NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports25,000 miles · Jan 10, 2007
Power Train
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 17, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 TO 15 MPH HE HEARD A WHIRLING SOUND. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS ASKED TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - AS OF 1 19/07 THE DEALER STILL …
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TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 17, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 TO 15 MPH HE HEARD A WHIRLING SOUND. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS ASKED TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - AS OF 1 19/07 THE DEALER STILL HAS THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *NM UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM
NHTSA ODI #10178360
32,020 miles · Jan 9, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ... I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) NEED TO BE CHANGED (90% WORN). THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE ONLY 40% WORN. HOW COULD THIS BE? THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! DON'T WE EXPECT THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR O…
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I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ... I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) NEED TO BE CHANGED (90% WORN). THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE ONLY 40% WORN. HOW COULD THIS BE? THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! DON'T WE EXPECT THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THE REAR? IS THERE A PROBLEM HERE? FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFERS ONLY WORDS BUT NO ACTION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178230
13,000 miles · Jan 8, 2007
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
REAR END NOISE STARTED ABOUT 13000 MILES ( SOUNDING LIKE A PLANE ENGINE WHEN YOU HIT 40 MPH). DEALER SAID TIRES WERE WORN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES PLUS ALIGNMENT-DEALER PAID FOR TWO. NOISE CONTINUED. DEALER THEN REPLACE BALL JOINTS AND REAR BRAKES AT 14000. NOISE IS GONE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178049
31,515 miles · Jan 7, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 31515 MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10178032
Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I TOOK MY FORD FREESTYLE TO BE SERVICED AT 20K MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE BAD BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF REAR BRAKES GOING BAD AT 20K MILES HOWEVER THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FORD HAD INDICATED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBL…
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I TOOK MY FORD FREESTYLE TO BE SERVICED AT 20K MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE BAD BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF REAR BRAKES GOING BAD AT 20K MILES HOWEVER THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FORD HAD INDICATED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT I WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES EVERY YEAR. THIS SEENS COMPLETLEY RIDICULOUS TO ME. I REPLACED THE BRAKES AND SERVICED THE ROTORS BUT I FEEL THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKES YEARLY MUST BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10177981
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY, 2005. AT TIRE ROTATION, INSPECTION, THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT AROUND 16,000 MILES.(DECEMBER 2006) THE DEALER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM A RETIRED TRUCK DRIVER, AND I AM TRAINED TO USE MY BRAK…
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I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY, 2005. AT TIRE ROTATION, INSPECTION, THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT AROUND 16,000 MILES.(DECEMBER 2006) THE DEALER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM A RETIRED TRUCK DRIVER, AND I AM TRAINED TO USE MY BRAKES PROBABLY 1/3 AS MUCH AS THE AVERAGE DRIVER. I AM READY TO TURN THIS OVER TO MY ATTORNEY, OR A CLASS -ACTION SUIT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177593
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2007
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED ON MY 2005 FREESTYLE AT 18,000 MILES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177531
24,554 miles · Dec 28, 2006
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
TOOK 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND COURTESY CHECK. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES HAD SIGNIFICANT INTERIOR WEAR, AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS RUBBING METAL TO METAL. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24554 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, REAR BRAKES AND RIGHT ROTOR REPLACED, AND TWO TIRES REPLA…
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TOOK 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND COURTESY CHECK. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES HAD SIGNIFICANT INTERIOR WEAR, AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS RUBBING METAL TO METAL. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24554 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, REAR BRAKES AND RIGHT ROTOR REPLACED, AND TWO TIRES REPLACED. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177193
Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 32,000 WE HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. FACTORY PAID FOR FIRST REPLACEMENT AT 15,000. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10177160
22,299 miles · Dec 25, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 22,299 MILES HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES PLACE ON MY CAR. NOW AT 36,450 12-26-2006 HAVE THE SAME REAR BRAKES REPLACE AND HEAD FOR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD & FORD DEALER SHIP IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THERE COST. A CAR DOES NOT WEAR BRAKES THAT FAST WITH EVEN A P…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 22,299 MILES HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES PLACE ON MY CAR. NOW AT 36,450 12-26-2006 HAVE THE SAME REAR BRAKES REPLACE AND HEAD FOR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD & FORD DEALER SHIP IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THERE COST. A CAR DOES NOT WEAR BRAKES THAT FAST WITH EVEN A PERSON WITH NORMAL BRAKE USAGE. IF ANY PERSON WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN SUITE EMAIL AT RLBRASFIELD@BELLSOUTH.NET. I HAVE IT. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME EXPLANATIONS DEALERSHIP PUT UP. I AM ENGINEER OUT OF AUTO INDUSTRY AND KNOW WHEN CAR IS MISS DESIGNED, HOPE NO ONE GET KILLED. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10176913
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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