NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
129 reportsClear category filter51,000 miles · Jun 22, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
THE VEHICLE ON A VERY HOT DAY 95 DEGREES OUT WITH THE A/C ON HIGH WAS PUT INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED BACKWARDS AND WENT INTO SAFETY MODE. HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN SAFETY MODE. MY WIFE SAYS IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO HER ALSO. THE UPPER MOTOR MOUNT ON THE ENGINE HAS TOTALLY FELL APART, THE RUBBER…
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THE VEHICLE ON A VERY HOT DAY 95 DEGREES OUT WITH THE A/C ON HIGH WAS PUT INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED BACKWARDS AND WENT INTO SAFETY MODE. HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN SAFETY MODE. MY WIFE SAYS IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO HER ALSO. THE UPPER MOTOR MOUNT ON THE ENGINE HAS TOTALLY FELL APART, THE RUBBER BUSHING DRIED OUT AND IS GONE. CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THE PART IS $230.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10408462
70,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY WIFE DRIVES A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE, WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. SHE KEEPS HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT STILL LUNGES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SHE PUTS THE CAR IN REVERSE. I DROVE THE CAR SATURDAY AND EXPERIENCED IT FOR MYSELF. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE AND AM D…
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MY WIFE DRIVES A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE, WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. SHE KEEPS HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT STILL LUNGES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SHE PUTS THE CAR IN REVERSE. I DROVE THE CAR SATURDAY AND EXPERIENCED IT FOR MYSELF. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE AND AM DEBATING PARKING THE VEHICLE UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10407564
35,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE WILL REV AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD. IT IS MUCH WORSE WITH THE AC ON, BUT DOES IT AT ANY TIME. IT HAS RECENTLY STARTING DOING THIS AFTER COMING TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WILL THEN SHUT OFF AND GO INTO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE AND HAS HAS LIMITED POWER. LUCKIL…
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WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE THE ENGINE WILL REV AND THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD. IT IS MUCH WORSE WITH THE AC ON, BUT DOES IT AT ANY TIME. IT HAS RECENTLY STARTING DOING THIS AFTER COMING TO A STOP WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR WILL THEN SHUT OFF AND GO INTO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE AND HAS HAS LIMITED POWER. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND US WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED.
NHTSA ODI #10407798
61,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL EXHIBITED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE. VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABOUT 2 FEET WHILE MOVING FOOT FROM ACCELERATOR TO BRAKE. ENGINE SPEED RETURNED TO IDLE ONCE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10405332
42,000 miles · Jun 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
VEHICLE LUNGING INTO REVERSE 1. EVENTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE RAPIDLY 2. OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE ENGINE IS HOT, BUT USUALLY THE WEATHER IS WARM. 3. WHEN FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN 2008, WAS TOLD THE PART TO REPLACE WAS THE THROTTLE B…
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VEHICLE LUNGING INTO REVERSE 1. EVENTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE RAPIDLY 2. OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE ENGINE IS HOT, BUT USUALLY THE WEATHER IS WARM. 3. WHEN FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN 2008, WAS TOLD THE PART TO REPLACE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE FOR 12 MONTHS. NEVER REPLACED THE PARTS. LEARNED TO KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404537
61,000 miles · Jun 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFT…
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AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WITH THE AC ON. THE COMPRESSOR DIED, SO WE HAD IT REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. WE HAVE NOT CRASHED INTO ANYTHING BUT HAVE COME VERY CLOSE. IT IS TROUBLING SINCE IT OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS, MEANING WE'RE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CARS, PEOPLE, AND BUILDINGS WHEN THE ENGINE SURGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403979
105,000 miles · May 24, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
FORD FREESTYLE STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DISABLING THE POWERED STEERING AMONG OTHER THINGS AND CAUSES VERY UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THIS WILL USUALLY START WITH SOME HESITATIONS OF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT DIES. OFTEN IT STALLS WHILE TAKING OFF FROM STANDSTILL AS WELL EITHER FORWARD OR GOING IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES THERE IS SUR…
