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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

602 reports
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85,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Vehicle Speed Control

HAVING ISSUES WITH HARD STARTING ISSUES TO THE POINT IT GOT TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT START. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION FLUCTUATION WITHOUT ME TOUCHING GAS PEDDLE. THERE WAS EVEN A TIME WHERE IT FLUCTUATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AT THE TIME I HAD THE CRUISE ON AND IT SHUT OFF THE CRUISE WHEN IT DID IT. I HAVE HAD MECHAN…

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HAVING ISSUES WITH HARD STARTING ISSUES TO THE POINT IT GOT TO WHERE IT WOULD NOT START. I HAVE ALSO HAD ISSUES WITH ACCELERATION FLUCTUATION WITHOUT ME TOUCHING GAS PEDDLE. THERE WAS EVEN A TIME WHERE IT FLUCTUATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AT THE TIME I HAD THE CRUISE ON AND IT SHUT OFF THE CRUISE WHEN IT DID IT. I HAVE HAD MECHANIC CLEAN OUT THE THROTTLE BODY AND INTAKE AIR SENSOR WITH ELECTRICAL CONTACT CLEANER WHICH SEEMS TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. IT LASTS ANYWHERE FROM 1 1/2 TO 2 MONTHS AND NEEDS CLEANED AGAIN AS IT HANGS UP AND MY ENGINE BEGINS TO SELF ACCELERATE AND IS HARD STARTING AGAIN. I AM VERY WORRIED THAT THIS WILL SELF ACCELERATE WHILE WE ARE DRIVING. THIS FIRST BEGAN TO GIVE ISSUES DEC. 2010. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419474

56,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 12/05/11

NHTSA ODI #10419469

46,000 miles · Aug 13, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

BOUGHT CAR USED, CERTIFIED, BUT NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT CAR WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS WHEN I WOULD GO TO BACK UP. FORD FOUND NO PROBLEM. PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR NUMEROUS MONTHS AND THEN AT ABOUT 56,000 MILES ISSUE ESCALATED. NOW CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR REVERSE, MOVING ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 8 FEET. AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE PRESSURE IS BEING …

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BOUGHT CAR USED, CERTIFIED, BUT NOTICED RIGHT AWAY THAT CAR WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS WHEN I WOULD GO TO BACK UP. FORD FOUND NO PROBLEM. PROBLEM CONTINUED FOR NUMEROUS MONTHS AND THEN AT ABOUT 56,000 MILES ISSUE ESCALATED. NOW CAR LUNGES FORWARD OR REVERSE, MOVING ANYWHERE FROM 2 TO 8 FEET. AT TIMES IT FEELS LIKE PRESSURE IS BEING PUSHED FROM THE BRAKE UP, TO MY FOOT......PUSHING IT OFF THE BRAKE. PROBLEM IS WORSE THE MORE CAR IS DRIVEN THAT DAY, AND SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOSTLY WHEN AC IS ON. BUT IN THE EARLY DAYS OF ISSUE AIR WAS NOT ALWAYS ON. IF SOMEONE WALKS IN FRONT OR BEHIND ME WHEN THIS HAPPENS THEY WOULD CERTAINLY BE INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #10420234

69,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10419253

68,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

WE PURCHASED A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3RD, 2011. ACCELERATION SEEMED "OFF" BUT SINCE WE HAD BEEN DRIVING A MINIVAN, WE AND THE DEALER PUT IT OFF AS MORE "GET UP AND GO." PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND WE BECAME CONCERNED. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10TH, AS WE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, EN…

