NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports99,456 miles · Apr 23, 2007
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. WITH THE ENGINE ON HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, NOTIFIED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE AN EXPLOSION. WITH THE ENGINE ON HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE COIL SPRING BROKE. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME, NOTIFIED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 99,456.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10188645
15,524 miles · Apr 23, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I AM LEASING A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND LAST APRIL 20/07 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO WITT LINCOLN MERCURY IN ESCONDIDO, CALIF. FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE RECORDED MILEAGE WAS 15,524 MILES AND AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS THE ROTORS NEED TO BE MACHINED AND THE PADS ARE WORN…
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I AM LEASING A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND LAST APRIL 20/07 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO WITT LINCOLN MERCURY IN ESCONDIDO, CALIF. FOR AN OIL CHANGE. THE RECORDED MILEAGE WAS 15,524 MILES AND AFTER THE SERVICE WAS DONE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKES REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS THE ROTORS NEED TO BE MACHINED AND THE PADS ARE WORN OUT. I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT THE BRAKES PREMATURELY WORE OUT. I STARTED THE LEASE LAST JULY 2005 AND I DO MOSTLY CITY DRIVING. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE THIS KIND OF CAR PROBLEM WHERE THE BRAKES WORE OUT TOO SOON! *JB
NHTSA ODI #10188644
21,500 miles · Apr 20, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR DISC BRAKE PADS FAILED WITH 20,000 ORIGINAL MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10188441
43,000 miles · Apr 19, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE IDLING, DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT FAILED TO RESTART. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE IDLING, DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT FAILED TO RESTART. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SAFE MODE ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10188326
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2007
Fuel System, Other
I WANTED TO RESPOND TO THE PERSON UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS AREA OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON AND THEIR VEHICLE STALLING. I EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM A YEAR AGO. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD I WAS NOT USING PROPER MOTORCRAFT FILTER AND PAID FOR THE SERVICE AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 MORE TI…
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I WANTED TO RESPOND TO THE PERSON UNDER THE MISCELLANEOUS AREA OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE WRENCH LIGHT COMING ON AND THEIR VEHICLE STALLING. I EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM A YEAR AGO. I WAS ORIGINALLY TOLD I WAS NOT USING PROPER MOTORCRAFT FILTER AND PAID FOR THE SERVICE AFTER MY VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 3 MORE TIMES EACH TIME CALLING THE SERVICE DEPT AND EACH TIME IT WAS INSPECTED BY DEALER WHO FOUND NO PROBLEM. FINALLY, AFTER EXPLAINING EXACTLY WHEN THE PROBLEM WAS OCCURRING - ONLY IN STOP AND GO SITUATIONS - IN AND OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND SUCH AND RETURNING IT TO THE SHOP ONE MORE TIME DID THEY FIND A PROBLEM. THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE THROTTLE BODY AND I'VE NEVER HAD A PROBLEM SINCE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10188319
50,000 miles · Apr 18, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JUNE OF 2005 AND CURRENTLY HAVE 50,000 MILES. WE ARE ON THE THIRD SET OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH OUR DEALER ON GETTING THIS SET REPLACED AGAIN. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH THIS SITE AND MANY OTHER CONSUMER FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP GIVES US THE …
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WE BOUGHT OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NEW IN JUNE OF 2005 AND CURRENTLY HAVE 50,000 MILES. WE ARE ON THE THIRD SET OF REAR BRAKE PADS AND ARE TRYING TO WORK WITH OUR DEALER ON GETTING THIS SET REPLACED AGAIN. AFTER LOOKING THROUGH THIS SITE AND MANY OTHER CONSUMER FORUMS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A REAL PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP GIVES US THE SAME SPEECH AND WE WERE TOLD THE LAST TIME THE BRAKES WERE REPAIRED, THAT AFTER 36,000 MILES, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER OUR WARRANTY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10188286
36,195 miles · Apr 17, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
OUR 2005 FREESTYLE HIT 36K MILES AND IMMEDIATELY THE BACK PADS/ROTORS WENT BAD. GRINDING NOISES TOOK ME INTO NTB. THEY STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WEREN'T BUT THE PADS/ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/RESURFACED - AT $475! THIS IS CRAZY. AT 36K MILES WE HAVE TO R…
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OUR 2005 FREESTYLE HIT 36K MILES AND IMMEDIATELY THE BACK PADS/ROTORS WENT BAD. GRINDING NOISES TOOK ME INTO NTB. THEY STATED THAT THE CALIPERS WERE FROZEN AND TO GO TO DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAID THEY WEREN'T BUT THE PADS/ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED/RESURFACED - AT $475! THIS IS CRAZY. AT 36K MILES WE HAVE TO REPLACE THE REAR BRAKES? PREMATURE WEAR & POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE DOES NOT SIT COMFORTABLY WITH ME - ESPECIALLY SINCE THE DEALER SWEARS UP AND DOWN THAT THE CALIPERS ARE FINE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10188171
20,300 miles · Apr 13, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL FWD WITH 20,300 MILES ON IT. NOTICE MUCH MORE BRAKE DUST ON REAR WHEELS. DEALER "ACKNOWLEDGES" THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND OTHER CARS IN THE SAME FAMILY YET FORD WILL NOT INVESTIGATE OR COVER REPAIR COSTS. HOW LONG BEFORE A MISHAP IS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THIS SAFET…
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PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL FWD WITH 20,300 MILES ON IT. NOTICE MUCH MORE BRAKE DUST ON REAR WHEELS. DEALER "ACKNOWLEDGES" THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND OTHER CARS IN THE SAME FAMILY YET FORD WILL NOT INVESTIGATE OR COVER REPAIR COSTS. HOW LONG BEFORE A MISHAP IS CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THIS SAFETY DEVICE? OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW IN THE BRAKE PAD OR IN THE ELECTRONIC BRAKING PROGRAM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187773
22,000 miles · Apr 10, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES AND ROTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE BRAKES AND THE ROTORS HAVE NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAD 22000 MILES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10187475
23,489 miles · Apr 9, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 23,489 MILES. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES SERVICED ,AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE REAR BRAKES. WHEN THE DEALER TRIED TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAI…
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TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE OF 23,489 MILES. THE CONTACT WENT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES SERVICED ,AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THE REAR BRAKES. WHEN THE DEALER TRIED TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO COVER THE COST, THE MANUFACTURER DENIED THE CLAIM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10187358
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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