FaultScore

Ford Freestyle acceleration problems

1,617 of the 5,155 complaints filed about the Ford Freestyle are about the throttle and cruise control — 31% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

1,617

Complaints

31%

Share of all complaints

57

Crashes

0

Fires

Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year

2005 Freestyle 587 36.3%

Median failure at 79,100 miles

2006 Freestyle 602 37.2%

Median failure at 75,000 miles

2007 Freestyle 428 26.5%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

What owners said

2005 Ford Freestyle at 160,000 miles Newark, NJ

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleaned and replaced the throttle body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

NHTSA complaint #11569427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle Reeds Spring, MO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get to some times 2 hours I can't run my AC cuz that over does my alternator and heats my car I've only had it a year and it's been giving me problems 5 months after getting it I have kids and it gets rough going slow in the heat and hoping if I press to much on the gas please help I am broke and have nothing but this car left and I've spent $2000 for people to tell me nothing is wrong with it

NHTSA complaint #11468338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle at 159,229 miles Augusta, ME

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

JUST GOT THE CAR AND IT STALLED ON ME TODAY, ACCELERATED AND SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. ALOT GOING ON IV READ OTHER PEOPLE'S COMMENTS ABOUT THE FORD CAUSING ACCIDENTS I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN TO ME I'M A NEW DRIVER

NHTSA complaint #11390862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle Cutler BAY, FL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ON A SUNNY/OR TO MANY ERRANDS I WILL START SEEING THE AREA FOR THE RPM'S TO GO UP AND DOWN. AT THAT POINT I HAVE TO BASICALLY DRIVE WITH BOTH FEET. THE CAR WHEN PLACED ON EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE WILL EXCELERATE ON IT'S ON, I THEREFORE HAVE TO BREAK QUICKLY SO AS TO NOT HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR AUTOMOBILE, WHICH IN TURN THE CAR WILL TURN OFF. IF IN TRAFFIC I MUST THROW IT ONTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART CAR. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE

NHTSA complaint #11377008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford Freestyle at 247,000 miles Everett, WA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 3 DAYS AND IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE. BOTH TIMES I WAS ON CITY STREETS DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH. TWO DIFFERENT TOWNS TWO DIFFERENT HILLS. THE FIRST WAS A FREEWAY OVERPASS AND THE SECOND WAS JUST A STREET ON A HILL. TODAY I HAD JUST PULLED OUT FROM A STOP SIGN AND WAS ACCELERATING UP THE HILL BETWEEN 20-30 MPH IT LURCHED/SURGED AGAIN!

NHTSA complaint #11364372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford Freestyle at 139,000 miles Glenville, WV

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING WHEN I AM STOPPED AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THIS COULD EASILY CAUSED OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE OR EVEN BODILY INJURY SHOULD SOMEONE BE WALKING IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM. THE LUNGING SEEMS WORSE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND CAR AC IS ON. IF VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO IDLE IN HOT WEATHER FOR MORE THAN 5-10 MINUTES THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL GENERALLY COME OUT AND ENGINE WILL DIE. AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR WHICH WOULD NOT BE THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER.

NHTSA complaint #11349302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford Freestyle at 134,000 miles Sevierville, TN

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

WELL I NOTICED THIS ISSUE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK IN JULY OF 2019 WITH 123,000 MILES. WHENEVER I GO TO PARK OR REVERSE WITH THE A/C ON OR ANYTHING MY CAR LUNGES WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE ACCELERATION AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES NOT TO HIT ANYTHING. AND TODAY I REVERSED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND IT LUNGES AS USUAL AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A WRENCH LIGHT FLASHED ON AND I WASN'T GETTING AS MUCH ACCELERATION AS USUAL. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. IT JUST SCARES ME WITH IT LUNGING AND SPEEDING UP ON ITS OWN IN DRIVE THRUS, PARKING LOTS/SPOTS, AND SIMPLY WHEN I'M SITTING AND TURN MY WHEEL JUST A LITTLE BIT IT DECIDES IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS ON! ALL THIS HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN I JUST START DRIVING, OR PULLING IN SOMEWHERE OR REVERSING, AND SOMETIMES WHEN I'M STATIONARY AT A DRIVE THRU.

