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2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration problems

587 complaints (40% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 79,100. 16 crashes reported.

owner complaints
587
of this car's complaints
40%
typical mileage
79,100
crashes
16
recalls
0

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Ford Freestyle acceleration problems in other years

200520062007

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Sudden acceleration 297

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Idle instabilityOpened May 11, 2011, closed February 7, 2013

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.the federal safety agency's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

PE11018

What 2005 Ford Freestyle owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 2, 2024 · Acceleration, Engine · 160,000 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleaned and replaced the throttle body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · MO

Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get to some times 2 hours I can't run my AC cuz that over does my alternator and heats my car I've only had it a year and it's been giving me problems 5 months after getting it I have kids and it gets rough going slow in the heat and hoping if I press to much on the gas please help I am broke and have nothing but this car left and I've spent $2000 for people to tell me nothing is wrong with it

Filed Jan 31, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · 159,229 miles · ME

Just got the car and it stalled on me today, accelerated and shut off in the middle of the road. Alot going on iv read other people's comments about the ford causing accidents I don't want that to happen to me I'm a new driver

Filed Jun 7, 2020 · Acceleration · 168,009 miles · OH

My car has begun to accelerate when I am braking, and it is a powerful and sudden acceleration! It seems to happen more often when I am backing up and turning, but will happen at any time. It started last week and is happening with greater frequency, making it unsafe to drive. Last night it went into fail safe mode, but upon restarting the car today, it has returned to normal. I did an internet search and found that other people have had similar experiences, particularly when the air conditioner is running. As it so happens, I had my air conditioner fixed last week.

Filed Dec 3, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 136,000 miles · TX · crash

The car stops randomly at times and sometimes will not even startup. Check engine light is on and I recently hit someone in front of me due to jerking or lerching while at a stop light. Very dangerous

Filed Aug 9, 2019 · Acceleration · 151,215 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While waiting to make a left turn with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lunged forward spontaneously. The contact had to release and reapply the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 151,215.

Filed Jul 19, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 170,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While idling, the vehicle would suddenly surge forward. The failure also occurred while idling with the gear in reverse, and the vehicle would surge backwards. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and spradley ford (2828 hwy 50 west, pueblo, co) were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jul 3, 2019 · Acceleration · 172,000 miles · VA

My 2005 ford freestyle speedometer fluctuates on its on causing the car to jump forward and take off slow with very little power it does it when sitting in park with the car turned on and while driving

Filed May 19, 2019 · Acceleration · 90 miles · OK

The car is lunging forward at low speed while braking, this seems to be the same issue addressed in a recall that had been completed in december of 2016.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 188,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving various speeds, the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact had to pull the vehicle over, place the gear in neutral, and restart the vehicle. The wrench warning indicator illuminated when the vehicle was restarted. The contact stated that the failure occurred intermittently. An independent mechanic repaired the throttle body, but the failure continued. The manufacturer was notified. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 188,000.

Questions about the 2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration

Does the 2005 Ford Freestyle have acceleration problems?

Owners have filed 587 complaints about the acceleration of the 2005 Ford Freestyle, 40% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 79,100 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Ford Freestyle have the most acceleration problems?

The Ford Freestyle model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2006 (602 complaints), 2005 (587 complaints) and 2007 (428 complaints).

Other 2005 Ford Freestyle problems

Transmission 447Engine 249Fuel system 153Electrical 142Brakes 105Body 61Locks 37Driver assistance 25Steering 21Lights 15Suspension 15Tires 14Visibility 12Seats 9Airbags 7Seat belts 6Wheels 3

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