21 reportsClear category filter111,200 miles · Feb 12, 2021
EngineFuel/propulsion System
AFTER DRIVING HALF-HOUR IN HIGH-WAY SOUTHWARD ON I-45 IN THE MORNING. THE CAR CANNOT BE ACCELERATE AT AROUND 40MPH WHEN I RAMP UP TO 288, AND THE AUTO-LOCK LIGHT TURNED RED. SECONDS LATER, IT RECOVERED BACK. 2 MINUTES LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN . AND AGAIN . SO I PARKED IT . ~8-HOURS LATER, I STARTED IT AND THE AUTO-LOCK LIGHT …
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AFTER DRIVING HALF-HOUR IN HIGH-WAY SOUTHWARD ON I-45 IN THE MORNING. THE CAR CANNOT BE ACCELERATE AT AROUND 40MPH WHEN I RAMP UP TO 288, AND THE AUTO-LOCK LIGHT TURNED RED. SECONDS LATER, IT RECOVERED BACK. 2 MINUTES LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN . AND AGAIN . SO I PARKED IT . ~8-HOURS LATER, I STARTED IT AND THE AUTO-LOCK LIGHT RED AGAIN. SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE STOPPED WHEN I BACK THE CAR. I STEPPED ON GAS-PEDAL WHEN I TRIED 3RD TIME, AND THE CAR MOVED AND THE AUTO-LOCK LIGHT KEPT RED. 10-MINUTS LATER, WHEN I DRIVE ON 288-SOUTH AT ~60MPH, BOTH OF THE REPAIR LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT TURNED YELLOW AND THE AUTO-LOCK LIGHT OFF, SECONDS LATER, THE REPAIR LIGHT OFF. THE ENGINE LIGHT KEPT ON. SO I GET DOWN THE HIGHWAY, CANNOT ACCELERATE CAR WITH GAS-PEDAL ON AND CANNOT TURN STERRING WHEEL, THE CAR SLOW DOWN AND STOPPED BY ITSELF. 5-MINUTES LATER, I STARTED IT AGAIN WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH YELLOW, THE CAR MOVED AND 10 MINUTES LATER, I PARKED IT HOME.
NHTSA ODI #11395906
Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
I DON'T KNOW IF THIS BELONGS IN ENGINE OR FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF 'GAS PEDDLE' IN EITHER. THE DATE OF 07/17/2013 IS APPROXIMATE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN BETWEEN 2013 - 2015. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATES. IT WAS WHEN I WAS GOING TO A PAIN SPECIALIST IN BUFFALO AFTER MY REAR-END ACCIDENT IN MY PREVIOUS C…
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I DON'T KNOW IF THIS BELONGS IN ENGINE OR FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. THERE WAS NO MENTION OF 'GAS PEDDLE' IN EITHER. THE DATE OF 07/17/2013 IS APPROXIMATE. IT MAY HAVE BEEN BETWEEN 2013 - 2015. I AM NOT SURE OF THE EXACT DATES. IT WAS WHEN I WAS GOING TO A PAIN SPECIALIST IN BUFFALO AFTER MY REAR-END ACCIDENT IN MY PREVIOUS CAR IN JULY 2012. LOCATION - I-190 & NY-198 BUFFALO, NY 14207 42.930405, -78.899552 MERGE RAMP FROM THE NY-198 TO THE I-190 NORTH. 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED THE PROBLEM: THE GAS PEDDLE STUCK WHEN I HAD TO DO A FAST ACCELERATION / I FLOORED IT. I HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND PRESS THE GAS PEDDLE A COUPLE TIMES TO GET IT UNSTUCK. I HAD IT IN TO THE FORD DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY FIXED OR CLEANED SOMETHING. THE FORD DEALER SAID THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT $400.00 TO REPLACE THE COMPONENT IF THIS DIDN'T WORK. IT HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN I DID ANOTHER FAST ACCELERATION. I WAS ABLE AGAIN TO GET IT UNSTUCK. I HAVE NOT HAD THE OCCASION TO DO A FAST ACCELERATION SINCE. I DON'T RUN IT FAST IF I CAN HELP IT.
NHTSA ODI #11300540
240,000 miles · Jun 7, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE. THIS STARTED SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR A COUPLE YEARS AGO. THEY EITHER SERVICED OR REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR SO. NOW THE CAR SHAKES REALLY BAD ANYTIME WE HAVE TO STOP AND HAVE TO KEEP FOOT ON THE BRAKE REALLY HARD, SOMETIMES THE CAR DIE…
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VEHICLE SURGES WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE. THIS STARTED SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR A COUPLE YEARS AGO. THEY EITHER SERVICED OR REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THAT WORKED FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS OR SO. NOW THE CAR SHAKES REALLY BAD ANYTIME WE HAVE TO STOP AND HAVE TO KEEP FOOT ON THE BRAKE REALLY HARD, SOMETIMES THE CAR DIES DURING THIS TOO AS WELL AS GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. AS SOON AS YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE THE CAR ACCELERATES, CAN MAKE IT UP TO ALMOST 40 MPH WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING THE GAS. IT RUNS HORRIBLY IN THE HEAT TOO. ANY TEMP OVER 70 IT JERKS INTO 2 OR 3RD GEAR HARD WHEN STOPPING AND GOING.
