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Comments
If you have two working keys, you can program up to 6 additional keys. If you lose one of your keys and have only one key, you have to go to the dealer, who will charge around $150 for a new key and re-programming.
The lesson: get your spare key made now, so that if you lose a key you won't pay big buck$.
The remotes can be programmed as well, but there is no minimum number requirement, so I didn't buy a spare FOB.
Reading the owners manual, it indicates that when re-programming the remotes, the first one is set to driver 1 and the second one is set to driver 2. You might try getting a third remote, programming it, and see what happens. Logically it would be a driver 1, but maybe Ford does not set the vehicle auto-seats with the third remote. The programming would be in the vehicle, not the remote, so it is a possibility.
I've seen the remotes on E-Bay for about $15.
As it happens, I did buy the FWD, but mostly because I wanted better MPG and didn't see the need for AWD in my situation.
Looking through the forum, I find only about a dozen total posts with AWD problems (out of 450 or so posts), with several posts by the same people - i.e., not separate problems.
That doesn't seem very significant in terms of raw numbers. Not that this is much consolation if you happen to be one of the people with trouble. It is also possible that CR numbers are skewed - I think they get their poll results from members, which is not a stastically balanced audience. Time will tell if Ford has long term issues with the AWD systems.
I tend to agree with you on the Ford 500 - only the AWD 500 is CVT, so it should have identical reliability.
Actually, it's the Haldex AWD system used on Volvo's . . so that's where I'd look for any long-term reliability issues with it.
only the AWD 500 is CVT, so it should have identical reliability.
Actually, you could get the CVT without getting AWD. But, getting AWD does ensure you'll get the CVT.
C'mon bruneau. Nothing of the sort is "apparent" from this forum. The people who post here hardly represent an accurate cross-sampling of Freestyle owners, most of whom (like me) have had no problems and are more than likely delighted with their vehicle.
As for CR, I canceled my subscription 7 years ago because they always seemed to find fault with just about everything on the planet. I'm sure they still do.
Found an uphill grade and slowly backed up the grade and could make it happen. Took it to the Ford dealer and told him how to re-create it. They were able to re-create it and seemed to have fixed it (re-programmed CVT???). Can't make it happen anymore.
Love this car...
Any of you FS owners in the mountains have any comments or advice?
I guess it doesn't make Ford much difference about the Freestyle problems due to the fact that they are not planning on making them after 06' (from what we've read).
Not true, they are updating the sheet metal in the 2007 model.
If they would just advertise the darn thing, it would sell well...
Took it back the next day, they checked, found nothing, gave it a software update, and off I went. Same problem a couple of days later. Could create the problem fairly often - driving steady 50 on highway at 1500 rpm, then accelerate up to 4000 then the revs bounce around even thought my foot is giving the same pressure on the gas pedal. Took it back, then tested it with a flight recorder to give them data as it happened. They said the error code they saw meant it needed a new processor. They put that in.
Two days later, same problem. :mad: It's back with the dealer, who has said they have never seen this kind of problem, and Ford has nothing on it, but they are trying some more things.
Anyone experienced anything like this or got any ideas before I end up invoking the lemon law? Of course we got this vehicle so my wife would have something more reliable than her 10 year old Dodge minivan!
I think your dealer may be trying keep you happy by trying to fix what isn't broken. Just my 2 cents worth.
On the other hand... If you are not being "lead-footed" at all.. and you're seeing engine RPM's up around 4000 for no apparent cause (like going up a pretty steep hill) then I would say that a component controlling the CVT is amiss and needs changing out. Good luck and let us know how you do.
So keep perspective--I had a van with a nissan engine where the engine was recalled and they replaced the entire engine at 5000 miles--talk about ridiculous. Ford is on the right trajectory with much improved products--no problems would be great I agree, but CR says overall they are the best for the americans and have alot less problems than european cars.
This is true whether the defroster is the only thing turned on, or when the automatic climate control is turned on. Once the defroster is turned on, the only way to turn it off is to turn the entire system off.
This is at worst a minor problem, and is probably easily fixed. So far my Freebie seems to be a fine vehicle.
David Willingham
I also noticed that the dealer where I bought my Freestyle at no longer keeps any on his car lot. He use to keep three or four. When I see that, I think of the V 10 and the Excursion, of how my dealer stop keeping them. It is not a good sign for the Freestyle and the same stands for the 500, on what I have noticed.
Perhaps some sort of clear stick-on protector would work?
After alittle checking ford found an advisory. Why they didn't find this the first few times I complained? They reprogrammed the computer with a new version and no problems. Took an hour in the shop and runs great now.
http://www.ford-trucks.com/tsb/tsb.php/m-FORD that someone else posted earlier, although I've seen a better one that told you the contents of the TSB.
I learned this during the first, 3000 mile, service of my 2006 Freestyle.
I ALSO AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE STAINS IN MY SEATS. I THOUGHT THEY WERE SCOTCH GUARDED?? THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME SOME UPHOLSTERY CLEANER :surprise: ....HOPEFULLY THAT WILL WORK...BUT DON'T HAVE MY HOPES UP.
OTHER THAN WHAT I HAVE MENTIONED, THE FREESTYLE IS A GREAT CAR FOR A BIGGER FAMILY. WE CALL IT OUR CRUCK...BECAUSE IT IS A CAR AND TRUCK ....NOT A MINIVAN!!!
I suggest turning off your CAPS LOCK. People tend to ignore postings typed in ALL CAPS.
tidester, host
I can't hear if the engine is really "dancing" or it is just the instrument.
Is this normal? Or is it a symptom of...?
Sorry to bring these problems here, but I lost all my trust in Ford dealers. I would not be bothered by this car's little or big problems if I would find a dealer willing to fix them
I can't hear if the engine is really "dancing" or it is just the instrument.
Is this normal? Or is it a symptom of...?"
Is this with your foot completely off the gas pedal when switching to neutral?
Yes. I've done this and it happens. I doubt if its a real problem, but its a little strange.