IllustrationCAR SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT IS ACCELERATING, OR BUCKING, WHEN THE BRAKE IS ON OR SLOWING DOWN SUCH AS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE OR PULLING UP TO A STOP SIGN OR TRAFFIC LIGHT. *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
Power Train complaints
447 reports2005 FORD FREESTYLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS OR LUNGES FORWARD/REVERSE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE, AND WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE. CODE READER RESULTED IN CODES P061B AND P2106. MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND AUTOMECHANIC WEBSITES IDENTIFY THE SAME DANGEROUS SCENARIOS WITH THE SAME CODE READER RESULTS.…
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2005 FORD FREESTYLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS OR LUNGES FORWARD/REVERSE. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE, AND WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE. CODE READER RESULTED IN CODES P061B AND P2106. MANY ONLINE FORUMS AND AUTOMECHANIC WEBSITES IDENTIFY THE SAME DANGEROUS SCENARIOS WITH THE SAME CODE READER RESULTS. DEALERSHIPS ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS IS A VERY COMMON AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THE FORD FREESTYLE, YET NO RECALL HAS OCCURRED AND REPAIRS ARE EXPENSIVE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP. THE PROBLEM BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE SINCE SEPTEMBER 2008. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AT SLOW SPEEDS. AGAIN YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THIS IS TYPICAL OF WHEN THE CAR LURCHES/SURGES FORWARD. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY THE CAR ALSO WENT INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGI…
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FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AT SLOW SPEEDS. AGAIN YESTERDAY THIS HAPPENED WHILE IN A PARKING LOT AS I WAS PULLING INTO THE PARKING SPACE. THIS IS TYPICAL OF WHEN THE CAR LURCHES/SURGES FORWARD. HOWEVER, YESTERDAY THE CAR ALSO WENT INTO "FAIL SAFE ENGINE MODE". I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO MY DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS INCIDENT SINCE PRIOR TO THE STANDARD WARRANTY EXPIRING ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT DIRECTLY WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT 'THROW ANY CODES' WHEN THIS OCCURS THERE HAS NEVER BEEN ANY ACTION TAKEN TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE ALTHOUGH I CONTINUE TO NOTIFY MY DEALERSHIP EVERYTIME THE CAR IS IN FOR SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE, REPAIR, ETC. IT APPEARS THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY/THROTTLE BODY CONTROL. *TR
THROTTLE SURGES WHEN IN REVERSE. THIS HAS HAPPENED FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF OFF AND ON. NOW STARTING TO SURGE A LITTLE WHEN IN DRIVE. WHEN YOUR FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE GAS, THE CAR TRIES TO ACCELERATE. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND WHEN IN FORWARD GEAR AT IDLE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER I BELIEVE DUE TO A/C IN USE. THIS SURGING ALSO HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TRYING TO MAINTAIN ENGINE IDLE SPEE…
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I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND WHEN IN FORWARD GEAR AT IDLE IT WILL SURGE FORWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS PROBLEM IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER I BELIEVE DUE TO A/C IN USE. THIS SURGING ALSO HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE THE ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER TRYING TO MAINTAIN ENGINE IDLE SPEED BUT IT OVER COMPENSATES FOR THE LOAD OF THE AC OR POWER STEERING LOAD. THIS SURGING HAS MANY TIMES CAUSED CLOSE CALLS IN DRIVE THRUS AND PARKING. *TR
THE THROTTLE BODY ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE MUST BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING TODAY, 7/31/10, OUR CAR WENT INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" 8 TIMES, 8 TIMES!, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON A SC/NC STATE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER EACH TIME. WE HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST FOR 2 WEEKS…
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THE THROTTLE BODY ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE MUST BE REPLACED. WHILE DRIVING TODAY, 7/31/10, OUR CAR WENT INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" 8 TIMES, 8 TIMES!, WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND ON A SC/NC STATE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY WE WERE ABLE TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER EACH TIME. WE HAVE BEEN ON A WAITING LIST FOR 2 WEEKS FOR A $600 PART, AND MUST NOW RENT A CAR. I HAVE NOTICED MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE THAT DATE BACK SEVERAL YEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AND I AM HOPING THAT THE NHTSA WILL FINALLY ENCOURAGE THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS. THANKS. *TR
2005 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN 1) ENGINE IS WARM, 2)A/C IS ON, 3) AT COMPLETE STOP WITH BRAKES ENGAGED AND 4) BEGIN TO TURN STEERING WHEEL TO MAKE TURN. 5) ENGINE STALLS. DEALER DIAGNOSED DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. VERY UNSAFE!!! *TR
54,000 MILES AUTO THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT A SHARED COST WITH FORD SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD ONLY BEEN EXPIRED FOR A SHORT TIME. 93,000 MILES PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WORSE THAN EVER - CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THE SURGING NOW HAPPENS ON EVERY TRIP. SEEMS TO BE MAINLY WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE BUT HAS ALSO HAPPENED JUST STOPPING …
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54,000 MILES AUTO THROTTLE BODY REPLACED AT A SHARED COST WITH FORD SINCE THE WARRANTY HAD ONLY BEEN EXPIRED FOR A SHORT TIME. 93,000 MILES PROBLEM HAS RETURNED WORSE THAN EVER - CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THE SURGING NOW HAPPENS ON EVERY TRIP. SEEMS TO BE MAINLY WHEN GOING INTO REVERSE BUT HAS ALSO HAPPENED JUST STOPPING AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. PARKING STRUCTURE WALLS HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT AND A STUDENT WAS ALMOST HIT WHEN THEY WALKED IN FRONT OF MY CAR AND I BRAKED FOR THEM. THE STUDENT THOUGHT I HIT THE GAS WHEN THEY STEPPED IN FRONT OF MY CAR (NOT THE CASE AT ALL) - THE CAR SIMPLY SURGED FORWARD LIKE IT DOES FREQUENTLY. NOW THE CAR HAS BEGUN GOING INTO FAIL SAFE MODE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. CONTACTED FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE AND BEFORE DROPPING CAR OFF ASKED IF PART WAS STILL ON BACKORDER. PART IS STILL ON BACKORDER AT LEAST UNTIL 8/31/2010. HOPING FORD WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED WHEN THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED WHEN THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE VEHICLE AHEAD OF HER. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO IMMEDIATELY RESTART THE VEHICLE AND SHUT OFF THE AIR CONDITIONER. THE DEALER ADVISED HAVING A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE FOLLOWED BY THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE, CHECK TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE CONTROL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. EACH TIME, THE CONTACT WOULD SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND WHEN RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. IN ADDITION, THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NO LONGER OPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 83,000. UPDATED 10/21/10. LJ THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING INTERNAL FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSON. UPDATED 10/26/10
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.