general problems of the 2006 Ford Freestyle - part 2

Car was sitting, parked in a lot, idling for about 10 minutes with the air conditioner running. When I put it in drive and let my foot off the brake, the car lunged forward as the rpm's first revved and then dropped. The car did this a few times, but once I got turned around toward the exit of the lot, it stopped doing it. About 20 minutes later, in a grocery store parking space, it did the same thing as I was backing out to leave. The car had sat running for another 10 minutes or so with the air on. This time however, the car idled up and then down, lunged in reverse, and then idled so low it died. Once I restarted it and finished backing out of the space, I turned the air down to low fan speed and the car was fine the rest of the trip back home.

While at a stop light waiting to make a left turn with the air conditioner on, the rpm shot up and the the car started to lunge forward. I almost hit someone in the cross walk before the car killed in the middle of the intersection. This has happen many times according to my wife this is her car and I never drive it. After reading all the complaints about the throttle body I decided to post my story. Please help before someone gets hurt or worse killed. Also it was hard to restart and very slugish till we shut off the air. My wife has told me that this has been going on for almost a year but that I really didn't know how bad it was till it happened to me. There really needs to be a recall on this before it is to late.

My 2006 Ford Freestyle surges mainly in reverse, but also does it in drive at times. The first time it surged I thought maybe my foot had hit the accelerator and dismissed it. I started driving this car in October of 2010 and had not experienced the problem until then, but now it happens frequently. I have no idea about previous owners or the car's history so I only know how it has been maintained since I have owned it. Also there are 2 technical service bulletins that are also wrong with my car. TSB 07-1-8 and 06-11-4 I think that since Ford knows there are problems with this cvt transmission that they ought to recall the vehicles and repair them.

Our '06 Freestyle lurched forward while attempting to allow a pedestrian to pass in a parking lot. The engine speed increased and more brake pressure had to be applied to stop the car. Slight engine revving was first noticed at a mileage of ~60,000 miles and grew over the next 10,000 to the point of the car actually lurching forward unless heavy pressure was applied on the breaks. Eventually, I learned that if I had the a/c on max, vehicle stopped and idling, light pressure on the brakes, a turn of the steering wheel would make the car lurch every time. The lurching made parking, especially parallel parking, which requires the steering wheel to be turned right and left, a risk to nearby pedestrians. On-line posts and forums led me to clean the throttle body and the problem has been fixed for the past few hundred miles.

The throttle will race up especially while coming up to a stop. I belong to a couple of forums that people have tried many of times to get this serious repair recalled. One person even pinned their child against the garage wall. I have not fixed mine yet as Ford garage says it is about $750 repair. My wife almost took a guys door off. As she pulled into a parking spot a guy was getting out of the car and as she pressed the brake harder it made the throttle increase. The guy then though she was deliberately trying to run him over. We had to demonstrate the issue of this and then he understood. I just cant believe that Ford can get away with this throttle issue.

After purchasing (as a used car) for my daughter, vehicle began rapid acceleration and 'lurching' unexpectedly when shifting into forward or reverse. After several days, this was compounded by occurring when starting and stopping in traffic during brake application. I had the filters replaced (air and gas) and the problem seemed to have gone away. I asked my dealership, during my first inspection after it's purchase, wether there was a TSB in regard to this issue and would they please check it out. They alleged that they had no record of any defect regarding this issue and no TSB had been issued. They did however refuse to complete the inspection until I allowed them to overhaul the rear brakes w/new rotors for quite a kingly sum! (so much for a promotional 'free inspection'. ) last night I had to venture out and retrieve the vehicle from my little girl after the car kept 'lurching' everytime she used the brake. While she was waiting in an intersection attempting to make a left turn, the car 'lurched' and stalled in front of oncoming traffic. After restarting the car an engine light and a 'wrench' was now visible on the dash, and the car had absolutely no accelerator! due to our flat terrain I was able to bring the car home on an idle at a speed no greater than 10 m. P. H. Once safely home I tried a trick that used to work on the fleet busses I once worked on. That was rapidly turning the ignition switch on-off, on-off repeatedly about 10 (ten) times, then leave switch on and start it. This seemed to have cleared the 'wrench' and the accelerator was restored. The engine light did not clear. I've put tires, struts, strut mounts etc. Into this car to make it safe for my daughter to drive, yet I can't allow her to use it. 4 of 5 cars I own are Fords, 2 being 2006 Freestyles, and this is the only one that I have had a problem with. What recourse do I have now?.

