2005 FORD FREESTYLE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

THE DASH BOARD INFO READS SAFE MODE (ENGINE FAILURE) THE LITE AND A WRENCH APPEAR ON THE DATA ON THE DASH. THE VEHICLE MOTOR STILL ON GOES DOWN TO 1 TO 3 MPH WHILE DRIVING, ON STREET OR FREEWAY, THE CAR HAVE TO BE SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED AND PROCEEDS TO RUN FOR AWHILE AND DOES THE SAME THING AND NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.IT HAVE BEEN WORKED ON BY LICENSE MECHANICS SEVERAL TIMES AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE.. NEED A SOLUTION. IT IS A UNSAFE SITUATIONS. *TR

I WENT IN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR TIRE ROTATION AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR CRADLE WAS RUSTING OUT WITH A BIG HOLE IN THE CRADLE FRAME. *TR

IN 2010, MY CAR WOULD GO INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT. AFTER A FEW TIMES, IS STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT WAS IDLING. AT THAT TIME, I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. TODAY, APRIL 10, 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" KICKED ON TWICE AND THE SECOND TIME, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO WORK AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY OFFICE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC RUN. IT COST $75 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL THAT THEY CAN DO IS CLEAN AND RESET THE COMPUTER UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RECALL. I PLAN TO DROP IT OFF TODAY...

I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. I FILED A COMPLAINT ON HERE ONCE BUT DO NOT REMEMBER THE DATES OR THE USERNAME/PASSWORD I USED. THIS VEHICLE IS THE WORST CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED. I'VE SUNK THOUSANDS INTO REPAIRS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I'VE HAD INSTRUMENT CLUSTER REPLACED 4 TIMES, REPLACED ENGINE MOUNTS, MY A/C COMPRESSOR WENT OUT ON IT, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. AND NOW IT SITS ON BLOCKS WE THOUGHT WAS THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT SO REPLACED IT. DIDN'T DO ANY GOOD. NOT SURE WHAT IT IS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STILL DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY, IT WAS SURGING TIL THE DAY THE OTHER DAY WHEN IT JUST WONT GO ANYMORE, IT WILL START AND RUN BUT WON'T GO. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE NUMEROUS THINGS, THROTTLE BODY AGAIN, INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STILL NOT RIGHT, MIGHT BE MY TRANSMISSION, COULD BE...

WHEN AT A STOP, OUR CAR LUNGES WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, FORWARD OR REVERSE. THERE IS A HESITATION AFTER PUSHING ON THE PEDAL THAN IT LEAPS FORWARD OR REVERSE. I WAS TOLD FROM A DEALER THAT IT NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED AND WAS TOLD THE SAME FROM A TRANSMISSION SHOP. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP INFORMED ME OF SOME PROBLEMS FORD WAS HAVING WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED IT UP ON LINE AND SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS. I CLEANED IT AND IT SEEMED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, IT STARTED THE LUNGING AGAIN. THIS MORNING, THE CAR SHUTTERED AND STOPPED AND SEVERAL LIGHTS ON THE DASH LIT UP, WRENCH, MOTOR. THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE, IT WOULDN'T EVEN REV UP. IT STRANDED MY WIFE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CAME TO MEET HER AND HAD IT TOWED TO OUR HOUSE. I CLEANED THE THROTTLE...

ABOUT 2 YRS AGO DURING THE BEGINNING OF THE SUMMER I NOTICED THAT MY AIR CONDITION ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS NOT COOLING. SITTING STILL YOU WILL THINK YOU HAVE ON THE HEAT. I ALSO NOTICED THAT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IT MUCH WARMER THAT THAN THE DRIVER SIDE. COOLS OK IN THE MORNINGS WHEN IT IS NOT SO HOT BUT LATER IN THE DAY YOU CAN FORGET ABOUT THE AIR. I HAVE HAD THE FREON CHECK MORE THAN ONCE WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT LOW. THIS YEAR IT WORST THAN EVER. BEFORE IT WOULD START TO COOL ABOUT 20 MILES FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. NOT NOW! I WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC ALSO THE THE MOTOR BRACK IS BROKEN. WHAT IS NEXT. I ALSO HAD THE LUNGING PROBLEM THAT WAS FIXED, ONLY BECAUSE IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD SURE HAS...

