IllustrationWHEN STOPPED OR MOVING SLOW TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN , THIS HAPPENS GOING FORWARDS OR IN REVERSE AND HAPPENS MORE WITH THE AC TURNED ON. *JS
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Freestyle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
15325–50K
33950–75K
31275–100K
307100–150K
74150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
129 reportsIN 2008 MY FORD FREESTYLE STARTED LUNGING FORWARD AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHEN IN GEAR WITHOUT EITHER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLIED. IF I APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY, BUT IF I WAS SITTING WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE …
Read full complaint
IN 2008 MY FORD FREESTYLE STARTED LUNGING FORWARD AT VERY LOW SPEEDS WHEN IN GEAR WITHOUT EITHER THE BRAKE OR ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLIED. IF I APPLIED THE BRAKES, IT STOPPED THE CAR RIGHT AWAY, BUT IF I WAS SITTING WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND DIDN'T HAVE MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE - AND THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT WAS TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I AM JUST LUCKILY WE NEVER HIT ANYONE. IT SEEMED TO HAPPEN AFTER IT RAINED. A LOCAL (NON FORD) MECHANIC STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE ECM WAS GETTING WET AND CORROSION WAS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. AFTER HE ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM (HE CLEANED AND TIGHTENED PINS, SEALED WITH TERMINAL SEALER/CORROSION INHIBITOR), THE PROBLEM COMPLETELY STOPPED. NOW, 4 YEARS LATER, IT'S DOING IT AGAIN. BUT THAT MECHANIC IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS AND I AM WORRIED THAT THIS IS A CHRONIC (AND SCARY) PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THIS MORNING MY VEHICLE LUNGED SUDDENLY BACKWARDS OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, RIGHT INTO THE SIDEWALK WHERE CHILDREN WERE PASSING. I HAD STOPPED MY CAR, LET UP THE BRAKE AND IT LUNGED. NO ONE WAS HURT BUT I NO LONGER FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING IT. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND PROVIDE ME WITH AN UPDATE (AND A SOLUTION!). WE LOVE THE VEHICLE OTHERWISE. *TR
WHEN STOPPED OR MOVING SLOW TO MAKE A TURN THE ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN , THIS HAPPENS GOING FORWARDS OR IN REVERSE AND HAPPENS MORE WITH THE AC TURNED ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED OR WHILE STOPPED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FOLLOWED BY STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,956.
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL LUNGING INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO LUNG FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN BACKING OUT A PARKING SPACE ETC.. THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT WAS ON 08/25/09. THE NEXT TIME WAS ON 09/22/09. THE DEALER ORDERED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THERE WERE SO MANY ISSUES WITH …
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL LUNGING INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT WANTS TO LUNG FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN BACKING OUT A PARKING SPACE ETC.. THE FIRST TIME I REPORTED THIS INCIDENT WAS ON 08/25/09. THE NEXT TIME WAS ON 09/22/09. THE DEALER ORDERED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. THERE WERE SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE BODY ON THIS CAR THAT THEY WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE DEALER ALLOWED ME TO DRIVE FOR 5697 MILES BEFORE THE PART ARRIVED. I REQUESTED A RENTAL UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT JUSTIFY A RENTAL. ON 02/08/10 MY NEW THROTTLE BODY WAS INSTALLED. TODAY IS 02/22/2012 AND I AM HAVING THE SAME ISSUE ALL OVER AGAIN. THE FORD FREESTYLE IS BY FAR THE WORST VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED. I AM ON MY SECOND SET OF (REAR) BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED. OUR AIR CONDITIONER ONLY WORKS PROPERLY DURING THE WINTER. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS PAGES OF FORUMS WITH PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES DEALING WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUES ON THE EXACT SAME CARS. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT HAS BEEN FILED AGAINST FORD FOR THE THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. I HAVE PAGES OF DOCUMENTED ISSUES WITH THIS CAR. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FREESTYLE, I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWICE FOR THIS SURGING ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE FREAKS OUT WHEN IT SURGES, SHE HAS ALMOST LOST CONTROL SOMETIMES…
