NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes complaints
17 reportsClear category filter257,000 miles · Jan 31, 2021
Back Over PreventionService BrakesUnknown Or Other
STATIONARY AND IN MOTION MY AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT WILL COME ON, IT DOES THIS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, I JUST GOT THIS FORD THE OTHER DAY, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE ISSUE IS, BUT I'VE SEEN THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE. THAT ALMOST CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT TODAY IN THE SNOW. NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT, AND I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPE…
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STATIONARY AND IN MOTION MY AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT WILL COME ON, IT DOES THIS MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY, I JUST GOT THIS FORD THE OTHER DAY, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THE ISSUE IS, BUT I'VE SEEN THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS ISSUE. THAT ALMOST CAUSED ME AN ACCIDENT TODAY IN THE SNOW. NOT VERY HAPPY ABOUT IT, AND I DON'T WANT IT TO HAPPEN AGAIN. IT'S BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I GOT IT. I'M LUCKY IT'S NOT TOTALED.
NHTSA ODI #11390922
159,229 miles · Jan 31, 2021
Forward Collision AvoidanceService BrakesVehicle Speed Control
JUST GOT THE CAR AND IT STALLED ON ME TODAY, ACCELERATED AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALOT GOING ON IV READ OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE FORD CAUSING ACCIDENTS I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME I'M A NEW DRIVER
NHTSA ODI #11390862
1 miles · Oct 30, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrash
I WAS DRIVING MY INFANT SON HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY. IT WAS A LIGHT DRIZZLE FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN. THE ROADS WERE WET BUT THERE WAS NO STANDING WATER. CARS WERE BRAKING IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL WAS UP, BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE…
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I WAS DRIVING MY INFANT SON HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL AFTER CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY. IT WAS A LIGHT DRIZZLE FOLLOWING A PERIOD OF HEAVY RAIN. THE ROADS WERE WET BUT THERE WAS NO STANDING WATER. CARS WERE BRAKING IN FRONT OF ME TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I APPLIED MY BRAKES, THE PEDAL WAS UP, BUT THERE WERE NO BRAKES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT EVEN BEGIN TO STOP. I PUSHED THEM AGAIN AND AGAIN AND THERE WAS STILL NO BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A REAR END COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHO REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. NOTE: THE AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED! I HAD TO TAKE MY INFANT BACK TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE TO HAVE HIM CHECKED OUT BECAUSE OF THE PRIOR SURGERY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR DID NOT THROW ANY CODES AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO TEST THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES AND NO WAY TO PROVE THAT THEY FAILED. I AM A VERY CAUTIOUS DRIVER, ALWAYS LEAVE PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP BETWEEN ME AND THE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE NEVER HAD AN ACCIDENT OR MOVING VIOLATION, AND YET THE RESPONSE THAT I RECEIVED FROM THE DEALERSHIP WAS "WELL THE FRONT ENDS ARE MADE TO COLLAPSE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT".. THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE. THE ACCIDENT SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE STOPPED. THERE WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES, AND DID SO MULTIPLE TIMES TO TRY TO GET THEM TO WORK (SO OBVIOUSLY I HAD PLENTY OF SPACE TO STOP) AND YET THE CAR WOULD NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN. A VEHICLE SHOULD STOP WHEN YOU APPLY THE BRAKES, ANTI-LOCK MODE OR NOT! SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED AND ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN MY INFANT SON!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10651287
68,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
* ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN PARKING OR REVERSING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING ON ANY FAN LEVEL. - DURING HIGH EXTERIOR TEMPERATURES WHEN VEHICLE AC IS ON, VEHICLE DRASTICALLY LUNGES FORWARD IF IN DRIVE - OR BACKWARDS IF IN REVERSE. RESEARCH ONLINE STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD VEHICLES, THEREFORE IF …
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* ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN PARKING OR REVERSING AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN THE A/C IS RUNNING ON ANY FAN LEVEL. - DURING HIGH EXTERIOR TEMPERATURES WHEN VEHICLE AC IS ON, VEHICLE DRASTICALLY LUNGES FORWARD IF IN DRIVE - OR BACKWARDS IF IN REVERSE. RESEARCH ONLINE STATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD VEHICLES, THEREFORE IF FORD DOES NOT ACT SWIFTLY TO CORRECT THIS OBVIOUS SAFETY DEFECT IN THEIR MANUFACTURING, I WILL CONTACT MY CONGRESSIONAL/SENATE REPRESENTATIVES. THESE VEHICLES TRANSPORT CHILDREN, AND FORD SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND NOT IGNORE THESE PROBLEMS LIKE CHEVROLET AND TOYOTA DID. "MAN-UP" FORD! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10610934
20,000 miles · May 28, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WORE OUT AT LESS THAN A YEAR AND LESS THAN 9,000. THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AND JUMP BEFORE STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD GET A JUMP START BEFORE I WANTED IT TO MOVE. A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. HOWEVER, IT DID CHANGE NOISES AS I CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING THE CA…
