NHTSA Complaint #10466526 — 2005 FORD FREESTYLE

WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS (5-10 MPH), WHETHER IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD (OR BACKWARD IF IN REVERSE). THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 10 TIMES OVER THE LAST 4 DAYS, RESULTING IN SEVERAL NEAR-MISS ACCIDENTS WITH VEHICLES, AS WELL AS ALMOST HITTING A PEDESTRIAN MULTIPLE TIMES. THE ENGINE LUNGING HAS ONLY OCCURRED AT LOW SPEEDS, MOSTLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 85 DEGREES. THE ENGINE LUNGING OCCURS WHEN I'M DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS WHEN I'M BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, OR DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IN WHICH I'M DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED. THE TIME BEFORE LAST, IT WAS IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT WHEN I WAS PICKING UP MY SON FROM SUMMER SCHOOL. BOTH THESE TIMES, A PEDESTRIAN WAS ALMOST HIT WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. TODAY, I WAS IN TRAFFIC IN THE WALMART PARKING LOT WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE CHECK ENGINE SYMBOL LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, AS WELL AS THE ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE COMING ON. I HAVE TO TURN THE CAR COMPLETELY OFF AND BACK ON TO GET THESE LIGHTS OFF. *TR