NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
114 reportsClear category filter108,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
EnginePower Train
I OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2006. I HAVE HAD SOME PAST EXPERIENCES WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN MILEAGE WAS AROUND 50,000. THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD RESUME AS NORMAL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, …
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I OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH I PURCHASED IN 2006. I HAVE HAD SOME PAST EXPERIENCES WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING WHEN MILEAGE WAS AROUND 50,000. THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON, BUT THEN THE CAR WOULD RESUME AS NORMAL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THAT UNLESS THEY WERE IN THE AUTO WHEN IT HAPPENED OR THE LIGHT WAS ON, THEY COULD NOT RUN A CODE OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE. MY FREESTYLE NOW HAS 108,000 MILES AND THIS MORNING I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK, THE TRANSMISSION SLIGHTLY SLIPPED AND THEN WHEN I ACCELERATED, I HAD NO POWER. I WAS ABLE TO ROLL TO A SIDE ROAD FOR SAFETY. I TURNED MY AUTO OFF AND THEN ON, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND REVERSE AND NEITHER GEARS WORKED. MY AUTOMOBILE WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAVE TALKED TO TWO FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY TELL ME IT WILL BE AROUND $6000 (GIVE OR TAKE) TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THAT NO ONE WILL "REPAIR IT" DUE TO THE "CVT" TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND MISSED WORK BECAUSE OF THIS. FORD SHOULD PAY, NOT THEIR CUSTOMERS. I WANT RESTITUTION. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE AUTOMOBILES AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH ONE THAT THEY KNOW IS NOT FAULTY. THEY ALSO NEED TO PAY FOR A RENTAL AUTO WHILE MY TRANSMISSION IS BEING REPLACED WITH A NEW/RELIABLE/SAFE ONE. I AM VERY UPSET AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHERE TO GO FROM HERE. I HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF MY AUTOMOBILE, REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE REGULARLY AND IT LOOKS NEW. HAD I OF BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE, I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10531681
Mileage unknown · Jul 5, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT COST ABOUT $700. HERE ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN IT WILL DO IT, AND IS A MAJOR SA…
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN. THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. WHEN THIS OCCURRED BEFORE THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT COST ABOUT $700. HERE ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER, IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING WHEN IT WILL DO IT, AND IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. I CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY TO REPLACE THIS PART EVERY OTHER YEAR. FROM READING ONLINE FORUMS, IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND FIND A FIX THAT WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. YET FORD DOES NOTHING ABOUT IT!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10523360
80,000 miles · Jun 28, 2013
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED ACCOMPANIED WITH A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED ACCOMPANIED WITH A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY AND RESUMED NORMALLY AFTER SEVERAL MOMENTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10522246
120,000 miles · Jun 21, 2013
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTE JUNK AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE! YES, I'VE HAD THE SAME THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AS EVERYONE ELSE, AND AFTER I TOOK IT TO FORD FOR THE "WARRANTY" IT GOT WORSE! INSTEAD OF SURGING AT LOW SPEEDS, NOW THE ENTIRE VEHICLES PULSES...LIGHTS, ENGINE, INSTRUMENT PANEL, ETC. AT 60MPH THE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY SPUTTER AN THE RP…