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WE PURCHASED A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE ON WEDNESDAY AUGUST 3RD, 2011. ACCELERATION SEEMED "OFF" BUT SINCE WE HAD BEEN DRIVING A MINIVAN, WE AND THE DEALER PUT IT OFF AS MORE "GET UP AND GO." PROBLEM PERSISTED WITH EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AND WE BECAME CONCERNED. WEDNESDAY AUGUST 10TH, AS WE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT, ENGINE REVVED AND CAR SURGED FORWARD VERY FORCEFULLY, ALMOST MAKING US HIT THE CAR IN THE SPOT AHEAD OF US. NO FEET OR OTHER OBJECTS CAME INTO CONTACT WITH EITHER PEDAL AT TIME OF INCIDENT. MY 3 CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING TO US. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND WILL NOT BE DRIVEN OFF THE LOT UNTIL LOAN IS FORGIVEN ON ACCOUNT OF US BEING SOLD A FAULTY AND UNSAFE VEHICLE. ON THE WAY TO REPAIR SHOP, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, ENTIRE CAR SHOOK, ENGINE ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE ON EITHER PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419248

96,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 9…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WHEN IT SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

NHTSA ODI #10419181

50,000 miles · Aug 12, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

1. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS FAILURE. 2. THE FAILURE IS THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE MY 2006 FREESTYLE GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHICH CAUSES THE RPMS TO RAPIDLY INCREASE AND THE ACCELERATOR TO NOT RESPOND TO MY ACTIONS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MY FREESTYLE TURNED 50,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS …

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1. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS FAILURE. 2. THE FAILURE IS THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT NOTICE MY 2006 FREESTYLE GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHICH CAUSES THE RPMS TO RAPIDLY INCREASE AND THE ACCELERATOR TO NOT RESPOND TO MY ACTIONS. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE MY FREESTYLE TURNED 50,000 MILES. THIS FAILURE HAPPENS EVERYDAY AND MULTIPLE TIMES PER DAY. THE CONSEQUENCES FROM THIS FAILURE ARE NEAR FATAL ACCIDENTS. 3. MY VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED IT. I WAS TOLD MULTIPLE TIMES THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG, BUT THEY COULD INVESTIGATE THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $1800.00. I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO THAT. I DID BRING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AT A COST OF $1600.00. THEY WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE WORK AS THE ONLY PARTS AVAILABLE FROM FORD WERE RECONDITIONED AND FORD THEN REQUIRED THE REPLACED PART BE SHIPPED BACK TO THEM. I DROVE 1000 MILES WITHOUT AN OCCURRENCE AND THE PROBLEM RETURNED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419164

30,000 miles · Aug 10, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE WILL SURGE OR LUNGE WHEN TRYING TO PARK VEHICLE OR YOU ARE MOVING SLOWLY (NOT ACCELERATING) - PERHAPS WHEN YOU ARE JUST USING THE IDLING POWER OF THE ENGINE TO MOVE. YOUR FOOT IS OFTEN OVER THE BRAKE, OR MAYBE EVEN BRAKING SLIGHTLY, USING THE VEHICLE'S OWN POWER AT IDLE TO JUST MOVE SLOWLY OR SLIGHTLY INTO A PARKING SPO…

