After filing a complaint on or about 6/28/12 (odi number 10463545) in regard to another 2006 ford freestyle I own and operate, I now have to report the identical defect with my other 2006 freestyle. After parking my first freestyle until repairs can be made, this freestyle (now being reported) has become the major transportation vehicle of the household. Now this vehicle has begun surging in rpms and 'lunging' whenever the brake is released. This occurrence was in 95 degree weather with the air conditioner running. I don't know if the outside temperature plays a role in the defect occurring but both vehicles were at maximum operating temperatures, had been running for a length of time whereas a higher 'cold engine' idle would have no bearing on the occurrences. Since I haven't an extended warranty on the first vehicle I reported on 6/28/12 (a recent purchase), I have ordered an electronic throttle body w/tps (non-heated which is obviously a ford supercession) and will attempt to replace it myself as a cost savings measure. Since filing my issue I've found via the internet that others with the same problem have paid upward of $1,200.00 to have this work performed. After ordering my parts I have discovered that this particular throttle body was installed on 2005-2007 ford freestyles as well as their ford five hundred (of which I also own a 2007 model year of with approx 20k miles). Is there any truth to the rumor that bad luck always comes in three's? I certainly hope not!! As of earlier this morning (7/01/12), with a cool temperature of 75 degrees f., this defect did not re-occur, but my other vehicle also began to 'act up' as an intermittent problem that eventually wouldn't go away.
2006 Ford Freestyle engine complaints
Page 5 of 10: complaints 101 to 130 of 258, newest first, as owners wrote them.
After purchasing (as a used car) for my daughter, vehicle began rapid acceleration and 'lurching' unexpectedly when shifting into forward or reverse. After several days, this was compounded by occurring when starting and stopping in traffic during brake application. I had the filters replaced (air and gas) and the problem seemed to have gone away. I asked my dealership, during my first inspection after it's purchase, wether there was a tsb in regard to this issue and would they please check it out. They alleged that they had no record of any defect regarding this issue and no tsb had been issued. They did however refuse to complete the inspection until I allowed them to overhaul the rear brakes w/new rotors for quite a kingly sum! (so much for a promotional 'free inspection'.) last night I had to venture out and retrieve the vehicle from my little girl after the car kept 'lurching' everytime she used the brake. While she was waiting in an intersection attempting to make a left turn, the car 'lurched' and stalled in front of oncoming traffic. After restarting the car an engine light and a 'wrench' was now visible on the dash, and the car had absolutely no accelerator! Due to our flat terrain I was able to bring the car home on an idle at a speed no greater than 10 m.p.h. Once safely home I tried a trick that used to work on the fleet busses I once worked on. That was rapidly turning the ignition switch on-off, on-off repeatedly about 10 (ten) times, then leave switch on and start it. This seemed to have cleared the 'wrench' and the accelerator was restored. The engine light did not clear. I've put tires, struts, strut mounts etc. Into this car to make it safe for my daughter to drive, yet I can't allow her to use it. 4 of 5 cars I own are fords, 2 being 2006 freestyles, and this is the only one that I have had a problem with. What recourse do I have now?
My ford freestyle 2006 lunged backward approximately 2 to 4 feet while the transmission was in reverse, my foot was fully applied to the brake, and the vehicle was not moving. This has occurred many times in the same manner, and in similar situations over the past year. The temperature outside is usually in the 90's or above, I usually have the air-conditioning running, and the car will start to loose power with the tachometer visibly dipping down to zero. The car will then suddenly race to 2000 rpms, and the car will lunge backward (or forward) while my foot is on the brake. When this happens in reverse, it is impossible to apply the brake hard enough to stop movement. When this happens in drive, it is possible to apply the brake hard enough to stop movement, and the car engine will die.
We were in line at a fast food drive thru and the vehicle suddenly lunged forward , the tach RPM went from about 800 RPM (idle) to about 2600 RPM . Foot was on the brake at the time so it only moved about 6 inches. We parked in the parking lot and were ready to go and it did it again. An engine lite came on that indicated something from the transmission to the throttle was amiss. We shut the car off and waited a few minutes and restarted the car and the engine lite was off. So far we have not had another incidence and its been a week and about 300 miles since the occurrence.
