Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1140–25K
15325–50K
33950–75K
31275–100K
307100–150K
74150K+
1,299 reports with mileage · 160 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 587 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 447 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 142 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
32 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
What owners actually said
1,459 reports
7,900 miles · Apr 18, 2006
Power Train
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IT WILL SPORADICALLY AND RANDOMLY DRAMATICALLY CHANGE GEAR RATIOS RESULTING IN A VERY NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN RPM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE ENGINE UNDERGOES MODERATE TO SEVERE ENGINE BRAKING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT WARNI…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IT WILL SPORADICALLY AND RANDOMLY DRAMATICALLY CHANGE GEAR RATIOS RESULTING IN A VERY NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN RPM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE ENGINE UNDERGOES MODERATE TO SEVERE ENGINE BRAKING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AS CARS FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND HAVE NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN VERY AGGRESSIVELY IN FRONT OF THEM. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (FRONTIER FORD IN SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA) AND IT HAS BEEN IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THREE SEPARATE TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED ACCEPTABLE OPTIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE DEFECT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2006. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10155610
5,000 miles · Apr 5, 2006
Power Train
HI: THE CVT TRANSMISSION SURGES AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES THIS IS ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND HAS BEING BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM AND AS OF YET THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10154661
6,500 miles · Mar 28, 2006
Air BagsElectrical System
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE AIR BAG LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES FELL TO ZERO. THIS LASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 10/06/06.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10153897
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2006
Tires
2005 FREESTYLE DOES NOT PERFORM WELL IN WINTER CONDITIONS. THERE IS MINIMAL TRACTION WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SLIDES AND BECOMES STUCK IN SNOW EASILY. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO SNOW TIRES DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP SNOW TIR…
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2005 FREESTYLE DOES NOT PERFORM WELL IN WINTER CONDITIONS. THERE IS MINIMAL TRACTION WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SLIDES AND BECOMES STUCK IN SNOW EASILY. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO SNOW TIRES DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP SNOW TIRES WERE AVAILABLE, HOWEVER THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE CONSUMER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY SNOW TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT A VERY AGGRESSIVE TREAD, BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED NOT TO CHANGE THE TIRES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10152995
Mileage unknown · Feb 22, 2006
TiresUnknown Or OtherCrash
2005 FORD FREESTYLE: DANGEROUS IN MILD WINTER WEATHER AND CONDITIONS. VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM IN WINTER WEATHER. VEHICLE SLIDES, SLIPS, GRINDING OF BRAKES AND BUCKING OF VEHICLE, VIBRATING OF STEERING WHEEL, ALL IN LESS THAN 3 INCHES OF SNOW. NO SNOW TIRES MADE FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE ACCORDING TO DEALER AND NON-DEALER …
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE: DANGEROUS IN MILD WINTER WEATHER AND CONDITIONS. VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM IN WINTER WEATHER. VEHICLE SLIDES, SLIPS, GRINDING OF BRAKES AND BUCKING OF VEHICLE, VIBRATING OF STEERING WHEEL, ALL IN LESS THAN 3 INCHES OF SNOW. NO SNOW TIRES MADE FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE ACCORDING TO DEALER AND NON-DEALER AFFILIATED VENDORS. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10150930
150 miles · Jan 31, 2006
Electrical SystemEquipment Adaptive/mobility
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO BE SEATED IN A WHEEL CHAIR. SHORTLY AFTER THE MODIFICATION A PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO LOWER THE RAMP. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY TO ENGAGE THE RAMP FOR EXIT OR ENTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WERE THE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO BE SEATED IN A WHEEL CHAIR. SHORTLY AFTER THE MODIFICATION A PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO LOWER THE RAMP. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY TO ENGAGE THE RAMP FOR EXIT OR ENTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WERE THE MOTHER BOARD WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REMOTES DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL MODIFICATION DEALER WERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND WAS DETERMINED THE REMOTES WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A FOREIGN BODY WHICH WAS REMOVED. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MOBILITY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE FLOORING MATERIALS NEEDED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO SECURE THE LOCK DOWN FOR THE FRONT SEAT WHEEL CHAIR. THIS PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED TO REMEDY A SECOND PROBLEM THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE EXISTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INDEPENDENT MOBILITY DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE MOTHER BOARD BECAUSE OF UNPREDICTABILITY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT BOARDS WERE NOT THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FOR USE IN THE CONVERSION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE USE OF A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BRAND OF MOTHER BOARD. THE DEALER ORDERED THE NEW MOTHER BOARD AND IS AWAITING SHIPMENT. CURRENTLY THE ONLY WAY THE DOOR AND RAMP CAN BE USED IS BY SOMEONE MANUALLY OPENING THE DOOR AND PULLING OUT THE RAMP. THIS PROCESS RENDERS THE VEHICLE IMPOSSIBLE TO USE BY THE CONTACT ALONE.
NHTSA ODI #10149106
12,098 miles · Jan 22, 2006
Power Train
TRANS WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK IT STARTS BACKING UP! THEN WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE IT REVS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. YOU HAVE TO SHIFT IT INTO LOW TO GET IT INTO DRIVE. THIS ALSO CAUSES IT TO COME OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10148315
16,908 miles · Jan 17, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES, IT WOULD OCCUR IN ANY CLIMATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE LOUDLY BACK FIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. …
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DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES, IT WOULD OCCUR IN ANY CLIMATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE LOUDLY BACK FIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER LET THE VEHICLE WARM UP PRIOR TO DRIVING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10147952
10,000 miles · Jan 2, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
VIOLENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PULSATION DURING HARD BRAKING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. VEHICLE CANNOT BE STOPPED IN A REASONABLE DISTANCE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10146721
100 miles · Dec 27, 2005
Power Train
1. I LEASED A 05 FORD FREESTYLE AND IN JUST 3 DAYS THE PCM WAS BROKEN. IN JUST 100 MILES. I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT. 2. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND THE VEHICLES TURNS ON AND OFF, SO MAYBE THEY CAN TOW THE CAR FROM MY HOME. INSTEAD THEY …
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1. I LEASED A 05 FORD FREESTYLE AND IN JUST 3 DAYS THE PCM WAS BROKEN. IN JUST 100 MILES. I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT. 2. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND THE VEHICLES TURNS ON AND OFF, SO MAYBE THEY CAN TOW THE CAR FROM MY HOME. INSTEAD THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED INCLUDING THE BRAKES WHICH ALMOST MADE ME FALL OFF THE DITCH. I WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALEARSHIP. 3. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER A NEW PCM AND WHEN THE PCM ARRIVE AFTER 2 DAYS THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SOFTWARE TO CALIBRATE THE NEW PCM. THE CAR STAYED LONGER IN THE DEALERSHIP THAN WITH ME WHILE I WAS PAYING THE LEASE EVERYDAY. *JB
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.
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
2
PE11018 · 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
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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