NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsClear category filter79,100 miles · Jun 10, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE ON OUT OF STATE VACATION, OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS IDLING IN PARK WITH THE AC RUNNING. WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED QUICKLY (UNINTENDED) WITH NO INPUT AT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR, THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, IT IDLED ROUGHLY FOR A MINUTE AND THEN RAN OK. THIS TY…
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WHILE ON OUT OF STATE VACATION, OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS IDLING IN PARK WITH THE AC RUNNING. WHEN THE CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, IT ACCELERATED QUICKLY (UNINTENDED) WITH NO INPUT AT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ONCE I STOPPED THE CAR, THE ENGINE DIED. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, IT IDLED ROUGHLY FOR A MINUTE AND THEN RAN OK. THIS TYPE OF UNINTENDED ACCELERATION HAS RANDOMLY OCCURRED 6 TIMES TOTAL WITHIN A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. THE LAST TIME THIS OCCURRED, THE ENGINE DIED ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED. WHEN IT WAS RESTARTED, THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WE DROVE THE CAR TO AN AUTOPARTS STORE WHERE THE CODES WERE READ. THE CODES WERE P2106 & P061B. WHEN THE ENGINE RESTARTED, THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID NOT ILLUMINATE. WE TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND DESCRIBED THE EVENTS IN DETAIL. THE FORD DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT NO CODES WERE DETECTED. THEY SAID WE NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THEY CAME TO THIS CONCLUSION BECAUSE OF A TECHNICAL SERVICES BULLETIN ISSUED BY FORD (TSB 06-21-1). THE CAR HAS 79,857 MILES SO THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE THROTTLE BODY. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. I EXPRESSED MY CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY ISSUE OF THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION BUT THEIR ONLY COMMENT WAS THAT IS WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. WE HAVE TALKED TO ANOTHER PARTY WHO HAS HAD THE SAME OCCURANCE WITH THEIR FREESTYLE. THEIR THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BUT HAS ONCE AGAIN STARTED THE UNATTENDED ACCELERATION. I HAVE ALSO SEEN SEVERAL POSTS ON INTERNET FORUMS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE REPLACEMENT THROTTLE BODIES HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AND THIS IS ONLY A TEMPORARY FIX. THIS PROBLEM COULD EASILY RESULT IN A CRASH OR A PEDESTRIAN BEING STRUCK. OUR CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY IS STILL INTACT ON THE CAR. THE CAR IS ALSO VERY SLOW TO DECELERATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335753
80,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SURGES IN HOT WEATHER. THROTTLE GETS STUCK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335487
75,000 miles · Jun 9, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE, CAR HAS UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION WHEN PLACING CAR IN REVERSE AND/OR DRIVE. CAR INSPECTED AT FORD GARAGE. NOTHING REPORTED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335409
77,000 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNEXPECTEDLY AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10335052
20,000 miles · Jun 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTENTLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE SLIGHTLY REVVED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR, SPONTANEOUSLY AND WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIFTY TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTENTLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE SLIGHTLY REVVED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR, SPONTANEOUSLY AND WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIFTY TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN WHICH THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. ALSO, THE ENGINE SUPPORT BRACKET HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10334469
55,000 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED AND THEN STALLED ALTHOUGH THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN WHERE THE VEHICLE SURGED AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INF…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED AND THEN STALLED ALTHOUGH THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN WHERE THE VEHICLE SURGED AND LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING REPAIR AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ
NHTSA ODI #10326981