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VEHICLE WILL SURGE OR LUNGE WHEN TRYING TO PARK VEHICLE OR YOU ARE MOVING SLOWLY (NOT ACCELERATING) - PERHAPS WHEN YOU ARE JUST USING THE IDLING POWER OF THE ENGINE TO MOVE. YOUR FOOT IS OFTEN OVER THE BRAKE, OR MAYBE EVEN BRAKING SLIGHTLY, USING THE VEHICLE'S OWN POWER AT IDLE TO JUST MOVE SLOWLY OR SLIGHTLY INTO A PARKING SPOT OR COME TO A STOP. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY ACCIDENTS, AS YOUR FOOT IS TYPICALLY ALREADY OVER THE BRAKE AND YOU CAN REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH TO STOP THE CAR. IT STARTED DOING IT 2 OR 3 YEARS AGO, BUT JUST OCCASIONALLY, SO IT WASN'T A BIG CONCERN. BUT IT HAS BECOME STEADILY MORE COMMON, TO THE POINT THAT IT IS HAPPENING WEEKLY OR SOMETIMES MORE OFTEN - EVERY 2 OR 3 DAYS. THE ENGINE RPM SEEMS TO INCREASE FOR JUST A SECOND, AND THEN SUBSIDE. IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME IF THE AIR CONDITIONING HAS ANY IMPACT, AS OTHERS HAVE SAID. BUT THE CAR RUNS FINE AND NORMALLY OTHERWISE. WE RECENTLY HAD A REPAIR DONE TO REPLACE AN EGR TUBE, WHICH WAS CAUSING ACCELERATION TO BE UNCONTROLLED, WHICH WAS AT ALL SPEEDS, AND WAS UNRELATED TO THIS SURGE OR LUNGE CONDITION. HOWEVER, WE HOPED THAT IT WOULD IMPROVE OR CORRECT THE LUNGE OR SURGE, BUT IT HASN'T. THE LUNGE OR SURGE DOES NOT OCCUR WHEN YOU ARE TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, ONLY WHEN YOU ARE ALREADY BRAKING SLIGHTLY AND LETTING THE IDLE SPEED OF THE ENGINE CREEP THE CAR ALONG. IT HAPPENS IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND IS NOTICED WHEN PARKING OR WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PARK CLOSE TO SOMETHING, SO YOU ARE CREEPING ALONG WITH JUST IDLE SPEED INTO A PARKING POSITION. WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY OTHER REPAIRS PERFORMED, AS IT DIDN'T HAPPEN OFTEN ENOUGH TO DUPLICATE FOR THE DEALER, BUT IT IS MORE OFTEN NOW THAT PERHAPS IT COULD BE DUPLICATED WITH SOME ATTEMPTS AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. I KNOW THAT IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, AND IT SEEMS TO ONLY AFFECT CVT TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED FREESTYLES AND MAY BE A FUNCTION OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT CAUSES IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418331

59,000 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE THE AUTO WOULD SURGE WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE FUEL PEDAL WERE APPLIED. THIS ALSO DID IT WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. HAD TO KEEP FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES OR RISK AN ACCIDENT. CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. AT 80,472 MILES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER A…

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WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE THE AUTO WOULD SURGE WITHOUT WARNING, AS IF THE FUEL PEDAL WERE APPLIED. THIS ALSO DID IT WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE TO FORWARD. HAD TO KEEP FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AT ALL TIMES OR RISK AN ACCIDENT. CAR BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. AT 80,472 MILES. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER ANOTHER SURGE PROBLEM THAT STALLED THE AUTO. RAY SKILLMAN FORD IN GREENWOOD, IN DETERMINED IT WAS THE "THROTTLE BODY". IT WAS REPLACED AND WHILE THE SERVICE MAN DROVE THE CAR, THE ENTIRE A/C UNIT WENT OUT. THEY PUT A NEW CLUTCH & COMPRESSOR. AFTER CALLING SEVERAL FORD DEALERSHIPS, THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE BACKORDER OF THESE THROTTLE BODY'S. CAPITAL CITY FORD IS INSTALLING TWO A DAY THE SAME WITH RAY SKILLMAN FORD.

NHTSA ODI #10418889

78,150 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

IN HOT WEATHER, THE CAR WILL REV LIKE THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED, IN COLD WEATHER, PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT GIVE THE CAR GAS. THE DASH LIGHT AND ODB READER BOTH SAY THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. IN HOT WEATHER, IT HAS CAUSED TWO MINOR BUMPS (NO DAMAGE). IN A FEW WEEKS, I AM GOING TO BE AFRAID TO PICK THE KIDS UP AT SCHOOL FO…

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IN HOT WEATHER, THE CAR WILL REV LIKE THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED, IN COLD WEATHER, PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT GIVE THE CAR GAS. THE DASH LIGHT AND ODB READER BOTH SAY THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. IN HOT WEATHER, IT HAS CAUSED TWO MINOR BUMPS (NO DAMAGE). IN A FEW WEEKS, I AM GOING TO BE AFRAID TO PICK THE KIDS UP AT SCHOOL FOR FEAR OF LUNGING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418278

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