This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Issues with throttle body, the wrench light has come on multiple times while driving at low speeds(under 45mph) the can will randomly lurch at low speeds, having the air conditioner on seems to make the problem worse. The way the car jolts and jumps is unpredictable and makes the vehicle unsafe. This problem has been happening since we purchased the car, and after years and many trips to the Ford dealer the problem will stop for only a few days or few months and then the same problem starts all over again. Also other owners of Ford Freestyles made either IN2005 or 2006 have also experiences the same exact problems I have experienced. I strongly feel this car should be recalled due to the safety issues.
The car surges, jumps, sometimes acclerates and I put on the brakes and it will sometimes die. Mainly happens when I am in reverse/forward or the air conditioning is running. Also, does this when I am idling in a parking lot or at a traffic light. I have taken it to auto repair shops and they think it is the computer. Couldn't afford to do a new computer so thought I would hold out, since it doesn't do it all the time. Now it is starting to get worse. I turn the air off when starting out. My wrench light comes on and I don't have much power and my rpms get up to 4 when driving 50mph. Turn the car off and it is like it never happened. The car is dangerous to drive with my kids not knowing when it will happen in busy traffic, ,will it die and someone hit me" this isn't normal and I have found out my car isn't the only one doing this same thing. Will it really take someone getting very hurt for something to be done" what justice is that and knowing that this problems exist. First time buying a Ford and will probably be the last time. I don't trust them. You have a problem you fix it. That is integrity & trust. Love for someone from Ford to come with me for a day and ride in bumper to bumper traffic and see how our day goes.
Backing from driveway into the street, car surged but was able to stop it when brake applied. At that point the vehicle stalled. Able to restart and continue without incident but warning "wrench" light was on indicating throttle / transmission fault was detected and service required. After restarting later that day no problems noticed and no warning light. This was the most severe case so far but had noticed some small surging in prior weeks both in reverse and drive when starting out both from cold start and from restart conditions. Further research suggests this is a well know throttle body problem for Ford Freestyle / 500 / montego models from 2005 / 2006 timeframe. Safety risk is significant, cannot let other family members or any less experienced operators drive this vehicle until the problem is addressed. Replacement or at least maintenance for this known faulty system should be provided at no charge by the manufacturer.
I was stopped and in a line of vehicles in a parking lot with my foot on the brake and the engine surged. Fortunately, I had my foot on the brake with sufficient pressure to keep the car from lunging forward. This occurred several times while in the parking lot with the engine going into (limp mode) forced limited power mode. I drove the car directly to the Ford dealer where the car was purchased. The mechanics did not detect any diagnostic trouble codes and sent me on my way. Since then there have been probably six (6) more events without the engine going into forced limited power mode. In all events the engines surges to approximately between 1500rpm and 1800rpm with the car in drive and the foot securely on the brake. The event generally lasts less than 5 seconds. All events occurred during summer months. Last event was this past Wednesday when my son was driving the car. I witnessed the event as a passenger. The two codes that came up are P2106 and P061B. I purchased a tester to read the codes. Current mileage is 77995. Researching the potential cause of this problem led me to your site and prompted me to file a complaint.
We were in a parking lot. I had just shifted in to reverse and lighted up on the brake, and the car throttled backwards. I quickly pressed the brake and the car stalled or quit. I started the car again and the car throttled backwards again. I pressed the brake, but it didn't stall this time. I slowly released the brake and was able to back out of my spot. A little while later, having arrived at another destination, about 10 miles away, I was pulling into a parking spot, in drive, and after releasing the throttle, to apply the break as I was coasting in, the car 'throttled' again. Fortunately, there was not another vehicle in the space in front of me or I would have probably had a fender bender.
- Brady, TX, USA
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First time it happened car lunged forward at shut down, died completely. 30 minutes later was able to turn it over. Mechanic said it needed throttle body but it was on national backorder until August 2009. So had to drive it home. Happened quite a bit throughout that time until I realized that it had a lot to do with having the A/C on. It happens even without the A/C on sometimes at lights, stop signs, and in parking lots, and also when in reverse it lunges in that direction as well; sometimes at very high rate which is scary. Have 3 children and cannot fathom why this car has not been recalled. I still owe money on it and now it is sitting in my mechanics garage because the cvt transmission went out.. 5 weeks now and I do not have transportation because I cannot afford to fix the cvt transmission that alot of other people are having the same problem with.
While backing up the car lunges when foot is still on the brake. Car will occasionally lunge forward when pulling out of a parking spot or when stopped at traffic light or stop sign. Very unsafe!!!!!! must make sure my foot is on the brake hard when stopped or be ready to quickly brake when backing up. The ac is sometimes on when this happens and the temperature is in the upper 80's. we live in Colorado springs, co and 80 degree temp are pretty hot here. Lately it has been in the 90 degree + range and the issue has been happening more. My wife mostly drives this car and our teenage daughter, new drive with a permit, is learning to drive, this is not safe!!!. please put pressure on Ford to fix this safety item. Seems like may others are having the same issue. Will it take for someone to be seriously hurt or killed before this gets looked at" how many accidents major or minor has this caused? how many insurance rates have increased because of these accidents" please do something about this!!!!!!!
The car ahead of me had run off the freeway due to snow. I stopped to see if he was ok. Once I started up, I pushed down hard on the gas pedal to accelerate and be up to speed for the traffic coming up behind me. The pedal stuck to the floor and the car kept accelerating. Once it reached 75mph, I held down firmly on the brake and was able to stop the vehicle. I turned off the engine and then restarted. As soon as I put it in drive, the car took off again accelerating on its own. I quickly hit my foot to the gas pedal and was able to knock it loose and the car slowed down. The dealer said it was a faulty gas pedal and I had it replaced (at my cost). The problem still continues to this day. The dealer continues to tell me that there is no problem and there have been no complaints about the vehicle. After that first incident, there was one time that I had started the car in my garage and drove down the street. Once I turned the corner, the car accelerated on its own, lunging forward but I was able to stop it. At that time, I was told it was a transmission problem and the dealer did the repairs under warranty. Even after that work, I still have a problem with the gas pedal sticking.
While traveling home from holiday, my wrench light came on in the car and we could smell the engine beginning to overheat. My engine was trying to lunge forward even though I had the cruise control on. My vehicle then started to decelerate and I barely made it off from the highway via an exit ramp. Pulled over, turned off the car and opened the hood to let the engine cool off. I thought the problem may be gear or transmission related or perhaps bad gas. I tried a trick told to me by mechanic friend to back up the car and go forward approximately 40-50 feet, stop the vehicle and repeat the movement again to reset the transmission controls. I also added fuel injection cleaner and filled the tank again. After fuel injection and letting the car sit, it was okay for the rest of the trip. Had another incident just recently (July 2012). The same wrench light came on and my car once again lunged and decelerated and I had to pull off. Luckily, there was a gas station at exit again. And, luckily, I was able to maneuver through traffic when decelerating without harm to my family. I bought more fuel injection cleaner and filled the tank. I then let the car sit again. That seemed to help. We made it home after another rest stop for the car. Shortly after, my husband used throttle body cleaner to clean out my fuel injection pathway. He removed air connection and found the throttle body to be clogged with gunky material and sprayed a good dose of the cleaner into it while I gunned the engine to clear it out. I am now using fuel injection cleaner with every gas fillup to mitigate the problem. I know I probably need to replace the whole throttle body, but I am leary from what I've read on internet with others having same problem, replacing throttle body and then it having to do it again a year later. I am going to fix car and then probably sell it. Not safe anymore.
Engine speed will surge and vehicle will lunge forward or rearward, depending upon which gear the transmission is in, at unexpected times. Always noticeable near 0-2 mph with A/C on, foot on or off brake pedal, may or may not be turning. We have scared people in crosswalks and drive-thrus with this. It scares us as well.
My family was sitting in the car while it was parked in drive. It stalled out and made a strange sound that sounded like a problem with the transmission. I have noticed that when it is hot it seems to accelerate on its own. I have noticed that it usually happens at low speeds and reverse. I feel that this is very dangerous. I have researched this car online and have read that this has happened to quite a few of these cars. I wanted to make sure that this defect has been noted. Thank you for your time.
The car lunges while stopped or going in reverse. Has done this for a long time..my wife is driving this car now and has bumped into post/almost lunged into passing car when backing out of parking spot.
Beginning about August of 2011 my car started to suddenly "jump" forward even if my foot was not on the accelerator and even when my foot was on the brake. I was able to apply my brakes hard enough to make it stop and I immediately put the car in park. It happened at least 2 more times in the week that followed. I had a friend look at the car, but then it did not start to do it again until this week. Several times the car jolted forward once I even had my foot firmly on the brake. I had to really push on the brake as I put the car in park to keep from hitting the car immediately in front of me. Each time I was able to step on the brakes and put the car in park. Even in park the engine would rev to higher than usual rpms. I turned the car off and started it again to see if that would correct the issue. But a short time later it did the same thing. Then finally, my car died and I had a hard time starting it again. When it did start, I had a hard time trying to get it to drive. It was in gear, but it did not want to go forward, almost as if it was fighting the acceleration. I got it home and parked it. I will be taking my car to a Ford dealer this week to be looked at. But, when I did some research on the problem, I found there have been similar complaints so I wanted to make sure you were aware of mine as well. Do I have any recourse about the issue and the repair that will be required?
We bought a used Ford Freestyle in 2008. Since that time, we have had recurring problems stemming from a defective throttle body. It has been in-and-out of the shop, while various mechanics tried to figure out the problem. Finally, approximately two years ago, I did my own research (discovered the countless reports of problems with the Freestyle) and specifically requested that the mechanic replace the throttle body. This was after having surges in rpms and lurching of the car (while sitting in traffic with no foot on the accelerator), and also dead stalls in the middle of intersections and oncoming traffic when attempting to accelerate. This fixed the problem until several months later. Next, we replaced the entire transmission last spring (the vehicle would shift down to first gear at cruising speed, e.g., on the interstate, then go into "limp" mode). In addition, apparently there is also a systemic issue with the design of the Ford's scroll compressor, which began showing symptoms this past spring. Thankfully my (new) mechanic replaced a $40 valve in the compressor, instead of the entire $1000 compressor (which the Ford folks recommended). Approximately two years later, we are replacing the throttle body for a second time today (it is currently in the shop) because of issues with surges in acceleration and stalling in traffic and loss of power. The mechanic just told me, "as a friend, I'm telling you: As soon as this car is fixed, you need to sell it. You will continue to have recurring problems with it." We bought this vehicle for around $10,000, and I'd estimate we have spent nearly that much in repairs over the past four years. I'm just thankful that my wife and children were not seriously injured in the meantime. How can Ford sell such an unsafe vehicle with no recourse? as soon as I can afford another vehicle, I'm selling this Freestyle.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while waiting in traffic, the vehicle accelerated and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact was able to stop the acceleration by applying the brakes. The vehicle was not taken the dealer for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and the current mileage was 109,000. Updated 08/01/12 updated 08/02/12
Car suddenly accelerates on its own. Happens in very hot weather, A/C on, in idle, no contact is being made with accelerator pedal, car stalls, when restarted engine light and wrench lights are on and car does not run properly. Feels like it is in first gear and doesn't go above 60mph.
After filing a complaint on or about 6/28/12 (ODI number 10463545) in regard to another 2006 Ford Freestyle I own and operate, I now have to report the identical defect with my other 2006 Freestyle. After parking my first Freestyle until repairs can be made, this Freestyle (now being reported) has become the major transportation vehicle of the household. Now this vehicle has begun surging in rpms and 'lunging' whenever the brake is released. This occurrence was in 95 degree weather with the air conditioner running. I don't know if the outside temperature plays a role in the defect occurring but both vehicles were at maximum operating temperatures, had been running for a length of time whereas a higher 'cold engine' idle would have no bearing on the occurrences. Since I haven't an extended warranty on the first vehicle I reported on 6/28/12 (a recent purchase), I have ordered an electronic throttle body w/tps (non-heated which is obviously a Ford supercession) and will attempt to replace it myself as a cost savings measure. Since filing my issue I've found via the internet that others with the same problem have paid upward of $1,200 to have this work performed. After ordering my parts I have discovered that this particular throttle body was installed on 2005-2007 Ford Freestyles as well as their Ford five hundred (of which I also own a 2007 model year of with approx 20K miles). Is there any truth to the rumor that bad luck always comes in three's? I certainly hope not!! as of earlier this morning (7/01/12), with a cool temperature of 75 degrees F., this defect did not re-occur, but my other vehicle also began to 'act up' as an intermittent problem that eventually wouldn't go away.
After purchasing (as a used car) for my daughter, vehicle began rapid acceleration and 'lurching' unexpectedly when shifting into forward or reverse. After several days, this was compounded by occurring when starting and stopping in traffic during brake application. I had the filters replaced (air and gas) and the problem seemed to have gone away. I asked my dealership, during my first inspection after it's purchase, wether there was a tsb in regard to this issue and would they please check it out. They alleged that they had no record of any defect regarding this issue and no tsb had been issued. They did however refuse to complete the inspection until I allowed them to overhaul the rear brakes w/new rotors for quite a kingly sum! (so much for a promotional 'free inspection'.) last night I had to Venture out and retrieve the vehicle from my little girl after the car kept 'lurching' everytime she used the brake. While she was waiting in an intersection attempting to make a left turn, the car 'lurched' and stalled in front of oncoming traffic. After restarting the car an engine light and a 'wrench' was now visible on the dash, and the car had absolutely no accelerator! due to our flat terrain I was able to bring the car home on an idle at a speed no greater than 10 M.P.H. once safely home I tried a trick that used to work on the fleet busses I once worked on. That was rapidly turning the ignition switch on-off, on-off repeatedly about 10 (ten) times, then leave switch on and start it. This seemed to have cleared the 'wrench' and the accelerator was restored. The engine light did not clear. I've put tires, struts, strut mounts etc. Into this car to make it safe for my daughter to drive, yet I can't allow her to use it. 4 of 5 cars I own are Ford, 2 being 2006 Freestyles, and this is the only one that I have had a problem with. What recourse do I have now?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Randolph, MA, USA