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
79,000 miles · Sep 5, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL HAS EXPERIENCES ISSUES WITH SURGING, STALLING AND INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AT LEAST 2 YEARS AGO (2009) AT WHICH TIME I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ON RECALLS (WARRANTY WAS OUT) AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. SINCE THE SURGE HAS INCREASED IN FREQUE…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL HAS EXPERIENCES ISSUES WITH SURGING, STALLING AND INABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE PROBLEMS STARTED AT LEAST 2 YEARS AGO (2009) AT WHICH TIME I CALLED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TO INQUIRE ON RECALLS (WARRANTY WAS OUT) AND WAS TOLD THERE WERE NO RECALLS TO FIX THIS ISSUE. SINCE THE SURGE HAS INCREASED IN FREQUENCY, MOST ANY TIME I START THE VEHICLE AND PUT IT IN GEAR, IT WILL SURGE (RPM'S REV UP ON THEIR OWN). HAVING MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT TIMES STILL DOES NOT HOLD THE CAR COMPLETELY STILL AND HAS CONCERNED ME ON MORE OCCASIONS THAN NOT WHEN IN PARKING LOTS AT STORES WITH PEOPLE MOVING AROUND MY VEHICLE. THE STALL & INABILITY TO ACCELERATE HAPPENS LESS FREQUENTLY BUT HAS HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES AND ALWAYS RESULTS IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (WRENCH) COMING ON. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PERFORM AS IT SHOULD UNTIL THE CHECK ENGINE HAS BEEN CLEARED. I RECENTLY BACKED INTO A TREE AT MY WORK AND FIRMLY BELIEVE IT HAPPENED DUE TO A SURGE AFTER I PUT THE CAR IN GEAR AND STARTED BACKING UP. I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO REACT (STOPPING THE VEHICLE) BEFORE IT HIT THE TREE. I'VE OWNED MY CAR SINCE 2007 - MY SISTER HAS A LINCOLN LS THAT WAS RECALLED JUST BEFORE MY CAR STARTED THESE EPISODES. HER CAR WAS RECALLED FOR EVERYTHING I'VE STATED ABOVE (EVEN THOUGH IT HAD NEVER DONE IT) - THE THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE WAS REPLACED. I'VE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, EVEN STATING THAT HER LINCOLN RECEIVED THE RECALL THAT MY CAR NEEDS, WITH ABSOLUTELY NO HELP OR SUGGESTIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423769
100,222 miles · Sep 4, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control
CAR AT A COMPLETE STOP WITH FOOT OFF GAS PEDALS MOVES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY AND RPMS JUMP TO 2000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423204
Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
-COMPONENT- THROTTLE BODY!!!!! THE CAR MOVE UP HALF A FOOT FORWARD WITH OUT ME DOING ANYTHING AND BACK AS WELL? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10423096
129,500 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
WE JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM TOLD US THE AWD MALFUNCTION ALERT WOULD COME ON, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY ON LONG ENOUGH FOR A MECHANIC TO CHECK WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. WE DID NOTICE THE ALERT COMING ON, BUT ON OUR 4TH DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WE WERE PULLING AWAY FROM A DRIVE THRU WIN…
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WE JUST BOUGHT A USED 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND THE DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM TOLD US THE AWD MALFUNCTION ALERT WOULD COME ON, BUT IT WOULD NOT STAY ON LONG ENOUGH FOR A MECHANIC TO CHECK WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. WE DID NOTICE THE ALERT COMING ON, BUT ON OUR 4TH DAY OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WE WERE PULLING AWAY FROM A DRIVE THRU WINDOW AND PREPARING TO MANEUVER AROUND TWO VEHICLES STOPPED IN FRONT OF US AND I HAD JUST TAKEN MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND NOT EVEN TOUCHED THE GAS PEDAL WHEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD. I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND THEN SLOWLY TOOK MY FOOT AWAY AGAIN AND THE CAR LUNGED AND THE ENGINE DIED. THE CAR STILL HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM AFTER THE ENGINE DIED TO ALLOW ME TO COAST AWAY FROM THE TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND IT LUNGED AND DIED AGAIN. ON THE THIRD TRY, IT STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, BUT I WAS VERY FRIGHTENED. I DID MAKE IT HOME ALRIGHT, BUT THE AWD MALFUNCTION ALERT STAYED ON AND AT TIMES THE ALERT WOULD ALSO READ "FAILSAFE ENGINE MODE". ALSO, THE TRACTION CONTROL ALERT ICON LIT UP AND A WRENCH WAS LIT UP UNDER IT IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WE HOPE FORD WILL HELP FREESTYLE OWNERS SOON BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422959
