NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Feb 10, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10825414
75,000 miles · Feb 10, 2016
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SLOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED RANDOMLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED SHORTLY AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10825357
81,000 miles · Oct 27, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA ODI #10786279
105,857 miles · Sep 19, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
1. DRIVING CAR AT 45MPH..CAME TO RED LIGHT. WHEN PUSHING A CELERATOR TO FLOOR , CAR SUDDENLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL. WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED. NOTICE CHECK E GINE ON DISPLAY PANEL AND WRENCH SYMBOL CAME ON AND WORDS "ENGINE IN FAILSAFE MODE" DISPLAY. 2. WHEN STANDING STILL, ENGINE YRUNNING... FOOT ON …
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1. DRIVING CAR AT 45MPH..CAME TO RED LIGHT. WHEN PUSHING A CELERATOR TO FLOOR , CAR SUDDENLY DOES NOT RESPOND TO PRESSURE ON GAS PEDAL. WILL NOT PICK UP SPEED. NOTICE CHECK E GINE ON DISPLAY PANEL AND WRENCH SYMBOL CAME ON AND WORDS "ENGINE IN FAILSAFE MODE" DISPLAY. 2. WHEN STANDING STILL, ENGINE YRUNNING... FOOT ON BRAKE . ENGINE IDLING. ..CAR BEGINS TO LUNGE FORWARD, ENGINE REVS UP WHEN LUNGING. 3. DURING 90 DEGREE WEATHER, DRIVING AT 55 MPH, TURNED ON AC. CAR IMMEDIATELY LOST POWER AND FAILSAFE MODE LIGHT CAME ON.
NHTSA ODI #10765288
129,900 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE ACCELERATING UP A HILL ,FELT A SURGE THEN DECELERATION TO 25-30 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES.MECHANIC RESEARCH CODES AND SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. PE11018
NHTSA ODI #10748164
100,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT REVVING UP WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN PARKING. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED , HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE.PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD COMPRESSOR REPLACED, THEN STARTING HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (FAILURE SAFE MODE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN) WHILE DRIVING . HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED BECAUSE ALL ELE…
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WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT REVVING UP WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN PARKING. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED , HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE.PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD COMPRESSOR REPLACED, THEN STARTING HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (FAILURE SAFE MODE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN) WHILE DRIVING . HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED BECAUSE ALL ELECTRICAL STARTING SHUTTING DOWN AND TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING ALSO TRANSMISSON WAS TRYING TO GO IN REVERSE WHILE DRIVING REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED BODY COMPUTER STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT . IT WAS PAID OFF BUT NO ONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEMS, HOW CAN YOU HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NO ONE CAN FIX,WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT FORD KNEW OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED WE REALLY LIKED THE CAR WHEN WE GOT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10743579
10,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION REACHING SPEEDS UP TO 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10736050
60,000 miles · May 29, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER DID NOT ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT N…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 65 MPH ALTHOUGH THE DRIVER DID NOT ENGAGE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, BUT NO INFORMATION WAS AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10722228
100 miles · Apr 26, 2015
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE USED. ISSUES: (1) SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON, THEN I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO REPLACED THE FLUID, WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. (2) RANDOM SURGES OF POWER, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A FEW ACCIDENTS AND WAS SEVERELY FRIGHTENING (CORRECTED BEFORE A RE…
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I PURCHASED THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE USED. ISSUES: (1) SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON, THEN I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, WHO REPLACED THE FLUID, WHICH SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. (2) RANDOM SURGES OF POWER, WHICH ALMOST RESULTED IN A FEW ACCIDENTS AND WAS SEVERELY FRIGHTENING (CORRECTED BEFORE A RECALL) (3) THIS PAST WINTER PROBLEMS WITH SHUTTING THE FRONT DOORS, THEN WITH OUT WARNING ( WITH TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SETS ) THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR FEW OPEN WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER. THE CHILDREN SCREAMED, I WAS THANKFUL THAT A CHILD WAS NOT SEVERALLY INJURED AND THEN, I HAD CALL SOMEONE TO PICK US UP. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD I WAS THE ONLY COMPLAINT! LATER AT A CHILDREN'S RECREATION, I PARKED NEXT TO A WOMAN WITH CHILDREN DRIVING THE SAME MODEL. I ASKED HER IF SHE EXPERIENCED DOOR ISSUES, SHE STATED BOTH DOORS FLEW OPEN WITH THE CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEATS, AND STATED HER HUSBAND LUBED THE DOORS DOWN. (4) NOW THE TRANSMISSION WILL RANDOMLY DECIDE NOT TO MOVE, BUT IF I TURN THE FREE STYLE ON AND OFF IT MIGHT GO INTO GEAR. NO TRANSMISSION LIGHT ON INDICATED AN ISSUE. MY OPINION IS THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS CREATED TO MARKET TOWARD FAMILIES, THE DESIGN AND MARKETING WORKED, BUT AS A RESULT SEVERAL FAMILIES ARE NOW IN DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712899
150,000 miles · Apr 24, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
A FEW YEARS AGO OUR FREESTYLE STARTED LUNGING WHEN SITTING IDLE, IF YOU DIDN'T KEEP YOU FOOT ON THE BREAK AT A STOP LIGHT ETC, IT WOULD LUNGE INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF YOU. WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED, BUT IT NEVER WAS 100% RESOLVED. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP THIS PAST YEAR, IT WOULD ONLY MOVE 10 MP…
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A FEW YEARS AGO OUR FREESTYLE STARTED LUNGING WHEN SITTING IDLE, IF YOU DIDN'T KEEP YOU FOOT ON THE BREAK AT A STOP LIGHT ETC, IT WOULD LUNGE INTO THE CAR INFRONT OF YOU. WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET THIS FIXED, BUT IT NEVER WAS 100% RESOLVED. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP THIS PAST YEAR, IT WOULD ONLY MOVE 10 MPH WHILE THE RPM WAS VERY HIGH. IF YOU SHUT IT OFF, IT WOULD RESET AFTER AWHILE. TOOK IT IN AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD TAKE ANOTHER TRANSMISSION TO FIX, APPROX 5600 TO 7500 DOLLARS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, IT LOOKS LIKE 100'S AND 100'S OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME IDENTICAL ISSUES AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE LAST STRAW WAS DRIVING AT 60 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST SHUTS DOWN, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THIS CAR ISN'T SAFE AND FORD KNOWS THE ISSUE, BECAUSE THEY QUIT MAKING THE CVS TRANSMISSION RIGHT AWAY. SHOULD BE SOME COMPENSATION BECAUSE THIS CAR IS NOW WORTH NOTHING TO ANYONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712656
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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