2007 Ford Freestyle: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed May 28, 2017 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · NC

On may 27th, 2017, we were traveling at 50-55 MPH with cruise control engaged on the highway when our ford freestyle began lurching badly and the RPM began surging. In a a few minutes the wrench light came on along with the engine light, battery light, ABS light and airbag light. Our speedometer began flipping back and forth uncontrollably. At that point the vehicle would not exceed 25-30 MPH even at full speed. We could have been rear-ended! We immediately pulled off at a gas station to check the oil levels and check to see what was wrong. We started the vehicle back and returned home cautiously. We took the vehicle to the nearest lube place and got the oil changed. We returned home and researched about the issue. My husband (who is very mechanically inclined) decided to follow a mechanic's advice and cleaned the throttle body thoroughly with seafoam and a toothbrush. It was filthy and had lots of deposits built up on it. He unplugged the battery to reset everything and reinstalled the throttle body. It proved ineffective so we purchased a new throttle body for $320 from advanced auto parts. He installed it today and the problem has not been solved. We are at a loss and are not sure what to do. This issue should have been recalled. I am a mother of 3 and am currently pregnant with my fourth child and I do not feel safe driving this vehicle!

Filed Mar 31, 2014 · Electrical · 20,000 miles · IA

Owned vehicle for three years. 4-7 times while driving at highway speed only in cruise control the car would completely turn off. Switching the ignition off and then starting it again would result in normal function. Got so that I did not even have to pull to side of road as I could complete the switch off on in neutral and restart whole still in motion. Occurrence was random. Always weeks or months apart. Had dealer check system three times but no cause could be found.

Filed Jul 18, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 81,500 miles · MN

In june 2011 I had to bring my vehicle in for service, I noticed prior to my vehicle breaking down the vehicle would lurch even thou my foot was not on the accelerator pedal (in forward or reverse). The temp outside was in the low 90's. I had bought this vehicle in the fall of 2010. Now today (18 july 2012) I am once again taking my car in for the same repairs (parts replacement). The temp yesterday was near 90, I had the air on and was backing into a parking spot when my vehicle lurched back instantly without my foot on the accelerator (I had to slam on the brakes) so I did not crash into the other vehicle in the stall behind the one I was baking into. All the sudden the engine stalled; I re-started the vehicle (and the check engine light came on and is now on constantly as it was back in 2011). When I left the parking slot I was in I attempted to go home; the vehicle lurched the whole time I was in the parking lot, once I was on the main road the vehicle would not accelerate normally; also the cruise control would not work. Again; these are the same problems I had in 2011. I crept my car to the superior ford dealership where I had the work done before. I asked the service dept worker if she knew of any tech-issues or concerns and she said no....I was not buying it.

Filed Jul 3, 2012 · Acceleration, Brakes · 99,000 miles · SC

The car first started when I had it on cruise control going down the highway at 70mph. I had the air conditioning on and the tach went to 4,000 rpms and the car shut off while going down the highway. The car when sitting idle will idle up and down. When put into reverse or drive the car jumps forward or backwards and you can barely stop it by pressing the brakes. Now when the car is put into reverse and your backing out of a parking space the car will lunge and then turn off.

Filed Sep 4, 2011 · Acceleration · 69,167 miles · TX

While idling in a fast food line with my foot on the brake, the car suddenly lunged forward approximately 2 feet. After approximately another 10 minutes idling in the line, I got my order and was slowly exiting the drive thru lane, when I had to stop to let 3 pedestrians pass by. With my foot firmly on the brake, it lunged forward another time approximately 3 feet, narrowly missing the last pedestrian. The car then stalled. After restarting it, it took over 1 mile of roadway to get the speed up from 0 to 65, with the gas pedal completely depressed the entire time. The cruise control would also not work. The air conditioning was on and the outside temperature was approximately 100 degrees. There were no warning lights on the dashboard when the lunging occurred, however, the wrench icon lit up after I restarted the car and remained on for the 26 mile drive home. Once at home, I turned the car off and restarted it and the wrench icon was no longer lit up. I have not driven the vehicle since this incident for fear of injuring myself or someone else.