MANY TIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, WHETHER IT'S FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR SURGES. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES HELPS BUT DOESN'T COMPLETELY STOP THE INITIAL SURGE. *TR

CAR LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP AND SOMETIMES EVEN AFTER YOU HAVE STOPPED, IT LUNGES FORWARD OR BACK SUCH AS WHEN TRYING TO PARK OR REVERSE FROM PARKING. THE LUNGING STARTS HAPPEN WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE, SUMMER MONTHS, AND ALWAYS IF THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. THE LUNGING STARTED OFF SMALL IN THE BEGINNING, NOW ITS AT A POINT THAT IT STALLS MY CAR. I HAVE ALMOST RUN INTO SOMEONE WHILE I WAS BACKING UP BECAUSE THE CAR LUNGED EVEN WITH MY FOOT ON THE BREAK. I FEEL INCREDIBLY UNSAFE DRIVING IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, I AM AFRAID TO TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER, BECAUSE THE LUNGING HAPPENS IMMEDIATELY. LUNGING HAS INCREASED FROM 2009 TO PRESENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE AT A STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT WAS AT A STOP AND SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED AND HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,000.

SCARY CAR. A COUPLE OF TIMES WHEN CAR IS IDLE/FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR WOULD SURGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. THIS IS CREEPY. FIRST TIME HAPPENED WHEN PARKING IN FRONT OF A WALL. LUCKILY, I HAD ENOUGH ROOM TO NOT HIT THE FRONT. I JUST CAME HOME AND ROLLED INTO PARKING SPACE. MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE BUT OUT OF NOWHERE IT JUST WENT BY ITSELF SO MY NATURAL RESPONSE WAS TO BRAKE REALLY HARD. IT SLOWED THE SURGING, BUT DANG IT! IT SCARED THE BEGEZZY OUT OF ME. IF I WASN'T ALERT, I THINK THAT WALL WOULD DAMAGE THE FRONT CAR...LET ALONE HIT SOMEONE(S) IF THEY ARE IN FRONT OF THIS IDLE CAR. SECOND TIME WHEN MY HUSBAND ROLLED INTO THE MALL'S PARKING SPACE AND IT DID IT TOO. I SAT NEXT TO HIM AND IT WAS JUST FREAKY WEIRD. IT HAPPENED 3 OTHER TIMES ALSO. FORD...

WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING SLOW TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN , THIS HAPPENS GOING FORWARDS OR IN REVERSE AND HAPPENS MORE WITH THE AC TURNED ON. *JS

IN 2008 MY FORD FREESTYLE STARTED LUNGING FORWARD AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHEN IN GEAR WITHOUT EITHER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLIED. IF I APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY, BUT IF I WAS SITTING WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE - AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I AM JUST LUCKILY WE NEVER HIT ANYONE. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN AFTER IT RAINED. A LOCAL (NON FORD) MECHANIC STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE ECM WAS GETTING WET AND CORROSION WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. AFTER HE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM (HE CLEANED AND TIGHTENED PINS, SEALED WITH TERMINAL SEALER/CORROSION INHIBITOR), THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY STOPPED. NOW, 4 YEARS LATER, IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. BUT THAT MECHANIC IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND I AM WORRIED THAT THIS...

WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING SLOW TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN , THIS HAPPENS GOING FORWARDS OR IN REVERSE AND HAPPENS MORE WITH THE AC TURNED ON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FOLLOWED BY STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,956.

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL LUNGING INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO LUNG FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN BACKING OUT A PARKING SPACE ETC.. THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT WAS ON 08/25/09. THE NEXT TIME WAS ON 09/22/09. THE DEALER ORDERED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THERE WERE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ON THIS CAR THAT THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE DEALER ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE FOR 5697 MILES BEFORE THE PART ARRIVED. I REQUESTED A RENTAL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT JUSTIFY A RENTAL. ON 02/08/10 MY NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS INSTALLED. TODAY IS 02/22/2012 AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ALL OVER AGAIN. THE FORD FREESTYLE IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. I AM ON MY SECOND SET OF (REAR) BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. I HAVE HAD THE...

