NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
142 reportsClear category filter52,075 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other
2005 FORD FREESTYLE_- BOUGHT IN 2007 HAS APPROX 19,000 MILES ON IT BOUGHT EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY FOR UPTO 100,000- APPROXIMATELY JUNE 2008 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND INFORMATION CENTER SAID "HALF FUEL LIFE OP" TOOK TO DEALER THEY CHANGED OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER WHILE ON VACATION. T…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE_- BOUGHT IN 2007 HAS APPROX 19,000 MILES ON IT BOUGHT EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY FOR UPTO 100,000- APPROXIMATELY JUNE 2008 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND INFORMATION CENTER SAID "HALF FUEL LIFE OP" TOOK TO DEALER THEY CHANGED OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND THE LIGHT CAME BACK ON ABOUT 1 WEEK LATER WHILE ON VACATION. TOOK IT BACK TO THE SHOP THEY CHANGED OUT THE OTHER FUEL PUMP AS IT HAS 2. IT DID IT AGAIN SHORTLY AFTERWARDS. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE SENDING UNIT AND THEN THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED FREAKING OUT- SHOWING HALF A TAKE WHEN FULL AND GOING UP INSTEAD OF DOWN AFTER DRIVING IT. IT HAS HAD THE SOFTWARE REDOWNLOADED IN THE COMPUTER AND I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT ALL. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP WELL OVER 30 DAYS AND IS IN THERE AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253888
71,300 miles · Sep 5, 2008
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND PCM FAILURE WITH 2005 FORD FREESTYLE (TSB06-17-9). BOTH ITEMS NEED TO BE REPLACED. MANUFACTURER, FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WILL NOT ASSUME OR ACKNOWLEDGE RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY FOR REPLACEMENT OF DEFECTIVE PARTS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241014
56,500 miles · May 29, 2008
Electrical System
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES WILL LOOSE POWER AND ALL READ ZERO FOR APPROX 10 SECONDS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL ALSO COME ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED APPROX 20 TIMES IN THE LAST 4 WEEKS. THE CAR AS A RESULT OF THIS HAS STALLED 2 TIMES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229188
42,000 miles · May 29, 2008
Electrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER HAD SEVERAL POWER INTERRUPTIONS - ALL GAUGES MOMENTARILY WENT TO ZERO SEVERAL TIMES AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. VEHICLE WOULD SURGE UNTIL INSTRUMENT CLUSTER POWER RETURNED TO NORMAL. DEALERSHIP REPLACED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - NOT UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229173
66,000 miles · Apr 10, 2008
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. ON MARCH 30, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF A MILE LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE GAUGES RETURNED BACK TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME A SHORT WHILE LATER AND THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. ON MARCH 30, 2008, WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, ALL THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES DROPPED TO ZERO. APPROXIMATELY 1/3 OF A MILE LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED, BUT THE GAUGES RETURNED BACK TO NORMAL. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE THIRD TIME A SHORT WHILE LATER AND THE WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE OIL CHECKED AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO ERROR CODE. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER, BUT THEY FOUND NO FAILURES. ON APRIL 9, 2008, THE FAILURE RECURRED FOR THE FIFTH TIME AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. AFTERWARDS, EVERY RED WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MILEAGE DIAL BEGAN MOVING SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD STILL NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. THEY FINALLY CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER. THE VIN, PURCHASE DATE, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
NHTSA ODI #10224127
92,001 miles · Apr 4, 2008
Electrical System
LOST OPERATION OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND WHEN THIS OCCURS THE BACK-UP LIGHTS OPERATE. THE DANGER IS WHEN POWER IS LOST IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR SPEED, THIS IS CRUCIAL WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES. THE BACK-UP LIGHT CAUSE PEOPLE BEHIND MY CAR TO BELIEVE I AM BACKING-UP. ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE …
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LOST OPERATION OF INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND WHEN THIS OCCURS THE BACK-UP LIGHTS OPERATE. THE DANGER IS WHEN POWER IS LOST IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER YOU DO NOT KNOW YOUR SPEED, THIS IS CRUCIAL WHEN DRIVING THROUGH SCHOOL ZONES. THE BACK-UP LIGHT CAUSE PEOPLE BEHIND MY CAR TO BELIEVE I AM BACKING-UP. ALSO WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER LOOSES POWER. ALL THIS IS A DISTRACTION TO DRIVING. I HAVE ORDERED THE PART TO REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE DEALER INFORMED ME IT WILL TAKE OVER A MONTH TO RECEIVE THE PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10223379
15,000 miles · Sep 10, 2007
Electrical System
2005 FORD FREESTYLE. INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF (ENGINE STOPS, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHILE TURNING. REPORTED TO FORD DEALER, THEY STATE THEY CANNOT FIX BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT. CORPORATE AND GOT SAME RESPONSE. I REQUESTED THAT FORD DEALER INSTALL VIDEO-DATA R…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE. INTERMITTENTLY TURNS OFF (ENGINE STOPS, LOSS OF ELECTRICAL POWER) WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN. MOST OFTEN OCCURS WHILE TURNING. REPORTED TO FORD DEALER, THEY STATE THEY CANNOT FIX BECAUSE THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE THE EVENT. CORPORATE AND GOT SAME RESPONSE. I REQUESTED THAT FORD DEALER INSTALL VIDEO-DATA RECORDER AND ASSIGN VEHICLE TO SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO DRIVE DAILY, SO THAT EVENT DATA CAN BE RECORDED AND ANALYZED. SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT HE WOULD NOT PLACE THE LIFE OF HIS SERVICE TECHNICIAN IN JEOPARDY BY DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT LOOSES OPERATIONAL POWER WHILE DRIVING. EVIDENTLY, FORD DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM PLACING MY LIFE OR THE LIVES OF MY FAMILY IN JEOPARDY, HOWEVER. *JB UPDATED 01-14-08. *KB
NHTSA ODI #10202411
Mileage unknown · May 4, 2007
Electrical SystemStructure
2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS HAVING INTERMITTENT DASH BOARD PROBLEMS. GAUGES ON DIGITAL DASHBOARD WILL GO TO ZERO FOR NO APPARENT REASON WHILE DRIVING. SPEEDOMETER WILL SHOW ZERO EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10189778
43,000 miles · Apr 19, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE IDLING, DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT FAILED TO RESTART. …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE IDLING, DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT FAILED TO RESTART. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SAFE MODE ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.
NHTSA ODI #10188326
48,000 miles · Apr 5, 2007
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL ERROR CODES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOW REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 48,000.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10187089
Official recalls
2Oct 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.
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.
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