NHTSA Complaint #10420036 — 2006 FORD FREESTYLE

I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I WASN'T PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR EITHER MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. AN INCREASE IN THE RPMS IS EVIDENT IN BOTH BUT WORSE IN REVERSE. WHEN STOPPING AT THE LIGHT AND GEAR IS IN "D", AFTER A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE INCREASES THE RPMS. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKES TO START MOVING AGAIN, THE CAR ABRUPTLY MOVES WITHOUT PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR. IN REVERSE, WITH BRAKES LIGHTLY APPLIED, THE ENGINE INCREASES THE RPMS MORE DRAMATICALLY THAN IN FORWARD. IT IS EVEN WORSE IF YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IN MY CASE, TO THE LEFT. YOU HAVE TO APPLY FIRMLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING WITHOUT CONTROL BUT THE RPMS STILL RUNNING HIGH. ONE OF THE TIMES, EVEN WHEN APPLYING FIRMLY THE BRAKES, THE CAR STILL MOVED UP TO THE POINT THAT IT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THAT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WE PARK THE CAR INSIDE OUR GARAGE AND IT BECAME UNSAFE TO PULL IN AND OUT AS SPACE IS TIGHT AND YOU COULD HIT THE WALLS OR MY OTHER CAR OR THE KIDS. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AND HOW SEVERE THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN SPEED WILL BE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY THAT FAILED AND CHANGED IT. I HAVE A 2006 FREESTYLE SE. *KB