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

Visibility complaints

11 reports

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Mileage unknown · Apr 24, 2023

Unknown Or OtherVisibility

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Driving my 2005 Ford Freestyle today when I suddenly heard a loud explosion or crash sound overhead. At first I thought something had fallen from the sky and crashed into the top of our vehicle. I immediately slowed down and pulled the car off the side of the road. My husband was a passenger in the vehicle. He carefully got out of the vehicle and looked on top of and around the vehicle. That is when we discovered that the glass in the sunroof had literally exploded and blown out of the vehicle. The track was still in place and operating normally. The glass was completely blown out of the vehicle. Because the Ford Freestyle was only in production for 3 years (I believe), there probably are not many still in use. Thus, there are probably not many Ford Freestyle owners having or reporting this problem. Besides being scared, the potential for being hit by the exploding glass and suffering substantial injuries to our heads, eyes, face, shoulders, bodies, could have been tremendous, if not deadly. I reported the incident to Ford Motor Company. The vehicle has not been inspected yet by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the sunroof glass failure.

NHTSA ODI #11518753

80,000 miles · Jan 17, 2013

Visibility

THE AIR CONDITIONER BLOWS WARM AIR ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493350

55,000 miles · Dec 8, 2012

Electrical SystemSeatsVehicle Speed Control

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THE FIRST INCIDENT MY FUEL GAUGE IS OFF & PRODUCING INCORRECT DATA OF GAS REMAINING IN CAR & DRIVER WINDOW WOULD ROLL UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO JUST ROLL IT UP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. ANOTHER INCIDENT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIRD INCIDENT I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR MADE A LOUD REVVING UP NOISE THEN SHOT US FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO BACK UP BEFORE THE CARS REACHED US. ANOTHER TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER TAKING HER TO DAYCARE THEN GOING TO WORK AND WE WERE GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE. WE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A FAMILY WITH 3 CHILDREN CROSSING AND THE CAR SHOT US FORWARD AGAIN AND WE ALMOST HIT THE FAMILY. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SHOT US BACK INTO THE CARS BEHIND US. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AND MY DAUGHTERS AND MY LIFE WHEN GETTING INTO THIS CAR. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW CAR. PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE AT RISK FOR THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487747

26,000 miles · Apr 26, 2010

Visibility

REAR WINDOW OF 2005 FORD FREESTYLE EXPLODED WHEN DRIVING OUT OF THE GARAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327624

Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2009

StructureVisibility

WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAK INSIDE THE CAR CAUSING THE WINDSHIELD AND WINDOWS OF THE CAR TO FOG REAL BAD. I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF I - 65 BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. THE WINDSHIELD AND THE WINDOWS FOGGED SO FAST THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN TO US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295536

Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2006

StructureVisibility

REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD MAKES VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT. THIS CAUSES DRIVING BLIND FOR SHORT INSTANCES AND MAKES MANEUVERING/PARKING IN TIGHT SPOTS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161263

Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2005

StructureVisibility

WINDSHIELD GLARE UNSAFE. E.G. ROUNDING CORNER INTO SUNLIGHT CAUSES DASH REFLECTION ONTO WINDSHIELD & UNABLE TO SEE OBJECTS OR VEHICLES IN FRONT. USE OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HELPS...BUT CAN'T WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME. DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DISTANCE, SEE OTHER VEHICLES.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10135388

15 miles · Jun 10, 2005

Visibility

THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IMPEDES VISIBILITY OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. GOING FROM THE OUTSIDE (BOTH SUNNY AND CLOUDY DAYS) INTO A GARAGE OR TUNNEL, THE EXTREME GLARE PROHIBITS VISIBLITY THROUGH THE WINDSHEILD. WHEN IN A PARKING LOT AND BACKING OUT OF A SPACE, VISIBILITY IS RESTRICTED SEEING THE ADJACENT CA…

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NHTSA ODI #10124970

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2005

Visibility

DT: CONTACT STATES THE INTERIOR COLOR OF VEHICLE IS CAUSING A GLARE IN THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE. THIS HAPPENS ON A CLEAR AND SUNNY DAY. WHEN IT IS CLOUDY THE REFLECTION IS NOT AS BAD. THE SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED PUTTING A RUG ON THE DASHBOARD TO ELIMINATE THIS PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10124799

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2005

Visibility

GLARE ON DASH. NO ACCIDENT YET, BUT WILL BE.

NHTSA ODI #10121127

Official recalls

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

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.