While driving the ford revs up and down, while it is doing this it lurches forward and I lose all dashboard instruments, I cannot use the air conditioning because it makes the problem worse.the scary part is I have my family in the car when all this happens. On thursday june 21 I was driving down the highway at 50miles an hour when suddenly the car RPM revved up and down on its own the speedometer went out, the lights all flashed. The car was lurching forward, and it was worse when I was attempting to slow down. My daughter stated"I am scared" I cannot believe that this has not been recalled, when we were at the ford dealership we bought the car from we told them what was happening, they didn't even offer to look at the car or seem to care. The problem is very unpredictable, one day it runs good then all of the sudden it freaks out.
My ford freestyle has had engine surging issues for approximately a year know. Today 6/21/2012 my car started surging at every stop light so severely if we weren't holding down the brake we would of hit the car in front of us. The problem became so severe we had to put the car in neutral at every intersection to keep car from trying to jump into the intersection and stall. Today's temp was in the high nineties and we were using the air conditioning. Today's incident was the worst its been. Went on line and search the symptoms and found that a lot of freestyle owners are having the same issue. With the safety of the car owner and pedestrians that could be near the car in jeopardy. Ford should be recalling these cars and trying to find a permanent solution to fix this rather then charging the owners high dollars to replace a defective designed part with the same defective part.
When coasting or idling car suddenly lurches forward.
Same as others. Car lunges forward and/or backward when slowing to park, or just moving slow or idiling. Almost ended up over a berm at sam's club because of this problem. Very scary! Taking car in to dealership on monday. Vehicle surges when idling or going slow. Accelerates at times like parking or moving through parking lots or when stopped at stoplights.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that she shifted into reverse in an attempt to reverse from a parking space when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The check engine light was illuminated as the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and proceed without the failure recurring. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 90,000. ....updated 08-24-12 *bf the consumer stated the brake pedal was depressed when the vehicle abnormally accelerated. The vehicle was taken to dealer and was told the throttle body and top motor mount needed to be replaced. Updated 08/29/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while reversing, the vehicle lunged forward abnormally and stalled. The contact stated that the lunging occurred while the air conditioner was activated. The contact did not take the vehicle to a local dealer for a diagnostic test. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that after accelerating from a stop light, the vehicle jerked forward and then stalled. After restarting the engine, the vehicle continued to jerk and decelerate. The vehicle would not accelerate beyond 10 MPH. The check engine light constantly illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls or warranties covering the failure. They offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 69,000.
Vehicle suddenly lurches forward without pressing the accelerator. Seems to happen when just starting to move or sometimes while coming to a stop.
The car idled high while in a drive through line with a foot on the brake, it did this twice. After it idled back down and my wife removed her foot from the brake, the car lunged forward. Luckily, there was enough distance between the cars to avoid an accident. She slammed her foot back on the brake, the car idled a little longer then died.
Car was sitting, parked in a lot, idling for about 10 minutes with the air conditioner running. When I put it in drive and let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward as the RPM's first revved and then dropped. The car did this a few times, but once I got turned around toward the exit of the lot, it stopped doing it. About 20 minutes later, in a grocery store parking space, it did the same thing as I was backing out to leave. The car had sat running for another 10 minutes or so with the air on. This time however, the car idled up and then down, lunged in reverse, and then idled so low it died. Once I restarted it and finished backing out of the space, I turned the air down to low fan speed and the car was fine the rest of the trip back home.
Sitting at a light with my foot on the brake and my car starts lunging forward.
Experienced an engine surge and lunge while waiting at a traffic light with my foot on the brake. Panel lamp (wrench) came on. Then when trying to accelerate through intersection could not increase velocity, as if I was sort of stuck in "low gear." I pulled off of roadway and stopped the engine. After restart, problem seemed to be recurring but began to function more normally. On the next restart (trying to drive to repair shop) there was another episode of lunging when trying to stop (foot on brake, not accelerator.) pretty scary. My shop found codes, did research, and subsequently replaced throttle-body and a broken upper engine mount. They also re-flashed the computer. 1 month ago they had replaced the battery. Drove home ok, and no issues in last few days, but have read anecdotes that these problems continue once they start. Don't know what % of freestyles do this, but it is a real and dangerous problem on those that do. I'm afraid to put my wife back into this vehicle!