40,000 miles · Sep 1, 2011
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER 5 MPH, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER 5 MPH, ALL OF THE GAUGES ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILED. THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY SURGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS WHERE VARIOUS REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 09/15/11*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10422938
80,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NOT ONLY HAS AN ISSUE W/ LUNGING, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN GOING INTO "FAILSAFE MODE", IN WHICH ACCELERATION IN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY CUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER WHILE TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE B/C I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE MY CAR TO MOVE TO SAFETY. ONCE I WAS ON THE SIDE…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE NOT ONLY HAS AN ISSUE W/ LUNGING, BUT HAS RECENTLY BEEN GOING INTO "FAILSAFE MODE", IN WHICH ACCELERATION IN THE CAR IS COMPLETELY CUT OFF. I WAS ALMOST HIT BY AN 18 WHEELER WHILE TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE B/C I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE MY CAR TO MOVE TO SAFETY. ONCE I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED THE CAR OFF & THEN RESTARTED. I WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE, BUT IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN EVERY FEW MILES UNTIL I REACHED HOME. THE FEELING OF HAVING NO CONTROL OF A VEHICLE MOVING AT 65MPH LEFT ME SHAKING. LUCKILY I DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THE FACT THAT FORD KNOWS THERE IS AN ISSUE AND HAS FAILED TO MAKE ANY EFFORT TO CONTACT THE OWNERS OF THE FORD FREESTYLE HAS LEFT ME FEELING DISMAYED AND I NO LONGER HAVE THE CONFIDENCE IN THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422696
60,000 miles · Aug 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY DURING THE OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE STARTED THE VEHICLE AND ACTIVATED THE AIR CONDITIONER. SHE THEN SHIFTED INTO DRIVE AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY DURING THE OPERATION OF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE SAME FAILURE RECURRED WHILE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING UPON ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEALER REGARDING THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10422658
58,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Unknown Or Other
CAR LUNGES WHEN STOPPED AND/OR STALLS WHILE IN MOTION (UP TO 30MPH). APPEARS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN HOT AND HUMID WEATHER. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALERSHIP STATED THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND NUMEROUS OF OTHER FREESTYLE (AND MERCURY) OWNERS LISTED THIS ISSUE. WHY ISN'T THIS PART RECALLED? BE…
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CAR LUNGES WHEN STOPPED AND/OR STALLS WHILE IN MOTION (UP TO 30MPH). APPEARS TO OCCUR MORE FREQUENTLY IN HOT AND HUMID WEATHER. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DEALERSHIP STATED THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. RESEARCHED ONLINE AND NUMEROUS OF OTHER FREESTYLE (AND MERCURY) OWNERS LISTED THIS ISSUE. WHY ISN'T THIS PART RECALLED? BECAUSE NO SERIOUS INJURIES OR DEATHS HAVE YET OCCURRED?
NHTSA ODI #10423349
50,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES FORWARD WITHOUT FOOT ON ACCELERATOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10422465
61,000 miles · Aug 28, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OR "LUNGING" OR "SURGING". WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS MANEUVERING IN A PARKING LOT OR PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE WILL INCREASE THE RPM'S AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE UP TO 15 FEET IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED AND IS VE…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS UNCONTROLLED ACCELERATION OR "LUNGING" OR "SURGING". WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT LOW SPEEDS SUCH AS MANEUVERING IN A PARKING LOT OR PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY, VEHICLE WILL INCREASE THE RPM'S AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO JUMP FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE MAY MOVE UP TO 15 FEET IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED AND IS VERY SCARY. *TT
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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