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THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTE JUNK AND EXTREMELY UNSAFE! YES, I'VE HAD THE SAME THROTTLE BODY ISSUE AS EVERYONE ELSE, AND AFTER I TOOK IT TO FORD FOR THE "WARRANTY" IT GOT WORSE! INSTEAD OF SURGING AT LOW SPEEDS, NOW THE ENTIRE VEHICLES PULSES...LIGHTS, ENGINE, INSTRUMENT PANEL, ETC. AT 60MPH THE ENGINE WILL RANDOMLY SPUTTER AN THE RPM'S WILL SHOOT WAY UP - EVERY LIGHT GOES BRIGHT/DIM, THE ENGINE IDLE GOES UP AND DOWN, THE AIR CONDITIONING PULSES AND EVENTUALLY TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF - THEN SUDDENLY THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES NUTS WITH THE SPEEDOMETER GOING FROM MY SPEED DOWN TO 0 AND BACK UP, WRENCH AND ALL KINDS OF OTHER LIGHTS FLASHING, CHARGING SYSTEM ERRORS - IT'S INSANE. I TOOK IT BACK TO FORD AND THEY SAID IT WAS A LOOSE BATTERY CABLE (!) AND OF COURSE AFTER I PICKED IT UP IT DID THE EXACT SAME STUFF GOING BACK HOME. NOW IT APPEARS I NEED TO REPLACE ALL 6 COILS AND THE COMPUTER FOR ABOUT $1500 - THIS THING IS ONLY WORTH $3500 AT THIS POINT AND I STILL OWE $9000 - IT'S A NIGHTMARE. ALSO HAVING THE TRANSMISSION ISSUES - DOESN'T WANT TO GO WHEN YOU FIRST PUT IT INTO GEAR AND KIND OF HOPS AT LOW SPEEDS - I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH THAT WILL COST. I HAVE TWO SMALL KIDS AND DEPEND ON THIS VEHICLE TO GET ME TO WORK AND GET MY FAMILY WHERE WE NEED TO GO AN I'M SCARED EVERY TIME I GET IN THE THING...WITH SO MANY OF THESE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEMS I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FORD EXECS CAN LIVE WITH THEMSELVES AND NOT REPLACE THESE FAILING PARTS. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED, IF THEY HAVEN'T ALREADY - I'M DESPERATELY TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO UNLOAD THIS THING! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10520996
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I PURCHASED MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AS A USED VEHICLE IN 8/2011. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITH AC ISSUE IN 9/2011. THEN SURGING/BRAKING ISSUES OFF AND ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR. I COULDN'T GET THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASES IT OR AN ACTUAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE SURGING/BRAKIN…
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I PURCHASED MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AS A USED VEHICLE IN 8/2011. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT STARTED WITH AC ISSUE IN 9/2011. THEN SURGING/BRAKING ISSUES OFF AND ON FOR ALMOST A YEAR. I COULDN'T GET THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASES IT OR AN ACTUAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE SURGING/BRAKING ISSUE BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T GET THE PROBLEM TO REPEAT WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN. IT WASN'T UNTIL I RECEIVED THE SERVICE LETTER FOR THIS ISSUE THAT MY COMPLAINT WAS JUSTIFIED AND THE RECOMMENDED REPAIRS WHERE DONE AS PER STATED BY THE MANUFACTURER LETTER. THIS REPAIR WASN'T DONE UNTIL 1/2013. DURING THAT TIME I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP AND HARMONIZE BALANCER. NOW, 5/2013 MY TORQUE CONVERTER AND/OR CVT IS GOING OUT. BASICALLY, ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE OUT THERE ON THIS VEHICLE I HAVE THE MISFORTUNE OF BEING ALL IN THIS ONE VEHICLE. I WISH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I DESPERATELY NEED OUT OF THIS MONEY TRAP AND OWE MORE ON IT THAN IT'S WORTH. PLEASE HELP SOON TO BE STRANDED SINGLE MOM OF 3. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10510265
75,000 miles · Apr 9, 2013
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING (IT WAS COLD & FROSTY). WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE IT STARTED TO BACK OUT BUT THEN WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT REVVED AND FINALLY WENT. THE CAR FELT OFF' WHILE DRIVING (SHAKY & NOT FULLY UNDER CONTROL-LIKE RIDING A BIC…
