Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 428 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 360 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

27 crash reports1 fire reports4 injury reports

Power Train complaints

360 reports

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55,649 miles · Jun 16, 2011

Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

LURCHING OUT OF CONTROL CAR HAD TO BE HELD WITH EXTREME FORCE ON THE BRAKES. TOOK TO DEALER JUNE 15, 2009 REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND MOTOR ASSY. COST $732.86 JUNE 15, 2011 CAR HAS BEEN LURCHING AGAIN, ALMOST TOOK OUT OUR KITCHEN WALL, HOLDING BRAKE HARD SAVED HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407063

65,000 miles · Jun 14, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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WITH MY FREESTYLE THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR THROTTLE CONTROL. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I REVERSE OR GO FORWARD FROM EITHER A PARKED POSITION OR FROM A STOPPED POSITION THAT THE CAR WILL LUNGE. I HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES SOMETIMES TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER AUTO. WHEN I DO THIS SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STALL AND THE "WRENCH" LIGHT WILL SHOW UP ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. I HAVE ALSO HAD IT NOT GO INTO GEAR, IT WILL LUNGE AND THEN WHEN I APPLY THE GAS THE CAR WILL NOT SHIFT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. THE RPMS WILL GO UP BUT EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR IT WILL NOT ENGAGE. I HAVE TAKEN TO THE CAR TO WHERE I HAVE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THEY ARE STATING THAT THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT WITHOUT THE LIGHT ON THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AND YOU ALWAYS NEED TO BE PREPARED TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THIS CAN RESULT IN A STALLED VEHICLE WHICH IN TURN COULD BE STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE CAUSING BODILY INJURY.

NHTSA ODI #10407828

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE SOMETIMES LURCHES WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE, REVERSE OR PARK, QUITS SOMETIMES WHEN I'M BACKING UP OR PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND ALSO SURGES SOMETIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON, BUT USUALLY GOES OFF WHEN I TURN THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTART IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SOMETIMES IT GOES OFF AFTER A FEW MINUTES, BUT OTHER TIMES IT STAYS ON FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME EVEN IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. THIS PROBLEM STARTED LAST JUNE AND I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I DIDN'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF A PROBLEM OVER THE WINTER, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WITH THE WARMER TEMPERATURES AND IS GETTING WORSE. THE PROBLEM IS DEFINITELY WORSE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON AND I CAN ALMOST COUNT ON HAVING A PROBLEM AFTER THE CAR HAS IDLED FOR A FEW MINUTES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406881

Mileage unknown · Jun 13, 2011

Power Train

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I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE FORD "FREESTYLE" MODEL YR. 2007. I PURCHASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2009 FROM A REPUTABLE USED CAR DEALERSHIP. I DISCOVERED FROM THE SALESMAN THERE WERE ONLY A FEW LEFT AS THE CAR HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED BY FORD. WHAT BEGAN HAPPENING ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, I NOTICED THE CAR WOULD, AS I FIRST DESCRIBED, "POPPED" WHEN I LET OFF THE BRAKE FROM AN IDLE, AND WOULD SURGE FORWARD. I TOLD MY HUSBAND ABOUT THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME TO WAIT AND SEE IF THE PROBLEM WOULD WORK OUT. BUT, IT BECAME FAR MORE DRAMATIC WHEN I WAS IN "CARPOOL" EVEN AFTER TURNING OFF THE AC (A PROBLEM IN TX.), THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD SO QUICKLY MY CHILDREN WOULD BE AFRAID AS WELL. I WAS TERRIFIED BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY CHILDREN AND I WAS AFRAID THAT I WOULD LOSE CONTROL. (THIS IS A VERY SCARY SCENARIO). MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP SOON THEREAFTER WHERE WE WERE TOLD AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS THAT THE CAR HAD NO IDENTIFIABLE ISSUES. THE PROBLEM HAS NEVER 'CORRECTED' ITSELF AND HAS WORSENED. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL 'NEAR MISSES' FOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AS A RESULT. I HAVE A VERY REAL AND SCARY PROBLEM AND I FEEL MY CHILDREN ARE AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406198

60,527 miles · Jun 13, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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2007 FORD FREESTYLE; CONTINUAL SURGING FORWARD AND BACKWARD; STALLING; INABILITY TO ACCELERATE; WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON; UNABLE TO REPAIR BECAUSE EVERYTIME IT HAPPENS, BY THE TIME I GET IT INTO SERVICE, IT IS RUNNING WELL AGAIN. MORE RECENTLY SPOKE WITH SERVICE AFTER OCCURRENCE AND HE IS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROBLEM, REPAIRS THEM ALL THE TIME SO I AM SCHEDULED FOR AN $800 THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT TOMORROW; THE PROBLEM LEAVES ME VULNERABLE WHILE DRIVING SO I AM UNABLE TO WAIT FOR RECALL, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406080

97,000 miles · Jun 12, 2011

Power Train

SURGES UP TO 2000 RPM WHEN SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, DRIVEWAY, ETC. BRAKES HAVE TO BE FORCEFULLY APPLIED TO AVOID THE VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD AND HITTING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10406002

72,874 miles · Jun 11, 2011

Power Train

UNEXPECTED LUNGING FORWARD OR REVERSE AT LOW SPEEDS, WITH BRAKES APPLIED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405961

66,000 miles · Jun 8, 2011

Power Train

2007 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES UP TO 2000 RPM WHEN SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, DRIVEWAY, ETC. BRAKES HAVE TO BE FORCEFULLY APPLIED TO AVOID THE VEHICLE SURGING FORWARD AND HITTING SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405684

