IllustrationCAR IS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN HARD ON SHIFTING INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. MOSTLY ON LOW PULLING OUT SPEED WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AT EVERY TIME. HOPE THE RECALL COMES INTO EFFECT ON THESE HARD TIME OR BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TO LOOK INTO OUR SAFETY.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
72 reportsMY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD BEFORE I GIVE IT GAS. I NOTICE IT MOST WHEN GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY OR WHEN GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACES OR PREPARING TO PULL FORWARD AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. I BEGAN NOT…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD BEFORE I GIVE IT GAS. I NOTICE IT MOST WHEN GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY OR WHEN GETTING READY TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACES OR PREPARING TO PULL FORWARD AFTER BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS I REMOVE MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. I BEGAN NOTICING THE PROBLEM APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AGO,AND IT PROBABLY ONLY HAPPENED HALF A DOZEN TIMES IN THAT YEAR. SINCE THEN IT HAS BECOME MORE FREQUENT TO THE POINT THAT NOW ALMOST EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR IT HAPPENS. SO FAR APPLYING THE BRAKES HAS STOPPED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION, AND I HAVE HAD NO ACCIDENTS HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE AND I AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT IT.
I WAS PULLING TO A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR TO KEEP FROM JUMPING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I HEARD ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS ON THE NEWS SO I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE YOU N…
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I WAS PULLING TO A STOP LIGHT WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND THE TRUCK CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE ALMOST COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR TO KEEP FROM JUMPING INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC. I HEARD ABOUT THE COMPLAINTS ON THE NEWS SO I DECIDED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED OFTEN LUNGES (HIGH RPM REV) WITHOUT PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL - OFTEN AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE. ALMOST HIT HOUSE THROUGH GARAGE AND CAR IN FRONT OF ME IN A PARKING LOT. *TR
OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AT TIMES AFTER YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. IF YOU ARE NOT PREPARED BY HAVING YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE IT WILL LURCH AS THE RPMS INCREASE ON ITS OWN WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY IF SOMEONE IS STANDING BEHIND THE VEHICLE.
2005 FORD FREESTYLE - MY CAR ALSO HAS THE SURGING PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, TO NO AVAIL, THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO SURGE. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN AT LOW SPEEDS, LIKE WHILE AT A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT, OR JUST STARTING FROM A STOP, IT WILL SURGE AND JUMP WITHOU…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE - MY CAR ALSO HAS THE SURGING PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR MANY YEARS AND I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, TO NO AVAIL, THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO SURGE. IT TENDS TO HAPPEN AT LOW SPEEDS, LIKE WHILE AT A DRIVE THROUGH RESTAURANT, OR JUST STARTING FROM A STOP, IT WILL SURGE AND JUMP WITHOUT ANY ACCELERATION. THE DEALER COULD NEVER GET IT TO HAPPEN, SO I QUIT TAKING IT IN FOR FURTHER CHECKING. I CAN'T EVEN LET MY DAUGHTER DRIVE THE CAR, AS SHE IS A PERMIT DRIVER AND I DON'T FEEL IT SAFE FOR HER TO DRIVE. I HOPE YOU FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, IT WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURING FOR MANY YEARS, HOWEVER BELOW ON THE INCIDENT DATE, I JUST LISTED THE LAST DATE OF OCCURENCE, I WOULD HAVE TO CALL FORD FOR THE EXACT DATES, BUT I PURCHASED CAR IN 2006 AND IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING EVER SINCE. *TR
AT THE START OF THE WINTER HERE IN MINNESOTA, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WOULD FAIL TO LATCH INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR, THERE WAS NOTHING TO PREVENT THE DOOR FROM SWINGING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. FORD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (06S45) IN 2006 TO "FIX" THIS KNOWN DEFECT ON THE 2005 FORD FREEST…
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AT THE START OF THE WINTER HERE IN MINNESOTA, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WOULD FAIL TO LATCH INTERMITTENTLY. WHEN THIS WOULD OCCUR, THERE WAS NOTHING TO PREVENT THE DOOR FROM SWINGING OPEN WHILE DRIVING. FORD ISSUED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (06S45) IN 2006 TO "FIX" THIS KNOWN DEFECT ON THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT THE "FIX" IS NOT PREVENTING THE PROBLEM FROM REOCCURRING. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT WHEN THE FAILURE TO LATCH WILL OCCUR AND RESULTS IN A HIGHLY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHICH PUTS THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS THE VEHICLE IN PERIL.