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A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING (IT WAS COLD & FROSTY). WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE IT STARTED TO BACK OUT BUT THEN WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT REVVED AND FINALLY WENT. THE CAR FELT OFF' WHILE DRIVING (SHAKY & NOT FULLY UNDER CONTROL-LIKE RIDING A BICYCLE WHEN THE CHAIN SLIPS BUT ISN'T COMPLETELY OFF). THE WRENCH LIGHT TURNED ON BUT ONCE I'D ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION & STOPPED & RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IT SEEMED FINE AND THE WRENCH LIGHT TURNED OFF. LAST WEEK I WAS AGAIN BACKING OUT AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE, I PUSHED DOWN MORE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND IT SKIPPED / LURCHED BACK (ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE). THIS HAPPENED TWICE MORE, BOTH SCARY BUT MANAGEABLE ONCE I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND ON AGAIN. THEN THIS MORNING IT HAPPENED AGAIN WITH THE REVVING NOISE AND POOR AND JUMPY ACCELERATION BUT AFTER RESTARTING, THE 'CHECK ENGINE' LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS CONTINUED TO BE LIT. SO FAR I HAVE ONLY ENCOUNTERED THE LURCHING AND LACK OF ACCELERATION OCCURRING WHILE IN REVERSE, THOUGH IT'S CONTINUED ONCE GOING FORWARD UNTIL I CAN PULL OVER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. UNTIL I CAN RESTART THE VEHICLE IT FEELS SHAKY AND ON THE VERGE OF DYING, ESPECIALLY WHEN AT IDLE IN TRAFFIC OR RED LIGHTS. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH BEFORE PURCHASING THE FREESTYLE. I CHOSE IT BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST RATED AND 'SAFEST' SUVS WITH 3RD ROW SEATS - REVIEWED BY THE IIHS, CAR-SEAT.ORG AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. I WOULD NOT HAVE PURCHASED A FREESTYLE IF THESE PROBLEMS WERE WELL KNOWN TO ME AT THE TIME. WE WILL LOOK AT THE THROTTLE BODY AS RECOMMENDED BY OTHER OWNERS ON THIS AND OTHER SITES AND I ONLY HOPE THAT SOLVES THE PROBLEM. IN THE MEANTIME I AM AFRAID OF THE LACK OF ACCELERATION AND LURCHING PROBLEM HAPPENING AROUND OTHER VEHICLES AND PEOPLE SO I AM DRIVING BACKROADS WHERE POSSIBLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505618
133,500 miles · Mar 15, 2013
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
ON FEBRUARY 11TH I HAD THE RECALL DONE THAT REFLASHED COMPUTER AND CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. THE 12TH AND 13 IT WAS UNSEASONABLY WARM AND THE VEHICLE RAN GREAT. ON THE 14TH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE TEMP WAS BELOW 15 DEGREES. I COULD NOT DRIVE MY CAR FOR A MONTH. WHEN THE TEMPS WENT UP INTO THE 20'S THE CAR RAN F…
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ON FEBRUARY 11TH I HAD THE RECALL DONE THAT REFLASHED COMPUTER AND CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. THE 12TH AND 13 IT WAS UNSEASONABLY WARM AND THE VEHICLE RAN GREAT. ON THE 14TH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. THE TEMP WAS BELOW 15 DEGREES. I COULD NOT DRIVE MY CAR FOR A MONTH. WHEN THE TEMPS WENT UP INTO THE 20'S THE CAR RAN FINE. I CALLED THE DEALER TO REPORT THE PROBLEM AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL COULD ONLY BE COMPLETED ONCE. ON MARCH 7TH I CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY MYSELF AND FOUND A RING OF CARBON AROUND THE BUTTERFLY. AFTER CLEANING THE CAR WAS RUNNING GOOD AGAIN. THIS WAS LESS THAN 400 MILES AFTER THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THE SYMPTOMS OF THE JERKING HAVE GONE AWAY WITH THE CLEANING. THE CONTINUOUS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE ENGINE AND MALFUNCTION LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE VEHICLE REDUCES POWER AND SPEED. SEEMS TO BE AT LOWER TEMPERATURES. YESTERDAY IT WAS 20 OUT AND IT DID THIS. I HAVE INSPECTED THE AIR AND VACUUM HOSES TO THE THROTTLE BODY AND CANNOT FIND ANY LOOSE, OR BROKEN. I HAVE SPRAYED AROUND THROTTLE BODY GASKETS WHILE VEHICLE IS RUNNING AND CAN FIND NO VACUUM LEAKS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS COMPLETELY A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. I BELIEVE THE CVT TRANSMISSION IS TO BLAME. IN NOVEMBER I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUIDS AND SUMP FILTER CHANGED. I DID THIS BECAUSE OF THE COMPLAINTS OF EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURE. USUALLY THE FAILURE OCCURS WHEN VEHICLE IS UNDER LOAD, IE GOING UP HILLS ETC. AND APPEARS TO BE TEMPERATURE RELATED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503098
