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2005 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

142 reports
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3 miles · Dec 28, 2015
Electrical System

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WON'T WORK.. MY REVERSE LIGHT STAY ON AND I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE GAUGES ARE READING SEEING AS THEY WONT WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PANEL. MY RADIO LIGHTS WORK BUT NOTHING ELSE. I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE SPEED LIMIT IS NOTHING. HOW CAN ONE DRIVE A CAR WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS …

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THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WON'T WORK.. MY REVERSE LIGHT STAY ON AND I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE GAUGES ARE READING SEEING AS THEY WONT WORK. THE ONLY LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATES IS THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE PANEL. MY RADIO LIGHTS WORK BUT NOTHING ELSE. I CAN'T TELL WHAT THE SPEED LIMIT IS NOTHING. HOW CAN ONE DRIVE A CAR WITH THE REVERSE LIGHTS CONSTANTLY ON AND NO DASH LIGHTS? THIS IS A FAMILY CAR I'V ONLY HAD IT A YEAR WITH ABOUT 73,000 MILES ON IT. I JUST SPENT 4,000 TO HAVE MY ENGINE FIXED 4 MONTHS AGO! HOW CAN THIS CAR BE SAFE? IT STARTED 12-27-15 AND IS STILL NOT WORKING TODAY. MOTION THE CAR WAS IN MOTION EXTREMELY RAINY FOR OHIO THIS TIME OF YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #10816390

1,000,000 miles · Nov 11, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine

I GOT INTO THE CAR TO START IT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, AND I SMELLED SMOKE, THE CAR WAS PARKED IN MY GARAGE

NHTSA ODI #10789774

131,596 miles · Nov 10, 2015
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, ALL OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. THE FUEL, SPEEDOMETER, AND OIL TEMPERATURE GAUGES STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,596.

NHTSA ODI #10789675

150,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROX…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10761646

Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2015
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY. THE ODOMETER WAS READING OFF THE CHARTS, BUT THE ENGINE SEEMED - AT LEAST SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS - WORKING JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER (WE LIVE IN UTAH) AND COLD. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN IN ONLY ONE TEMPERATURE AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. WE AL…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY. THE ODOMETER WAS READING OFF THE CHARTS, BUT THE ENGINE SEEMED - AT LEAST SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS - WORKING JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER (WE LIVE IN UTAH) AND COLD. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN IN ONLY ONE TEMPERATURE AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. WE ALSO EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH THE INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS NOT WORKING, AS WELL AS, ON OCCASION THE EXTERIOR BRIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME DURING A RAIN STORM AND WAS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. ANOTHER RECENT ISSUE THAT HAS POPPED UP IS THE AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT APPEARING WHEN NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. I HAD THE CAR IN PARK, AND WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC, THE LIGHT APPEARED. I WAS NOT GOING OVER 40 MPH AND IT IS AUGUST IN UTAH (NOT RAINY, SNOWY OR ANY KIND OF ELEMENTS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DRIVE IN).

NHTSA ODI #10749739

100,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT REVVING UP WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN PARKING. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED , HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE.PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD COMPRESSOR REPLACED, THEN STARTING HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (FAILURE SAFE MODE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN) WHILE DRIVING . HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED BECAUSE ALL ELE…

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WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT REVVING UP WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN PARKING. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED , HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE.PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD COMPRESSOR REPLACED, THEN STARTING HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (FAILURE SAFE MODE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN) WHILE DRIVING . HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED BECAUSE ALL ELECTRICAL STARTING SHUTTING DOWN AND TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING ALSO TRANSMISSON WAS TRYING TO GO IN REVERSE WHILE DRIVING REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED BODY COMPUTER STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT . IT WAS PAID OFF BUT NO ONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEMS, HOW CAN YOU HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NO ONE CAN FIX,WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT FORD KNEW OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED WE REALLY LIKED THE CAR WHEN WE GOT IT.

NHTSA ODI #10743579

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2015
Electrical SystemPower Train

AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT STARTED COMING ON OCCASIONALLY LAST FALL. IT IS NOW ON ALL THE TIME. TALKED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS EITHER A SENSOR OR A WHEEL BEARING. IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE WHEEL BEARING RIGHT NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714158

94,000 miles · Apr 5, 2015
Electrical System

ALL GAUGES LOST POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS AND RESET TO LEFT. ALSO LOST LIGHTS ON INSIDE OF VEHICLE DID NOT EFFECT OUTSIDE LIGHTS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE FIRST NOTICED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703805

136,000 miles · Feb 9, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REFUSED TO GO ABOVE 2K ROMA. TURNED CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. TURNED IT BACK IN AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. STILL GIVING THE…

