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 Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle surged forward and crashed into the rear of another vehicle. The contact mentioned that the passenger seated in the rear seat sustained injuries to the shoulders, but did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice before. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 120,000.
I purchased this vehicle 01/20/15 from a used lot in raleigh nc, 'something you should never do in the first place''. I had just got off maternity leave and I needed a car so I could be able to get to work. On the 4th of April 2015. I was driving the car on the highway when it started to jerk back and make a very loud roaring sound. The car started to slow down and jerk back and forth if you went over 20 miles per hour. I pulled over to check the car and I could not figure out what was wrong with it so I called my husband and he came. The car could still drive but very slowly while making the same sound so he drove very slowly behind me. Keep in mind I had my two month old in the back seat when all of this craziness was happening. Next day I couldn't even drive the car because of the poor condition it was in. …
Purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle in April 2010 with 45,831 miles on it. The car is used for transportation to and from work, errands, and leisure. Since purchasing the car, we have experienced unexplained surges in the engine resulting in the rpms to increase and a sudden jerking movement while in drive or reverse. The surges have become more frequent occurring on a daily basis during warm weather especially during the summer months. We have been worried about the car lunging into another vehicle while parking/backing out of a parking space or while waiting at a light or stuck in traffic on the highway. On 6-13-11 at 5 pm est, while on our way home from work, the car unexpectedly surged and moved forward into another car while we were waiting at a traffic light. …
I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle and when ever I drive it, it accelerates when your stopped at stop signs, traffic lights,coasting through parking lots, etc. I have just recently hit the car in front of me while waiting at a traffic light I was slowing down to stop when the car accelerated causing the car to lunge forward hitting the car in front of me before I had time to stop. This has become very dangerous. I took it to a Ford dealer with no results. I called the Ford mfg. And they told me they were aware of the problem but nothing was being done about it. I have ask several owners of the Freestyle about this and they said they were having the same problem. I have checked on the internet and found complaint after complaint about this problem and the high cost of trying to fix it. I have went to several repair shops with no guarantees. …
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleaned and replaced the throttle body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get to some times 2 hours I can't run my AC cuz that over does my alternator and heats my car I've only had it a year and it's been giving me problems 5 months after getting it I have kids and it gets rough going slow in the heat and hoping if I press to much on the gas please help I am broke and have nothing but this car left and I've spent $2000 for people to tell me nothing is wrong with it
NHTSA investigations
Idle instability
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Freestyle years have acceleration problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (602), 2005 (587) and 2007 (428) model years. Acceleration complaints make up 46% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Ford Freestyle acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for any Ford Freestyle 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 Freestyle acceleration problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 74,000 miles; 17% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the accelerator pedal (2 mentions).
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.