My complaint mirrors verbatim others related to the may 2011 investigation opened into the "lunging" at slow speeds for the 05-07 Ford Freestyle. The ac, hot temps, & lunging. One occurrence traveling 60mph & began to "stall out" & slow on major highway with three children in car. Any pressure on fuel pedal no result. Busy traffic, could only travel max 35-40mph. Put flashers on & struggled to make it to repair shop. Turned off ac in 100 degree heat to get any kind of response from engine. I was worried & feared for mine & my children's safety. Vehicle would barely accelerate thru intersection after stopping for red light. Finally made it to shop. Vehicle was placed on machine. Codes appeared: p061b alter fuel control module error, p2106 throttle actuator forced limited. Took vehicle to Ford house & explained issues as well as codes from previous shop. Was told would be $100 for Ford to hook up for a dx. If the codes I had were same,would cost est $800 to repair. As mom of 3 & who drives great distances for work, this repair ASAP. Have had many occasions if not had foot firmly on brake the vehicle would've caused a wreck at stop light, pulling into, out of parking lots, etc. Car literally drives itself in d/r at 10mph with no acceleration at all after placing in d/r. On 8-12-12 was in drive thru line & car lunged at high rate of speed forward after barely lifting foot off brake. Came mm from slamming into vehicle in front. Put car in p & the vehicle died. Wrench/engine light came on. Turned engine off, turned ac off & restarted the car. I can only imagine what would've happened if this had occurred at a stop light in a busy intersection? this issue is a fatality waiting to happen. This cannot be a fluke random issue if you have rec'd 238 prior complaints regarding the exact same issue. I urge NHTSA to place a recall, if for the only reason to save lives. Updated 08-03-12 updated 09/07/2012.

My car was parked and idling with the air conditioning on (husband was in the passenger's seat, and kids in the back and it was very hot), I got into the car, put it in to reverse with my foot on the brake and it surged backwards going very fast. It almost hit a lady but I was able to slam down hard on the brakes and stop it. I then drove it limping along because it wouldn't' shift, to the nearest dealer. There they replaced the throttle body and some fluids and charged me 1000. 00. It hasn't happened since but now that I know it is a common problem and can reoccur, I am looking for another vehicle to replace this one.

This makes the second time I have complained about this problem. It seems that Ford has no plans to rectify the "throttle body" issue although there are many that have voiced the same concern with their vehicles. This issue is a severe safety risk. I have had several incidences, all involving surging, followed by a sudden loss of power. There have also been instances of sudden loss of power upon acceleration after idling at a stop sign or red light. This happens randomly and there is no warning beforehand. Once, I was passing a truck and pulled into the passing lane and the Freestyle completely lost power. I was "hanging" in the passing lane with no power and no way to avert a collision had there been oncoming traffic or traffic behind me. Thank goodness, I had time to brake and force the Freestyle onto the shoulder. This also happenes at stop signs and red lights when I accelerate. Very dangerous.

Lost power from the engine causing lost speed. Unable to accelerate. Engine sputtered. Since the first episode, I have had continued episodes. Typically worse when the engine warms up. Car completely stopped and was unable to restart the engine on a trip of about 75 miles. Had to have the car towed to a local dealership. We have replaced ignition coil, spark plug, intake manifold gaskets, throttle body assembly without improvement of the condition.

On increasingly frequent occasions, my 2006 Ford Freestyle sel fwd vehicle has surged (or lunged) during very low/0 speed maneuvers, such as turning into, or backing out of a parking space/garage; queuing up in a right or left turn lane, or waiting at a stop light/sign for traffic to clear; or navigating tight passages, I. E. , parking garage exit lanes and drive-through lanes. The problem seems to be exacerbated by hot weather and/or a/c operation and/or steering wheel movement. This problem had occurred prior to 9/6/2011, but with very rare frequency. Now however, I am experiencing this problem on an almost daily basis. I am deeply concerned that there is a real safety issue developing with this model. If I don't have my foot firmly planted on the brake, the car can surge (fairly rapidly) forward or backward a good 10 - 20 feet.

My 2006 Ford Freestyle limited has major electrical problems. I have had the car lunge on me, at 0mph it would lunge forward, and in reverse. Fortunately I had my foot on the brake every time. I don't think it is the transmission. I have a feeling that it is all electrical. I have had the lunging problem since last year. (2011) and the car has been deteriorating since. Yesterday I got "check charging system" and now it kills all of the lights and gauges. . . Yet it still kind of ran. (not very good up hill, and no indicator lights, no speedometer nothing. )another recent problem I have is the center engine (shock?)mount is busted.

Car loses acceleration power suddenly while driving or immediately after starting. Car surges forward and stalls before wrench light appears.

Trying to park my car in a crowded parking lot, the car suddenly surged forward and then stalled. I tried to restart the car and it would not start. I waited a minute, turned off the radio, a/c, etc and then was able to restart. I have had a similar problem on two other occasions since.

