I EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED AND OVERCOMPENSATING THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE BACKING UP. AT THE TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS ENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT ONE TURN FROM FULL LOCK. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLES SPEED WITH THE BRAKES AND NO INCIDENT RESULTED, HOWEVER WITHOUT A TIMELY RESPONSE THE OUTCOME MAY H…
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I EXPERIENCED AN UNCOMMANDED AND OVERCOMPENSATING THROTTLE RESPONSE WHILE BACKING UP. AT THE TIME THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR WAS ENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL ABOUT ONE TURN FROM FULL LOCK. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLES SPEED WITH THE BRAKES AND NO INCIDENT RESULTED, HOWEVER WITHOUT A TIMELY RESPONSE THE OUTCOME MAY HAVE TURNED OUT DIFFERENTLY. THE "WRENCH LIGHT" ILLUMINATED DURING THE OCCURRENCE BUT TURNED OFF AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR. THE THROTTLE DOES SERGE SLIGHTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED BUT IS BARLEY NOTICEABLE COMPARED TO A LOAD PLACED ON THE ENGINE AT IDLE. LOOKING BACK SEVERAL YEARS, WE ALSO HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME STARTING PROBLEMS, WHICH I THINK IS RELATED. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT, PART # 5F9Z9E926B. THE PROBLEM IS INCONSISTENT. I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED THE UNIT, ONLY CLEANED IT, WHICH IS NOT A SOLUTION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403713
80,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Power Train
PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2 YRS AFTER BUYING VEHICLE USED. WIFE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT AND VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS FAST. WIFE HAD TO BASICALLY STAND ON BRAKE TO GET IT TO STOP. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WENT INTO"FAIL-SAFE" MODE. IT SCARED HER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT SHE LEARNED QUICKLY TO EXP…
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PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 2 YRS AFTER BUYING VEHICLE USED. WIFE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOT AND VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO MOVE BACKWARDS FAST. WIFE HAD TO BASICALLY STAND ON BRAKE TO GET IT TO STOP. VEHICLE CUT OFF AND WENT INTO"FAIL-SAFE" MODE. IT SCARED HER THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, BUT SHE LEARNED QUICKLY TO EXPECT IT ESPECIALLY IF IT IS VERY WARM OUTSIDE OR A/C IS RUNNING. IT HAPPENED TO HER SEVERAL MORE TIMES THEN IT HAPPENED TO ME(I RARELY DRIVE THE CAR). THE ENGINE SEEMS TO RPM UP AND THEN THERE IS A LURCH -HAPPENS MOST OFTEN IN REVERSE, EVEN WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. BRAKE MUST BE PRESSED HARD. MY WIFE ESTIMATES IT HAPPENS ABOUT 5% OF THE TIME. OTHER THAN THAT HAS BEEN A GREAT CAR, VERY COMFORTABLE AND ROOMY
NHTSA ODI #10403310
140,000 miles · May 23, 2011
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE PLACED IN GEAR OR MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402486
42,090 miles · May 22, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
FIRST, LET ME START BY SAYING THAT I LIKE MY FORD FREESTYLE. IT IS A COMFORTABLE CAR WITH A SMOOTH RIDE. THE EVENT OCCURRED ONE WEEK AGO ON SUNDAY MAY 15TH. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 1PM. I WAS EXITING THE CHURCH PARKING LOT WITH THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER ON. I WAS IN A LINE OF CARS WAITING TO TU…
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FIRST, LET ME START BY SAYING THAT I LIKE MY FORD FREESTYLE. IT IS A COMFORTABLE CAR WITH A SMOOTH RIDE. THE EVENT OCCURRED ONE WEEK AGO ON SUNDAY MAY 15TH. IT WAS A SUNNY DAY, GOOD DRIVING CONDITIONS AT ABOUT 1PM. I WAS EXITING THE CHURCH PARKING LOT WITH THE RADIO AND AIR CONDITIONER ON. I WAS IN A LINE OF CARS WAITING TO TURN ONTO THE MAIN STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS IN GEAR IN THE "D"(DRIVE) POSITION. THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING, AND MY FOOT WAS IN MID-AIR (NEITHER ON THE ACCELERATOR NOR ON THE BRAKE) AS I WAS ANTICIPATING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME TO MOVE IN A FEW SECONDS. SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE REVVED SLIGHTLY AND THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD ABOUT ONE FOOT BEFORE I COULD APPLY THE BRAKE. I WAS VERY SURPRISED, AS THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, I HAD LEFT ABOUT 10 FEET ROOM BETWEEN MY CAR AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. ( I AM ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE THAT I DID NOT TOUCH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, NOR DID THE FLOOR MAT) IRONICALLY, A FEW DAYS LATER, I READ AN ARTICLE IN OUR NEWSPAPER ABOUT A CURRENT INVESTIGATION OF ABOUT 200 FORD FREESTYLES WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM THAT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING THE FORD FREESTYLE. THANK YOU FOR INVESTIGATING THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403248
