IllustrationTHROTTLE BODY IS GIVING ME TROUBLE. WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMETIMES I AM AT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK OR JUST AT A LIGHT. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *KB
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
129 reportsPURCHASED USED FORD FREESTYLE DECEMBER 2010. RAN FINE UNTIL WARM WEATHER AND USE OF AIR CONDITIONER. WITH A/C ON, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SEEMS TO OFTEN GREATLY OVERSHOOT THE CORRECT SETTING WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHICH CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE RPM INCREASE AND A MOMENTARY "LUNGE" IF THE BR…
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PURCHASED USED FORD FREESTYLE DECEMBER 2010. RAN FINE UNTIL WARM WEATHER AND USE OF AIR CONDITIONER. WITH A/C ON, THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SEEMS TO OFTEN GREATLY OVERSHOOT THE CORRECT SETTING WHEN SHIFTING FROM NEUTRAL TO DRIVE OR REVERSE, WHICH CAUSES A SIGNIFICANT ENGINE RPM INCREASE AND A MOMENTARY "LUNGE" IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED VERY FIRMLY. MANY VEHICLES DO THIS TO A MINOR EXTENT BUT THE FREESTYLE IS FAR AND AWAY THE WORST I'VE EVER SEEN. THIS DOES CAUSE UNANTICIPATED VEHICLE MOVEMENT AND COULD INJURE A CHILD, PASSERBY ETC OR CAUSE A VEHICLE TO ENTER AN INTERSECTION. MY WIFE IS CERTAINLY UNNERVED BY IT. EFFECT IS IN FACT SOMETIMES THERE IN COOL WEATHER BUT TO A MUCH LESSER EXTENT. READING FORUMS AND THINKING ABOUT THIS (I'M AN ENGINEER AND SAE MEMBER) IT MAY VERY WELL BE SOMETHING LIKE A WORN THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR INTERACTING WITH AN ECU SOFTWARE GLITCH, MAY VERY WELL BE FIXABLE IN SOFTWARE. ANNOYINGLY THE TPS ON THIS VEHICLE IS INTEGRATED INTO THE THROTTLE BODY OR I'D JUST REPLACE THE TPS. *TR
LUNGING, SURGING, AND JUMPING WHILE A/C IS ON. *TR
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR FREESTYLE, AND AT THIS POINT ARE FACED WITH A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE (DEALER QUOTE). SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE, AND ITS SISTER CARS (THE 500 & SABLE) ALL BUILD BY FORD WITH THE SAME ENG…
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WE HAVE EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH OUR FREESTYLE, AND AT THIS POINT ARE FACED WITH A FAILED THROTTLE BODY, WHICH WILL COST $900 TO REPLACE (DEALER QUOTE). SEARCHING THE INTERNET REVEALS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON, KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE, AND ITS SISTER CARS (THE 500 & SABLE) ALL BUILD BY FORD WITH THE SAME ENGINE. THE PROBLEM CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LURCH WHILE AT IDLE, TO PERHAPS 5-10 MPH, ENDANGERING ANYONE IN THE VEHICLE'S PATH (IE, PEDESTRIANS, CARS AHEAD IN A DRIVE-THRU LANE, ETC.) FORD HAS PRODUCED SEVERAL SUCCESSIVE VARIANTS OF THE THROTTLE BODY, INDICATING THE NEWER ONES DO NOT HAVE THE FATAL DESIGN FLAW THAT PLAGUES THE ORIGINAL. WHY AM I FORCED TO PURCHASE A REPLACEMENT FOR AN OBVIOUSLY (AT THIS POINT) BADLY DESIGNED PRODUCT? THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND WE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE. *TR
THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM, CAR DOESN'T START. WHEN IT DOES START BLACK, SMELLY SPOKE COMES OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. ISSUE STARTED AROUND MARCH BROUGHT TO GARAGE SAID IT WAS IN NEED OF A TUNE UP. HAD THAT DONE $400 CAR STILL DID THEY SAME THING NOT STARTING. WORKED FINE FOR AWHILE. AGAIN THE COLD WEATHER HIT. NOT STARTING AGAIN. BROU…
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THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM, CAR DOESN'T START. WHEN IT DOES START BLACK, SMELLY SPOKE COMES OUT OF THE TAIL PIPE. ISSUE STARTED AROUND MARCH BROUGHT TO GARAGE SAID IT WAS IN NEED OF A TUNE UP. HAD THAT DONE $400 CAR STILL DID THEY SAME THING NOT STARTING. WORKED FINE FOR AWHILE. AGAIN THE COLD WEATHER HIT. NOT STARTING AGAIN. BROUGHT CAR IN AGAIN. TOOK 5 DAYS TO FIGURE OUT THE ISSUE. $600 PART PLUS LABOR $500 PLUS RENTAL FOR 5 DAYS $400. AFTER READING SEVERAL COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE I AM VERY SURPRISED THIS HASN'T BEEN TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FORD SHOULD REFUND ALL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. *TR
AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND PUTTING IT IN GEAR, THE CAR LUNGS (ACCELERATES). THIS HAPPENS IN REVERSE OR FORWARD MOTION. *TR
I PURCHASE MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JUNE 2005. JULY 2005 TRAVELING TO GEORGIA BETWEEN 55/60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION ICON APPEARED. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I COULD NOT MOVE NO MORE THAN 30-40 MPH WITH THE RPM'S RACING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR REST APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES. UPON STARTING …
