IllustrationWHILE 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.
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
Power Train complaints
447 reportsSTOPPED 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…
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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
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD IF MY FOOT WAS NOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WHEN IDLING OR SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC WHEN THE AC IS ON.. *TR
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS, IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, WITHOUT ME INITIATING IT! THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END CARS WHEN PARKING IN PARKING LOTS, AND WHEN STOPPING AT STOP LIGHTS! THIS SCARES ME TO DEATH! I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, NOW I SEE WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER GOT RID OF IT! I…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD AT SLOW SPEEDS, IN FORWARD AND REVERSE, WITHOUT ME INITIATING IT! THIS HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO REAR END CARS WHEN PARKING IN PARKING LOTS, AND WHEN STOPPING AT STOP LIGHTS! THIS SCARES ME TO DEATH! I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR USED, NOW I SEE WHY THE PREVIOUS OWNER GOT RID OF IT! I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I HAVE A FOUR MONTH OLD AND A 3 YEAR OLD! I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE TO HAVE SOMETHING SAFE TO DRIVE THEM AROUND IN. NOW IM WISHING I WOULD HAVE BOUGHT SOMETHING ELSE! *TR
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS SOME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN IT IDLE AND AT SLOW SPEED FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT WILL ACCELERATE IT SELF SPECIALLY WHEN USING THE AC AND ALSO WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND FORD SERVICE CENTER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG W…
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MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS SOME ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN IT IDLE AND AT SLOW SPEED FORWARD AND REVERSE. IT WILL ACCELERATE IT SELF SPECIALLY WHEN USING THE AC AND ALSO WHEN THE FRONT WHEELS ARE TURNED. IT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A YEAR AND FORD SERVICE CENTER CLAIMS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR
VEHICLE LUNGING INTO REVERSE 1. EVENTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE RAPIDLY 2. OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE ENGINE IS HOT, BUT USUALLY THE WEATHER IS WARM. 3. WHEN FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN 2008, WAS TOLD THE PART TO REPLACE WAS THE THROTTLE B…
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VEHICLE LUNGING INTO REVERSE 1. EVENTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN: PUT THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE WITH FOOT ON BRAKE AND SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE RAPIDLY 2. OCCURS WHETHER OR NOT THE ENGINE IS HOT, BUT USUALLY THE WEATHER IS WARM. 3. WHEN FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM IN 2008, WAS TOLD THE PART TO REPLACE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY POSITION SENSOR ASSEMBLY AND THE PART WOULD BE UNAVAILABLE FOR 12 MONTHS. NEVER REPLACED THE PARTS. LEARNED TO KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE. *TR
VEHICLE IS SURGING AT LOW IDLE. LAST NIGHT I HAD TO PRESS VERY FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID BEING FORCED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT. ANOTHER TIME I HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE STEEL SECURITY GATE WHILE EXITING MY WORK PARKING GARAGE. I HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER OCCASIONS BUT THESE TWO HAVE …
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VEHICLE IS SURGING AT LOW IDLE. LAST NIGHT I HAD TO PRESS VERY FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID BEING FORCED INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC WHILE EXITING A PARKING LOT. ANOTHER TIME I HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO AVOID HITTING THE STEEL SECURITY GATE WHILE EXITING MY WORK PARKING GARAGE. I HAS HAPPENED ON OTHER OCCASIONS BUT THESE TWO HAVE BEEN THE SCARIEST. *TR
OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT LUNGES AFTER I'VE BEEN SITTING IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IF I AM BACKING UP. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT JUST WONDER WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STAL…
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OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER IS TURNED ON. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR SEVERAL YEARS NOW WITH NO RESOLUTION. IT LUNGES AFTER I'VE BEEN SITTING IN IDLE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT OR IF I AM BACKING UP. SO FAR I'VE NOT HAD AN ACCIDENT , BUT JUST WONDER WHEN MY LUCK WILL RUN OUT. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL STALL OUT AND GO IN TO ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE. ALSO I WILL HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR SEEMS TO OVER RIDE THIS ACTION AND LUNGES/ACCELARATE ON ITS OWN. *TR
THE CAR SURGES WHILE IDLING AND WHEN PLACE IN DRIVE-THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS IN SAFE MODE AND THE TRANSMISSION WRENCH COMES ON--YOU CAN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART AND THE WRENCH GOES AWAY--THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS--FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM 5/21/11. THE CAR HAS OVER 90,000 MIL…
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THE CAR SURGES WHILE IDLING AND WHEN PLACE IN DRIVE-THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND RESTARTS IN SAFE MODE AND THE TRANSMISSION WRENCH COMES ON--YOU CAN SHUT THE CAR OFF AND WAIT A FEW SECONDS AND RESTART AND THE WRENCH GOES AWAY--THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 WEEKS--FIRST NOTICED THE PROBLEM 5/21/11. THE CAR HAS OVER 90,000 MILES ON. *TR
AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFT…
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AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN THE CAR IS IDLING OR AT LOW SPEEDS WITH NO CONTACT WITH THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE SURGES. THIS OCCURS IN FORWARD OR REVERSE, WITH OR WITHOUT THE BRAKE BEING APPLIED. AT TIMES, THE SURGING IS SEVERE AND REQUIRES A LOT OF PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE TO HOLD THE CAR IN PLACE. LAST YEAR, IT SEEMED TO OCCUR MORE OFTEN WITH THE AC ON. THE COMPRESSOR DIED, SO WE HAD IT REPLACED, BUT THAT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. WE HAVE NOT CRASHED INTO ANYTHING BUT HAVE COME VERY CLOSE. IT IS TROUBLING SINCE IT OCCURS AT LOW SPEEDS, MEANING WE'RE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO CARS, PEOPLE, AND BUILDINGS WHEN THE ENGINE SURGES. *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.