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FORD FREESTYLE STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, DISABLING THE POWERED STEERING AMONG OTHER THINGS AND CAUSES VERY UNSAFE SITUATIONS. THIS WILL USUALLY START WITH SOME HESITATIONS OF THE ENGINE AND THEN IT DIES. OFTEN IT STALLS WHILE TAKING OFF FROM STANDSTILL AS WELL EITHER FORWARD OR GOING IN REVERSE. SOMETIMES THERE IS SURGING OF THE ENGINE AS WELL, ESPECIALLY WHILE USING AC OR TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS HAS CAUSED MANY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS ON THE ROAD WHERE ALL OF THE SUDDEN WE STALL IN MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ABOUT THREE TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES, LAST TIME FOR FUEL SYSTEM CLEANING BUT THIS HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402580
68,750 miles · May 17, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
I NOTICED ON YESTERDAY'S NEWS THAT MY VEHICLE AND PROBLEM IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, SO I WANT TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE NUMBER WHO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES UNEXPECTEDLY. IT WILL ONLY OCCUR FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BOTH TIM…
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I NOTICED ON YESTERDAY'S NEWS THAT MY VEHICLE AND PROBLEM IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, SO I WANT TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE NUMBER WHO HAVE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES UNEXPECTEDLY. IT WILL ONLY OCCUR FOR A FEW SECONDS. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 1.5 YEARS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. BOTH TIMES I WAS TRAVELING VERY SLOWLY PREPARING TO ENTER A PARKING STALL. FORTUNATELY I ALREADY HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, SO NOT DAMAGE OR INJURIES OCCURRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401336
79,000 miles · Feb 18, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AND IN REVERSE, EVEN WHEN FOOT IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS NEARLY EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND WHILE MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOTS. THE SURGES ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND OCCUR MAINLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INITIALLY PLACED INTO DR…
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VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD AND IN REVERSE, EVEN WHEN FOOT IS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS NEARLY EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND IS VERY DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IN TRAFFIC AND WHILE MANEUVERING IN PARKING LOTS. THE SURGES ARE UNPREDICTABLE AND OCCUR MAINLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS INITIALLY PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, BUT CAN HAPPEN RANDOMLY WHILE JUST SITTING WITH IT IN GEAR. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER TWO YEARS NOW. THE ENGINE SAFE LIGHT HAS COME ON TWO OCCASIONS IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS AS WELL, BUT HAS CLEARED ITSELF AFTER SWITCHING THE CAR OFF, THEN BACK ON. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10383252
125,000 miles · Dec 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD FREESTYLE-THE AC COMPRESSOR AND DRIER WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 93,000 MILES THROUGH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT ONLY COST ME 75.00 . NO BIG DEAL RIGHT. THE TOTAL BILL WAS NEARLY 1600.00 FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY. NOW AT 125,000 MILES, IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. NO WARRANTY. I'VE TO PAY. IT IS GOING TO COST ABOUT 1600.00. …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE-THE AC COMPRESSOR AND DRIER WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 93,000 MILES THROUGH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT ONLY COST ME 75.00 . NO BIG DEAL RIGHT. THE TOTAL BILL WAS NEARLY 1600.00 FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY. NOW AT 125,000 MILES, IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. NO WARRANTY. I'VE TO PAY. IT IS GOING TO COST ABOUT 1600.00. NOW THEY CAN'T FIND A COMPRESSOR AND ARE BACK ORDERED UNTIL APRIL OF 2011. I HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPRESSOR GO OUT ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. APPROXIMATELY 20 CARS IN THIRTY FIVE YEARS OF DRIVING. SEVERAL WITH OVER 250,000 MILES. IF AC COMPR. ARE ON BACK ORDER, MANY MUST BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED HELP. THIS IS A RIP OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372389
Official recalls
2Oct 5, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
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
PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure
Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO FORD STATES, THE VEHICLE'S EXTERIOR LIGHTING WOULD NOT FAIL TO ILLUMINATE EVEN IN THE EVENT OF POWER INTERRUPTION TO THE CLUSTER BECAUSE THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ARE POWERED SEPARATELY AND DO NOT RELY ON ANY SIGNAL FROM THE CLUSTER.ADDITIONALLY, ODI CONTACTED COMPLAINANTS WHO AFFIRMED THE INTERMITTENT CONDITION AND THAT NONE OF THE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WOULD BE AFFECTED BY POWER INTERRUPTIONS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
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