NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports96,000 miles · Jan 20, 2010
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE GEAR SHIFT REMAINED IN DRIVE. THE GEA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER, TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED NOT TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND THE GEAR SHIFT REMAINED IN DRIVE. THE GEAR SHIFT CONSOLE AND THE THROTTLE PLACE ASSEMBLY WERE ALSO REPAIRED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK SINCE A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO A LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
NHTSA ODI #10300475
70,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ARE DEFECTIVE. RECALL NUMBER 06V383000, LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES AND DOOR LATCH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DOOR LATCH STICKS AND THE DOOR REOPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCHES ARE DEFECTIVE. RECALL NUMBER 06V383000, LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES AND DOOR LATCH WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DOOR LATCH STICKS AND THE DOOR REOPENS WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE LOCKS AND LATCHES REPAIRED AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR COST IS $300 TO REPAIR EACH DOOR LATCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA ODI #10298761
77,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES RPMS DECREASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION, IT SURGED, JOLTED FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TRA…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLES RPMS DECREASED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE POSITION, IT SURGED, JOLTED FORWARD AND THEN BACKWARDS. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD MANUFACTURER BUT HE WAS TOLD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FIRST. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10298684
58,000 miles · Jan 3, 2010
Power Train
FORD FREESTYLE 2005 LIMITED EDITION THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACEMENT HOWEVER PART WAS BACK ORDERED FOR 6 MONTHS AND NOW THEY DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT PART. I HAD A HEATED THROTTLE BODY THAT I PAID FOR ON THE CAR AND NOW THEY ARE SWITCHING IT TO A NON HEATED. SO IF I GO TO THE SNOW IM SOL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297849
78,000 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Power Train
PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BRAND NEW, AFTER 34,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT, LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, ANOTHER 30,000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE AGAIN; AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A HIGHWAY! THIS TECHNICALLY WILL BE THE 3RD TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE KEPT MAINTENANCE WITH THIS VEHICLE, HAD EVERY…
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PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE BRAND NEW, AFTER 34,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT, LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY, ANOTHER 30,000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE AGAIN; AS I WAS PULLING OUT ONTO A HIGHWAY! THIS TECHNICALLY WILL BE THE 3RD TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE KEPT MAINTENANCE WITH THIS VEHICLE, HAD EVERYTHING DONE AT THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE, I HAD JUST HAD MY 65,000/70,000 MILE CHECK AND WAS TOLD THE CAR HAD NOTHING WRONG WITH IT, AND 10,000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AGAIN! NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY $3000 TO HAVE IT FIXED AGAIN! THIS IS MORE THEN JUST FIX THE VEHICLE AND BE DONE WITH IT, WHO IS TO SAY IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND NEXT TIME MYSELF OR MY FAMILY WILL NOT BE SO LUCKY! THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PULL OUT ON A HIGHWAY AN YOUR VEHICLE JUST CREEPS OUT. NEED I SAY ANYMORE, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE TRANSMISSIONS. PEOPLE PAY ALOT OF MONEY TO HAVE A DECENT VEHICLE WE SHOULD NOT BE PAYING ALOT OF MONEY FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS NOT GOING TO MAKE US FEEL SAFE! PLEASE NOTE THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAPPENED AT ONLY 34,000 MILES. I WAS ALSO ASKED ABOUT THE SPEED, I HAD MY FOOT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR TO PULL OUT ON HIGHWAY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT HIT ANY SPEED, BUT WHEN IT CREPT OUT IT REACH A SPEED OF 30. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION IN THIS MATTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10295812
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
32,000 miles · Dec 10, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER LOCKING DEVICE, AND DOOR LATCH FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE DOOR WOULD NOT FULLY CLOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE WEATHER TEMPERATURES WERE COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE DRIVER SIDE POWER LOCKING DEVICE, AND DOOR LATCH FAILED TO FUNCTION. AS A CONSEQUENCE THE DOOR WOULD NOT FULLY CLOSE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE WEATHER TEMPERATURES WERE COOL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH). THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
NHTSA ODI #10295205
60,000 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 01/05/10 *BF UPDATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND HEADLIGHTS FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATED 01/05/10 *BF UPDATED 01/06/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10294986
40,000 miles · Nov 29, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE DID HAVE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 FREESTYLE AND IT WAS IN THE FORD REPAIR SHOP ON AND OFF FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT IN WE PAID TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BUT WHEN IT STARTED LINKING AGAIN WE REFUSED TO PAY EVEN THOUGH OUR WARRANTY…
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TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: WE DID HAVE A TERRIBLE PROBLEM WITH OUR 2005 FREESTYLE AND IT WAS IN THE FORD REPAIR SHOP ON AND OFF FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. THE FIRST TIME IT WENT IN WE PAID TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BUT WHEN IT STARTED LINKING AGAIN WE REFUSED TO PAY EVEN THOUGH OUR WARRANTY WAS UP AT THE TIME AND FORD AGREED NOT TO CHARGE US. AFTER CALLING FORD HEADQUARTERS TO COMPLAIN, THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP INTERVENED AND THEY ALSO GAVE US A LOANER CAR. I FIRST NOTICED A LEAK IN THE BACK (BUT I THINK IT WAS LEAKING MUCH LONGER THAN I REALIZED) AND THEY FIXED THE LEAK IN THE BACK AND THEN IT LEAKED IN THE FRONT. THIS WENT ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS BUT I MUST TELL YOU THAT THEY DID FINALLY FIX IT. SORRY TO SAY, WE DID HAVE IT BACK LAST SPRING FOR ANOTHER LEAK IN THE FRONT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. ALTHOUGH I HAD GONE ONLINE AND SAW THAT SEVERAL OWNERS OF FREESTYLES HAD THE SAME PROBLEM, FORD NEVER ADMITTED THAT THERE WAS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN BUT I THINK BY AGREEING TO FIX IT FOR FREE IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THERE WAS A FLAW. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM COLONIAL FORD IN DANBURY, CT AND THE WORK WAS ALL DONE IN THEIR REPAIR CENTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293810
34,000 miles · Nov 28, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO STARTED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF FOR VERY SHORT SECONDS. AS TIME PASSED ACCELERATIONS WERE STRONGER. I NOTICE THEY WERE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE IN REVERSE. A WEEK AGO AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE REVOLUTION WHEN UP QUICKLY AND I HIT A POLE . THE CAR REMAI…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ABOUT A MONTH AGO STARTED TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF FOR VERY SHORT SECONDS. AS TIME PASSED ACCELERATIONS WERE STRONGER. I NOTICE THEY WERE MORE NOTICEABLE WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL WHILE IN REVERSE. A WEEK AGO AS SOON AS I PUT THE CAR ON REVERSE REVOLUTION WHEN UP QUICKLY AND I HIT A POLE . THE CAR REMAINED ACCELERATE SO I TURNED IT OFF. HAVEN'T HAD THE TIME TO TAKE IT TO A SERVICE STATION TO CHECK IT OUT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293799
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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