IllustrationCAR LUNGES WHEN SITTING STILL WITH ENGINE RUNNING BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE AND IS WORSE WHEN AIR COND IS ON. LOUD NOISE I BELIEVE IS COMING FROM TRANSMISSION WHILE PARKED AND RUNNING AND SITTING STILL. SYSTEM WAS OVERCHARGING AND CAUSED MY BATTERY TO EXPLODE. CHECK LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
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 reportsTHE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS IN LAS VEGAS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE SPEED WENT DOWN AND I COULD CONTROL THE SPEED ("FAILED ENGINE SAFE MODE" APPEARED IN THE PANEL). I PARKED THE VEHICLE, TURNED IT OFF AND RE-STARTED IT. THE PROBLEM DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ON MY WAY BACK, TOOK IT TO FAIRWAY FORD IN PL…
Read full complaint
THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS IN LAS VEGAS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE SPEED WENT DOWN AND I COULD CONTROL THE SPEED ("FAILED ENGINE SAFE MODE" APPEARED IN THE PANEL). I PARKED THE VEHICLE, TURNED IT OFF AND RE-STARTED IT. THE PROBLEM DIDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. ON MY WAY BACK, TOOK IT TO FAIRWAY FORD IN PLACENTIA, CALIFORNIA. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, AIR INTAKE AND ENGINE ROLL RESTRICTOR. CAR WAS OK UNTIL 6/6/14 WITH 65,330 MILES WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING AROUND MY HOUSE, TOOK IT TO FAIRWAY FORD AND IT WAS RECALL 12N03 ON THE VEHICLE (NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD), THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY AND RE-PROGRAMMED THE PCM. 2 MOS. LATER, 8/28/14 SAME THING HAPPENED, AND FAIRWAY FORD TOLD ME THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AGAIN AND I HAVE TO PAY $860. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AT 800-392-3673, TALKED TO [XXX] AND SHE SAID I COULD GET ANY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. I ESCALATED THE SITUATION, AND A SUPERVISOR WILL CALL ME BACK ON TUESDAY 9/2/14. IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY I COULD GET REAR ENDED AND BE KILLED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
CARS RUNS FINE WHEN COLD OR EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER FEW MINUTES WRENCH LIGHT GETS ON AND TRANSMISSION START TO MAKE NOISE WHEN SHIFTED AND WON'T ACCELERATE WELL, RUNS BUT ENGINE STAY AT HIGH RPMS , IF I TURN IT OFF FOR FEW SECONDS WRENCH LIGHT COME OFF AND RUNS FINES BUT AFTER FEW MINUTES RUNNING WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND THE…
Read full complaint
CARS RUNS FINE WHEN COLD OR EARLY IN THE MORNING AFTER FEW MINUTES WRENCH LIGHT GETS ON AND TRANSMISSION START TO MAKE NOISE WHEN SHIFTED AND WON'T ACCELERATE WELL, RUNS BUT ENGINE STAY AT HIGH RPMS , IF I TURN IT OFF FOR FEW SECONDS WRENCH LIGHT COME OFF AND RUNS FINES BUT AFTER FEW MINUTES RUNNING WRENCH LIGHT COME ON AND THE PROBLEM AGAIN . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THREE MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND THREE MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
CAR WAS FINANCED AND PURCHASED USED FROM AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN 2007 @ APPROX. 64K MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REGISTERED AS FORD MOTOR CO., INDIANA. ON 12 JUN 2014, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTINUOUSLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) FIRST SHOWED SIGNS OF A PROBLEM: FAILING TO SHIFT OUT OF LOWER SPEED GEAR FROM A STOP TO HIGHER GEA…
Read full complaint
CAR WAS FINANCED AND PURCHASED USED FROM AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER IN 2007 @ APPROX. 64K MILES. PREVIOUS OWNER WAS REGISTERED AS FORD MOTOR CO., INDIANA. ON 12 JUN 2014, WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTINUOUSLY-VARIABLE TRANSMISSION (CVT) FIRST SHOWED SIGNS OF A PROBLEM: FAILING TO SHIFT OUT OF LOWER SPEED GEAR FROM A STOP TO HIGHER GEARS DURING TRAVEL. PROBLEM WAS REMEDIED TEMPORARILY BY SHIFTING FROM D TO R AND BACK TO D WHILE STOPPED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED SPORADICALLY, BUT WITHIN LAST WEEK FREQUENCY OF PROBLEM HAS INCREASED WHILE AWAITING SERVICE APPOINTMENT. THIS MORNING, 13-AUG-2014, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY FORWARD GEAR WHILE STOPPED AT INTERSECTION, RESULTING IN A COMPLETE LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION. PROBLEM REMEDIED BY SHIFTING FROM D TO R AND BACK TO D, WITH SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTLY. SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATES THAT CVT FAILURES IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL ARE COMMON AND RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION WITH REBUILT (AS TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED BY FORD). MOREOVER, ONLY FORD CAN PERFORM THE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED DURING ANY OF THESE EVENTS. COST OF REPAIR WILL EXCEED VALUE OF CAR. $5800 OR MORE VERSUS $3600 TRADE-IN OR INSTANT-CASH OFFER PRICE $1500. AC COMPRESSOR FAILURE AND REBUILD (INCLUDING REAR AC) IN 2012 COST $875. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THE TRANSMISSION FILTER REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MA…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THE TRANSMISSION FILTER REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS M…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FAIL SAFE MODE AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 10/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHCLE WOULD SURGE AT LOW SPEEDS AND EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. UPDATED 03/2/2015 *JS
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER BUT THEY ONLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE LAST EVENT WAS IN AUGUST 1 WHEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME UP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER AND WOULDN'T RUN FASTER THAN P…
Read full complaint
THE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THE THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A WHILE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER BUT THEY ONLY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY WHEN IT NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE LAST EVENT WAS IN AUGUST 1 WHEN WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE FAIL SAFE MODE CAME UP AND THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST THE POWER AND WOULDN'T RUN FASTER THAN PROBABLY 0.1 MILE PER HOUR. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME I WAS WITH MY KIDS IN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STOP RUNNING. THANK GOD I HAD A CHANCE TO STEER TO THE EMERGENCY LANE. MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2005-2007 FREESTYLE, THIS IS A SUPER SAFETY ISSUE AND NOBODY IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WHEN MY CAR STOPPED I COULD HAVE BEEN HIT ON THE BACK WITH A WORST OUTCOME. I GOT A TOW TRUCK AND THEY TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER. THOSE PEOPLE ARE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL AND TREATED ME WITH A BAD ATTITUDE. VERY EXPENSIVE TO CHANGE THAT'S WHY FORD IS NOT GETTING INVOLVED AND ONLY OFFERED TO CLEAN THE PART IN THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, KNOWING THAT WOULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE BODY PART BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A THREE TO FOUR SECOND LAG. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,902.
CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR CAME UP WRENCH LIGHT LIT UP WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. *TR
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.