I HAVE A 2005 FREESTYLE, I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWICE FOR THIS SURGING ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE FREAKS OUT WHEN IT SURGES, SHE HAS ALMOST LOST CONTROL SOMETIMES. *TR

I HAVE MORE THAN ONE COMPLAINT. 1) SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY USED 2005 FREESTYLE I WOULD BE DRIVING BOTH AT HIGHER AND LOWER SPEEDS AND I WOULD LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO GAS OR STEERING. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY FREESTYLE IT WAS "CERTIFIED" AND UNDER WARRANTY, OTHERWISE THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER $1200. MY FORD DEALER REPLACED THE KIND OF SENSOR/BRAIN AS THEY CALLED IT. HAS BEEN WORKING SENSE. 2) AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW. I THOUGHT THE A/C WASN'T BLOWING COLD ENOUGH, I FINALLY TOLD IT TO A REPAIR SHOP I TRUST AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND I HAD ANY COOL AIR AT ALL. 3) BRAKES, REAR MOST OF ALL, HAVE BEEN REPLACED...

WHILE STATIONARY IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN THE LEFT TURN LANE AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED MOVING THE CAR FORWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED. AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, MY FOOT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE AND ONLY BY STOMPING HARDER ON THE BRAKES WAS I ABLE TO STOP THE CAR'S FORWARD TRAVEL INTO CROSS TRAFFIC THAT WAS TRAVELING AT OVER 40MPH. THE CAR THEN DIED AND A WARNING CAME UP ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY ON THE DASH PANEL STATING "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED, BUT STILL DISPLAYED THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" WARNING AND WHEN WE WERE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN HOME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR OR ALLOW US TO ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH. THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT 9:35PM ON JANUARY...

THIS FREESTYLE HAS SURGED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. WE REPLACE A FAILED THROTTLE BODY IN 2010. RECENTLY IN SHOP IN 9/11 FOR NONSTART. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE KINDA LIKE STALLING IT DOES THIS UP TO 4 OR 5 TIMES WITH ONLY GOING A FEW MILES AND DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS IN TOWN OR HIGHWAY IT DOES IT EVERYWHERE. WE HAVE TO PULL OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. *TR

THROTTLE BODY IS GIVING ME TROUBLE. WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMETIMES I AM AT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK OR JUST AT A LIGHT. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *KB

PURCHASED USED FORD FREESTYLE DECEMBER 2010. RAN FINE UNTIL WARM WEATHER AND USE OF AIR CONDITIONER. WITH A/C ON, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SEEMS TO OFTEN GREATLY OVERSHOOT THE CORRECT SETTING WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHICH CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE RPM INCREASE AND A MOMENTARY "LUNGE" IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED VERY FIRMLY. MANY VEHICLES DO THIS TO A MINOR EXTENT BUT THE FREESTYLE IS FAR AND AWAY THE WORST I'VE EVER SEEN. THIS DOES CAUSE UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND COULD INJURE A CHILD, PASSERBY ETC OR CAUSE A VEHICLE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION. MY WIFE IS CERTAINLY UNNERVED BY IT. EFFECT IS IN FACT SOMETIMES THERE IN COOL WEATHER BUT TO A MUCH LESSER EXTENT. READING FORUMS AND THINKING ABOUT THIS (I'M AN ENGINEER AND SAE MEMBER) IT MAY VERY WELL BE SOMETHING LIKE A WORN THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR INTERACTING WITH AN ECU SOFTWARE...

