Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →
WHEN IDLING WITH YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY EXPERIENCE AN INCREASE IN THE RPMS AND "LUNGE" EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING ON WHICH GEAR IS SELECTED: DRIVE OR REVERSE. THIS BEHAVIOR HAPPENS INTERMEDIATELY, BUT DOES NOT SEEM TO OCCUR WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD.
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN ACTING UP FOR QUITE SOME TIME NOW AND IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE I NEED TO GET IT CHECKED OUT I FEEL IT IS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. WHEN I START MY CAR AND GO TO PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE THE CAR WILL TAKE OF LUNGING!! I HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKE FOR IT TO STOP SOMETIMES IT REVS UP SO MUCH THAT MY CAR GOES INTO ENGINE FAILURE MODE AND MY CAR SHUTS DOWN. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST YEAR AND NOW IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME ON A DAILY BASIS. I FEEL THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY!! I TOOK MY CAR IN TODAY TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR AND THE SERVICE MAN CHECKED IT OUT AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY FOR IT WHICH IS GOING TO COST $800! I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO GET IT FIXED I NEED A SAFE VEHICLE FOR MY CHILDREN. THE CAR WILL BE READY FOR ME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIME WHERE I HAVE ALMOST HIT OTHER VEHICLES AND PEOPLE!! VERY SCARY WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS FORD FREESTYLE. I HOPE THAT THIS MATTER IS SERIOUSLY CHECKED OUT BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL AWD. THE CAR LUNGES OUT OF PARK. HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 30~ 60 DAYS THE CAR COMES TO A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO CLEAR THE FAILSAFE MODE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LOSE POWER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF; HOWEVER, WHEN IT WAS TURNED BACK ON, IT SURGED BACKWARDS WHEN IT WAS PLACED IN REVERSE GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,500. UPDATED 10/4/11 *CN UPDATED 10/21/11
2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY SURGES FORWARD WHILE IDLING AT A STOP, MOVING AS SLOW SPEED OR SHIFTING FROM PARK INTO EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASES WHEN THE VEHICLE'S AIR CONDITIONING HAS BEEN RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE IS NOT MOVING, I.E., WHILE EITHER PARKED OR IDLING. ENGINE ENTERS "FAIL-SAFE" MODE AND RESTARTING ENGINE TEMPORARILY CLEARS THE ERROR AND ALLEVIATES THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT MOVING. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY WHILE DRIVING AT AN AVERAGE SPEED. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS COMING TO A STOP OR ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED HIS VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS BEING DEPRESSED AND HE WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE INCLUDING WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. THE WRENCH WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ONTO THE EMERGENCY LAND AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,300. UPDATED 11/17/11 *BF
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I HAVE NOTICED THESE LAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN SURGING WHEN I AM ATTEMPTING TO PICK UP SPEED. TONIGHT JUST AFTER I TURNED IT ON IT PUTITSELF IN ENGINE SAFE MODE AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE FASTER THAN 5 MPH. IT WAS CHUGGING THE WHOLE WAY DOWN THE STREET, THEN FINALLY JUST TURNED OFF. *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. IT HAS STARTED JUMPING AND ACCELERATING ON IT OWN. AFTER IS DOES THIS THE CAR GOES INTO ENGINE FAILURE MODE OR CUTS OFF. IT HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING THROUGH A DRIVE THROUGH BECAUSE THE CAR WILL START JUMPING. I STARTED LOOKING ONLINE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND SAW THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM AND FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS. *TR
