NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
144 reportsClear category filter92,744 miles · Aug 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
WE OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. IN 2008, AT 36,730 MILES WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LURCHED & THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PROBLEM FIXED. HOWEVER, 2011 @ 88,356 WE HAD THE CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT LURCHED AND ENGINE & WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN, AND IT WOULD LOSE POWER. IF WE TURNED THE KEY OFF AND …
Read full complaint
WE OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. IN 2008, AT 36,730 MILES WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED BECAUSE THE VEHICLE LURCHED & THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. PROBLEM FIXED. HOWEVER, 2011 @ 88,356 WE HAD THE CAR IN AGAIN BECAUSE IT LURCHED AND ENGINE & WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON AGAIN, AND IT WOULD LOSE POWER. IF WE TURNED THE KEY OFF AND BACK ON, IT WOULD TEMPORARILY GO AWAY. THEY REPLACED AN ELECTRONIC SENSOR IN THE TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS AT A FORD DEALER. THEY HAD TO CALL THEIR MECHANIC HELP LINE & WORK ON IT SEVERAL DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. APPARENTLY, THAT WAS NOT THE PROBLEM, BECAUSE IT HAD TO GO BACK IN TWO WEEKS LATER FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THEY CLAIMED THE NEW PART WAS FAULTY AND THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN. FAST FORWARD 2.5 MONTHS. WE ARE IN JUNE @ 92,744. VEHICLE WAS AGAIN LURCHING, WRENCH & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND HAD A LOSS OF POWER. THIS ALL SEEMED TO HAPPEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS UNDER STRAIN/LOAD: AC ON HIGH, TURNING THE WHEEL. IT WOULD HAPPEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAD A FOOT ON/OVER THE BRAKE - SO LURCHING NEVER CAUSED ANY INCIDENTS. THIS TIME, I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. HE DIDN'T BELIEVE ME - BECAUSE AS I SAID - IF YOU TURNED THE CAR OFF, IT WOULD ALL GO AWAY UNTIL THE NEXT RANDOM TIME IT HAPPENED. SO, AFTER 2 DAYS I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM HIM. IT HAPPENED AGAIN 2 DAYS LATER. I TOOK IT TO AUTOZONE AND HAD THEM PLUG IT IN TO GET THE CODES OUT OF IT - BEFORE I TURNED IT OFF. I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND THE CODES TO MY MECHANIC. HE HAD THE CAR FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND WAS ABLE TO GET IT TO BEHAVE AS I DESCRIBED TO HIM. HE REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT SEEMED TO FIX IT. WE TOOK IT ON A ROAD TRIP FOR 6,000 MILES AND THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. IT IS NOW JUST OVER 100,000 MILES AND THE WARRANTY HAS NOW EXPIRED. UNTIL NOW - WARRANTY HAS COVERED THE BULK OF THE COST. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO, THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE OF SURGING BUT NO OTHER SYMPTOMS OR LIGHTS. NOT SURE WHAT I PLAN TO DO FROM HERE EXCEPT PERHAPS WAIT UNTIL IT IS RECALLED?*KB
NHTSA ODI #10416861
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
WHEN STOPPING OR TAKING OFF CAR SURGES WHETHER YOUR BACKING UP OR AT A STOP LIGHT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY,CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHEN STOPPED AT RED LIGHT CAN ONLY INCH FORWARD.
