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2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration complaints

Page 5 of 21: complaints 101 to 130 of 587, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2005 Ford Freestyle acceleration problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Oct 4, 2012 · Acceleration · 98,000 miles · OH

Rpm surge while parking. When pulling into a parking space with foot on brake, car lunges. When coming to a stop at a traffic light, car has also been known to lunge. Most all incidents occurred while AC was running and wheel was sharply turned.

Filed Oct 4, 2012 · Acceleration · 134,000 miles · OH

First incident, 35 MPH driving, wrench light comes on, engine cuts out into fail safe mode, loss of acceleration ability. Have to stop and restart. Hard to restart for a moment. Continues to happen more at higher speeds (55 MPH and 65 MPH on interstate). Also, lunges while foot is on brake, forward or backward depending if in drive or reverse. Researched online that many people having the same issue, so cleaned the throttle body and behavior diminished for a week or two. Contemplating replacing throttle body out of my own pocket. We purchased this vehicle because of the extra seating for our children, and it has happened the first several times with the children in the car. So now its not trustworthy. Please do something to force ford to rectify this issue.

Filed Sep 29, 2012 · Acceleration · 75,000 miles · MN

My car will lurch forward suddenly when put into park, and sometimes reverse and mostly drive. Scary.

Filed Sep 24, 2012 · Acceleration · 86,913 miles · CO

At low speeds with the A/C on, the vehicle lunges foward (while in drive) or backward (while in reverse). This is noticed most when pulling in or out of a garage or parking space.

Filed Sep 6, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 115,000 miles · FL

For quite some time, my 2005 ford freestyle lunges and will stall when operating at low speeds (parking, and backing up) with the air conditioning on. It either lunges forward or backwards (if in reverse), then stalls and goes into failsafe mode. This is very annoying. The car should not do this. Now it's happening when idling at stop lights or in traffic with the air conditioning on...which is great in rush hour traffic in florida when it's 95 degrees outside...having to drive around with the windows down because I can't drive with air on or car will stall is highly annoying. With all the other complaints this should be a recall. The car has 147k miles on it (mostly highway) and I love my car. The lunging is scary though. I'm having to look for parking spaces with limited neighbors so we don't lunge into another car.

Filed Sep 6, 2012 · Acceleration · SC

On 9/5/2012, was sitting in drive thru at mcdonald's. When I picked my foot up off the brake to ease forward, the car lunged forward. I quickly step on the brakes hard, but each time I tried to ease forward this occurred a total of three times. Luckily, I was far enough behind the car in front of me that this did not cause an incident. This has also occurred on previous occasions, and when backing slowly out of a parking space. I did not think anything of it until this last occurrence.

Filed Sep 5, 2012 · Acceleration · 105,000 miles · AZ

Vehicle placed in park on a 100+ degree day with air conditioner running, the idle become erratic, surging to about 1800 RPM and then down to approx 300(almost stall), back to 1500 down to 400(almost stall). Vehicle did this several times over a 30 minute period. Later that same day, outside temp still 100+, while slowly reversing, vehicle surges several times. Had to "stand" on brake pedal to keep the vehicle from moving. Later again that day, temps still 100+, while pulling into a parking spot, vehicle surges again. Current odometer 106840. Had my personal mechanic come out tonight and look at the vehicle. We believe it to be the throttle body. No diagnostic failure codes. Computer "scan" indicates that voltages to throttle body may be incorrect(low). I am reporting this, as an internet search returned many hits of the same problem.

Filed Sep 3, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 83,824 miles · CA

I've noticed the car to lunge and idling very high. When I back out of a parking stall for instance, the car lunges out and I have to keep my foot on the brake. When I'm at a full stop; at times you can hear the car idling very high and when you let go of brake the car lunges out. During traffic, you have to make sure you continually keep the brake on, or the car will thrust forward and hit the vehicle ahead.

Filed Sep 2, 2012 · Acceleration · 109,600 miles · TX

My vehicle lunged backwards and almost hit a passing car. The engine fail safe mode came on and car continued to lung forward. I noticed this happen when the AC was on. I experienced no issues when the AC was off. Ford wanted me to pay $1800 to fix the throttle body and intake valves. After researching on the web, I saw multiple complaints on the same issue. Why isn't this being looked into with a high sense of urgency. It's obviously an issue as I also experienced the same issue on multiple occasions and didn't know why until the last time it happened today. I live in tx so understandably it is hot.

