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.
On February 11th I had the recall done that reflashed computer and cleaned throttle body. The 12th and 13 it was unseasonably warm and the vehicle ran great. On the 14th the vehicle would not move at all. The temp was below 15 degrees. I could not drive my car for a month. When the temps went up into the 20's the car ran fine. I called the dealer to report the problem and was informed that the recall could only be completed once. On March 7th I cleaned the throttle body myself and found a ring of carbon around the butterfly. After cleaning the car was running good again. This was less than 400 miles after the recall had been completed. The symptoms of the jerking have gone away with the cleaning. The continuous problem seems to be the engine and malfunction light will come on and the vehicle reduces power and speed. Seems to be at lower temperatures. Yesterday it was 20 out and it did this. I have inspected the air and vacuum hoses to the throttle body and cannot find any loose, or broken. I have sprayed around throttle body gaskets while vehicle is running and can find no vacuum leaks. I don't think this is completely a throttle body issue. I believe the cvt transmission is to blame. In November I had the transmission fluids and sump filter changed. I did this because of the complaints of early transmission failure. Usually the failure occurs when vehicle is under load, ie going up hills etc. And appears to be temperature related.
My 2006 Ford Freestyle is stalling out at low speeds and not responding to acceleration. The wrench warning icon comes on the dashboard when the worse problems are occurring. It is not the throttle bottle which has been replaced and been reprogrammed. The mechanic showed 4 error lights regarding the cvt transmission. The Ford dealership was unable to diagnose or fix the problem. Currently there is a mass class action lawsuit being filed in California, it is not a unique of isolated occurrence.
The problem im having is that as the car goes 20-25 mph it complete stops and the wrench light goes on. It happened to me a few times on the highway at a normal high speed it complete went off. It sure has been a nightmare. Now I cant even take the family with me cause im scare to put them at risk. The Ford dealer did not fix the problem im at the point that I don't know what to do or who to call. Every number I call its an operator and the recording hangs up on me after a few times. I had a recall letter that was send to me but the repair dept at the Ford dealer don't want to give it back. I just hope the NHTSA can help me in some way. I was told that the problem im having has to do with the throttle body.
All of the sudden my rpms were surging really high while I was going slow I could only go about 20 mph with the rpms at 5! then my car would shoot forward and shut off. I had my throttle body cleaned under the recall and then the next day my car wouldn't move at all! it turns on but doesn't no go anywhere and when you put it in gear it shoots forward and shuts off again! the throttle body cleaning is obviously not the issue!
Around the middle of November 2012, I started noticing a slight knocking coming from under the hood while the vehicle was idling. It seemed to go away when I put the car in gear and started to drive. During the next couple of weeks the knocking was getting worse. I noticed it louder and louder as I was driving. Then, the only time the knocking went away was when the car was put in reverse. Now, I'm starting to get very concerned about my car breaking down while I am out. Shortly after this, I received a recall notice about the throttle body. So, I took it in on January 23, 2013 to have the throttle body recall procedure done. While it was at the authorized "Ford" dealership having this procedure done, I asked them to check out the noise I was hearing. They informed me it was a bearing that was within the transmission causing the issue and would need replaced. I was told that the part itself was not able to be replaced, but the whole transmission needed to be replaced. They recommended a "new" transmission be installed at the cost of $5200. A used one might result in the same circumstances happening. However, due to the issues with this "cvt" transmission, there may not be "new" one available for a while. I was then informed, that because of this "cvt" issue, Ford has extended the warranty on the 2008+ model years up to 100,000 miles. So, this means I am left with a worthless 2006 "Ford" vehicle with 95,508 miles. Which "Ford" knows has a defective part and has chosen to ignore and refuses any responsibility for it. What am I to do" is this how, we as consumers, should expect our vehicles to perform? I loved the styling and features of this car, but I can't see putting $5200 into this vehicle at this point and down the road the same thing happening or something new that they have known about. Where do I go from here"
- Baltimore, OH, USA
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Our vehicle was cruising at interstate speeds when it attempted to accelerate due to an incline in the road. Suddenly the vehicle wrench light along with the anti slip light came on and the engine RPM's increased but the vehicle did not accelerate. I took the car off cruise and applied the gas and received the same results, high RPM but no acceleration. The car would not accelerate no matter what I did. We eventually pulled off the highway and stop at a gas station where we turned the car off and fueled up. After leaving the gas station we have not experienced the issue since. We took it to our mechanic the next day who said we needed to replace the transmission for about $5000. After doing research I have found out the many Ford Freestyle owners have had to replace their transmissions along with replacing the electronic throttle control (which Ford eventually placed a recall on). We have had the etc repaired but the transmission being shot is unacceptable.
