NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter130,000 miles · Aug 8, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE IDLING WAITING TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AT SCHOOL. THE CAR STARTED TO LUNGE / ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. HAD I NOT HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE MY CAR WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR A PERSON LEAVING THE SCHOOL TO GO TO THE PARKING LOT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE RECENT MONT…
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WHILE IDLING WAITING TO PICK UP MY CHILDREN AT SCHOOL. THE CAR STARTED TO LUNGE / ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY. HAD I NOT HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE MY CAR WOULD HAVE MOVED FORWARD AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME OR A PERSON LEAVING THE SCHOOL TO GO TO THE PARKING LOT. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE RECENT MONTHS AND I AM AFRAID THAT I AM GOING TO HIT SOMEONE WHILE IN THE STOP POSITION AT A LIGHT OR IN THE PARKING LOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469724
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
59,000 miles · Aug 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.
NHTSA ODI #10469332
89,000 miles · Aug 5, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD WHILE SITTING STILL. AFTER THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD THE DASHBOARD READOUT SAYS: "ENGINE FAILURE MODE". THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY JULY 6TH WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST LUNGED INTO SPEEDING TRAFFIC, AND MORE RECENTLY ON FRIDAY AUGUST 3RD WHILE AT A STOP SIGN…
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FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD WHILE SITTING STILL. AFTER THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD THE DASHBOARD READOUT SAYS: "ENGINE FAILURE MODE". THIS HAPPENED ON FRIDAY JULY 6TH WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND ALMOST LUNGED INTO SPEEDING TRAFFIC, AND MORE RECENTLY ON FRIDAY AUGUST 3RD WHILE AT A STOP SIGN. THIS ISSUE COMES 18 MONTHS AFTER REPLACING THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AT 50,000 MILES AT THE COST OF MORE THAN $5,000. I WISH TO REPORT THIS ISSUE TO THE NHTSA AS I AM SEEING MANY OTHER REPORTS FOR THIS VERY ISSUE REPORTED AND THINK THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS THIS IS A VERY BIG SAFETY RISK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469232
80,000 miles · Aug 2, 2012
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash
ON MARCH 4TH 2010 I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY SISTERS DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR SURGED AND CAUSED ME TO BACK INTO HER NEIGHBORS GARAGE ACROSS THE ALLEY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS FROM ALMOST HITTING PEDESTRIANS IN CROSS WALKS TO ALMOST HITTING THE FRONT OF STORES, OR OTHER VEHICLES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO OR BACK O…
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ON MARCH 4TH 2010 I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY SISTERS DRIVEWAY WHEN MY CAR SURGED AND CAUSED ME TO BACK INTO HER NEIGHBORS GARAGE ACROSS THE ALLEY. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CLOSE CALLS FROM ALMOST HITTING PEDESTRIANS IN CROSS WALKS TO ALMOST HITTING THE FRONT OF STORES, OR OTHER VEHICLES WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PULL INTO OR BACK OUT OF PARKING SPOTS. THE CAR ALSO SURGES AT STOP LIGHTS. I HAVE STARTED PUTTING MY CAR IN PARK WHILE IDLING SO THAT I DON'T END UP IN AN ACCIDENT. IN MAY OF 2012 I HIT A METAL FENCE POST WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY CAR AT THE LOCAL RODEO. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS & I DO NOT ALLOW MY DAUGHTERS, WHO ARE BOTH OLD ENOUGH TO DRIVE, TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED.
NHTSA ODI #10469810
70,000 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE CONTACTS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE IN REVERSE WITH THE CONTACTS FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARDS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO APPLY THE BRAKES UNTIL THE VEHICLE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468863
90,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED BACKWARDS. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MOSTLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468267
57,000 miles · Jul 30, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR OR MORE TIMES BOTH FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR OR MORE TIMES BOTH FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10468217
Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
THE SAME THING HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE WEATHER GETS WARM (90+ DEGREES F). VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THROTTLE PEDAL AND WITH STALL WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED HARD TO STOP LUNGE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL TECHNICIANS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE ALREADY. IT HAS P…
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THE SAME THING HAPPENS EVERY TIME THE WEATHER GETS WARM (90+ DEGREES F). VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THROTTLE PEDAL AND WITH STALL WHEN BRAKE IS PRESSED HARD TO STOP LUNGE. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY SEVERAL TECHNICIANS THAT THE THROTTLE BODY SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED. WE HAVE REPLACED IT TWICE ALREADY. IT HAS PORTS THAT "HEAT" IT THOUGH THE RADIATOR. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE THE PORTS. WE LIVE IN FL. THIS CAR IS NOT MADE FOR HOT WEATHER. MIGHT BE OK TO LEAVE THAT HEATED THROTTLE BODY ON IN COOLER CLIMATES, BUT NOT IN FL. HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. I HAVE HAD TO ADJUST MY DRIVING TO COMPENSATE FOR THE LUNGING. (I THROW VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL INSTEAD OF PRESSING BRAKE SO THAT THE LUNGING STOPS) ALSO, I CAN SOMETIMES PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE AT ALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10468207
109,097 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LUNGE BACKWARD WHEN THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY LUNGE BACKWARD WHEN THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 109,097.
NHTSA ODI #10467944
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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