Filed Aug 31, 2012 · Acceleration · 50,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space in reverse at 5 MPH, the contact shifted between reverse and drive when vehicle surged forward and backward abnormally. The contact had to maintain pressure on the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from surging. The failure recurred frequently and was most prominent when the air conditioner was activated or the weather was hot. The failure later recurred and the contact crashed against a pool table in a residential garage. The bumper was scratched and the contact did not sustain any injuries. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who was unable to determine the failure. The air conditioner compressor failed but was not replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000. The current mileage was 95,000.

Filed Aug 29, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 35,000 miles · NV

The vehicle unexpectedly surges when turning into a parking space or sitting at drive through. Also having issues with engine dying when reversing.

Filed Aug 29, 2012 · Acceleration · 88,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while sitting at a stop sign the vehicle accelerated independently. The failure recurred 5 times. The contact noticed that the failure recurred most often when the weather temperature was over 100 degrees. The contact was able to secure an appointment with the dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 88,000 and the current mileage was 89,355.

Filed Aug 27, 2012 · Acceleration · 15,000 miles · NV

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while braking to a stop, the vehicle surged forward abnormally. The failure recurred mostly when the air conditioner was activated. In order to correct the failure, the contact would apply the brakes and shift to neutral, before shifting the vehicle into drive. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or a repair shop for inspection or repairs. The manufacturer was made aware of failure however, did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 15,000. The current mileage was 50,100.

Filed Aug 27, 2012 · Acceleration · 96,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated as he came to a stop sign there was a sudden increase on engine rpms. The contact mentioned that he engaged the brake pedal but it failed to stop the vehicle. However, the contact was able to turn the vehicle off and restart it in order to reset the system. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the mechatronics control unit needed to be replaced. The remedy failed to repair the problem. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 98,000.

Filed Aug 24, 2012 · Acceleration · 70,755 miles · TN

I noticed that my car would speed up as I turned into parking places at low speed. Told my non-ford mechanic to take a look in nov. 2009. He suggested a fuel system cleanup. It seemed to work until august 2010 when my children's school started a carpool line for after school pickup. It is hot in my city in august, so I spent probably 20 minutes idling with the AC on. When I would start to let up on the brake as the line began to move forward, my vehicle's engine would rev up and my car would lurch forward without my foot ever coming fully off the brake. It did not appear to happen if I turned the AC off. To compensate I would turn car off and roll windows down if I knew I would be waiting more than a few minutes, but when the temp is 100+ outside it is miserable to do this. Once the weather cools off (below 90) the lunging seems to go away. The same problem happened in august 2011, and again in august 2012. This august it has been much worse. Sometimes I have just started my car when I experience the lunging. Finally took car to ford and was told that I need throttle body replaced for $900. Because I also need a new alternator (and have replaced rear shocks and engine mount in last 4 months), I opted not to repair at this time. I have to be so careful in traffic for fear of causing an accident, and it appears I am not the only one! This is an extremely dangerous situation, and I am hoping that ford will issue a recall as this is not what I would consider "routine maintenance" nor a rare instance of mechanical failure.

Filed Aug 18, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 106,000 miles · KS

I just purchased my freestyle in march from a used car dealer. Over the last 3 months or so it has started lunging at slow speeds. Multiple times coming close to hitting another vehicle after pulling to a full stop at a traffic light and with foot pressed firmly on the brake pedal. I am scared to death to drive this vehicle but since its the only one I have and I'm under contract, its not really a choice at this point. Seeing how many of this vehicles are having this same problem, I am sure that it will cause a serious accident. Why isn't ford doing anything about this problem??? If I had known about this before making my purchase, I would not have bought it. I love fords cars, my previous vehicle was a taurus, but if they are going to continue to have these kinds of serious problems, I will be rethinking any future purchases!!!

Filed Aug 16, 2012 · Acceleration · 18,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle surged whenever coming to stop or when in reverse. The contact also stated that the engine motor mount had fracture. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage was 68,000.

Filed Aug 15, 2012 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle stalled. Also, the contact mentioned that the vehicle accelerated and lunged forward without any warnings. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 87,000.

Filed Aug 11, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 99,000 miles · CA

We were backing up in a parking lot and the car accelerated to where we had to slam on the brakes, luckily no one was behind us or we could have caused an accident. It is lurching forward when we are at slow speeds for no reason, I am worried that if someone is in front or back of us we will hit them. This happened about 2 summers ago but a part was replaced and it had not been a problem again until now. I have noticed that it becomes an issue on hot days when my A/C is on.

