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

What owners actually said

893 reports

98,000 miles · Jan 7, 2013

EnginePower Train

CAR SURGES FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED. AND WHEN DRIVING IN THE SUMMER THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES STALL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491758

90,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013

EnginePower Train

WHENEVER I PUT IT IN FORWARD OR REVERSE THERE'S A SURGE OR IN REVERSE ITS DOES A JERK. WHEN I GO IN REVERSE I CANT USE THE AIR CONDITIONER. IT CUTS THE CAR OFF AND THEN THE WRENCH COMES UP WHEN I RESTART THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490818

72,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013

Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

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WHILE AT A SIGNAL COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE VEHICLE MOTOR REVVED AND EXCELLED ACTED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DIE AND ALL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. THE ENGINE LIGHT STAYED ON AFTER RESTARTING. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIME ALMOST CAUSING SEVERAL ACCIDENTS. WE HAVE HAD OUR TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE OF IT. THE AMOUNT OF TIMES IT HAPPENED AND TORQUE IT PRODUCED CAUSED DAMAGE IN TRANSMISSION. WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL MECHANICS REFUSE TO WORK ON THIS ISSUE BECAUSE THEY SAY THIS MODEL IS KNOW TO DO THIS AND NO ONE KNOWS HOW TO FIX IT. I AM OUT $7000 AND A UNRELIABLE CAR THAT IS UNSAFE TO PUT MY WIFE AND KIDS IN. FORD HAS SAID THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND WOULD COST ME ANOTHER $5000, AND WE'RE NOT SURE IF THEY THEMSELVES COULD FIX IT. THEY ARE NOT SURE WHAT THE ISSUE IS, BUT WOULD BE WILLING TO RESEARCH IF I PAY FOR IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490671

64,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013

Power Train

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PURCHASED AN 07 FORD FREESTYLE. LESS THAN THREE YRS OLD AND HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT $7000.00! WAS TOLD THE REVVING AND LUNGING THE VEHICLE DOES CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO EVERYONE I CAN. WHY DOES NO ONE CARE THAT THESE VEHICLES MOVE ON THEIR OWN? WHEN TOYOTA HAD THIS ISSUE, THE NEWS STATIONS WERE ALL OVER IT. A RECALL HAPPENED WITHIN MONTHS! IF YOU GOOGLE THESE ISSUES, THERE ARE MORE THAN 20,000 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THESE ARE FAMILY CARS! FAMILY VEHICLES WHICH DRIVE KIDS AND THEY ACCELERATE ON THEIR OWN EVEN IN REVERSE! I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER 7000.00 FOR ANOTHER NEW TRANSMISSION. FORD ISSUED A ONE TIME THROTTLE CLEANING, THAT I JUST RECEIVED IN THE MAIL. THX FORD FOR THE $150 SERVICE THAT DOES NOTHING! NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A F.O.R.D! FOUND ON ROAD DEAD=FORD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490669

75,000 miles · Jan 1, 2013

EnginePower Train

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WHILE AT REST, CAR SUDDENLY SURGES FORWARD. THEN, WHILE REVERSING MY CAR STARTED SURGING MAKING IT DARN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE AS WELL AS PARK. IN 2011, SPENT 7000$ ON A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR A FOUR YR OLD VEHICLE WITH 75,000 MILES!!!! RIDICULOUS. NOW, THE CAR SURGES IN BOTH DIRECTIONS AND TIMING IS OFF. FORD ISSUED A ONE TIME THROTTLE CLEANING. WHAT A JOKE! THANKS FORD! $150$ SERVICE THAT FIXES NOTHING AND 20,000 PEOPLE ONLINE THAT ARE OUT 5000-7000$ FOR TRANSMISSIONS GET WHAT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490667

114,000 miles · Dec 31, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE AND JERK ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT WAS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST BUT THE COULD NOT D…

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NHTSA ODI #10490533

87,000 miles · Dec 29, 2012

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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FIRST TIME DRIVING IN THE SNOW TODAY IN MY FREESTYLE AND AS I WAS COMING TO A STOP SIGN. I WAS BRAKING AND MY CAR ACCELERATED ALL BY ITSELF AND I COULD NOT STOP AND WENT THROUGH THE STOP SIGN! I HAD MY TWO KIDS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND IT SCARED ME TO DEATH! I AM JUST GLAD THERE WAS NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND AT THE TIME. MY CAR HAS DONE THIS IN THE PAST AND ITS NOT SAFE AT ALL BUT DRIVING IN THE SNOW IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND I AM SCARED TO DRIVE MY OWN VEHICLE IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490485

116,200 miles · Dec 26, 2012

Power Train

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WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, RPM'S INCREASED EXCESSIVELY, PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED CAR. SEEMED FINE. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, SLOWING AND TURNING AT ABOUT 20MPH, RPM'S INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND LOST SPEED. TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED, PUT INTO DRIVE, BUT CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. STALLED OUT WHEN PRESSING ACCELERATOR. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC PERFORMED DIAGNOSTIC SAID TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. TOWED TO DEALER FOR ESTIMATE - THEY SAID THAT A TRANSMISSION FROM FORD WITH A 3 YR WARRANTY IS ON BACK ORDER FOR TWO MONTHS! HAD JUST PAID THIS OFF AND OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY JUST ENDED 2 MONTHS AGO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490164

81,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. T…

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NHTSA ODI #10488044

80,000 miles · Dec 10, 2012

Power Train

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THE VEHICLE LUNGES INTO GEAR - BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE. RPMS JUMP RAPIDLY AND CAR JUMPS INTO GEAR. I NEED TO PUSH ON BRAKE WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT TO STOP IT FROM MOVING. ALSO JUMPS ERRATICALLY WHEN STOPPED SUCH AS AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. IT IS MUCH WORSE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. AS THE SITUATION WORSENED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL DUE TO SURGING. UPON RESTARTING WHEN WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE. THERE IS NO RESPONSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER WAITING 10 -15 MINUTES IT WILL THEN START AND RUN FINE UNTIL NEXT TIME. I HAD TRANSMISSION TROUBLE AS A RESULT OF THIS. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED BUT THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN CLEANED OFF THE THROTTLE BODY HOUSING AND IT SEEMED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM....TEMPORARILY. WITHIN 10,000 MILES THE VEHICLE STARTED STALLING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO RAN A SCAN AND GOT TRANSMISSION CODES. BACK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP. NOW THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A USED ONE WITH 30,000 MILES. RAN FINE FOR 15 MINUTES AND WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AND THE CAR WON'T MOVE. UPON RESEARCHING I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE BODY AND HOUSING. I UNDERSTAND YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS AND WOULD LIKE MY COMPLAINT ADDED TO YOUR LIST! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487925

Official recalls

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

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