IllustrationVEHICLE SURGES AT LOW SPEED, BOTH IN FORWARD OR IN REVERSE, NECESSITATING HEAVY BRAKING TO KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. WHEN MOVING AT SLOW SPEED THERE IS A 1000 RPM INCREASE WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED. THIS HAS RESULTED IN ONE NEAR ACCIDENT THUS FAR. *TR
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
Power Train complaints
447 reportsBEFORE SATURDAY, OUR 2005 FREESTYLE HAD SURGED FORWARD A FEW (4-5) TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. ON SATURDAY, THE CVT (TRANSMISSION) DIED. I NOW HAVE TO PAY AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF MONEY ($7000) TO POSSIBLY REPLACE IT (INFORMED THIS IS REMOTE). THE ONGOING RECALL INVESTIGATION ON THE FREESTYLE IS FOR ITS LUNGING FORWARD AND…
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BEFORE SATURDAY, OUR 2005 FREESTYLE HAD SURGED FORWARD A FEW (4-5) TIMES WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS. ON SATURDAY, THE CVT (TRANSMISSION) DIED. I NOW HAVE TO PAY AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF MONEY ($7000) TO POSSIBLY REPLACE IT (INFORMED THIS IS REMOTE). THE ONGOING RECALL INVESTIGATION ON THE FREESTYLE IS FOR ITS LUNGING FORWARD AND BACKWARD, BUT I'D REQUEST A WIDENING INVESTIGATION ON THE CVT SYSTEM ITSELF. *TR
ENGINE SURGED WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO REVERSE ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. ENGINE STALLED, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SAFE MODE APPEARED.. DEALERSHIP REPLACED THROTTLE BODY. *TR
CHECK WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON AND GOES INTO SAFEMODE AND SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD, NO RESPONSE. REPLACED THROTTLE 2-3 YEARS AGO AND NEED TO REPLACE ONCE AGAIN. *TR
THE ENGINE HAS BEGUN SURGING, PARTICULARLY AT LOW SPEEDS. HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT IS VERY HOT OUTSIDE THE A/C IS ON AND THE CAR IS IN REVERSE. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AND I HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND ONCE NOW AT A STOP LIGHT AS I WAS…
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THE ENGINE HAS BEGUN SURGING, PARTICULARLY AT LOW SPEEDS. HAPPENS MOST OFTEN WHEN IT IS VERY HOT OUTSIDE THE A/C IS ON AND THE CAR IS IN REVERSE. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SURGE AND I HAVE TO JAM ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND ONCE NOW AT A STOP LIGHT AS I WAS SLOWING TO A STOP. I'VE FOUND MANY REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM ONLINE THAT THE THROTTLE BODY IS THE PROBLEM AND HAS TO BE CLEANED. FORD NEEDS TO ALERT OWNERS OF THIS ISSUE AND INITIATE A PLAN TO REMEDY IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL LUNG FORWARD. RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND HAD HARD TIME STOPPING VEHICLE AND STALLED. LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR PERSON. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED I HAD TROUBLE CODES: PO61 AND P2106. FORD STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW…
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WHEN I SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE VEHICLE WILL LUNG FORWARD. RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND HAD HARD TIME STOPPING VEHICLE AND STALLED. LUCKILY DID NOT HIT ANYTHING OR PERSON. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED I HAD TROUBLE CODES: PO61 AND P2106. FORD STATED THAT I NEEDED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. REPLACED THROTTLE BODY AND SEEMS TO HAVE STOPPED STALLING AND LUNGING. ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH UPPER MOTOR MOUNT AND AC. *TR
CAR LUNGES IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. USUALLY IN HOT WEATHER. IDLES LOW AND STALLED A FEW TIME. IF IT DOES NOT STALL IT IS SLUGGISH AND NO POWER. PLEASE LETS HAVE SOME SERVICE AFTER THE SALE. *TR
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN I AM EITHER STOPPED OR DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MAINLY WHEN IT A HOT DAY AND THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS OFF. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND I LOO…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH IT LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN I AM EITHER STOPPED OR DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN MAINLY WHEN IT A HOT DAY AND THE AIR CONDITION IS ON, BUT IT HAS ALSO OCCURRED WHEN THE AIR CONDITION IS OFF. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND I LOOSE POWER AND THE CAR SAYS FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE. NOW I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES OFF AND ON FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS WITH THE FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE. THIS IS JUST THE LATEST OCCURRENCE. IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. *TR
1.) WHILE PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE,WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR LUNGES BACKWARD WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE & SPEED. 2.) WHILE SITTING WITH 'DRIVE' ENGAGED & FOOT ON BRAKE CAR WILL LUNGE IN THE SAME MANNER. IF A/C OR HEAT IS ON IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE & MORE DANGEROUS!! THIS HAPPENS VERY UNEXPECTEDLY & SURGES/LUNGES QUITE A DISTA…
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1.) WHILE PUTTING CAR IN REVERSE,WITH FOOT ON BRAKE THE CAR LUNGES BACKWARD WITH SIGNIFICANT FORCE & SPEED. 2.) WHILE SITTING WITH 'DRIVE' ENGAGED & FOOT ON BRAKE CAR WILL LUNGE IN THE SAME MANNER. IF A/C OR HEAT IS ON IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE & MORE DANGEROUS!! THIS HAPPENS VERY UNEXPECTEDLY & SURGES/LUNGES QUITE A DISTANCE BEFORE VEHICLE IS ABLE TO BE STOPPED. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT ITSELF OFF WITH SOME TYPE OF A FAIL SAFE ERROR DISPLAYED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MULTIPLE TIMES DAILY ON A DAILY BASIS! I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO BACK OUT OF ANY PARKING SPACE WITH THE FEAR OF HITTING A PEDESTRIAN! AS WELL AS THIS ISSUE, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACTS LIKE IT WILL STALL. MEANING THAT YOU MAY BE DRIVING ANYWHERE FROM 20-60MPH & IT HESITATES - NOT ONLY WHEN ACCELERATING, BUT WHEN AT A CONSISTENT SPEED AS WELL. THIS TOO INCREASES WITH HEATING & COOLING ON. ALL INCIDENTS COULD CAUSE GREAT HARM! *TR
ON A HOT DAY (98 DEGREES) WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IT SURGED AHEAD IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WALKING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ACTED LIKE THIS ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND RUNNING IN THE PAST. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND AWARE THAT THIS WIL…
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ON A HOT DAY (98 DEGREES) WHEN DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IT SURGED AHEAD IN THE MALL PARKING LOT AND I ALMOST HIT SOMEONE WALKING IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS ACTED LIKE THIS ON HOT DAYS WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND RUNNING IN THE PAST. YOU HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL AND AWARE THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN, IF SOMEONE WAS TO BORROW MY CAR I WOULD BE AFRAID THAT THEY WOULD RUN SOMEONE OVER. IT HAPPENS IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND USUALLY ONLY AT SLOW SPEEDS/IDLE SPEED. ITS DANGEROUS IN PARKING LOTS WHEN YOU ARE BOTH PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOTS YOU HAVE TO BRAKE QUICKLY OR YOU'LL SPEED UP AND HIT A PARKED CAR IN FRONT OF YOU, THEN BACKING OUT OF THE SPOT IT DOES THE SAME THING. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. ONE TIME LAST YEAR ON A LONG DRIVE THROUGH PHILADELPHIA THIS HAPPENED AND THE CAR STALLED AND LOCKED UP AT A GREEN LIGHT. WE JUST WANT TO KNOW HOW TO FIX 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.