I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle. It has begun taking off while backing out of my driveway and lurching forward without pressing the accelerator. This is a safety issue of highest urgency. Upon research on the web, I see numerous recent complaints about this very same issue for this particular style, make & year. There is even a facebook page requesting throttle body recall on Ford Freestyles, with 214 likes to date. I have 2 children ages 7 & 5. I fear for the safety of my own children and others around as this is the "family" car & used for school and activity pick ups and drop offs. These surges occur at stop lights, parking, and easing out of parking. All of these times have the propensity to cause major accidents. If it does cause an accident, I will have my lawyers contact Ford. This is a well documented issue. I am assuming as a reputable car maker- Ford needs to be made aware of such issue in order to issue recall to correct. I hope this complaint speeds up the process.

2006 Ford Freestyle - trouble began @ 60,000 mi. When I noticed the throttle unresponsive. The unresponsiveness can be described as a "dead zone" in the travel of the gas pedal. Once past the dead zone, the car will lunge to achieve the newly found pedal position. Vehicle will also surge at low speeds when a/c compressor engages. . . Never did that before. Twice now, car will not move after start. . . Engine light comes on. . . Turn off, restart, turn off, restart, and the car is back to normal, with no light. Throttle body was diagnosed as the problem at Ford dealer.

Ford Freestyle 2006 surging and reving up when putting it in gear. Reverse and forward almost had accident again. It seams that there is a lot of problems with this many owners. When putting it in gear it revs up high and then shutsw engine down. Check engine light comes on and wrench light comes on. Once restarted runs ok untill gear is selected again have to hold brake and hope it works right, seems to happen alot.

My Ford Freestyle has had engine surging issues for approximately a year know. Today 6/21/2012 my car started surging at every stop light so severely if we weren't holding down the brake we would of hit the car in front of us. The problem became so severe we had to put the car in neutral at every intersection to keep car from trying to jump into the intersection and stall. Today's temp was in the high nineties and we were using the air conditioning. Today's incident was the worst its been. Went on line and search the symptoms and found that a lot of Freestyle owners are having the same issue. With the safety of the car owner and pedestrians that could be near the car in jeopardy. Ford should be recalling these cars and trying to find a permanent solution to fix this rather then charging the owners high dollars to replace a defective designed part with the same defective part.

My 2006 Ford lunges. It also loses power and cuts off while trying to drive. This happens everywhere and anywhere. Even if my foot is on the brake it will lunge forward or backward it does no discriminate. This happens all the time. It's also worse when the air conditioning is on. This could potentially be a serious situation on the highways and local streets, if the car is just cutting off while driving down the road. Lunging forward/backward could become potentially serious as well. I really hope that Ford takes responsibility for these issues. Especially since they stopped making the Freestyle what 3 yrs later. It seems to me that they realized there was some kind of an issue why else would they quit making it? I have to say other than that major problem of lunging and going through rear brakes the car itself is wonderful and not my first Ford. I love Ford vehicles, unfortunatley I am a little disappointed with this one. If Ford would take responsibility and fix it that would be great! I can't afford to fix it nor get another vehicle. I feel like I have a lemon on my hands.

Got in my car to go home one afternoon and it cranked but when I pressed the gas pedal it wouldn't move. Had to call a tow truck and have it towed to a shop. My car spent 2 weeks in the shop and it was determined it was the throttle body. I was told by my mechanic that this is a common problem on the Freestyle and is usually one of the first major repairs needed.

. While stopped in traffic, this vehicle will, without warning, lunge forward. This has happened many many times. I have been told that the problem is the throttle body, a part that cost around 900 dollars. I feel that Ford should fix this problem because of the serious safety implications.

2006 Ford Freestyle is lunging very aggressively. I will put the vehicle into reverse and as soon as I let off the brake the car suddenly revs and lunges. When I put the car into drive the vehicle suddenly lunges out of control. This also occurs when I make a stop. The car wants to lunge forward aggressively. Today it finally lunged and then died. This is a very serious situation. If my child would have been walking in front of the vehicle he would have been hit. Something needs to be done about this situation. This is a defect on Ford's part.

The 2006 Ford Freestyle during very hot conditions (in the 90s), with the air conditioner operating, has while idling in a line of other autos, or while parallel parking. Has lurched forward with an engine acceleration without a foot on the accelerator pedal. An accident was avoided in all three occurances.

I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle. For most of the time I've owned this car it acts up when it is hot. It accelerates on its own when traveling at low speeds (mainly parking lots and driveways). It is very dangerous as a pedestrian could be hit. Several times it has even stalled after one of these incidents. I took it to my local Ford dealer several times over the past 2 -3 yrs. And they "couldn't find the problem". Well today the "wrench' light came on and the car had very little power after an accelerating incident, so I pulled into the dealer lot. Today they told me it the throttle body and it costs $800 for the repair but will take 3 weeks to get the part. So I have no car to drive for 3 weeks. I feel that they knew what the problem was all along, and I've been driving a potentially dangerous vehicle for 4 years. This needs to be a recall!.

