IllustrationVEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO CORROSION TO THE STEERING SHAFT. *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 reportsI WAS SENT THE RECALL FOR DOOR LATCHES FREEZING AND DOORS NOT CLOSING SECURELY AND/OR DOORS OPENING. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE AT FORD DEALER. THE FOLLOWING WINTER WAS MILD AND DOORS WERE NOT WET IN BELOW FREEZING DAYS/NIGHTS ETC THE FOLLOWING YEARS DOORS STILL CONTINUED TO OPEN AND NOT LATCH SHUT WHEN WET AND BELOW FREEZING. F…
Read full complaint
I WAS SENT THE RECALL FOR DOOR LATCHES FREEZING AND DOORS NOT CLOSING SECURELY AND/OR DOORS OPENING. I HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE AT FORD DEALER. THE FOLLOWING WINTER WAS MILD AND DOORS WERE NOT WET IN BELOW FREEZING DAYS/NIGHTS ETC THE FOLLOWING YEARS DOORS STILL CONTINUED TO OPEN AND NOT LATCH SHUT WHEN WET AND BELOW FREEZING. FOLLOWING THIS DISCOVERY I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ON 2 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AND THEY SAID "WE DID THE RECALL WORK AND THAT'S ALL WE ARE DOING" I TOLD THEM IT DID NOT FIX ANYTHING --THEY SAID ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. THIS CAR IS JUNK AT EVERY LEVEL BUT DOORS NOT CLOSING IS THEIR PROBLEM - PLEASE MAKE THEM RE-RECALL THIS ISSUE!! *TR
IN DRIVE AT 40 MPH TO 55 MPH THE CAR ALMOST STALLS AND GOES I TO FAIL SAFE MODE. IN FAIL SAFE MODE THE CAR RUNS AT 15 MPH. THE DEALER SAYS THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH CAUSING IT TO OPEN FREELY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 72,0…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH CAUSING IT TO OPEN FREELY WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 72,000. UPDATED 3/28/14*CN IN DECEMBER 2012, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED. ON 02/18/14, THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW DOOR LATCH. UPDATED 04/22/14
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL BUT DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ONE OF THE DOORS OPENED INDEPENDENTLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V383000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL BUT DID NOT PREVENT THE FAILURE FROM OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
2005 FREESTYLE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BOUGHT IN SUMMER 2013 AS WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK JUST FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STRAINING TO KEEP UP THE SPEED IT WAS SET AT. IN NOVEMBER STARTED TO HEAD TO WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON…
Read full complaint
2005 FREESTYLE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BOUGHT IN SUMMER 2013 AS WAS NEVER MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSIONS. SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK JUST FINE AND OTHER TIMES IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS STRAINING TO KEEP UP THE SPEED IT WAS SET AT. IN NOVEMBER STARTED TO HEAD TO WORK AND THE TRANSMISSION AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO SHOP AND SPENT 1200.00 TO REPAIR COMPUTER CHIP INSIDE TRANSMISSION HOPING THIS WOULD HELP BUT IT DID NOT. THE CAR WILL ONLY ENGAGE IN THE CVT TRANSMISSION IF WARM BUT TAKES A LONG TIME TO WARM UP AND THEN ONLY GOES A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE MORE PROBLEMS. NOW BEING TOLD 5000 PLUS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS CAUSE NOTHING ELSE FIXES THE PROBLEM. HAVE ONLY TAKEN THE CAR FOR ONE NIGHT A MONTH AGO AND IT HAS BEEN AT THE REPAIR SHOP EVER SINCE SO SINCE NOVEMBER ONLY HAD IT A NIGHT DUE TO THIS MATTER. WAS ADVISED THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ESPECIALLY DURING THE WINTER DUE TO THE POSSIBLE COMPLETE FAILURE AT ANY TIME. *TR
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. SHE PULLED INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED ME ON THE CELL, WE TRIED TO START IT UP BUT THE WHINING NOISE KEPT GOING AND THE CAR WOULD MOVE INTO ANY OF I…
Read full complaint
