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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Tires complaints

14 reports
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70,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
TiresVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE IN CRUISE CONTROL. ADDITIONALLY, THE TIRES WERE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10667707

59,834 miles · May 11, 2009
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER PURCHASING A SET OF GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE 215/65R17, THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE TIRES ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER THAT SUPPLIED THE FAULTY TIRES WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY AND HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER PURCHASING A SET OF GOODYEAR INTEGRITY TIRES, SIZE 215/65R17, THE TIRES BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH. THE TIRES ONLY HAD 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER THAT SUPPLIED THE FAULTY TIRES WILL HONOR THE WARRANTY AND HAVE THEM REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE TIRES ARE UNSAFE BECAUSE A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,094 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,834.

NHTSA ODI #10268387

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2008
Tires

I BOUGHT A 2005 FREESTYLE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT 19000 MILES TRIED TO FIND SNOW TIRES AND HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THERE'S NO SUCH THING MADE FOR THIS VEHICLE. JUST STREET TREAD WHAT ABOUT THAT , AND I HAD TO GIVE A ARM AND LEG TO BUY A SET OF NEW TIRES FOR THIS THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235402

20,000 miles · Sep 19, 2007
Tires

PURCHASED 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN LATE 2005. IN EARLY 2007, WITH APPROXIMATELY 17,000 (YES, ONLY 17K) MILES ON THE VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP STARTING TELLING ME THAT I'LL NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT NEW TIRES IN THE NEXT 1-2 OIL CHANGES (WHICH IS 3-6,000 MILES). I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 24K MILES AND I DO NEED NEW TIRES. THESE TIR…

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PURCHASED 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN LATE 2005. IN EARLY 2007, WITH APPROXIMATELY 17,000 (YES, ONLY 17K) MILES ON THE VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP STARTING TELLING ME THAT I'LL NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT NEW TIRES IN THE NEXT 1-2 OIL CHANGES (WHICH IS 3-6,000 MILES). I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 24K MILES AND I DO NEED NEW TIRES. THESE TIRES WORE EXTREMELY PREMATURELY. THESE ARE THE SAME MANUFACTURER OF TIRES THAT I SEE ARE RECALLED ON FORD'S F150 (2005 FORD F-150 RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 05T022000) AND CONTINENTAL IS REPLACING THEM FREE OF CHARGE FOR THOSE VEHICLE OWNERS. I SEE NO REASON WHY CONTINENTAL SHOULDN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE TIRES ON THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE CONTINENTAL 215-65-17. LAST YEAR, ONE OF THE TIRES ALSO BLEW OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT SO NOW THERE ARE ONLY 3 ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I'M LOGGING TODAY'S DATE AS THE INCIDENT DATE SINCE THERE'S NOT A SPECIFIC DATE BUT RATHER 2 YEARS OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10203495

18,000 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Tires

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR THE TIRES (PIRELLI P6 P225/60 R18) ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 18,000 MILES. THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 10,000 MILES. WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED AT 18K MILES, ANO…

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PREMATURE TIRE WEAR THE TIRES (PIRELLI P6 P225/60 R18) ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 18,000 MILES. THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 10,000 MILES. WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED AT 18K MILES, ANOTHER 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BY THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR. THE SECOND SET OF PIRELLI'S WERE ROTATED EVERY 5K MILES AS WELL HOWEVER THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE STILL WEARING OUT AND NOW AT 39,000 MILES THE TIRES NEED REPLACED AGAIN. FULL SET OF TIRES NUMBER THREE FOR A CAR THAT?S ONLY TWO YEAR'S OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10198005

12,000 miles · Jul 20, 2007
Tires

PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. BOUGHT FORD FREESTYLE NEW. 23000 MILES AND CONTINENTAL CONTI TOURING CONTACT TIRES COMPLETELY WORN. P215 65R 17. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10197095

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2007
Tires

MY '05 FORD FREESTYLE AWD SHOWED UNEVEN TREAD WEAR AT 10,000 MILES, DEALER DID A REALIGNMENT AT N/C. TIRES ROTATED AS RECOMMENDED. AT 22000 TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN. FORD DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. DEALER UNABLE/UNWILLING TO ASSIST. TIRES BEING REPLACED TOMORROW WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE LINE, TIRE PEOPLE WILL EXAMINE THESE CO…

