general problems of the 2005 Ford Freestyle - part 1

Me and my wife carpool on third shift to our jobs. Upon backing out of the driveway in reverse, the wrench light came on, and an error reading" failsafe engine mode". I was able to make it to work, however I couldn't go fast at all no more than maybe 40. I'm seeing online many with this year and model need or have had new throttle body's put in with no luck coming from it. I'm hoping there's a recall because I have two children and a wife to get around in this one car. I wanna know what the recall is on it if one at all is available. Why haven't they corrected it yet after all these years of problems and so many complaints?.

After quickly crossing traffic and entering my driveway (which is on a downward slope) I released the gas on entering my driveway and applied the brake. Just before applying the brake the vehicle lurched. It didn't lurch far, but enough for me to rapidly depress the brake pedal in surprise. One item of note--the low fuel indicator was on and my next stop was to get gas.

2005 Ford Freestyle lunging forward, stalling out, and check engine light wrench icon light coming on. It was dangerous to be on the road because of the sudden stopping, and very pore excelleration. After several tries at reading codes discovered it was a bad throttle body. I noticed all of the complaints that were posted on line about this same vehicle and discovered your investigation opened in 2011. Repairs were made by myself at the cost of $608. 00. Also, I noticed the new replacement part had an engineering change that elimanated the anti freeze heater section. I feel something should be done about this problem by recalling the throttle body system used in this Ford vehicle. I also was informed by the service center at the Ford dealership, where I purchased the throttle body ,that this part was common to be replaced. Thank you for looking into this issue.

On the date noted, I was stopped at a traffic light with my foot on the brake when the car suddenly lurched forward (maybe 6-9 inches). I turned the corner to enter a parking garage and while stopped with my foot on the brake, the car lurched forward again, this time the car stalled. I restarted it pulled forward to the garage gate and stopped. It lurched a third time, stalling again and then the service engine light came on. I can best describe it as though I released the clutch (on a manual shift car) with my foot on the brake and not the accelerator. In such a situation, the car will lurch and stall. However this is an automatic and the reason the clutch would engage is from acceleration. I recall the motor revving up prior to the lurch which would explain the event. The Ford dealership finally narrowed the problem to the throttle body and the electronics attached to it and required replacement ($700+). I would say this event occurred at least 6 times in the past year, always while the car was stopped but never 3 times in succession. It stalled maybe two of those times, entered 'engine failsafe mode' but was fine after re-starting the engine. I researched this occurrence on the internet finding it to be an issue on many occasions with this model vehicle. There are several reports on your website as well. I see the investigation is still open. I noted one report referencing a design flaw as to the release of gases in the throttle body and how they are re-routed back throught the body. The service rep at the dealer noted to me that the new body installed on my car was a new design where the gases are released away from the body. I take this as acknowledgement that the original design was flawed, leading to its unsafe behavior. Note that this last event occurred in 90+ degree weather with the ac on and after highway driving for 3 hours.

Car at a complete stop with foot off gas petals moves forward unexpectedly and rpms jump to 2000.

My 2005 Ford Freestyle lunges forward when putting it in drive or reverse. It started a couple of months ago and would only happen once in a while. Now it happens almost every day. If your not careful you will hit something. Even with your foot on the brake the vehicle will still lunge forward or backward. The problem is worse if the air conditioner is running. I have been told the throttle body is causing the problem but it will cost over $800. 00 to fix. I cannot afford this repair and think Ford should fix it under a recall due to this being a serious safety problem.

Intially noted the vehicles rpms jump and a quick surge in the engine while traveling approximately 65mphs. This continued to occur radomly at different speeds on several occasions. A service light came on. They replaced an egr valve. Put in an fuel treatment. One day later the the light is back on and condition has gotten worse. Now the car lunges forward,still randomly,but frequently! have been very fortunate that there has not been any major incidents or accidents,yet!(just ran up a curb) read this is a common condition and is being investigated. I hope something comes of the investigation and soon. This is very alarming and dangerous! today I had the most precious cargo with me. . . . My daughter(who was driving and is currently outraged) and my grandchildren!!!!!.