I was sitting in the drive-thru at mcdonald's when the car suddenly lunged forward almost hitting a pedestrian who was crossing in front of me to go into the store. My foot was on the break the whole time. The car lunges sporadically for no rhyme or reason.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic stop light with the brakes depressed, the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The engine exhibited a loud, racing and clicking noise as the RPM reading increased. In addition, the throttle warning light illuminated. The parked and powered the vehicle off. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer where a diagnostic was performed however, the technician was unable to locate a failure. The dealer replaced the throttle body twice however, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle continued to exhibit incidents of suddenly acceleration. The failure mileage was 21,049 and the current mileage was 80,000. Updated 02/26/13 the consumer stated Ford was contacted and did not offer any assistance. The vehicle has needed other repairs including two axles, one water pump, and brake repairs. On 12/20/2012 the vehicle was exhibiting unintended surging. Updated 3/4/2013
2006 Ford Freestyle purchased in June of 2011, returned to used veh dealer twice for various indicators on the dash. In November of 2011 the transmission went out and was replaced with a Ford transmission that was replaced in mid December of 2011. In September of 2012 this transmission went out and caused an axle bearing to be defective and the axle has to be replaced due to the bad transmission that is under warranty. It is January 16, 2013 and Ford still does not have a transmission to replace their bad one. Received word from the dealer that has it we are behind someone else who has been waiting since August for a transmission. Have been on the phone almost weekly and sometimes more than that to get something done. In the mean time we have been without the veh since mid September and no loaner as it is long term and Ford is not helping at all. Even suggested they buy it back and replace with a 2008 Taurus X. we would give them money for the exchange but they are not interested. Were told it could be 6 months before a transmission is available.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while the contact was driving 30 mph. The vehicle would not accelerate over 10 mph. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnostic test and the contact was advised that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 59,500.
This is a follow up complaint from earlier. I had to replace the transmission a month after buying my Freestyle. Almost $4000! I have videos of the cars rpms surging as I am driving it. Not a safe car - how many complaints before a Ford recall is made? please tell me someone does not have to get hurt or die first!
The car will randomly surge when stopped or at low speeds and beginning to accelerate. It seems like it just wants to go from an even idle to floored sometimes, just momentarily. Could happen when you are getting into or out of a parking space, pulling out of an intersection...doesn't seem to be any particular conditions. Lately has started to shudder at mid speeds (15-40 mph) and surge ahead as if you were moving the accelerator pedal, even though your foot is stock still. Getting to be a little uneasy having my wife drive the car.
Throttle body failed twice. Had repaired because vehicle lunged and almost hit a lady at kroger grocery store. Foot was firm on brake. Very dangerous in my opinion. I'm a Ford Motor Company employee and I've heard this problem from friends at work.also engine races sometimes.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph uphill, the engine rpms began to increase rapidly. In addition, there was no engine power with an illumination of the check engine warning indicator. In addition, the transmission began jerking violently. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis where they informed the contact that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 89,000.
This has happened twice. After driving on the interstate for about 60 miles@80 mph the wrench light started flashing and care would shut down. Transmission fluid was spewing out the vent tube. I had the transmission replaced and 2 months latter it has happened again. I have been following up on this issue and it seems a lot of people are experiencing similar problems!!!
Can be driving any speed or stopped and lose ability to accelerate. Have to pull over turn ignition off and restart the car, problem fixed for a little while, frequently while merging to an E way, or hilly areas, Ford mechanics have looked at car and cant tell us what is wrong, people who engineered car have looked at it and cant give an answer. Due to problems with car we owe more than it is worth now and cant trade in with recurring problem. Ford needs to step up and handle this problem.
In the summer of 2011 our Freestyle began to surge as far as two feet while driven at low speeds and also while at a complete stop, surging forward or backward when in reverse, revving loudly and subsequently stalling. Concerned, we took the vehicle to our Ford service department. The Ford service department told us that the problem was uncommon (not true) and did not mention any service bulletins before reprogramming our Freestyles PCM and replacing the throttle body.
On September 26, 2012 at approximately 7:15 am, while driving approximately 55 miles per hour on a major highway, approaching an intersection of another major highway, our Ford Freestyle quickly lost acceleration. The gas pedal did not react to the driver, when depressed the only reaction from the car was revving of the engine (RPM's). The vehicle was safely 'glided' to the shoulder of the busy intersection. Our Freestyle had experienced a complete transmission failure. Ford was unable to repair our Freestyle due to no longer manufacturing the transmission - it was on back order and unable to be purchased by us to repair the car. It was sold for scrap at 55,600 miles and 27 days past the 6 year bumper to bumper warranty.
Had to replace transmission right after warranty ran out. Was major deal at the time but now have just been told we have to replace transmission again for the third time. After researching on the internet I have seen that this is fairly common problem. Looking for answers or assistance on this issue has put poor taste regarding future ownership of Ford vehicle, unless problem is only with C.V.T. transmission.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lewiston, MI, USA