IllustrationWHILE DRIVING CAR GIVES A SERIES OF KICKS, LOSS OF POWER AND CAR ENTERS LIMP MODE, MESSAGE STATES FAILSAFE MODE. ONCE YOU ARE ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD AND SAFELY PULL OVER NORMAL RESET BY TURNING CAR OFF AND TURNING BACK ON AND CAR IS ONCE AGAIN MOBILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVE MODE. *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 reportsINSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND PCM FAILURE WITH 2005 FORD FREESTYLE (TSB06-17-9). BOTH ITEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WILL NOT ASSUME OR ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR, THE RPNS WOULD GO UP. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE …
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TL- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD OR REVERSE DEPENDING ON THE GEAR, THE RPNS WOULD GO UP. ON ONE OCCASION THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM BUT THEY CHANGED THE CVT FLUID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59990. JP
2005 FORD FREESTYLE I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. FINALLY, AFTER "FLOORING IT", THE CAR MOVED SLOWLY. I DROVE HOME. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED, THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE AND THEN PUT IT INTO DRIVE. THE WRENCH LIGHT ON THE DASH CAME ON AND WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS, THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. FINALLY, AFTER "FLOORING IT", THE CAR MOVED SLOWLY. I DROVE HOME. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR AND RESTARTED, THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RAN DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND SAID IT WAS FINE. AFTER ABOUT A WEEK LATER, IT DID THE SAME THING AGAIN. *TR
WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE "THROTTLE BODY" WENT, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO MY VEHICLE. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS FIXED IN 2 DAYS, WITH A NEW "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY" BEING INSTALLED. ACCORDING T…
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WHILE DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE "THROTTLE BODY" WENT, LEAVING ME WITH NO POWER TO MY VEHICLE. WE WERE VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE BEEN INJURED OR INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN THE NEXT DAY TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS FIXED IN 2 DAYS, WITH A NEW "ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY" BEING INSTALLED. ACCORDING TO BOTH THE FORD WEBSITE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE, THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO AS THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE?? *TR
IN JULY OF 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW FORD FREESTYLE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, OR APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20,000 MILES (IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR THIS VERY ISSUE). FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS AN ENGINEERING ISSUE WHERE THE REAR CALIPERS ARE NOT RELEASING AND CAUSING PREMA…
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IN JULY OF 2005 I PURCHASED A NEW FORD FREESTYLE. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED EVERY 6 MONTHS, OR APPROXIMATELY EVERY 20,000 MILES (IT'S BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR THIS VERY ISSUE). FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS AN ENGINEERING ISSUE WHERE THE REAR CALIPERS ARE NOT RELEASING AND CAUSING PREMATURE WEAR ON THE REAR BRAKE PADS. THEY ISSUED A RECALL "FIX" FOR THIS IN NOVEMBER OF 2007. WELL . . . 20,000 MILES LATER- IT'S STILL NOT FIXED. THE DEALER, NOW ON 8/21/08, REFUSES TO REPAIR THE REAR BRAKES EVEN THOUGH FAULTY ENGINEERING OR FAULTY PARTS (OR BOTH) WERE USED. THIS PROBLEM IS ONGOING AND THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF DATES THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED: 2/22/06, 7/20/06, 4/4/07, 8/2/07, 9/17/07, 11/26/07. *TR
06/05/08 DURING IDLE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD, MUST EXERT EXTREME PRESSURE ON BRAKE TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. WRENCH LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WILL BE DISPLAYED. VEHICLE WILL THEN FAIL TO ACCELERATE WHEN THROTTLE APPLIED BUT THEN LUNGES FORWARD AGAIN WHEN THROTTLE RELEASED. VERY DANGEROU…
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06/05/08 DURING IDLE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD, MUST EXERT EXTREME PRESSURE ON BRAKE TO PREVENT ACCIDENT. WRENCH LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE WILL BE DISPLAYED. VEHICLE WILL THEN FAIL TO ACCELERATE WHEN THROTTLE APPLIED BUT THEN LUNGES FORWARD AGAIN WHEN THROTTLE RELEASED. VERY DANGEROUS - ALMOST STRUCK PEDESTRIAN! THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES BUT VEHICLE WILL RESET AFTER ENGINE IS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP - NO CODES WERE FOUND UPON RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TEST. OCCURRED AGAIN ON 8/3/08 AND ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THIS TIME ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP - DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOW IT TO BE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM. *TR
WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 10 TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS AND EVERYTIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM…
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WHILE STOPPED WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR SURGES FORWARD AND THE RPMS INCREASE DRAMATICALLY. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHILE ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN 10 TIMES. THE CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS AND EVERYTIME WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND THEREFORE CAN NOT FIX IT. IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS VEHICLE LUNGES INTO CROSS TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT. *TR
I BOUGHT A 2005 FREESTYLE AND HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRES AT 19000 MILES TRIED TO FIND SNOW TIRES AND HAD BEEN TOLD THAT THERE'S NO SUCH THING MADE FOR THIS VEHICLE. JUST STREET TREAD WHAT ABOUT THAT , AND I HAD TO GIVE A ARM AND LEG TO BUY A SET OF NEW TIRES FOR THIS THING. *TR
NO ONE WAS INJURED, THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD TO HAVE A BATTERY REPLACED AND UPON REPLACEMENT THE CAR STARTED BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS,. THE DEALERSHIP (B.J. FORD, LIBERTY, TEXAS) SAID THE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $440.00. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL WEBSITES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEF…
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NO ONE WAS INJURED, THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAD TO HAVE A BATTERY REPLACED AND UPON REPLACEMENT THE CAR STARTED BUT THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NO LONGER FUNCTIONS,. THE DEALERSHIP (B.J. FORD, LIBERTY, TEXAS) SAID THE CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $440.00. I HAVE RESEARCHED SEVERAL WEBSITES AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT. YOUR AGENCIES OWN NHSTA ACTION NUMBER: PE07058 ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. I FEEL FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ISSUE. IT IS EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE AND IT SEEMS TO BE A PREVALENT ISSUE WITH THE 2005-06 FREESTYLE MODELS. *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.