IllustrationCAR LURCHES WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. NEEDED TO STOMP BRAKES TO PREVENT CRASHING. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE PAST MONTH. LURCHING STOPS IF CAR IS TURNED OFF FOR A WHILE. *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 reportsPURCHASED CAR USED FROM FORD DEALER AND BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY. EXPERIENCED CAR ACCELERATING OR LUNGING AS CAR WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. TOOK IT TO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOW WE ARE OUT OF THE WARRANTY AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. NOW IT LUNGES A…
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PURCHASED CAR USED FROM FORD DEALER AND BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRANTY. EXPERIENCED CAR ACCELERATING OR LUNGING AS CAR WAS SHIFTED TO REVERSE WITH FOOT STILL ON THE BRAKE. TOOK IT TO DEALER UNDER WARRANTY AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. IT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. NOW WE ARE OUT OF THE WARRANTY AND IT IS GETTING WORSE. NOW IT LUNGES AND TRIES TO ACCELERATE WHILE SITTING AT A STOP AND WILL ALSO STALL REQUIRING AN ENGINE RESTART. SEEMS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. I SEE MANY PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING ON THE INTERNET AND AN INVESTIGATION ON THE WAY. ADD MY ISSUE AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE VIN [XXX]. INVESTIGATION NHTSA: PE11018. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
THE VEHICLE ON A VERY HOT DAY 95 DEGREES OUT WITH THE A/C ON HIGH WAS PUT INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED BACKWARDS AND WENT INTO SAFETY MODE. HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN SAFETY MODE. MY WIFE SAYS IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO HER ALSO. THE UPPER MOTOR MOUNT ON THE ENGINE HAS TOTALLY FELL APART, THE RUBBER…
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THE VEHICLE ON A VERY HOT DAY 95 DEGREES OUT WITH THE A/C ON HIGH WAS PUT INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SURGED BACKWARDS AND WENT INTO SAFETY MODE. HAD TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME IN SAFETY MODE. MY WIFE SAYS IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES TO HER ALSO. THE UPPER MOTOR MOUNT ON THE ENGINE HAS TOTALLY FELL APART, THE RUBBER BUSHING DRIED OUT AND IS GONE. CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THE PART IS $230.00. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FAIL SAFE MODE ERROR MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE BACKWARD WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE FAIL SAFE MODE ERROR MESSAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD THEN STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,824 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,100. THIS WOULD ALSO HAPPEN WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. ALTHOUGH LUNGING FORWARD. UPDATED 09/29/2011 *LN *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THEN STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED A FILTER IN THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,0…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNG FORWARD WHEN SHIFTING GEARS AND THEN STALL. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED A FILTER IN THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
VEHICLE LUNGES WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR ATTEMPTING TO PARK WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONING IS ON. *TR
INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION IN ANOTHER STATE. CAR WAS IDLING WITH AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, UPON SHIFTING GEAR INTO REVERSE AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, CAR SURGED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT FOOT ACCELERATING THE PETAL. DRIVER BRAKED AND CAR STALLED. CAR RESTARTED IN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. CA…
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INCIDENT HAPPENED WHILE ON VACATION IN ANOTHER STATE. CAR WAS IDLING WITH AIR CONDITIONER RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES, UPON SHIFTING GEAR INTO REVERSE AND BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, CAR SURGED INTO REVERSE WITHOUT FOOT ACCELERATING THE PETAL. DRIVER BRAKED AND CAR STALLED. CAR RESTARTED IN ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. CAR REPEATEDLY STALLED UPON SUCCESSIVE RESTARTS EACH TIME CONTINUING TO DISPLAY ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE. AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, CAR RESTARTED IN NORMAL MODE WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINING ON. CAR WAS SLUGGISH, BUT CONTINUED TO DRIVE WITHOUT STALLING. DROVE CAR TO TROPICAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN ORLANDO THE NEXT DAY. SERVICE ADVISOR RECOMMENDED MULTIPLE ITEMS, INCLUDING REPLACING THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, PCV VALVE, PCV CONTROL VALVE, REPROGRAMMING THE PCM. UPON ADVISE OF SERVICE ADVISOR THAT IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT "CAR COULD SURGE AND STALL WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEEDS ON THE INTERSTATE" ON THE LONG DRIVE HOME, WE AUTHORIZED TROPICAL FORD TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY ( REPLACED WITH FP # 6F9Z-9E926-A) AND REPROGRAM THE PCM.
MY WIFE DRIVES A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE, WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. SHE KEEPS HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT STILL LUNGES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SHE PUTS THE CAR IN REVERSE. I DROVE THE CAR SATURDAY AND EXPERIENCED IT FOR MYSELF. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE AND AM D…
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MY WIFE DRIVES A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND IT HAS A TENDENCY TO LUNGE FORWARD WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE, WITHOUT HER FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. SHE KEEPS HER FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT STILL LUNGES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS WHEN SHE PUTS THE CAR IN REVERSE. I DROVE THE CAR SATURDAY AND EXPERIENCED IT FOR MYSELF. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE AND AM DEBATING PARKING THE VEHICLE UNTIL SOMETHING IS DONE. *TT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SPORADICALLY. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE WANTED TO GO FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE VEHICLE THEN WENT INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. THE CONSUMER DROVE SLOWLY TO SAFE SPOT. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESSTARTING IT, THE VEHICLE PERFOMRED AS NORMAL. UPDATED 08/01/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR CHANGING GEARS THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND IN ORDER FOR THE WARNING LIGHT TO SHUT OFF THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SLOWING DOWN OR CHANGING GEARS THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE MESSAGE ILLUMINATED AND IN ORDER FOR THE WARNING LIGHT TO SHUT OFF THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE, AS A RESULT THE ENGINE MOUNT AND THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS WORSE DURING HOT WEATHER, AND AFTER IDLING. THE VEHICE LOST POWER DUE TO THE ENGINE GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE. THE AC COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED A MONTH PROR. UPDATED 08/02/11
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.