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I PURCHASE MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JUNE 2005. JULY 2005 TRAVELING TO GEORGIA BETWEEN 55/60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TRANSMISSION ICON APPEARED. UPON TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I COULD NOT MOVE NO MORE THAN 30-40 MPH WITH THE RPM'S RACING. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND LET THE CAR REST APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MINUTES. UPON STARTING THE CAR AND PUTTING INTO DRIVE GEAR IT WAS VERY HARD AND LUNGED. THE CAR SOUNDS LIKE YOU'RE RACING THE ENGINE WITH THE VEHICLE IN PARK. THE FREQUENCY OF THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION LIGHT WITH TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND CAN NOT IS A PERSISTENT ISSUE. IT ALSO LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. ONCE THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND STARTED AGAIN, WHILE YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE WHICH HAS TO BE WITH MORE PRESSURE THAN USUAL TO CONTROL THE LUNGE. SITTING IN TRAFFIC WITH THE AIR ON WITH CARS AHEAD OF YOU IS FRIGHTENING SINCE IT WILL LUNGE THEN ALSO. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING ISSUE SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE. I'VE ALSO HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED MORE THAN NORMAL. SINCE ACQUIRING THIS CAR. RECENTLY, I'VE GOTTEN THE BRAKES DONE IN FEBRUARY, MAY AND CURRENTLY NEED ANOTHER REPAIR WITH ALL THE SQUEALING. *TR
AT SLOW SPEEDS, AT VARIOUS TIMES, THERE ARE UNINTENDED SURGES IN SPEED. THEY ARE USUALLY MORE COMMON WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS IN USE. THE MAY OCCUR WHEN IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. MY LOCAL DEALER ADVISED THAT FORD WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOTHING DEFINITE ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WHETHER OR NOT FORD…
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AT SLOW SPEEDS, AT VARIOUS TIMES, THERE ARE UNINTENDED SURGES IN SPEED. THEY ARE USUALLY MORE COMMON WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONING IS IN USE. THE MAY OCCUR WHEN IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. MY LOCAL DEALER ADVISED THAT FORD WAS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE NOTHING DEFINITE ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND WHETHER OR NOT FORD WILL PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THE PROBLEM IS QUITE COMMON AND IS BEING INVESTIGATED. I DO NOT RECALL FILING A FORMAL COMPLAINT BEFORE. *TR
FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN THE CAR STALLING MULTIPLE TIMES, WHEN STARTED IT WOULD STUTTER, RPMS COULDN'T GET INTO NORMAL RANGE AND WHEN TRYING TO PUT IN GEAR IT WOULD STALL OUT. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START WHILE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE DRIVING COULD ONLY REACH 40MPH. SINCE THE FIR…
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FIRST INCIDENT RESULTED IN THE CAR STALLING MULTIPLE TIMES, WHEN STARTED IT WOULD STUTTER, RPMS COULDN'T GET INTO NORMAL RANGE AND WHEN TRYING TO PUT IN GEAR IT WOULD STALL OUT. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO START WHILE KEEPING MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. ONCE DRIVING COULD ONLY REACH 40MPH. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT THE FREQUENCY OF PROBLEMS HAS INCREASED. SHORTLY AFTER THAT FIRST INCIDENT IT STARTED SURGING (RPM'S REV WAY UP WHEN PUTTING IT IN TO GEAR) TO THE POINT THAT IT HAPPENS NOW PRACTICALLY EVERY TIME I START THE CAR. AT TIMES, THE SURGE IS SO STRONG THAT EVEN WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR STILL MOVES. A HUGE CONCERN OF OURS IS IN PARKING AREAS, IT IS VERY SCARY TO HAVE THE CAR SURGE WITH PEOPLE MOVING IN FRONT OR IN BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I RECENTLY HAD A COLLISION WITH A TREE WHILE BACKING UP. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THE CAR SURGED AFTER I HAD STARTED BACKING UP RESULTING IN THE COLLISION. I HAVE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE IS THOUGHT TO BE THE ISSUE. MY SISTER HAS A LINCOLN LS THAT WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE - SHE HAD THE PART REPLACED AS A RESULT OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH SHE HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED THE SURGING/STALLING DESCRIBED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS MUCH MORE PREVALENT THAN I THOUGHT AND HOPE THAT A RECALL WILL BE ISSUED TO GET THIS CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE LURCHED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, FRONT END SHUDDERED. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD DRIVE, BUT WOULD ONLY ACHIEVE 20 MPH WITH VERY HIGH RPMS. DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AS I UNDERSTAND READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, THEY DON'T …
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CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE LURCHED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, FRONT END SHUDDERED. RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD DRIVE, BUT WOULD ONLY ACHIEVE 20 MPH WITH VERY HIGH RPMS. DEALER SAYS TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. AS I UNDERSTAND READING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS, THEY DON'T MAKE THIS UNIT ANYMORE. I AM FACED WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING. *KB
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.