IllustrationINSPECTION OF REAR BRAKE NOISE SHOWED PADS WORN AND ROTORS DAMAGED AFTER JUST 8000 MILES ON NEW FORD FREESTYLE 2005 LTD AWD. PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. AT 19000 MILES REAR PADS ARE AGAIN COMPLETELY WORN WITH ONE PAD SCRAPING ROTOR. *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 reportsJUST GOT A REPAIR BILL FOR MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE TO REPLACE REAR ROTORS AND PADS - CAR HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES AND IS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN ANY UNUSUAL MANNER. PREVIOUS FORD PRODUCTS WERE FORD WINDSTAR AND F150 BOTH REQUIRING BRAKE SERVICE AROUND 90,000 MILES. PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR FREESTYLE BRAKES IS REFERENCED ALL OVER THE …
Read full complaint
JUST GOT A REPAIR BILL FOR MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE TO REPLACE REAR ROTORS AND PADS - CAR HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES AND IS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN ANY UNUSUAL MANNER. PREVIOUS FORD PRODUCTS WERE FORD WINDSTAR AND F150 BOTH REQUIRING BRAKE SERVICE AROUND 90,000 MILES. PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR FREESTYLE BRAKES IS REFERENCED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH CAR THAT DOES NOT MEET CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED > THAT FORD DESIGNED BRAKES TO MINIMIZE FRONT NOSE DIVE DURING BRAKING. > WHAT COULD BE THE REASON FOR THIS? WHY DID ALL MY OTHER FORD PRODUCTS NOT > NEED THIS? DOES IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH SAFETY CRASH RATINGS? > I FEEL THIS IS A TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE DESIGN SINCE I WILL NEED TO CHANGE > BRAKE PADS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FORD CUSTOMER CARE JUST SAID THIS WAS NORMAL AND HAD NO ALTERNATIVE RATIONALE. IT WOULD SEEM THAT FORD SHOULD AT LEAST PROVIDE SOME REASONABLE RATIONALE FOR THE PREMATURE WEAR. *JB
IN SEPTEMBER OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. IT HAD 19892 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. WE WERE TOLD THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. ASSUMING THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, THE GARAGE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND…
Read full complaint
IN SEPTEMBER OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. IT HAD 19892 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. WE WERE TOLD THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. ASSUMING THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, THE GARAGE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE INFORMED THE BRAKES ARE ONLY WARRANTED TO 1 YEAR, 18000 MILES. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE WARRANTY ON BRAKES ARE 1 YEAR, 12000 MILES. SINCE WE WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY WE HAD TO PAY $385 TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE TO PASS INSPECTION. *JB
DEFECTIVE BRAKE DESIGN ON 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. PREMATURE WEAR. FORD/DEALER ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE REAR PADS AND MACHINE REAR ROTORS WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO CORRECT DESIGN FLAW, AND THEY REQUIRED I PAY A PART OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. FORD/DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE RELATED PROBLEM INVOLVING FRONT BRAKES. *…
Read full complaint
DEFECTIVE BRAKE DESIGN ON 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. PREMATURE WEAR. FORD/DEALER ONLY AGREED TO REPLACE REAR PADS AND MACHINE REAR ROTORS WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING TO CORRECT DESIGN FLAW, AND THEY REQUIRED I PAY A PART OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR. FORD/DEALER REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE RELATED PROBLEM INVOLVING FRONT BRAKES. *JB
AT 15,000 MILES SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DEALER FOUND OUT THAT BRAKES WERE WORN TO THE METAL AND THAT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER STATED THAT CAR MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULTY PART FOR IT TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD TO RE…
Read full complaint
AT 15,000 MILES SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DEALER FOUND OUT THAT BRAKES WERE WORN TO THE METAL AND THAT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. DEALER STATED THAT CAR MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, WHICH WAS NOT THE CASE. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULTY PART FOR IT TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS AND COSTS NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. SENT A LETTER TO FORD. THEY CALLED TO SAY NOTHING COULD BE DONE. SENT ME BACK TO DEALERSHIP. ONE WEEK LATER THE BRAKES WERE BURNING. DEALERSHIP THIS TIME REPLACED PADS WITH UPDATED PADS WITH NO COSTS. *JB
PREMATURE BRAKE WEAR AND GRINDING NOISE FROM REAR WHEEL AREA. *JB
I PURCHASED A FORD FREESTYLE NEW, HAD BRAKING PROBLEMS FROM START, 1ST TIME IN TO DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM, 2ND TIME REPLACED FRONT PADS, 3RD TIME REAR PADS AND CUT ROTORS, I HAD AN ISSUE WITH CUTTING ROTORS ON VEHICLE W/7000 MI. 20,000 MILES LATER, REAR BRAKES ARE SHOT, ROTORS NEED REPLACING, FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAYS "NORMAL WEA…
Read full complaint
I PURCHASED A FORD FREESTYLE NEW, HAD BRAKING PROBLEMS FROM START, 1ST TIME IN TO DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM, 2ND TIME REPLACED FRONT PADS, 3RD TIME REAR PADS AND CUT ROTORS, I HAD AN ISSUE WITH CUTTING ROTORS ON VEHICLE W/7000 MI. 20,000 MILES LATER, REAR BRAKES ARE SHOT, ROTORS NEED REPLACING, FORD SERVICE MANAGER SAYS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR, THIS VEHICLE IS DESIGNED TO WEAR OUT BRAKES QUICKLY. " "ALSO TOLD ME HE WON'T LISTEN TO ME, I DON'T TELL HIM WHAT TO DO" WHEN I SAID IF THIS VEHICLE IS MADE TO GO THROUGH BRAKES QUICKLY IT IS A DESIGN FLAW, AND FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS. *NM
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JANUARY 9, 2007 SHE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A RURAL ROAD. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY AND SLUSHY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL, WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE, THERE W…
Read full complaint
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JANUARY 9, 2007 SHE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A RURAL ROAD. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY AND SLUSHY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL, WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED ON HER TRIP AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SHE DID HEAR A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. LATER IN THE DAY THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED AND SHE DOES NOT RECALL IF SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT, REMEMBERS SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED REAR BRAKES AND REAR ROTORS, THE VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. SHE HAS NOT REPLACED THE BRAKES & ROTORS. *NM UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB
THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE CALIPER HAS LOCKED UP AND IS NOT WORKING, I HAVE AN '05 FORD FREESTLYE SEL 2WD. IT HAS BURNT THROUGH 2 BRAKE PADS ALREADY. *JB
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ... I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) NEED TO BE CHANGED (90% WORN). THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE ONLY 40% WORN. HOW COULD THIS BE? THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! DON'T WE EXPECT THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR O…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ... I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) NEED TO BE CHANGED (90% WORN). THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE ONLY 40% WORN. HOW COULD THIS BE? THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! DON'T WE EXPECT THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THE REAR? IS THERE A PROBLEM HERE? FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFERS ONLY WORDS BUT NO ACTION. *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.