NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
85 reportsClear category filter37,000 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN. HAVE APPROX. 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, NOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES 5 TIMES ON THIS CAR. IT IS AN ODD SIZE TIRE SO IT IS HARD TO FIND DECENT ONES FOR THE SNOW AND THEY CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE IF YOU …
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REAR BRAKES ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAVE GONE OUT AGAIN. HAVE APPROX. 100,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS IS THE 2ND TIME I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE, NOT TO MENTION THAT I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES 5 TIMES ON THIS CAR. IT IS AN ODD SIZE TIRE SO IT IS HARD TO FIND DECENT ONES FOR THE SNOW AND THEY CAN BE REALLY EXPENSIVE IF YOU DO FIND THEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395942
16,590 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF DUST COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION AT 11,000 MILES AND THE LOCAL TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR BRAKES PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WERE REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. ONE YE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF DUST COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR INSPECTION AT 11,000 MILES AND THE LOCAL TECHNICIAN INFORMED HIM THAT THE REAR BRAKES PADS WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY WERE REPLACED BY A FORD DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED. ONE YEAR LATER THE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE AGAIN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TSB 10021463 WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 16,590. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,652. UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN THE BRAKES AND ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES. UPDATED 04/25/11
NHTSA ODI #10356733
Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JANUARY 2006. BY NOVEMBER 2008 THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP; IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 3 YEAR/ 36,000 MILES WARRANTY. NOW, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AGAIN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON…
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I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JANUARY 2006. BY NOVEMBER 2008 THE REAR BRAKES BEGAN GRINDING. I HAD THEM REPLACED AT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP; IT WAS STILL UNDER THE 3 YEAR/ 36,000 MILES WARRANTY. NOW, A YEAR AND A HALF LATER THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING AGAIN AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT BUT IS NO LONGER COVERED UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. THE BRAKES SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE REPLACED THIS OFTEN. HOWEVER, IN JULY 2007 WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THE REAR BRAKES WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE ORIGINAL 3 YEAR/ 36,000 MILES WARRANTY. THIS RAISES A RED FLAG THAT FORD KNEW ABOUT THE BRAKE ISSUES BUT DID NOTHING ABOUT IT, AND STILL HASN'T DONE ANYTHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356676
115,035 miles · Jul 3, 2010
Fuel System, GasolineService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
OUR 2005 FORDFREESTYLE HAS A KNOWN SURGING PROBLEM. EVERYTIME IT WOULD SURGE WE WOULD TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO BE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. FINALLY THE CAR LUNGED 2 FT FORWARD AND SHUT DOWN WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. WE HIT THE FUEL RESET BUTTON TO GET IT WORKING THEN WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP; PAID AROUND $3000 TO REPLACE THE FUE…
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OUR 2005 FORDFREESTYLE HAS A KNOWN SURGING PROBLEM. EVERYTIME IT WOULD SURGE WE WOULD TAKE IT TO THE SHOP TO BE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. FINALLY THE CAR LUNGED 2 FT FORWARD AND SHUT DOWN WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT. WE HIT THE FUEL RESET BUTTON TO GET IT WORKING THEN WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP; PAID AROUND $3000 TO REPLACE THE FUEL RESET BUTTON AND SENSORS TO ONLY HAVE IT START BACK UP A WEEK LATER. WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP TO PAY ANOTHER $1000. NOW A MONTH LATER THE CAR IS SURGING AGAIN. THIS TIME WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, THANKFULLY A BACK ROAD, THE CAR JUST SHUT ITSELF OFF AND NON OF THE SYSTEMS WORKED. THE BRAKES BARELY WORKED. WE HAD TO LET THE CAR COAST TO A STOP. IT IS CURRENTLY A VERY LARGE AND EXPENSIVE LAWN ORNAMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341307
50,000 miles · Mar 25, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY LEFT REAR BRAKE HEATS UP AND SMOKES. I HAVE TAKEN RIDES OF LESS THEN 10 MILES. I WILL BE REPLACING THE BRAKE SHOES FOR THE 4TH TIME. I HAVE ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I'M AFRAID THAT ON A LONG TRIP THE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. 2005 FORD FREESTYLE VIN#[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM…
