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2006 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,187 reports with mileage · 113 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 602 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 484 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports10 injury reports

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

144 reports
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116,732 miles · Jun 26, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE FREESTYLE CUT OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY IT WAS IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND NO CARS WERE COMING. AN 8 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE CAR AS WELL. AFTER SPENDING $1200 ON REPAIRS THE FREESTYLE STILL LEAKS, AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH CUTTING OUT, LEAKING INTO THE CAR AND ALL THE LIGHTS COMING ON. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1200 …

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THE FREESTYLE CUT OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY IT WAS IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND NO CARS WERE COMING. AN 8 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE CAR AS WELL. AFTER SPENDING $1200 ON REPAIRS THE FREESTYLE STILL LEAKS, AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH CUTTING OUT, LEAKING INTO THE CAR AND ALL THE LIGHTS COMING ON. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1200 TO FIX, AND THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS US TO SPEND ANOTHER $1000, AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, AS ANOTHER FREESTYLE HERE IN BOONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10521901

Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR ACCELERATES SOMETIMES WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS JUMPING FORWARD OR SOMETHING. ALSO WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITION MY CAR, IF IN MOTION, WILL START TO JUMP FORWARD EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT EVEN CUT OFF ON ME SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. I NOW JUST DRIVE …

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MY CAR ACCELERATES SOMETIMES WHILE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS JUMPING FORWARD OR SOMETHING. ALSO WHEN I TURN ON MY AIR CONDITION MY CAR, IF IN MOTION, WILL START TO JUMP FORWARD EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE. IT EVEN CUT OFF ON ME SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. I NOW JUST DRIVE WITHOUT AIR AT ALL BECAUSE I AM SCARED THAT MY CAR WILL JUST STOP ON ME. ALSO MY AIR ONLY WORKS ON THE HIGHEST LEVEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10474003

60,000 miles · Jun 18, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN JUST STARTING TO MOVE OR SOMETIMES WHILE COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA ODI #10462648

85,000 miles · May 1, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IN DECEMBER 2009. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GOT WARMER I NOTICED THAT WHEN PARKING, BACKING UP, OR TRYING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AS IF I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SOON IT ALSO STARTED SURGING/SPUTTERING WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL, TWICE IN HEAVY T…

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I PURCHASED MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE IN DECEMBER 2009. AS SOON AS THE WEATHER GOT WARMER I NOTICED THAT WHEN PARKING, BACKING UP, OR TRYING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AS IF I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. SOON IT ALSO STARTED SURGING/SPUTTERING WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY STALL, TWICE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO DISCOVER THAT THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY & THAT ALL FREESTYLES WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND THAT A NEW UNIT COULD BE PUT IN BUT WAS NOT COVERED AS A RECALL AND WAS GOING TO COST $1000. AS A SINGLE MOM, THAT WAS JUST IMPOSSIBLE. LUCKILY MY DISABLED FATHER WAS PREVIOUSLY A MECHANIC AND WAS ABLE TO USE CARB CLEANER TO CLEAN THE SENSOR AND TEMPORARILY STOP THE PROBLEM. SINCE THEN, EVERY SPRING THE PROBLEM COMES BACK AND I HAVE TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY UNIT CLEANED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE WINTER. ANOTHER PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THIS VEHICLE IS THAT THE BRAKES WEAR OUT UNUSUALLY QUICKLY. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BECAUSE OF HAVING TO FIGHT THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR TO STOP THE CAR, OR IF IT'S A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM. I DO KNOW THAT WHEN IT STARTS TO FEEL LIKE THEY ARE WEARING OUT I HAVE TO REPLACE THEM ASAP BECAUSE THE MORE THEY GET WORN THE FASTER THEY WEAR OUT, IF THAT MAKES SENSE. SOMETHING I'VE JUST RECENTLY NOTICED IS THAT THE LIGHTS (INTERIOR, EXTERIOR, DISPLAY, ALL OF THEM) HAVE BEEN ALMOST BLINKING...GETTING BRIGHTER/DIMMER AND AT THE SAME TIME MY A/C BLOWS HARDER/SOFTER, LIKE THEY ARE SURGING AS WELL. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION I FOUND THAT THE TOP AND BOTTOM DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR MOUNTS HAVE CRACKED/ROTTED BUSHINGS. FORD SHOULD ABSOLUTELY REPLACE THESE THROTTLE BODIES WITHOUT QUESTION; MY CHILDREN RIDE IN MY FREESTYLE EVERY DAY AND ONE CLOSE CALL IS ONE TOO MANY. I WANT THIS FIXED ONCE AND FOR ALL. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10457028

