IllustrationWATER LEAKING ON DRIVERS SIDE HEAD AROUND MOONROOF, SOAKING DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR, POURING OUT OF DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WHEN OPENED, COLLECTING IN SPARE TIRE WELL. AFTER 4 VISITS TO DEALER, STILL UNABLE TO REPAIR. *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
What owners actually said
1,459 reportsAT VARIOUS TIMES THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE (PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, INTO A PARKING LOT, IDLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC). FAILURE STARTED OCCURRING AROUND 40,000 MILES. 8/2009 VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH A USED ONE …
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AT VARIOUS TIMES THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE (PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, INTO A PARKING LOT, IDLING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC). FAILURE STARTED OCCURRING AROUND 40,000 MILES. 8/2009 VEHICLE SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING. TOWED TO REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WITH A USED ONE AS A NEW PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE (APPARENTLY WAS IN A REDESIGN PHASE) WE ARE NOW (7/2010) EXPERIENCING THE SAME SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS WE HAD PRIOR TO IT SHUTTING DOWN IN AUGUST OF 2009. *TR
CAR LURCHES WHEN PUT INTO GEAR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN W…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACTIVATING THE AIR CONDITIONER, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. SPORADICALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHEN THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING AND LURCHING WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. WHILE STOPPED BUT IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, ONCE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE WRENCH LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE. TOOK …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN SURGING AND LURCHING WITHOUT DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL. WHILE STOPPED BUT IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, ONCE FOOT IS REMOVED FROM BRAKE PEDAL, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, THE WRENCH LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT WENT INTO FAILSAFE MODE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE PART WON'T BE IN STOCK UNTIL AUGUST AND THE DEALER IS RECOMMENDING THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE THROTTLE BODY IS REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT HAD A PEDESTRIAN BEEN IN FRONT OF OR BEHIND MY CAR WHEN IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING AND WITHOUT THE GAS PEDAL BEING PUSHED. *TR
05 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN REVERSE AND/OR WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON. CAR BEGAN STALLING WHILE DRIVING. AUTO MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD FOR MANY MONTHS. VERY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING CAR CAN STALL OR SURGE AT ANY MO…
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05 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS, PARTICULARLY IN REVERSE AND/OR WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON. CAR BEGAN STALLING WHILE DRIVING. AUTO MECHANIC INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE WAS A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BUT NOT AVAILABLE FROM FORD FOR MANY MONTHS. VERY DANGEROUS CONSIDERING CAR CAN STALL OR SURGE AT ANY MOMENT. *TR
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE STARTED SURGING AND THEN CUTTING OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STARTING UP, ONCE IN DRIVE AND ONCE IN REVERSE. THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 4 DAYS. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER IMMEDIATELY. WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE CAR COULD CUT OFF WHILE…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE STARTED SURGING AND THEN CUTTING OFF. THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS STARTING UP, ONCE IN DRIVE AND ONCE IN REVERSE. THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THIS HAPPENED TWICE WITHIN 4 DAYS. TOOK CAR TO FORD DEALER IMMEDIATELY. WAS ADVISED THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THE CAR COULD CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC EVEN AT 60 MPH. WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THE PART IS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. RESEARCH ON FORD FORUM AND OTHER WEB SITES INDICATES THAT THIS IS A HUGELY PERVASIVE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THAT THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL NOTICE. CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN AS IT WOULD POSE A SERIOUS HIGHWAY SAFETY ISSUE. TOOK VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER TODAY AND AM WAITING TO SEE IF THEY WILL PROVIDE A LOANER. STILL NOT SURE WHAT TYPE OF COOPERATION I WILL RECEIVE FROM FORD IN TERMS OF A LOANER OR WHEN THE PROBLEM WILL BE CORRECTED BECAUSE OF THIS "NATIONAL BACKORDER" OF THE PART. I'M LEERY ABOUT THE NATIONAL BACKORDER BECAUSE I READ ON ONE BLOG THAT THE COMPANY THAT MADE THE PART IS OUT OF BUSINESS. THIS COULD GO ON FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG. *TR
I WAS PARKED WITH THE CAR IN PARK. I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I HAD TO TURN IT AROUND FIRST. I PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE FORWARD A LITTLE. STOPPED PUT IN REVERSE, DROVE BACKWARDS A LITTLE THEN PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND JUST AS I WAS STOPPING CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING MY DEEP FREEZER. THE CAR HAS ACTED LIKE IT WANTE…
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I WAS PARKED WITH THE CAR IN PARK. I WENT TO PUT THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. I HAD TO TURN IT AROUND FIRST. I PUT CAR IN DRIVE AND DROVE FORWARD A LITTLE. STOPPED PUT IN REVERSE, DROVE BACKWARDS A LITTLE THEN PUT BACK IN DRIVE AND JUST AS I WAS STOPPING CAR LURCHED FORWARD, HITTING MY DEEP FREEZER. THE CAR HAS ACTED LIKE IT WANTED TO GO FORWARD BEFORE WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKES LIGHTLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES BUT, TODAY WAS THE WORST. *TR
I WAS BACKING UP WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH AND DID NOT WANT TO STOP. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND SAW THAT THE CEL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DASH DISPLAYED FAIL SAFE MODE. CONTINUED TO BACK UP CAREFULLY AND THEN WHEN DRIVING FORWARD THE CAR DIED. TURNED KEY OFF WAITING A FEW SECONDS STARTED THE CAR U…
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I WAS BACKING UP WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO LURCH AND DID NOT WANT TO STOP. I SLAMMED ON THE BREAKS AND SAW THAT THE CEL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE DASH DISPLAYED FAIL SAFE MODE. CONTINUED TO BACK UP CAREFULLY AND THEN WHEN DRIVING FORWARD THE CAR DIED. TURNED KEY OFF WAITING A FEW SECONDS STARTED THE CAR UP AGAIN AND WENT DIRECTLY TO AN AUTO PARTS STORE SO THAT I COULD READ THE STORED CODE. NOTHING SHOWED UP SO I STARTED THE VEHICLE UP PUT INTO REVERSE AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN SO I GRABBED THE CODE READER AND IT DISPLAYED P061B AND P2106. AFTER DOING SOME INVESTIGATION IT LOOKS AS IF THE THROTTLE BODY IS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, AND FROM ALL OF THE READING I HAVE DONE I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS ALSO COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT THIS PART IS ON A NATIONAL BACK ORDER FROM FORD. WITH ALL OF THAT INFO, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL TO FIX THIS WIDESPREAD ISSUE. *TR
STARTED CAR AND PUT IN GEAR THEN IT LUNGED FORWARD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. TURNED CAR OFF FOR A MOMENT (15 SECONDS) TURNED BACK ON PUT IN REVERSE AND IT LUNGED BACKWARDS INTO A POLE (THANK GOD SOMEONE WASN'T BEHIND ME). FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE LIGHT CAME ON, A WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE ALSO SHOWED UP. AS OF NOW CAR IS BEING TOWED TO DEAL…
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STARTED CAR AND PUT IN GEAR THEN IT LUNGED FORWARD WITH FOOT ON BRAKE. TURNED CAR OFF FOR A MOMENT (15 SECONDS) TURNED BACK ON PUT IN REVERSE AND IT LUNGED BACKWARDS INTO A POLE (THANK GOD SOMEONE WASN'T BEHIND ME). FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE LIGHT CAME ON, A WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE ALSO SHOWED UP. AS OF NOW CAR IS BEING TOWED TO DEALER. IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. 96 K MILES. *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.