2005 ford freestyle acceleration problem primarily with AC running. Only started happening in july 2011 at end of road trip from ohio to north carolina, when we would come to stops in traffic. Now that it started it keeps happening. Just last night I parked at the curb, had my foot on the brake and before I could get it in park, it lunged forward. With foot on the brake already I was able to control it and immediately shut it off. I'm going to test to see if I turn off the AC before I come to a stop or once it starts happening, if that makes any difference.
2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration complaints
Page 10 of 21: complaints 251 to 280 of 587, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I am the original owner of this freestyle and have experienced problems with it surging when the air conditioner is turned on since its purchase. Initially, I took it into the dealership and other service companies, but they "could not duplicate" the problem. The surging has grown worse as the car ages. Presently, I cannot go through a fast food drive through with the air on because of the possibility of the car lunging and rear ending the car in front me. Further, I work in a city with pedestrians and cannot turn the air on until I am out of the city because I fear hitting a person. Recently, I contacted ford directly, but they responded with a scripted message that there was no recall on the vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would unexpectedly accelerate while light pressure was being applied to the brake pedal and the vehicle would also lunge backward while in reverse. In addition, the vehicle would lunge forward or stall while the engine was idled. The manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with the failure. An authorized dealer diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 71,800 and the current mileage was 72,000. Updated 11/07/11
Update on odi 10419757: took car to ford dealer because engine light came on after car lunged (while backing up). Said it was the throttle control actuator sticking was replaced at a cost of $895.00. Two other customers with ford freestyle have had the same problem.
On 8-2-2010 I had some problems with my car not moving when the gas was pushed, then it wouldn't go on its own. Had to have the throttle body replaced. After that, there were a few times it felt it would do it again. But no problems occurred. Then on 8-4-2011 I had the same problems again and ford told me it needed another throttle body replaced.
Normal driving conditions-when backing out the car lunges and goes dead. Fail safe engine mode is displayed. Have had it lunge forward when foot is on brake and engine dies. Happens more often when air conditioner is on. Check engine light comes on. Ford dealer said air compressor was no good. Did not replace because we saw complaint about ford freestyle.
Just after starting the vehicle put the vehicle into reverse to pull out of parking space and it begins to accelerate and lunge backward. Same symptoms happened moving forward from hot start, with A/C on. The vehicle stalled after one occurrence with the wrench light on, upon turning the key to restart no fault lights were on and the vehicle was operating as designed. This unattended acceleration happens typically upon a start when the vehicle is at operating temperature with the A/C on. Outside ambient temperature is approx 95 degrees and only will do it immediately after starting it. No parts have been replaced at this time as there are no stored fault codes or visual failures at this time.
My 2005 ford freestyle was lunging forward while idling. I nearly hit some pedestrians and also nearly hit the car in front of me at a traffic stop when the car lunged forward on its own. Since I have a newborn baby and was very concerned about safety, I did not hesitate to bring it to the dealer. I was notified that the throttle body of the car needs to be replaced. I understand that the problem is fairly common which indicates it is a manufacturer defect and should be considered for recall. I feel this issue is a major safety concern and has the potential to cause injury or death.
We have experienced multiple instances of this problem happening recently. What happens is at very low speeds or idle speeds, our 2005 ford freestyle limited has started lurching or lunging either when backing up, out of the garage, for example, or out of a driveway or into/out of a parking place. It doesn't happen at driving speeds or highway speeds, but only occurs at low speeds. I have read about this problem on the internet and other freestyle owners say it is a throttle body problem. I luckily have been paying attention when it happens and have been able to stand on the brake, which cuts down the lunging feeling. This shouldn't be happening in the first place. If someone is caught off guard and they back into a car because of a lunge by their car, no insurance company will just believe that "the car did it." if someone is pulling into a parking spot and hits the car opposite of theirs, due to this lunge, it will not be pretty. Thank you for your time.
My 2005 ford freestyle has developed a significant surge when maneuvering at low speeds like in a parking lot or driveway. If the driver is not very quick to respond to this surge the driver would easily lose control. Since, parking lots and driveways often have people (especially children) around it is a very bad situation not to have total control of a car. It seems to occur when the A/C is running and the car is at normal or high operating temperatures (not when the engine is cold). I searched the internet related to this issue and it seems there are many who are experiencing this condition and there does not seem to be a straight forward answer as to the cause. I would not normally write a complaint but when I saw that the federal safety agency is investigating this issue, I called a local dealership to see if ford had any notices or bulletins that might identify the cause. I described the condition and explained that the federal safety agency was investigating this issue but was told that they had never heard of it. I then asked if they could search for notices or bulletins and get back to me, I was told that they would not do that unless I first brought the car in to their service center. I tried to explain the safety significance of this issue and that since he had never heard of this problem that it would make more sense to search for any information ford had on the issue before I brought it in and charged for service that may not be of any help. The service rep then said he would not help me and then basically hung up on me. The answer to this issue may be something very simple (like cleaning the throttle body) but the vehicle's computer controlled response is very real and very dangerous and ford should be working much harder to resolve this.
Vehicle surged forward after very lightly touching the brake while parking. I was maneuvering the car into a fairly tight parking space, and the sudden surge cause the car to lunch into a fence post, damaging the front bumper and fender (and the fence post). This is the 3rd or 4th occurrence, but was the most violent. The car lunged forward about 6-8 feet, and the idle jumped up from 750 to 2,500 or so. The other surging instances also occurred immediately after applying light pressure on the brakes. Immediately after the surges in those instances, the idle then dropped to normal. The car has approximately 100k miles on it, and the throttle body has been cleaned on a regular basis sine 20k, typically every 20k. The first surge was noticed at around 98k. It happens approximately once a week now.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would lunge forward abnormally with an abnormal increase in engine rpms. The dealer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.