2005 FORD FREESTYLE 7/23/2011 LUNGED IN CHURCH PARKING LOT WITH AC ON AND FOOT LIFTING OFF BRAKE. WENT TO A GROCERY STORE AND WHILE PARKING SAME THING HAPPENED IN REVERSE AFTER IDLING WITH AC ON. SAT IN CAR IN PARKING SPOT WITH AC ON. (AIR TEMP OUTSIDE WAS 99) WHEN GOING TO LEAVE IT LUNGED AGAIN AND DISPLAY PANEL WENT "NUTS" AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AND CAR STALLED. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND I BELIEVE THE WARNING SYSTEM READ, SYSTEM FAILURE AND ENGINE START IN SAFE MODE. I PROCEEDED TO LEAVE AND THE CHECK ENGINE STAYED ON AND VEHICLE SEEMED TO RUN IN LOW GEAR EVEN WHILE SHIFTER WAS IN DRIVE. ALL OTHER GAUGES, ENGINE TEMP, OIL PRESSURE ETC WERE OK. WE WERE 10 MILES FROM HOME SO WENT TO DINNER TO LET CAR REST, CITY DRIVING NO MORE THAN 25 MPH, HIGHER RPM THAN NORMAL. AFTER 1 HOUR PLUS DINNER, DROVE HOME WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON BUT SEEMED TO BE A MORE LIKE NORMAL RPM SO WENT 50 MPH ON 65 MPH HIGHWAY WITH HAZARD LIGHTS FLASHING. CAR REMAINS PARKED. SINCE IT IS SUNDAY I WILL BE CALLING THE FORD DEALERSHIP TOMORROW AM. *TR
CAR LUNGED WHILE IN REVERSE, HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKE HARD TO PREVENT BACKING INTO PARKED CARS. PUT CAR IN FORWARD, IT LUNGED 2 OR 3 TIMES AND STALLED OUT AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE HARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WITH THIS PROBLEM. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT IN JULY OF LAST YEAR AND FORD REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. I HAD NEVER HAD THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM EXCEPT WITH THIS CAR AND IT APPEARS FORD HAS A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY THAT FAILS ESPECIALLY DURING HOT WEATHER.
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES (CAR JUMPS FORWARD AND GAS PEDAL DROPS WITH NO DRIVER ACTION) IN FIRST GEAR AND LOW TO NO RPM IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. THIS MOST OFTEN OCCURS AT STOP LIGHTS, PARKING, AND EASING OUT OF PARKING. ALL OF THESE TIMES HAVE THE PROPENSITY TO CAUSE MINOR ACCIDENTS. IF IT DOES CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, I WILL HAVE MY LAWYERS CONTACT YOURS. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE. *TR
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BEGAN MOVING IN RESERVE QUICKLY AS SOON AS THE CAR WAS PLACED IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. THIS HAPPENED LAST NIGHT AND THEN THE WRENCH(TRANSMISSION) LIGHT CAME ON. THE ENGINE PREVIOUSLY HAD BEGAN REVVING VERY HIGH LIKE IT WAS POSSESSED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WHEN I EXITED THE ROAD THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT WAS NOT GOING TO STOP AND I HAD TO PRACTICALLY STOMP ON THE BRAKE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE FROM REVVING SO HIGH. IT WAS FRIGHTENING. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
VEHICLE SURGES/LUNGES UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. APPLYING THE BRAKE HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE AT STOPPING HOWEVER, THIS IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION AS IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND AGAIN QUITE UNEXPECTEDLY. VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC AND SERVICE LIGHT "WRENCH" ILLUMINATES. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THESE ISSUES FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS AND I HAVE SINCE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE WHERE THEY JUST INFORMED ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY MUST BE REPLACED.
