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 reports
88,000 miles · Aug 29, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED 5 TIMES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MOST OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE D…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED 5 TIMES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MOST OFTEN WHEN THE WEATHER TEMPERATURE WAS OVER 100 DEGREES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SECURE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,355.
NHTSA ODI #10472924
15,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MOSTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, BEFORE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MOSTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, BEFORE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,100.
NHTSA ODI #10472634
96,000 miles · Aug 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE CAME TO A STOP SIGN THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE ON ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED AS HE CAME TO A STOP SIGN THERE WAS A SUDDEN INCREASE ON ENGINE RPMS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT HE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT IT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART IT IN ORDER TO RESET THE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MECHATRONICS CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
NHTSA ODI #10472543
70,755 miles · Aug 24, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD SPEED UP AS I TURNED INTO PARKING PLACES AT LOW SPEED. TOLD MY NON-FORD MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK IN NOV. 2009. HE SUGGESTED A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANUP. IT SEEMED TO WORK UNTIL AUGUST 2010 WHEN MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL STARTED A CARPOOL LINE FOR AFTER SCHOOL PICKUP. IT IS HOT IN MY CITY IN AUGUST, SO I SPENT…
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I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WOULD SPEED UP AS I TURNED INTO PARKING PLACES AT LOW SPEED. TOLD MY NON-FORD MECHANIC TO TAKE A LOOK IN NOV. 2009. HE SUGGESTED A FUEL SYSTEM CLEANUP. IT SEEMED TO WORK UNTIL AUGUST 2010 WHEN MY CHILDREN'S SCHOOL STARTED A CARPOOL LINE FOR AFTER SCHOOL PICKUP. IT IS HOT IN MY CITY IN AUGUST, SO I SPENT PROBABLY 20 MINUTES IDLING WITH THE AC ON. WHEN I WOULD START TO LET UP ON THE BRAKE AS THE LINE BEGAN TO MOVE FORWARD, MY VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD REV UP AND MY CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD WITHOUT MY FOOT EVER COMING FULLY OFF THE BRAKE. IT DID NOT APPEAR TO HAPPEN IF I TURNED THE AC OFF. TO COMPENSATE I WOULD TURN CAR OFF AND ROLL WINDOWS DOWN IF I KNEW I WOULD BE WAITING MORE THAN A FEW MINUTES, BUT WHEN THE TEMP IS 100+ OUTSIDE IT IS MISERABLE TO DO THIS. ONCE THE WEATHER COOLS OFF (BELOW 90) THE LUNGING SEEMS TO GO AWAY. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED IN AUGUST 2011, AND AGAIN IN AUGUST 2012. THIS AUGUST IT HAS BEEN MUCH WORSE. SOMETIMES I HAVE JUST STARTED MY CAR WHEN I EXPERIENCE THE LUNGING. FINALLY TOOK CAR TO FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEED THROTTLE BODY REPLACED FOR $900. BECAUSE I ALSO NEED A NEW ALTERNATOR (AND HAVE REPLACED REAR SHOCKS AND ENGINE MOUNT IN LAST 4 MONTHS), I OPTED NOT TO REPAIR AT THIS TIME. I HAVE TO BE SO CAREFUL IN TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT, AND IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE! THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND I AM HOPING THAT FORD WILL ISSUE A RECALL AS THIS IS NOT WHAT I WOULD CONSIDER "ROUTINE MAINTENANCE" NOR A RARE INSTANCE OF MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10472335
90,100 miles · Aug 21, 2012
Power Train
WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE CAR STARTED MAKING A HELICOPTER SOUND, AND THE CHECK TRANSMISSION AND CHECK TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AS WAS THE AWD MALFUNCTION LIGHT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471683
110,000 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Power Train
THE CARS WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHILE SITTING ON HOT DAYS WITH THE A/C ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT GOES INTO A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT ALLOWS ONLY 15MPH AND IT SURGES REAL BAD IN FORWARD OR REVERSE WITH A VERY LOUD AND SUDDEN THUNK WHEN PUTTING IT IN GEAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS POS TRANSMISSION AS I AM NOT…