LUNGING, SURGING, AND JUMPING WHILE A/C IS ON. *TR

THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM, CAR DOESN'T START. WHEN IT DOES START BLACK, SMELLY SPOKE COMES OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. ISSUE STARTED AROUND MARCH BROUGHT TO GARAGE SAID IT WAS IN NEED OF A TUNE UP. HAD THAT DONE $400 CAR STILL DID THEY SAME THING NOT STARTING. WORKED FINE FOR AWHILE. AGAIN THE COLD WEATHER HIT. NOT STARTING AGAIN. BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN. TOOK 5 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. $600 PART PLUS LABOR $500 PLUS RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS $400. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE I AM VERY SURPRISED THIS HASN'T BEEN TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD SHOULD REFUND ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. *TR

WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR FREESTYLE, AND AT THIS POINT ARE FACED WITH A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE (DEALER QUOTE). SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE, AND ITS SISTER CARS (THE 500 & SABLE) ALL BUILD BY FORD WITH THE SAME ENGINE. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH WHILE AT IDLE, TO PERHAPS 5-10 MPH, ENDANGERING ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE'S PATH (IE, PEDESTRIANS, CARS AHEAD IN A DRIVE-THRU LANE, ETC.) FORD HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL SUCCESSIVE VARIANTS OF THE THROTTLE BODY, INDICATING THE NEWER ONES DO NOT HAVE THE FATAL DESIGN FLAW THAT PLAGUES THE ORIGINAL. WHY AM I FORCED TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT FOR AN OBVIOUSLY (AT THIS POINT) BADLY DESIGNED PRODUCT? THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE. *TR

AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR, THE CAR LUNGS (ACCELERATES). THIS HAPPENS IN REVERSE OR FORWARD MOTION. *TR

I PURCHASE MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JUNE 2005. JULY 2005 TRAVELING TO GEORGIA BETWEEN 55/60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION ICON APPEARED. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I COULD NOT MOVE NO MORE THAN 30-40 MPH WITH THE RPM'S RACING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR REST APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING INTO DRIVE GEAR IT WAS VERY HARD AND LUNGED. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE RACING THE ENGINE WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE FREQUENCY OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT WITH TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND CAN NOT IS A PERSISTENT ISSUE. IT ALSO LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE WHICH HAS TO BE WITH MORE PRESSURE THAN USUAL TO CONTROL THE LUNGE. SITTING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE AIR ON WITH CARS AHEAD OF...

AT SLOW SPEEDS, AT VARIOUS TIMES, THERE ARE UNINTENDED SURGES IN SPEED. THEY ARE USUALLY MORE COMMON WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS IN USE. THE MAY OCCUR WHEN IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. MY LOCAL DEALER ADVISED THAT FORD WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOTHING DEFINITE ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WHETHER OR NOT FORD WILL PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. I DO NOT RECALL FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT BEFORE. *TR

FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN THE CAR STALLING MULTIPLE TIMES, WHEN STARTED IT WOULD STUTTER, RPMS COULDN'T GET INTO NORMAL RANGE AND WHEN TRYING TO PUT IN GEAR IT WOULD STALL OUT. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START WHILE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE DRIVING COULD ONLY REACH 40MPH. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT THE FREQUENCY OF PROBLEMS HAS INCREASED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT FIRST INCIDENT IT STARTED SURGING (RPM'S REV WAY UP WHEN PUTTING IT IN TO GEAR) TO THE POINT THAT IT HAPPENS NOW PRACTICALLY EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. AT TIMES, THE SURGE IS SO STRONG THAT EVEN WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR STILL MOVES. A HUGE CONCERN OF OURS IS IN PARKING AREAS, IT IS VERY SCARY TO HAVE THE CAR SURGE WITH PEOPLE MOVING IN FRONT OR IN BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I...

ON TUESDAY, OUR CAR LOST ENGINE POWER IN TRAFFIC. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND "ENGINE IN FAILSAFE MODE" APPEARED ON THE DASH. SHE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON, AND IT WORKED FINE. SHE CHECKED ONLINE AND FOUND IDENTICAL PROBLEMS, AND SOLUTIONS IN TURNING THE CAR OFF AND ON. I CHECKED ONLINE, FOUND IDENTICAL FAILURES, A LONGSTANDING SHORTAGE OF THROTTLE PARTS, PRESUMED A DEFECT IN THE THROTTLE CONTROL, FOUND NO FHTSA RECALLS, BUT DISCOVERED SURGING DOCUMENTED IN PE11-018 (OPENED MAY 11, 2011). OUR CAR HAS ALSO HAD HIGH RPM SURGES, OCCURRING INFREQUENTLY, BUT USUALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD. OUR AU PAIR EXPERIENCED SURGING 2 WEEKS EARLIER WHEN SHE BACKED OUT OF A GARAGE PARKING LOT AND BUMPED ANOTHER CAR. BELOW ARE REPRESENTATIVE WEBSITES THAT DOCUMENT 21 INSTANCES OF SUDDEN POWER LOSS AND ENGINE WARNING "FAILSAFE MODE" IN THE FORD FREESTYLE DESCRIBED AS SUDDEN STALLING, CAR GOING TO...

