NHTSA Complaint #10318439 — 2005 FORD FREESTYLE

WE OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. OVER THE LAST 4-5 MONTHS WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL "GOING BLACK". THIS HAS CAUSED THE VEHICLES REVERSE LIGHTS TO COME ON AND STAY ON. IT WAS HAPPENING ABOUT ONCE EVERY FEW WEEKS AND HAS INCREASED TO A WEEKLY ISSUE. WE HAVE TO UNHOOK AND REHOOK THE BATTERY TO TEMPORILY FIX THE PROBLEM EACH TIME. A MECHANIC INDICATED IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ELECTRONIC CLUSTER CONTROLLING THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL. UPON SEARCHING MULTIPLE SITES THIS SEEMS TO BE THE MOST FREQUENT NON-RECALL ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL CAR. WHEN IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE INSTRUMENTATION GOES CRAZY, THE CAR BUCKS, AND THE REVERSE LIGHTS COME ON. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A COMPONENT PROBLEM WITH THE MOTHER BOARD WHICH IS A DEFECT AND EVEN REPLACING IT WILL NOT NECESSARILY FIX THE PROBLEM IN THE LONG TERM AS THIS COULD OCCUR WITH THE NEW ELECTRONIC CLUSTER AS WELL. *TR