NHTSA ODI #10417430
83,000 miles · Aug 2, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
AFTER RETURNING FROM THE FORD REPAIR CENTER, THE CAR LOST POWER IN THE ACCELERATOR. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE FORWARD WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. FORD CAME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE LATER TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS AND HA…
Read full complaint
AFTER RETURNING FROM THE FORD REPAIR CENTER, THE CAR LOST POWER IN THE ACCELERATOR. MY HUSBAND WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE CAR MOVE FORWARD WHILE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. FORD CAME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE LATER TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS BLOWN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. WE HAVE HAD THE CAR APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS AND HAVE DRIVEN IT FOR FOR LESS THAN 8,000 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #10417409
64,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENS OFTEN, THOUGHT IT WAS JUST WHEN I RAN THE AIR CONDITIONER BUT IT IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME NOW. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS GOING FORWARD AND IN REVERSE AND SOMETIMES IT WILL DIE ON ME. I'VE ALREADY HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR 1 INJURY AND I'M …
Read full complaint
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING STARTED ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. IT HAPPENS OFTEN, THOUGHT IT WAS JUST WHEN I RAN THE AIR CONDITIONER BUT IT IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME NOW. IT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS GOING FORWARD AND IN REVERSE AND SOMETIMES IT WILL DIE ON ME. I'VE ALREADY HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR 1 INJURY AND I'M AFRAID IT COULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN TO OTHER FREESTYLE OWNERS INCLUDING MYSELF. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THE FACT THAT THIS IS THEIR FAULT AND RECALL ALL FREESTYLES MADE WITHIN 2006-2007. AS I AM RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE I AM BECOMING AWARE THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR SOME TIME NOW AND HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF THIS IS HOW THEY ARE GOING TO MAKE VEHICLES AND TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS THEN I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT MOST OF THEIR COSTUMERS WILL CHOOSE TO GO ELSEWHERE WITH THEIR BUSINESS, INCLUDING MYSELF! THEY NEED TO RECALL THIS MODEL AND FIX IT!!!! I AM AT 65,000 MILE'S AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO ME AND EVERY OTHER OWNER OUT THERE.!!! PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS MESS. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10416492
Mileage unknown · Jul 29, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE WHEN MY FREESTYLE LUNGED BACKWARD, NARROWLY MISSING PEOPLE WALKING. THE RED 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THERE WAS AN ENGINE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR RAN VERY ROUGH BUT WE DID GET TO OUR DESTINATION. I REMEMBER READING AN ARTICLE REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE FREESTYLE, LUNGING FORWARD …
Read full complaint
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE WHEN MY FREESTYLE LUNGED BACKWARD, NARROWLY MISSING PEOPLE WALKING. THE RED 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING THERE WAS AN ENGINE PROBLEM. THE MOTOR RAN VERY ROUGH BUT WE DID GET TO OUR DESTINATION. I REMEMBER READING AN ARTICLE REGARDING THIS ISSUE WITH THE FREESTYLE, LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I RESEARCHED THIS AND CONCLUDED MANY OTHER FREESTYLE OWNERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE DID HAVE THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED AT A HEFTY PRICE OF $700.00. HOPEFULLY, THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WILL RECALL THESE FREESTYLES BEFORE A FATAL ACCIDENT OCCURS.
NHTSA ODI #10417212
61,000 miles · Jul 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY, TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO HOLD THE BRAKE WHILE THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING IN THE GRAVEL. AFTER THIS THE DASHBOARD WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR ALSO STOPPED WHILE IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER TAKING CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, WE WERE TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY WAS MALFUNCT…
Read full complaint
CAR ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY, TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO HOLD THE BRAKE WHILE THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING IN THE GRAVEL. AFTER THIS THE DASHBOARD WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CAR ALSO STOPPED WHILE IN TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. AFTER TAKING CAR TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE, WE WERE TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED THIS PROBLEM. WHILE THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WE WERE ADVISED THIS PART WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY AT A COST OF $700.00 TO US. WE HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE DEALERSHIP, OUR PROBLEM IS WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL!! THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #10416133
80,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415286
97,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR DEPARTING FROM A STOP. TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM INVOLUNTARILY MOVING, HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE IS REQUIRED. THESE EVENTS STARTED IN APRIL 2011 WHEN VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 97,000 MILES ON IT (26 JULY 2011 ODOMETER READING 99,150 MILES). SYMPTOMS OCCUR EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS…
Read full complaint
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LURCHES WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR DEPARTING FROM A STOP. TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM INVOLUNTARILY MOVING, HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE IS REQUIRED. THESE EVENTS STARTED IN APRIL 2011 WHEN VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 97,000 MILES ON IT (26 JULY 2011 ODOMETER READING 99,150 MILES). SYMPTOMS OCCUR EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO REVERSE; LESS FREQUENT WHEN IN FORWARD GEARS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415136
75,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE CAR HAS BEEN HAVING A HIGHLY IRREGULAR IDLE AND HAS BEEN LURCHING/SURGING FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR (BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE). THIS STARTED OCCURRING ABOUT A MONTH AGO AND HAS BEEN FAIRLY CONSISTENT SINCE THAT TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415006
60,850 miles · Jul 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE WHILE SITTING STILL AT IDLE, IN GEAR, SUDDENLY SURGING CAUSING UNINTENTIONAL VEHICLE MOVEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414911
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