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
94,656 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Power Train
HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE . IN THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AND TAKING OFF WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE GAS. IT SURGED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND RAN UP ON THE CURB . I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO A FAULT MODE. IT DID THIS THREE TIMES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR EACH TIME.…
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HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE . IN THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AND TAKING OFF WITHOUT MY TOUCHING THE GAS. IT SURGED VIOLENTLY BACKWARD WHILE I WAS PARALLEL PARKING AND RAN UP ON THE CURB . I STOOD ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE QUIT AND WENT INTO A FAULT MODE. IT DID THIS THREE TIMES AFTER RE-STARTING THE CAR EACH TIME. IT ALSO ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO SURGED FORWARD INTO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS NOW SURGING AT A THIRD OF MY STOPS. I DON'T TRY AND BACK IT UP IF AT ALL POSSIBLE. I AM CONVINCED THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I AM AFRAID TO ALLOW ANYONE IN MY FAMILY TO DRIVE IT.I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE RE-CALLED AND FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418069
80,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE TOOK OFF IN REVERSE AT HIGH SPEED AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN REVERSE, MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. I ALMOST HIT A LARGE TREE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10418002
110,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON AND THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR BACKWARD WHILE IN REVERSE, WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON AND THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10417950
65,000 miles · Aug 8, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT WITH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10417918
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
VEHICLE LURCHING WHEN IDLING OR LOW SPEEDS. REPEATED EXCESSIVE WEAR ON REAR BRAKES. FRONT BRAKES WORKING PROPERLY. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417852
24,500 miles · Aug 7, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
THE BACK OF ONE OF THE SECOND ROW SEATS DOES NOT FOLD DOWN WHEN THE LATCH LEVER IS PULLED UP, WHICH MEANS THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT DOES NOT LIFT UP. CONSEQUENTLY, PASSANGERS SITTING IN THE THIRD ROW WILL BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE CORRESPONDING SIDE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE…
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THE BACK OF ONE OF THE SECOND ROW SEATS DOES NOT FOLD DOWN WHEN THE LATCH LEVER IS PULLED UP, WHICH MEANS THAT THE ENTIRE SEAT DOES NOT LIFT UP. CONSEQUENTLY, PASSANGERS SITTING IN THE THIRD ROW WILL BE UNABLE TO EXIT THE CAR FROM THE CORRESPONDING SIDE IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. WHEN THE CAR WAS NEW, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO RELEASE THE LATCH; OVER TIME IT GOT MORE DIFFICULT, AND NOW IT IS INOPERABLE. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417838
58,000 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY A FEW TIMES THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR, BUT RECENTLY, SINCE IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HOT IN OKLAHOMA, THE FORD FREESTYLE THAT WE HAVE LUNGES FORWARD JUST AS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE OR LET OFF. I HAVE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS, LUNGED INTO TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, AND HAVE REVERSED INTO MY GARAGE W…
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I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM ONLY A FEW TIMES THE LAST 2 YEARS WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR, BUT RECENTLY, SINCE IT HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HOT IN OKLAHOMA, THE FORD FREESTYLE THAT WE HAVE LUNGES FORWARD JUST AS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE OR LET OFF. I HAVE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL CARS, LUNGED INTO TRAFFIC AT A RED LIGHT, AND HAVE REVERSED INTO MY GARAGE WITH THE BRAKE ON. IT SEEMS THAT PROBLEM OCCURS MORE THAN 5 TIMES A DAY. IT IS TO THE POINT WHERE IT FRIGHTENS ME AND THREATENS MY FAMILY WHEN DRIVING IN HIGHLY POPULATED AREAS. I PHONED A FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY HOME TOWN OF MUSKOGEE,OK AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THE COST OF THIS IS SEVERAL HUNDRED DOLLARS (THAT I WOULD NOT LIKE TO SPEND ON A CAR WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES ON IT). I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS ABOUT PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED PRONTO. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417784
Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2011
Unknown Or Other
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CROSSOVER FREQUENTLY LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE OCCURING MORE OFTEN AND WITH MORE POWER AND IS GETTING HARDER TO STOP. TODAY IT ALMOST JUMPED OVER A PARKING LOT CURB AT A RETAIL STORE PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTANTLY IN F…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE CROSSOVER FREQUENTLY LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS AND WHEN THE DRIVER IS NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE OCCURING MORE OFTEN AND WITH MORE POWER AND IS GETTING HARDER TO STOP. TODAY IT ALMOST JUMPED OVER A PARKING LOT CURB AT A RETAIL STORE PARKING LOT. IT HAPPENS UNEXPECTANTLY IN FORWARD AND REVERSE AND SEAMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE A/C IS ON. IN FACT, OUR A/C WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT NEAR AS BAD. HOWEVER, WHEN THE A/C WAS REPAIRED (THE EXPANSION VALVES WERE REPLACED) THE PROBLEM RETURNED TO ITS PREVIOUS "STRENGTH" OR STRONGER AND MORE OFTEN. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417773
102,032 miles · Aug 6, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
INTIALLY NOTED THE VEHICLES RPMS JUMP AND A QUICK SURGE IN THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65MPHS. THIS CONTINUED TO OCCUR RADOMLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY REPLACED AN EGR VALVE. PUT IN AN FUEL TREATMENT. ONE DAY LATER THE THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND CONDITION HAS GOTTEN WORSE…
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INTIALLY NOTED THE VEHICLES RPMS JUMP AND A QUICK SURGE IN THE ENGINE WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65MPHS. THIS CONTINUED TO OCCUR RADOMLY AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. A SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. THEY REPLACED AN EGR VALVE. PUT IN AN FUEL TREATMENT. ONE DAY LATER THE THE LIGHT IS BACK ON AND CONDITION HAS GOTTEN WORSE.NOW THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD,STILL RANDOMLY,BUT FREQUENTLY! HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN ANY MAJOR INCIDENTS OR ACCIDENTS,YET!(JUST RAN UP A CURB) READ THIS IS A COMMON CONDITION AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. I HOPE SOMETHING COMES OF THE INVESTIGATION AND SOON. THIS IS VERY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS! TODAY I HAD THE MOST PRECIOUS CARGO WITH ME....MY DAUGHTER(WHO WAS DRIVING AND IS CURRENTLY OUTRAGED) AND MY GRANDCHILDREN!!!!! *TT
NHTSA ODI #10417736
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2011
Unknown Or Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING...VERY DANGEROUS!! I'VE HEARD MULTIPLE OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM. *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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