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THE CARS WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT COME ON WHILE SITTING ON HOT DAYS WITH THE A/C ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS IT GOES INTO A FAIL SAFE MODE THAT ALLOWS ONLY 15MPH AND IT SURGES REAL BAD IN FORWARD OR REVERSE WITH A VERY LOUD AND SUDDEN THUNK WHEN PUTTING IT IN GEAR. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON THIS POS TRANSMISSION AS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THESE ISSUES. I KNOW MANY OTHER FREESTYLE OWNERS IN MY AREA ALONE THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471644
95,000 miles · Aug 20, 2012
Power Train
THE CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A LOW GROANING NOISE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DETECT ANY ISSUES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WHEN A LOUD BLAST CAME FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION LITERALLY EXPLODED AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE HOUSING AND SENT METAL EVERYWHERE. THERE W…
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THE CAR HAD BEEN MAKING A LOW GROANING NOISE FOR A FEW MONTHS AND THE MECHANICS WERE UNABLE TO DETECT ANY ISSUES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 55MPH WHEN A LOUD BLAST CAME FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. THE TRANSMISSION LITERALLY EXPLODED AND BLEW A HOLE IN THE HOUSING AND SENT METAL EVERYWHERE. THERE WAS AN OBVIOUS SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE BRAKES WERE COMPROMISED BECAUSE THE METAL HAD SEVERED THE BRAKE LINE AS WELL. THE CAR WAS SAFELY BROUGHT TO A STOP AND THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE IT ENDED UP HAVING A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT FOR NEARLY $4,000. WE HAD BEEN HAVING INTERMITTENT ISSUES WITH SUDDEN ENGINE SURGES DATING BACK TO WELL BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION INCIDENT AND CONTINUING EVEN TO THIS DAY. IT WAS NOT UNTIL FINDING RECENT INFORMATION THAT I RELATED THESE TWO INCIDENTS TO EACH OTHER. THIS LAST SPRING WE ALSO HAD THE ENGINE MOUNTS REPLACED AS WELL. I RECALL SEEING THAT LISTED IN SEVERAL REPORTS AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471638
75,000 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Steering
WHEN I START MY 2005 FREESTYLE AND PUT THE A/C ON OR PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND USE THE STEERING WHEEL THE CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF AND TRIES TO TAKEOFF. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471460
156,000 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Power TrainStructureCrash
AFTER COMING HOME FROM A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE, ABOUT 5 MILE TOTAL ROUND TRIP; I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ABOUT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD HITTING A METAL STORAGE SHELF. THE CAR SURGED 5 FEET FORWARD WHILE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED FROM IDLE (ABOUT 80…
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AFTER COMING HOME FROM A TRIP TO THE GROCERY STORE, ABOUT 5 MILE TOTAL ROUND TRIP; I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND ABOUT TO MOVE THE GEAR LEVER FROM DRIVE TO PARK, THE CAR SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD HITTING A METAL STORAGE SHELF. THE CAR SURGED 5 FEET FORWARD WHILE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED FROM IDLE (ABOUT 800) TO 2500 INSTANTLY AND UNCOMMANDED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO THROTTLE INCREASE OR INPUT. IT DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY CAR. OUR FREESTYLE DOES THIS OFTEN. I NORMALLY CAN CATCH IT. IT ALWAYS HAPPENS AT LOW SPEED OR WHILE THE CAR IS STOPPED. IT HAPPENS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. I HAVE SINCE HAD TO DISCONTINUE LETTING MY 18 AND 16 YEAR OLD SON AND DAUGHTER DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE DANGER INVOLVED IN THESE UNCONTROLLED SURGES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10471444
70,000 miles · Aug 19, 2012
Unknown Or Other
LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD AT LOW SPEEDS WHEN FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THROTTLE BODY REPLACED ONCE IN 2010 AN NOW IT NEEDS REPLACING AGAIN. *TR
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.
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
2
PE11018 · 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
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.
2005 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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