FOR 4 YEARS THE CAR HAS SURGED WHEN PLACING THE CARE IN REVERSE, BUT I ALWAYS THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. TWO DAYS AGO THE CAR SURGED FORWARD 3 TIMES AND I WAS INCHES FROM HITTING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AND IT WAS FINE. YESTERDAY I PLACED THE CAR IN REVERSE AND IT SURGED BACK WARDS SO FORCEFULLY I COULD ALMOST NOT CONTAIN IT WITH THE BREAKS. TODAY THE CAR SURGED BACK AGAIN BUT I WAS READY OR IT AND THE CAR STALLED STATING "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" I AGAIN I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AND IT WORKED WITH OUT A PROBLEM. ALL 3 TIMES THE CAR WAS IDLE IN 90+ DEGREE WEATHER FOR >5 MIN. *TR
THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO STOPS WHEN DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS......6 OR 7 TIMES PER 25 MILES! I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN CLINTON, NC. THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO TURN OFF AIR OR HEAT!!! NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I FIND OUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY OUR LOCAL ADVANCE AUTO STORE. THE MECHANIC WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THE SAME ISSUE. THE SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS A NEW THROTTLE BODY. AT A COST OF $520.00. I CALLED THE FORD GARAGE IN CLINTON, NC TO SEE IF THEY HAD THE PART SO MY LOCAL MECHANIC COULD FIX IT. NOW THE PARTS EMPLOYEE, BOBBY TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS A "HUGE" ISSUE WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE FORD TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. BY THE WAY, I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, TO NO AVAIL. THE WRENCH LIGHT ISSUE STARTED ONCE IN A WHILE ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. IT NOW IS A DAILY THING MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY SINCE APRIL 5, 2011. UPDATED 10/06/11 STATUS UPDATE 11/15/11
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGING FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. JUST OUT OF NO WHERE THE RPMS WILL SURE AND LUNG THE VEHICLE, I HAVE ALMOST CRASHED A FEW TIMES BECAUSE OF IT. I HAVE TRIED TO GET THIS PROBLEM LOOKED AT BY A MECHANIC BUT THERE COMPUTERS WONT READ UNLESS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. IT ALSO HAS STALLED OUT ON ME AT A RED LIGHT AND WHEN I START IT BACK UP IT SAYS ITS IN FAILSAFE MODE, AND WHEN ITS IN FAILSAFE MODE THE ENGINE WONT IDLE UP LIKE IT SUPPOSE TO. TOP SPEED IS LIKE 30MPH.. BUT ONCE YOU TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN IT FIXES ITSELF. *TR
ON 7/22/2011 FRIDAY, 5:30 PM MY VEHICLE (2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED WITH 3RD ROW SEATING) WAS AT IDLE IN A PARKING LOT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN "R" REVERSE AND IT SUDDENLY LUNGED BACKWARDS VERY QUICKLY APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET. TWO PARKING LOT PEDESTRIANS COULD HAVE BEEN STRUCK THAT WERE NEARBY. A "FAIL SAFE MODE" NOTIFICATION APPEARED ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN LOCATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND ORANGE "WRENCH" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN WITH SEVERE POWER LOSS TO LESS DENSE POPULATED AREA FOR SAFETY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, THE KEY REMOVED. I WAITED APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO ANOTHER PARKING AREA AND TURNED OFF. APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES LAPSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN "D" DRIVE AND VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY LUNGED FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 10 FEET. THE VEHICLE'S "FAIL SAFE MODE" ILLUMINATED FOR A SHORT TIME. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" NOTIFICATION ON THE INFORMATION SCREEN APPEARED AND THE ORANGE "ENGINE" SYMBOL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO MY HOME AND IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN MY GARAGE AT THIS TIME. (7/23/2011 SATURDAY 9:33 AM). *TR
TODAY ON 7/23/2011 MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE STALLED WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE. I RE-STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO THE PARKING LOT EXIT AND WAITED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN INTO TRAFFIC. WHILE I WAS STOPPED THE ENGINE REVVED TWICE AND THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO SURGE FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND STALLED AGAIN. WHEN I RE-STARTED THE CAR, THE DISPLAY SHOWED THE CAR WAS IN ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE TO A SPEED GREATER THAN 40 MPH. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS SITUATION ONLINE AND I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM NUMEROUS FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS. THE PROBLEM IS DIAGNOSED AS A THROTTLE ASSEMBLY MALFUNCTION. THIS WAS A TERRIFYING SITUATION...TO HAVE A CAR SURGE FORWARD FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND ENDANGER ME AND MY PASSENGERS. *TR
