TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING U-JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME VERY HARD TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE STEERING U-JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NHTSA ODI #10585530
129,650 miles · Mar 12, 2014
Steering
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE STEERING WOULD CATCH AND IT PULLED ME TOWARD THE DITCH LINE AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10568911
125,000 miles · Mar 4, 2014
Steering
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO CORROSION TO THE STEERING SHAFT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10566978
140,000 miles · Mar 16, 2013
Electronic Stability Control (esc)SteeringVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP; NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS (I WOULD REAR END SOMEONE IF I DIDN'T ALLOW MORE SPACE BETWEEN THE OTHER VEHICLE AND MINE THAN LEGALLY ALLOWED.). WHEN YOU TRY TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING THE CAR SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING AT. THE CAR MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNI…
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THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP; NEARLY CAUSING ACCIDENTS (I WOULD REAR END SOMEONE IF I DIDN'T ALLOW MORE SPACE BETWEEN THE OTHER VEHICLE AND MINE THAN LEGALLY ALLOWED.). WHEN YOU TRY TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING THE CAR SHUTS OFF IMMEDIATELY, NO MATTER WHAT SPEED YOU ARE DRIVING AT. THE CAR MAKES NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR 4 MONTHS AGO AND AM NOW BEING TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, THE AIR COMPRESSOR AND A VALVE. I NOTICED THE LUNGING IMMEDIATELY AND WAS ABLE TO ALLOW MYSELF MORE SPACE TO MAKE UP FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL, HOWEVER OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD ARE NOT AWARE OF MY ISSUES WITH LUNGING AND WHEN THEY PULL IN FRONT OF ME, I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SLOW MYSELF. I AM HIGHLY PERTURBED BY THE CONTINUING ISSUES. IN LOOKING ONLINE I FIND THAT I AM JUST ONE OF MANY PEOPLE WITH THESE VERY SAME ISSUES WITH THE FREESTYLE. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS CAR AND QUITE FRANKLY I HAVE 3 MORE YEARS OF PAYING FOR IT BUT I NEED IT TO RUN PROPERLY. I HAVE 2 YOUNG CHILDREN THAT I HAUL IN MY CAR AS WELL AS THEIR FRIENDS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS AND IT'S SCARY. MY SON IS ASTHMATIC AND WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STAND THE CAR COME SUMMER SINCE I AM UNABLE TO RUN THE AIR CONDITIONING UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO REPLACE THE AIR COMPRESSOR. I JUST WISH THAT I HAD KNOWN THAT THE CAR WAS NOT THE "STEAL" I THOUGHT IT TO BE BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. I EVEN SPENT $2000 MORE THAN I HAD PLANNED TO BECAUSE I LIKED THIS CAR SO MUCH. . *TR
NHTSA ODI #10503255
125,283 miles · Dec 2, 2012
Power TrainSteeringStructureCrash
CAR WAS PARKED IN REAR OF APARTMENT COMPLEX.WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT LUNGED BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, SMASHING THE REAR OF THE CAR INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. I DID HAVE A SEAT BELT ON BUT THE IMPACT CAUSED SEVERE NECK TRAUMA AS MY HEAD WAS TURNED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. APPROXIMATELY AN H…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN REAR OF APARTMENT COMPLEX.WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT LUNGED BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, SMASHING THE REAR OF THE CAR INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. I DID HAVE A SEAT BELT ON BUT THE IMPACT CAUSED SEVERE NECK TRAUMA AS MY HEAD WAS TURNED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, IT WOULD "LOSE POWER", THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE CAR WOULD HAVE NO TRANSMISSION POWER. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND CHARGED ME A REPAIR FOR CLEANING THE SENSOR - AND REFUSED TO REFUND ME MY DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH TO LEARN IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY WOULD APPLY THE CREDIT TOWARDS REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY....BUT NOT ALL THE CHARGES. THEY WERE HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER COMPLETELY FAILING TO FIX MY CAR AND CHARGING ME ALMOST $500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10486727
75,000 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Steering
WHEN I START MY 2005 FREESTYLE AND PUT THE A/C ON OR PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND USE THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND TRIES TO TAKEOFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471460
