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

Power Train complaints

447 reports

Clear category filter

100,000 miles · May 16, 2011

Power TrainCrash

UNINTENDED MOVEMENT, WHEN BRAKE WAS APPLIED ENGINE SEEMED TO THROTTLED AND SHIFTED UP WITHOUT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR AND CONTINUE MOVING UNTIL BRAKE PRESSED AGAIN AND EMERGENCY BRAKE APPLIED AND CAR HIT CURB. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10401004

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2011

Power Train

THE VEHICLE LURCHES AFTER SITTING IN PARK. IT HAPPENS IN REVERSE AND DRIVE. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE OKAY IN THE COLDER MONTHS, BUT WHEN THE HEAT/HUMIDITY HIT THE CAR BEGINS TO LURCH UNCONTROLLABLY. A FEW TIMES IT HAS GONE INTO FAIL SAFE MODE AND I'VE HAD TO RESTART IT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IN PARKING LOTS AND AROUND P…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10399766

86,100 miles · Apr 1, 2011

Power Train

Read full complaint

USUALLY FROM A DEAD STOP OR WHEN THE CAR IS SHIFTING DOWN AS I BEGIN TO STOP, IT WILL REV ON IT'S OWN AND LURCH. MANY TIMES FROM A DEAD STOP THE CAR HAS REVED AND LURCHED ON IT'S OWN. THIS HAPPENS IN DRIVE AND REVERSE AND SEEMS RANDOM. I BELIEVE THE DIFFICULTY LIES IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH FORD REFUSES TO PRODUCE A RECALL ON AND HAS HAD DIFFICULTY BUILDING REPLACEMENT PARTS SO MANY OF US ARE STUCK WITH UNSAFE VEHICLES. TODAY, THE CAR REVED AND LURCHED AND THE "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" CAME ON AND THE CAR LOST POWER. I REFUSE TO LET MY TEENAGED CHILDREN DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE I BELIEVE IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND FEAR THAT THE PROBLEM WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10393999

40,000 miles · Mar 29, 2011

Power Train

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE MECHANIC STATED THE TORQUE MOUNT FOR THE ENGINE WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TORQUE MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO STATED THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COSTS OF REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BUT THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

NHTSA ODI #10393629

65,000 miles · Mar 8, 2011

Electrical SystemPower Train

Read full complaint

OVER A PERIOD OF ABOUT 2 SUMMERS, THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WOULD SURGE WHILE SITTING AT AN INTERSECTION OR SLOWING DURING THE APPROACH. THE SURGE WAS A RAPID ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH REQUIRED A HEAVY, OR A QUICK BRAKE. A QUICK RESPONSE WAS REQUIRED TO AVOID A REAR-END COLLISION, ENTERING AN INTERSECTION, OR STRIKING A PEDESTRIAN. THE SURGES SEEM TO BE RELATED TO THE OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE CAR HAD GONE INTO A "FAIL-SAFE" MODE WHILE SITTING IN A DRIVE-THRU. I BEGAN USING THE AC SPARINGLY AND WOULD TURN OFF THE AC COMPLETELY WHEN DRIVING IN THE CITY OR APPROACHING AND INTERSECTION. HOWEVER, WHILE APPROACHING A TURN ON A STATE ROUTE, WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHUTDOWN LEAVING THE VEHICLE EXPOSED TO ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THE DATE LISTED BELOW IS AN APPROXIMATION. AROUND THE SAME TIME TOYOTA WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH "RUN-AWAY" VEHICLES, I CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ALERTING THEM OF THIS HAZARD. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE "COMPUTER" COULD NOT/DID NOT SHOW ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE "FAIL-SAFE". ON-LINE, IT APPEARS THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE PROBLEMS. DUE TO THE SEASON, I WILL NOT KNOW IF THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I'M HOPING THAT THE FAMILY ISN'T IN THE CAR IF IT WASN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10386840

68,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011

Power Train

Read full complaint

BOUGHT OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW. SUMMER 2010 BEGAN HAVING STALLING AND LURCHING PROBLEMS. FALL 2010, "KNOCK" IN TRANSMISSION WHILE IN NEUTRAL AND REVERSE. WINTER 2010, "KNOCK" BECOMES MORE PROMINENT AND IS NOW BEING HEARD WHILE SLOWING TO A STOP. CALLED SEVERAL NON-FORD TRANSMISSION SHOPS, THEY WILL NOT TOUCH THE CVT'S. FINALLY GO TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, BEARINGS ARE GOING BAD, BEST CASE SCENARIO $2,000, WORST CASE SCENARIO A RE-MAN TRANNY $5,400+. OF COURSE, AFTER GETTING INTO THE TRANNY, I AM WITH THE WORST CASE SCENARIO. CONTACT FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE.....END RESULT --SORRY ABOUT YOUR LUCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384185

85,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011

Power Train

CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN MY FREESTYLE 2005 AT 83000 MILES. THE CAR HAS GONE INTO A "SAFE" TRANSMISSION MODE OR JUST STOPPED ALMOST EVERY MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS. FORD WANTED $ 6500 TO PUT IN AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REBUILT IT. SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRES…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10381303

133,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011

Power Train

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY SECOND CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10379318

95,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011

Power Train

Read full complaint

ALL WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE CAME UP. THE MESSAGE WOULD NOT CLEAR. REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY. RESULT IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ONLY, CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING IN SNOW OR SLICK STREETS. WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS A SENSOR AND WOULD COST $500.00 BUT EXPECT THAT PRICE TO SNOWBALL. PRICE WILL SNOWBALL?? WHAT KIND OD DIAGNOSIS IS THAT. I WILL TRY TO FIX IT BUT IT WILL SURELY COST YOU A LOT MORE BECAUSE WE CAN'T PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE. IT COULD BE THIS, THAT, THAT, WE DON'T KNOW. WE WILL DO ALL THE WORK AND THEN TELL YOU WHAT THE BILL IS. IT COULD BE $7000.00. WOULD YOU LEAVE YOUR CAR AT THIS DEALERSHIP??? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375088

80,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010

Power Train

Read full complaint

THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. FIRST NOTICED SUMMER 2010. HAVE AROUND 80,000 MILES NOW. VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. RPM SPIKES DURING DRIVING EVERY DAY NO MATTER WHAT SPEED DRIVING TO 3K-4K. VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL. HAVE HIT THE SIDE OF MY GARAGE WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING AND BANGED UP THE BUMPER PRETTY BAD AS WELL AS GARAGE. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD DURING SUMMER WHEN AC WAS ON, ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR, BUT SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF AC OR HEAT ON OR OFF. FORD DEALER REPORTED NO PROBLEM DURING LAST CHECK UP. COULD IT BE THE CVT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED! I DON'T FEEL SAFE AND I'M PLANNING TO GIVE VEHICLE TO MY SON NEXT YEAR. PLEASE HELP! *LN

NHTSA ODI #10372235

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.