NHTSA Complaint #10422324 — 2005 FORD FREESTYLE

MY CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT (BRAKE IS APPLIED) OR DRIVING SLOW IN THE PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY AND LUNGES FORWARD AS IF THE ACCELATOR IS BEING PUSHED QUICKLY, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE TO EITHER BE STOPPED OR TO SLOW DOWN IN A PARKING LOT. I TYPICALLY PRESS THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO TRY TO GET CONTROL OF THE CAR TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING IN FRONT OF ME. IT DOES CONCERN ME THAT I IF IT OCCURS, THAT I COULD HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A LIGHT OR POSSIBLE A PERSON WALKING THROUGH A PARKING LOT. WHEN DRIVING HOME THE OTHER DAY (45 - 50 MPH), MY CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THE PROBLEM I HAD WITH THE CAR LUNGING AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT COMING ON. THEY CHECKED IT OUT AND TOLD ME THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR AND THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE LUNGING ISSUE AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM LIGHT ISSUE. THEY PUT THE NEW ALTERNATOR IN (WHICH WAS NOT CHEAP) AND I NOTICED ON THE WAY HOME THAT THE CAR WAS STILL LUNGING. I WAS DRIVING THE FOLLOWING SUNDAY MORNING AND NOTICED THE CAR CONTINUED TO LUNGE WHEN STOPPLED AT A LIGHT. ALSO, WHEN I STOPPED AT MY MAILBOX THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THE CHARGING SYSTEM, ENGINE OIL, AND EMISSION CONTROL LIGHTS ARE COMING ON. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE CAR IS GOING BACK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP MONDAY MORNING. *TT