Lunging when switching gears.

- Wellington, OH, USA

While driving on the highway at a speed of approximately 70 mph, the car (2005 Ford Freestyle) would not accelerate/maintain speed and quickly decelerated and had to be pulled into the emergency lane, coming to a complete stop. The car had to be turned off and restarted in order to continue traveling the 3 hours left in the 9 hour trip back home. The Ford service shop said the throttle body ($900), ac compressor ($1,300), and top engine mount ($330) need to be replaced. Based on what I've been able to read on the internet, this appears to be a recurring and dangerous theme with this Ford vehicle.

- Knoxville, TN, USA

I just recently had my Freestyle(05)become increasingly horrible lunging in parking lots, drive thru's, etc. Upon reading about it on your website I realized how much of the same problems are occuring for all the owners of this vehicle. It just recently has gotten worse since I just had the A/C compressor replaced.

- Louisville, KY, USA

Vehicle has been lunging forward at very slow speeds for several months, usually with foot lightly on brake. When this occurred on 8/3/12, the vehicle lost considerable power and the dash indicated "safe mode". mechanic advised throttle body needs replaced.

- Iowa City, IA, USA

Car begun accelerating while pulling into the garage. Noticed that it would accelerate or lung at low speed. It also happens when turning the steering wheel. This happens going forward or reverse. Also revs up motor while stopped. It has happened while pulling into parking spaces (have almost went over a hill side at work parking), stopping at stop lights (several times run up on the back of cars at stop lights), pull into garage (have almost drove thru my wall) and backing out of my drive way. This has become increasingly dangerous. Took to the Ford dealership to have checked for problem was told that I need to have my throttle body replaced. Costing around $600. I am now understanding that this is a problem that has been reported by several people but no recall has been done to correct the problem. I have in many cases came close to having an accident. Driving this car is unsafe and I was even told that by the car dealer and was told that they would suggest that I rent a car until my car was fixed. Under the affected parts this part is not listed it is the throttle body.

- Longmont, CO, USA

1. pulling into parking space, vehicle surged forward, steering was turned sharply at the time and foot on brake 2. pulling in garage and vehicle surged while foot on brake.

- Mount Joy, PA, USA

Vehicle lunges when starting out from parked, lunges in forward gear, and in reverse gear. I see that there are many people with the same complaint this is a serious safety problem. I had this problem multiple times before and have nearly injured someone when he stepped behind my vehicle as I put it into reverse to back out of a parking place. The car accelerated by itself, fortunately I was able to stop. However the braking is not sufficient when backing it is a very dangerous problem. This deserves your immediate attention. I have been involved in automotive repair for 40+yrs. And assure you there is no excuse for Ford not handling this. They are well aware that this exists and are ignoring a serious hazard. Any Ford service will admit that the problem exists and that they do not have a recall. I see now that there is a redesign due to the problem. Your power can force them to rectify this problem, and save serious injury from this point on. I have no doubt that many accidents have occurred and someone has been injured seriously. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Naples, FL, USA

During hotter weather if the car idles at a stop light or in traffic, it starts surging uncontrollably unless the brake pedal is depressed very firmly. Usually the check engine light and the fail safe mode engage. The engine speed surges up and down and tries to move the car. If the brake is not depressed very firmly car has hit curb and tried to climb onto the sidewalk.

- Lake Linden, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would lunge in acceleration while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the throttle body would need replacing. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 67,000 and the current mileage was 67,300.

- Davenport, IA, USA

My 2005 Ford Freestyle surges violently after warming up when the transmission is in drive and you come to a stop. The car lurches forward quickly and without warning several feet and when you try to brake to stop the forward progress, it usually dies and gives the "wrench" check engine light. It will not restart until you turn the ignition off and back on. It does this mostly during warm to hot weather. Rarely through the cool or cold weather.

- Harrah, OK, USA

Car was parked with out side air temperature 100+, started car and put it into reverse to back out of angle parking stall, car accelerated without throttle pedal not yet being pressed and I applied rapid brake stopping car. Engine wrench icon appeared on dash display with engine failsafe message showing. Shut off key, restarted and icons did not reappear. Same thing occurred two more times and I got car to dealer with throttle control (body) found to be defective and replaced by dealer for $938.32. Problem came back on 07/24/2011 with mileage at 121216, air temperature 104 and engine shut down while attempting to park on city street with failsafe message showing. Shut off key and restarted car with no message reappearing. Took car to dealer and code for defective throttle body found with a replacement cost of $623.05 suggested. Called Ford customer service with concern that fix was short lived and problem is dangerous and could come back anytime. Ford advised they have no recall in effect and engineering would be advised and my request for a call back could happen or not.

- Columbia, IL, USA

Same issues as investigation # PE11018. I was backing out of a parking space and the engine attempted to surge three separate times. I was in control with my foot on the brake. After exiting the parking lot, I drove about 400-500 feet and stopped. Backed up and then as I went forward, the engine surged and then the car went into fail safe mode. I have had the engine surge in reverse over the past year that I have owned it, but this is the first time it has resulted in a "fail safe" mode. It is now in the shop and the dealer believes that it is a throttle body and/or and ECM module failure.

- Suffolk, VA, USA

When car is stopped, transmission in drive, foot usually on the brake, the car suddenly surges forward for 2 -3 seconds. This has happened at least a dozen times since and have to this point been able to stop the car before damage or injury has occurred.

- St. Johns, MI, USA

I have experienced the "surging" problem being investigated by NHTSA. I was in a parking lot and put the vehicle into reverse, started to back out of the space and the engine surged and lurched backwards into the driving area. I put it into park and noticed the engine rpms going up and down instead of staying constant while idling, then it evened out. I tried again and the car surged again (I was ready for it this time and applied the brakes to slow the vehicle down) and was able to back out of the space and drive normally. This is not the first time that the vehicle has done this, but I am not sure how long it has been doing it.

- Madison, AL, USA

Well its been happening for awhile now my 2005 Freestyle has the tendency to lung forward and in reverse in low speeds or even at stops causing the car to rattle and stall or go into engine protect mode which makes it drive very slow. But its is happening more frequent. I also notice that the tranny wines now and one of the engine mounts is broke. Very unsafe to drive my wife wont even let me take my kids in the car. Very frustrating that Ford has not done anything about this what does it take someone to get killed"???"

- West Henrietta , NY, USA

When in reverse or drive if turning the sterring wheel the car take off and you have to but the brake on hard to stop car. This happens 95% of the time.

- Hartland, MI, USA

My 2005 limited edition Freestyle has a few issues that I am very concerned about. My throttle is having major issues. The car will surge forward with no warning when I am at a complete stop. It also has caused it to have a lot of difficultly accelerating when in motion and starting the ignition. I'm afraid that it will surge forward and cause me to hit something or someone. I've read online about people that have had this issue where it gets so bad that they've even lost all acceleration while driving down the highway and one person who hit something in his garage sending it flying through the garage wall. My husband has tried cleaning out the throttle with no success. We bought the car used less than a year ago with no warranty and this problem has been getting progressively worse over the last few months.

- Hartland, MI, USA

While at a stop and idoling the vehicle's RPM's will go up to about 6 and the vehicle lunges forward....or going from drive to reverse the RPM's on the vehicle go up to about 6 and the vehicle will lunge. During the reverse the vehicle's dash warnings came on and the vehicle died. This is not a safe!....I could accidently hurt someone thats within a few steps of my vehicle. This has happened about 3 times now.

- Apache Junction, AZ, USA

While stopped or at low speeds the car lunges forward suddenly. Only a quick application of the brake prevented an accident. We have had this problem several times last summer also as it seems to be aggravated by very hot weather and the use of the air conditioner. We got a check engine light and the dealer recommended a "throttle body update" and wants $945 but acknowledged they didn't know if this would fix the problem or not. I see this as a serious problem that has significant risk potential. Please investigate if other Freestyle owners are having the same issue. Thank you.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

Vehicle surges at low speed, both in forward or in reverse, necessitating heavy braking to keep vehicle under control. When moving at slow speed there is a 1000 RPM increase when the steering wheel is turned. This has resulted in one near accident thus far.

- Coloma, MI, USA