NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
114 reportsClear category filter96,000 miles · Jul 3, 2014
EnginePower Train
ENGINE SURGING UNEXPECTEDLY AND VIOLENTLY IN GEAR AT IDLE. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND ON 7-2-2014 IT HAS BEGUN THIS SURGING AGAIN. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP LINE HAS CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT CLEARED OFF OF THEIR DATABASE ( I NEVER RECEIVED THE CSP-12N03 LETTER), AND THE COVERAGE FOR …
Read full complaint
ENGINE SURGING UNEXPECTEDLY AND VIOLENTLY IN GEAR AT IDLE. I HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED THREE TIMES, AND ON 7-2-2014 IT HAS BEGUN THIS SURGING AGAIN. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP LINE HAS CONFIRMED TO ME THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT CLEARED OFF OF THEIR DATABASE ( I NEVER RECEIVED THE CSP-12N03 LETTER), AND THE COVERAGE FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE PART HAS EXPIRED AS OF 5-31-2013. FORD ASKED ME TO KEEP ALL OF MY RECEIPTS WHEN I REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY FOR THE FOURTH TIME SO THAT IF FORD ENACTS A NEW COVERAGE, I WILL HAVE MY PAPERWORK IN ORDER. NO PROMISE OF A NOTICE LETTER HOWEVER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10608098
110,000 miles · Jun 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngine
DRIVING UP TO 55, ENGINE GETS TO 4000 RPMS, AND WONT SHIFT. CODES SUGGEST BAD MECHATRONIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10605978
36,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE WITH FORD FREESTYLE HAS AFFECTED US TWICE WITH THE SAME CAR. THE INITIAL TIME IS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY FORD. THE ISSUE HAS RESURFACED AND IT MAKES THE CAR VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT MASHING THE BRAKE DOWN AT IDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL LUNGE OR LURCH UNCONTROLLABLY.…
Read full complaint
THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE WITH FORD FREESTYLE HAS AFFECTED US TWICE WITH THE SAME CAR. THE INITIAL TIME IS MENTIONED ABOVE, AND THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY BY FORD. THE ISSUE HAS RESURFACED AND IT MAKES THE CAR VERY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE NOT MASHING THE BRAKE DOWN AT IDLE BECAUSE THE CAR WILL LUNGE OR LURCH UNCONTROLLABLY. IT ACCELERATES RAPIDLY AT IDLE WITHOUT CONTROL. THE LURCHING OCCURS ESPECIALLY BAD WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10597095
120,000 miles · Jun 2, 2014
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY ENGINE BLEW AND HAD TO BE REBUILT. I THEN HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT 2 MONTHS AFTER GETTING IT BACK. THE INNER TIE ROD ENDS WENT OUT. THERE WAS A NUMBER OF .THERE THINGS THAT WENT WRONG AT THE SAME TIME. IT WAS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE STARTED FALLING APART AT 120000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595572
121,000 miles · May 21, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.
NHTSA ODI #10593229
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT SEEMS TO WANT TO LUNGE FORWARD AND BACK ON ITS OWN. THE IDOL IS SCREWED UP AS WELL. FORD ISSUED A CUSTOMER SERVICE 12N03 IN DECEMBER 2012. SINCE IT WAS SERVICED AT THIS TIME, IT STILL HAS BEEN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. IT IS A DANGEROUS S…
Read full complaint
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY OF THE VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS. IT SEEMS TO WANT TO LUNGE FORWARD AND BACK ON ITS OWN. THE IDOL IS SCREWED UP AS WELL. FORD ISSUED A CUSTOMER SERVICE 12N03 IN DECEMBER 2012. SINCE IT WAS SERVICED AT THIS TIME, IT STILL HAS BEEN OCCURRING FREQUENTLY. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN YOU DO NOT KNOW IF YOU WILL HIT SOMEONE IF THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK ON ITS OWN. I NOW HAVE IT IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD TIME TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY COMPLETELY, WHICH WILL NOW COST ME OVER $800. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ON THE CAR!!!!!!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10564957
79,957 miles · Nov 26, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH, THE CBT TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL HAD EXCEEDED THE CURRENT CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 68 MPH, THE CBT TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL HAD EXCEEDED THE CURRENT CONDITION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 79,957. THE CONSUMER STATED TWO DAYS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE VEHICLE SOUNDED AND ACTED LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN GEAR. SO, THE ONLY WAY TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE, WAS TO PULL OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN.
NHTSA ODI #10553860
95,000 miles · Nov 6, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
EXPERIENCED A DROP IN THROTTLE RESPONSE GOING THROUGH A CURVE/INTERSECTION AND REDUCED POWER...PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD...SWITCHED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED. *TR HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS AND FOUND A FORD RECALL TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAM THE CONTROLLER. DEALERSHIP…
Read full complaint
EXPERIENCED A DROP IN THROTTLE RESPONSE GOING THROUGH A CURVE/INTERSECTION AND REDUCED POWER...PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD...SWITCHED OFF IGNITION AND RESTARTED. *TR HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME SITUATION OVER THE PAST THREE MONTHS AND FOUND A FORD RECALL TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND REPROGRAM THE CONTROLLER. DEALERSHIP NOW TELLS ME THAT THE REPAIR IS TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AT A COST OF OVER $800
NHTSA ODI #10551153
110,800 miles · Sep 12, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP BUT STILL ON DRIVE, BRAKES MUST BE IMMEDIATELY APPLIED OR THE CAR WILL TAKE OFF BY ITSELF. HAPPENS MORE WHEN THE SHIFT IS IN THE DRIVE POSITION BUT IS BEING HELD BY THE BRAKE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME LIKE IN A LINE, A DRIVE THRU, OR LONG TRAFFIC LIGHT. VERY SCARY! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10543362
48,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 50,000 MILES APX. AFTER GOOGLING I FOUND THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR. I ALSO AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH WHAT I THINK ITS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. I DID A SEARCH ON EDMUNDS.COM AND FOUND A 12 PAGE THREAD OF PEOPLE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. THE CAR WITH REVVED UP AND LURCHED BACKWARDS AND ALSO FORWARDS WHICH IS V…
Read full complaint
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 50,000 MILES APX. AFTER GOOGLING I FOUND THIS IS COMMON WITH THIS CAR. I ALSO AM CURRENTLY DEALING WITH WHAT I THINK ITS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. I DID A SEARCH ON EDMUNDS.COM AND FOUND A 12 PAGE THREAD OF PEOPLE HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. THE CAR WITH REVVED UP AND LURCHED BACKWARDS AND ALSO FORWARDS WHICH IS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH GETTING THE CAR TO GO ABOVE A CERTAIN SPEED AS WELL. I WILL PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE AND EASE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND NOT EVEN TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL AND FLY BACKWARDS. I AM TERRIFIED THAT ONE OF THESE DAYS I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR. I AM GOING TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT FROM READING OTHERS EXPERIENCES IT ONLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND THEN THEY ARE BACK TO THE START AGAIN. IT SEEMS EVEN THIS WEBSITE HAS OVER 5 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS DON'T YOU THINK IT IS TIME TO DO SOMETHING? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10536579
Official recalls
1Oct 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.
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
1PE11018 · 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
Illustration