CAR WONT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND WILL SURGE FROM A STOP AND WHEN BACKING UP. TOOK IT TO MCCARTHY FORD IN CHICAGO WHERE THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS THE MASS FLOW SENSOR, SIX DAYS LATER I'M HAVING SAME PROBLEM AND NOW BEING TOLD IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

THE CAR STARTED SHOWING HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING AND MAKING A STRANGE NOISE EARLY IN 2010. THIS CONDITION GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE UNTIL ONE DAY, WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE GAS PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, AND I WAS FORCED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I TURNED THE CAR OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AND WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT, THE GAS PEDAL SEEMED TO BE WORKING AGAIN. TOOK THE CAR TO JONES FORD THE NEXT DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND REPLACED IT TO THE TUNE OF $638.97. DATE OF SERVICE WAS APRIL 1, 2020. MILEAGE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 61,540 EVERYTHING SEEMED FINE FOR A FEW MONTHS BUT I STARTED NOTICING THE HESITATION ON ACCELERATION AGAIN. TOOK IT TO SUMMERVILLE FORD ON JULY 21, 2010. I DIDN'T WAIT FOR A...

MY FORD FREESTYLE 2005 HAS BEEN LUNGING FOR MONTHS. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. OF COURSE IF THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ANY ISSUES HE DID NOT SHARE THEM WITH ME.THE VEHICLE DID HAVE SOME MINOR DINGS WHICH HE CLAIMED OCCURRED WHEN HE BACKED INTO A FENCE.HE HAD BEEN HAVING SOME SEVERE MEDICAL PROBLEMS SO I AM WONDERING DID HE JUST THINK IT WAS HIS FAULT, NOT REALIZING THE CAR HAD LUNGED. I SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE? IT IS VERY SCARY AND DOES IT IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO PARK IN ANY TIGHT SPACES WHERE IT MAY LUNG AND CAUSE A ACCIDENT OR INJURE SOMEONE.I HAVE A HANDICAP PARKING TAG BUT HAVE BEEN LEARY OF PARKING IN THOSE SPACES SHOULD THIS HAPPEN. ALSO THE AIR...

THE VEHICLE STARTED SURGING WITHOUT FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THIS OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPING. HAVE HAD TO RAPIDLY PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AND HOLD IT TO AVOID ACCIDENTS. WHEN THE SURGING OCCURS, MANY TIMES THE VEHICLE GOES INTO FAIL-SAFE ENGINE MODE WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW ONE TO SHIFT INTO HIGHER GEARS. THIS CAUSED A PROBLEM ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN CAUGHT IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. COULD NOT ACCELERATE AFTER SURGE-ENGINE DYING-FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER OCCURRENCE AND FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE WAS SOLVED BY PULLING OVER, KILLING THE MOTOR, WAITING, AND THEN RESTARTING. SURGING IS CAUSING A STRESS ON THE TRANSMISSION WHICH NOW APPEARS TO HAVE SLACK IN IT. *TR

ENGINE / SPEED SURGING ESPECIALLY NOTICEABLE WHEN PARKING. WHETHER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE ENGINE MODERATES ONLY SLIGHTLY BUT CAR LURCHES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THREE DIFFERENT DRIVERS OF THE SAME CAR, SAME DAY, SIMILAR EXPERIENCES. EXTRA PRESSURE WAS NEEDED ON BRAKE TO PREVENT CAR FROM HITTING OTHER CARS IN PARKING LOT. . . . CIRCUMSTANCES: HOT DAY ( 90+ F), AIR CONDITIONING ON, ENGINE AT IDLE SPEED WHILE MANEUVERING INTO / OUT FROM PARKING, TURNING WHEEL OR HOLDING WHEEL TURNED DURING MANEUVER. *TR

