2005 Ford Freestyle

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE DOORS FAILED TO CLOSE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE LATCHES FREEZE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS COLD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE DOOR LATCH WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

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

IN AUGUST 2012, MY 2005 FREESTYLE SURGED WHILE IN REVERSE WITH MY WHEELS AT FULL CUT AS I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, AS I HAVE BEEN DOING FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS. AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL TO APPLY THE BRAKE TO SWITCH TO DRIVE FROM REVERSE, THE CAR SURGED IN REVERSE, AND THE RIGHT CORNER OF MY REAR BUMPER IMPACTED MY NEIGHBORS TRUCK BEHIND HIS FRONT DOOR, CAUSING ME TO REPORT THE ACCIDENT TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO REPAIR HIS VEHICLE. I TOLD THE AGENT AT MY INSURANCE COMPANY I HAD READ ABOUT THIS SURGING PROBLEM IN THE FREESTYLE FORUMS, AND ASKED IF THE ACCIDENT WOULD BE CONTRIBUTED TO MECHANICAL FAILURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART, RATHER THAN DRIVER ERROR, AS I STATED BEFORE I HAVE BEEN BACKING OUT OF THIS DRIVEWAY FOR 40 YEARS WITH 70'S LINCOLNS AND CADILLACS, ALL CARS 5 FEET LONGER THAN THE FREESTYLE, WITHOUT INCIDENT. HER REPLY WAS THAT IF THERE WAS A RECALL DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, THEN YES, IT WOULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO MECHANICAL FAILURE. MY QUESTION IS, I KNOW THE NHTSA WAS INVESTIGATING THIS LAST YEAR, HAS THERE BEEN ANY CONCLUSION TO THIS INVESTIGATION? IF ANYONE HAS AN UPDATE, CAN YOU PLEASE CONTACT ME AT FCEJR55YAHOO.COM WITH THE INFORMATION. I KNOW IT SAYS NOT TO USE MY E-MAIL ADDRESS, BUT HOW ELSE WILL SOMEBODY BE ABLE TO CONTACT ME? ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

THE DAY I BOUGHT ME CAR THERE WAS PROBLEMS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS SOAK WITH WATER ANDS THE DEALERSHIPS RESPONSE WAS TO USE THE HEATING SYSTEM TO DRY IT. THE CAR HAD A HIGH PITCH NOISE AND THE GEARS SEEMED TO BE TIGHT. IF MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE EVEN ON AN UP HILL CLIMB THE CAR WOULD ROLL FORWARD. WHEN I ACCELERATE IT REVS VERY HIGH AND DID NOT DROP MUCH AND WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS IT PLUMMETS. AT ABOUT ODOMETER 129689 MY CAR STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A MACK TRUCK AND IT INCREASE IT NOISE LEVEL. I WAS TOLD I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS A SPECIAL TRANSMISSION...ONE OF A KIND SO A USED ONE WILL RUN ABOUT 2500, A BRAND NEW ONE FROM FORD WILL COST AROUND $5K AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. ALSO TO REBUILD THE ONE YOU HAVE WILL COST YOU BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER USE TRANSMISSION FROM ANOTHER FREESTYLE AND THEN COMBINE THE 2. MY ODOMETER IS AT 136701 TODAY MY CAR IS STILL RUNNING SOMEWHAT BUT ANY DAY IT WILL EXPLODE AND DIE. TRUST ME FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM(S) AND WILL NOT RECALL THE PART(S) UNLESS SOMEONE GETS HURT OR IS KILLED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD! THEY HAVE LOST ME AS A SUPPORTER! THEY ONLY MAKE JUNK CARS OR LEMONS. I WISH I REALIZED AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THAT IT WAS A LEMON AND TRANSMISSION WAS ALREADY BAD. THE FORD DEALERSHIP KNEW AND SOLD IT TO ME WITH A SMILE. I HAD THEM FIX ONE THING AND THEY SAID THEY WILL FIX THAT PART AND THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE? WHY WOULD THEY SELL A DAMAGE CAR? IF YOU HAVE A FREESTYLE GET RID OF IT IF YOU CAN!!!! FORD DOES NOT TAKE PRIDE IN THEIR WORKMANSHIP NOR STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT WAS ANCHORED TO THE WHEEL WELL, WHICH BECAME RUSTED. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT BECAME DISLODGED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT NOT TO DRIVE WITH ANYONE IN THE THIRD SEAT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 103,656. ...UPDATED 10/10/12 *BF UPDATED 10/16/2012 *JS