Motor surge, leaching out of control.
I purchased my 2006 ford freestyle in december 2009. As soon as the weather got warmer I noticed that when parking, backing up, or trying to stop, the vehicle would surge as if I still had my foot on the accelerator. Soon it also started surging/sputtering when I first started out and would occasionally stall, twice in heavy traffic. I took the vehicle to the ford dealership to discover that the throttle body position sensor doesn't work properly & that all freestyles were having the same problem. I was shocked to find that a new unit could be put in but was not covered as a recall and was going to cost $1000. As a single mom, that was just impossible. Luckily my disabled father was previously a mechanic and was able to use carb cleaner to clean the sensor and temporarily stop the problem. Since then, every spring the problem comes back and I have to have the throttle body unit cleaned several times before winter. Another problem I have with this vehicle is that the brakes wear out unusually quickly. I don't know if it's because of having to fight the throttle position sensor to stop the car, or if it's a flaw in the design of the brake system. I do know that when it starts to feel like they are wearing out I have to replace them asap because the more they get worn the faster they wear out, if that makes sense. Something I've just recently noticed is that the lights (interior, exterior, display, all of them) have been almost blinking...getting brighter/dimmer and at the same time my A/C blows harder/softer, like they are surging as well. Upon further examination I found that the top and bottom driver's side motor mounts have cracked/rotted bushings. Ford should absolutely replace these throttle bodies without question; my children ride in my freestyle every day and one close call is one too many. I want this fixed once and for all.
Sept 2011: started vehicle and put in reverse to back out of a space and engine revved. If I did not have my foot on the brake it would have leaped backwards thru the parking lot. When I shifted into drive it briefly tried to leap forward. I turned the vehicle off, turned it back on and the diagnostic warning light went off and vehicle seemed normal. Throttle body replaced by ford ($800+). Nov 2011: speed over 50 MPH, went to pass another vehicle and when I pressed the accelerator the vehicle bogged down, rpms revved and it would go no faster than 35-40 MPH. Diagnostic light comes on. Pulled over, turned the vehicle off briefly, restarted, diagnostic light goes out and I proceeded. As long as I do not "punch it" in high gear I can increase speed when going over 50. Increase must be gradual. Condition has happened several times since initial instance.
Car surges when changing gears. Problem worse with fan controls on. Rpm's stay above normal idle (750-800) most of the time. Car will accelerate without using gas peddle at times. Must keep a constant vigilance with foot on brake. Went through all the basic fixes (mainly cleaning of throttle linkage and module) . Was told the throttle body needs replaced ($1000+). This module is mounted on top of the engine-why? This is not a unique problem with this car. Many, many, many people with ford freestyles have had this same problem. Other people have had this module replaced and that either did not fix the problem or it was a temporary fix. I believe it is a ford engineering design flaw. Did not fix the vehicle. Bought another car and got rid of this safety hazard.
I have always owned fords however this is by far the scariest ford car ever and to me the unsafest!! I purchased my ford freestyle back in october 2010. Ever since then my car seems to have a mind of its own. When I am completely stopped my car will automatically lunge forward and even stall when I am turning my wheel. I have a 5 year old child who I drive everyday to school in this death trap and it scares me to death. I have tried talking to my ford dealership about this since the car was like this when I bought it but of course they want me to spend all this money I do not have on repairs...after internet research it appears there are hundreds of people that have the same problem with this vehicle. Why isn't anyone doing something about this to protect the consumer? It is very scary and I do not understand why the car is lunging forward and backwards if backing up when my foot is clearly on the brake as well as stalling . I hope someone will do something about it before someone ends up in an accident or even dead because of this!! That would be a serious lawsuit I am sure. This is a serious issue please please do a recall on it now if not for me for the sake of someone's life who is driving one of these unsafe vehicles.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 30 to 40 MPH, the vehicle would lose power. The RPM s would increase to 4,000, the air bag light, traction control light, and the onboard diagnostic light would also illuminate when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and a diagnostic was performed, but the mechanic was unable to generate a failure code. The contact stated that the vehicle would return to normal function when the engine was turned off for a few moments. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to have a dealer perform the diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.
