NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter80,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE "SURGES" WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT MY CAR IS NOT MOVING. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR FOR FEAR IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD, OR BACKWARD, WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE PUT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE DRIVE THE CAR, EVEN WITH ME TELLING THE PERSON ABOUT THE SURGES, SIN…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE "SURGES" WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT MY CAR IS NOT MOVING. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR FOR FEAR IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD, OR BACKWARD, WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE PUT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE DRIVE THE CAR, EVEN WITH ME TELLING THE PERSON ABOUT THE SURGES, SINCE IT IS NOT WHAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN STARTING A CAR AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CHARGE WILL BE FOR REPAIR. THE SURGING HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 10 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. EACH TIME I THINK IT IS JUST A ONE TIME THING, BUT NOW I KNOW IT IS NOT. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10414006
8,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NO PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NO PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY LOCATED A FAILURE WITHIN THE EGR VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10413926
70,000 miles · Jul 21, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO A VERY HIGH RPM. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO A VERY HIGH RPM. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413909
92,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
STARTED CAR, PUT IT IN REVERSE, CAR LUNGED. NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. EACH TIME THE LUNGE, EITHER IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. IT JUST ABOUT ALWAYS STARTS WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED OR MOVED INTO GEAR AFTER IDLING. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413868
96,101 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS BEEN SURGING FORWARD WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP & THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WITH A WRENCH HAS SHOWN UP. I HAVE 4 KIDS & THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THEM IN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY & IT IS VERY SCARY TO LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY & TRY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY A…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS BEEN SURGING FORWARD WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP & THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WITH A WRENCH HAS SHOWN UP. I HAVE 4 KIDS & THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THEM IN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY & IT IS VERY SCARY TO LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY & TRY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413865
122,438 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT HAPPENS BEFORE THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND I MUST STOMP THE BRAKE TO STOP IT. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. TODAY A "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413853
62,500 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND MORE FREQUENTLY WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413813
60,000 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE CHANGING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OVER TIME OCCURRED MORE FREQUENT. THE ENGINE LIG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE CHANGING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OVER TIME OCCURRED MORE FREQUENT. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS WHEN SWITCHING THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10413724
Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL LUNGE AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHILE PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT. THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND EVEN CAUSED THE FRONT END TO LUNGE INTO A CONCRETE WALL OF A PARKING GARAGE CAUSING MINIMAL DAMAGE BEFORE THE BRAKES COULD BE APPLIED. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413692
52,386 miles · Jul 20, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
MY VEHICLE WILL JUMP AHEAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IT LUNGES VERY QUICKLY SO YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE IF IT AT ALL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE IT JUMPED AHEAD SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NOTICED LATELY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS IN USE IT WILL JUMP/LUNGE AHEA…
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MY VEHICLE WILL JUMP AHEAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IT LUNGES VERY QUICKLY SO YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE IF IT AT ALL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE IT JUMPED AHEAD SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NOTICED LATELY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS IN USE IT WILL JUMP/LUNGE AHEAD NUMEROUS TIMES. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10413675
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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