CAR LUNGES (REVS UP TO HIGH RPM) WHEN TRYING TO PARK, WHEN BACKING OUT, WHEN AT LIGHTS. CAN BARELY HOLD CAR BY PUSHING VERY HARD ON BRAKE. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE BUT THERE DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ANY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IT WILL SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD SUDDENLY WHEN I STOPPED AND SOMETIMES WILL SPUTTER AND ENGINE LITE WILL COME ON AND WILL HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET TO RUN RIGHT IT IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE OFTEN. *TR
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES WHEN AT IDLE SPEED, PARTICULARLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, IN BOTH REVERSE AND FORWARD GEAR. *TR
CAR WAS AT A FULL STOP AND ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN LUNGING FORWARD. LUCKILY I REACTED QUICK ENOUGH OR I WOULD HAVE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY WIFE THOUGHT IT DID THE SAME THING EARLIER THIS WEEK BUT ONLY BRIEFLY. THIS IS REALLY DISCOURAGING BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS AND THIS VEHICLE IS DISSWAYING MY OPINION OF THEIR VEHICLES. IT,S BAD ENOUGH I HAVE TO GET THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE EVERY 25,000 MILES WHICH BY THE WAY IS ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE YOU SHOULD BE LOOKING INTO. *TR
1. THE AIR CONDITIONER FAILED, HAD TO BE REPLACED JUNE 2011. IT JUST GRADUALLY DID NOT COOL THE AIR AT ALL. FAN ON AC WORKED FINE, ALL CONTROLS AS WELL, JUST NO COOL AIR. $850. THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD, MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN STARTING TO BACK UP. HAD VALVES CLEANED. WORKED TEMPORARILY. LOOKING AT MAJOR REPAIR BILL FOR THROTTLE BODY OR TRANSMISSION, DON'T KNOW WHICH.. *TR
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 INSTANCES OF UNINTENDED LURCHING WITH OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER THE LURCHING OCCURRED, THERE WAS LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. TWO OUT OF THREE TIMES DAMAGE OR INJURY ALMOST OCCURRED AND WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. ALL THREE TIMES THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD. THE AC WAS ON. *TR
WHEN TURNING MY CAR ON AND SWITCHING FROM DIFFERENT GEARS, THE RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN AND CAUSE THE CAR TO LUNGE EVEN WHILE HOLDING DOWN THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING OFF AND ON FOR 2 YEARS, BUT HAS MORE RECENTLY BEEN HAPPENING DAILY. I DID NOT TAKE IT TO GET REPAIRED YET, BUT WILL HAVE NO CHOICE. *TR
WITHOUT WARNING, WHEN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT SURGES AND I HAVE TO BE READY TO BRAKE OR CRASH INTO SOMETHING. FOLLOWING THE SURGE, THE ORANGE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND I HAVE TO SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT, AND THEN IT WILL GO AWAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. THEY SCANNED THE CAR AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THERE WERE NO CODES. THEY ADVISED THAT UNLESS I CAN MAKE THE SURGE HAPPEN, NOT TO LEAVE THE CAR. *TT
AFTER IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR LOST MOST OF ITS POWER WHEN RESUMING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. HAVE HAD MANY SIMILAR ISSUES SINCE THIS INCIDENT WHERE THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD BY ITSELF WHEN THE BRAKE IS PARTIALLY DEPRESSED OR THE WHEN THE BRAKE IS FULLY DEPRESSED THE ENGINE REVS UP BY ITSELF. DRIVETRAIN LIGHT CAME ON ONCE WHEN POWER WAS DECREASED AND THEN WENT AWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED AN OFF FOR AN HOUR. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS DETERMINED THE THROTTLEBODY IS CRACKED. OFFERED TO FIX FOR $900. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BECAUSE OF THE STEEP EXPENSE.
THE CAR SURGES IN DRIVE OR REVERSE WITHOUT APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR. IT USUALLY HAPPENS AFTER THE ENGINE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. IT SEEMS WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE IS "COLD", BUT IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED AFTER THE CAR HAS REACHED OPERATING TEMPERATURE. THE ONLY SOLUTION HAS BEEN TO APPLY THE BREAK AND ATTEMPT TO CONTROL THE SURGE WHEN IT HAPPENS. *TT
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 88,000 MILES AND I HAD TROUBLE WITH MY CAR LUNGING FORWARD THIS HAPPEN TO ME VERY BAD TODAY WHERE TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. I DID HAVE MY AIR CONDITIONING ON HIGH BECAUSE IT WAS 100 DEGREES IN THE MIDWEST. THE PROBLEM WAS THE WORST TODAY SINCE IT STARTED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO AND MY THROTTLE CONTROL/TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. WHAT DO I DO NEXT? I NEED TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. DO I NEED TO CONTACT FORD? DO I GO AHEAD AND PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED? THANKS SO MUCH.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 82,600.
