IllustrationDRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HEARD LOUD POP (CLAP SOUND). THEN DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. TRIED TO FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPLACE OS SENSOR FROM FORD AND NOW IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR.
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 reportsBOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AFTER 90000 MILE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP CHECK TRANSMISSION AND ENGIE LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER HAVING IT IN THE DEALRSHIP MANYTIMES AND SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR'S FIXING PARTS THEY COME BACK BACK AFTER THIRD TRIP IN ITH SAME PROBLEM THEY TELL ME YOU HAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION AND WE WOULD HAVE T…
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BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AFTER 90000 MILE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP CHECK TRANSMISSION AND ENGIE LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER HAVING IT IN THE DEALRSHIP MANYTIMES AND SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR'S FIXING PARTS THEY COME BACK BACK AFTER THIRD TRIP IN ITH SAME PROBLEM THEY TELL ME YOU HAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION AND WE WOULD HAVE TO TEAR THE TRANSMISSION APART TO REPACE THE INTER SEALS IT WOULD RUN 6000 MORE BETTER IF YOU GET RID OF IT BUT PROBLEM IS I STILL OWE ON IT AND THEY WANT TO GIVE 100.00 TRADE IN.
MY 2005 FREESTYLE HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON NUMEROUS TIME TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIME SPENT 2000 DOLLARS IN REPLACEMENT PARTS AND PROBLEM MN STILL HAPPENS WHEN STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS GO TO TAKE OFF CHECK ENGIN LIGHT OMES ON AND SPEED REDUCES STARTED HAPPING AFTER 78000 MILES DEALERSHIP SAYS COST TO REPLACE TRANSMI…
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MY 2005 FREESTYLE HAS HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON NUMEROUS TIME TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIME SPENT 2000 DOLLARS IN REPLACEMENT PARTS AND PROBLEM MN STILL HAPPENS WHEN STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS GO TO TAKE OFF CHECK ENGIN LIGHT OMES ON AND SPEED REDUCES STARTED HAPPING AFTER 78000 MILES DEALERSHIP SAYS COST TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION IS 8000 STILL PAYING ON CAR THT SITS IN DRIVEWAY
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MY THAN ~40 MPH. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. ONCE PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER START. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THE TR…
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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY THE SPEED SUDDENLY REDUCED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE MY THAN ~40 MPH. MY DAUGHTER WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AND PARK THE VEHICLE IN A NEARBY PARKING LOT. ONCE PARKED AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER START. ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $6,600.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT PICK UP SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS REPAIRS AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED SEVERE HESITATION IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED SEVERE HESITATION IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
I BOUGHT THIS SUV 9-11-15 WITH THE INTENT TO GO TO MY VA APPOINTMENTS DUE TO MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THE OWNER STATED IT HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT AUTOMOBILES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. WHEN I GOT READY TO DRIVE THE CAR IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS, JUST GOING FORWARD …
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I BOUGHT THIS SUV 9-11-15 WITH THE INTENT TO GO TO MY VA APPOINTMENTS DUE TO MY MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THE OWNER STATED IT HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, BUT I DID NOT KNOW THAT MUCH ABOUT AUTOMOBILES TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT. WHEN I GOT READY TO DRIVE THE CAR IT WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS, JUST GOING FORWARD BUT COULD GO IN REVERSE. I HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP 35 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. THEY STATED IT NEEDED A THROTTLE BODY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, BUT IT DID NOT, AND I HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH THEY STATED IT WOULD IDLE DOWN THE CAR BEFORE THEY COULD DIAGNOSIS THE CORRECT PROBLEM. NOW THEY STATING I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE FOR $6000. I DO NOT HAVE THIS MUCH MONEY TO BUY A TRANSMISSION HAVING TO GO BACK AND FORTH TO MY APPOINTMENTS IN SC AND GA. WHY THIS VEHICLE HAS NO RECALLS ON POWERTRAIN, THROTTLE BODY, ETC WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATE THEY DO NOT KNOW EXIST AND IS CHARGING ALL THIS MONEY FOR REPAIRS WHICH DO NOT WORK. I NEED SOME KIND OF A RESOLUTION IN THIS MATTER WITH THIS VEHICLE. I HATE TO JUNK THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION AND GREAT FOR MY TRAVELING TO THE DOCTORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, THE NEUTRAL INPUT SHAFT MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN NEUTRAL OR PARK, THE NEUTRAL INPUT SHAFT MADE A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE WHICH IS IDLE ENGINE CONDITION WITH NO ACCELERATOR ACTION. ONLY STEERING AND BRAKING WERE AVAILABLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON I-278 WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF FOUR LANES AND BECAME AN UNSAFE CONDITION WITH NO…
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WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE WHICH IS IDLE ENGINE CONDITION WITH NO ACCELERATOR ACTION. ONLY STEERING AND BRAKING WERE AVAILABLE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED ON I-278 WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF FOUR LANES AND BECAME AN UNSAFE CONDITION WITH NO ABILITY TO SAFELY PULL OVER. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER RADICALLY TO THE SHOULDER WHILE OTHER DRIVERS BLEW THEIR HORNS WITH NO KNOWLEDGE OF MY PLIGHT. THE ENGINE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH CODE 2012 AND REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH CORRECTED THE CONDITION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
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.