63,000 miles · Apr 2, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

SEPT 2011: STARTED VEHICLE AND PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A SPACE AND ENGINE REVVED. IF I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WOULD HAVE LEAPED BACKWARDS THRU THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE IT BRIEFLY TRIED TO LEAP FORWARD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF AND …

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SEPT 2011: STARTED VEHICLE AND PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A SPACE AND ENGINE REVVED. IF I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WOULD HAVE LEAPED BACKWARDS THRU THE PARKING LOT. WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE IT BRIEFLY TRIED TO LEAP FORWARD. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, TURNED IT BACK ON AND THE DIAGNOSTIC WARNING LIGHT WENT OFF AND VEHICLE SEEMED NORMAL. THROTTLE BODY REPLACED BY FORD ($800+). NOV 2011: SPEED OVER 50 MPH, WENT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN, RPMS REVVED AND IT WOULD GO NO FASTER THAN 35-40 MPH. DIAGNOSTIC LIGHT COMES ON. PULLED OVER, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF BRIEFLY, RESTARTED, DIAGNOSTIC LIGHT GOES OUT AND I PROCEEDED. AS LONG AS I DO NOT "PUNCH IT" IN HIGH GEAR I CAN INCREASE SPEED WHEN GOING OVER 50. INCREASE MUST BE GRADUAL. CONDITION HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE INITIAL INSTANCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453774

80,000 miles · Mar 21, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR SURGES WHEN CHANGING GEARS. PROBLEM WORSE WITH FAN CONTROLS ON. RPM'S STAY ABOVE NORMAL IDLE (750-800) MOST OF THE TIME. CAR WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT USING GAS PEDDLE AT TIMES. MUST KEEP A CONSTANT VIGILANCE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. WENT THROUGH ALL THE BASIC FIXES (MAINLY CLEANING OF THROTTLE LINKAGE AND MODULE) . WAS TOLD THE TH…

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CAR SURGES WHEN CHANGING GEARS. PROBLEM WORSE WITH FAN CONTROLS ON. RPM'S STAY ABOVE NORMAL IDLE (750-800) MOST OF THE TIME. CAR WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT USING GAS PEDDLE AT TIMES. MUST KEEP A CONSTANT VIGILANCE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. WENT THROUGH ALL THE BASIC FIXES (MAINLY CLEANING OF THROTTLE LINKAGE AND MODULE) . WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED ($1000+). THIS MODULE IS MOUNTED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE-WHY? THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. MANY, MANY, MANY PEOPLE WITH FORD FREESTYLES HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS MODULE REPLACED AND THAT EITHER DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM OR IT WAS A TEMPORARY FIX. I BELIEVE IT IS A FORD ENGINEERING DESIGN FLAW. DID NOT FIX THE VEHICLE. BOUGHT ANOTHER CAR AND GOT RID OF THIS SAFETY HAZARD. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10452541

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS HOWEVER THIS IS BY FAR THE SCARIEST FORD CAR EVER AND TO ME THE UNSAFEST!! I PURCHASED MY FORD FREESTYLE BACK IN OCTOBER 2010. EVER SINCE THEN MY CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED MY CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY LUNGE FORWARD AND EVEN STALL WHEN I AM TURNING MY WHEEL. I HAV…