VEHICLE HAS INTERMITTENT LURCHES WHEN ACCELERATOR IS NOT BEING PRESSED. USUALLY FROM A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN FIRST STARTED. HAD THROTTLE BODY REPLACED WHEN CAR HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES AT A COST OF NEARLY $700 AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY. CAR NOW HAS 100,000 MILES ON ENGINE AND PROBLEM HAS RETURNED. FAULTY PARTS? I DON'T WANT TO SPEND THIS MONEY EVERY FEW YEARS JUST TO STAY SAFE. I HAVE BEEN LUCKY SO FAR AND HAVEN'T HIT ANYONE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE CHANCE OF THAT HAPPENING. *TT
THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS SEPTEMBER 2010. I WAS IN A PARKING LOT WITH IN NASHVILLE TN. IT WAS HOT AND AC WAS RUNNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN REVERSE, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ON THE DATE I REPORTED ABOVE SAME SITUATION, IN A PARKING LOT, TEMP OUTSIDE WAS OVER 90 AND AC WAS RUNNING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE IT ACCELERATED FORWARD. MY WIFE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENTS SIMILAR BUT SHE WAS ONLY AWARE THAT THE AC WAS RUNNING WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED WITH PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. WE WERE FORTUNATE EACH TIME THERE WAS ENOUGH SPACE TO PRESS THE BRAKE AND STOP THE VEHICLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE REVVED TO A VERY HIGH RPM. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN NO PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE BRAKES WERE EFFECTIVE IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE DURING THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IDLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY LOCATED A FAILURE WITHIN THE EGR VALVE AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,600. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TURNED THE VEHICLE ON AND IMMEDIATELY IT SURGED. THOUGHT IT WAS ME BUT THEN IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN. SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN FOOT IS ON BRAKE AND/OR WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL ALL THE WAY. JUST STARTED HAPPENING THIS MONTH. TOOK THE MECHANIC TO CHECK, BUT HE COULD NO REPRODUCE ISSUE. I AM NOT SURPRISED THOUGH, AS IT SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTENT. PROBLEM BEST DESCRIBED AS VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE SOMEONE ELSE PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET, BUT CERTAINLY SEEMS AS IF IT IS INEVITABLE. *KB
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE "SURGES" WHEN THE ENGINE IS RUNNING BUT MY CAR IS NOT MOVING. I HAVE TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN STARTING UP THE CAR FOR FEAR IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD, OR BACKWARD, WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE PUT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I AM AFRAID TO LET ANYONE DRIVE THE CAR, EVEN WITH ME TELLING THE PERSON ABOUT THE SURGES, SINCE IT IS NOT WHAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY BE THINKING ABOUT WHEN STARTING A CAR AND PUTTING IT INTO GEAR. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP YET SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CHARGE WILL BE FOR REPAIR. THE SURGING HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 10 TIMES OVER THE LAST 2 MONTHS. EACH TIME I THINK IT IS JUST A ONE TIME THING, BUT NOW I KNOW IT IS NOT. *KB
THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN AT IDLE. COMMONLY HAPPENS WHEN BACKING UP OR MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY (IE, IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVING INTO A GARAGE). BECAUSE THIS IS OCCURRING AT IDLE SPEEDS SO FAR MY FOOT HAS BEEN EITHER ON THE BRAKE OR CLOSE TO THE BRAKE TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER THIS WILL ALSO HAPPEN IF IN A TRAFFIC JAM OR SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC SITUATIONS (IE, DROPPING THE KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL, SLOWING DOWN DUE TO PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, ETC). I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE DEALER THE ISSUE AND THEY ARE IGNORANT TO THE PROBLEM. *KB
