IllustrationREAR END NOISE STARTED ABOUT 13000 MILES ( SOUNDING LIKE A PLANE ENGINE WHEN YOU HIT 40 MPH). DEALER SAID TIRES WERE WORN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES PLUS ALIGNMENT-DEALER PAID FOR TWO. NOISE CONTINUED. DEALER THEN REPLACE BALL JOINTS AND REAR BRAKES AT 14000. NOISE IS GONE. *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 reportsREAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 31515 MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *JB
I TOOK MY FORD FREESTYLE TO BE SERVICED AT 20K MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE BAD BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF REAR BRAKES GOING BAD AT 20K MILES HOWEVER THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FORD HAD INDICATED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBL…
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I TOOK MY FORD FREESTYLE TO BE SERVICED AT 20K MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE BAD BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF REAR BRAKES GOING BAD AT 20K MILES HOWEVER THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FORD HAD INDICATED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT I WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES EVERY YEAR. THIS SEENS COMPLETLEY RIDICULOUS TO ME. I REPLACED THE BRAKES AND SERVICED THE ROTORS BUT I FEEL THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKES YEARLY MUST BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES. *NM
I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY, 2005. AT TIRE ROTATION, INSPECTION, THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT AROUND 16,000 MILES.(DECEMBER 2006) THE DEALER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM A RETIRED TRUCK DRIVER, AND I AM TRAINED TO USE MY BRAK…
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I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY, 2005. AT TIRE ROTATION, INSPECTION, THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT AROUND 16,000 MILES.(DECEMBER 2006) THE DEALER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM A RETIRED TRUCK DRIVER, AND I AM TRAINED TO USE MY BRAKES PROBABLY 1/3 AS MUCH AS THE AVERAGE DRIVER. I AM READY TO TURN THIS OVER TO MY ATTORNEY, OR A CLASS -ACTION SUIT. *JB
I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED ON MY 2005 FREESTYLE AT 18,000 MILES. *JB
TOOK 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND COURTESY CHECK. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES HAD SIGNIFICANT INTERIOR WEAR, AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS RUBBING METAL TO METAL. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24554 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, REAR BRAKES AND RIGHT ROTOR REPLACED, AND TWO TIRES REPLA…
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TOOK 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND COURTESY CHECK. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES HAD SIGNIFICANT INTERIOR WEAR, AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS RUBBING METAL TO METAL. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24554 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, REAR BRAKES AND RIGHT ROTOR REPLACED, AND TWO TIRES REPLACED. *JB
REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 32,000 WE HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. FACTORY PAID FOR FIRST REPLACEMENT AT 15,000. *JB
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 22,299 MILES HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES PLACE ON MY CAR. NOW AT 36,450 12-26-2006 HAVE THE SAME REAR BRAKES REPLACE AND HEAD FOR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD & FORD DEALER SHIP IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THERE COST. A CAR DOES NOT WEAR BRAKES THAT FAST WITH EVEN A P…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 22,299 MILES HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES PLACE ON MY CAR. NOW AT 36,450 12-26-2006 HAVE THE SAME REAR BRAKES REPLACE AND HEAD FOR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD & FORD DEALER SHIP IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THERE COST. A CAR DOES NOT WEAR BRAKES THAT FAST WITH EVEN A PERSON WITH NORMAL BRAKE USAGE. IF ANY PERSON WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN SUITE EMAIL AT RLBRASFIELD@BELLSOUTH.NET. I HAVE IT. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME EXPLANATIONS DEALERSHIP PUT UP. I AM ENGINEER OUT OF AUTO INDUSTRY AND KNOW WHEN CAR IS MISS DESIGNED, HOPE NO ONE GET KILLED. *NM
2005 FREESTYLE WITH 28,000 MILES WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A RECALL AND OIL CHANGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THOUGH THE ROTORS WERE OKAY. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF THE PAD MATERIAL LEFT. THE REPRESENTATIVE WENT THROUGH A FEW UNSATISFACTORY EXPLANATIONS (OBVIOUSLY HAD NO CLUE WHA…
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2005 FREESTYLE WITH 28,000 MILES WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A RECALL AND OIL CHANGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THOUGH THE ROTORS WERE OKAY. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF THE PAD MATERIAL LEFT. THE REPRESENTATIVE WENT THROUGH A FEW UNSATISFACTORY EXPLANATIONS (OBVIOUSLY HAD NO CLUE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT) INCLUDING THE CAR "USES ITS REAR BRAKES TO DO MOST OF THE STOPPING," SOME FREESTYLES "JUST DO THIS," WE ARE NOT DRIVING IT CORRECTLY, AND FINALLY, THE 500 SERIES CARS USE THEIR REAR BRAKE PADS MUCH QUICKER THAN THEIR FRONTS. (THIS IS DESCRIPTIVE, NOT AN EXPLANATION!) WE PAID THE COSTS OF THE ROTOR RESURFACING AND THE NEW PADS. I WAS TOLD THE PAD WEAR WAS EVEN AND THE CALIPERS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE MESSED UP THEIR SUMS IN DESIGNING THE BRAKE SYSTEM, SINCE THIS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINED, SOFTLY SPRUNG CAR SHOULD USE ITS FRONT BRAKES MUCH MORE THAN THE REARS TO GENERATE ITS STOPPING POWER. IF THE REARS ARE WEARING OUT PADS TWICE AS FAST AS THE FRONTS, THEY ARE NOT "QUITE RIGHT." PERHAPS BIGGER REAR BRAKES AND A PROPORTIONING VALVE ADJUSTMENT ARE WHAT IS NEEDED, BUT FORD HAS MISSED THE BOAT HERE AND IT WILL COST US, OF COURSE. *NM
REAR BRAKES ON RIGHT SIDE FAILED AT 7,800 MILES. WE HAD A NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE BRAKE ASSISTANCE. DISK AND PADS WERE DAMAGED. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKES WARRANTY WAS OVERDUE (12 MO.) AND WE HAD TO PAID FOR REPAIRS ON THIRD PARTY SHOP. *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.