95,000 miles · Mar 28, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE, WE WENT TO FLORIDA BACK ON 07/2009 IT WAS VERY HOT. THE CAR STARTED JERKING, THAN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THAN IT ALMOST STOPPED. THAN IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 35. AND THAN IT ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH WE ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF SOMEONE. WHEN WE ARRIVED BACK HOME TO NC WE TOOK IT TOO THE FO…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE, WE WENT TO FLORIDA BACK ON 07/2009 IT WAS VERY HOT. THE CAR STARTED JERKING, THAN IT ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THAN IT ALMOST STOPPED. THAN IT WOULD NOT GO FASTER THAN 35. AND THAN IT ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH WE ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF SOMEONE. WHEN WE ARRIVED BACK HOME TO NC WE TOOK IT TOO THE FORD DEALER WHO SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE. WE TOOK IT IN AND LEFT IT FOR REPAIR. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND SAID THAT WE HAD A WALMART AIR FILTER, AND IT NEEDED A FORD AIR FILTER. THEY TRIED TO SAY THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. BUT BEFORE WE GOT THE CAR BACK, WE RECEIVED A POST CARD FROM THE DEALER SAYING OUR COMPUTER MODULE THAT WAS ORDERED FROM THE DEALER HAS ARRIVED. SO THE DEALER TOLD US IT WAS THE AIR FILTER WHEN IN FACT IT WAS THE COMPUTER MODULE. WE BELEIVE THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE BUT TOLD US IT WAS THE AIR FILTER TO AVOID A COSTLY RECALL. I HAVE FOUND ON THIS WEBSITE THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IT CERTAIN PARTS OF THE USA FOR THIS REASON BUT NOT IN OUR REGION. THE RECALL WAS DUE BECAUSE IN WARMER CLIMATES THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR. ALL OF THIS VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPAIRED, BECAUSE SOMEONE WITH THIS VEHICLE MAY TRAVEL TO AREAS THAT ARE WARMER THAN OTHER DURING BUSINESS TRIPS OR VACATION TRIPS. *CN
NHTSA ODI #10322527
54,980 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
FIRST TIME IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC. CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. FOOT ON BRAKE MADE NO DIFFERENCE. WRENCH SYMBOL CAME ON DASHBOARD INDICATING IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE TO GO TO A DEALER IMMEDIATELY. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THROTTLE BODY VALVES WERE ON BACK ORDER AND RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING CAR. AFTE…
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FIRST TIME IN MYRTLE BEACH, SC. CAR ACCELERATED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. FOOT ON BRAKE MADE NO DIFFERENCE. WRENCH SYMBOL CAME ON DASHBOARD INDICATING IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE TO GO TO A DEALER IMMEDIATELY. CONTACTED DEALER. DEALER INDICATED THROTTLE BODY VALVES WERE ON BACK ORDER AND RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING CAR. AFTER RETURNING TO PENNSYLVANIA VEHICLE DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER. DEALER CHECKED THE COMPUTER INDICATING THROTTLE BODY VALVE WAS THE PROBLEM. BACK ORDER ABOUT 3 MONTHS BEFORE REPAIRS WERE MADE. DEALER RECOMMENDED NOT DRIVING THE VEHICLE. APPROXIMATELY $500 LATER VEHICLE IS SUPPOSEDLY SAFE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10316331
50,000 miles · Feb 25, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
CAR WOULD HESITATE WHEN PUSHING ON GAS PEDAL, THEN SUDDENLY CATCH AND ACCELERATE AFTER SOME TIME PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. HAD IT CHECKED PREVIOUSLY WITH THE SUGGESTION TO REPLACE FUEL FILTER. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, PROBLEM GOT WORSE, ANOTHER SERVICE STATION FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE THROTTLE POSITION SE…
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CAR WOULD HESITATE WHEN PUSHING ON GAS PEDAL, THEN SUDDENLY CATCH AND ACCELERATE AFTER SOME TIME PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. HAD IT CHECKED PREVIOUSLY WITH THE SUGGESTION TO REPLACE FUEL FILTER. AFTER A FEW MONTHS, PROBLEM GOT WORSE, ANOTHER SERVICE STATION FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR WAS BAD. HAD IT REPLACED AT A COST OF $672.33 PARTS AND LABOR. FOUND OUT THIS PROBLEM IS SHARED BY MANY FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS, CHECKED WITH LOCAL FORD DEALER IF A RECALL HAD BEEN DONE OR A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, WAS TOLD NOT AND THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME ABOUT IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10314256
95,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS TOYOTA IS HAVING. OUR CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. DALE JARRETT FORD REPLACED THE COMPUTER. AND SINCE THAN THE PROBLEM STOPPED. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE COMPUTER. BUT WE RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM THEM THAT OUR COMPUTER MODULE IS IN AND READY TO …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS TOYOTA IS HAVING. OUR CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. DALE JARRETT FORD REPLACED THE COMPUTER. AND SINCE THAN THE PROBLEM STOPPED. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY DIDN'T REPLACE THE COMPUTER. BUT WE RECEIVED A CARD IN THE MAIL FROM THEM THAT OUR COMPUTER MODULE IS IN AND READY TO BE INSTALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10313492
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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