WE HAVE AN 2005 FREESTYLE. MY WIFE WAS PICKING UP OUR GRANDSON FROM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL ON 7/19/2011. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND ALMOST RAN OVER SOME OTHER KIDS CROSSING OVER THE ROAD IN FRONT OF HER. THE CROSSING GUARD FRANTICALLY WAVED HIS ARMS FOR MY WIFE TO STOP WHICH SHE WAS TRYING TO DO. BY LUCK THE ENGINE DIED. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE FROM THIS YET AND THEN FORD WILL HAVE A BIG LAWSUIT ON THERE HANDS WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON THE SIDE OF THE PLAINTIFF. I CAN'T UNDERSTAND FORD'S POSITION ON THIS ISSUE SINCE THEY ARE RATED HIGHLY FOR QUALITY. THEY HAD THE PUBLICS SUPPORT WHEN THEY DIDN'T TAKE A BAILOUT. WHY DAMAGE A GOOD REPUTATION? *KB
MY CAR LURCHES FORWARD IF MY FOOT IS NOT FULLY ON THE BRAKE OR WHEN I BEGIN TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON. I WAS RUNNING MY AC IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER THIS LAST TIME. *KB
MY VEHICLE WILL JUMP AHEAD AT DIFFERENT TIMES. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN GEAR. IT LUNGES VERY QUICKLY SO YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE IF IT AT ALL TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED IT TOOK ME BY SURPRISE IT JUMPED AHEAD SO QUICKLY. I HAVE NOTICED LATELY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS IN USE IT WILL JUMP/LUNGE AHEAD NUMEROUS TIMES. *KB
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WILL LUNGE AT LOW SPEEDS, USUALLY WHILE PARKING IN THE DRIVEWAY OR PARKING LOT. THIS HAPPENS QUITE FREQUENTLY WHILE THE CAR IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND EVEN CAUSED THE FRONT END TO LUNGE INTO A CONCRETE WALL OF A PARKING GARAGE CAUSING MINIMAL DAMAGE BEFORE THE BRAKES COULD BE APPLIED. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE CHANGING GEARS FROM PARK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXCESSIVE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND OVER TIME OCCURRED MORE FREQUENT. THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARDS WHEN SWITCHING THE GEAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION OPEN UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND MORE FREQUENTLY WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE OR REVERSE, IT HAPPENS BEFORE THE ACCELERATOR IS PRESSED AND I MUST STOMP THE BRAKE TO STOP IT. I HAVE HAD MANY CLOSE CALLS IN THE PAST TWO WEEKS. TODAY A "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE" MESSAGE CAME ON. *KB
STARTED CAR, PUT IT IN REVERSE, CAR LUNGED. NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAS DONE THIS. EACH TIME THE LUNGE, EITHER IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, HAPPENS WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. IT JUST ABOUT ALWAYS STARTS WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED OR MOVED INTO GEAR AFTER IDLING. *KB
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS BEEN SURGING FORWARD WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP & THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE WITH A WRENCH HAS SHOWN UP. I HAVE 4 KIDS & THIS HAS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THEM IN THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY & IT IS VERY SCARY TO LOSE POWER ON THE HIGHWAY & TRY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT GETTING HIT BY ANOTHER CAR. *KB
WHEN GO TO BACK IT LUNGES BACK AND IF YOU ARE SITTING IN TRAFFIC IT WILL LUNGES FORWARD AND THEN STALL OUT OR DIE AND THE RPMS GO UP REAL HIGH. *KB
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. I AM EXPERIENCING ENGINE SURGES (SUDDEN ACCELERATION) ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A FORD DEALER WHERE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS AND BLAMED IT ON ENGINE LOAD FROM THE AC SYSTEMS. WHILE I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS YET I HAVE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BEEN FORCED TO STAND ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING OTHER VEHICLES AND IN ONE CASE A PEDESTRIAN. FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND THERE ARE NOT RECALLS. *KB
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY SURGES IN FORWARD AN REVERSE. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE SAYING IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MOST OFTEN WHEN FIRST SHIFTING OUT OF PARK TO REVERSE OR FORWARD. HAPPENS EVEN MORE OFTEN WHEN AIR IS ON. IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THERE HAS BEEN NOTHING DONE ABOUT THIS. THIS VEHICLE IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE FAMILY CAR!! IT HAS PUT MY SON AND WIFE IN MANY CLOSE CALLS. I HOPE NHTSA MAKES FORD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS AND SOON!! *KB
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2005 Ford Freestyle → · Every Freestyle year → · How the figures are calculated →