My vehicle surges from time to time and when the air condition is on the car will cut of and go into fail safe mode ive cleaned the throttle body and the problem still accurs.

While backing out of a parking space, the engine surged as if I had hit the accelerator. I immediately hit the brakes and the same thing happened several more times before I had a new throttle body installed at the Ford dealership and was told that it was becoming a common problem with the Freestyle. My son who has a 2007 Freestyle had the same thing happen several months ago and had the same repair done to his.

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 a school, slowing down due to pedestrian traffic, etc). I have discussed with the dealer the issue and they are ignorant to the problem.

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.

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 plaintif. 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?.

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!!.

The first time this happened was September 2010. I was in a parking lot with in nashville TN. It was hot and ac was running. The transmission was in reverse, I took my foot off brake and the car accelerated backward without pressing the accelerator. On the date I reported above same situation, in a parking lot, temp outside was over 90 and ac was running. The transmission was in drive and when I took my foot off the brake it accelerated forward. My wife had several incidents similar but she was only aware that the ac was running when the car accelerated with pressing the gas pedal. We were fortunate each time there was enough space to press the brake and stop the vehicle.

The vehicle will slightly accelarate (or lunge) when idling and foot is not on the accelerator. Seems to happen when vehicle is first started and/or at very low speeds. This has happened multiple times while vehicle is drive or reverse.

2005 Ford Freestyle lurches forward without any accelerator input or warning. I am sure that it is going to cause an accident or injury. This started at about 140,000 miles the first time, and is getting worse. Very dangersous event when it happens. From what I gather from others on line it is a problem with the throttle body. This is for sure a safty issue and flaw in the design and use of the throttle body which should be made whole and for sure be put on a recall to correct before someone is hurt. Being it happens when at an idle if could cause a collision with a vehile in front of you, but worse than that could be a child or person walking infront of the vehilce and suddenly being hit by the lurchig car.

Our 2005 Ford Freestyle has a surging problem. After reading online this appears to be very common. Very dangerous! seems to be related to the throttle body. Ford reccomends replacing the tb.

Car surges then stalls then goes into limp mode. Happens once a month or more. If I turn the car off and restart it seems to clear and work fine.

After starting car and putting it in gear forward or reverse car will surge. Contacted Ford dealership. Was told no recall. Mileage 105,000 started at 102,000.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when starting the vehicle with the brakes depressed, the vehicle would lunge when in drive or in reverse. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000. Updated 07/20/lj the dealer stated the problem was fuel related and the vehicle had to be reprogrammed. The consumer stated the vehicle seems to perform much better. Updated 09/01/11.

Vehicle has stalled at least 10 times since new, dealer inspected and found no fault codes. Latest incident occurred 11/28/10.

2005 Ford Freestyle. Surging engine. Shuts off while driving on highway multiple times. Goes into engine safe mode. Ford knows about this throttle body issue and refuses to recall it. This is a very dangerous problem. They are waiting on many deaths and lawsuits.

Accelerating on it's own and lunge's forward with foot on brake. Vehicle tries to lunge, stalls dash displays "fail safe mode". This occurs mostly when going in reverse. This has been happening off and on for over the past 2 years and has gotten worse in the past months.

Throttle body failure vehicle began lurching forward while in drive with brake applied this was on numerous occasions especially at drive through food establishments. I replaced the throttle body for $653. 00 at my local mechanic.

