NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
199 reports160,000 miles · May 28, 2012
StructureVehicle Speed ControlCrash
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS CAR HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVING WAY IT LUNGED AND THE CAR RAN INTO MY CONCRETE STEPS CAUSING 3,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS. I REALLY HOPE YOU TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY BECAUSE ONCE LIV…
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FOR SEVERAL MONTHS CAR HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS. A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHILE PULLING INTO MY DRIVING WAY IT LUNGED AND THE CAR RAN INTO MY CONCRETE STEPS CAUSING 3,500 WORTH OF DAMAGE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD HAVE BEEN ONE OF MY DAUGHTERS. I REALLY HOPE YOU TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY BECAUSE ONCE LIVES ARE LOST YOU CAN'T GET THEM BACK. I JUST WANT FORD TO FESS UP AND TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS PROBLEM, SO I MAY GET IT FIXED AND NOT KILL OR INJURE ANYONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10459820
124,795 miles · May 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED . THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING FROM 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY AD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED . THE CONTACT WAS BRAKING FROM 15 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 124,795.
NHTSA ODI #10458324
94,500 miles · May 14, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD FIRST, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER THIGH, ARM AND CHEST, AND ALSO EXPERIENCED SHORTNESS OF BREATH. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD FIRST, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISING TO HER THIGH, ARM AND CHEST, AND ALSO EXPERIENCED SHORTNESS OF BREATH. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE POLICE REPORTED TO THE SCENE AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,500.
NHTSA ODI #10458295
140,000 miles · May 11, 2012
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED THAT OIL AND FREON WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPRESSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10458146
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
THERE IS A CHRONIC RECURRENCE OF THE ENGINE STALLING, JERKING, IDLE SPEED LOPING, IN LOW GEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE. AT START UP AND THE ENGINE IS COLD THERE IS LITTLE TO NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ONCE THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE IS REACHED (PER THE READOUT GAUGE), AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP, AND AS THE TRANSMISSI…
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THERE IS A CHRONIC RECURRENCE OF THE ENGINE STALLING, JERKING, IDLE SPEED LOPING, IN LOW GEAR FOR THIS VEHICLE. AT START UP AND THE ENGINE IS COLD THERE IS LITTLE TO NO PROBLEM. HOWEVER, ONCE THE NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE IS REACHED (PER THE READOUT GAUGE), AND UPON APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP, AND AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS THE ENGINE GOES DEAD OR STALLS, AFTER RE-STARTING AND AT IDLE, THE IDLE SPEED, PER THE INDICATOR, FLUCTUATES BACK AND FORTH FROM ABOUT 500 RPM'S TO 900 RPMS. PLACING THE GEAR SHIFT IN THE DRIVE POSITION CAUSES THE CAR TO JUMP PRIOR TO ACCELERATION. AT THIS POINT WHEN TAKING OFF THE CAR JERKS FORWARD. IT SMOOTHES OUT AFTER INCREASING THE SPEED, BUT PRIOR TO EACH STOP THE FLUCTUATING BEGINS AGAIN. *JS
NHTSA ODI #10452550
60,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE WILL SPEED UP ON ITS OWN. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS SEVERAL TIMES. IT SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. MY WIFE HAS NAMED THE CAR [XXX] AND SHE WON'T DRIVE IT ANYMORE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451467
87,000 miles · Mar 13, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WHEN REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN DRIVING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WHEN REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN DRIVING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000. UPDATED 04/11/12 *BF UPDATED 05/10121
NHTSA ODI #10451383
47,000 miles · Mar 10, 2012
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
SOME MONTHS AGO, MY CAR STARTED TO OSCILLATE IN RALENTI FROM 700 TO BELOW 500 RPM, WHEN BRAKING EVEN STOPS. SOME TIMES DECELERATE SUDDENLY, FREQUENTLY SLOW RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATE, ETC. FORD LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY ON THIS ENGINE MODELS, AND I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. I AM AWARE THIS IS…
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SOME MONTHS AGO, MY CAR STARTED TO OSCILLATE IN RALENTI FROM 700 TO BELOW 500 RPM, WHEN BRAKING EVEN STOPS. SOME TIMES DECELERATE SUDDENLY, FREQUENTLY SLOW RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATE, ETC. FORD LOCAL DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS A REGULAR PROBLEM WITH THIS THROTTLE BODY ON THIS ENGINE MODELS, AND I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. I AM AWARE THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE ON 3.0L V6 ENGINES DUE TO I HAVE A FRIEND WITH A MONTEGO 2005 WITH SAME PROBLEMS. SO FAR, NO FORD COMPANY RECALL WAS ADVISED. I DO NOT AGREE INTO REPLACE THIS PART, SHOULD BE FORD RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10451070
58,000 miles · Feb 27, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE AND ALSO WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 03/16/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN HE SHIFTED THE GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR FROM PARK TO REVERSE. IT CAUSED A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 05/10/12
NHTSA ODI #10449403
60,000 miles · Feb 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FIVE HUNDRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AFTER THE SECOND ATTEMPT. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10446866
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