Investigations
| NHTSA ID | Manufacturer | Date open | Date close | Subject | Recall campaign | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | ||||||
| PE10033 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/23/2010 | 07/15/2011 | Engine Stalling | ||
| The subject vehicles suffered from a design issue whereby water could run down onto the cowling under the hood and located in the area of the windshield wipers and then drip onto a computer module, the powertrain control module (pcm), which could be manifested in a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the circuit board became wet or which of the connector pins shorted out.in addition to causing an engine to stall, which may or may not then restart, the water intrusion could also cause the transmission to shift poorly, the vehicle to have erratic power, a malfunction indicator light to come on, or result in an inability to start the vehicle, an inability to shift the vehicle into either forward or reverse. also the problem could cause a higher than normal idle rpm in park, or for the radio to malfunction, or the interior lights to stay on.during this investigation odi was concerned with the effect of the engine stalling or a drastic and sudden loss of power either of which may create a safety risk.in reviewing the actual number of these types of incidents, collectively referred to here as engine stalls, the number was found to be below what would be considered a defect trend.for example, the number of engine stalls identified in ford's warranty claims for the model year (my) 2004 subject vehicles, the my with the most failures, was 200 out of population of 125,865, for a failure rate of 0.16%.the one crash recorded by a complainant to nhtsa, voq 10311522, alleged that the engine stalled, due to water intrusion into the pcm, while the road was turning causing her to go off the road and according to the police report the vehicle then hit an embankment and a tree stump. ford reported in their response that there were three alleged crashes but none of these were validated as being caused by a problem with water intrusion into the pcm causing a stall.accordingly this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted. | ||||||
| PE10033 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY | 08/23/2010 | Engine stalling | |||
| This preliminary evaluation (pe) is being opened based on information obtained during the investigation dp09-004, which was specifically related to model year (my) 2004 ford freestar vehicles.the manufacturer's numbers presented on the failure report of the opening of this pe are for my 2004 ford freestar vehicles only, the odi number represents 15 my 2004 complaints and 12 my 2005 complaints; the scope of this pe investigation for my 2004 to 2007 freestars and montereys is based on complaints received to odi and on ford's technical service bulletin tsb 06-14-10. the one crash noted is for a my freestar, voq #10311522.this pe has been opened to assess the scope, frequency, and potential safety-related consequences of the alleged defect. | ||||||
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | |||
| 01/09/2013 | 85954 | 1 | |
| Trying to back out of my driveway, van will not go into reverse. restart van, put it into reverse & it falters & stalls. restart &got van into drive,but it will not accelerate until 3000 rpms, then jerks into drive & stalls again. had it towed to a local mechanic i have used for over 20 yrs. van shows no codes.replace battery, have throttle body cleaned, cam sensor is tested, shows not problems. van starts & runs for one day. same exact issue happens again. have it towed a second time. again, no codes come up.mechanic flushes out the tranny,& van runs again for 50 miles w/o incident. but again, trying to leave for work next day, van displays the exact same issues. no torque to move the van, constant stalling as soon as it is taken out of drive. will not move at all or starts & moves very hesitantly into reverse, catches gear & jerks, stalls once again. tow again to a ford dealer. told the prob is the recalled torque converter. have it replaced, and van doesn't make it the 12 miles home. the van lost complete power on a highway & i was almost hit by oncoming traffic. tow back, now being told the transmission needs replacement, over $3,000 because metal from the recalled part has dislogged into tranny. i am now finding thru my own research that this is a common problem relating to the pcm, which replacing tranny doesn't solve the issues. ford is offering no help or compensation am a single mom of 2 kids, 1 is disabled,& now been fired from my job because i can't get there 28 miles away. the van is stranded at the dealer, because i have no money to fix or tow again. i am at my wits end. ford needs to step up to the plate &replace this van!!!! repairing the torque converter, cam sensor, or transmission will not solve the pcm problem, which is not sealed properly, & after numerous repairs, will malfunction again> my q to ford is:does someone have to die for u to do something? *tr | |||
| 01/09/2013 | 85954 | ||
| Trying to back out of my driveway, van will not go into reverse. restart van, put it into reverse & it falters & stalls. restart &got van into drive,but it will not accelerate until 3000 rpms, then jerks into drive & stalls again. had it towed to a local mechanic i have used for over 20 yrs.van shows no codes.replace battery, have throttle body cleaned, cam sensor is tested, shows not problems.van starts & runs for one day.same exact issue happens again.have it towed a second time. again, no codes come up.mechanic flushes out the tranny,& van runs again for 50 miles w/o incident. but again, trying to leave for work next day, van displays the exact same issues.no torque to move the van, constant stalling as soon as it is taken out of drive.will not move at all or starts & moves very hesitantly into reverse, catches gear & jerks, stalls once again.tow again to a ford dealer. told the prob is the recalled torque convertor. have it replaced, and van doesn't make it the 12 miles home.the van lost complete power on a highway & i was almost hit by oncoming traffic. tow back, now being told the transmission needs replacement, over $3,000 because metal from the recalled part has dislogged into tranny. i am now finding thru my own research that this is a common problem relating to the pcm, which replacing tranny doesn't solve the issues. ford is offering no help or compensation.i am a single mom of 2 kids, 1 is disabled,& now been fired from my job because i can't get there 28 miles away. the van is stranded at the dealer, because i have no money to fix or tow again. i am at my wits end. ford needs to step up to the plate &replace this van!!!! repairing the torque convertor, cam sensor, or transmission will not solve the pcm problem, which is not sealed properly, & after numerous repairs, will malfunction again> my q to ford is:does someone have to die for u to do something? | |||
