The engine surges all the time, and if the brake pedal is not firmly stepped on, the vehicle will lurch forward 6 to 12 inches. This week the engine surged twice while backing out of my driveway, then once again after shifting into drive, then the engine stalled in the middle of the road. Ford diagnosed it as the throttle body needing replacement, but it is not covered under the extended warranty and will cost $805 to replace it. This has been a known problem to Ford for several years.

- Livonia, MI, USA

First sign was when leaving a mall parking space; placed car into reverse to back up, motor surged and car leaped backwards unexpectedly nearly striking a passing car and pedestrians. Put transmission into'd' to pull back into space and transmission dash indicator illuminated and the car died. Various iterations of restarting the engine, putting the car in gear and then either surging under full power or dying until we got to an auto parts store to see if they could read any codes for the problem. The shop was very nice but unable to determine anything conclusive so we limped along to the nearest Ford dealership where we learned the throttlebody had failed.

- Gladstone, MO, USA

2006 Ford Freestyle while sitting still at idle, in gear, suddenly surging causing unintentional vehicle movement.

- Kearney, MO, USA

I was waiting on my wife in mall parking lot with the ac running when I pulled out to pick her up car accelerated and I hit the brakes and the car stalled and the wrench light came on. It has done this about 50000 miles ago and they replaced throttle body. I cant believe it is happening again. We are going on vacation in 2 weeks and I need to get it fixed before we go but do not need this added expense. Ford needs to do something about this. I will be at dealership Monday morning.

- Newton, NC, USA

Put car in reverse and as soon as the brake was released the car jumped back as if I had quickly pressed on the accelerator. I quickly applied the brake and then the car shut itself off. Since July 12 I have had a few other instances both when putting the car in reverse and when the car was in drive. I was waiting in a line with the brakes applied. As I lifted my foot off the brake to idle forward the car jumped forward with a quick burst of acceleration and resulting in almost hitting the car in front of me.

- Parkville, MO, USA

My 2006 Ford Freestyle began to either stall soon after it was started, or worse still, lunge forward a short distance. In both instances the outdoor temperature was over 90 degrees and the air conditioner was turned on. An hour after this a transmission warning light came on. I had it looked into the next day on 6/13/2001. The Ford dealership where I took it to ( greenway Ford, orlando, fl.) Ford ran an eec system diagnosis and found that the throttle control had to be replaced and the on board computer adjusted. Since the way the vehicle lurched forward, although I was able to brake it before it went a foot, it would seem to pose a danger to individuals nearby the vehicle.

- Orlando, FL, USA

Hot day - 101 degrees and we had the air conditioner on. While backing up the vehicle "surged". put the vehicle in park, again surged. While stopped at a stop light the wrench light came on and the vehicle started losing power acting as if it wanted to shift, but couldn't. it sputtered the whole way home. We turned off the car, waiting for a couple of minutes and turned the car back on and the wrench light was gone. We took it for a drive and it drove just fine. Another hot day, driving for awhile and it started surging when backing up and then surged again before the wrench light came on. Again, we turned off, turned on, everything is ok. This is a dangerous problem with this vehicle that we now know is the main complaint and many others have complained about the same problem.

- Parowan, UT, USA

2006 Ford Freestyle will surge when car is put in reverse and pulling into parking spaces - need to quickly apply brakes to prevent crashing into someone or something. Have not had vehicle in for repair - afraid of how much I will need to pay out of pocket - and will it actually correct the problem"?" 82,000 miles on vehicle. I do not feel safe driving this vehicle. Was considering giving it to our 17 year old daughter who recently received her driving license, but don't want to take the chance giving her a vehicle she literally cannot control with the newly acquired driving skills under her belt. As a seasoned driver, I feel very uneasy driving this vehicle.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

I was sitting in the car with the air conditioner on for about 10 minutes with my children while my wife went to pick up a few groceries. When we left I put the car reverse and slowly took my foot of the break. The car then jerked backwards as my foot was softly on the break and then again when it was off the break. The car then stalled and the wrench light appeared. This has happened several more times since, mostly when the car is in "drive" with the air conditioner working hard and my foot either softly on the break or just off the break. The car will jerk forward. I'm not sure the component that is malfunctioning, but bellow is an educated guess.

