NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reportsMileage unknown · Nov 26, 2009
Structure
A DEFECT IN FORD FREESTYLE 2005. BASICALLY, INTERIOR LEAK THAT IS HIDDEN UNTIL A PERSON HAS A NEED TO LOOK AT THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK AREA. I NOTICED MOISTURE MONTHS AGO, BUT FIGURED THAT IT WAS RAIN WATER THAT FELL IN WHEN I OPENED THE HATCH. RECENTLY, I NEEDED TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND FIGURED THAT IT WAS TIME …
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A DEFECT IN FORD FREESTYLE 2005. BASICALLY, INTERIOR LEAK THAT IS HIDDEN UNTIL A PERSON HAS A NEED TO LOOK AT THE SPARE TIRE IN THE TRUNK AREA. I NOTICED MOISTURE MONTHS AGO, BUT FIGURED THAT IT WAS RAIN WATER THAT FELL IN WHEN I OPENED THE HATCH. RECENTLY, I NEEDED TO BRING MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE AND FIGURED THAT IT WAS TIME TO VACUUM, ETC., SINCE I MAINTAIN MY PROPERTY. SURE ENOUGH, THERE HAS BEEN RUSTING AND ROTTING--HIDDEN--FOR A LONG TIME. THE CARPETS WERE WETTER--AND SINCE I DRIVE WITH SHOES ON, I NEVER DETECTED THE MOISTURE THROUGHOUT THE FLOOR AREA--FROM DRIVING AREA DOWN TO THE TRUNK--MOSTLY ALONG THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE IS TREMENDOUS RUST ON THE SPARE AND IN THE SPARE COMPARTMENT--THE CARPETING IS MOLDY UNDERNEATH AND THE FLOOR BOARD HAS BEEN DESTROYED BY RECURRENT WATER DAMAGE/MOLD. I NOTICED THAT BROWN MARKS ON THE CARPET WERE NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR BUT RUST STAINS. THIS WOULD REMAIN A HIDDEN PROBLEM IF I DID NOT ACTUALLY PULL UP SOME CARPET AND LOOK. I CHECKED ON-LINE AND THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN OF TREMENDOUS LEAKAGE--THROUGHOUT THE 2005 MODEL. MANY OF THESE CANNOT BE FOUND OR REPAIRED. THIS CAN LEAD TO SERIOUS MOLD AND RUST DAMAGE AS WELL AS DAMAGE TO LIFE SAVING FEATURES SUCH AS BRAKES, ETC. THE CAR RECEIVED A GREAT REVIEW SO MY EX-HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED IT. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THEY WOULD NOT EVEN CONSIDER HELPING ME HERE SINCE I REPORTED THE PROBLEM AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. MIND YOU, IF I HAD MONEY FOR A FORENSIC SCIENTIST TO ASSESS THE DAWN OF THE DAMAGE, I AM SURE THAT THE RUST WOULD TELL A TALE THAT CLAIMS LEAKAGE HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE FOR YEARS. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CARS SEEM TO BE TIME BOMBS WAITING TO DECONSTRUCT. THERE ARE MANY ON-LINE SITES WHERE PEOPLE REPORT LEAKAGE. THERE ARE MANY T.B.A.S FOR THIS VEHICLE BUT LEAKAGE IS NOT ONE OF THEM, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DEAL UNLESS FORCED TO DO SO. I READ AT LEAST 50 DESCRIPTIONS OF WATER/LEAKAGE TO BODY/ROTTING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293654
64,000 miles · Nov 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE REAR BRAKE PADS NO MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CONTINUE TO FAIL, I AM ON MY 4TH SET WITH ONLY 64,000 MILES . INTERESTINGLY THE FRONT BRAKE PADS APPEAR ALMOST NEW. FORD WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF THESE BRAKES AND HOLD THAT REPLACING THE REAR BRAKES EVERY 15-20,000 MILES IS NORMAL FOR THIS MODEL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10293061
78,000 miles · Nov 9, 2009
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE 3.0 LITER V6. UNCOMMANDED HIGH REVS WHICH CAN LAUNCH THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY IF ONE DOES NOT HAVE THEIR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. PROBLEM IN LINKED TO THE AUTOTHROTTLE BODY. ALSO ACTIVATES ENGINE LIGHT. PART ON ORDER, HOWEVER FORD HAS PUSHED BACK THE DATE OF SUPPLY OF PART SEVERAL TIMES. I BELIEVE THAT TH…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE 3.0 LITER V6. UNCOMMANDED HIGH REVS WHICH CAN LAUNCH THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY IF ONE DOES NOT HAVE THEIR FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. PROBLEM IN LINKED TO THE AUTOTHROTTLE BODY. ALSO ACTIVATES ENGINE LIGHT. PART ON ORDER, HOWEVER FORD HAS PUSHED BACK THE DATE OF SUPPLY OF PART SEVERAL TIMES. I BELIEVE THAT THE PART SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR SAFETY REASONS DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF ACCIDENT BY THE CAR'S UNCOMMANDED HIGH REVOLUTIONS AND THE POSSIBILITY OF THE CAR LURCHING FORWARD OR BACK AND IMPACTING AN OBJECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10291547
48,100 miles · Oct 30, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. HE WAS ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, AND THE TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,900. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,100. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10290353
78,000 miles · Oct 2, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE GEAR OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY; HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS WERE ON BACK…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. HE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE GEAR OR AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY; HOWEVER, AFTER THE REPAIR WAS MADE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STALL. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND A TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE REPAIR PARTS WERE ON BACK ORDER; THEREFORE, NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000.