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WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LOST ALL POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, REFUSED TO GO ABOVE 2K ROMA. TURNED CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR FIFTEEN MINUTES. TURNED IT BACK IN AND LIGHTS WERE STILL ON AND CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE ACCELERATOR POSITION SENSOR. STILL GIVING THE SAME CODES AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO CLEAR THE CODES. PREVIOUS ISSUES WITH UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION IN THE PAST. NOW THE BATTERY WON'T HOLD A CHARGE, THE LIGHTS ARE COMING ON WHEN THEY ARE ALL TURNED OFF AND IT SEEMS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM I'D GOING CRAZY. IT'S NOW FEBRUARY AND I'M BEING TOLD THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. SINCE MY THROTTLE BODY HAD THE COLD WEATHER SYSTEM ON IT THAT MEANS ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY REPLACEMENT WITH NO GUARANTEE IT WILL FIX THE ISSUE. I CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR AT ALL. I CAN'T BACK IT OUT OF ITS PARKING SPACE WITHOUT IT STALLING OUT AND ALL THE LIGHTS INSIDE ABD HEADLIGHTS FLICKERING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I'VE SPENT TILL MUCH MONEY TO KEEP PUTTING MORE INTO IT WHEN REPLACING THE PARTS THAT HAVE THE CODE ISSUES ISN'T WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10682392

98,000 miles · Feb 7, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringCrash

WHERE TO BEGIN.... THE BRAKES ARE SHOT. DON'T WORK AT ALL. DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY GO INTO "FAILSAFE MODE" AND JUST STOP. IT HAS TO BE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TURN BACK ON AND WILL GENERALLY DO THIS UP TO 8 TIMES BEFORE I JUST SHUT IT OFF AND LEAVE IT UNTIL THE NEXT…

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WHERE TO BEGIN.... THE BRAKES ARE SHOT. DON'T WORK AT ALL. DURING THE SUMMER AND FALL THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY GO INTO "FAILSAFE MODE" AND JUST STOP. IT HAS TO BE TURNED COMPLETELY OFF FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO TURN BACK ON AND WILL GENERALLY DO THIS UP TO 8 TIMES BEFORE I JUST SHUT IT OFF AND LEAVE IT UNTIL THE NEXT DAY. DURING THESE MONTHS IT WILL ALSO GET A MIND OF IT'S OWN AND JUST LEAP FORWARD. I HAVE TO STOP 2 CAR LENGTHS BEHIND ANY CAR IN FRONT OF ME WHEN I'M COMING TO A STOP, OTHERWISE IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD (EVEN THOUGH I HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY APPLIED ON THE BRAKE) AND HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. OH, AND WILL JUMP CURBS, HIT GARAGE DOORS, ALL THAT GOOD STUFF TOO WHEN IT GETS THIS SURGE. THEN, DURING THE WINTER MONTHS THE DOOR LATCH GETS STUCK AND THE CAR DOORS ARE LITERALLY FROZEN OPEN. I CAN'T DRIVE ANYWHERE WITH TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND CAR DOORS THAT WON'T SHUT. OH, AND MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO I CAN'T GET IT FIXED. OH AND DID I MENTION THE BRAKE SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK? LIKE WON'T HOLD BRAKE FLUID, AIR IS ALL IN THE LINES, AND HARDLY NO BRAKES. HAVE YOU EVER TRIED DRIVING WITH NO BRAKES?? IT SUCKS! AND FORGET DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH MY KIDS IN THIS CAR. I DON'T TRUST IT AT ALL!! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10681861

Official recalls

2

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting

Nov 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES).

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, DRIVERS MAY NOTICE A NOISE OR A FUEL LEAK. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

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 (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

PE07058 · Instrument Cluster Failure

Opened Nov 16, 2007 · Closed Mar 11, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF PROPER INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION.TYPICALLY, THE PROBLEM APPEARS AS THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE (SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, FUEL, AND/OR TEMPERATURE) SWEEPS AND RESETS INTERMITTENTLY.FORD REPORTS THE PROBLEM AS MOMENTARY POWER INTERRUPTION CAUSES THE GAUGES TO SWEEP AND THEN RECOVER TO NORMAL FUNCTION.IN AUGUST 2006, FORD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-17-9) TO PROVIDE GUIDELINES TO SERVICE TECHNICIANS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR OF THIS CONDITION.ODI'S REVIEW OF FORD'S RESPONSE TO THE AGENCY'S INFORMATIONREQUEST LETTER REVEALS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE REPORTS TO FORD (63%) INDICATE THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER.FORD REPORTS THAT THISLASTS FOR ONLY A FEW SECONDS.ALSO 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.ODI LAST RECEIVED A REPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN AUGUST OF 2007.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME.ODI WILL HOWEVER CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE ISSUE AND WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.