86,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011

Power Train

VEHICLE SURGES WITHOUT DRIVER'S FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. ENGINE REVS AND VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD UNTIL BRAKES APPLIED AT WHICH TIME ENGINE MAY DIE. A WARNING LIGHT MAY OR MAY NOT ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD AS A "WRENCH" SYMBOL. WHEN THE IGNITION IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, THE WARNING LIGHT DESIGNATED BY A "WRENCH" SYMBOL G…

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NHTSA ODI #10405364

85,000 miles · Jun 6, 2011

Power Train

I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH IS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SUDDENLY LURCHING FORWARD WHEN STOPPING. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE BECAUSE I KNOW I'M NOT ALONE AND IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE (I BARELY AVOIDED RUNNING INTO SOMEONE AT A …

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NHTSA ODI #10404566

Official recalls

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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

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

PE08060 · Tire Valve Cracking

Opened Oct 14, 2008 · Closed Apr 9, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Tires:valve

ON OCTOBER 14, 2008, ODI OPENED PE08-060 TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF CRACKED AND LEAKING SNAP-IN TIRE VALVES IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2007 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.THE VALVES WERE SUPPLIED TO FORD BY TOPSEAL AUTO-PARTS, A SUBSIDIARY OF THE SHANGHAI BAOLONG AUTOMOTIVE CORPORATION IN CHINA.VALVES MADE BY TOPSEAL FOR AFTERMARKET SALE WERE THE SUBJECT OF TWO RECENT SAFETY RECALLS BY TECH INTERNATIONAL (08T-018) AND DILL AIR CONTROLS (08T-028), THE LATTER OF WHICH WAS INVESTIGATED BY ODI IN PE08-036 AND EA08-022.THE DEFECT CONDITIONS ADDRESSED BY THE AFTERMARKET TIRE VALVE RECALLS BOTH INVOLVED INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING DUE TO ISSUES WITH THE SUPPLY OF ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS TO TOPSEAL FOR A PERIOD FROM JULY TO MID-NOVEMBER 2006.THE AFTERMARKET VALVES WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A BLEND OF EPDM AND NATURAL RUBBER, USING A RELATIVELY LOW PERCENTAGE OF EPDM (EPDM PROVIDES INHERENT RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING).HENCE, THE NEED FOR ANTI-OZONANT CHEMICALS AND THE PROBLEMS WITH CRACKING WHEN THOSE CHEMICALS WERE MISSING OR OUT OF SPECIFICATION IN SOME LOTS OF VALVES.BOTH RECALL CAMPAIGNS INVOLVED INSPECTION PROGRAMS TO IDENTIFY AND REPLACE VALVES WITH VISIBLE SURFACE CRACKING.ALTHOUGH THE TOPSEAL VALVES SUPPLIED TO FORD ALSO APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE ANTI-OZONANT SUPPLY ISSUES IN MID TO LATE-2006, FORD INDICATED THAT ITS VALVES WERE MADE AT A DIFFERENT TOPSEAL PRODUCTION LINE AND WERE COMPOUNDED WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF EPDM RUBBER TO MEET MORE STRINGENT SPECIFICATIONS FROM FORD.ODI'S ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY DATA PROVIDED BY FORD SHOWED THAT PROBLEMS WITH CRACKED TIRE VALVES WERE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR MY 2007 VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007.FORD RESPONDED BY IMPLEMENTING CHANGES IN ITS MATERIAL SPECIFICATIONS FOR SNAP-IN RUBBER TIRE VALVES AND ALSO INCREASING THE QUALITY AND ACCEPTANCE STANDARDS FOR VALVES IMPORTED FOR USE IN ITS VEHICLES.WHILE THE COMPLAINT AND WARRANTY CLAIM RATES ARE ELEVATED FOR SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 2006 THROUGH MARCH 2007, THE RATES OF LEAKING VALVES ARE WELL BELOW ONE PERCENT OF PRODUCTION FOR EACH OF THE PEAK MONTHS FOR ALL OF THE AFFECTED MODELS.A SUBSTANTIAL MAJORITY OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) WHICH WARN THE DRIVER WHEN ANY TIRE PRESSURES DROPS BELOW 25 PERCENT OF RECOMMENDED INFLATION PRESSURE. AS OUTLINED IN A LETTER TO ODI DATED APRIL 6, 2009, FORD HAS AGREED TO SEND LETTERS TO OWNERS OF CERTAIN MY 2007 AND 2008 FORD, LINCOLN AND MERCURY VEHICLES TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRACKING CONCERN. LETTERS WILL BE SENT TO OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT FROM NOVEMBER 2006 THROUGH MAY 2007.OWNERS CAN OPT FOR A FREE DEALER INSPECTION.VALVES EXHIBITING SURFACE CRACKS OR AIR LEAKAGE RELATED TO OZONE ATTACK WILL BE REPLACED BY FORD UNDER ITS NORMAL WARRANTY TERMS.FORD EXPECTS TO SEND THE LETTER BY APPROXIMATELY MID-MAY 2009. BASED ON THE USE OF TPMS IN THE MAJORITY OF SUBJECT VEHICLES AND THE RELATIVELY LOW RATES OF REPAIRS ASSOCIATED WITH LEAKING VALVES AND RESULTANT TIRE DAMAGE, ODI BELIEVES THAT THE ACTIONS FORD HAS AGREED TO TAKE WILL PROVIDE EFFECTIVE AND EXPEDITIOUS RESOLUTION FOR VEHICLES THAT WERE BUILT DURING THE PERIOD WHEN VALVES WITH INADEQUATE RESISTANCE TO OZONE CRACKING WERE MOST LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN USED IN VEHICLE PRODUCTION.FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER WOULD NOT BE AN EFFICIENT ALLOCATION OF AGENCY RESOURCES.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL CONTINUE TO