This car started surging little by little getting progressively worse as the months went on. Hotter weather seemed to make it worse, stalling in drive thru's and lurching more. A few times cutting out all together, having to wait in parking lots to come back on. Then it began making a high pitched whining sound like the transmission was going to blow up if it got to "over worked" it seemed. Then wow "shock of all shocks" this lemon of a car simply died while finally sputtering it's last gasps sounding like a diesel engine mack truck and had a " catastrophic engine failure" as two different mechanics of ours diagnosed. Now we are faced with replacing the engine, used at a steal for about $3000.00 to $5000.00+ or taking a huge loss since we owe on it still. And gee what do we have to look forward to if we do replace the engine? A safe non-lurching ride? No. A future free from more costly repairs? No. New throttle body replacement and new transmission replacements? I can't wait!!! What a joke. I hate this car. Please recall something, anything to take this death trap off my hands!!! And yes I have a small child that has to ride in this bundle of safety too.
Was driving to work car picked up speed to where the brakes would not stop then the car just went off.
On july 16,2010 my freestyle lunged forward with my son and his two children after a ball game. They were in a line of cars trying to get on the road home. After driving a few miles it quit running and died. It had to be towed in. Service department replaced air flow sensor and other things and said it was ok. On august 10, 2010 I was trying to get on highway and my car lunged again. This time they tried to contact ford motor. Got no response, so they replaced throttle control. Then in may of 2011 my air conditioner was repaired and while driving slow, my car lunged again. You can tell when it is going to act up. When you push on brakes you have to press really hard to get it stopped. Took it back to service and they drove it and it never happened on them. They said the engine would idle up when driving slow and running air conditioner. But when you have to apply so much pressure on the brakes you raise up off your seat something not right.these automobiles are dangerous. I am on a fixed income since I lost my husband and cannot afford to trade cars. I am stuck with it.
Vehicle surges when idling or going slow. Accelerates at times like parking or moving through parking lots or when stopped at stoplights.
When pulling out of my driveway the car would not accelerate, seemed to not have any power. Then when placing my foot on the brake at a stop sign it surged forward. It was really scary and had there been traffic, I would have been hit broad side, as I felt I couldn't control the car. The wrench light came on, and as I drove my son to school, the car continued to either have no power or was surging forward, I called my local dealer where I had just had the CVT transmission replaced in september, and asked to bring it in. They diagnosed it as a throttle body problem, and replaced it. I had asked about this when the transmission was replaced, and they had told me they didn't know about any problems. Oh please!!!!!! I've also had two very dangerous tire blow outs, and after some research see that unusual inside tire wear has also been a problem on freestyles due to the sway bar links. Now tomorrow.... I am back at the dealer for the engine mount, yet another repeat problem that needs to be recalled. Please help us get these dangerous cars recalled and repaired!
This incident actually started happening in 2006 not too long after I had bought the vehicle; however it did it only once or twice, or maybe not even so much that I noticed it; however in the past year and a 1/2 I have been experiencing the car lunging forward or backward. It always seems to do it when pulling in or backing out of a parking lot or the driveway. I have noticed that it seems to occur when the AC unit is on. Turn the AC unit off and it doesn't do this. I find this very disturbing because even with foot on brakes the car doesn't want to stop, it wants to proceed. Fortunately for us it hasn't resulted in any kind of collision. I feel it is only a matter of time before something bad happens. Please investigate and issue recall. I understand that it is a throttle body issue which costs a lot of money and this is the only family car we have. I can't afford to pay to have this fixed. Struggling as it is after 2 job losses in 3 years time. Please help!
The car when your at a stop or low speed, in drive or reverse the car will try to lurch. When driving down the highway it's fine but when you come to a stop the wrench light comes on. A couple of times the car wouldn't go right away but eventually it would sometimes after turning the car off and back on again the wrench would be gone and would be able to go. Sounds like sometimes the car isn't shifting right.the lurching is really noticeable when the A/C is on. Can't have the A/C on when at a stop or it will lurch.
Vehicle lunges and engine revs up at low speeds when stopping and at stopped. This seemed to happen at low RPM and when the A/C was on and cycling. Also notice this at times when stopped and the steering wheel was turned, and when backing up.
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