NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports129,000 miles · Jun 9, 2014
StructureInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL ON THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND CONTAINED HOLES. AS A RESULT OF THE HOLES, FUMES SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME ILL. THE HOLES ALSO CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME WET WHEN IT RAINED AND COLLECT SALT WHEN IT SNOWED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL ON THE VEHICLE WAS CORRODED AND CONTAINED HOLES. AS A RESULT OF THE HOLES, FUMES SEEPED INTO THE VEHICLE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO BECOME ILL. THE HOLES ALSO CAUSED THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME WET WHEN IT RAINED AND COLLECT SALT WHEN IT SNOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.
NHTSA ODI #10597197
85,000 miles · Jun 8, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THIS VEHICLE IS LUNGING. UNEXPECTED MOVING WHEN FOOT NOT ON ACCELERATOR. THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE TWO KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 2 AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND REPAIR IT IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T DEEM IT SAFE TO DRIVE. I SEE WHERE THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED SINCE 2011 AND YOU S…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THIS VEHICLE IS LUNGING. UNEXPECTED MOVING WHEN FOOT NOT ON ACCELERATOR. THIS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED. I HAVE TWO KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 2 AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND REPAIR IT IMMEDIATELY. I DON'T DEEM IT SAFE TO DRIVE. I SEE WHERE THIS HAS BEEN INVESTIGATED SINCE 2011 AND YOU SHOULD RECALL THE VEHICLES BEFORE SOMEONE GET SERIOUSLY INJURED. PLEASE RESPOND AS TO WHAT YOU ARE WAITING ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10596900
140,243 miles · Jun 6, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE OR DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,243.
NHTSA ODI #10596729
83,000 miles · Jun 1, 2014
EnginePower Train
THE VERY FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE AND IT JUST LUNGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES THAT DAY TO THE POINT I STARTED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT TO KEEP IT FROM POSSIBLY HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS WENT ON AND ON T…
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THE VERY FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WAS PARKING MY VEHICLE AND IT JUST LUNGE FORWARD ON ITS OWN. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAPPEN MULTIPLE TIMES THAT DAY TO THE POINT I STARTED TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN I CAME TO A STOPLIGHT TO KEEP IT FROM POSSIBLY HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. THIS WENT ON AND ON THAT SUMMER AND IT SEEMED TO DO IT WHEN IT IS HOT AND THE A/C IS RUNNING. IT HASN'T STOP SINCE! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595438
90,000 miles · May 30, 2014
Power Train
WHEN PUTTING CAR IN DRIVE ON WARM DAYS WITH THE AIR ON THE CAR WILL LUNGE FORWARD. I AM USED TO THIS BUT MY WIFE GOT IN THE CAR YESTERDAY 5-29-2014 AND ALMOST HIT A CAR IN THE PARKING LOT. VERY DANGEROUS !!! READ THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10595014
145,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
THIS VEHICLE LOOSES COMPLETE POWER WHILE DRIVING. RUNS SLUGGISH AND HESITATES.. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR POSSIBLE RECALL (THROTTLE BODY) DEALER SAYS NOT THE ISSUE NEED TO REPLACE ALTERNATOR, AND TRANSMISSION, ETC.. CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR ASSISTANCE TO SEE IF THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594868
20,000 miles · May 28, 2014
EnginePower TrainService Brakes
IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WORE OUT AT LESS THAN A YEAR AND LESS THAN 9,000. THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AND JUMP BEFORE STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD GET A JUMP START BEFORE I WANTED IT TO MOVE. A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. HOWEVER, IT DID CHANGE NOISES AS I CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING THE CA…
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IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WORE OUT AT LESS THAN A YEAR AND LESS THAN 9,000. THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AND JUMP BEFORE STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD GET A JUMP START BEFORE I WANTED IT TO MOVE. A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. HOWEVER, IT DID CHANGE NOISES AS I CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS ROARING. DURING THE WINTER TIME, THE CAR WAS NOT GOOD WITH THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION AS IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT STICKING IN THE GEAR. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN THE SERVICE STATION OF THE PLACE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 62,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594682
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2014
Power Train
WE OWN A FORD FREESTYLE 2005 THE TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER BEEN QUITE RIGHT, IT FAILED OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE FORD TECH SAYS TRANSMISSIONS ARE DEFECTIVE BUT THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF 6600 WITH THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE OWNERS OF THE 200…
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WE OWN A FORD FREESTYLE 2005 THE TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER BEEN QUITE RIGHT, IT FAILED OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE FORD TECH SAYS TRANSMISSIONS ARE DEFECTIVE BUT THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REPLACE IT AT A COST OF 6600 WITH THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND HAVE SPOKEN TO MANY PEOPLE OWNERS OF THE 2005 THROUGH 2007 FORD FREESTYLES WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCES. 75 I HAVE FOUND POSTED ONLINE THEY REPLACED THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AT COST FROM 5600 TO 7800 ONLY TO HAVE THEM FAIL AGAIN IN A SHORT TIME. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AS WE HAVE OWNED FORDS FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS NOW AND MAINTAIN OUR CARS WILL DUE DILIGENCE THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. WE HAVE BOTH OWNED FORD TAURUS WAGONS WHICH ONE HAD NEARLY 400000 MILES ON THE CLOCK WHEN WE SOLD IT STILL RUNNING GREAT! OUR FORD ALSO HAS HAD MANY OCCURRENCES OF THE THROTTLE STICKING UNDER ACCELERATION SO MUCH SO THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10594104
Mileage unknown · May 25, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control
I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT 2 ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE VIN # [XXX]...I HAVE READ ONLINE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE THROTTLE BODY...MY CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT TIMES EVEN WHEN I AM ON THE BRAKE...ALSO THE AC PROBLEM I HAVE THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT ONLINE BY A LOT OF PE…
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I AM WRITING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT 2 ISSUES THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE VIN # [XXX]...I HAVE READ ONLINE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE THROTTLE BODY...MY CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AT TIMES EVEN WHEN I AM ON THE BRAKE...ALSO THE AC PROBLEM I HAVE THAT I HAVE READ ABOUT ONLINE BY A LOT OF PEOPLE. MY CAR WONT COOL WHEN IDLING BUT THE DRIVER SIDE WILL COOL WHEN GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. I DO BELIEVE THE PROBLEMS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEM. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593985
113,000 miles · May 21, 2014
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting
WE NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A DOOR SWITCH BUT AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FOUND THAT WHILE DRIVING I COULD WIGGLE THE KEY AND THE LIGHTS MIGHT TURN…
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WE NOTICED THAT WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD RANDOMLY TURN ON AND OFF. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN RELATED TO A DOOR SWITCH BUT AFTER SOME TROUBLE SHOOTING, I FOUND THAT IT WAS RELATED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. I FOUND THAT WHILE DRIVING I COULD WIGGLE THE KEY AND THE LIGHTS MIGHT TURN ON OR OFF RANDOMLY. THERE WAS NO EFFECT TO THE ENGINE. DURING THE DAY I'D NOT NOTICED IT BUT AT NIGHT IT IS QUITE DISTRACTING. I'VE NOT YET REPLACED THE SWITCH BUT IT IS ON MY LIST. WE RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR. IT MAY HAVE HAD THE PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. AS PART OF MY FIXING THINGS, I'D ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT WAS STUCK ON, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE LIGHTS ON THE TAIL GATE FROM HEAT. I CAN SAVE THE SWITCHES IF IT IS OF INTEREST. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10593227
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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