NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,459 reports100,000 miles · Jun 14, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10519782
100,000 miles · Jun 12, 2013
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND CONTINUED USE WOULD CAUSE IT TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND CONTINUED USE WOULD CAUSE IT TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10519559
80,000 miles · Jun 11, 2013
Power Train
MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS MAKING A HELICOPTER NOISE FORD DEALER SAID IT WILL NEED A REPLACEMENT FOR 7000 DOLLARS WTF .I CAN SEE THAT THIS SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS FOR FREESTYLE OWNERS WITH NO RECALL FROM FORD DON'T THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS ANYMORE .THIS IS A DEFECT FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THEIR D…
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MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IS MAKING A HELICOPTER NOISE FORD DEALER SAID IT WILL NEED A REPLACEMENT FOR 7000 DOLLARS WTF .I CAN SEE THAT THIS SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THOUSANDS FOR FREESTYLE OWNERS WITH NO RECALL FROM FORD DON'T THEY STAND BY THEIR PRODUCTS ANYMORE .THIS IS A DEFECT FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON THEIR DIME NOT MINE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10516187
40,760 miles · Jun 2, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingStructure
I WENT IN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR TIRE ROTATION AND WE DISCOVERED THAT THE MOTOR CRADLE WAS RUSTING OUT WITH A BIG HOLE IN THE CRADLE FRAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10514749
100,800 miles · May 18, 2013
Power Train
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 40-45 AND CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHINING SOUND, A COUPLE OF SECOND LATER SPEED STARTED DECREASING AND THE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. HAD IT SENT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC (MEINEKE) WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY GONE OUT AND THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE IN THE AMOUNT OF 6498.00 AND…
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DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY AT 40-45 AND CAR STARTED MAKING A LOUD WHINING SOUND, A COUPLE OF SECOND LATER SPEED STARTED DECREASING AND THE THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. HAD IT SENT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC (MEINEKE) WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD COMPLETELY GONE OUT AND THAT THE COST OF REPAIR WOULD BE IN THE AMOUNT OF 6498.00 AND THAT WAS PAYING FOR THE TRANSMISSION ( THAT THEY DON'T KNOW WHEN WILL COME IN DUE TO BACK ORDER) AND LABOR. WE HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST FORD FOR THE FAULTY CVTS/ HOWEVER STILL NO RECALL TO FIX THE REPAIR AT FORDS EXPENSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10512653
61,291 miles · May 8, 2013
Power Train
ENGINE SURGING WHEN PUT IN REVERSE, THEN SURGING FORWARD, HARD TO STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, VEHICLE TOWED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10511137
135,000 miles · Apr 18, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR FAILED AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESURFACE UNTIL THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS FIXED. THE DEALER INSPECTED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHILE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR FAILED AND THE PROBLEM DID NOT RESURFACE UNTIL THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS FIXED. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508677
72,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
IN 2010, MY CAR WOULD GO INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT. AFTER A FEW TIMES, IS STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT WAS IDLING. AT THAT TIME, I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. TODAY, APRIL 10, 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" KICK…
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IN 2010, MY CAR WOULD GO INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" AND I WOULD HAVE TO SHUT IT OFF AND RESTART IT. AFTER A FEW TIMES, IS STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHEN IT WAS IDLING. AT THAT TIME, I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. TODAY, APRIL 10, 2013, I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE" KICKED ON TWICE AND THE SECOND TIME, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT SAFELY TO WORK AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A SHOP ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY OFFICE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC RUN. IT COST $75 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED! I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL THAT THEY CAN DO IS CLEAN AND RESET THE COMPUTER UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION RECALL. I PLAN TO DROP IT OFF TODAY AT A DEALERSHIP ON MY WAY HOME. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CAR NOW HAS OVER 109,000 MILES AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY IN 2010 AND IT IS MALFUNCTIONING AGAIN. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT IF THIS DOESN'T WORK, IT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS CAR AND I WANT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS FIXED CORRECTLY AND THE COST IS TAKEN ON BY FORD FOR THE FAULTY PART! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505811
35,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MAN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 5/22/13 *CN
NHTSA ODI #10505760
122,946 miles · Apr 4, 2013
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED O…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FLUCTUATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THEY STATED THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 122,946.
NHTSA ODI #10507146
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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