NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports50,000 miles · Aug 30, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury
CRASH @ APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. T-BONED A CAR THAT PULLED IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I FEEL THAT MY INJURIES..OF WHIPLASH AND ANOTHER PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS OR NON EXISTENT IF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. IS THIS NEW AIR BAG REQUIREMENTS REALLY HELPING? OR IS…
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CRASH @ APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR. T-BONED A CAR THAT PULLED IN FRONT OF MY CAR AT A STOP LIGHT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. I FEEL THAT MY INJURIES..OF WHIPLASH AND ANOTHER PASSENGERS WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS OR NON EXISTENT IF MY AIR BAGS WENT OFF. IS THIS NEW AIR BAG REQUIREMENTS REALLY HELPING? OR IS IT JUST TRYING TO SAVE INSURANCE COMPANIES FROM TOTALING CARS THAT AIR BAGS DEPLOY? CAR WILL BE SIGNED OFF BY TOMORROW AND INSURANCE COMPANY WILL OWN THE CAR. DOES ANYONE CARE TO LOOK AT THIS CAR AND SEE IF IT FAILED?
NHTSA ODI #10201188
7,000 miles · Aug 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE VERY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD, BUT THEY REFUSED TO OFFER ASS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE VERY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD, BUT THEY REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,000.
NHTSA ODI #10200093
27,000 miles · Aug 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FREESTYLE- AT APROX 25,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN TO METAL, RESULTING IN A TOTAL BRAKE JOB DONE AT THE DEALER. PADS, ROTORS, EVERYTHING. I COMPLAINED THAT THESE SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS, AND SERVICE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. NO SUCH LUCK. RESULTS $400 REPAIR BILL. SOME 6 MONTHS LATER I …
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2005 FREESTYLE- AT APROX 25,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN TO METAL, RESULTING IN A TOTAL BRAKE JOB DONE AT THE DEALER. PADS, ROTORS, EVERYTHING. I COMPLAINED THAT THESE SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS, AND SERVICE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. NO SUCH LUCK. RESULTS $400 REPAIR BILL. SOME 6 MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THERE WAS CONCERN FOR THE REAR BREAKS AND IF YOU STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT FOR REPAIRS THEY WOULD REFUND YOUR CHARGE ON THIS REPAIR. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER CONCERNING THIS LETTE. THEY TOLD ME WITHOUT THIS LETTER ( I CAN NOT FIND NOW) THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. SORRY!!!. WHERE CAN I RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10200019
18,000 miles · Jul 31, 2007
Tires
PREMATURE TIRE WEAR THE TIRES (PIRELLI P6 P225/60 R18) ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 18,000 MILES. THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 10,000 MILES. WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED AT 18K MILES, ANO…
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PREMATURE TIRE WEAR THE TIRES (PIRELLI P6 P225/60 R18) ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT 18,000 MILES. THE INSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED EVERY 5,000 MILES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT AT 10,000 MILES. WHEN THEY WERE REPLACED AT 18K MILES, ANOTHER 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS PERFORMED BY THE TIRE DISTRIBUTOR. THE SECOND SET OF PIRELLI'S WERE ROTATED EVERY 5K MILES AS WELL HOWEVER THE INSIDE OF THE FRONT TIRES ARE STILL WEARING OUT AND NOW AT 39,000 MILES THE TIRES NEED REPLACED AGAIN. FULL SET OF TIRES NUMBER THREE FOR A CAR THAT?S ONLY TWO YEAR'S OLD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10198005
42,000 miles · Jul 25, 2007
Vehicle Speed Control
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH AWD AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION. RECENTLY I DROVE UP PIKES PEAK. ON THE WAY BACK DOWN I USED THE LOW RANGE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO ACT AS AN ENGINE BRAKE. IT WAS NOT NEARLY LOW ENOUGH TO KEEP VEHICLE AT A SLOW ENOUGH SPEED TO NEGOTIATE THE ROAD COMING BACK DOWN. AT THE CHECK POINT ABOUT A THIRD OF…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH AWD AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION. RECENTLY I DROVE UP PIKES PEAK. ON THE WAY BACK DOWN I USED THE LOW RANGE WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO ACT AS AN ENGINE BRAKE. IT WAS NOT NEARLY LOW ENOUGH TO KEEP VEHICLE AT A SLOW ENOUGH SPEED TO NEGOTIATE THE ROAD COMING BACK DOWN. AT THE CHECK POINT ABOUT A THIRD OF THE WAY DOWN OUR BRAKES WERE MEASURING 600+ DEGREES SO WE WERE TOLD WE SHOULD PULL OVER FOR AT LEAST 40 MINUTES TO LET THEM COOL. WE DID SO AND WENT ON DOWN THE MOUNTAIN WITH NO PROBLEM, BUT I FEEL THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GOES DOWN A MOUNTAIN THAT DOES NOT HAVE A CHECK POINT. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO AROUND THE FIRST OF JULY AND AS OF TODAY HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE OF ANY KIND. THUS I FELT THAT I SHOULD MAKE SOMEONE AWARE OF THIS POSSIBLE PROBLEM. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197516
12,000 miles · Jul 20, 2007
Tires
PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. BOUGHT FORD FREESTYLE NEW. 23000 MILES AND CONTINENTAL CONTI TOURING CONTACT TIRES COMPLETELY WORN. P215 65R 17. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10197095
26,200 miles · Jul 2, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, FOR APPROXIMATELY MORE THAN ONE HOUR, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED TWO WEEKS PRIOR FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, FOR APPROXIMATELY MORE THAN ONE HOUR, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPLACED TWO WEEKS PRIOR FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 26,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,200.
NHTSA ODI #10195126
Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2007
Power Train
BOUGHT CAR USED LAST MONTH AND WITHIN THE LAST 2 WEEKS, CAR WAS UNABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. CALLED THE DEALER, THEY TOLD US TO CALL FORD ROADSIDE SERVICE. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER FOUND SHIFT BEZEL TO BE BROKEN
NHTSA ODI #10194724
27,655 miles · Jun 23, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
REAR BRAKE FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME WITH IN 27,000 MILES. FORD REFUSED TO HELP. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN THIS SUV. ALSO, HAD TO REPLACE BOTH STRUT BEARINGS AND I HAVE ON STARTING TO GO OUT AGAIN. I THINK THIS CAR SHOULD HAVE NEVER LEFT THE PLANT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10194064
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD FREESTYLE - REAR ROTORS AND BREAKS NEED REPLACEMENT AFTER 29K MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10193376
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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