NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports16,000 miles · Apr 5, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD THE BRAKES PRODUCING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND WERE CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OFTEN WITH FORD FREESTYLE VEHICLES. THE CURRENT AND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD THE BRAKES PRODUCING A SQUEAKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN ON A REGULAR BASIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AND WERE CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED OFTEN WITH FORD FREESTYLE VEHICLES. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 16,000.*AK UPDATED 05/21/07.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10187118
48,000 miles · Apr 5, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL ERROR CODES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOW REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 48,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187089
55,100 miles · Mar 28, 2007
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
3/28/2007 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER, I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTED IT AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME. SECOND WAS YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. ALSO 3…
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3/28/2007 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 65 THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER, I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RE-STARTED IT AND THE PROBLEM WAS GONE. THIS WAS THE THIRD TIME. SECOND WAS YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND THE CAR DID THE SAME THING. ALSO 3/25/2007 WHILE PULLING INTO MY SUBDIVISION I MADE A LEFT TURN AND GOT TO ABOUT 15 MPH AND THE CAR SHUTTERED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN, I DROVE IT WITH ALMOST NO POWER FOR ANOTHER 15 YARDS TO MY DRIVEWAY, SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND NO PROBLEMS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED ON 3/23/2007 WITH 55000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186431
20,000 miles · Mar 27, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 24,000 MILES. THE REASON I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT SUCH LOW MILES. THUS, WHEN THE GRINDING NOISES APPEARED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, I NEVER EVEN GUESSED THAT IT MIGHT BE …
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I HAD TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 24,000 MILES. THE REASON I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY HAZARD IS THAT I DO NOT KNOW OF ANY VEHICLE THAT HAS TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT SUCH LOW MILES. THUS, WHEN THE GRINDING NOISES APPEARED AT LESS THAN 20,000 MILES, I NEVER EVEN GUESSED THAT IT MIGHT BE THE BRAKES. I HAVE TALKED TO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE CAN BELIEVE THAT REAR BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED AT THAT LOW A MILEAGE TOTAL. THERE IS A TSB OUT THAT SAYS THAT FORD UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING AND WILL REPLACE THE BRAKES AT NO COST IF THEY WEAR OUT AT LESS THAN THE REGULAR WARRANTY PERIOD. HOWEVER, IF THIS IS SUCH AN ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE A TSB OUT ON IT, I BELIEVE THEY UNDERSTAND IT IS AN ISSUE AND MANY PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO REPLACE BRAKES ON A NEW CAR SO THEY MAY CONTINUE TO DRIVE IN THE HOPES IT IS NOT A BIG ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186324
11,600 miles · Mar 27, 2007
Structure
FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS SPIT AND CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS OR HITS ON THE BUMPER. OUR WEATHER WENT FROM HOT TO COLD IN A SHORT TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM CURIOUS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS OR HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I PURCHASE A NEW BUMPER. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10186285
29,797 miles · Mar 19, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2005 FORD FREESTYLE, PURCHASED NEW. FORD HAS SERVICED AS WELL AS NYS INSPECTIONS. AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE THE REAR BRAKES HAD LITTLE DISC PAD LEFT,REAR ROTORS WERE WARPED BEYOND REPAIR, CALIPER FROZEN. FORD SAID NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER 3 YRS 36,000 MILES) AND HAD TO PAY $475.00. CALIPER NOW FROZEN AND AGAIN NOT…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE, PURCHASED NEW. FORD HAS SERVICED AS WELL AS NYS INSPECTIONS. AT 30,000 MILE SERVICE THE REAR BRAKES HAD LITTLE DISC PAD LEFT,REAR ROTORS WERE WARPED BEYOND REPAIR, CALIPER FROZEN. FORD SAID NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY (BUMPER TO BUMPER 3 YRS 36,000 MILES) AND HAD TO PAY $475.00. CALIPER NOW FROZEN AND AGAIN NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. CALLED FORD AT 800-392-3673 AND CONFIRMED PROBLEM THAT REAR BRAKES FAILED BEFORE FRONT BRAKES, THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THERE WAS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT REFUSED TO COVER WITH WARRANTY, AND SAID TO KEEP MY RECEIPTS IN CASE A RECALL WAS ISSUED.
NHTSA ODI #10185586
14,500 miles · Mar 15, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT JUST UNDER 14,500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND FOUND THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR PADS AND ROTORS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THIS TYPE OF WEAR WOULD BE DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I DO NOT USE MY PARKING BRAKE BUT WOULD CER…
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I EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT JUST UNDER 14,500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND FOUND THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR PADS AND ROTORS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THIS TYPE OF WEAR WOULD BE DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I DO NOT USE MY PARKING BRAKE BUT WOULD CERTAINLY NOTICE IT IF IT WERE ON. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $400 FOR THE REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY ON PADS AND OR ROTORS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10185158
8,000 miles · Mar 12, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
INSPECTION OF REAR BRAKE NOISE SHOWED PADS WORN AND ROTORS DAMAGED AFTER JUST 8000 MILES ON NEW FORD FREESTYLE 2005 LTD AWD. PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. AT 19000 MILES REAR PADS ARE AGAIN COMPLETELY WORN WITH ONE PAD SCRAPING ROTOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184844
22,200 miles · Mar 10, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
JUST GOT A REPAIR BILL FOR MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE TO REPLACE REAR ROTORS AND PADS - CAR HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES AND IS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN ANY UNUSUAL MANNER. PREVIOUS FORD PRODUCTS WERE FORD WINDSTAR AND F150 BOTH REQUIRING BRAKE SERVICE AROUND 90,000 MILES. PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR FREESTYLE BRAKES IS REFERENCED ALL OVER THE …
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JUST GOT A REPAIR BILL FOR MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE TO REPLACE REAR ROTORS AND PADS - CAR HAS ONLY 22,000 MILES AND IS NOT BEING DRIVEN IN ANY UNUSUAL MANNER. PREVIOUS FORD PRODUCTS WERE FORD WINDSTAR AND F150 BOTH REQUIRING BRAKE SERVICE AROUND 90,000 MILES. PREMATURE WEAR OF REAR FREESTYLE BRAKES IS REFERENCED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. THERE APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW WITH CAR THAT DOES NOT MEET CUSTOMER EXPECTATIONS. DEALER SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED > THAT FORD DESIGNED BRAKES TO MINIMIZE FRONT NOSE DIVE DURING BRAKING. > WHAT COULD BE THE REASON FOR THIS? WHY DID ALL MY OTHER FORD PRODUCTS NOT > NEED THIS? DOES IT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH SAFETY CRASH RATINGS? > I FEEL THIS IS A TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE DESIGN SINCE I WILL NEED TO CHANGE > BRAKE PADS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. FORD CUSTOMER CARE JUST SAID THIS WAS NORMAL AND HAD NO ALTERNATIVE RATIONALE. IT WOULD SEEM THAT FORD SHOULD AT LEAST PROVIDE SOME REASONABLE RATIONALE FOR THE PREMATURE WEAR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184697
19,892 miles · Feb 22, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
IN SEPTEMBER OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. IT HAD 19892 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. WE WERE TOLD THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. ASSUMING THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, THE GARAGE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND…
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IN SEPTEMBER OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. IT HAD 19892 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. WE WERE TOLD THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. ASSUMING THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, THE GARAGE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE INFORMED THE BRAKES ARE ONLY WARRANTED TO 1 YEAR, 18000 MILES. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE WARRANTY ON BRAKES ARE 1 YEAR, 12000 MILES. SINCE WE WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY WE HAD TO PAY $385 TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE TO PASS INSPECTION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10183297
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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