IllustrationREAR DISC BRAKE PADS FAILED WITH 20,000 ORIGINAL MILES. *JB
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
85 reportsWE BOUGHT OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JUNE OF 2005 AND CURRENTLY HAVE 50,000 MILES. WE ARE ON THE THIRD SET OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH OUR DEALER ON GETTING THIS SET REPLACED AGAIN. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH THIS SITE AND MANY OTHER CONSUMER FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP GIVES US THE …
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WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JUNE OF 2005 AND CURRENTLY HAVE 50,000 MILES. WE ARE ON THE THIRD SET OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH OUR DEALER ON GETTING THIS SET REPLACED AGAIN. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH THIS SITE AND MANY OTHER CONSUMER FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP GIVES US THE SAME SPEECH AND WE WERE TOLD THE LAST TIME THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED, THAT AFTER 36,000 MILES, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER OUR WARRANTY.*AK
OUR 2005 FREESTYLE HIT 36K MILES AND IMMEDIATELY THE BACK PADS/ROTORS WENT BAD. GRINDING NOISES TOOK ME INTO NTB. THEY STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WEREN'T BUT THE PADS/ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/RESURFACED - AT $475! THIS IS CRAZY. AT 36K MILES WE HAVE TO R…
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OUR 2005 FREESTYLE HIT 36K MILES AND IMMEDIATELY THE BACK PADS/ROTORS WENT BAD. GRINDING NOISES TOOK ME INTO NTB. THEY STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WEREN'T BUT THE PADS/ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/RESURFACED - AT $475! THIS IS CRAZY. AT 36K MILES WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES? PREMATURE WEAR & POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE DOES NOT SIT COMFORTABLY WITH ME - ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DEALER SWEARS UP AND DOWN THAT THE CALIPERS ARE FINE. *JB
PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL FWD WITH 20,300 MILES ON IT. NOTICE MUCH MORE BRAKE DUST ON REAR WHEELS. DEALER "ACKNOWLEDGES" THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND OTHER CARS IN THE SAME FAMILY YET FORD WILL NOT INVESTIGATE OR COVER REPAIR COSTS. HOW LONG BEFORE A MISHAP IS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THIS SAFET…
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PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL FWD WITH 20,300 MILES ON IT. NOTICE MUCH MORE BRAKE DUST ON REAR WHEELS. DEALER "ACKNOWLEDGES" THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND OTHER CARS IN THE SAME FAMILY YET FORD WILL NOT INVESTIGATE OR COVER REPAIR COSTS. HOW LONG BEFORE A MISHAP IS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THIS SAFETY DEVICE? OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKE PAD OR IN THE ELECTRONIC BRAKING PROGRAM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.*AK
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 22000 MILES. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 23,489 MILES. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES SERVICED ,AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE REAR BRAKES. WHEN THE DEALER TRIED TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAI…
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 23,489 MILES. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES SERVICED ,AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE REAR BRAKES. WHEN THE DEALER TRIED TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM. *AK
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD THE BRAKES PRODUCING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND WERE CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OFTEN WITH FORD FREESTYLE VEHICLES. THE CURRENT AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD THE BRAKES PRODUCING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND WERE CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OFTEN WITH FORD FREESTYLE VEHICLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 16,000.*AK UPDATED 05/21/07.*JB
I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 24,000 MILES. THE REASON I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT SUCH LOW MILES. THUS, WHEN THE GRINDING NOISES APPEARED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, I NEVER EVEN GUESSED THAT IT MIGHT BE …
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I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 24,000 MILES. THE REASON I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT SUCH LOW MILES. THUS, WHEN THE GRINDING NOISES APPEARED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, I NEVER EVEN GUESSED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE CAN BELIEVE THAT REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THAT LOW A MILEAGE TOTAL. THERE IS A TSB OUT THAT SAYS THAT FORD UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKES AT NO COST IF THEY WEAR OUT AT LESS THAN THE REGULAR WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER, IF THIS IS SUCH AN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE A TSB OUT ON IT, I BELIEVE THEY UNDERSTAND IT IS AN ISSUE AND MANY PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE BRAKES ON A NEW CAR SO THEY MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN THE HOPES IT IS NOT A BIG ISSUE. *JB
2005 FORD FREESTYLE, PURCHASED NEW. FORD HAS SERVICED AS WELL AS NYS INSPECTIONS. AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE THE REAR BRAKES HAD LITTLE DISC PAD LEFT,REAR ROTORS WERE WARPED BEYOND REPAIR, CALIPER FROZEN. FORD SAID NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER 3 YRS 36,000 MILES) AND HAD TO PAY $475.00. CALIPER NOW FROZEN AND AGAIN NOT…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE, PURCHASED NEW. FORD HAS SERVICED AS WELL AS NYS INSPECTIONS. AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE THE REAR BRAKES HAD LITTLE DISC PAD LEFT,REAR ROTORS WERE WARPED BEYOND REPAIR, CALIPER FROZEN. FORD SAID NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER 3 YRS 36,000 MILES) AND HAD TO PAY $475.00. CALIPER NOW FROZEN AND AGAIN NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. CALLED FORD AT 800-392-3673 AND CONFIRMED PROBLEM THAT REAR BRAKES FAILED BEFORE FRONT BRAKES, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT REFUSED TO COVER WITH WARRANTY, AND SAID TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS IN CASE A RECALL WAS ISSUED.
I EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT JUST UNDER 14,500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND FOUND THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR PADS AND ROTORS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THIS TYPE OF WEAR WOULD BE DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I DO NOT USE MY PARKING BRAKE BUT WOULD CER…
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I EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT JUST UNDER 14,500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND FOUND THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR PADS AND ROTORS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THIS TYPE OF WEAR WOULD BE DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I DO NOT USE MY PARKING BRAKE BUT WOULD CERTAINLY NOTICE IT IF IT WERE ON. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $400 FOR THE REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY ON PADS AND OR ROTORS. *JB
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.