NHTSA ODI #10286126
42,130 miles · Oct 1, 2009
Vehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING, THE RPMS INCREASED 2500 TO 3000 WITHOUT VEHICLE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 42130.
NHTSA ODI #10285984
34,000 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD FREESTYLE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT 15K IN MARCH OF 07 PER CUSTOMER AND TSB THEN ONE YEAR LATER AT 8K MORE DOWN TO YELLOW AND FORD NOTED TO WATCH. YEAR LATER IN SEPTEMBER 09 NOW 8K MORE BRAKES ONCE AGAIN IN RED! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285542
35,000 miles · Sep 27, 2009
Power Train
I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT, AFTER STOPPING, TO ENTER A TWO LANE STREET WITH TRAFFIC BOTH WAYS. SOMEHOW THE CVT TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO REMAIN IN HIGH GEAR. I CREPT OUT INTO TRAFFIC AT A SLOW CRAWL WITH HORNS HONKING AND TIRES SCREECHING. I WAS LUCK IT IS A SMALL TOWN AND I WASN'T HIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285437
4,108 miles · Sep 26, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD JERK AND ALMOST STALL, THEN WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WOULD STALL, WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND THE PUT INTO DRIVE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME , THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOX, I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND I NEVER HEARD OF THIS,…
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WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT IN REVERSE THE CAR WOULD JERK AND ALMOST STALL, THEN WHEN SHIFTED TO DRIVE THE CAR WOULD STALL, WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF AND THE PUT INTO DRIVE THE CAR RAN ROUGH, I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME , THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOX, I AM A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, AND I NEVER HEARD OF THIS, I HAD TAKEN THE CAR BACK, TO THE DEALER AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY FOUND OUT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE IN STOCK, THEY SEARCHED ACROSS THE COUNTRY , NOT ONE TO BE FOUND , THEY CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY , THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE EITHER, THEY SAID THEY ARE TRYING TO FIND SOMEONE TO MAKE THE PART, , IT IS A DIE CAST PART, THEN IT HAS TO BE MACHINED THEN FITTED WITH THE SENSORS, , WIRE PORTS AND VACUUM SOCKETS HAVE TO BE MACHINED, THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO CALL ME SEPT 30, 09 TO LET ME KNOW THE STATUS, I HAVE A VERY BAD FEELING ABOUT THIS, I CAN ALMOST GUARANTEE THE PART IS NOT GOING TO BE RIGHT, AS OF SEPT 30 09 THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR TWO MONTHS, I THINK THEY ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL MY EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRES, THEN THE CAR IS GOOD FOR NOTHING BUT A PLANTER IN THE FRONT YARD, I HAVE TERMINAL BRAIN CANCER AND NEED MY CAR TO CARRY MY WHEEL CHAIR AROUND, THE DEALER FIRST GAVE ME A FOCUS, THEN A TAURUS, I STILL CANT LIFT MY WHEEL CHAIR TO LAY IT FLAT IN THE TRUNK, I HAVE ASKED FOR SOMETHING COMPARABLE TO MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE, , WHICH I JUST LIFT MY CHAIR STRAIT UP AND PUT IT IN, BUT WHAT THIS WHOLE PROBLEM HAS CREATED, IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM, IF THIS PART LETS GO ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR WILL JERK THE WHEELS WILL LOCK UP AND HOPEFULLY THE CAR BEHIND IS WATCHING , OTHERWISE , THIS IS GOING TO BE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10285339
25,000 miles · Sep 23, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE WILL DROP TO ZERO AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. I PAID $109 FOR FORD TO TELL ME IT WILL COST $500 TO FIX FAULTY FUEL MODULES WHICH IS KNOWN BY FORD TO BE FAULTY IN 2006. THEY WILL NOT FIX IT AT THERE COST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10284994
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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