FORD FREESTYLE 2005 HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR MONTHS. LARGE PUDDLES HAVE FORMED ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. MOST RECENTLY, WATER HAS LEAKED FROM THE SUNROOF ONTO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ EXTENSIVELY ON THE INTERNET ABOUT A BASIC DESIGN FLAW IN THIS CAR THAT CAUSES WATER FROM THE DRAINS T…
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FORD FREESTYLE 2005 HAS BEEN LEAKING FOR MONTHS. LARGE PUDDLES HAVE FORMED ON THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. MOST RECENTLY, WATER HAS LEAKED FROM THE SUNROOF ONTO BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. I HAVE READ EXTENSIVELY ON THE INTERNET ABOUT A BASIC DESIGN FLAW IN THIS CAR THAT CAUSES WATER FROM THE DRAINS TO EMPTY INTO THE CAR BECAUSE THE DRAINS ARE UNABLE TO HANDLE THE REQUIRED AMOUNT OF WATER. FORD DEALERSHIPS GENERALLY SEEM TO REPORT NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM OR DO NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. DRIVING WITH WATER DRIPPING ON MY HEAD IS A SAFETY HAZARD. ALSO, MY CHILD HAS BEEN SICK WITH RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS FOR ALMOST A MONTH NOW. I HAD NOT PINPOINTED THE SOURCE OF HIS PROBLEM, BUT HAVING READ NUMEROUS POSTS ABOUT MOLD GROWTH DUE TO THE WATER INFILTRATION I AM WONDERING IF THAT COULD BE THE PROBLEM. WATER CAUSES MOLD, RUST, AND CAN SHORT OUT ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS IN THE CAR. WHILE FORD DOESN'T APPARENTLY SEE THIS AS A HAZARD OR A RESULT OF THEIR BAD DESIGN, MANY CONSUMERS DO. *TR
WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES WILL RANDOMLY ALL BOTTOM OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE NEARLY EVERYTIME WE DRIVE. OCCASIONALLY THE GAUGES WILL 'FREEZE' WHERE THEY ARE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (INCLUDING ODOMETER) WILL GO OUT. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECOND…
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WE RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DASHBOARD GAUGES WILL RANDOMLY ALL BOTTOM OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN COME BACK ON. THIS HAPPENS AT LEAST ONCE NEARLY EVERYTIME WE DRIVE. OCCASIONALLY THE GAUGES WILL 'FREEZE' WHERE THEY ARE AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS (INCLUDING ODOMETER) WILL GO OUT. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND WHEN THE LIGHTS COME BACK ON, ALL OF THE GAUGES BOTTOM OUT FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN COME BACK ON. WHILE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, WE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A COMMON DEFECT IN THE GAUGE CLUSTER AND AN ONLINE SEARCH REVEALS HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION, BUT NO RECALL TO DATE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD DESPITE WHAT FORD SAYS, NOT KNOWING HOW FAST YOU ARE GOING (EVEN IF IT IS JUST FOR A FEW SECONDS) IS DANGEROUS, BUT THE WORST PART IS THE DISTRACTION WHEN YOU SEE YOUR GAUGES GOING CRAZY OUT OF THE CORNER OF YOUR EYE. DISTRACTED DRIVERS ARE NOT SAFE DRIVERS. THE DEALER TELLS US THEY'VE CHANGED DOZENS OF THESE, AND THE COST IS NEARLY $900! FOR AND THE NHTSA KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM, FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE IT RIGHT. *TR
NO ONE WAS INJURED, THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD TO HAVE A BATTERY REPLACED AND UPON REPLACEMENT THE CAR STARTED BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS,. THE DEALERSHIP (B.J. FORD, LIBERTY, TEXAS) SAID THE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $440.00. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL WEBSITES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEF…
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NO ONE WAS INJURED, THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD TO HAVE A BATTERY REPLACED AND UPON REPLACEMENT THE CAR STARTED BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS,. THE DEALERSHIP (B.J. FORD, LIBERTY, TEXAS) SAID THE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $440.00. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL WEBSITES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. YOUR AGENCIES OWN NHSTA ACTION NUMBER: PE07058 ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE WITH THE 2005-06 FREESTYLE MODELS. *TR
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.