IllustrationAFTER STARTING CAR AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR FORWARD OR REVERSE CAR WILL SURGE. CONTACTED FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD NO RECALL. MILEAGE 105,000 STARTED AT 102,000. *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 reportsCAR LUNGES UP TO TEN FEET WHEN MY FOOT IN NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE PROBLEM.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HAVE ACCIDENTS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS, HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE OVER 238 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. WHEN CAN THIS BE LISTED…
Read full complaint
CAR LUNGES UP TO TEN FEET WHEN MY FOOT IN NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. MY MECHANIC SAYS IT'S THE THROTTLE BODY CAUSING THE PROBLEM.THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST HAVE ACCIDENTS. THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO RECALLS, HOWEVER, ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE OVER 238 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED. WHEN CAN THIS BE LISTED AS A RECALL AND HAVE THE CAR FIXED BY FORD! THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WHY WAIT TIL SOMEONE GETS KILLED OR HURT? PLEASE DO SOMETHING AND DO IT TODAY! WE NEED YOUR HELP! *TR
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 74K MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM P TO D OR R WITH THE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD/BACKWARD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT WOULD MOVE A FOOT OR TWO. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE LAST TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO CAME ON BUT DIS…
Read full complaint
I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 74K MILES. A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT WHILE SHIFTING FROM P TO D OR R WITH THE FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR WOULD LUNGE FORWARD/BACKWARD WITH ENOUGH FORCE THAT IT WOULD MOVE A FOOT OR TWO. THIS HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES BUT INTERMITTENTLY. THE LAST TIME THE WRENCH LIGHT ALSO CAME ON BUT DISAPPEARED AFTER I RESTATED THE CAR. THE PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WITH 65K. LUCKILY ALL TIMES I EITHER CAUGHT THE LUNGING ON TIME AND INCREASED THE BRAKE PEDAL PRESSURE OR I WAS LUCKY THAT NO CAR WAS IN FRONT/BACK. ONE TIME MY FRIEND SAW THE LUNGING WHILE WAITING FOR ME TO FINISH PARKING AND WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF ME HITTING SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY. I HAVEN'T TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC YET THINKING THAT IT'S JUST AN ELECTRONIC MISHAP THAT WOULD DISAPPEAR UPON RESTARTING THE CAR, BUT I JUST FOUND OUT THAT MANY FREESTYLE OWNERS ARE HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS! *TR
SOMETIMES WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN GEAR FROM PARK THE MOTOR SURGES. ALSO IT SURGES WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY LATELY.
WHILE GOING ABOUT 75MPH ON INTERSTATE I459, MY FORD FREESTYLE SLOWED DOWN ACCORDING TO THE DRIVER BEHIND ME AND I WAS REAR ENDED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. THIS MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND SURGED FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT A LOWER SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 117,000.
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING HER TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID STOP, BUT IT ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS DISPLAYED THIS PROBLEM. OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT A MONTH OR SO AG…
Read full complaint
MY WIFE WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH HER FOOT LIGHTLY ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, CAUSING HER TO PRESS HARD ON THE BRAKES. THE CAR DID STOP, BUT IT ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN THE NEXT PARKING SPACE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS DISPLAYED THIS PROBLEM. OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING IT A MONTH OR SO AGO, AND IT DID THE SAME THING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD FROM STAND STILL OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD FROM STAND STILL OR WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 08/01/1…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ UPDATED 08/01/11
STOPPED AFTER DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE (6 HOURS) ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY TO PURCHASE A CUP OF COFFEE AND AFTER PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHILE STOPPED. MY FOOT WAS DIRECTLY ON THE BRAKE AND I PUSHED EVEN HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND MY DAUGHTER CHECKED MY FOOT LOCATION AS WELL. I WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND NO W…
Read full complaint
STOPPED AFTER DRIVING A LONG DISTANCE (6 HOURS) ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY TO PURCHASE A CUP OF COFFEE AND AFTER PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPOT MY CAR LUNGED FORWARD WHILE STOPPED. MY FOOT WAS DIRECTLY ON THE BRAKE AND I PUSHED EVEN HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND MY DAUGHTER CHECKED MY FOOT LOCATION AS WELL. I WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND NO WHERE NEAR THE GAS PEDAL AND I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR STOPPED. PROBABLY WOULD HAVE JUMPED THE CURB HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO STOP IT. IN THE SHOP AT MY FORD DEALER NOW AND THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT I NEED THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED. NO MONEY FROM FORD IS AVAILABLE FOR THIS NOR FROM MY EXTENDED WARRENTLY AND NOW I MUST MAKE A DECISION WHETHER TO TAKE MY CAR BACK WITHOUT DOING THE REPAIR THAT I CANNOT AFFORT TO DO NOW. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A COVERED SAFETY EXPENSE AS THE PRICE IS OVER 500.00+ AND I AM PAYING FOR ANOTHER REPAIR THAT WAS DONE WHILE UNDER WARRENTLY FOR THE SHIFT ISSUE THAT NEEDED A NEW SHIFTER BEZEL. THIS WAS DONE AT 32,000 MILES AND HAD NEVER BEEN TOTALLY FIXED BUT NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ONCE AGAIN AT 300.00 ESTIMATED COST. HOPE THAT FORD WILL HELP ALL OF US OUT ASD THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE WITH THE LUNGING FORWARD. *TR
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.