IllustrationDT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V515000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK
2005 Ford Freestyle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Freestyle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWHEN DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL WILL DESCEND BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS ALLOWS THE FOOT TO CONTACT THE ACCELERATOR (GAS) PEDAL BEFORE THE CAR IS STOPPED. DEALER TECHNICIAN HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY ACTUALLY CONTACT THE FLOOR IN A HARD STOP. WHEN ASKED FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD T…
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WHEN DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL WILL DESCEND BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS ALLOWS THE FOOT TO CONTACT THE ACCELERATOR (GAS) PEDAL BEFORE THE CAR IS STOPPED. DEALER TECHNICIAN HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY ACTUALLY CONTACT THE FLOOR IN A HARD STOP. WHEN ASKED FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NONE, EXCEPT FULLY MOVING ONE'S FOOT FARTHER TO THE LEFT. WHEN ASKED IF THE PAD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD BE ELEVATED, I WAS TOLD NO. AS THESE TWO SURFACES ARE IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY, ESPECIALLY FOR A LARGE SHOE, AND AS A PANIC STOP MAY NOT ALWAYS ALLOW THE TIME AND SENSE TO FULLY CLEAR THE GAS PEDAL, I CONSIDER THIS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH SURFACES AT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION STOPS. I TRY TO BE WARY, BUT I AM UNCERTAIN THAT I CAN ALWAYS ACCOMPLISH THE MANEUVER. I DO NOT WISH TO BE DRAWN INTO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE DETAILS. *JB
MANY NOISES ON CAR , MANY TIMES ON SERVICE , REAR NOISE NEVER REPAIRED AND SERVICE TECH SAID " THE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A FIX AT THIS TIME". *JB
THE REAR OBSTACLE SENSOR INCLUDED IN THIS '05 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A SLOW RESPONSE TIME BEFORE IT SOUNDS THE WARNING TONES, AND CAN ALLOW THE DRIVER TO HIT AN OBSTACLE IN BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE HIT A CAR BEHIND IT WHILE BACKING, AND THE ALAM DID NOT SOUND UNTIL THE CONTACT HAD OCCURRED. *NM
I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE VEHICLE JUST DIES FOR NO REASON AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM AFRAID I OR MY SON COULD BE TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER AUTO AND THIS ONE DIE AGAIN AND COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON CO…
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I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE VEHICLE JUST DIES FOR NO REASON AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM AFRAID I OR MY SON COULD BE TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER AUTO AND THIS ONE DIE AGAIN AND COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. *NM
WHEN VEHICLE IS UNOCCUPIED AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS BLINK ON AND OFF, THE HEADLAMPS ILLUMINATE FOR MILLISECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF. ALL POWER IS OFF IN THE VEHICLE AND NO KEY OR PERSON IS IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10 TIMES A MINUTE. THE BATTERY IN THE MORNING IS WEAK. *JB
OPENED REAR DOOR WINDOW AND WIND NOISE AND VIBRATING SOUND SEEMED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BURST OUR EAR DRUMS,NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE. *NM
WHEN LOWERING REAR DOOR WINDOWS ABOVE 30 MILES PER HOUR WIND NOISE IS UNBEARABLE IT HURTS ALL THE PASSENGERS EARS TO THE POINT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BURST YOUR EAR DRUM PLUS YOU CAN'T HEAR UNLESS PASSENGER YELLS AT YOU PAIN IN EARS IS SOME SEVERE. ON STEERING WHEEL THEIR IS TWO PLACES TO BLOW HORN LEFT AREA IS NO LONGER WORKI…
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WHEN LOWERING REAR DOOR WINDOWS ABOVE 30 MILES PER HOUR WIND NOISE IS UNBEARABLE IT HURTS ALL THE PASSENGERS EARS TO THE POINT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BURST YOUR EAR DRUM PLUS YOU CAN'T HEAR UNLESS PASSENGER YELLS AT YOU PAIN IN EARS IS SOME SEVERE. ON STEERING WHEEL THEIR IS TWO PLACES TO BLOW HORN LEFT AREA IS NO LONGER WORKING WILL PUT IN SHOP OCT.18,2005 FOR REPAIRS. ALSO FUEL MILEAGE STINKS WE HAVE AVERAGED APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER GALLON HAVE SPOKEN TO DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM BUT NO RESULTS YET.
DT: 2005 FORD FREESTYLE - THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING UP HILL. ALSO, IT HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT. AFTER LEAVING THE RED LIGHT IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES IN A SPAN OF TWO MILES. THIS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES TO CONSUMER, AND ONCE FOR THE DEALER. IT HA…
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DT: 2005 FORD FREESTYLE - THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING UP HILL. ALSO, IT HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT. AFTER LEAVING THE RED LIGHT IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES IN A SPAN OF TWO MILES. THIS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES TO CONSUMER, AND ONCE FOR THE DEALER. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONLY ONCE, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHAT WAS THE CAUSE THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE , AND THEY WERE UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND CONSIDER THIS CAR A LEMON. HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER YET, BUT I PLANNED TO DO SO. *AK
WINDSHIELD GLARE UNSAFE. E.G. ROUNDING CORNER INTO SUNLIGHT CAUSES DASH REFLECTION ONTO WINDSHIELD & UNABLE TO SEE OBJECTS OR VEHICLES IN FRONT. USE OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HELPS...BUT CAN'T WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME. DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DISTANCE, SEE OTHER VEHICLES.*JB
Official recalls
206V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Oct 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.
05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:mounting
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.