general problems of the 2006 Ford Freestyle - part 2

Surging from a while brake applied or when letting off brake but before applying gas. Front end noises when turning to right, loud creaking sound. Brakes make a creaking sound also but show now signs of needing to be replaced. All issues started at the same time.

I purchased this vehicle used from a Ford dealer in 2009. About a year after purchase, I began to notice transmission problems with the cvt transmission. Without any warning the vehicle will experience an unexpected failure. This vehicle is extremely dangerous due to sudden problems caused by the type of transmission. All of a sudden the vehicle can lose speed, wrench light will come on, brakes  will stop functioning  properly, and occasionally jump. Three different mechanics have confirmed the problem is due to the transmission. One mechanic only works on transmissions . Ford is lucky more people have not been injured as a result of the multitude of problems related to the trannsmittion choice. Also I find it intresting that Ford made the disision to build a replica of the Ford free style and call it a taurus x. One of the few changes they made to the taurus x was the type of transmission they used.  .

This complaint is in addition to complaint #10277570. After writing my initial complaint as explained I have found out that Ford quit using the initial manufacture of the throttle control unit that failed. They just recently came out with a replacement part that requires modification of the system and we understand that they are quickly running out of this part. Even our service reps feels this should be a recall item. Especially if they cannot keep the parts on the shelf.

This happened 3 times before they were able to do anything at the Ford dealership because the lights would be off by the time I was able to reach the dealership, and their response was always technician was unable to duplicate symptom. While driving at 50mph on the interstate there was an intermittent idle surge while driving and then a loud "clunking" noise and then the transmission lost power and the vehicle crawled to a halt. There was no acceleration even though the engine revved up. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver so I was unable to even get it into the emergency lane. I was stuck in the middle lane of the interstate with my child in the car. The check engine light, the wrench light for the cvt transmission, and the passenger air bag light also came on. I had to turn the car off, put it in park, and then restart the car, when I reached the dealership they were finally able to retrieve several fault codes. They performed an r&r transmission and overhaul. This happened 2 other times at (77004 miles, after shifting into park at 0 mph. They replaced a faulty throttle body for this repair- and then at 77238 miles-they replaced the alternator for this repair). It's beginning to happen again. This was and still is a dangerous situation. I now have 3 kids. I thank god we weren't struck from behind while driving on the interstate. I am terrified to drive the vehicle to long distance locations or drive on any parkway, highway, or interstate because it took a while for the vehicle to start up long enough to get it to the dealership that was only 4 miles away.

Shortly after we purchased the car on Jan 01, 2008 we began to have issues with lunging and high idling. Car was taken to dealership several times before they cleaned the throttle body sensor. It was ok for a few months and started back. We took it back and they replaced the tbs and another part. Car worked great for a while, but had to have the tbs cleaned again in 2011 and 2012 and is now doing the same thing again and more. Now it is extreme. I work about 6 miles from home and have to stop several times to turn the car off and back on to reset the wrench that comes on in order to reset the high idle. If I don't, when I hit the gas, the rpm's go up to 4 and 5k only doing 30 mph. The check engine light is also on. I have had it checked and the error code is p0701 indicating transmission and tb issues. The car also lunges forward a great deal and I have to stay back a safe distance in order to be sure if it lunges I don't hit anyone. The issue is far beyond the throttle body sensor. It has to also do with the cvt transmission which Ford knows is a lemon. Please push this issue so that they will have to recall the faulty parts and protect the safety of the families in their vehicles. If I had another means of transportation I would certainly not be in this car.