TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED MORE ABRUPT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND MADE A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT APPLIED MORE ABRUPT PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND MADE A RIGHT TURN TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE AHEAD. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY BEFORE STALLING. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. SHE THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE TYPE OF FAILURE IN HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION FAILURE HAD ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ARRIVING TO HER RESIDENCE, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS WHEN SHIFTING INTO PARK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,223 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,243. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 11/04/10*JB
NHTSA ODI #10347073
70,000 miles · Aug 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN THE REVERSE POSITION HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE WAS DE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS SITTING AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN THE REVERSE POSITION HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER STATED THE PART NEEDED TO MAKE THE REPAIR WAS ON BACKORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10347018
100,215 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAD MY 92 YR OLD FRIEND IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE 500. I AM 41. WE HAD JUST LEFT THE HARDWARE STORE. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. ( I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM KENNY ROSS FORD AS A USED VEHICLE IN NOV. 2009.) THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS SOON AS THE TRANSMISSION KICKED IN AND IT THREW US BACKWARDS INTO THE PARKING LOT. I SL…
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I HAD MY 92 YR OLD FRIEND IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE 500. I AM 41. WE HAD JUST LEFT THE HARDWARE STORE. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. ( I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM KENNY ROSS FORD AS A USED VEHICLE IN NOV. 2009.) THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS SOON AS THE TRANSMISSION KICKED IN AND IT THREW US BACKWARDS INTO THE PARKING LOT. I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES BUT AT THE SAME TIME THE CAR STALLED AND I HAD NO BRAKES. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE PEDDLE AND FINALLY CAME TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET BACK INTO THE PARKING AREA. MY 92 YEAR OLD FRIEND WAS SHAKEN SO VERY BADLY I FEARED A HEART ATTACK. IF I WERE OLDER AND NOT SO STRONG, WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED... GARAGE SAID THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. I CAME HOME AFTER TELLING HIM I FELT AS IF I WERE DRIVING A TOYOTA, AND HE SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND IT WOULD BE $879.00 TO FIX. I HAVEN'T EVEN OWNED IT FOR A YEAR YET. ARE YOU KIDDING ME. NOW I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346926
45,000 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 45,000 MILES KEPT SURGING FORWARD. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 MONTHS WHEN I WAS ALONE. THIS PAST JULY I PICKED MY GRANDCHILDREN UP AT CAMP SURE ENOUGH IT DID IT AGAIN ALMOST STRIKING A CHILD IN THE PARKING LOT. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND $800.00 DOLLARS LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. T…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 45,000 MILES KEPT SURGING FORWARD. IT HAPPENED TWICE IN 2 MONTHS WHEN I WAS ALONE. THIS PAST JULY I PICKED MY GRANDCHILDREN UP AT CAMP SURE ENOUGH IT DID IT AGAIN ALMOST STRIKING A CHILD IN THE PARKING LOT. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND $800.00 DOLLARS LATER FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!!! THIS IS NO DIFFERENT THAN THE TOYOTA SITUATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346814
43,000 miles · Aug 1, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IT SURGES FORWARD AT LOW IDLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I HAVE ABOUT RAN THROUGH STOREFRONTS, MY GARAGE, AND ABOUT HIT PARKED CARS. TODAY I ALMOST RAN OVER A SMALL CHILD AT SOCCER PRACTICE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES WHEN I AM GOING SLOW…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IT SURGES FORWARD AT LOW IDLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING. I HAVE ABOUT RAN THROUGH STOREFRONTS, MY GARAGE, AND ABOUT HIT PARKED CARS. TODAY I ALMOST RAN OVER A SMALL CHILD AT SOCCER PRACTICE. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES WHEN I AM GOING SLOW OR STOPPED. I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODYS ON THE FREESTYLES, BUT THE DEALER DENIES IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346682
85,000 miles · Jul 31, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
THE THROTTLE BODY ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE MUST BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING TODAY, 7/31/10, OUR CAR WENT INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" 8 TIMES, 8 TIMES!, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON A SC/NC STATE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER EACH TIME. WE HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST FOR 2 WEEKS…
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THE THROTTLE BODY ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE MUST BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING TODAY, 7/31/10, OUR CAR WENT INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" 8 TIMES, 8 TIMES!, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON A SC/NC STATE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER EACH TIME. WE HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST FOR 2 WEEKS FOR A $600 PART, AND MUST NOW RENT A CAR. I HAVE NOTICED MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THAT DATE BACK SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM HOPING THAT THE NHTSA WILL FINALLY ENCOURAGE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. THANKS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346457
74,000 miles · Jul 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD AND GOES INTO FAIL SAFETY MODE. AM TOLD THAT IT IS A MALFUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY. IT GOT WORSE OVER TIME AND STARTED DOING IT EVERY TIME I MOVED THE SHIFT NOB FROM PARK TO DRIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10346424
84,000 miles · Jul 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATED IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE THROTTLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAU…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WANTED TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATED IT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN. THE THROTTLE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
NHTSA ODI #10346391
95,000 miles · Jul 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILUR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10346353
55,000 miles · Jul 30, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAD ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO S…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHE HAD TO SHIFT INTO PARK SO THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE VEHICLE HAD ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN MULTIPLE TIMES WHERE THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED SINCE THE PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55000.
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.
2005 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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