IllustrationTHE CAR JUMP IN LOW SPEED AND YOU HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THIS WAS IN DIRECT DRIVE OR REVERSE. *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 VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ON THE HWY. THE RPMS WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND RELAX TO NORMAL RPM SPEED. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAY'S AGO. MY WORRY IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPAIR FACILITIES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL DEFECT. I HAVE READ MANY POST…
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THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE ON THE HWY. THE RPMS WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND RELAX TO NORMAL RPM SPEED. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER A FEW DAY'S AGO. MY WORRY IS THAT I HAVE TAKEN IT TO REPAIR FACILITIES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I AM WORRIED THAT I WILL HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BECAUSE OF THE RECALL DEFECT. I HAVE READ MANY POSTS ABOUT CVT TRANSMISSION FAILURE, IT WOULD APPEAR THAT FORD IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE OWNED FORDS FOR OVER THIRTY YEARS AND IF THE CVT PROBLEMS ARE NOT ADDRESSED. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER, MY FAMILY WILL NOT BUY AGAIN EITHER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH UPHILL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,695.
CAR SURGES WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE OF GAS, TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING VERY WIERD, KICKS HARD THEN THE NEXT DAY WORKS. *TR
THE FIRST INCIDENT MY FUEL GAUGE IS OFF & PRODUCING INCORRECT DATA OF GAS REMAINING IN CAR & DRIVER WINDOW WOULD ROLL UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO JUST ROLL IT UP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. ANOTHER INCIDENT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIRD INCIDENT I WAS AT A STOP LI…
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THE FIRST INCIDENT MY FUEL GAUGE IS OFF & PRODUCING INCORRECT DATA OF GAS REMAINING IN CAR & DRIVER WINDOW WOULD ROLL UP AND DOWN WHEN TRYING TO JUST ROLL IT UP. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. ANOTHER INCIDENT I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIRD INCIDENT I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT WITH MY 5 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR MADE A LOUD REVVING UP NOISE THEN SHOT US FORWARD INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO BACK UP BEFORE THE CARS REACHED US. ANOTHER TIME I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER TAKING HER TO DAYCARE THEN GOING TO WORK AND WE WERE GOING THROUGH A SCHOOL ZONE. WE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND THERE WAS A FAMILY WITH 3 CHILDREN CROSSING AND THE CAR SHOT US FORWARD AGAIN AND WE ALMOST HIT THE FAMILY. SEVERAL TIMES WHEN PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER I WOULD PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STILL ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SHOT US BACK INTO THE CARS BEHIND US. THIS CAR IS VERY UNSAFE. I FEAR FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS AND MY DAUGHTERS AND MY LIFE WHEN GETTING INTO THIS CAR. FORD SHOULD RECALL THIS VEHICLE AND REPLACE IT WITH A NEW CAR. PEOPLE SHOULDN'T BE AT RISK FOR THIS. *TR
VEHICLE LUNGES OR SURGES WHEN AT IDLE OR LOW SPEEDS IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. *TR
CAR WAS PARKED IN REAR OF APARTMENT COMPLEX.WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT LUNGED BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, SMASHING THE REAR OF THE CAR INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. I DID HAVE A SEAT BELT ON BUT THE IMPACT CAUSED SEVERE NECK TRAUMA AS MY HEAD WAS TURNED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. APPROXIMATELY AN H…
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CAR WAS PARKED IN REAR OF APARTMENT COMPLEX.WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT LUNGED BACK WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS, SMASHING THE REAR OF THE CAR INTO THE APARTMENT BUILDING WALL. I DID HAVE A SEAT BELT ON BUT THE IMPACT CAUSED SEVERE NECK TRAUMA AS MY HEAD WAS TURNED AT THE TIME OF IMPACT. I SHUT THE CAR OFF. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER I STARTED THE CAR, PUT IT IN DRIVE, AND AS I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, IT WOULD "LOSE POWER", THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON, AND THE CAR WOULD HAVE NO TRANSMISSION POWER. I HAD TO PULL THE CAR OVER, TURN IT OFF AND RESTART IT. THIS HAPPENED REPEATEDLY. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP INCORRECTLY DIAGNOSED AND CHARGED ME A REPAIR FOR CLEANING THE SENSOR - AND REFUSED TO REFUND ME MY DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT FIXED. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH TO LEARN IT WAS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY WOULD APPLY THE CREDIT TOWARDS REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY....BUT NOT ALL THE CHARGES. THEY WERE HORRIBLE TO DEAL WITH IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AFTER COMPLETELY FAILING TO FIX MY CAR AND CHARGING ME ALMOST $500. *TR
WHEN VEHICLE IS COMPLETE STOPPED WITH BRAKE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING MY TWO YEARS OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT. SEVERAL TIMES I BARELY MISSED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY I NEVER PULL UP REAL CLOSE. FORD IS NOW 90 DAYS OUT ON…
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WHEN VEHICLE IS COMPLETE STOPPED WITH BRAKE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING MY TWO YEARS OF DRIVING THIS VEHICLE UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY OUT. SEVERAL TIMES I BARELY MISSED HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. LUCKILY I NEVER PULL UP REAL CLOSE. FORD IS NOW 90 DAYS OUT ON GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. *TR
FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THEIR CVT TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE OVER 54 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON ONE WEBSITE. FORD HAS ALSO DECIDED NOT TO MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART. THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER IS FACED WITH A $6000.00 REPAIR BILL. THERE IS NO DOUBT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AS FORD CHANGED TO A MORE RELIABLE 6SPEED AUTOMATIC. TH…
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FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THEIR CVT TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE OVER 54 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS ON ONE WEBSITE. FORD HAS ALSO DECIDED NOT TO MAKE A REPLACEMENT PART. THEREFORE, THE CONSUMER IS FACED WITH A $6000.00 REPAIR BILL. THERE IS NO DOUBT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY AS FORD CHANGED TO A MORE RELIABLE 6SPEED AUTOMATIC. THOSE OF WHO HAVE A NICE VEHICLE ARE FACED WITH OVERSIZED YARD ART AS THE COMMON MAN CAN BUY ANOTHER CAR FOR THE REPAIR. TRYING TO TRADE RESULTED IN "WHAT WILL WE DO WITH IT?" NICE ANSWER. *TR
THE VEHICLE SURGES AT LOW SPEEDS, MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN A/C IS ON. *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.