NHTSA complaint #11341970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 120,000 miles Palmdale, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN PARKING. IT IS WORSE IF THE AC IS ON.

NHTSA complaint #11337807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle at 168,009 miles Cincinnati, OH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY CAR HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE WHEN I AM BRAKING, AND IT IS A POWERFUL AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION! IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE OFTEN WHEN I AM BACKING UP AND TURNING, BUT WILL HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. IT STARTED LAST WEEK AND IS HAPPENING WITH GREATER FREQUENCY, MAKING IT UNSAFE TO DRIVE. LAST NIGHT IT WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, BUT UPON RESTARTING THE CAR TODAY, IT HAS RETURNED TO NORMAL. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD SIMILAR EXPERIENCES, PARTICULARLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS RUNNING. AS IT SO HAPPENS, I HAD MY AIR CONDITIONER FIXED LAST WEEK.

NHTSA complaint #11327670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 180,575 miles Chowchilla, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM PRIVATE SELLER. ON THE DRIVE HOME I TURNED ON AC AND NOTICED A SURGE SO I TURNED THE AIR OFF. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME I FILLED THE TANK AS IT WAS ALMOST EMPTY WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR. THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS AT AN IDLE, AND THEN BEGAN TO SURGE WHILE DRIVING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CODES INDICATED IT WAS A MISFIRE, SO DID A TUNE UP (CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND COILS) ONLY TO HAVE THE ISSUE GET WORSE. THE CAR IS NOW ALMOST STALLING AND SURGING HARD. CAR IS VERY SLOW TO ACCELERATE AND FEELS TO HAVE NO POWER WHILE ATTEMPTING TO GET UP TO EVEN IN TOWN SPEEDS(25-30MPH) CAR IS UNDRIVABLE SAFELY AT THIS POINT AND I HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED 2 MONTHS. SURGING HAPPENS AT IDLE, LOW SPEEDS, FREEWAY SPEEDS, AND SURGES VIOLENTLY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE.

NHTSA complaint #11320241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 148,446 miles RED Bluff, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I JUST BOUGHT THE VEHICLE VIA PRIVATE SELLER. NO ISSUES WERE REPORTED BY SELLER. I FILLED VEHICLE AND ENTERED THE FREEWAY. A FEW MOMENTS LATER THE VEHICLE STARTED JOLTING WHILE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO JOLT OFF/ON. I EXITED THE FREEWAY DUE TO FEELING UNSAFE TO CONTINUE ON THE FREEWAY. UPON EXITING THE RAMP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AS THE BREAKS DID NOT SEEM TO WORK AND THE POWER STEERING WAS OUT. I PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL, AS HARD AS I COULD, TO THE RIGHT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED DRIVING CAUTIOUSLY. DRIVING AT A SLOWER RATE, 35-40MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JOLT AGAIN AND HAD DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING. AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF THIS ISSUE, I CLEANED THE BATTERY TERMINALS TO ENSURE THERE WAS A GOOD CONNECTION. I THOUGHT THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. AT THIS POINT I HAD HALF A TANK. A COUPLE DAYS LATER, I WAS ON EMPTY. I FILLED UP THE VEHICLE FOR THE WEEK. MY VEHICLE IS NOW JOLTING AND SURGING AGAIN. I WAS ALMOST HOME, WHEN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF, I LOST POWER STEERING AGAIN AND THE BREAKS WERE NOT WORKING. I AGAIN PULLED THE STEERING WHEEL, AS HARD AS I COULD TO THE RIGHT, TO GET OFF THE ROAD AS AN ONCOMING CAR WAS JUST AHEAD. ONCE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, I PUT IT IN PARK, RESTARTED THE CAR, ENTERED THE DRIVEWAY AND PARKED IT. TODAY THE VEHICLE IS STILL JOLTING, SURGING AND HAS A DELAY WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. I AM SCARED TO CONTINUE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE! I HAVE NO CONTROL AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLS. I AM SCARED THE VEHICLE IS GOING TO STALL, AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, AND I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET OFF TO THE SHOULDER, TURN THE WHEEL FAST ENOUGH TO AVOID A COLLISION OR MANEUVER A CURVE WHEN IF IT STALLS. I AM SCARED I MAY HIT A PEDESTRIAN DUE TO NO BREAKS.