| 03/01/2012 | 65000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that the engine rpms increased to 3,000 while driving 70 mph. the vehicle suddenly accelerated while the gear was in park with the brakes depressed. also, the vehicle abnormally accelerated while the contact was driving at low speeds.the failure recurred sporadically and without warning. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for a diagnostic test. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 77,000. kmj | |||
| 03/01/2012 | 65000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration numerous times. the rpm increased to 3,000 while driving at 70mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated while the gear was in park with the brake depressed, and also accelerated while driving at low speed. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the vin was not available. the failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 77,000. li | |||
| 07/26/2011 | 1 | 1 | |
| The car lost power as i was trying to drive it. it took several seconds to go from 0 to 20mph. this is every day. once it gets to 20mph the car drives normally. also sometimes the car wont move when put in drive or reverse. i have to put it back in park, and then in drive or reverse for it to move. also, when i stop at a stop sign or a red light, the car drives very slow until it reaches 20mph. my car is on recall but i was told by ford that the part is not yet in stock. i have been waiting and having problems and spending money on this car since i purchased it. i've been waiting more than 8 months for the part from ford. they say the car is not dangerous to drive. i disagree but i need my car for work. i feel that they should give me a replacement. i am still making payments. *tr | |||
| 07/26/2011 | 1 | ||
| The car lost power as i was trying to drive it. it took several seconds to go from 0 to 20mph. this is every day. once it gets to 20mph the car drives normally. also sometimes the car wont move when put in drive or reverse. i have to put it back in park, and then in drive or reverse for it to move. also, when i stop at a stop sign or a red light, the car drives very slow until it reaches 20mph. my car is on recall but i was told by ford that the part is not yet in stock. i have been waiting and having problems and spending money on this car since i purchased it. i've been waiting more than 8 months for the part from ford. they say the car is not dangerous to drive. i disagree but i need my car for work. i feel that they should give me a replacement. i am still making payments. | |||
| 06/18/2012 | 52000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that the vehicle would not respond to acceleration attempts. in addition, the vehicle abnormally lunged forward while sitting idle. the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who advised that the throttle failed. the manufacturer was not notified of the issue. the failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage was. 52,452.00. | |||
| 11/17/2010 | 104000 | ||
| While on main highway traveling 55 mph transmission stopped working. engine was running but when attempt to accelerate nothing happened, making for a very hazardous condition. ford was notified of recall and sent letter in march 2012, saying condition would be completed by end of 2nd quarter of 2012, but they have not even started. | |||
| 02/27/2012 | 127305 | ||
| I just received a safety recall notice 11s25 / nhtsa recall 12v-006 everytime i drive my van it does not seem to want to accelerate or maintain speed. i have taken it to the mechanic and i was told that i needed to have a new egr valve put on, so i did. that did not fix the problem and i was told new spark plugs and wires so i had them replace, that did not fix the problem. then i was told that i may need a new fuel filter, so i had it replaced and once again that did not solve the problem. this is the only vehicle i have and i am a single mom to two young children. i am worried that while i am driving i will lose all power and will be hit by another vehicle. my van never wants to go over 40 mph and once it does reach that speed it will not maintain and sometimes makes an odd noise. i pulled onto the by-pass the other day and my van would not accelerate right away... thank god that the truck behind me was able to pass me on the shoulder. there have been a couple other times when my van would not gain speed and i would have to pull over so that the vehicles behind me could pass. so in a nut shell the problems are as listed: 1.) van will not accelerate or maintain speed 2.) when i press on the gas pedal there is often a pinging / knocking sound i just want to know what i need to do to get this problem fixed and not be out any more money. please help | |||
| 03/18/2012 | 74000 | ||
| Driving approximately 65 mph on a two hour trip and experienced a sudden but brief loss of acceleration, speed immediately dropped by 15 mph, which was accompanied by a severe jerk. the occurred two more times during the trip at high speeds and subsequently continued to occur the following days during normal neighborhood driving conditions (20 | |||
| 03/18/2009 | 40000 | ||
| The car jumps. when put in drive or reverse. no gas applied. happening more and more now. ask ford to look at it they did nothing. | |||
| 03/18/2012 | 74000 | ||
| Driving approximately 65 mph on a two hour trip and experienced a sudden but brief loss of acceleration, speed immediately dropped by 15 mph, which was accompanied by a severe jerk. the occurred two more times during the trip at high speeds and subsequently continued to occur the following days during normal neighborhood driving conditions (20 | |||
| 03/18/2009 | 40000 | ||