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL HAS EXPERIENCES ISSUES WITH SURGING, STALLING AND INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AT LEAST 2 YEARS AGO (2009) AT WHICH TIME I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ON RECALLS (WARRANTY WAS OUT) AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. SINCE THE SURGE HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY, MOST ANY TIME I START THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR, IT WILL SURGE (RPM'S REV UP ON THEIR OWN). HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT TIMES STILL DOES NOT HOLD THE CAR COMPLETELY STILL AND HAS CONCERNED ME ON MORE OCCASIONS THAN NOT WHEN IN PARKING LOTS AT STORES WITH PEOPLE MOVING AROUND MY VEHICLE. THE STALL & INABILITY TO ACCELERATE HAPPENS LESS FREQUENTLY BUT HAS HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES AND ALWAYS RESULTS IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (WRENCH) COMING ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PERFORM AS IT SHOULD...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED BUT THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANING DID NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNAWARE OF THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON ACCELERATOR, OR SUDDENLY SPEEDS UP AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS PARKING OR BACKING UP.I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES ALMOST DROVE INTO TRAFFIC , AND REAR ENDED CAR IN FRONT. THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE WITH THIS EVENT. FIRST OCCURRED IN 02/JULY/2009 FORD REPLACED THROTTLE BODY MOTOR THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THIS WEEK. *TR

VEHICLE WILL LUNGE AND JERK WHILE BACKING OR UNDER BRAKING. ENGINE WILL REV AND THEN STALL AS WELL. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WITH COME ON OR IT WILL GO INTO "FAIL-SAFE" MODE. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED IT NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE WE DISCOVERED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR.

ABOUT A MONTH AGO, I RECEIVED ERROR MESSAGES ON MY DASHBOARD RANGING FROM CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO CRITICAL ENGINE FAILURE. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND HE SAID THERE WERE ALL SORTS OF ERROR CODES THAT NEEDED TO BE CLEARED OUT. HE SAID THIS WAS COMMON AND HAPPENS EVERY 3 TO 4 YEARS. I PAID THE MONEY, HAD THE ERROR MESSAGES / COMPUTER CHIP RESET, AND WENT ON MY WAY. DURING THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS, MY CAR WILL SURGE WHILE I'M TEMPORARILY STOPPED (AT A STOP LIGHT, DRIVE THROUGH WINDOW, ETC), AND THE ENGINE DIES ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME. THE CAR WILL LUNGE 3 TO 5 FEET AS SOON AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE BREAK AND BEFORE I CAN TOUCH THE GAS PEDAL. IT IS EXTREMELY UNNERVING, IT HAS BEEN VERY HOT IN ARKANSAS DURING THE LAST FEW WEEKS (TEMPS IN THE...

2005 FORD FREESTYLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES WHEN CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR (FORWARD OR REVERSE), THIS SEEMS TO BE ALIGNED WITH OTHER COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA INVESTIGATION PE11018. THE ENGINE WILL REV WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO GEAR AND WILL LURCH IN THE DIRECTION OF THE GEAR THAT IT WAS PLACED IN. THIS IS NOT DUE TO THE DRIVER INADVERTENTLY PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRAKE. THE DRIVER HAS TO FIRMLY PRESS ON THE BRAKES TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING. IF THE BRAKE IS ONLY PRESSED JUST ENOUGH TO PUT THE CAR IN GEAR THE VEHICLE WILL ACTUALLY MOVE 3-4 FEET. THE HAPPENS SPORADICALLY BUT DOES OCCUR AT LEAST 4-5 TIMES A WEEK.

