NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports32,525 miles · Feb 19, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PREMATURE WEAR ON THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES WERE CHANGE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 13,000 MILES BY FORD. NOW AT 32,500 MILES THE REAR BRAKES ARE DOWN TO THE ROTOR. THE DEALER AND FORD TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A ONE TIME DEAL. APPARENTLY THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES OR ELSE THEY WOULD NOT OFFER A…
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PREMATURE WEAR ON THE REAR DISC BRAKES. THE REAR BRAKES WERE CHANGE UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AT 13,000 MILES BY FORD. NOW AT 32,500 MILES THE REAR BRAKES ARE DOWN TO THE ROTOR. THE DEALER AND FORD TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A ONE TIME DEAL. APPARENTLY THEY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR BRAKES OR ELSE THEY WOULD NOT OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THEM. ONE SERVICE REP TOLD ME THAT 20,000 MILES ON REAR BRAKES IS NORMAL AND ANOTHER TOLD ME THAT YOU SHOULD GET 2 FRONT BRAKE PADS TO 1 REAR BRAKE PAD. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT I HAD WAS THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE GAUGES WOULD ALL GO TO ZERO. IT TOOK 4 TIMES AND 8 DAYS TO THE DEALER ACROSS A SPAN OF 6 MONTHS FOR THEM TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THANKS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10218531
36,800 miles · Feb 13, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ON DECEMBER 22, 2007 MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CAR WAS MAKING NOISE ON MY ENTIRE 30 MILE TRIP TO WORK. I TOOK A GUY FROM WORK FOR A RIDE AND HE TOLD ME HE WAS PRETTY SURE IT WAS MY REAR BRAKES. THE CAR WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED, I HAD APPROX. 36, 800 MILES ON IT. WE TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST PLACE WHO COULD LOOK AT IT RIGHT AWAY, …
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ON DECEMBER 22, 2007 MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CAR WAS MAKING NOISE ON MY ENTIRE 30 MILE TRIP TO WORK. I TOOK A GUY FROM WORK FOR A RIDE AND HE TOLD ME HE WAS PRETTY SURE IT WAS MY REAR BRAKES. THE CAR WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED, I HAD APPROX. 36, 800 MILES ON IT. WE TOOK IT TO THE CLOSEST PLACE WHO COULD LOOK AT IT RIGHT AWAY, THIS WAS AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY REAR BRAKES, ROTORS AND 1 CALIPER REQUIRED REPLACING. THE CALIPER HAD LOCKED UP AND I HAD NO BRAKE PADS LEFT. THEY ALSO TOLD MY HUSBAND THAT I WAS VERY LUCKY I DIDN'T DRIVE MUCH FARTHER AS IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. THE SHOP SAID IT LOOKED LIKE I HAD BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I NEVER USE MY PARKING BRAKE AND THERE IS A LARGE LIGHT THAT COMES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN IT IS ON! UPON URGING FROM FRIENDS WHO COULDN'T BELIEVE HOW EARLY THE REAR BRAKES NEEDING REPLACING I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND SO MANY FORUMS AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT PROBLEM. I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY AND I HAD I NOT GONE TO THE CLOSEST PLACE. FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT TOLD ME THEY HAD A "CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PLAN" IN PLACE FOR THIS ISSUE. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE MY RECEIPT FOR THE REPAIR TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY WOULD SUBMIT IT FOR REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED PRIOR TO DEC. 31, 2007. EVEN THOUGH I WAS OVER 36K. FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT JUST INFORMED ME TODAY THAT THEY WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME BECAUSE THE DEALER DID NOT DO THE REPAIRS. I CAN NOT BELIEVE FORD KNOWS OF THIS MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND HAS NOT ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL. WHEN THE SUPERVISOR AT FORD CUSTOMER SUPPORT TOLD ME I SHOULD HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER INSTEAD OF THE CLOSEST PLACE I ASKED HIM "WHAT IF I WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT AND DIED ON THE WAY TO THE FORD DEALER?" HIS RESPONSE WAS..."I DON'T KNOW, I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL". SAFETY AND CONCERN FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS IS OBVIOUSLY NOT A BIG CONCERN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10217946
15,000 miles · Jan 18, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES BY DEALER IN LESS THAN 37,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10215401
65,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 65000 MILES ON INTERSTATE. WOULD NOT WORK IN ANY GEAR. $1500+ TO REBUILD. COMMON PROBLEM WITH FREESTARS AND WINDSTARS ACCORDING TO FORD FORUMS.*CN
NHTSA ODI #10213457
31,252 miles · Dec 27, 2007
Power Train
MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AT 8 AM WHEN IT STOPPED MOVING, IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. MY VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED AWAY ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS AT A FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO NEED AN ENTIRE…
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MY HUSBAND WAS BACKING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE OUT OF THE GARAGE AT 8 AM WHEN IT STOPPED MOVING, IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. MY VEHICLE HAS 31,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED AWAY ON A FLAT BED TOW TRUCK AND 2 DAYS OF DIAGNOSTICS AT A FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP IT WAS FOUND TO NEED AN ENTIRELY NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE 6 FAILURE CODES INSIDE MY CVT TRANSMISSION. I CONTACTED FORD CORP. SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY REFUSED TO ASSIST IN COSTS AS MY 3 YEARS HAD EXPIRED EVEN THOUGH AT 30,000 MILES I HAD COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DEALER STATES $5600.00 TO REPLACE. I HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 TIRES AT 23,000 MILES AS MANUFACTURER CONTINENTAL TIRES HAD WORN OUT, POWER STEERING LINE BROKE AT 30,000 MILES. VEHICLE IS SOLELY USED FOR FAMILY TRANSPORTATION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10212938
Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKE PREMATURE WEAR, ROTORS WARPED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10211241
1,000 miles · Dec 5, 2007
Latches/locks/linkages
REAR DOORS FAIL TO LATCH IN COLD WEATHER. THE FRONT DOORS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS REPAIRED UNDER A FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL IN 2006 THAT FOCUSED ON ABOUT 20 NORTHERN STATES, WASHINGTON WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LETTER. REPAIRS WERE DONE ON THE FRONT DOORS IN WA. STATE ON OWNERS REQUEST. THE REAR DOORS SUFFER THE SAM…
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REAR DOORS FAIL TO LATCH IN COLD WEATHER. THE FRONT DOORS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS REPAIRED UNDER A FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL IN 2006 THAT FOCUSED ON ABOUT 20 NORTHERN STATES, WASHINGTON WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL LETTER. REPAIRS WERE DONE ON THE FRONT DOORS IN WA. STATE ON OWNERS REQUEST. THE REAR DOORS SUFFER THE SAME LATCHING FAILURE THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. 2005 FORD FREESTYLES THAT MOVE NORTH FROM SOUTHERN STATES WILL LIKELY SUFFER FRONT AND REAR DOOR LATCHING PROBLEMS IN WINTER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10210862
38,000 miles · Sep 27, 2007
Structure
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 30,000 MILES IN DEC 2006. AT 38,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL FLARES AND ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS DULLING. IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THE TIRES WERE CAUSING DIRT AND MUD TO SAND BLAST THESE AREAS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT I…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 30,000 MILES IN DEC 2006. AT 38,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE BACK OF THE WHEEL FLARES AND ALONG THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE WAS DULLING. IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE THE TIRES WERE CAUSING DIRT AND MUD TO SAND BLAST THESE AREAS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS OUT WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I AM WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10204275
20,000 miles · Sep 19, 2007
Tires
PURCHASED 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN LATE 2005. IN EARLY 2007, WITH APPROXIMATELY 17,000 (YES, ONLY 17K) MILES ON THE VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP STARTING TELLING ME THAT I'LL NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT NEW TIRES IN THE NEXT 1-2 OIL CHANGES (WHICH IS 3-6,000 MILES). I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 24K MILES AND I DO NEED NEW TIRES. THESE TIR…
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PURCHASED 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN LATE 2005. IN EARLY 2007, WITH APPROXIMATELY 17,000 (YES, ONLY 17K) MILES ON THE VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP STARTING TELLING ME THAT I'LL NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT NEW TIRES IN THE NEXT 1-2 OIL CHANGES (WHICH IS 3-6,000 MILES). I NOW HAVE APPROXIMATELY 24K MILES AND I DO NEED NEW TIRES. THESE TIRES WORE EXTREMELY PREMATURELY. THESE ARE THE SAME MANUFACTURER OF TIRES THAT I SEE ARE RECALLED ON FORD'S F150 (2005 FORD F-150 RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 05T022000) AND CONTINENTAL IS REPLACING THEM FREE OF CHARGE FOR THOSE VEHICLE OWNERS. I SEE NO REASON WHY CONTINENTAL SHOULDN'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THESE TIRES ON THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AS WELL. THE TIRES ARE CONTINENTAL 215-65-17. LAST YEAR, ONE OF THE TIRES ALSO BLEW OUT AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT SO NOW THERE ARE ONLY 3 ORIGINAL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE. I'M LOGGING TODAY'S DATE AS THE INCIDENT DATE SINCE THERE'S NOT A SPECIFIC DATE BUT RATHER 2 YEARS OF PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. * UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
NHTSA ODI #10203495
15,000 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Electrical System
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF (ENGINE STOPS, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHILE TURNING. REPORTED TO FORD DEALER, THEY STATE THEY CANNOT FIX BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT. CORPORATE AND GOT SAME RESPONSE. I REQUESTED THAT FORD DEALER INSTALL VIDEO-DATA R…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE. INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF (ENGINE STOPS, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHILE TURNING. REPORTED TO FORD DEALER, THEY STATE THEY CANNOT FIX BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT. CORPORATE AND GOT SAME RESPONSE. I REQUESTED THAT FORD DEALER INSTALL VIDEO-DATA RECORDER AND ASSIGN VEHICLE TO SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO DRIVE DAILY, SO THAT EVENT DATA CAN BE RECORDED AND ANALYZED. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT PLACE THE LIFE OF HIS SERVICE TECHNICIAN IN JEOPARDY BY DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT LOOSES OPERATIONAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. EVIDENTLY, FORD DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM PLACING MY LIFE OR THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY, HOWEVER. *JB UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10202411
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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