Read full complaint
I HAVE A 2005 FREESTYLE, I BOUGHT NEW, AND HAVE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWICE FOR THIS SURGING ISSUE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A BAD THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. I HAVE READ ON THE FORUMS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS MY WIFE'S CAR AND SHE FREAKS OUT WHEN IT SURGES, SHE HAS ALMOST LOST CONTROL SOMETIMES. *TR
I HAVE MORE THAN ONE COMPLAINT. 1) SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY USED 2005 FREESTYLE I WOULD BE DRIVING BOTH AT HIGHER AND LOWER SPEEDS AND I WOULD LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO GAS OR STEERING. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I W…
Read full complaint
I HAVE MORE THAN ONE COMPLAINT. 1) SHORTLY AFTER BUYING MY USED 2005 FREESTYLE I WOULD BE DRIVING BOTH AT HIGHER AND LOWER SPEEDS AND I WOULD LOOSE ALL CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. IT WOULD NOT RESPOND TO GAS OR STEERING. IT WAS LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER BUT IT WAS STILL RUNNING. I HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES WHEN THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN I BOUGHT MY FREESTYLE IT WAS "CERTIFIED" AND UNDER WARRANTY, OTHERWISE THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE COST ME OVER $1200. MY FORD DEALER REPLACED THE KIND OF SENSOR/BRAIN AS THEY CALLED IT. HAS BEEN WORKING SENSE. 2) AIR COMPRESSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED NOW. I THOUGHT THE A/C WASN'T BLOWING COLD ENOUGH, I FINALLY TOLD IT TO A REPAIR SHOP I TRUST AND HE SAID HE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND I HAD ANY COOL AIR AT ALL. 3) BRAKES, REAR MOST OF ALL, HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. WAY TOO SOON AND ANYTIME IT'S WET THEY SQUEAL LIKE CRAZY. GUESS I NEED TO HAVE THEM CHANGED AGAIN. 4) TRANSMISSION ISSUES ARE STARTING NOW. I ROUGHLY HAVE 90K MILES AND HOPED THIS WOULD BE MY LAST CAR FOR SEVERAL MORE YEARS. I HATE TO TRADE IT IN AND START ANOTHER CAR PAYMENT AND LET THIS CAR GET BACK OUT TO SOME OTHER UNSUSPECTING SOUL. *TR
WHILE STATIONARY IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN THE LEFT TURN LANE AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED MOVING THE CAR FORWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED. AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, MY FOOT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE AND ONLY BY STOMPING HARDER ON THE BRAKES WAS I ABLE T…
Read full complaint
WHILE STATIONARY IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN THE LEFT TURN LANE AT A RED LIGHT, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED MOVING THE CAR FORWARD APPROXIMATELY FIVE FEET INTO THE INTERSECTION BEFORE IT COULD BE STOPPED. AT THE TIME OF THIS OCCURRENCE, MY FOOT WAS ALREADY ON THE BRAKE AND ONLY BY STOMPING HARDER ON THE BRAKES WAS I ABLE TO STOP THE CAR'S FORWARD TRAVEL INTO CROSS TRAFFIC THAT WAS TRAVELING AT OVER 40MPH. THE CAR THEN DIED AND A WARNING CAME UP ON THE INFORMATION DISPLAY ON THE DASH PANEL STATING "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN. THE CAR STARTED, BUT STILL DISPLAYED THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" WARNING AND WHEN WE WERE ATTEMPTING TO RETURN HOME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF FIRST GEAR OR ALLOW US TO ACCELERATE OVER 30MPH. THIS INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT 9:35PM ON JANUARY THE 20TH 2012. IT WAS RAINING AND THE AC HEAT WAS ON. *TR
THIS FREESTYLE HAS SURGED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. WE REPLACE A FAILED THROTTLE BODY IN 2010. RECENTLY IN SHOP IN 9/11 FOR NONSTART. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IT GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE KINDA LIKE STALLING IT DOES THIS UP TO 4 OR 5 TIMES WITH ONLY GOING A FEW MILES AND DOESN'T MATTER IF IT IS IN TOWN OR HIGHWAY IT DOES IT EVERYWHERE. WE HAVE TO PULL OVER SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTART IT. *TR
Official recalls
206V383000 · 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
2PE11018 · 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.