AFTER COMING HOME FROM A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE, ABOUT 5 MILE TOTAL ROUND TRIP; I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ABOUT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD HITTING A METAL STORAGE SHELF. THE CAR SURGED 5 FEET FORWARD WHILE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED FROM IDLE (ABOUT 800) TO 2500 INSTANTLY AND UNCOMMANDED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO THROTTLE INCREASE OR INPUT. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. OUR FREESTYLE DOES THIS OFTEN. I NORMALLY CAN CATCH IT. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED OR WHILE THE CAR IS STOPPED. IT HAPPENS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO DISCONTINUE LETTING MY 18 AND 16 YEAR OLD SON AND DAUGHTER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED IN THESE UNCONTROLLED SURGES. *TR

1.)EVERY WINTER THE LOCKING MECHANISM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WILL FREEZE. SO, ONCE YOU OPEN YOUR DOOR & YOU GO TO SHUT IT, IT WILL NOT LATCH SHUT, INSTEAD IT WILL JUST BOUNCE BACK OPEN. AFTER SPENDING ABOUT 1/2 HOUR EACH TIME OF MANUALLY MOVING THE LATCH UP & DOWN IT FINALLY ENGAGES. 2.) POWER WINDOW BUTTONS DO NOT WORK ON ANY WINDOW EXCEPT DRIVERS SIDE. WHEN I HAVE IT REPAIRED, & IF I PUT THE WINDOW LOCKS ON, AFTER THAT NONE WILL WORK AGAIN. I'M TIRED OF FIXING AN ONGOING PROBLEM! 3.) DRIVER SIDE POWER DOOR LOCK IS INTERMITTENT IN WORKING. IT MUST BE PRESSED APPROXIMATELY 5-6 TIMES USUALLY BEFORE IT WILL ENGAGE. *TR

THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE WITH MY 2005 FREESTYLE WE BOUGHT IT LESS THAN A YEAR AGO AND EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR GETS COLD THE DOORS WILL NOT SHUT IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME YESTERDAY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR MY DRIVER DOOR HIS DPPR AND THE HATCH POPPED OPEN IN MOVING TRAFFIC IM VERY UPSET!!! THE CAR OWNERS SOLD US THIS PROBABLY KNOWING THIS AND NEVER SAID I JUST LOOKED IT UP ON LINE AND FOUND THIS ON RECALLS AND DEFECTS NATIONAL HIGHWAY WEBSITE FORD ISSUED A RECALL AFFECTING CERTAIN 2005 FORD FIVE HUNDREDS AND MERCURY MONTEGOS AND CERTAIN 2005-2006 FORD FREESTYLE VEHICLES. THE RECALL ADDRESSES THE PROBLEM OF DOOR LATCH FREEZING, WHICH OCCURS MAINLY IN COLD AND WET WEATHER STATES. IN WET AND BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES, THESE DEFECTIVE DOOR LATCHES MAY FAIL TO FULLY LATCH, ALLOWING A DOOR TO OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR IN A CRASH. IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR VEHICLE MAY BE PART OF THIS RECALL, REQUEST A DOOR LATCH SAFETY INSPECTION FROM YOUR FORD DEALER. NOTIFY THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) IF YOUR DOOR LATCHES ARE FOUND TO BE UNSAFE. YOU CAN CONTACT NHTSA ON THEIR VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE: 1-888-327-4236 OR 1-800-424-9393 I WANT THIS PROBLEM RENDERED I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE NOR DO I WISH TO CONTINUE DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM I AM NOT COMFORTABLE WITH THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE! THIS FREAKSTYLE SHOULD BE REPLACED I AM SCARED OF THIS VEHICLE NOW AND HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED IN THE PRODUCT MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER WHO SOLD THIS LEMON TO US! I NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO WE ARE STILL PAYING FOR THIS AND I DON'T WANT TO ANYMORE BECAUSE OF THESE PAST PROBLEM AND SAFETY ISSUES! ITS NOT SAFE FOR MY FAMILY OR OTHER DRIVERS AROUND THIS CAR WITH BAD DOOR LATCHES! PLEASE TELL ME WHAT I CAN DO DON'T THINK I WILL EVER FEEL SAFE IN A FORD AGAIN CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT COULD OF HAPPEN? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR FAILED TO CLOSE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED TO THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN DID NOT QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V383000(LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.