NHTSA complaint #11302767 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 60,000 miles Champaign, IL

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE VERY SLOWLY AT FIRST, THEN UNPREDICTABLY LUNGE FORWARD AT HIGHER SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY THE PEDAL WILL IMMEDIATELY RESPOND WITH RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN OUT WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. ALTERING THE WAY PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 3 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS, AND ONLY RECENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE IDLING DID A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND LIGHTLY DRIVEN.

NHTSA complaint #11291964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Ford Freestyle at 161,000 miles Boston, MA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE POWER TRAIN AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY AND BODY CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.

NHTSA complaint #11288262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle at 136,000 miles Little ELM, TX Crash

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THE CAR STOPS RANDOMLY AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES WILL NOT EVEN STARTUP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND I RECENTLY HIT SOMEONE IN FRONT OF ME DUE TO JERKING OR LERCHING WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT. VERY DANGEROUS

NHTSA complaint #11286718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 150,000 miles Erie, PA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ON GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AND WOULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MPH - HARD TO GET IN FROM THE RAMP WITH OTHER ONCOMING CARS. IT STARTED SURGING AND BUCKING. WHEN I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AT THE NEXT INTERSTATE IT AGAIN SURGED WHEN I WAS GOING 20MPH. VERY SCARY FOR ME. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STOPLIGHT IT STALLED AND I HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME. I HAVE BEEN SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND ESTIMATED $700 FOR THE PART AND $200 FOR LABOR. I HAVE HAD SURGING ISSUES THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN I USED THE DEFROST OR AIR CONDITIONING BUT NOT ANYTHING THIS BAD. I DID CALL THE FORD COMPANY AND HAVE A CASE NUMBER - THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE PART OR LABOR. I SPOKE WITH A MANAGER...

NHTSA complaint #11282935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 120,000 miles Fort Stewart, GA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY CAR STALLS, AND LUNGES FORWARDS OR BACKS SUDDENLY EVEN IF I'M PRESSING THE BRAKE.

NHTSA complaint #11277442 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Ford Freestyle at 135,000 miles Tyler, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND HAVE ALMOST HAD 4 WRECKS THIS WEEK! IT JUST SURGES RANDOMLY IN THE SCHOOL PICK UP LINE REDLIGHTS PARKING LOTS AND STOP SIGNS IM SCARED FOR MY FAMILYS SAFETY.I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR FROM AN INDIVDUAL

NHTSA complaint #11266508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle at 151,215 miles Gilmer, TX

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD SPONTANEOUSLY. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE AND REAPPLY THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,215.

NHTSA complaint #11242780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle at 170,000 miles Pueblo, CO

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE IDLING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SURGE FORWARD. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IDLING WITH THE GEAR IN REVERSE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND SPRADLEY FORD (2828 HWY 50 WEST, PUEBLO, CO) WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA complaint #11233422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Ford Freestyle at 172,000 miles Newport News, VA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES ON ITS ON CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD AND TAKE OFF SLOW WITH VERY LITTLE POWER IT DOES IT WHEN SITTING IN PARK WITH THE CAR TURNED ON AND WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA complaint #11229118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Ford Freestyle problems