Filed Aug 10, 2012 · Acceleration · 55,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle lunged forward or in reverse when the vehicle was placed in park gear, or driven at low speeds. The vehicle also accelerated when the contact removed his foot from the brake pedal. The failure occurred without warning, and recurred intermittently. The vehicle hesitated to accelerate to higher speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not inspected since the failure was not present. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was 62,000. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Aug 8, 2012 · Acceleration · 130,000 miles · AZ

While idling waiting to pick up my children at school. The car started to lunge / accelerate unexpectedly. Had I not had my foot on the brake my car would have moved forward and hit the car in front of me or a person leaving the school to go to the parking lot. This is not the first time that this has happened in the recent months and I am afraid that I am going to hit someone while in the stop position at a light or in the parking lot.

Filed Aug 7, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 85,500 miles · MD

Our ford freestyle will randomly surge backward/forward at a high rate of speed when going from park to reverse, or going from reverse to drive, or going from park to drive. This has caused my wife to almost hit several cars. It will also surge forward when sitting at a stop sign or red light. This has caused us to have to slam on our breaks several times to avoid a accident. There needs to be a recall on this vehicle before someone is injured or killed because of ford's failure.

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Acceleration · 59,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that when attempting to accelerate from a complete stop, the vehicle would lunge forward abnormally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 59,000.

Filed Aug 5, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · 89,000 miles · MI

For a number of weeks, my 2005 ford freestyle has lunged forward while sitting still. After the car lunges forward the dashboard readout says: "engine failure mode". This happened on friday july 6th while stopped at a red light and almost lunged into speeding traffic, and more recently on friday august 3rd while at a stop sign. This issue comes 18 months after replacing the vehicle transmission at 50,000 miles at the cost of more than $5,000. I wish to report this issue to the federal safety agency as I am seeing many other reports for this very issue reported and think that this needs to be a recall as this is a very big safety risk.

Filed Aug 2, 2012 · Acceleration · 80,000 miles · KS · crash

On march 4th 2010 I was backing out of my sisters driveway when my car surged and caused me to back into her neighbors garage across the alley. Since then I have had numerous close calls from almost hitting pedestrians in cross walks to almost hitting the front of stores, or other vehicles while attempting to pull into or back out of parking spots. The car also surges at stop lights. I have started putting my car in park while idling so that I don't end up in an accident. In may of 2012 I hit a metal fence post while attempting to park my car at the local rodeo. The car is dangerous & I do not allow my daughters, who are both old enough to drive, to drive my vehicle. Ford needs to recall this dangerous malfunction before someone is seriously injured.

Filed Aug 1, 2012 · Acceleration · 70,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While in reverse with the contacts foot on the brake, the vehicle suddenly surged backwards. The contact continued to apply the brakes until the vehicle stopped. The vehicle then stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. There was an investigation under the federal safety agency action number: pe11018 (vehicle speed control) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Acceleration · 90,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while reversing at approximately 5 MPH, the vehicle suddenly surged backwards. The failure also occurred while the vehicle was in drive. The failure occurred mostly at low speeds and when the air conditioner was activated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. There was an investigation under the federal safety agency action number: pe11018 (vehicle speed control) that may be related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Acceleration · 57,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact was driving 4 MPH when the vehicle began to accelerate independently. The failure recurred four or more times both forward and in reverse. The vehicle had not been taken to a dealer or a mechanic for diagnosis or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 57,000 and the current mileage was 65,000.

Filed Jul 30, 2012 · Acceleration · FL

The same thing happens every time the weather gets warm (90+ degrees f). Vehicle lunges forward or back without my foot on throttle pedal and with stall when brake is pressed hard to stop lunge. Have been told by several technicians that the throttle body should have been recalled. We have replaced it twice already. It has ports that "heat" it though the radiator. Have been told that it shouldn't have the ports. We live in fl. This car is not made for hot weather. Might be ok to leave that heated throttle body on in cooler climates, but not in fl. Huge safety hazard. I have had to adjust my driving to compensate for the lunging. (I throw vehicle in neutral instead of pressing brake so that the lunging stops) also, I can sometimes press the gas pedal and the vehicle does not move at all.

Filed Jul 27, 2012 · Acceleration · 109,097 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the rpms would increase excessively when shifting in reverse. In addition, the vehicle would sporadically lunge backward when the rpms would increase. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The failure and current mileages were 109,097.

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