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MY LEFT REAR BRAKE HEATS UP AND SMOKES. I HAVE TAKEN RIDES OF LESS THEN 10 MILES. I WILL BE REPLACING THE BRAKE SHOES FOR THE 4TH TIME. I HAVE ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I'M AFRAID THAT ON A LONG TRIP THE WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. 2005 FORD FREESTYLE VIN#[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10322214
64,000 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR BRAKE PADS NO MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CONTINUE TO FAIL, I AM ON MY 4TH SET WITH ONLY 64,000 MILES . INTERESTINGLY THE FRONT BRAKE PADS APPEAR ALMOST NEW. FORD WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THESE BRAKES AND HOLD THAT REPLACING THE REAR BRAKES EVERY 15-20,000 MILES IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293061
34,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD FREESTYLE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT 15K IN MARCH OF 07 PER CUSTOMER AND TSB THEN ONE YEAR LATER AT 8K MORE DOWN TO YELLOW AND FORD NOTED TO WATCH. YEAR LATER IN SEPTEMBER 09 NOW 8K MORE BRAKES ONCE AGAIN IN RED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285542
57,000 miles · Jun 2, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD FREESTYLE ON THIRD REAR PASSENGER SIDE CALIPER AFTER ONLY 57,000 PREVIOUS CALIPERS FROZE NEEDING REPLACEMENT TO THE TUNE OF $350.00 PER OCCURRENCE. FORD AWARE OF PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING AS NOT IN WARRANTY PERIOD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272719
40,000 miles · Feb 15, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH SNOW AND SLUSHY STREETS, THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND AND THEN I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO ABS ACTIVITY AND NO BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH. I STRUCK THE …
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WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH SNOW AND SLUSHY STREETS, THE TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME STOPPED. I APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ABS ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT 1 SECOND AND THEN I HAD NO BRAKES AT ALL. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO ABS ACTIVITY AND NO BRAKES. FORTUNATELY I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH. I STRUCK THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. IT HAD NO DAMAGE BUT I HAD A BROKEN BUMPER COVER ($1300 TO REPAIR). I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM TO HAVE THE ABS AND BRAKES CHECKED. THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I WROTE A LETTER TO FORD, EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED. THEY SAID THEY WERE FORWARDING MY LETTER TO THEIR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FOR EVALUATION. I HAVE HEARD NOTHING FROM THEM YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10258725
48,900 miles · Dec 22, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH HAVE REAR BRAKE ISSUES, I RECEIVED A LETTER IN JULY 07 TELLING ME OF A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MY REAR BRAKE PADS THAT THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN WET AND EXPANDED WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE PADS TO DRAG ON ROTORS AND WEAR OUT SOONER. SO I TOOK INTO A FORD DEALER THEY REPLACED MY PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE REAR…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH HAVE REAR BRAKE ISSUES, I RECEIVED A LETTER IN JULY 07 TELLING ME OF A POSSIBLE PROBLEM WITH MY REAR BRAKE PADS THAT THEY MAY HAVE GOTTEN WET AND EXPANDED WHICH WOULD CAUSE THE PADS TO DRAG ON ROTORS AND WEAR OUT SOONER. SO I TOOK INTO A FORD DEALER THEY REPLACED MY PADS AND ROTORS FOR THE REAR BRAKES ONLY, THIS WAS AT AROUND 30000 MILES. I NOW HAVE 48900 MILES ON THE CAR AND MY REAR BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY WORN TO THE METAL ON THE PAD. I TRIED TO TALK WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT WAS SENT RIGHT BACK TO THE DEALER WHICH SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE REPLACEMENT THE REAR BRAKE PADS. I UNDERSTAND BY READING YOUR WEBSITE THAT BRAKE PADS ARE NOT CONSIDERED SAFETY RELATE ISSUE BUT SEARCHING THE INTERNET RELATE TO FORD FREE STYLE REAR BRAKE ISSUES I WAS VERY SURPRISE TO FIND OTHERS THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY ARE EVEN TALKING ABOUT REAR CALIPERS THAT ARE LOCKING UP AND NOT ALLOWING THE PADS TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE ROTORS, SO THERE NOT DRAGGING AND WEARING OUT WHICH IS WHAT I BELIEF HAS HAPPEN IN MY CASE. I AM TRYING TO FIND HELP IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF ALL THE COST RELATED TO THIS REPAIR HAVING TO BE DONE IN A SHORT AMOUNT OF MILES BETWEEN REPAIRS AND BEFORE IT DOES BECOME A FAILURE AND DOES CAUSE SOMEONE TO LOSE THERE LIFE. OH I DO HAVE TO SAY THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WHICH TAKE MOST OF THE BRAKING HAS 48900 MILES ON THEM AND I AM JUST REPLACING THEM. THROUGH MY OWN RESEARCH I UNDERSTAND THAT GM ESCAPED THIS REAR BRAKE DESIGN THAT THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BECAUSE OF ALL THE ISSUES AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ITS DESIGN. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP THAT YOU CAN GIVE USE FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10252490
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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