NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports77,000 miles · Sep 9, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10762481
150,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Electrical SystemSteering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROX…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
NHTSA ODI #10761646
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2015
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY. THE ODOMETER WAS READING OFF THE CHARTS, BUT THE ENGINE SEEMED - AT LEAST SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS - WORKING JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER (WE LIVE IN UTAH) AND COLD. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN IN ONLY ONE TEMPERATURE AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. WE AL…
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WHILE DRIVING, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY. THE ODOMETER WAS READING OFF THE CHARTS, BUT THE ENGINE SEEMED - AT LEAST SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS - WORKING JUST FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER (WE LIVE IN UTAH) AND COLD. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO HAPPEN IN ONLY ONE TEMPERATURE AND HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. WE ALSO EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH THE INTERIOR PANEL LIGHTS NOT WORKING, AS WELL AS, ON OCCASION THE EXTERIOR BRIGHTS DO NOT WORK. THIS HAPPENED TO ME DURING A RAIN STORM AND WAS EXTREMELY INCONVENIENT. ANOTHER RECENT ISSUE THAT HAS POPPED UP IS THE AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT APPEARING WHEN NOTHING SEEMS TO BE WRONG. I HAD THE CAR IN PARK, AND WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC, THE LIGHT APPEARED. I WAS NOT GOING OVER 40 MPH AND IT IS AUGUST IN UTAH (NOT RAINY, SNOWY OR ANY KIND OF ELEMENTS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE TO DRIVE IN).
NHTSA ODI #10749739
112,000 miles · Aug 16, 2015
Engine
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 45 MPH ROAD, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, NO ACCELERATION, THERE WAS A TRUCK BEHIND US THAT ALMOST HIT US. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER , WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED BACK UP AND CONTINUED DRIVING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSTICALLY TESTED IT AND HE SAID IMMEDIATLEY FOUR CODES PULLED UP POINTIN…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A 45 MPH ROAD, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, NO ACCELERATION, THERE WAS A TRUCK BEHIND US THAT ALMOST HIT US. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER , WE TURNED OFF THE CAR AND STARTED BACK UP AND CONTINUED DRIVING. WE TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND THEY DIAGNOSTICALLY TESTED IT AND HE SAID IMMEDIATLEY FOUR CODES PULLED UP POINTING TO THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY. WITH RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THAT EVEN IF YOU DID PAY FOR A NEW THROTTLE BODY OR CLEANING, IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN BECAUSE THE THROTTLE BODY MALFUNCTIONS ON ITSELF, IN ADDITION THROTTLE BODY WORKS HAND IN HAND WITH THE TRANSMISSION, TYPE CVR WHICH IS NOT MADE ANYMORE DO TO ITS FAILURES. FORD FAILED TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND ITS ELECTRONIC ENGINE ETB ON A CAR WHICH FORD ONLY MANUDACTURED FOR THREE YEARS, I WONDER WHY..... WELL WE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED, THANK GOD WE WEREN`T, BUT THE INVESTIGATION ON THE ETB SHOULD BE REOPENED FOR SAFETY ISSUES.
NHTSA ODI #10749007
129,900 miles · Aug 12, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE ACCELERATING UP A HILL ,FELT A SURGE THEN DECELERATION TO 25-30 MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES.MECHANIC RESEARCH CODES AND SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. PE11018
NHTSA ODI #10748164
100,000 miles · Jul 27, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT REVVING UP WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN PARKING. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED , HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE.PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD COMPRESSOR REPLACED, THEN STARTING HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (FAILURE SAFE MODE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN) WHILE DRIVING . HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED BECAUSE ALL ELE…
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WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT REVVING UP WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN PARKING. WE HAD THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED , HELPED FOR A LITTLE WHILE.PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING HAD COMPRESSOR REPLACED, THEN STARTING HAVING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS (FAILURE SAFE MODE ENGINE WOULD SHUT DOWN) WHILE DRIVING . HAD ALTERNATOR REPLACED BECAUSE ALL ELECTRICAL STARTING SHUTTING DOWN AND TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING ALSO TRANSMISSON WAS TRYING TO GO IN REVERSE WHILE DRIVING REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD COME ON VERY DANGEROUS. REPLACED BODY COMPUTER STILL DIDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM TO AFRAID TO DRIVE IT . IT WAS PAID OFF BUT NO ONE COULD FIX THE PROBLEMS, HOW CAN YOU HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NO ONE CAN FIX,WE HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT FORD KNEW OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT WOULD DO NOTHING ABOUT THEM. VERY DISAPPOINTED WE REALLY LIKED THE CAR WHEN WE GOT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10743579
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2015
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. MULTIPLE UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10736119
10,000 miles · Jul 23, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION REACHING SPEEDS UP TO 50 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
NHTSA ODI #10736050
15,000 miles · Jul 17, 2015
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A HUMMING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SIDE. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER WHEN DRIVING OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND LEFT VOICE MESSAGES, BUT NO ONE RETURNED THE CALLS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A HUMMING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE DRIVER SIDE. THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER WHEN DRIVING OVER 10 MPH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND LEFT VOICE MESSAGES, BUT NO ONE RETURNED THE CALLS. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.
NHTSA ODI #10734714
104,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
Power Train
BOUGHT CAR AND WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR MAKES A HORRNEDOUS NOISE AND WILL NOT DRIVE FORWARD. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENED THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE OR SURGE. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHO QUOTE ME $4,250 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AT THAT PRICE I ASKED WHAT A NEW TRANSMIS…
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BOUGHT CAR AND WITHIN TWO WEEKS IT HAD A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR MAKES A HORRNEDOUS NOISE AND WILL NOT DRIVE FORWARD. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENED THE CAR WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE OR SURGE. TOOK TO TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHO QUOTE ME $4,250 TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. AT THAT PRICE I ASKED WHAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WOULD COST AND THEY INFORMED THERE ARE NO NEW TRANSMISSIONS AVAILABLE. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT FORD HAD ABANDONED THE FREESTYLE AND ITS CVT TRANSMISSION. I CHECK WIHT JUNKYARDS AND FOUND THE CHEAPEST I COULD FIND A CVT TRANSMISSION WAS AROUND $3,000. CAR HAS BECOME A LAWN ORNAMENT FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING OHTER THAN TO SAY IT IS OUT OFWARRANTLY. TERE ARE CLASS ACTION SUITS BROUGHT OVER THIS.
NHTSA ODI #10725880
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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