124,000 miles · Mar 4, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EnginePower Train
THE PROBLEM IM HAVING IS THAT AS THE CAR GOES 20-25 MPH IT COMPLETE STOPS AND THE WRENCH LIGHT GOES ON. IT HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT A NORMAL HIGH SPEED IT COMPLETE WENT OFF. IT SURE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. NOW I CANT EVEN TAKE THE FAMILY WITH ME CAUSE IM SCARE TO PUT THEM AT RISK. THE FORD DEALER DID NOT FIX T…
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THE PROBLEM IM HAVING IS THAT AS THE CAR GOES 20-25 MPH IT COMPLETE STOPS AND THE WRENCH LIGHT GOES ON. IT HAPPENED TO ME A FEW TIMES ON THE HIGHWAY AT A NORMAL HIGH SPEED IT COMPLETE WENT OFF. IT SURE HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. NOW I CANT EVEN TAKE THE FAMILY WITH ME CAUSE IM SCARE TO PUT THEM AT RISK. THE FORD DEALER DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM IM AT THE POINT THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO OR WHO TO CALL . EVERY NUMBER I CALL ITS AN OPERATOR AND THE RECORDING HANGS UP ON ME AFTER A FEW TIMES. I HAD A RECALL LETTER THAT WAS SEND TO ME BUT THE REPAIR DEPT AT THE FORD DEALER DON'T WANT TO GIVE IT BACK. I JUST HOPE THE NHTSA CAN HELP ME IN SOME WAY . I WAS TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IM HAVING HAS TO DO WITH THE THROTTLE BODY . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10501215
120,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control
OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISES SINCE AUGUST, 2012. IT ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WHEN IN PARK AND WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEED. AFRAID IT IS GOING TO LUNGE FORWARD AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR HIT SOMEONE IN CROSSWALK. WE HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOBODY CAN TELL US WHAT THE ISSUE IS. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD AS IT APPEARS TH…
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OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING NOISES SINCE AUGUST, 2012. IT ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WHEN IN PARK AND WHEN GOING AT LOW SPEED. AFRAID IT IS GOING TO LUNGE FORWARD AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR HIT SOMEONE IN CROSSWALK. WE HAVE HAD WORK DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOBODY CAN TELL US WHAT THE ISSUE IS. WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD AS IT APPEARS THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND NO RESPONSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500141
84,700 miles · Feb 25, 2013
EnginePower Train
ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY RPMS WERE SURGING REALLY HIGH WHILE I WAS GOING SLOW I COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 20 MPH WITH THE RPMS AT 5! THEN MY CAR WOULD SHOOT FORWARD AND SHUT OFF. I HAD MY THROTTLE BODY CLEANED UNDER THE RECALL AND THEN THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL! IT TURNS ON BUT DOESN'T NO GO ANYWHERE AND WHEN YOU PUT IT IN …
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ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY RPMS WERE SURGING REALLY HIGH WHILE I WAS GOING SLOW I COULD ONLY GO ABOUT 20 MPH WITH THE RPMS AT 5! THEN MY CAR WOULD SHOOT FORWARD AND SHUT OFF. I HAD MY THROTTLE BODY CLEANED UNDER THE RECALL AND THEN THE NEXT DAY MY CAR WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL! IT TURNS ON BUT DOESN'T NO GO ANYWHERE AND WHEN YOU PUT IT IN GEAR IT SHOOTS FORWARD AND SHUTS OFF AGAIN! THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANING IS OBVIOUSLY NOT THE ISSUE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10500035
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