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ONE NIGHT THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON THE DASH AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD WHINING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE AREA. SHE PULLED INTO A SHOPPING PLAZA AND SHUT THE CAR OFF AND CALLED ME ON THE CELL, WE TRIED TO START IT UP BUT THE WHINING NOISE KEPT GOING AND THE CAR WOULD MOVE INTO ANY OF ITS GEARS. IT WOULD SHIFT INTO THE GEARS SELECTIONS BUT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL, SO I HAD IT TOWED WITH A RAMP TRUCK THREW MY AAA MEMBERSHIP. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT LEAKING AND WAS FULL AT THE TIME OF THE BREAKDOWN AND NOW ITS GOING TO COST ME AROUND $5,000.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE FORD MOTORS CO. HAD A PROBLEM WITH THERE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN THE MODELS FROM 2005 TO 2007 IN THE FREESTYLES AND 500 MODELS.MY CAR MAY HAVE 170,000 MILES ON IT BUT THE BODY IS IN GREAT CONDITION BECAUSE ITS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND RIGHT NOW I CAN NOT AFFORD THE REPAIR BILL. I COULD PURCHASE A NICE USED CAR FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. FORD MOTORS CO. KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DUE TO THE TIME LINE THEY WILL NEVER HAVE A RECALL AND THE OWNERS WILL BE STUCK WITH THE COSTLY REPAIRS. THANK YOU *TR
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE A TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. USED $2,000 TO $3,000 AND NEW $6,500. HE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR COULD GO 50 MILES OR 50,000 MILES BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING BUT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENED IF I WERE GOING AT A HIGH RATE …
Read full complaint
I TOOK MY CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE A TAPPING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A TRANSMISSION. USED $2,000 TO $3,000 AND NEW $6,500. HE TOLD ME THAT THE CAR COULD GO 50 MILES OR 50,000 MILES BEFORE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING BUT IT COULD BE DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENED IF I WERE GOING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AFTER SEARCHING THE INTERNET THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS NEVER BEEN FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR AND WON'T FIX FOR ME. WHAT HAPPENS IF MY KIDS ARE IN THE CAR WITH ME WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GOES? I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX THE PROBLEM, I CAN'T AFFORD A NEW CAR - SO WHAT DO PEOPLE LIKE ME DO? THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM FOR FORD THEY COULD AND SHOULD REPAIR THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND EQUIPMENT. *TR
CAR LEAKS WHEN IT RAINS. THIRD ROW DRIVER SIDE CUP HOLDERS STAY FULL OF WATER, I PULLED PLUG BELOW SPARE TIRE TO KEEP WATER FROM FILLING UP AND RUSTING THE TIRE. MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS CAR LEAKING. NOW THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IS DAMAGED, THE REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON, AND THE TAILLIGHTS SOMETIMES HAVE WATER IN THEM. *TR
ME AND MY WIFE CARPOOL ON THIRD SHIFT TO OUR JOBS. UPON BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, AND AN ERROR READING" FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE". I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK, HOWEVER I COULDN'T GO FAST AT ALL NO MORE THAN MAYBE 40. I'M SEEING ONLINE MANY WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL NEED OR HAVE HAD NEW THROTT…
Read full complaint
ME AND MY WIFE CARPOOL ON THIRD SHIFT TO OUR JOBS. UPON BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY IN REVERSE, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, AND AN ERROR READING" FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE". I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO WORK, HOWEVER I COULDN'T GO FAST AT ALL NO MORE THAN MAYBE 40. I'M SEEING ONLINE MANY WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL NEED OR HAVE HAD NEW THROTTLE BODY'S PUT IN WITH NO LUCK COMING FROM IT. I'M HOPING THERE'S A RECALL BECAUSE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN AND A WIFE TO GET AROUND IN THIS ONE CAR.I WANNA KNOW WHAT THE RECALL IS ON IT IF ONE AT ALL IS AVAILABLE. WHY HAVEN'T THEY CORRECTED IT YET AFTER ALL THESE YEARS OF PROBLEMS AND SO MANY COMPLAINTS? *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.