Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
0617910021037Intermittent instrument cluster operation - including gauges sweep/reset - multiple warning lights illuminated and/or reverse lights stay on. this applies to vehicles built before 02-17-06. *kb02/26/2007
0617210021036Fuel gauge erratic/inaccurate and/or mil on with dtc p0463, b1202, b2627, b2879, and/or p2068. *kb02/26/2007
066201/01/200610019951Intermittent instrument cluster gauge sweep/reset - multiple warning lights on - reverse lights on - vehicles built before 2/17/2006. *tt05/17/2006
1908710019807Tenths digit not displayed on odometer after 10,000 miles/kilometers. *tt04/28/2006

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
DIGITAL INSTRUMENT PANEL
01/10/2010850001
 Request to re-open nhtsa defect investigation #pe07058 - instrument cluster failure: electrical system: instrument panel the nhtsa should re-open the nhtsa defect investigation #pe07058 because the car's reverse lights incorrectly turn on during this problem and seem to be related this issue. ford's own technical service bulletins (tsb #0662 and tsb #06179) even state that the reverse lights are part of the problem. we have seen this problem first hand. my ford 2005 freestyle is experiencing the instrument cluster failure problem researched in nhtsa defect investigation #pe07058 and causes the car's reverse lights to come on while car is driving forward or in park. we have witnessed the reverse lights come on while the car is in park and also when the car is driving forward. this is in contradiction to the defect investigation that said the exterior lights were not affected. quote from #pe07058: ... ford states, the vehicle's exterior lighting would not fail to illuminate even in the event of power interruption to the cluster because the exterior lights are powered separately and do not rely on any signal from the cluster.additionally, odi contacted complainants who affirmed the intermittent condition and that none of the exterior lights on the subject vehicles would be affected by power interruptions to the instrument cluster. here are ford's technical service bulletins that contradict your research findings: tsb #0662 -- intermittent instrument cluster gauge sweep/reset - multiple warning lights on - reverse lights on - vehicles built before 2/17/2006. *tt (nhtsa id #10019951, january 01 2006) tsb #06179 -- intermittent instrument cluster operation - including gauges sweep/reset - multiple warning lights illuminated and/or reverse lights stay on. this applies to vehicles built before 02-17-06. *kb (nhtsa id #10021037, no date provided). *tr
06/17/200938000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. he stated that while driving approximately 35 mph and making a turn the entire instrumental panel stopped working. the rpm needle began moving rapidly, yet the panel did not illuminate. the failure has occurred twice a day on a daily basis. the dealer stated that there was no warranty and they were unable to duplicate the failure. there were no repairs made to the vehicle. the failure mileage was 38,000. the current mileage was 57,222.
05/16/200850000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. the instrument cluster shut off and all of the warning lights illuminated which also caused the headlights to flash on and off. he noticed the malfunction on a frequent basis and over time it has become progressively worse since may 2008. he had not taken the vehicle to the dealer when the complaint was filed. a local mechanic stated that the instrument cluster needed to be replaced. he called the manufacturer and was told that because there was no safety recall, they could not assist him with the repairs. the current mileage was approximately 88,000. the failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
08/20/2007713001
 Instrument cluster and pcm failure with 2005 ford freestyle (tsb06-17-9). both items need to be replaced. manufacturer, ford motor company, will not assume or acknowledge responsibility or liability for replacement of defective parts. *tr
03/30/2008660005
 Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. on march 30, 2008, while driving 50 mph, all the instrument panel gauges dropped to zero. approximately 1/3 of a mile later, the failure recurred, but the gauges returned back to normal. the failure recurred for the third time a short while later and the wrench light illuminated. the contact took the vehicle to have the oil checked and was informed that there was no error code. approximately three days later, the failure recurred. the contact took the vehicle back to the service center, but they found no failures. on april 9, 2008, the failure recurred for the fifth time and the vehicle began to jerk. afterwards, every red warning light illuminated. the mileage dial began moving sporadically. the contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and they could still not find any failures. they finally concluded that the failure was related to the instrument cluster. the vehicle is currently at the dealer. the vin, purchase date, engine size, number of cylinders, and powertrain were unknown. the current mileage was 67,000 and failure mileage was 66,000.
04/03/20089200110002/21/2005
 Lost operation of instrument cluster and when this occurs the back-up lights operate. the danger is when power is lost in the instrument cluster you do not know your speed, this is crucial when driving through school zones. the back-up light cause people behind my car to believe i am backing-up. also when driving at night, the instrument cluster looses power. all this is a distraction to driving. i have ordered the part to replace instrument cluster. the dealer informed me it will take over a month to receive the part. *tr
04/15/2007506/13/2005
 2005 ford freestyle is having intermittent dash board problems. gauges on digital dashboard will go to zero for no apparent reason while driving. speedometer will show zero even though the vehicle is traveling at 60 mph. *tr
03/28/200755100303/23/2007
 3/28/2007 while driving down the freeway at 65 the wrench light came on and the car completely lost power, i had to pull over to the shoulder. i shut the car off and re-started it and the problem was gone. this was the third time. second was yesterday my wife was backing out of the driveway and the car did the same thing. also 3/25/2007 while pulling into my subdivision i made a left turn and got to about 15 mph and the car shuttered and the wrench light came on again, i drove it with almost no power for another 15 yards to my driveway, shut the car off and restarted it and no problems. i purchased this car used on 3/23/2007 with 55000 miles on it. i have contacted the ford dealership where i purchased it. *jb
04/10/200510100003/27/2005
 I own a ford freestyle. since the first days i drove it, i cannot see the information lighted panels on the dash when outside light is normal brightness. these lighted letter panels should be made bright enough to read at a glance, so that you do not need to take your eyes off the road for long when you need the information. other cars, in the past, and now have panels that can be read easily enough. i believe accidents are being caused by people studying these dim panels and not watching the road at a critical time. i have placed a separate compass on the dash to help myself, for example, so that i don't have to try to see the lighted compass. ford made cars in years past that had readable panels. they should do so again. the service people at ford garages can do nothing to help this condition. sincerely, *jb
08/01/200638000105/07/2005
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving 50 mph on dry roads, the instrument panel gauges raised up to the highest readings, then dropped down to the lowest and subsequently did not function. also, while stopped at a traffic light, the vehicle surged forward without warning while the brake pedal was depressed. finally, even though the vehicle has a continuous transmission, there was still a moderate shift shock between gears. the vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the cause of the problems were unable to be determined. the manufacturer was also notified.
03/27/200665001
 Dt*: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the air bag lamp illuminated and the instrument gauges fell to zero. this lasted for a few seconds, but occurred intermittently on several other occasions. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. updated 10/06/06.*jb