10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 16 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 2 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 64,541 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The issue of "unintended acceleration" has been an issue with this vehicle when I first used the air conditioner in March of 2008. I ran into the back end of another car at a drive through fast food restaurant when the car surged and the brakes did not hold the vehicle back. There was no damage to either vehicle. I took it to a Ford dealer to check out the issue. They said there was nothing wrong. Over the years I have taken to other Ford dealers who also said their was nothing wrong - most recently 02/15/11. Over the years the vehicle has jumped over parking spaces concrete stops. The "unintended acceleration" happens dozens of times every day. I will not let anyone else in the family drive the vehicle. This vehicle is dangerous and Ford doesn't care!
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
My 2007 Ford Freestyle crossover vehicle can lunge unexpectedly when driving at low speeds or idling. My Freestyle lunges up to 10 feet when the driver's foot is not on the accelerator or firmly on the brakes. Stepping on the brakes firmly stops the car from moving. The problem worsens when the air conditioning is on or the steering wheel is turned a lot. In both cases, the engine idle speed is increased to compensate for additional loads to run the air conditioning compressor or the power steering pump. The incidents of brief acceleration occur in both forward and reverse gears.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
I am filling out a form regarding the investigation of the Ford Freestyle's 'lunging' problem. I had noticed this issue beginning a couple of years ago on my 2007 Freestyle limited fwd with cvt. It would be idling and then as I would put the car into gear whether it is forward or reverse, it would rev without my doing. I do not use my ac much at all so I doubt it was on when the revving happened but this problem happens about 2-3 times a month. Luckily, the issue has not caused any accidents, but if there is something that can be done to resolve the issue at no cost to me, I would surely appreciate it. I took my car to capitol Ford in raleigh, nc and after describing my problem, they told me I needed to spend $165 on a throttle body cleaning. A service I have never heard of in my life, though they say it is something that needs to be done every 30K miles. I love my car and want to keep it for as long as possible, and Ford has always been reliable when it comes to keeping me informed about things needing to be done to keep it running smoothly, but they have never before mentioned the throttle body cleaning until after I inquired about the recall investigation and the engine revving issue. I am wondering if this is the corporate line they are telling their people to tell us Freestyle owners in regards to spending money to get this problem fixed before you guys make it a free fix due to a recall. I certainly hope they are not trying to get money out of unsuspecting and loyal owners of their cars that put their family's lives in Ford's hands each and every day. If there is a known problem, don't make us pay for it, do the right thing and fix it!
- Raleigh, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph in reverse, the vehicle would suddenly lunge forward without the contact applying the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000. The consumer stated the sudden acceleration was noticed in slow speed situations; when pulling in/out of a parking space etc. Updated 08/01/11
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when first placing the vehicle in gear, it would lunge forward abnormally or in reverse. The dealer was contacted and they advised him that they were unaware of the failure. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or repaired for the failure. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was approximately 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Kittshill, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while stopped with the brakes engaged, there was an abnormal increase in engine rpms as the vehicle surged forward momentarily before stalling. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. The failure recurred intermittently. The contact also stated that the failure recurred more often when the air conditioner was activated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 50,000 and the current mileage was 80,000. Updated 06/16/11 updated 07/08/11
- Hesperia, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was idled, it would surge forward with the brake pressed. The dealer did not offer any assistance and the manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The current and failure mileages were unknown.
- New Galilee, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started during cold weather, the vehicle would abnormally accelerate without warning. The vehicle was not inspected for the failure. The contact stated that the failure would occur sporadically, at least three times per week. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 72,000.
- Lynchburg, VA, USA
Every time I put my vehicle in drive it accelerates and I have to immediately brake, its the same as going in reverse which is actually scary since it did this to me in a tight squeezed parking area and I almost hit another vehicle.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns 2007 a Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle would surge forward while the heating system was activated. The dealer advised the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer advised the contact that there were no related recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 78,522 and the failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Updated 6/8/11 the consumer stated when the defroster or air conditioning system was in use, after idling or stopped, the vehicle would surge forward without her foot on being on the accelerator pedal. The consumer stated when she placed the vehicle in reverse, it would surge backward and then stall. Updated 06/21/11
- Warren, MI, USA
My 2007 Ford Freestyle seems to lurch forward while idling. It has happened on several occasions with the most recent occurrence also including the engine just shutting off by itself. It lurches uncontrollably and I'm afraid it may hit another car in front of me.
- Warren, MI, USA
The contact owns 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated occasionally when the vehicle was idle or it moved slowly, the rpms would increase and it would lunge forward. The vehicle was not inspected. The failure was 81,000 and the current mileage was 84,549. Updated 07/08/11 updated 07/18/11
- Corbin, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. When attempting to start the vehicle, she noticed that the vehicle would surge forward or in reverse intermittently depending on what gear the vehicle was in. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and she was informed to deactivate the heating system when attempting to idle the vehicle. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current mileage was 67,371. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
- Wayland, MA, USA
My Ford Freestyle would accelerate on its own. Maybe 2-5 mph and you would need to brake immediately (scary). I took it to a Ford distributorship (loganville Ford, 3460 highway 78, loganville, ga 30052, 770 554-9994 to get the acceleration fixed. A Mr. Jason correll said that he was unaware of any acceleration in the Ford Freestyle and it was my problem not Ford's I called the regional office of Ford and was told the same--no known problems. They said they would file a report, but would not help me on the repair. On May 26, 2010, I went back to the dealer and paid $1,056.89 to get the problem fixed. They replaced the throttle body assy. The car has worked fine since.
- Lilburn, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when the temperature where he resided was warm and the air conditioner activated, the vehicle would surge forward forcing him to apply extreme pressure to the brake pedal. The dealer was unaware of the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to NHTSA to file a complaint. The vehicle was not repaired. The current mileage was 89,300. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Updated 06/16/11 the consumer also stated as he was about to park the vehicle, it suddenly surged forward. Updated 06/233/11
- Allen, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when the vehicle was idle it responded as if it were going to lunge forward. He quickly depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle from accelerating. The failure occurred seven times. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The current mileage was approximately 61,500. The failure mileage was approximately 26,000.
- Boca Raton, FL, USA
My 2007 Ford Freestyle is surging forward on its own and stalling in traffic. I have had the car surge forward with pedestrians close by. I have told by a mechanic that it will cost around $600. The mechanic told me that he has changed so many of these and totally agrees that Ford should step up and recall this defect in their car.
- Texas, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while the vehicle was idle or she was driving in reverse it lunged forward. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 80,000.
- Humble, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. While driving approximately 50 mph approaching a light to make a turn, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle had to be turned off and back on in order for it to be driven. The failure occurred three times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician stated the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
- Montrose, CO, USA