When idling, car would surge briefly as if accelerator were pushed. After several inquires at Ford service about recalls, check engine light came on. Problem diagnosed as defective throttle body. Part replaced at a cost of $706.85. Understand there have been several like instances reported. Surge could easily cause a collision either front or back.

- Courtland, VA, USA

Bought a Ford Freestyle in July 2008 took it to the shop July 2009 because it was lunging and stalling. Ford kept it on their lot until November. When I got it back I had to replace the tire because they had flat spots they did not move the car. They replaced the throttle body and now July of 2011 it is doing the same problem. I was told that this car engine gets to hot and the alternator can't work correctly. My warranty expired July 27th 2011 and I can't afford to fix this car. Something needs to be done about all the problems this car has.

- Glen Burnie, MD, USA

My 2005 Ford Freestyle unexpectedly lunges forward in drive and reverse. This usually happens in high heat after using A/C for a while. Thankfully I've had my foot over the brake during these occurrences, but this issue concerns me. I have also been told by a local Ford dealership that my ac compressor is leaking, and wonder if the two are linked somehow.

- Buckeye, AZ, USA

While driving in traffic at 40mph car lurched forward and went into fail safe mode and stalled out. Car restarted and at next intersection lurched forward again and went into fail safe mode.

- Greer, SC, USA

Our 2005 Ford Freestyle began moving in reserve quickly as soon as the car was placed in reverse and my foot was still on the brake. This happened last night and then the wrench(transmission) light came on. The engine previously had began revving very high like it was possessed while driving on the highway and when I exited the road the car acted as if it was not going to stop and I had to practically stomp on the brake to get the car to stop. The engine sounded as if it was going to explode from revving so high. It was frightening. The vehicle has about 90,000 miles on it.

- Louisville, KY, USA

The car surges in drive or reverse without applying the accelerator. It usually happens after the engine has been turned off. It seems worse when the engine is "cold", but it has also happened after the car has reached operating temperature. The only solution has been to apply the break and attempt to control the surge when it happens.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

My car lurches forward if my foot is not fully on the brake or when I begin to accelerate from a stopped position. This has happened several times. My check engine light is now on. I was running my ac in 100 degree weather this last time.

- Akron, OH, USA

We have an 2005 Freestyle. My wife was picking up our grandson from vacation bible school on 7/19/2011. The car lunged forward and almost ran over some other kids crossing over the road in front of her. The crossing guard frantically waved his arms for my wife to stop which she was trying to do. By luck the engine died. Someone is going to die from this yet and then Ford will have a big lawsuit on there hands with thousands of people on the side of the plaintiff. I can't understand Ford's position on this issue since they are rated highly for quality. They had the publics support when they didn't take a bailout. Why damage a good reputation?

- Doylestown, OH, USA

The vehicle surges when at idle. Commonly happens when backing up or moving forward slowly (ie, in a parking lot or driving into a garage). Because this is occurring at idle speeds so far my foot has been either on the brake or close to the brake to prevent an accident. However this will also happen if in a traffic jam or slow moving traffic situations (ie, dropping the kids off at school, slowing down due to pedestrian traffic, etc). I have discussed with the dealer the issue and they are ignorant to the problem.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

My 2005 Ford Freestyle "surges" when the engine is running but my car is not moving. I have to keep my foot on the brake when starting up the car for fear it will lunge forward, or backward, without any pressure put on the gas pedal. I am afraid to let anyone drive the car, even with me telling the person about the surges, since it is not what you would normally be thinking about when starting a car and putting it into gear. I am concerned about the safety of this situation. I have not taken the car to the dealership yet since I don't know what the charge will be for repair. The surging has occurred at least 10 times over the last 2 months. Each time I think it is just a one time thing, but now I know it is not.

- Margate, NJ, USA

Turned the vehicle on and immediately it surged. Thought it was me but then it continued to happen. Seems to only happen when foot is on brake and/or when turning the steering wheel all the way. Just started happening this month. Took the mechanic to check, but he could no reproduce issue. I am not surprised though, as it seems to be intermittent. Problem best described as vehicle seems to have someone else pressing the accelerator. Has not caused an accident yet, but certainly seems as if it is inevitable.

- Kokomo, IN, USA

I have a 2005 Ford Freestyle that has been surging forward when I am at a complete stop & the engine fail safe mode with a wrench has shown up. I have 4 kids & this has happened on the highway with them in the car on the highway & it is very scary to lose power on the highway & try to get to the shoulder without getting hit by another car.

- Lawson, MO, USA

Started car, put it in reverse, car lunged. Not the first time it has done this. Each time the lunge, either in reverse or drive, happens with no warning whatsoever. It just about always starts when the car is started or moved into gear after idling.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

My 2005 Ford Freestyle lunges when placed in drive or reverse, it happens before the accelerator is pressed and I must stomp the brake to stop it. I have had many close calls in the past two weeks. Today a "fail safe engine mode" message came on.

- Kernersville, NC, USA

My 2005 Ford Freestyle will lunge at low speeds, usually while parking in the driveway or parking lot. This happens quite frequently while the car is in drive or reverse and even caused the front end to lunge into a concrete wall of a parking garage causing minimal damage before the brakes could be applied.

- Fairborn, OH, USA

My vehicle will jump ahead at different times. Most of the time it is when you put the car in gear. It lunges very quickly so you have to be aware if it at all times. The first time it happened it took me by surprise it jumped ahead so quickly. I have noticed lately when the air conditioning is in use it will jump/lunge ahead numerous times.

- Monroe, MI, USA

2005 Ford Freestyle began lurching forward when at a very low speed (pulling into/idling in a driveway). We were able to stop the vehicle by pressing on the brakes.

- Everett, WA, USA

I have a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The vehicle randomly surges in forward an reverse. I have found many complaints online saying it is the throttle body. It seems to happen most often when first shifting out of park to reverse or forward. Happens even more often when air is on. It is very disappointing there has been nothing done about this. This vehicle is supposed to be a safe family car!! it has put my son and wife in many close calls. I hope NHTSA makes Ford do something about this and soon!!

- Taylorville, IL, USA

I own a 2005 Ford Freestyle sel. I am experiencing engine surges (sudden acceleration) on a daily basis. The vehicle was taken to a Ford dealer where they didn't find any problems and blamed it on engine load from the ac systems. While I have not had any accidents yet I have on several occasions been forced to stand on the brake to avoid hitting other vehicles and in one case a pedestrian. Ford won't do anything because they say that they can't find anything wrong and there are not recalls.

- Elgin, IL, USA

When go to back it lunges back and if you are sitting in traffic it will lunges forward and then stall out or die and the rpms go up real high.

- Houston, MO, USA