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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

Power Train complaints

447 reports
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73,000 miles · Jun 1, 2012
EnginePower Train

MY CAR MAKES A FUNNY HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO IN PARK TO DRIVE, IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A INTAKE BEARING THAT HAS COME LOOSE IN MY TRANSMISSION. THE NOISE GETS LOUDER AS YOU CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL ONLY MAKE THE NOISE WHEN IT IS IN MOTION. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2010 WITH AROU…

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MY CAR MAKES A FUNNY HIGH PITCHED NOISE WHILE DRIVING. ALSO IN PARK TO DRIVE, IT WILL LUNGE FORWARD. I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A INTAKE BEARING THAT HAS COME LOOSE IN MY TRANSMISSION. THE NOISE GETS LOUDER AS YOU CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE. IT WILL ONLY MAKE THE NOISE WHEN IT IS IN MOTION. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED IN 2010 WITH AROUND 58,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460277

70,000 miles · May 31, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

FIRST INCIDENT - HOT JULY DAY, 2011; IDLING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON; CAR LUNGED FORWARD A FEW TIMES; AGGRESSIVELY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STALLED EACH TIME. SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS - ALL SIMILAR. AIR CONDITIONER ON; PROCEEDING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. HAVE NOT SOUGHT SERVIC…

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FIRST INCIDENT - HOT JULY DAY, 2011; IDLING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON; CAR LUNGED FORWARD A FEW TIMES; AGGRESSIVELY APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR STALLED EACH TIME. SUBSEQUENT INCIDENTS - ALL SIMILAR. AIR CONDITIONER ON; PROCEEDING SLOWLY OUT OF A PARKING SPOT WHEN THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD. HAVE NOT SOUGHT SERVICE AS MANY BLOGS INDICATE THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460207

114,100 miles · May 29, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR WAS SURGING AND LURCHING FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. WE HAD NEAR MISSES RUNNING IN TO CARS IN FRONT OF US JUST TRYING TO GET IT TO A SAFE LOCATION AS WE WERE STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IS WOULD JUST LOOSE ALMOST ALL POWER EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOOR…

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THE CAR WAS SURGING AND LURCHING FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. WE HAD NEAR MISSES RUNNING IN TO CARS IN FRONT OF US JUST TRYING TO GET IT TO A SAFE LOCATION AS WE WERE STUCK IN A PARKING LOT AND IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IS WOULD JUST LOOSE ALMOST ALL POWER EVEN THOUGH THE ACCELERATOR WAS FLOORED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10459924

45,000 miles · May 22, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459298

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2012
Power Train

2005 FORD FREESTYLE, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND LUNGES FORWARD IN DRIVE WITH A HARD JERK. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN REVERSE. HAVE TO HURRY AND SLAM ON THE BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING IN PARK. ALSO KNOCKS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER. STARTED THE CAR AND WAS…

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2005 FORD FREESTYLE, THE ENGINE REVS UP AND LUNGES FORWARD IN DRIVE WITH A HARD JERK. THIS ALSO HAPPENS IN REVERSE. HAVE TO HURRY AND SLAM ON THE BRAKE BEFORE HITTING ANYTHING. AFTER A COUPLE OF MONTHS THE VEHICLE STARTED KNOCKING IN PARK. ALSO KNOCKS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. BROUGHT IT TO THE FORD DEALER. STARTED THE CAR AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT THEM EVEN TAKING A LOOK. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT BUT STILL HAVE FAULTY EQUIPMENT. EVENTHOUGH THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS, THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS FOR KIDS AND PEOPLE NOT PAYING ATTENTION WALKING BY. CAN'T BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS STILL BEING LOOKED AT TO GET FIXED OR RECALLED. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10459140

50,000 miles · May 21, 2012
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT AND BEARING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED IN THE TRANSMISSION INPUT SHAFT AND BEARING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RELATED TO A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10459111

20,000 miles · May 6, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MANY TIMES WHEN I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR, WHETHER IT'S FORWARD OR REVERSE, THE CAR SURGES. I HAVE ALMOST GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. STEPPING ON THE BRAKES HELPS BUT DOESN'T COMPLETELY STOP THE INITIAL SURGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457616

139,000 miles · May 4, 2012
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING AT 7 AM IN THE MORNING ON A VERY BUST ROAD IN NEVADA, BOTH THE CHECK IN LIGHT AND THE FAILSAFE MODE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND I HAD SECONDS TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. I GOT AS FAR OUT OF THE ROAD AS POSSIBLE BUT IT WAS A DICEY SITUATION. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. I HAD NO PROBLEMS…

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WHILE DRIVING AT 7 AM IN THE MORNING ON A VERY BUST ROAD IN NEVADA, BOTH THE CHECK IN LIGHT AND THE FAILSAFE MODE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR STOPPED IN TRAFFIC AND I HAD SECONDS TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE. I GOT AS FAR OUT OF THE ROAD AS POSSIBLE BUT IT WAS A DICEY SITUATION. I CALLED MY MECHANIC WHO SENT A TOW TRUCK. I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR UNTIL I HIT 120000. AS SOON AS I DID, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND GOT A CODE READ ABOUT THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, WHICH I DON'T HAVE . I HAVE A MAF SENSOR. REPLACED SENSOR, THEN FINE FOR 2 MONTHS. THEN THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WHILE I WAS AT THE DMV TRYING TO REGISTER MY CAR IN NV. HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP AGAIN AND THE CODE WAS FOR THE EGR VALVE. REPLACED THAT, NO LIGHTS FOR 1 MONTH. THEN LAST MONTH THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND MY MECHANIC DECIDED HE SHOULD CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY. SAID THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH IT BUT NO RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. HE SAID HE WOULD CLEAN IT AND SEE IF THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. LIGHT CAME BACK ON IN THREE DAYS. HOOKED IT UP AGAIN FOR DIAGNOSTICS AND THE CODE IS FOR AN OXYGEN SENSOR, ORDERED THAT AND THEN YESTERDAY, THE WRENCH AND THE CEL CAME ON AND I WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED. CAR IN SHOP NOW AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS NEXT. CAR IS LURCHING, HAVING TROUBLE ACCELERATING AND CHUGS ALONG. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457472

111,980 miles · Apr 17, 2012
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN OUR FORD FREESTYLE. WE ARE FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY FORD FREESTYLES WITH THE CRV TRANSMISSION. FORD KNOWS THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT RECALL THESE CARS. I AM DONE WITH FORD CARS FOREVER. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10455594

54,392 miles · Apr 10, 2012
Power Train

MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON A SUMMER VACATION TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH. MY VAN WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE MOTOR REVVED UP EXTREMELY HIGH AND I TAPPED THE BRAKES WHICH DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I THEN STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT …

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MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON A SUMMER VACATION TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 70 MPH. MY VAN WAS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE MOTOR REVVED UP EXTREMELY HIGH AND I TAPPED THE BRAKES WHICH DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I THEN STEPPED ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I COASTED TO A STOP ALONG SIDE THE ROAD. I TRIED REVERSE AND DRIVE AND NOTHING. SO I PUT IT IN PARK WHICH DID STOP THE CAR FROM ROLLING AND WAITED FOR A TOW. $3041.11 AND 3 DAYS LATER, I HAD A ANOTHER TRANSMISSION INSTALLED AND HEADED HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10454756

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.