ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT BEING MAY 28, 2011, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. ON SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011, THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE FOUND THAT ONLY BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT WILL THIS CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN BOTH DRIVE…
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE MOST RECENT BEING MAY 28, 2011, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION ISSUES. ON SATURDAY, MAY 28, 2011, THIS OCCURRED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. I HAVE FOUND THAT ONLY BY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT WILL THIS CORRECT THE ISSUE. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. LUCKILY IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER I HAVE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND I AM MOVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED EITHER IN MY DRIVEWAY OR IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE NOT HAD THE MISFORTUNE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT BUT HEARING ON THE NEWS THAT THIS IS A REPORTED ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE ENCOURAGED ME TO DO MORE RESEARCH AS THERE HAS NOT BEEN A COMMON DENOMINATOR THAT WOULD ALLOW ME TO HAVE A DEALER REPLICATE THE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404323
102,000 miles · Jun 3, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT LUNGES AFTER I'VE BEEN SITTING IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IF I AM BACKING UP. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT JUST WONDER WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STAL…
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OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT LUNGES AFTER I'VE BEEN SITTING IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IF I AM BACKING UP. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT JUST WONDER WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STALL OUT AND GO IN TO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. ALSO I WILL HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SEEMS TO OVER RIDE THIS ACTION AND LUNGES/ACCELARATE ON ITS OWN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404273
105,000 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN STOPPING, PARKING, OR BACKING UP, THE VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY. IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, IT HAS HAPPENED A MINIMUM OF 10 TIMES. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, AS I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR COSTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10404234
99,268 miles · May 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN AIR TEMPERATURE IS HOT THE CAR TENDS TO JUMP A FOOT IN MOVING FORWARD FROM A STOPPED POSITION OR IDLE POSITION OR BACK A FOOT IF MOVING BACKWARD FROM A STOPPED OR IDLE POSITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403735
44,000 miles · May 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL SURGE IN SPEED, WHEN SHIFTED INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, DURING LOW IDLE. IN ALL SITUATIONS WHEN THE SPEED SURGE HAS OCCURRED, I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ONLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS CONDITION IS MOST PRONOUNCED AFTER A COLD START. THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO …
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FOR THE PAST MONTH OR SO, MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL SURGE IN SPEED, WHEN SHIFTED INTO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, DURING LOW IDLE. IN ALL SITUATIONS WHEN THE SPEED SURGE HAS OCCURRED, I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ONLY ON THE BRAKE. THIS CONDITION IS MOST PRONOUNCED AFTER A COLD START. THE AMOUNT OF TIME TO START THE ENGINE HAS ALSO INCREASED SINCE THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN FIRST NOTICED. ALSO, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE RPM'S CAN FLUCTUATE 200 TO 300 RPMS EVEN WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE, THE CAR IS BEING OPERATED ON A RELATIVELY FLAT AND STRAIGHT SURFACE. THIS ISSUE OF RPM FLUCTUATION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS OR GREATER. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN SUBLTLY GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. WHEN I FIRST NOTICED THE FLUXUATION, IT WAS BARELY NOTICABLE. NOW, YOU CAN FEEL YOURSELF ROCKING BACK AND FORTH SLIGHTLY WITH THE ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION OF THE VEHICLE DURING A FLUCTUATION OCCURRANCE. THE OCCURRANCES CAN LAST ANYWHERE FROM 10 SECONDS TO 30 SECONDS. AND SOMETIMES CAN BE REPLICATED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ALONG USING SIMILAR ROAD CONDITIONS. I POST TWO ISSUES WITHIN THIS COMPLAINT ONLY BECAUSE I BELIEVE THEY ARE RELATED. SHOULD INFORMATION ARISE TO INDICATE A SEPERATE ISSUE, I SHALL RESUBMIT THE 2ND PARAGRAPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403684
63,000 miles · May 28, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. STALLING OUT IN TRAFFIC JAMS AND ALSO SURGING WHEN A/C IS ON AT LOWER SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10403654
75,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN WHE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAPPEN WHENEVER THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNING AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS SIMULTANEOUSLY IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10402996
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATES WITHOUT HAVING FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402984
50,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED MOMENTARILY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY SEEMED TO OCCUR WHEN THE A/C WAS ACTIVATED OR WHEN THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED MOMENTARILY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY SEEMED TO OCCUR WHEN THE A/C WAS ACTIVATED OR WHEN THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10402943
52,900 miles · May 26, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING HIS VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LUNGE BACKWARDS. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE NOTICED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD MALFUNCTION MORE FREQUEN…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING HIS VEHICLE IN REVERSE WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LUNGE BACKWARDS. AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED HE NOTICED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IF THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON THE VEHICLE WOULD MALFUNCTION MORE FREQUENTLY THAN IF WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,900.
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.
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
2
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
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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