2006 Ford Freestyle lunges forward when you take it in or out of park. The rpm rev up and lunges forward anywhere from a few inches up to 2 feet.

I was stopped and in a line of vehicles in a parking lot with my foot on the brake and the engine surged. Fortunately, I had my foot on the brake with sufficient pressure to keep the car from lunging forward. This occurred several times while in the parking lot with the engine going into (limp mode) forced limited power mode. I drove the car directly to the Ford dealer where the car was purchased. The mechanics did not detect any diagnostic trouble codes and sent me on my way. Since then there have been probably six (6) more events without the engine going into forced limited power mode. In all events the engines surges to approximately between 1500rpm and 1800rpm with the car in drive and the foot securely on the brake. The event generally lasts less than 5 seconds. All events occurred during summer months. Last event was this past Wednesday when my son was driving the car. I witnessed the event as a passenger. The two codes that came up are p2106 and p061b. I purchased a tester to read the codes. Current mileage is 77995. Researching the potential cause of this problem led me to your site and prompted me to file a complaint.

Sudden lurching/surging of my 2006 Ford Freestyle while driving at low speed in a parking lot.

In the summer when the a/c is running when I'm backing up or pulling forward it many times will unexpectedly lunge. I've almost hit people and kids, cars, curbs, buildings, etc. Many of the times that it lunges it will stall or begin to run very rough. We have to put the car in park and cut off the car and restart. Many of those times it will begin to run normal but have a indicator light that it needs mechanical attention. Once the car is parked and sits for a while when it is started the mechanical attention light will discontinue. Yet every time the a/c is running especially on high it will lunge almost every time. It is very dangerous in that if my foot would not be on the brake hard enough when it lunges and a kid or person would be in the line of the lunging car. Dangerous!.

Throttle body again. Second time in having 06 Ford Freestyle that the throttle body needs to be replaced. Car will lunge forward with no warning and stall out. Almost rear-ended another car and on 5/1/10 when pulled out in intersection, it lunged forward and stalled, cars were coming from both directions. Near miss.

We own a 2006 Ford Freestyle and starting having issues with sudden acceleration within two years after purchase. At first, it was a sudden jolt in reverse only, then it was sudden acceleration while at a stop light or going into reverse after coming out of parking and then sudden acceleration while slowly turning or stopping for people walking by in parking lots. We notice it acts up much more during the summer when the air conditioner is on full blast and the car will actually suddenly die on the highway with the check engine lights turning on at us. It is not safe for my family of four children under six nor for people on the streets who might be hit accidently from throttle body issues. Sometimes, it is difficult to stop the car from accelerating! we have cleaned the throttle body ourselves to see if it would help and it did for only a short time. We are now faced with replacing the throttle body which is a 700-1000 repair! this is not a new issue or rare issue from what we have researched online with other Freestyle owners. This is a safety issue that must be fixed ASAP before people get hurt!!.

I would be sitting in line at school to pick up grand daughter with air on, let off brake to move forward and car would surge this continued, but fortunately I wasn't picking her up as often. I could not turn air on. My Freestyle now only has 58,947miles(approx. ). Sometime in 2012 I received a letter from Ford offering to clean the throttle body. I had it cleaned then it sounded like a truck and smelled like gas. The last few months it dies on the highway. I'm afraid to drive on busy roads. I had my car diagnosed, they say it is the throttle body which is messing up the computer. I have contacted Ford distributor to no avail. I am trying to get funds together to take care of this problem. I understand this is not an isolated case. The problem might be that Ford only sold Freestyles for a few years.

2006 Ford Freestyle- 68,000 mi. Throtle body problem. Engine will surge while in drive or reverse with no throttle applied and brakes applied. Vehicle will surge up to two feet at high rpm with full brake application and then stall. Worse during warm weather above 75 degrees. Dealer to replace throttle body. Part to be back ordered parts not available. One month before delivery.

My 2006 Ford Freestyle lurches forward at 0 to 5 mph. The lurching occurs even if I do not press the pedal. It is dangerous at intersections and when trying to park. A mechanic replaced the egr valve and it is still lurching forward. . From what I have found on the internet it seems that many others are having the same problem with this vehicle.

First time it happened car lunged forward at shut down, died completely. 30 minutes later was able to turn it over. Mechanic said it needed throttle body but it was on national backorder until August 2009. So had to drive it home. Happened quite a bit throughout that time until I realized that it had a lot to do with having the a/c on. It happens even without the a/c on sometimes at lights, stop signs, and in parking lots, and also when in reverse it lunges in that direction as well; sometimes at very high rate which is scary. Have 3 children and cannot fathom why this car has not been recalled. I still owe money on it and now it is sitting in my mechanics garage because the cvt transmission went out. . 5 weeks now and I do not have transportation because I cannot afford to fix the cvt transmission that alot of other people are having the same problem with.

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.