This car has an apparently well-known issue with the throttle body failing, causing: a) sudden uncontrolled acceleration from a stop, and b) sudden loss of power when traveling down the road at highway speeds. My wife experienced both problems yesterday. First, with my wife's foot on the brake, the Freestyle lunged forward and almost rear-ended another car that had children loading into it, while in school carpool line. Then, while making her way immediately to the Ford dealership -- with my two children -- this uncontrolled lunging from a dead stop continued at intersections; and while traveling at speed, in traffic, the car would suddenly lose all power. The sudden lunge makes it likely you'll hit a pedestrian or rear-end the car in front of you; the sudden loss of power makes it likely you'll be the recipient of a rear-end collision. The repair is costing us $730. It's the throttle body, of course. And I've asked the dealership to give me back the old part, so yes, I should have that available when I get the car back. *** important *** this is a well-known issue to both Ford and the odi of the NHTSA. There are hundreds of matching, publicly filed complaints documenting this chilling safety issue in this very same odi database to which I am submitting this mirror complaint. When should we expect to see some action from the odi/NHTSA and/or Ford on this???????? I want my money back but I also want Ford to fix this, not just on my car, but on all the other family's' cars that have this **well-known** safety defect!!!!!!!!!.

When at a dead stop or accelerating slowly (as in pulling into or out of a parking space), the engine will suddenly surge, requiring hard braking. This has almost caused accidents at multiple times. This has been a problem this entire summer. The 9/2/10 date was when it was particularly bad and persistent. Ominously, the typical setting describes the situation when in the line of cars when picking up our daughters at school.

I own a 2005 Ford Freestyle. We have been experiencing a problem with our car going intofail safe mode. This has happen backing up after first starting out, but has also occurred coming to a stop at intersections. The vehicle lunges forward or backward and then displays the fail safe. In fail safe, the vehicle will not accelerate. The vehicle must be turned off and restarted to correct the condition. The "lunging" and/or lack of acceleration when needed in safe mode are dangerous situations. I have not yet sought repairs. This issue has occurred quite often lately. I will be forced to seek professional assistance as it becomes progressively worse. I purchased the vehicle new in March 2006. The mileage is now 54,280. This condition first began within the past 6 months.

2005 Ford Freestyle limited awd, approx 80,000 miles. With foot on brake, car surges or lunges when not pressing on the accelerator. This is a dangerous condition that needs a recall fix put in place. Noticed that the rpm gauge jumps up about 200 to 300 rpm, enough to overcome the brakes. This happens in forward or reverse. This is dangerous to pedestrians and when entering intersections. This happens intermittently, and has occurred weekly over the last 3 summer months for us. The consequences of failure are that the vehicle is not under driver control for about 4 seconds, surging the vehicle forward or reverse. To correct the failure, I have replaced the air filter (no effect) and inspected the maf (clean), done some internet research, and will be contacting the Ford dealer. The best 3rd party description I have seen is that the electronic throttle fails when vehicle is placed in gear with the a/c on. In failure mode, the throttle has been seen to open at 16 to 18% with no foot on the accelerator. Others say Ford has a newly designed throttle part that is hard to get and costs $800. Some say a computer firmware update is also needed with the new part to correct this dangerous condition.

2005 Ford Freestyle lunged backward when put in gear. Even with the brake applied the car moved a few feet. This has occurred on three separate occasions. Fortunately, there was no person or object in my path. The car was taken to the Ford dealership and the throttle body was replaced. The car has 60,700 miles on the odometer.

Issues occurs about 6 times in last two weeks. Car stalls while driving. Car have to pull car over to side of road and turn off. Restarts on second try. Took to Ford dealership and the said the throttle body needs to be replaced. $855. Car is 5 years old and has 72k miles.

I have a 2005 Ford Freestyle with 3. 0 liter engine that has an electronic throttle body. The car has surged forward several times while sitting at stop signs or red lights almost hitting other cars in front of me. It has also stalled out pulling through intersections. It never showed a check engine light. We had Ford change the plugs and an oxygen sensor. The very next day it started again. Took it back to Ford who then said the throttle body was bad and they were on severe back order are not sure when a replacement will be available.

Vehicle will suddenly surge and accelerate from idle while at stoplights, backing out of parking spaces, etc. I was backing into a parking space and it surged backwards and almost caused a collision with a parked vehicle.

2005 Ford Freestyle throttle body problem causes car to surge while driving.

2005 Ford Freestyle surges in drive and reverse, sometimes the brake won't even hold it. The car then stalls and the check engine light comes on.

2005 Ford Freestyle has problems with throttle body - which appears to be a very common problem. Why no recall from Ford?.