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. I OFTEN EXPERIENCE A SURGE IN MY VEHICLES ACCELERATION EVEN WHEN I HAVE NOT TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL. THIS OCCURS MOST OFTEN WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING OFF AND JUST AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE. TODAY I NEARLY RAN OVER A PEDESTRIAN AFTER SHIFTING MY CAR INTO GEAR, AND SO I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM WHEN I GOT HOME. I SEE THAT YOU ARE INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE. PLEASE DEMAND A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

VEHICLE LURCHING WHEN IDLING OR LOW SPEEDS. REPEATED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKES. FRONT BRAKES WORKING PROPERLY. *TT

AFTER SITTING IN A RESTAURANT'S PARKING LOT WITH THE ENGINE IDLING AND THE AIR CONDITIONING ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARD SEVERAL FEET WHEN THE CAR WITH PLACED INTO REVERSE. ONCE THE CAR WAS STOPPED, I PLACED THE CAR IN DRIVE AND IT LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT ME PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL. LUCKILY, THERE ONCE NO ONE AROUND THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED OR THERE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES CAUSED BY THE CAR'S ACTIONS. ALSO, THE CAR'S "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE" AND "WRENCH" LIGHT CAME ON. THIS CAUSED THE CAR'S POWER TO BE MINIMIZED TO A CRAWL. WE WERE ONLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR'S SPEED UP TO AROUND 20 TO 30 MPH. AFTER EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT MANY INDIVIDUALS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE THROTTLE BODY COMPONENT ON THIS...

I FIRST NOTICED A SURGE IN THE CAR JUST AS IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME. WHENEVER THE CAR COMES TO A STOP (E.G. IN A PARKING SPOT) THE CAR SURGES IN THE DIRECTION THE TRANSMISSION IS SELECTED. ADDITIONAL BRAKE PRESSURE IS IMMEDIATELY REQUIRED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. LIKEWISE... WHEN FIRST SELECTING REVERSE FROM A STOPPED POSITION THE VEHICLE SURGES DRASTICALLY WHICH ALSO REQUIRES PROMPT ADDITIONAL BRAKING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. THE VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED BY THE DEALER. THE SURGING MAY BE COMING FROM AN ISSUE WITHIN THE FUNCTION OF THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT NOT 100% SURE OF THAT. THE ADDITION OF FUEL CLEANERS SEEMS TO HELP, BUT ONLY A LITTLE... AND THEN ONLY TEMPORARILY. SYMPTOMS OCCUR YEAR ROUND, BUT SEEM TO BE WORSENED BY HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE IS A THREAT TO SAFETY...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE, FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY DURING EXTREMELY HOT WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES FOR DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,772.

WE STARTED NOTICING THE ENGINE SURGE A FEW MONTHS AGO WHENEVER WE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK OR NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S JUMPED AROUND 400-600 ABOVE IDLE AND NOW ARE OVER 700-800 WITH THE A/C ON. SO FAR, WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, BLACKWELL FORD IN PLYMOUTH, MI AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $800.00. THE VEHICLE HAS 94000 MILES ON IT AND ASIDE FROM THAT PROBLEM, WE HAVE BEEN PLEASED WITH IT. *KB

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. YESTERDAY WHEN BACKING UP THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND IT STALLED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THE CAR HAS DONE THIS BUT THIS TIME WAS THE MOST NOTICEABLE. THIS HAPPENS SPORADICALLY AND ONLY SEEMS TO DO IT WHEN AT IDLE SPEEDS. IT DOES HAPPEN IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. MAINLY IN PARKING SITUATIONS. THIS MAY ALSO BE RELATED TO THE A/C AS I JUST STARTED NOTICING THIS ISSUE IN EARLY SUMMER WHEN I STARTED TO USE THE A/C. *TR

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL AWD. THE CAR LUNGES OUT OF PARK. HAPPENED ABOUT THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 30~ 60 DAYS THE CAR COMES TO A FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE. I HAVE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART IT TO CLEAR THE FAILSAFE MODE. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. *TR

THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO STOPS WHEN DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS......6 OR 7 TIMES PER 25 MILES! I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN CLINTON, NC. THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO TURN OFF AIR OR HEAT!!! NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I FIND OUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY OUR LOCAL ADVANCE AUTO STORE. THE MECHANIC WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THE SAME ISSUE. THE SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS A NEW THROTTLE BODY....