Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

95 reports

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28,405 miles · Nov 11, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

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I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK ON NOVEMBER 6, 2008. THIRTY MINUTES LATER, WHILE DRIVING, MY GAS GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS SO FRIGHTENED BY THIS, SO I DO NOT KNOW IF ANYTHING ELSE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WAS AFFECTED. MY SON WAS SCREAMING AT ME TO PULL OVER AND STOP, BUT THERE WAS NOWHERE TO STOP. ON NOVEMBER 7, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED MY FREESTYLE FOR 3 YEARS AND 4 MONTHS. IT ONLY HAS 28,405 MILES ON IT. I ALSO HAVE THE NEW BASECARE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY CHARGED ME $94.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSTICS. I WAS TOLD THE FUEL SENSOR IS BAD. IT WILL COST $400.00 TO REPLACE IT, AND THE EXTENDED WARRANTY DOES NOT COVER IT. I HAD TO REFUSE THIS COSTLY JOB. I AM TROUBLED THAT THE FREESTYLE HAS A DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR, AND EVEN MORE UPSET THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS USELESS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10248478

54,000 miles · May 12, 2008

Fuel System, Gasoline

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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, 54K MILES, WOULD INTERMITTENTLY SURGE OR HESITATE WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS WEEKEND THE CAR WOULD GO INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND SHUT DOWN, WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP OR SLOWING TO A STOP. THE DEALER HAS REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY TODAY AND I POSTED A NOTE ON THE FREESTYLE FORUM TO WARN OTHERS ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS CONTACTED BY DON WILLSON, OF THE VEXED VOLVOS.ORG ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE IN VOLVOS!!!! I WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE IN MY FORD WAS DESIGNED BY VOLVO. IT APPEARS THAT THEY ARE STILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH FAULTY THROTTLE BODIES THAT TELL THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10227504

33,000 miles · Jul 21, 2006

Fuel System, Gasoline

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN DECEMBER 2005. THE NHTSA RECALL, #05V515000 WAS REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE RECALL H…

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NHTSA ODI #10163080

8,000 miles · Dec 9, 2005

Fuel System, Gasoline

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V515000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144826

3,200 miles · Jul 14, 2005

Fuel System, GasolineFuel System, Other

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DT: ON JUNE 24, 2005 CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN GAS GAUGE WENT FROM ALMOST FULL TO EMPTY. CONSUMER STOPPED AT GAS STATION, AND THE VEHICLE ONLY TOOK A COUPLE DOLLARS OF GAS. CONSUMER THEN DROVE DOWN A MOUNTAIN TO GET TO FORD DEALER AND FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AGAIN. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE ATTEMPTED PULL OUT IT HESITATED FOR A WHILE BEFORE TAKING OFF. CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD GAVE HER AN EXTRA MILEAGE WARRANTY, EXTENDING IT TO 75,000 MILES. CONSUMER PICKED CAR UP ON JULY 8, 2005, AND THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM WILL FUEL GAUGE UNTIL JULY 10, 2005. CONSUMER SAID THAT AFTER FUELING VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT GAUGE DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. SHE ASSUMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10128798

Official recalls

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

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

PE11018 · 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.