IllustrationWHEN DRIVING DOWN A 4 LANE HIGH WAY THE CAR LOST GAS PEDAL CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL. WITH OTHER VEHICLE SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH BEHIND MY CAR... HAVE HAD SEVERAL GARAGES LOOK AT IT AND STILL CANT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. NOW A TOW BILL LABOR AND OTHER COMPOUNDING EXSPENCES.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVE…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STOPPED WORKING AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
THERE IS A NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN PARK OR NEUTRAL THE NOISE IS PROMINENT. I AM FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AS I HAVE LESS THAN 80K MILES TO THE CAR. FORD HAS TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS OLD WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO. THEY DID NOT MENTION HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS. OR THE FACT THAT THEY…
Read full complaint
THERE IS A NOISE THAT IS COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN IN PARK OR NEUTRAL THE NOISE IS PROMINENT. I AM FINDING OUT THAT THIS IS A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AS I HAVE LESS THAN 80K MILES TO THE CAR. FORD HAS TOLD ME THAT THE CAR IS OLD WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO. THEY DID NOT MENTION HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS. OR THE FACT THAT THEY NEW ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND HAS NOT MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE WITH IT;S CUSTOMERS WHO OPERATE THESE VEHICLES WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, HEARD LOUD POP (CLAP SOUND). THEN DASH LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK UP. TRIED TO FLUSH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND REPLACE OS SENSOR FROM FORD AND NOW IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO FIRST GEAR.
WHILE DRIVING, MY '05 FORD FREESTYLE AWD LIMITED THE AIR & RADIO TURN OFF, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES BOTTOM OUT & THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 30-45 REPEATEDLY, IN QUICK SUCCESSION. YOU CANNOT SIGNAL A TURN OR KNOW SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURS WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE BATTERY AND C…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING, MY '05 FORD FREESTYLE AWD LIMITED THE AIR & RADIO TURN OFF, ALONG WITH ALL OF THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH, ALL GAUGES BOTTOM OUT & THE TURN SIGNAL DOES NOT WORK. THIS LASTS FOR ABOUT 30-45 REPEATEDLY, IN QUICK SUCCESSION. YOU CANNOT SIGNAL A TURN OR KNOW SPEED WHEN THIS OCCURS WHICH IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE BATTERY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON & SOMETIMES IT READS CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM. THIS HAPPENS ON LOCAL STREETS AND HIGHWAY DRIVING. I BELIEVE IT COMING FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ITSELF. I HAVE SEEN THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM MANY OTHERS HAS I RESEARCH THE ISSUE ON THE INTERNET. I'M NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALL, EVEN THOUGH FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS SAFETY CONDITION. THIS STARTED HAPPENING JANUARY 2016.
BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AFTER 90000 MILE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP CHECK TRANSMISSION AND ENGIE LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER HAVING IT IN THE DEALRSHIP MANYTIMES AND SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR'S FIXING PARTS THEY COME BACK BACK AFTER THIRD TRIP IN ITH SAME PROBLEM THEY TELL ME YOU HAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION AND WE WOULD HAVE T…
Read full complaint
BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AFTER 90000 MILE TRANSMISSION STARTED ACTING UP CHECK TRANSMISSION AND ENGIE LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER HAVING IT IN THE DEALRSHIP MANYTIMES AND SPENDING THOUSANDS OF DOLLAR'S FIXING PARTS THEY COME BACK BACK AFTER THIRD TRIP IN ITH SAME PROBLEM THEY TELL ME YOU HAVE A CVT TRANSMISSION AND WE WOULD HAVE TO TEAR THE TRANSMISSION APART TO REPACE THE INTER SEALS IT WOULD RUN 6000 MORE BETTER IF YOU GET RID OF IT BUT PROBLEM IS I STILL OWE ON IT AND THEY WANT TO GIVE 100.00 TRADE IN.
POWER STEERING DOESNT WORK WELL
I DROVE INTO A PARKING SPACE, SET FOR PARK. THE CAR JUST SHOT FORWARD AND HIT A WALL. THE ENGINE RIFFED LOUD, FOR A FEW SECOND. COULD NOT REDO THE BRAKES. THE WALL WAS ONLE ABOUT 8 TO 10 FEET FROM ME.THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION, BECAUSE I JUST PUT IT IN PARK. IT HAPPEN IN A PARKIONG LOT AT CBS PHARMACY. 1588 TRANCAS STREET, NAPA,…
Read full complaint
I DROVE INTO A PARKING SPACE, SET FOR PARK. THE CAR JUST SHOT FORWARD AND HIT A WALL. THE ENGINE RIFFED LOUD, FOR A FEW SECOND. COULD NOT REDO THE BRAKES. THE WALL WAS ONLE ABOUT 8 TO 10 FEET FROM ME.THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION, BECAUSE I JUST PUT IT IN PARK. IT HAPPEN IN A PARKIONG LOT AT CBS PHARMACY. 1588 TRANCAS STREET, NAPA, CA 94558 ON MARCH 14 2016 AT 5:30 PM.THERE SHOULD BE A POLICE REPORT. I HAD TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL, TO CHECK MY BACK, BECAUSE I HAD JUST SURGERY 3 WEEKS BEFORE, FEBR. 22 2016. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL, AND I DO MY SERVICE AT FORD LINCOLN DEALER IN NAPA CA, SOSCOL AVN.I THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR OR ???MY RIGHT FRONT END IS DAMAGED.FILED CLAIM WITH THE INSURANCE. I NEED THIS PROBLEM FIXED.
I HAVE 2 ISSUES: #1. BACK SEAT PASSENGER DOOR CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ARE ALWAYS ON. EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEATS THEY ARE TRAPPED, AND CANNOT GET OUT UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THEY PULL UP ON THE LOCK FROM HE INSIDE. IVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT NEVER THOUGHT I COU…
Read full complaint
I HAVE 2 ISSUES: #1. BACK SEAT PASSENGER DOOR CHILD SAFETY LOCKS ARE ALWAYS ON. EVERY TIME I HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEATS THEY ARE TRAPPED, AND CANNOT GET OUT UNLESS SOMEONE OPENS THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OR THEY PULL UP ON THE LOCK FROM HE INSIDE. IVE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR, BUT NEVER THOUGHT I COULD FILE A COMPLAINT UNTIL I BY COINCIDENCE CAME ACROSS YOUR WEBSITE TODAY. #2. THE E-BRAKE DOES HAS NOT WORKED PROPERLY EITHER FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, OVER A YEAR, WHICH I BELIEVE IS A DEFECT. BECAUSE, EVERY TIME I WOULD ENGAGE IT OR DISENGAGE IT, THERE WAS NO TENSION, IT FELT "BLANK" FOR LACK OF BETTER DESCRIPTION, AND JUST RECENTLY, I MESSAGE ON THE DASHBOARD HAS COME UP, AND A BELL KEEPS TINGING, TELLING ME THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING (WHEN IT IS NOT!) AND IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT I TRY TO DO, I CANNOT MAKE THE SOUND OR THE MESSAGE GO AWAY, NOR DOES THE E-BRAKE WORK,! IT DOES NOT ENGAGE OR DISENGAGE. THIS DANGEROUS FOR ME, AND MY VEHICLE.
WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY. WHEN I SET THE CRUISE CONTROL I HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON 15X FOR IT TO ENGAGE. AFTER IT WAS SET THE INCREASE AND DECREASE BUTTONS WOULDN'T WORK. WHEN I TRIED TO CANCEL OUT CRUISE CONTROL THE BUTTON DID NOT WORK. ONLY WAY TO STOP THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS TO TAP THE BRAKES.
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.