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I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS HOWEVER THIS IS BY FAR THE SCARIEST FORD CAR EVER AND TO ME THE UNSAFEST!! I PURCHASED MY FORD FREESTYLE BACK IN OCTOBER 2010. EVER SINCE THEN MY CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED MY CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY LUNGE FORWARD AND EVEN STALL WHEN I AM TURNING MY WHEEL. I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD WHO I DRIVE EVERYDAY TO SCHOOL IN THIS DEATH TRAP AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH. I HAVE TRIED TALKING TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS LIKE THIS WHEN I BOUGHT IT BUT OF COURSE THEY WANT ME TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY I DO NOT HAVE ON REPAIRS...AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER? IT IS VERY SCARY AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR IS LUNGING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS IF BACKING UP WHEN MY FOOT IS CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE AS WELL AS STALLING . I HOPE SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEAD BECAUSE OF THIS!! THAT WOULD BE A SERIOUS LAWSUIT I AM SURE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE PLEASE PLEASE DO A RECALL ON IT NOW IF NOT FOR ME FOR THE SAKE OF SOMEONE'S LIFE WHO IS DRIVING ONE OF THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450735

135,000 miles · Feb 29, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. THE RPM S WOULD INCREASE TO 4,000, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 TO 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. THE RPM S WOULD INCREASE TO 4,000, THE AIR BAG LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, AND THE ONBOARD DIAGNOSTIC LIGHT WOULD ALSO ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO GENERATE A FAILURE CODE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION WHEN THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF FOR A FEW MOMENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE A DEALER PERFORM THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10449680

90,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THIS CAR STARTED SURGING LITTLE BY LITTLE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE MONTHS WENT ON. HOTTER WEATHER SEEMED TO MAKE IT WORSE, STALLING IN DRIVE THRU'S AND LURCHING MORE. A FEW TIMES CUTTING OUT ALL TOGETHER, HAVING TO WAIT IN PARKING LOTS TO COME BACK ON. THEN IT BEGAN MAKING A HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND LIKE THE TRANS…

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THIS CAR STARTED SURGING LITTLE BY LITTLE GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE MONTHS WENT ON. HOTTER WEATHER SEEMED TO MAKE IT WORSE, STALLING IN DRIVE THRU'S AND LURCHING MORE. A FEW TIMES CUTTING OUT ALL TOGETHER, HAVING TO WAIT IN PARKING LOTS TO COME BACK ON. THEN IT BEGAN MAKING A HIGH PITCHED WHINING SOUND LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING TO BLOW UP IF IT GOT TO "OVER WORKED" IT SEEMED. THEN WOW "SHOCK OF ALL SHOCKS" THIS LEMON OF A CAR SIMPLY DIED WHILE FINALLY SPUTTERING IT'S LAST GASPS SOUNDING LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE MACK TRUCK AND HAD A " CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE" AS TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS OF OURS DIAGNOSED. NOW WE ARE FACED WITH REPLACING THE ENGINE, USED AT A STEAL FOR ABOUT $3000.00 TO $5000.00+ OR TAKING A HUGE LOSS SINCE WE OWE ON IT STILL. AND GEE WHAT DO WE HAVE TO LOOK FORWARD TO IF WE DO REPLACE THE ENGINE? A SAFE NON-LURCHING RIDE? NO. A FUTURE FREE FROM MORE COSTLY REPAIRS? NO. NEW THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT AND NEW TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENTS? I CAN'T WAIT!!! WHAT A JOKE. I HATE THIS CAR. PLEASE RECALL SOMETHING, ANYTHING TO TAKE THIS DEATH TRAP OFF MY HANDS!!! AND YES I HAVE A SMALL CHILD THAT HAS TO RIDE IN THIS BUNDLE OF SAFETY TOO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447019

50 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicFire

WAS DRIVING TO WORK CAR PICKED UP SPEED TO WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THEN THE CAR JUST WENT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445053

Official recalls

1

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 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

1

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