NHTSA ODI #11218513
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2016
EnginePower Train
WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE OR DRIVES IT REVS. IN ORDER TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT I HAVE TO ENSURE THAT MY FEET ARE ON THE BRAKES AT ALL TIMES! THERE HAVE BEEN INSTANCES WHERE I'VE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT ME!
NHTSA ODI #10898093
124,000 miles · Jun 1, 2016
EnginePower Train
THERE HAS BEEN A CONTINUING ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN 2005, 2006, AND 2007 MY FORD 500/FREESTYLE AND MERCURY MONTEGO. THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE THROTTLE BODY & MAF SENSOR. WHAT IS NOW HAPPENING IS THE CARS EQUIPPED WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION CONTINUALLY BREAK DOWN AND COMPLETELY GOES DOWN. IT HAPPENS IN IDLE AND …
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
NHTSA ODI #10871761
71,000 miles · Aug 2, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE HAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUES. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHSTA BUT NOTHING CAME OF IT. THE CAR STILL ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN I PULL INTO PARKING SPACES OR LEAVING PARKING SPACES. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON OR BY THE BRAKE PEDAL AS TO NOT HIT OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE. HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING ON SEE…
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THE VEHICLE HAS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION ISSUES. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION BY THE NHSTA BUT NOTHING CAME OF IT. THE CAR STILL ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN WHEN I PULL INTO PARKING SPACES OR LEAVING PARKING SPACES. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON OR BY THE BRAKE PEDAL AS TO NOT HIT OTHER CARS OR PEOPLE. HAVING THE AIR CONDITIONING ON SEEMS TO WORSEN THIS PROBLEM SUBSTANTIALLY. IT IS COMPLETELY RANDOM AND I KNOW I'M NOT THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REOPEN YOUR INVESTIGATION AND MAKE SURE YOU HAVE BOTH THE AC ON AND OFF. IT'S MAINLY WHEN IT IS ON, BUT STILL COMPLETELY RANDOM. I DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE AND PROPERTY HAVEN'T BEEN INJURED OR DAMAGED AS A DIRECT RESULT OF THIS WELL KNOWN ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #10745649
30,000 miles · Nov 6, 2014
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR WILL SURGE WHEN YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. DOES IT IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL I AM AWAY FROM A CAR OR BUILDING AS IT WILL JUMP INTO THEM. I NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO DO IT. I ESTIMATED WHEN IT STARTED AND IS STILL DOING IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10653138
55,000 miles · Aug 30, 2014
EngineCrash
MY HUSBAND HAD AN ACCIDENT IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HE MISCALCULATED THE LENGTH OF AN NARROW ISLAND THAT HAD A CURBING AROUND IT. HE CUT THE CORNER AND DROVE OVER THE CURB AND DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OTHER CURB. BESIDES THE REAR FENDER DAMAGE, MORE DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED AT THE STATE INSPECTION. THE ROLL RESTRICTOR WAS TORN…
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MY HUSBAND HAD AN ACCIDENT IN A STORE PARKING LOT. HE MISCALCULATED THE LENGTH OF AN NARROW ISLAND THAT HAD A CURBING AROUND IT. HE CUT THE CORNER AND DROVE OVER THE CURB AND DOWN THE OTHER SIDE OF THE OTHER CURB. BESIDES THE REAR FENDER DAMAGE, MORE DAMAGE WAS DISCOVERED AT THE STATE INSPECTION. THE ROLL RESTRICTOR WAS TORN. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART KEEPS THE ENGINE FROM "ROLLING" FORWARD OR BACKWARD. IT IS PART OF THE ENGINE MOUNT SYSTEM AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IT MUST BE REPLACED OR THE CAR FAILS THE PA STATE INSPECTION. THIS REPAIR AND INSPECTIONS COST ME OVER $500. I BELIEVE THE ROLL RESTRICTOR WAS DAMAGED IN THE SUDDEN IMPACT OF THE CURB. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THAT ISSUE TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY BUT I HAVE NO PROOF. HOW COMMON IS THE FAILURE OF THIS PART? IS IT PART OF THE PA STATE INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10629643
62,600 miles · Nov 26, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train
WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR BEGAN TO SPOTTER AND SURGE. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. CAR STALLED OUT 2 TIMES ON THE WAY TO THE DEALER. DEALER WANTS $950 TO REPLACE THROTTLE BODY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10553851
126,489 miles · Nov 7, 2013
EnginePower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE EXACT DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE VEHICLE PRODUCED A LOUD NOISE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE EXACT DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,489.
NHTSA ODI #10551378
NHTSA investigations
1PE11018 · 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