2005 Ford Freestyle
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Freestyle › 2005
These records cover every 2005 Ford Freestyle. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 2005 Ford Freestyle. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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).
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
1,459 complaints32 involved a crash3 involved a fire14 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
Our 2005 Ford Freestyle often accelerates or surges forward on its own when applying the brake or parking. It is a very dangerous malfunction that looks to be a wide spread problem for this make and model (based on online reports).
- Electrical system · