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.
In 2008 my Ford Freestyle started lunging forward at very low speeds when in gear without either the brake or accelerator pedal applied. If I applied the brakes, it stopped the car right away, but if I was sitting with the vehicle in drive or reverse and didn't have my foot on the brake pedal, the vehicle would suddenly lunge - and the only way to stop it was to slam on the brakes. I am just luckily we never hit anyone. It seemed to happen after it rained. A local (non Ford) mechanic stated that he believed the ECM was getting wet and corrosion was causing this problem. After he addressed the problem (he cleaned and tightened pins, sealed with terminal sealer/corrosion inhibitor), the problem completely stopped. Now, 4 years later, it's doing it again. But that mechanic is no longer in business and I am worried that this is a chronic (and scary) problem that needs to be addressed. This morning my vehicle lunged suddenly backwards out of my driveway, right into the sidewalk where children were passing. I had stopped my car, let up the brake and it lunged. No one was hurt but I no longer feel comfortable driving it. I hope that you can investigate this problem and provide me with an update (and a solution!). we love the vehicle otherwise.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. While traveling 5-10 mph with the air conditioning system functioning, the contact noticed that the vehicle would abnormally accelerate without warning. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 130,000. The VIN was not available.
While driving to work all of a sudden the cluster lights in the instrument panel all went out and the speedometer, odometer, control temp, and gas gage all zeroed out and a wrench and air bag light came on. Then after about 10 minutes of driving everything starting working again and the two warning lights went off however, then the check engine light came on. I had a diagnostic done and the errors were all electrical. Have to take it in a few days to the Ford dealer and be charged a $90 fee up front just for them to look at it and diagnose the problem. According to all the complaints it's been a very well known problem that Ford should have dealt with in a recall. Not just try to sweep it under the rug. I'm sure it's going to cost me an arm and a leg when they get done. I have always owned a Ford but now I think I'm going to make a switch to a Chrysler (since I do work there now) and I know I will be taken care of not just taken.
When stopped or moving slow to make a turn the engine accelerates on its own, this happens going forwards or in reverse and happens more with the ac turned on.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while attempting to park with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lunged forward exhibiting an abnormal increase in engine rpms. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 105,100.
- Buchanan , MI, USA
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This is the 2nd time this happened! again, we were on the highway and suddenly the motor gave out. Luckily, we made it without an accident to the shoulder. The wrench symbol and the cel were on. The motor started again but the car didn't take any gas, didn't accelerate. And the engine was running very rough and rumbling. I had my wife and kids in the car and was really so mad. We had to call a tow truck and a taxi to get home. The cel came on so many times in the past months, we checked the code - it was always for the throttle body. We cleaned it and the light was gone. Only to come back a couple of weeks later. As I said, we've been dealing with this problem since some months now. But this is the 2nd time the motor actually stalled. And in this really very dangerous situation : on a highway!! Ford needs to initiate a recall, I've done some research in the last months, there are so many complaints about this problem. My Freestyle also lunges forward/backward if I'm accelerating. I think it's all related and totally irresponsible of Ford not do do something. It's a serious safety issue. A miracle no one has been injured until now - or worse!!!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. While driving at any speed or while stopped, the contact noticed that the vehicle would suddenly accelerate followed by stalling. The vehicle was not diagnosed and no repairs were made to the vehicle. The current and the failure mileages were 129,956.
I have a 2005 Ford Freestyle. I have had several lunging incidents where the car feels like it wants to lung forward or backward when backing out a parking space etc.. the first time I reported this incident was on 08/25/09. The next time was on 09/22/09. The dealer ordered a new throttle body. There were so many issues with the throttle body on this car that they were on back order. The dealer allowed me to drive for 5697 miles before the part arrived. I requested a rental under warranty and they said they could not justify a rental. On 02/08/10 my new throttle body was installed. Today is 02/22/2012 and I am having the same issue all over again. The Ford Freestyle is by far the worst vehicle I have ever owned. I am on my second set of (rear) brake pads and rotors. I have had the engine mounts replaced. Our air conditioner only works properly during the winter. I have found numerous pages of forums with people from all over the United States dealing with the exact same issues on the exact same cars. I recently discovered that a class action law suit has been filed against Ford for the throttle body issue. I have pages of documented issues with this car.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge failed and displayed an erroneous reading of zero. In addition, the turn signals and headlights were inoperable. The contact also stated that with the brakes depressed, the vehicle would surge forward abnormally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 60,000.
I have a 2005 Freestyle, I bought new, and have had the throttle body replaced twice for this surging issue. The dealer said it was a bad throttle position sensor. I have read on the forums about other people having the same problem. This is my wife's car and she freaks out when it surges, she has almost lost control sometimes.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact was driving 40 mph when the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle only to have it stall again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing that concluded that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The contact did not have the throttle body replaced. The failure mileage was 83,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated the vehicle would surge forward with the brake depressed or when the air conditioner was activated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current mileage was 145,000 and the failure mileage was 142,000. The VIN was unavailable.
2005 Ford Freestyle lunging forward, stalling out, and check engine light wrench icon light coming on. It was dangerous to be on the road because of the sudden stopping, and very pore acceleration. After several tries at reading codes discovered it was a bad throttle body. I noticed all of the complaints that were posted on line about this same vehicle and discovered your investigation opened in 2011. Repairs were made by myself at the cost of $608. Also, I noticed the new replacement part had an engineering change that eliminated the anti freeze heater section. I feel something should be done about this problem by recalling the throttle body system used in this Ford vehicle. I also was informed by the service center at the Ford dealership, where I purchased the throttle body, that this part was common to be replaced. Thank you for looking into this issue.
When stopped at a light, the engine accelerated suddenly, I had to press very hard on break to prevent the car from launching. This has happened in several occasions, always when stopped but not in park.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would intermittently lunge forward when the vehicle was stopped and would lunge backward when the vehicle was in reverse. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who was unable to duplicate the failure. No repairs were performed. The current mileage was 70,000 and the failure mileage was 40,000.
Throttle body is giving me trouble. When I am at a light or stopped my car accelerates by itself. Is a safety issue as sometimes I am at a pedestrian crosswalk or just at a light. Very concerned about this issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while the brakes were depressed, the vehicle surged forward and stalled without warning. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired but was unsure as to the exact repair that was made. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 88,000.
I purchased my 2005 Ford Freestyle new in January 2006. After two years I started to experience various unintended accelerations. I took the vehicle to a Ford authorized dealership and had it checked out. Their work order indicated they had performed an "eec test code P2106 (throttle position sensor), it also indicated a pin point test QE1, QE9, and they proceeded to replace the throttle body". the problem went away for some time and after a few months the vehicle started to do the same thing again (acceleration). The problem really gets worse with the A/C on and while I try to maneuver into parking spaces or while I'm at a full stop waiting to turn. I have since used less my vehicle. This issue causes a great burden on me and my family since this is our daily driver and we are trying to avoid any mishaps that could involve an accident with another vehicle or person.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, she applied the brakes and the vehicle accelerated without warning. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and the mechanic stated that the throttle position sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer and filed a complaint. The failure mileage was unknown.
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- Key West, FL, USA