Acceleration complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. When the contact activated the vent control for the air conditioner, there was a progressive failure and the vehicle surged forward. The contact had to ensure that the brake pedal was applied. The contact also mentioned that the vehicle idled very poorly while driving at a low rate of speed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA action number: pe11018 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. The contact was driving in reverse at approximately 5 MPH into a parking space with the brake pedal engaged when the vehicle began to lunge unexpectedly. The failure occurred sporadically while driving at low speed. The vehicle recently stalled with the illumination of the engine warning indicator. The vehicle restarted and resumed as normal. The contact notified the dealer and they recommended the vehicle be diagnosed to determine the cause of failure. The contact planned to take the vehicle for diagnosis. The manufacturer was not made aware of the defect. There was an open investigation related to the failure under NHTSA action number pe10033 (vehicle speed control; power train: automatic transmission: control module/TCM,). The failure mileage was 90,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated that the vehicle jerked forward without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000. ...updated 10/11/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced independent deceleration. The maintenance and traction control warning indicators had illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000. ..updated 10/18/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While the vehicle was at a stop, the rpms surged to 2,000 and the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure also occurred when the brakes were applied. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a leak in the manifold, which needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to two certified mechanics who diagnosed that there was no leak in the manifold. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer a second time and was informed that they were unable to be specify the exact failure. The dealer stated that the throttle body and other unidentified components needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford freestyle. The contact stated that when the air conditioner was engaged, the vehicle would abnormally accelerate either forward or backward while shifted into reverse. The contact crashed into a wall due as a result. No one was injured during the crash. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer advised that the lunging was normal. The contact believed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Had the recall for the torque converter done and now my vehicle shakes, sputters. Won't accelerate, the rpms jump up high, very loud noises coming from underneath vehicle. Sometimes it will stall out. Can't go past 25-30 MPH if it even gets up to that! My vehicle ran perfect before taking it into the Ford dealership and ever since I got it back we have had this problem. Took it back to Ford and they tried to say it was throttle cable so had that fixed and it still is doing the same things as it did after the torque converter was replaced. Can't drive the vehicle because when I go to accelerate it doesn't go or get up to the correct MPH. The whole vehicle shakes really bad and the noises it makes are very loud and sound like something is going to blow up. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving between 55-60 MPH, the throttle became stuck and the cruise control would not disengage. As a result, the vehicle failed to stop. The contact struck a guard rail, which caused over $5,000 in damages. This is the second time that this failure occurred. The dealer could not find any failures with the vehicle. The current mileage was 58,000 and failure mileage was 26,000. Updated 11/24/08 updated 11/26/08.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Freestar years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (39), 2004 (33), 2006 (19) and 2007 (10) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford Freestar acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Ford Freestar model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Freestar acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles; 12% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cruise control (4 mentions), followed by the accelerator pedal (3).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.