NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports65,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Power Train
CVT TRANSMISSION FOR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT 65,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE AND CHECKED AT 61,000. THE FAILURE INCLUDED PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION PIERCING THE OUTER CASING AND DEPOSITING METAL PARTS ON THE DRIVEWAY ALONG WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FLUID. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATIONS (…
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CVT TRANSMISSION FOR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD CATASTROPHIC FAILURE AT 65,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS FINE AND CHECKED AT 61,000. THE FAILURE INCLUDED PIECES OF THE TRANSMISSION PIERCING THE OUTER CASING AND DEPOSITING METAL PARTS ON THE DRIVEWAY ALONG WITH A GREAT DEAL OF FLUID. THE VEHICLE DID NOT SHOW ANY INDICATIONS (LIGHTS, SHIFTING OR ANYTHING ELSE) THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN JEOPARDY. MY WORRY WOULD BE FOR OTHERS IS THAT IF THE CORE OF THE TRANSMISSION PIERCED THE CASE IT COULD HAVE ENTERED THE PASSENGER CABIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344687
55,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55000.
NHTSA ODI #10344670
70,000 miles · Jul 22, 2010
Electrical System
ALL GAUGES STOPPED WORKING AND BACK-UP LIGHTS ON WHEN IGNITION IS ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344665
75,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED AT AN ESTIMATE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND ENGAGING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS. A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED HER TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO BE REPAIRED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1000 SINCE THERE WAS NO WARRANTY OR RELATED RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED STATING THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000.
NHTSA ODI #10344520
55,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN GEAR. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT NEVER FIXED. DEALER NOW TELLS ME THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY BUT HE IS NOT ABLE TO GET ONE FROM FORD AS THEY ARE BACK ORDERED. NOW I'M FORCED TO USE A CAR WHICH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID WAS DANGEROUS.…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN GEAR. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT NEVER FIXED. DEALER NOW TELLS ME THAT IT NEEDS A THROTTLE BODY BUT HE IS NOT ABLE TO GET ONE FROM FORD AS THEY ARE BACK ORDERED. NOW I'M FORCED TO USE A CAR WHICH THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER SAID WAS DANGEROUS. I CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO RENT AND MY FORD ESP WON'T REIMBURSE UNTIL THE REPAIR IS COMPLETED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344470
31,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING LOT IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, I APPLIED THE BRAKES TO LET ANOTHER CAR PASS. THE ACCELERATOR REVVED AS IF I WERE FLOORING IT, EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS NOT ON IT, REQUIRING ME TO STAND ON THE BRAKE TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE OTHER CAR. THE ENGINE THEN DIED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344462
118,354 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE THE CAR SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT MY EVER HAVING TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. I SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. MY CAR STALLED AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE C…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND HAD COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE THE CAR SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT MY EVER HAVING TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR. I SLAMMED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME. MY CAR STALLED AND I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344312
59,800 miles · Jul 20, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TWO INCIDENTS - WHILE MANEUVERING AT PARKING LOTS (EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE AROUND 100 DEGREES), VEHICLE'S ENGINE SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND A SECOND TIME BACKWARD. HAD TO APPLY HEAVY BREAKING TO AVOID HITTING A TREE IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND OTHER CARS ON THE SECOND INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND…
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TWO INCIDENTS - WHILE MANEUVERING AT PARKING LOTS (EXTERNAL TEMPERATURE AROUND 100 DEGREES), VEHICLE'S ENGINE SURGED AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND A SECOND TIME BACKWARD. HAD TO APPLY HEAVY BREAKING TO AVOID HITTING A TREE IN THE FIRST INCIDENT AND OTHER CARS ON THE SECOND INCIDENT. AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND THE MESSAGE ENGINE SAFE MODE APPEARED IN THE PANEL. AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND ON AGAIN, THE PROBLEM DISAPPEARED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344176
70,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Fuel System, Other
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHILE PUTTING IN GEAR, EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE THEN THE AC IS RUNNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IDLED VERY HIGH WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 70,000 MILES AND NOW HAVE 74,000 AND IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT C…
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VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHILE PUTTING IN GEAR, EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. PROBLEM SEEMS WORSE THEN THE AC IS RUNNING. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES AND IDLED VERY HIGH WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK. THIS STARTED HAPPENING AROUND 70,000 MILES AND NOW HAVE 74,000 AND IS HAPPENING QUITE OFTEN. I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE MONTHS BEFORE THE THROTTLE BODY PART WILL BE IN AND THAT IT HAS TO BE PRE PAID BEFORE IT CAN BE ORDERED. THE PART IS AROUND $500 AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE LABOR. I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH FORD AND THEY ARE GOING TO TRY AND EXPEDITE THE PART, BUT CAN NOT MAKE ANY PROMISES. I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344117
47,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FORWARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING SLOWLY BACK AND FORTH INTO A PARKING SPOT. SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER THE IDLE SURGES, THE IDLE WILL ALSO SUDDENLY DROP, AND NOW AT TIMES IT EVEN STALLS. THE SURGE CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND I'M FORCED TO MODULATE THE BRAKES TO AVOID UN…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FORWARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING SLOWLY BACK AND FORTH INTO A PARKING SPOT. SOMETIMES RIGHT AFTER THE IDLE SURGES, THE IDLE WILL ALSO SUDDENLY DROP, AND NOW AT TIMES IT EVEN STALLS. THE SURGE CAUSES THE CAR TO ACCELERATE AND I'M FORCED TO MODULATE THE BRAKES TO AVOID UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE CAR. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN CONDITIONS ARE WARM, THE CAR IS WARM, AND THE AC IS ON. I HAVE TAKEN THIS CAR TO FORD IN THE PAST, AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO CORRECT IT. I AM TAKING IT IN AGAIN AS THE STALLING PROBLEM HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED. WHEN I GOOGLED FOR PROBLEMS WITH FORD FREESTYLES DOING THIS, I FOUND OTHERS HAVE REGISTERED COMPLAINTS EXACTLY THE SAME AS MINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10344092
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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