I have a 2005 ford freestyle for 1yr 1/2 now it has 45,000 miles on it, I almost twice lost my family and my life but thank god and the quick reflex of my husband we are alive, all due to the throttle, I cant describe it how I wish well I would need a whole page to explain we have taken very good care of it we are right now without a vehicle it cost too much and we have no warranty, so we will have to manage for now until we can, although my husband is in the military we are not rich and I work 6 days a week and have 3 children students whom all have after school sports activities, I am in total shock I really thought we had it made with this car its comfortable 3rd row but now after reading all the reviews we are so horribly upset and feel so taken of ****ts, this probably has no affect on whose responsability this problem falls on well im sure they have a superb car, but for the american families trying to make it, it is a shame that ford knowing about this hasnt taken no action, but to each his own and although it seems minor to the high power corporates like ford whoever needs to own up to this problem and hasnt and just seems to pass the hot potato to others they too will have their judgemet day, and yes I might sound drastic to you it is a very serious matter to us the people who trusted in purchasing a ford, thank you.
Our 2005 ford freestyle sel, fwd is having sudden surges of acceleration (forward and reverse) at low speeds. This has now happened several times and is getting more frequent. This presents a safety issue as the surge has the potential to cause the car to run into someone or something, or to unexpectedly enter an intersection. The car has 87000 miles as of august, 2011. We are the original owners.
I bought my 2005 ford freestyle over four years ago. After the first year the air conditioning stopped cooling as well as before and at the same time the vehicle started lurching forward when going at a slow speed when the air conditioning had be running for a short while. It is worse when you are turning the wheel and going slow such as in a drive-thru and or backing out or pulling into a parking lot. I have to keep one foot on the brake and most of the time I do not need to touch the gas pedal because its already accelerating on its own. My car now either puts it self in fail safe mode and runs real slow and or it just dies where ever we are when it starts the accelerating and lurching forward. I do not have the $900 I have heard it take to fix this problem by replacing the throttle body. Maybe when its paid off in 7 months I can save the money up to get it fixed. I'm not sure the car will last that long. I can't trade it in for another car because I would worry who would get it next and maybe be in an accident and be hurt.
The car would surge backwards when put in reverse sometimes. When driving the car would have troubles going up hills where the car would not maintain speed when the accelerator is pressed down to compensate for speed. I have seen many complaints for the same issue. Have 149k miles.
My vehicle surges from time to time and when the air condition is on the car will cut of and go into fail safe mode I've cleaned the throttle body and the problem still occurs.
2005 ford freestyle will accelerate and usually stall. The car hit the garage hitting a person and breaking the side mirror.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while entering a parking space with the brakes slightly depressed, the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times and the failed safe mode message illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The technician then replaced the fuel and air filters as a temporary fix. The manufacturer was not made aware of the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 62,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would jerk forward or in reverse when braking to a stop, with the illumination of the fail safe mode warning light. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that they did not recognize the failure code and offered no assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,432.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the contact approached a traffic stop signal and upon engaging the brakes, the vehicle began to surge forward. The engine was turned off and restarted with an illumination of the wrench warning symbol. The warning indicator illuminated intermittently. The failure progressed and also occurred when shifting the gear selector into drive or reverse position. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.
Car lurches forward when car is in drive, but my foot is on the brake. It has happened several times, and sometimes goes into "emergency shutdown" mode and turns off. This happens most frequently when it is hot outside or I've been driving the car for a while.
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.
My 2005 ford freestyle took off in reverse at high speed as soon as I put it in reverse, my foot was not on the gas pedal. I almost hit a large tree.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would surge forward while in drive or backward while in reverse, when the air conditioner was on and the brakes were depressed. The dealer was not notified. The manufacturer denied any assistance with repair to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light with the brakes engaged, the vehicle would suddenly lunge forward. The vehicle was inspected by an authorized dealer, who stated the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 2 MPH, the engine revved and the vehicle lunged forward. The contact also stated that the failure occurred a second time while reversing out of a parking space. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 61,000 and current mileage was 61,900.
With the car in drive and my foot on the brake pedal, the car unexpectedly "surged" forward. I was able to control the car from hitting anyone/anything by applying the brake more forcefully, but this incident has occurred on repeated occasions now both in "drive" (when the car surges forward) and in "reverse" (when the car surges backwards). It seems particularly pronounced during hot days when the AC is running full blast. In each incident, I was traveling 5 MPH or less, and had my foot on the brake, either preparing to park or pulling out of a parking spot. So far it has not caused an accident, but there is clearly something wrong with the speed control or the transmission. I have noticed numerous other complaints of a similar nature made online by other owners of 2005 and 2006 ford freestyles. There clearly seems to be a problem with the vehicle of this year, make and model and I am hoping ford will take responsibility and issue a recall in order to prevent future potential injury or death.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated while driving into a parking space with her foot on the brake pedal the vehicle lunged forward and stalled. The failure occurred several times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was not able to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that when sitting with the vehicle idle and the engine running, the vehicle would lunge forward abnormally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 62,000 and the current mileage was 63,000. Also when you go from park to reverse the car lunges terribly. Updated 09/29/2011
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