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IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WORE OUT AT LESS THAN A YEAR AND LESS THAN 9,000. THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AND JUMP BEFORE STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD GET A JUMP START BEFORE I WANTED IT TO MOVE. A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. HOWEVER, IT DID CHANGE NOISES AS I CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS ROARING. DURING THE WINTER TIME, THE CAR WAS NOT GOOD WITH THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION AS IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT STICKING IN THE GEAR. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN THE SERVICE STATION OF THE PLACE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 62,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594682
80,914 miles · Jan 4, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Service Brakes
TWICE IN SNOW STORMS WHILE CREEPING ALONG AT <5 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES (GENTLY PUMPING) TO NEGOTIATE A HILL THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO PUSH AND SEEMED NON FUNCTIONAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS REPEATABLE AND IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO LOW SPEED ON A DOWN GRADE WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKES. I COULD NOT DISCERN WHETHER THE ENG…
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TWICE IN SNOW STORMS WHILE CREEPING ALONG AT <5 MPH AND APPLYING THE BRAKES (GENTLY PUMPING) TO NEGOTIATE A HILL THE BRAKE PEDAL BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO PUSH AND SEEMED NON FUNCTIONAL. I BELIEVE THIS IS REPEATABLE AND IS SOMEHOW RELATED TO LOW SPEED ON A DOWN GRADE WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKES. I COULD NOT DISCERN WHETHER THE ENGINE IDLE WAS GAINING BUT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTOPPABLE UNTIL I REACHED THE BOTTOM OF THE GRADE. ONCE REACHING THE BASE OF THE HILL THE PROBLEM MYSTERIOUSLY GOES AWAY. A MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE PHYSICAL BRAKES. I BELIEVE IT IS TRACTION AND ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROL RELATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10558474
94,500 miles · Nov 20, 2012
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. IT HAPPEN IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. AC IN ON POSITION. IT HAS HAPPEN WHEN CAR STARTS MOVING OR WHILE IT IS MOVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. NO ACCIDENTS, JUST CLOSE CALLS. IN DRIVEWAYS, DRIVE THRU'S. MOVING ON STREETS AND PARKING LOTS. HAVING TO APPLY BRAKES HARDER. CAR STALLS AT HOTTER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES.…
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THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. IT HAPPEN IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. AC IN ON POSITION. IT HAS HAPPEN WHEN CAR STARTS MOVING OR WHILE IT IS MOVING AT LOWER SPEEDS. NO ACCIDENTS, JUST CLOSE CALLS. IN DRIVEWAYS, DRIVE THRU'S. MOVING ON STREETS AND PARKING LOTS. HAVING TO APPLY BRAKES HARDER. CAR STALLS AT HOTTER OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10485324
99,000 miles · Aug 11, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
WE WERE BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO WHERE WE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US OR WE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT IS LURCHING FORWARD WHEN WE ARE AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR NO REASON, I AM WORRIED THAT IF SOMEONE IS IN FRONT OR BACK OF US WE WILL HIT THEM. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 2 SUMME…
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WE WERE BACKING UP IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR ACCELERATED TO WHERE WE HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES, LUCKILY NO ONE WAS BEHIND US OR WE COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT IS LURCHING FORWARD WHEN WE ARE AT SLOW SPEEDS FOR NO REASON, I AM WORRIED THAT IF SOMEONE IS IN FRONT OR BACK OF US WE WILL HIT THEM. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 2 SUMMERS AGO BUT A PART WAS REPLACED AND IT HAD NOT BEEN A PROBLEM AGAIN UNTIL NOW. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IT BECOMES AN ISSUE ON HOT DAYS WHEN MY A/C IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10470203
85,500 miles · Aug 7, 2012
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
OUR FORD FREESTYLE WILL RANDOMLY SURGE BACKWARD/FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, OR GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, OR GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS HAS CAUSED MY WIFE TO ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS. IT WILL ALSO SURGE FORWARD WHEN SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO HAVE TO SL…
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OUR FORD FREESTYLE WILL RANDOMLY SURGE BACKWARD/FORWARD AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, OR GOING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, OR GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THIS HAS CAUSED MY WIFE TO ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS. IT WILL ALSO SURGE FORWARD WHEN SITTING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THIS HAS CAUSED US TO HAVE TO SLAM ON OUR BREAKS SEVERAL TIMES TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED OR KILLED BECAUSE OF FORD'S FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469461
102,153 miles · Aug 2, 2012
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
1. PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, STEERING WAS TURNED SHARPLY AT THE TIME AND FOOT ON BRAKE 2. PULLING IN GARAGE AND VEHICLE SURGED WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469046
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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