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

38,000 miles · Aug 17, 2006

Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON DRY ROADS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES RAISED UP TO THE HIGHEST READINGS, THEN DROPPED DOWN TO THE LOWEST AND SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT FUNCTION. ALSO, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. FINALLY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS A CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION, THERE WAS STILL A MODERATE SHIFT SHOCK BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10165736

7,900 miles · Apr 18, 2006

Power Train

Read full complaint

2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IT WILL SPORADICALLY AND RANDOMLY DRAMATICALLY CHANGE GEAR RATIOS RESULTING IN A VERY NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN RPM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE ENGINE UNDERGOES MODERATE TO SEVERE ENGINE BRAKING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AS CARS FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND HAVE NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN VERY AGGRESSIVELY IN FRONT OF THEM. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (FRONTIER FORD IN SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA) AND IT HAS BEEN IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THREE SEPARATE TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED ACCEPTABLE OPTIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE DEFECT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2006. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10155610

5,000 miles · Apr 5, 2006

Power Train

HI: THE CVT TRANSMISSION SURGES AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES THIS IS ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND HAS BEING BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM AND AS OF YET THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10154661

12,098 miles · Jan 22, 2006

Power Train

TRANS WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK IT STARTS BACKING UP! THEN WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE IT REVS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. YOU HAVE TO SHIFT IT INTO LOW TO GET IT INTO DRIVE. THIS ALSO CAUSES IT TO COME OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10148315

100 miles · Dec 27, 2005

Power Train

Read full complaint

1. I LEASED A 05 FORD FREESTYLE AND IN JUST 3 DAYS THE PCM WAS BROKEN. IN JUST 100 MILES. I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT. 2. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND THE VEHICLES TURNS ON AND OFF, SO MAYBE THEY CAN TOW THE CAR FROM MY HOME. INSTEAD THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED INCLUDING THE BRAKES WHICH ALMOST MADE ME FALL OFF THE DITCH. I WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALEARSHIP. 3. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER A NEW PCM AND WHEN THE PCM ARRIVE AFTER 2 DAYS THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SOFTWARE TO CALIBRATE THE NEW PCM. THE CAR STAYED LONGER IN THE DEALERSHIP THAN WITH ME WHILE I WAS PAYING THE LEASE EVERYDAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10146099

39 miles · Aug 1, 2005

Power Train

Read full complaint

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 7/16/2005. AFTER BEING DRIVEN OFF THE LOT, TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARED. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN 23 MILES WHEN ALL POWER WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER. SERVICE TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR 1 WEEK BEFORE ORDERING A NEW TRANSMISSION. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED ONE WEEK LATER. UPON PICKING UP VEHICLE, ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. VEHICLE WILL NOW NEED TO BE RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. GLARE FROM TAN INTERIOR IS DANGEROUS ALSO, AND ACCELERATOR TENDS TO STICK. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10130902

245 miles · Feb 12, 2005

Power Train

I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ON 2/6/05. IT STOPPED WORKING ON 2/07/05, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND IN A RENTAL FOR NEARLY A WEEK. YET I'VE PAID FOR A NEW VEHICLE. FORD REALLY SHOULD WORK OUT THE QUIRKS BEFORE PUTTING OUT A NEW VEHICLE. THEY ARE SUPPOSED…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10110382

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.