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
What owners actually said
1,459 reports
85,000 miles · Feb 9, 2011
Power Train
CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN MY FREESTYLE 2005 AT 83000 MILES. THE CAR HAS GONE INTO A "SAFE" TRANSMISSION MODE OR JUST STOPPED ALMOST EVERY MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS. FORD WANTED $ 6500 TO PUT IN AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REBUILT IT. SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRES…
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CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN MY FREESTYLE 2005 AT 83000 MILES. THE CAR HAS GONE INTO A "SAFE" TRANSMISSION MODE OR JUST STOPPED ALMOST EVERY MONTH FOR 6 MONTHS. FORD WANTED $ 6500 TO PUT IN AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REBUILT IT. SAME PROBLEM IS HAPPENING AGAIN. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS WITH THE TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURER AND FIGURE THIS OUT OR PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION - THAT IS NO LONGER BEING USED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10381303
5,000 miles · Feb 1, 2011
Electrical SystemLatches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LATCH ON ALL FOUR DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE SECURELY WHICH RESULTED IN THE DOORS OPENING EVEN WHEN IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES WHERE THEY SPRAYED A SOLUTION ON THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. ALS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DOOR LATCH ON ALL FOUR DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE SECURELY WHICH RESULTED IN THE DOORS OPENING EVEN WHEN IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOUR TIMES WHERE THEY SPRAYED A SOLUTION ON THE DOOR LATCH MECHANISM. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE NHSTA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DOORS DO NOT CLOSE WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS 20F OR LOWER. WHEN THEY DID CLOSE, THEY WOULD OPEN WHILE MAKING A TURN. THE CONSUMER HAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER SPRAYED THE INSIDE DOOR. ALSO, THE ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 08/31/11...UPDATE 01/20/12 *BF STATUS UPDATE. UPDATE 01/25/12
NHTSA ODI #10379821
40,000 miles · Jan 31, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
REGARDING CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V383000 DEALER INSTALLED SHIELD OVER FRONT LATCHES. FIX DID NOT WORK. LATCH WON'T RESET CAN'T CLOSE DOOR ALSO WORRIED DOOR CAN POP OPEN. THE ORIGNAL FIX NEVER REALLY WORKED. HAPPENS EACH WINTER. GREASE HAS BEEN RE APPLIED TO LATCH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379723
133,000 miles · Jan 27, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY SECOND CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10379318
60,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR A YEAR THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS FOR A YEAR THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ON A INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL ON DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO DECELERATE THE VEHICLE IT SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO REPAIRED FOR THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FOR THIS FAILURE AS WELL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR FOR THE MENTIONED FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10378196
95,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Power Train
ALL WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE CAME UP. THE MESSAGE WOULD NOT CLEAR. REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY. RESULT IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ONLY, CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING IN SNOW OR SLICK STREETS. WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS A SENSOR AND WOULD COST $500.00 BUT EXPECT THAT PRICE TO SNOWBALL. PRICE WILL SNOWBALL?? WHAT KIND OD DIAGN…
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ALL WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTION MESSAGE CAME UP. THE MESSAGE WOULD NOT CLEAR. REMAINS ON CONSTANTLY. RESULT IS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE ONLY, CREATES UNSAFE DRIVING IN SNOW OR SLICK STREETS. WENT TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID IT WAS A SENSOR AND WOULD COST $500.00 BUT EXPECT THAT PRICE TO SNOWBALL. PRICE WILL SNOWBALL?? WHAT KIND OD DIAGNOSIS IS THAT. I WILL TRY TO FIX IT BUT IT WILL SURELY COST YOU A LOT MORE BECAUSE WE CAN'T PINPOINT THE EXACT CAUSE. IT COULD BE THIS, THAT, THAT, WE DON'T KNOW. WE WILL DO ALL THE WORK AND THEN TELL YOU WHAT THE BILL IS. IT COULD BE $7000.00. WOULD YOU LEAVE YOUR CAR AT THIS DEALERSHIP??? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10375088
76,000 miles · Dec 27, 2010
StructureSuspension
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. 76,000 MILES. RIGHT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM SHEERED OFF FROM FRAME AT MOUNTING POINT WHILE TRAVELING AT ~20 MPH ON RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE FAILURE POINT WAS THE SHEET METAL ON THE FRAME WHERE THE CONTROL ARM ATTACHES TO, NOT THE ACTUAL CONTROL ARM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372524
125,000 miles · Dec 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 FORD FREESTYLE-THE AC COMPRESSOR AND DRIER WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 93,000 MILES THROUGH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT ONLY COST ME 75.00 . NO BIG DEAL RIGHT. THE TOTAL BILL WAS NEARLY 1600.00 FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY. NOW AT 125,000 MILES, IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. NO WARRANTY. I'VE TO PAY. IT IS GOING TO COST ABOUT 1600.00. …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE-THE AC COMPRESSOR AND DRIER WAS REPLACED AT ABOUT 93,000 MILES THROUGH THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT ONLY COST ME 75.00 . NO BIG DEAL RIGHT. THE TOTAL BILL WAS NEARLY 1600.00 FOR THE WARRANTY COMPANY. NOW AT 125,000 MILES, IT HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. NO WARRANTY. I'VE TO PAY. IT IS GOING TO COST ABOUT 1600.00. NOW THEY CAN'T FIND A COMPRESSOR AND ARE BACK ORDERED UNTIL APRIL OF 2011. I HAVE NEVER HAD A COMPRESSOR GO OUT ON ANY OTHER CAR I HAVE OWNED. APPROXIMATELY 20 CARS IN THIRTY FIVE YEARS OF DRIVING. SEVERAL WITH OVER 250,000 MILES. IF AC COMPR. ARE ON BACK ORDER, MANY MUST BE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I NEED HELP. THIS IS A RIP OFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10372389
50,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN LOW SPEED THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD UNTIL EXTREME PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER SINCE THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10372256
80,000 miles · Dec 23, 2010
Power Train
THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. FIRST NOTICED SUMMER 2010. HAVE AROUND 80,000 MILES NOW. VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. RPM SPIKES DURING DRIVING EVERY DAY NO MATTER WHAT SPEED DRIVING TO 3K-4K. VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL. HAVE HIT THE SIDE OF MY GARAGE WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING AND BANGED UP …
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THIS HAPPENED AGAIN TODAY. FIRST NOTICED SUMMER 2010. HAVE AROUND 80,000 MILES NOW. VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD. RPM SPIKES DURING DRIVING EVERY DAY NO MATTER WHAT SPEED DRIVING TO 3K-4K. VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS AS WELL. HAVE HIT THE SIDE OF MY GARAGE WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WHILE PARKING AND BANGED UP THE BUMPER PRETTY BAD AS WELL AS GARAGE. VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD DURING SUMMER WHEN AC WAS ON, ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR, BUT SEEMS TO HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF AC OR HEAT ON OR OFF. FORD DEALER REPORTED NO PROBLEM DURING LAST CHECK UP. COULD IT BE THE CVT. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED! I DON'T FEEL SAFE AND I'M PLANNING TO GIVE VEHICLE TO MY SON NEXT YEAR. PLEASE HELP! *LN
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.
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
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.
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