WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR FREESTYLE, AND AT THIS POINT ARE FACED WITH A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE (DEALER QUOTE). SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE, AND ITS SISTER CARS (THE 500 & SABLE) ALL BUILD BY FORD WITH THE SAME ENGINE. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH WHILE AT IDLE, TO PERHAPS 5-10 MPH, ENDANGERING ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE'S PATH (IE, PEDESTRIANS, CARS AHEAD IN A DRIVE-THRU LANE, ETC.) FORD HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL SUCCESSIVE VARIANTS OF THE THROTTLE BODY, INDICATING THE NEWER ONES DO NOT HAVE THE FATAL DESIGN FLAW THAT PLAGUES THE ORIGINAL. WHY AM I FORCED TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT FOR AN OBVIOUSLY (AT THIS POINT) BADLY DESIGNED PRODUCT? THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE. *TR
2006
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
FOR THE PAST 4 OR 5 WEEKS, WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR WOULD REV-UP AND TRY TO TAKE OFF. THIS PAST WEEK, I HAVE BEEN IS STOPPED TRAFFIC AND THE REVING UP AND TRYING TO TAKE OFF WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND TODAY MY CAR DIED IN THE MISSLE OF TRAFFIC. IT DID FINALLY START BACK UP, BUT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND IT WOULD COST, STARTING AT $700.00. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY ALONE HAVE FIXED OVER 10. WE LIVE IN A TOWN OF 3500 PEOPLE. THIS IS SO STUPID!. I SHOULD NOT BE OUT THIS MONEY!!! *TR