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MY '05 FORD FREESTYLE AWD SHOWED UNEVEN TREAD WEAR AT 10,000 MILES, DEALER DID A REALIGNMENT AT N/C. TIRES ROTATED AS RECOMMENDED. AT 22000 TIRES ARE COMPLETELY WORN. FORD DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY. DEALER UNABLE/UNWILLING TO ASSIST. TIRES BEING REPLACED TOMORROW WITH GOODYEAR ASSURANCE LINE, TIRE PEOPLE WILL EXAMINE THESE CONTINENTALS FOR DEFECTS/EXPLANATION OF PREMATURE WEAR, BUT I DON'T EXPECT ANY RECOMPENSE. I'LL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #10191652

19,300 miles · May 17, 2007
Tires

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. IT WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTACT TOURING TIRES, 215-65-17 - CT95. THE FOUR TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT WITH 19,000 MILES. CONTINENTAL STATED THERE WAS NO TREAD LIFE WARRANTY FOR THESE TIRES. FORD INSISTED THIS WAS A PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY CONT…

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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WHICH I BOUGHT BRAND NEW. IT WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTACT TOURING TIRES, 215-65-17 - CT95. THE FOUR TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT WITH 19,000 MILES. CONTINENTAL STATED THERE WAS NO TREAD LIFE WARRANTY FOR THESE TIRES. FORD INSISTED THIS WAS A PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY CONTINENTAL. I HAVE READ SEVERAL COMPLAINS ABOUT THOSE TIRES OVER THE INTERNET. IT SEEMED THERE WAS A DESIGN OR QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THIS PRODUCT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10191037

15,000 miles · May 6, 2007
Exterior LightingTires

WHEN SLIGHTLY RAINING, THE LIGHT SENSOR SEEMS TO ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY THEREBY NOT ALWAYS TURNING ON THE LIGHTS IN AUTO MODE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ONLY IN RAIN DURING THE DAY WHEN THE SENSOR HAS A HARD TIME DISTINGUISHING WHEN TO TURN ON AND WHEN TO TURN OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189894

7,998 miles · Feb 2, 2007
Tires

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75-80 JUST 5 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT HERE IN FLORIDA. I HEARD A DUNK,DUNK,DUNK THEN A HUGE THUMP AND THE CAR WENT SWERVING OUT OF CONTROL, I TRIED TO GET TO THE LEFT MEDIAN..I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE... I WOUND UP DOING A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THEN ANOTHER ONTO THE RIGHT SHOU…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 75-80 JUST 5 MPH OVER THE SPEED LIMIT HERE IN FLORIDA. I HEARD A DUNK,DUNK,DUNK THEN A HUGE THUMP AND THE CAR WENT SWERVING OUT OF CONTROL, I TRIED TO GET TO THE LEFT MEDIAN..I WAS IN THE LEFT LANE... I WOUND UP DOING A 360 DEGREE CIRCLE INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC THEN ANOTHER ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. I WAS DRIVING MY FATHERS FREESTYLE. THE TIRE, EXPLODED, THERE ARE ONLY 8000 MILES ON THE CAR, ITS ALMOST A YR OLD. THINGS LIKE THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. I NORMALLY DRIVE A 1996 ESCORT WHICH I HAVE ALSO HAD MANY MANY PROBLEMS WITH. I AM UNHAPPY WITH FORD AND ANGRY WITH THE WAY THEY BRUSH IT OFF. THEY SAY OH, IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE TIRE COMPANIES FAULT. DON'T THEY TEST DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES BEFORE THEY PUT THEM ON THE MARKET? THEY KNOW COMMON PROBLEMS... I ALMOST DIED DURING MY 360 DEGREE TURNS ON THE HIGHWAY TODAY, WATCHING A 16 WHEELER COME AT ME...I WAS LUCKY IT MISSED. ITS A SHAME THE OUTSIDE OF FORDS LOOK SO NICE BUT ITS EVERYTHING ELSE THAT MATTERS... I WOULD MUCH RATHER DRIVE A TOYOTA - AND I WOULD BE SAFER ON A BICYCLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10181451

Official recalls

2

06V383000 · 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

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

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.