- Souderton, PA, USA

Car surges without pressing the gas pedal either in reverse or drive.

- Rockvale, TN, USA

My Ford Freestyle jumps forward or backward when driving. Very scary when in parking lot. Now stalling after jumping.

- Mount Pleasant, SC, USA

Both times this has happened, it has been very hot 100+ degrees outside, and the vehicle had been parked, idling for a few minutes (5-15 mins). Upon putting car in gear, the vehicle engine surged. Luckily the foot was on the brake pedal. While experiencing these problems, vehicle has died twice, and tends to do it more at low, idle only speeds, for example while parking or pulling out of the driveway. Once, we were driving from out of town, and the vehicle was sluggish on acceleration, and never seemed to switch gears. We made it home, then let it cool, and it ran fine for several days. About a week later, having the same issues. Going to take it into the Ford dealer tomorrow and have them look at it, referencing the NHTSA investigation into the Ford Freestyles.

- Amarillo, TX, USA

The car will surge on it's own at different times: Sitting at a red light ~normal misc idling, while in reverse, while making full turns. It will also sometimes die right after the surge, but not every time. It is worse in the summer during high temps, but will sometimes do it in colder temps as well. It does this when you have your foot on the brake, also when it has been in parked (while idling). At a drive thru window on one occasion, it surged over 5 times and was restarted over 5 different times, all at same drive thru window. (maybe 10 minutes at the window). Additionally the driver front seat, seat warmer has stopped working, the keypad on the driver's car door to open the car doors will not function, several lights inside the dash do not light up and/or very dim, the middle row seat 2/3, the seat on the left side will not fold down.

- Germantown, TN, USA

Ford Freestyle 2006 limited - the vehicle has started to lunge when shifted. This is unintended acceleration, with foot off the pedal. I am getting very worried that my wife will run over someone. This is a throttle body issue that you are currently investigating. This happens almost every day and is getting gradually worse - 89,000 miles on the car. There are hundreds or thousands of reports of this online. You need to have Ford fix this. I can't afford to pay for the repair myself, so I haven't had it fixed. I'm hoping it won't keep getting worse and that a recall will be announced soon.

- South Dennis, MA, USA

When we put our Ford Freestyle into drive or reverse it suddenly accelerates without depressing the accelerator. The engine revs to 2000-2500 rpms.

- Burtonsville, MD, USA

We have a 2006 Ford Freestyle that lunges forward or reverse mainly when the A/C is on during slow parking lot type movements. I took it to the dealer in the past for this and they did "something" but the problem is still evident. This happens a lot and I've almost hit other cars because of it. Please look into a proper repair.

- Garden City, MI, USA

When shifted from P to R or D, the vehicle surges or lunges. Very difficult to control even with foot firmly on the brake. Worse when A/C is on. The engine races, and rpms increase. Vehicle was purchased used last year, at approximately 48K miles. Noticed the problem shortly after purchase, but the problem seemed almost imaginary, then went away over the winter months. The problem has returned and seems worse at this time (summer 2011). Definitely not imaginary, definitely dangerous. Occurs in parking lots and intersections, where there are often many pedestrians and vehicles in close quarters. Engine light has come on, mechanic says service codes indicate throttle problem. Hope to have this repaired tomorrow.

- Hummelstown, PA, USA

I purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle in March 2011. In may it started lunging when it was first put into gear with my foot applied on the brake. It got worse when the air had been on and the car is idling. To the point it started stalling and the transmission light came on. I took it to shop on May 31. Stayed there til fri. June 3. they replaced the throttle body. Drove it back home over an hour away just for it to happen again. Now I have to return to the shop for them to see what else they can find.

- Union, MS, USA

My wife was entering a parking space and the vehicle lunged forward after she had removed her foot from the accelerator. The vehicle struck a row of shopping carts and caused a crease in the right rear door.

- Old Hickory, TN, USA

My 2006 Ford Freestyle has been lurching forward unexpectedly while my foot is on the brake. Sometimes is will then stall. It happens when pulling on or out of a parking spot. This has occurred several times in the past 6 weeks. Took care to shop, no codes to show issue and unable to replicate the problem.

- Hamilton, OH, USA