| The car jumps. when put in drive or reverse. no gas applied. happening more and more now. ask ford to look at it they did nothing. | |||
| 03/18/2012 | 74000 | ||
| Driving approximately 65 mph on a two hour trip and experienced a sudden but brief loss of acceleration, speed immediately dropped by 15 mph, which was accompanied by a severe jerk. the occurred two more times during the trip at high speeds and subsequently continued to occur the following days during normal neighborhood driving conditions (20 | |||
| 03/18/2009 | 40000 | ||
| The car jumps. when put in drive or reverse. no gas applied. happening more and more now. ask ford to look at it they did nothing. | |||
| 01/25/2012 | 81000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that the torque converter was replaced twice by the dealer for a recurring failure. the contact was experiencing the failure again and the vehicle would not accelerate of drive in reverse. the contact referenced nhtsa campaign id number: 12v006000 (power train: automatic transmission) but was advised by the dealer that the vehicle was not included in the recall. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the most recent failure. the vin was unavailable. the failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was unknown. kmj | |||
| 01/25/2012 | 81000 | ||
| Tl- the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that prior to a recall the vehicle was repaired for the torque converter . the vehicle now is experiencing slippage of gears and taken to the dealer where they once again replaced the torque converter. the vehicle is now experiencing failures where it is not moving forward or in reverse. the contact is referencing nhtsa campaign id number: 12v006000 component: power train:automatic transmission , which the vehicle is experiencing the same symptoms. the dealer stated that the vehicles identification number was not included in the recall. the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired correctly.the vehicles identification number was unavailable. the failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was unknown .cv | |||
| 07/07/2010 | 71000 | ||
| Tl. the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. the contact stated while the air conditioner is engaged the vehicle would lung forward or backwards if you're in reverse. the contact stated the vehicle crashed into a wall due to the lunging. no one was injured during the crash. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer stated the lunging is normal. the contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive. the failure mileage was 70,000. jo | |||
| 06/10/2011 | 78234 | ||
| Tl. the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. the contact stated while stopped in a parking lot the vehicle sudden surged forward almost hitting a pedestrian. the contact had to quickly slam on the brakes to stop the vehicle. during this sudden lung the vehicle went into safe mode the contact took the vehicle to the dealer. the dealer check the vin number for any recalls and their weren't any. the dealer offer to perform a diagnostic test but the dealer stated a code may not show up. the contact did not have the diagnostic test. the contact stated the surge can happen again while driving. the failure mileage was 78,234. jo | |||
| 05/01/2010 | 49000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated the vehicle intermittently surged forward while driving approximately 5 mph. the failure would also occur while the brakes were engaged. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they were unable to diagnose the failure. the accelerator pedal linkage was lubricated but the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where the engine idle motor was replaced. the failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. | |||
| 05/01/2010 | 49000 | ||
| Tl-the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated the vehicle would intermittently surge forward while driving approximately 5 mph or with the brakes engaged. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they were unable to diagnose the failure. the accelerator pedal linkage was lubricated but the failure continued to recur. the vehicle was taken back to the mechanic where the engine idle motor was replaced. the failure mileage was 49,000 and the current mileage was 55,000. sm. | |||
| 03/11/2011 | 146000 | ||
| Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power abnormally with an increase in engine rpms. the vehicle was then towed to an independent mechanic where he was advised that the torque converter, shaft, and a pump would need replacing. the vehicle was repaired for all components. the failure and current mileage was approximately 146,000. | |||
| 11/28/2007 | 32000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. the contact stated that whenever the vehicle was moving at various speeds and when her foot was on the brake pedal, it lunged forward. the failure also occurred when she drove in reverse. the failure has occurred over 50 times. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who repaired the throttle body, air compressor and the alternator; however, the failure continued to occur. the vehicle malfunctioned more frequently during the summer months. the vehicle has been diagnosed 4 times and each time the mechanic stated that it was repaired. the dealer will not make any additional repairs since the warranty was no longer valid. the failure mileage was 32000. the current mileage was 95000. updated 3/16/10 *cn | |||
| 06/01/2008 | 45000 | ||
| Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. in the summer of 2008 he noticed that the vehicle surged and shut off when he attempted to park at low speeds. the dealer diagnosed the failure and determined that the throttle body failed; however, the part is on back order. he also stated that the rear calipers were defected and that they were unable to repair them. the vehicle identification number was not available. the failure mileage was 45,000 and the current mileage was 59,000. | |||
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL - ACCELERATOR PEDAL | |||
| 06/24/2005 | 176 | 10 | 06/03/2005 |
| Under normal braking brake pedal travel height is equal to gas pedal height. under heavy braking brake pedal travel height is below gas pedal height. this may cause the vehicle to accelerate under braking. updated 11/28/2005 - *nm | |||