IllustrationLUNGING, SURGING, AND JUMPING WHILE A/C IS ON. *TR
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
587 reportsWE HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR FREESTYLE, AND AT THIS POINT ARE FACED WITH A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE (DEALER QUOTE). SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE, AND ITS SISTER CARS (THE 500 & SABLE) ALL BUILD BY FORD WITH THE SAME ENG…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR FREESTYLE, AND AT THIS POINT ARE FACED WITH A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE (DEALER QUOTE). SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE, AND ITS SISTER CARS (THE 500 & SABLE) ALL BUILD BY FORD WITH THE SAME ENGINE. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH WHILE AT IDLE, TO PERHAPS 5-10 MPH, ENDANGERING ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE'S PATH (IE, PEDESTRIANS, CARS AHEAD IN A DRIVE-THRU LANE, ETC.) FORD HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL SUCCESSIVE VARIANTS OF THE THROTTLE BODY, INDICATING THE NEWER ONES DO NOT HAVE THE FATAL DESIGN FLAW THAT PLAGUES THE ORIGINAL. WHY AM I FORCED TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT FOR AN OBVIOUSLY (AT THIS POINT) BADLY DESIGNED PRODUCT? THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE. *TR
THROTTLE BODY FAILURE VEHICLE BEGAN LURCHING FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE WITH BRAKE APPLIED THIS WAS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS ESPECIALLY AT DRIVE THROUGH FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS. I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY FOR $653.00 AT MY LOCAL MECHANIC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. CAR LURCHES FOR NO APPARENT CAUSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING, BUT MORE FORCEFULLY WHEN IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TWO DAYS FULLY TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING, BUT MORE FORCEFULLY WHEN IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WOULD NEED TWO DAYS FULLY TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED HER THAT THEY WERE INVESTIGATING THE FAILURE. THEY OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE WOULD ENTER A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD ABNORMALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,266.
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE, WHEN EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT, OR PARKING OR WAITING IN THE CARPOOL LINE MY FREESTYLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SOME INSTANCES ARE WORSE THAN OTHERS WITH MORE FORCE, BUT I AM ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY PRESSING HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE ALMOST HIT A COUPLE …
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I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS INSTANCES WHERE, WHEN EITHER AT A STOP LIGHT, OR PARKING OR WAITING IN THE CARPOOL LINE MY FREESTYLE HAS LUNGED FORWARD WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. SOME INSTANCES ARE WORSE THAN OTHERS WITH MORE FORCE, BUT I AM ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BY PRESSING HARDER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. I HAVE ALMOST HIT A COUPLE OF CARS IN THE DRIVE THRU LANES AT RESTAURANTS. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED MY FREESTYLE CUTTING OFF WHILE AT A LIGHT, AND EVEN ONCE WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. THE CAR JUST DIED. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES WITH THE THROTTLE BODY STICKING AND ITS WAY OF CORRECTING ITSELF IS TO LUNGE THE CAR AND ATTEMPT TO RIGHT THE ISSUE. THEY QUOTED ANYWHERE FROM $100 TO TRY TO CLEAN THE THROTTLE BODY AND POSSIBLE HAVE TO REPLACE IT TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $700. IF THIS PROBLEM IS SO WELL KNOWN THAT MY DEALER KNOWS ABOUT IT, WHY HAS IT NOT BEEN ADDRESSED AND RECALLED? *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTED LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTED LUNGED FORWARD AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED DURING ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE CONSTANT PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.
THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD, ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I WAS UNABLE TO ANTICIPATE THE MOVE. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS UNANTICIPATED MOVEMENT HAS OCCURRED SPORADICALLY OVER THE LAST MONTHS AND WE HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL ZONES AND CROSS …
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THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD, ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN. I WAS UNABLE TO ANTICIPATE THE MOVE. I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND THE CAR JUMPED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS UNANTICIPATED MOVEMENT HAS OCCURRED SPORADICALLY OVER THE LAST MONTHS AND WE HAVE NARROWLY AVOIDED HITTING CHILDREN IN SCHOOL ZONES AND CROSS WALKS. SOMETIMES THE JUMP OCCURS WHILE THE BRAKE IS BEING DEPRESSED, BUT MOSTLY IT HAPPENS WHEN I START TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY TO NOT HAVE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE.
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.