81,500 miles · May 22, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
WHEN I BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR LUNGES BACKWARDS WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE GAS. THIS STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. ORIGINALLY IT WAS INTERMITTENT. NOW IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME. ORIGINALLY, IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. NOW AFTER I HAVE BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE, T…
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WHEN I BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE CAR LUNGES BACKWARDS WITHOUT ME PRESSING ON THE GAS. THIS STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. ORIGINALLY IT WAS INTERMITTENT. NOW IT HAPPENS ALL OF THE TIME. ORIGINALLY, IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. NOW AFTER I HAVE BACKED OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE AND PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE, THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. NOW THAT I KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, I'M VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE ESPECIALLY IN A SMALL PARKING LOT, IT WOULD BE VERY EASY TO HIT ANOTHER CAR. THIS IS AN ONGOING INCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402326
90,500 miles · May 22, 2011
Power Train
OUR FORD FREESTYLE HAD ITS A/C REPAIRED AND SINCE THEN HAS BEEN SURGING AT LOW IDLE OR WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. ON MAY 21, 2011 IT WAS THE HOTTEST DAY SINCE THE A/C WAS REPAIRED AND THE SURGING WAS WORSE. IT DID IT THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES AND THEN THE CAR DIED. I GOT IT STARTED AND 'LIMPED' HOME. TOOK IT TO THE D…
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OUR FORD FREESTYLE HAD ITS A/C REPAIRED AND SINCE THEN HAS BEEN SURGING AT LOW IDLE OR WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. ON MAY 21, 2011 IT WAS THE HOTTEST DAY SINCE THE A/C WAS REPAIRED AND THE SURGING WAS WORSE. IT DID IT THREE CONSECUTIVE TIMES AND THEN THE CAR DIED. I GOT IT STARTED AND 'LIMPED' HOME. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AS THEY SEEM TO BE THE ONLY ONES WHO KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE TYPE OF TRANSMISSION ON THIS. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND NOW SEE WHERE THE NTSB IS INVESTIGATING THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402308
94,000 miles · May 19, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
SUDDEN ACCELERATION- VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR WHEN FIRST PUT INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM. THE VEHICLE CAN BE STOPPED WITH EXTRA BRAKE APPLICATION. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN WARM TEMPERATURES. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT, THE VEHICLE IS O…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION- VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPED OR WHEN FIRST PUT INTO GEAR. THIS HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN THE WEATHER IS WARM. THE VEHICLE CAN BE STOPPED WITH EXTRA BRAKE APPLICATION. THIS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME IN WARM TEMPERATURES. I HAVE NOT HAD THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT, THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY AND AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS REPAIRED CONTINUE TO HAVE ISSUES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402004
85,000 miles · May 18, 2011
Power Train
ONLY HAD ONE EVENT BEFORE THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION,WHILE BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD NEARLY RUNNING INTO MY GARAGE,ONE WEEK LATER MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $5,000 DOLLARS. THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE …
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ONLY HAD ONE EVENT BEFORE THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION,WHILE BACKING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARD NEARLY RUNNING INTO MY GARAGE,ONE WEEK LATER MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST TO ME OF $5,000 DOLLARS. THE DEALER THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE PROBLEM BUT NO RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401462
107,400 miles · May 18, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION TOTALLY FAILED IN COLD WEATHER, STRANDING ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10401440
80,000 miles · May 17, 2011
Power Train
CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS EVEN WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE, ACCELERATES ON OWN. WRENCH LIGHTS UP THEN DIES. *TR
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.
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
2
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
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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