MIDDLE ROW, MIDDLE SEAT, SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THIS SEAT BELT WAS NOT IN THE FEMALE LOCK, 3-POINT SEAT BELT POSITION. IT WAS UN-ENGAGED. SEAT WAS PUT IN THE DOWN POSITION AND SEAT BELT LOCKED EVEN TIGHTER. THE SEAT WOULD NOT GO IN THE UP POSITION, THE UN-ENGAGED SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT SO THAT THE SEAT WOULD GO IN THE UP POSITIO…
Read full complaint
MIDDLE ROW, MIDDLE SEAT, SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THIS SEAT BELT WAS NOT IN THE FEMALE LOCK, 3-POINT SEAT BELT POSITION. IT WAS UN-ENGAGED. SEAT WAS PUT IN THE DOWN POSITION AND SEAT BELT LOCKED EVEN TIGHTER. THE SEAT WOULD NOT GO IN THE UP POSITION, THE UN-ENGAGED SEAT BELT HAD TO BE CUT SO THAT THE SEAT WOULD GO IN THE UP POSITION. *DT
NHTSA ODI #10667455
101,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemSeat BeltsService Brakes
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MY TRACTION CONTROL, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT, ABS & PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAR HOME, BUT SOON AFTER MY TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO AFFECTED.TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND A WEEK LATER, THEY FINALLY FOUND THE TRACTION CONTROL MOTOR IS GONE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $900.00.DEALER DOESN'T KNOW IF TH…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY MY TRACTION CONTROL, AIRBAG, SEAT BELT, ABS & PARKING BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE CAR HOME, BUT SOON AFTER MY TRANSMISSION WAS ALSO AFFECTED.TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND A WEEK LATER, THEY FINALLY FOUND THE TRACTION CONTROL MOTOR IS GONE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED $900.00.DEALER DOESN'T KNOW IF THE TRACTION CONTROLLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED TOO, BUT WILL TEST THAT AFTER LOADING NEW MOTOR. IF THE CONTROLLER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ,THEN IT'S ANOTHER 1,200.00 ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE. DEALER ORIGINALLY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WHICH THEY NEVER FOUND AND COSTING SO MUCH MONEY AND TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10598988
129,000 miles · Apr 24, 2014
Seat BeltsSeats
I FOLDED DOWN THE SECOND ROW 2/3 SEAT TO VACUUM MY SEATS AND THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND THE SEAT WON'T GO BACK UP. EWALD IN HARTFORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEN CHANGED THEIR MIND. THERE'S A WARNING STICKER SAYING NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THE THIRD ROW WHILE THE SEAT IN FRONT IS FOLDED. I'M STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MY KIDS IN T…
Read full complaint
I FOLDED DOWN THE SECOND ROW 2/3 SEAT TO VACUUM MY SEATS AND THE SEAT BELT LOCKED AND THE SEAT WON'T GO BACK UP. EWALD IN HARTFORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT AND THEN CHANGED THEIR MIND. THERE'S A WARNING STICKER SAYING NO ONE SHOULD SIT IN THE THIRD ROW WHILE THE SEAT IN FRONT IS FOLDED. I'M STILL GOING TO HAVE TO PUT MY KIDS IN THE THIRD ROW. I HAVE 3 KIDS. EWALD SAID IT WOULD BE $600 SOME TO FIX IT AND I DON'T THINK I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE. I KNOW IT'S AN OLDER CAR BUT IT'S NOT LIKE I HAVE EVER FOLDED THE SEAT DOWN BEFORE WHERE IT WOULD WEAR OUT. I FOLD THE SECOND ROW 1/3 SEAT DOWN ALL THE TIME TO LET SOMEONE IN THE BACK. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL OR THE EWALD DEALERSHIP SHOULD TAKE CARE OF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10584668
98,000 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR INSPECTION OR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98000.
NHTSA ODI #10555819
96,000 miles · Jul 17, 2013
Seat Belts
FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT LOCK - HASP DOES NOT ENGAGE WITH SPRING CLIP. FRONT PASSENGER SEAT IS UNUSABLE UNTIL THE PROBLEM IS FIXED. BEEN DRIVING FOR 40 YEARS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE HAD A SEAT BELT FAILURE, BUT IT SEEMS THIS MODEL HAS A PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10525376
20,500 miles · Jun 5, 2012
Seat Belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM USING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOU…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR LOCKED, WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM USING IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,000.
NHTSA ODI #10460667
84,603 miles · Oct 20, 2011
Seat BeltsVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT REMAIN LOCKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD BE TURNED OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES BEFORE IT WOULD RESTART. IN ADDITION, THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT REMAIN LOCKED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,603.
NHTSA ODI #10432201
70,000 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Seat Belts
I HAVE A 2007 FREESTYLE AND THE DRIVERS SEATBELTS WONT WORK PROPERLY AND ALL THE HANDLES FOR FORWARDING THE SEATS HAVE LIKE GOTTEN LOOSE THEY ARE STILL THERE BUT WONT WORK PROPERLY EITHER. ITS JUST WHAT LIKE THREE YRS OLD I SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AT ALL COME ON OLDER CARS STILL HAVE THESE THINGS WORKING PROPERLY.ITS A VERY…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2007 FREESTYLE AND THE DRIVERS SEATBELTS WONT WORK PROPERLY AND ALL THE HANDLES FOR FORWARDING THE SEATS HAVE LIKE GOTTEN LOOSE THEY ARE STILL THERE BUT WONT WORK PROPERLY EITHER. ITS JUST WHAT LIKE THREE YRS OLD I SHOULDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM AT ALL COME ON OLDER CARS STILL HAVE THESE THINGS WORKING PROPERLY.ITS A VERY SAFETY ISSUE PROBLEM.NO OLD PART IS AVAILABLE NO WHERE I'VE CALLED SO MANY JUNK CAR PLACES AND NOTHING.THIS SEATBELT THING IS SO EXPENSIVE AT THE DEALER I STILL PAY A NOTE ON IT FROM A CARLOT AND I JUST CANT AFFORD IT AND THEN THE GAS IS SO HIGH ITS SO RIDICULOUS IT HAS GONE BAD SO SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10394369
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2
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
2007 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration