Vehicle lunges or surges when at idle or low speeds in forward and reverse.

- Howard, CO, USA

I've had problems with this vehicle numerous times over the past few years. I filed a complaint on here once but do not remember the dates or the username/password I used. This vehicle is the worst car I have ever owned. I've sunk thousands into repairs in the last couple of years. I've had instrument cluster replaced 4 times, replaced engine mounts, my A/C compressor went out on it, throttle body replaced. And now it sits on blocks we thought was the fuel pump went out so replaced it. Didn't do any good. Not sure what it is the instrument cluster still doesn't work correctly, it was surging til the day the other day when it just wont go anymore, it will start and run but won't go. I was told it could be numerous things, throttle body again, instrument cluster still not right, might be my transmission, could be my pedal throttle sensor, fuel switch out..........so what do I do nickel and penny everything I have into a lemon that obviously the NHTSA nor Ford care about. I'm a single mother with two children, we live 7 miles from town...and now I have no transportation. I bought this vehicle in 2005 and paid quite a bit for it. Its like toilet paper or diapers....disposable! I will never purchase a Ford again.

- Cherokee Village , AR, USA

Engine sputter then failure. Then computer error states, fail safe engine mode. Diagnostic reveals throttle body failure. Common problem according to service department recall pending, why won't U act. Web full of this complaint.

- Keres, KY, USA

Engine sputter then failure. Then computer error states, fail safe engine mode. Diagnostic reveals throttle body failure. Common problem according to service department recall pending, why won't U act. Web full of this complaint.

- Berea, KY, USA

Unintended acceleration-I stopped at traffic light and the engine stayed at a high RPM and did not drop to idle RPM. I was able to hold foot on brake until light turned green, the problem did not reoccur. I was not using cruise control. I took the car to my Ford dealer and they were unable to find anything wrong. This problem has not recurred but is very frightening when it occurs.

- Louisville, KY, USA

I was parked. I put the car in drive. As I started to take my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward. I pressed the brake hard to stop the surge. It scared me. The next day, it happened again, several times. In reverse and drive, I watched the rpms go up without my foot touching the throttle. This is scary and unacceptable!

- Silverado, CA, USA

For the past few months my car has been lunging forward or backward when going at a low speed. For example, going into or coming out of a parking space, in a drive thru line, or waiting at a traffic light. The problem seem worse when it is hot outside and/or the air is on. Yesterday the problem happen again, engine stalled and when I restarted the car the check engine light came on. I have had a few near misses with the problem, coming close to hitting a little girl in a parking lot and almost running into a car at a drive thru line just to name a couple. I remember hearing about the same problem last year and am very shocked to see that Ford is taking a chance with peoples lives like this, why has there not been a recall issued to fix the problem?

- Garden City , MI, USA

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

- North Las Vegas, NV, USA

Recently, my 2005 Ford Freestyle began lunging forward at slow speeds, and yesterday it did it twice in heavy traffic. I took it to big country Ford and they are trying to tell me it is my water-pump and air conditioner compressor. They also said my motor mount was broken, which was a common problem with the Freestyles and Taurus X models. As I read online, the lunging problems seem to be common with these.

- Brownwood, TX, 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

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

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

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

I was in the drive threw of a fast food restaurant when the car suddenly plunged forward, I had to put both feet on the brake to keep from hitting the car in front of me, and then the wrench light came on and the engine went into a failsafe mode. The mechanic I took it to informed me that most of these models were doing that but Ford wouldn't do a recall because a lawsuit was cheaper. Just the parts to temporarily fix the problem is over 450 dollars and then there is the labor to pay for.

- Byers, TX, USA

Vehicle unexpectedly and with great speed lurches in both forward and reverse. I notice the issue most often when pulling into or out of a parking spot or just after using the brake. The car suddenly accelerates without warning forcing me to slam on the brakes so that I do not hit other vehicles or unintentionally enter traffic. The issue is very dangerous because there is no forewarning and has appeared to be happening more often and with greater force.

- Lawler, IA, USA

My car started lunging when moving at slow speeds, and I'd have to jam on brakes to keep it from hitting another car, building, etc. Happens primarily when A/C is on also. Loses power on acceleration, but lunges when applying slight gas in both reverse and forward. Scary beyond belief. I have a heart condition, and nearly fainted when it happened last time, at an intersection with wild traffic, and I had to jam the brakes to keep the car from going into traffic. Seen enough similar reports online that my next stop will be news media. Please help us!

- Manassas, VA, USA

Started car and was leaving restaurant parking space. Engine revved up several hundred RPM and car was lurching forward as I tried to hold it back with the brake pedal. People were walking in front of car heading toward restaurant. Car was lurching forward toward them and it was difficult to keep car from moving forward. The RPM's would go high enough to make the front tires spin a little bit on the paved parking lot. I killed the ignition to make car stop. The people thought I had been trying to assault them with the car because I didn't want to wait on them to walk across the parking lot in front of me. Mechanic checked car out and couldn't find anything. This happens pretty frequently. It is worse when air conditioner is on and is most common when in parking lots or driveway when not even using the accelerator.

- Waverly Hall, GA, USA

When parking, driving very slow (under 10mph) or backing up my car lunges forward with surge of power and foot on brake not gas. Sometimes it dies and gave error code engine failsafe mode. Worse when acon, don't remember it being an issue in the winter. Took to dobbs and was told it was my throttle body and my computer would need reset. Cleaned throttle body to see if that would correct issue. Improved, but did not correct. Very scary and dangerous in traffic, approaching stop signs, especially if pedestrians nearby. Fear could lunge at them.

- Crystal City, MO, USA

Idling at traffic light with brakes pressed, engine starting revving up to over 2000 RPM. Vehicle started to surge and had to press brake pedal harder to stop. Vehicle moved approx 10 ft before it stopped. Issue happened repeatedly, but was not taken in to shop for diagnosis as it would not happen for quite a while. Has happened around 30 times since February. Today, 6/18/2012 while driving through town in stop-go traffic, vehicle started surging again. Wrench light came on as well as error wording of engine fail safe mode. Had to slowly maneuver into a parking lot and turn car off. Once restarted, lights went off and was able to make it home. Took it to local mechanic and they state this is common problem and the throttle body needs to be replaced (they just did on 05 Freestyle last Thursday with same symptoms). $758 to replace. Really need some action on this investigation!

- Statesboro, GA, USA