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
190,000 miles · Jun 5, 2019
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, A TRACTOR TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANEL OF A 2006 DODGE RAM. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE SHOULDER AND BACK AND MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS PROVIDED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO FIRE DUE TO THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WEBB FORD 9809 INDIANAPOLIS BLVD, HIGHLAND, IN 46322 (219) 924-3400. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DEEMED THE VEHICLE A TOTAL LOSS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO PROVIDED CASE NUMBER CAS-21715175 AND REFERRED TO THE LOCAL DEALER HOWEVER, NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
NHTSA ODI #11218052
150,000 miles · May 20, 2019
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion SystemVisibility/wiper
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST POWER THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE REAR WIPER DOESN'T WORK AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING
NHTSA ODI #11208744
90 miles · May 19, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
THE CAR IS LUNGING FORWARD AT LOW SPEED WHILE BRAKING, THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED IN DECEMBER OF 2016.
NHTSA ODI #11208523
40 miles · Apr 5, 2019
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion System
LA GUAGUA SE APAGA EN PLENA RUTA LUEGO DE HABERLE SUPLIDO DE GASOLINA. NO APAGA LA LUZ INTERIOR DEL TECHO Y TECHO FRENTE AL CONDUCTOR. ESTE AUTO LO ADQUIR HACE UN AO MS O MENOS A TRAVS DE VENTA DIRECTA DEL DUEO. SOLICITO ME REGISTREN PARA TODA CORRESPONDENCIA.
NHTSA ODI #11193987
Mileage unknown · Mar 31, 2019
Power Train
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION IT SEEM TO NEVER SHIFT RIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL ALWAYS ACTED FUNNY SHIFTS HIGH OR SHIFT HARD AND THEN IT FINALLY GAVE OUT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHT IT MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND I HAD NO GEARS I COSTED TO A STOP
NHTSA ODI #11192724
188,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, PLACE THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTL…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, PLACE THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
NHTSA ODI #11183426
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2019
Power Train
THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING WHILE GOING UP A HILL
NHTSA ODI #11174324
75,000 miles · Jan 30, 2019
Structure
CAR DOORS WILL NOT RELATCH IN FREEZING TEMPS. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY BUT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE CAR DOOR WAS INITIALLY OPENED. IF I DRIVE TO WORK AND THE TEMP DROPS IT WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I SEE THAT THIS MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THIS REASON BUT MY VIN WAS NOT. OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE DEALERSHIP APPLIED A LU…
Read full complaint
CAR DOORS WILL NOT RELATCH IN FREEZING TEMPS. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY BUT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AFTER THE CAR DOOR WAS INITIALLY OPENED. IF I DRIVE TO WORK AND THE TEMP DROPS IT WILL BE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I SEE THAT THIS MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR THIS REASON BUT MY VIN WAS NOT. OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN. THE DEALERSHIP APPLIED A LUBRICANT (AT MY EXPENSE) BUT THAT DID NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11173037
164,100 miles · Jan 24, 2019
Electrical SystemPower TrainWheels
VEHICLES SAYS AWD MALFUNCTION AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WON'T SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE POWER LOCKS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED SHORTLY BEFORE THE AWD MALFUNCTION, MAKING IT WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT. THE POWER LOCK WAS UNLOCKED/LOCKED A COUPLE TIMES FIXING THE ISSUE FOR NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11171879
160,000 miles · Jan 23, 2019
Structure
DOOR LATCHES FREEZE OPEN IN COLD WEATHER AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 06V383000. THE DOORS HAVE FAILED TO LATCH WHEN ENTERING THE CAR AS WELL AS IN MOTION AT 50MPH. A SEARCH OF THE CARS VIN SHOWS NO OPEN RECALLS HOWEVER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT CLEARLY FALLS UNDER THE RECALL. RECALL NOTICED WAS N…
Read full complaint
DOOR LATCHES FREEZE OPEN IN COLD WEATHER AS DESCRIBED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID 06V383000. THE DOORS HAVE FAILED TO LATCH WHEN ENTERING THE CAR AS WELL AS IN MOTION AT 50MPH. A SEARCH OF THE CARS VIN SHOWS NO OPEN RECALLS HOWEVER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN SERVICED FOR THIS ISSUE BUT CLEARLY FALLS UNDER THE RECALL. RECALL NOTICED WAS NEVER RECEIVED FOR THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A ONE OWNER CAR PURCHASE AND REGISTERED IN OHIO SO IT IS UNCLEAR WHY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THIS RECALL. FORD HAS ALSO STATED THAT THIS CAR IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS THE ISSUE CAN OCCUR WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION.
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
Illustration