102,153 miles · Aug 2, 2012
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
1. PULLING INTO PARKING SPACE, VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD, STEERING WAS TURNED SHARPLY AT THE TIME AND FOOT ON BRAKE 2. PULLING IN GARAGE AND VEHICLE SURGED WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10469046
110,600 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EnginePower TrainSteering
MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION FREESTYLE HAS A FEW ISSUES THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. MY THROTTLE IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED IT TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTLY ACCELERATING WHEN IN MOTION AND STARTING THE IGNITION. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SURGE FO…
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MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION FREESTYLE HAS A FEW ISSUES THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. MY THROTTLE IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED IT TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTLY ACCELERATING WHEN IN MOTION AND STARTING THE IGNITION. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SURGE FORWARD AND CAUSE ME TO HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WHERE IT GETS SO BAD THAT THEY'VE EVEN LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ONE PERSON WHO HIT SOMETHING IN HIS GARAGE SENDING IT FLYING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL. MY HUSBAND HAS TRIED CLEANING OUT THE THROTTLE WITH NO SUCCESS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH NO WARRANTY AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466649
110,560 miles · Jul 19, 2012
EnginePower TrainSteering
WHEN IN REVERSE OR DRIVE IF TURNING THE STERRING WHEEL THE CAR TAKE OFF AND YOU HAVE TO BUT THE BRAKE ON HARD TO STOP CAR. THIS HAPPENS 95% OF THE TIME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466646
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2011
Power TrainSteering
MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION FREESTYLE HAS A FEW ISSUES THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. MY THROTTLE IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED IT TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTLY ACCELERATING WHEN IN MOTION AND STARTING THE IGNITION. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SURGE FO…
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MY 2005 LIMITED EDITION FREESTYLE HAS A FEW ISSUES THAT I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT. MY THROTTLE IS HAVING MAJOR ISSUES. THE CAR WILL SURGE FORWARD WITH NO WARNING WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO HAS CAUSED IT TO HAVE A LOT OF DIFFICULTLY ACCELERATING WHEN IN MOTION AND STARTING THE IGNITION. I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL SURGE FORWARD AND CAUSE ME TO HIT SOMETHING OR SOMEONE. I'VE READ ONLINE ABOUT PEOPLE THAT HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE WHERE IT GETS SO BAD THAT THEY'VE EVEN LOST ALL ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND ONE PERSON WHO HIT SOMETHING IN HIS GARAGE SENDING IT FLYING THROUGH THE GARAGE WALL. MY HUSBAND HAS TRIED CLEANING OUT THE THROTTLE WITH NO SUCCESS. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED LESS THAN A YEAR AGO WITH NO WARRANTY AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS . WE ARE ALSO HAVING A PROBLEM WITH WATER IN THE CAR. WE'VE HAD PUDDLES ON THE BACK PASSENGER FLOOR AND FRONT DRIVER SIDE. I DO NOT HAVE A MOON/SUNROOF. WATER HAS ACTUALLY POOLED OUT FROM THE CAR ONTO THE GROUND WHEN I'VE OPENED THE DOOR. THE DOORS WILL BE DRY AND WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW THE WATER IS GETTING IN THE CAR. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MOLD AS BOTH ME AND MY DAUGHTER ARE ALLERGIC TO IT. THERE IS ALSO A WHIRLING NOISE THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL. WE NOTICED THIS RIGHT AFTER BUYING THE CAR AND THE DEALER LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THERE WASN'T ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE TO FIX IT THAT IT'S JUST A NOISE THIS MODEL CAR MAKES. THE FIRST 2 ISSUES SEEM TO HAVE AFFECTED A VERY LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHY FORD HASN'T RECALLED THE CARS AS THIS COULD LEAD TO SEVERE INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
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.
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
2
PE11018 · 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
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.
2005 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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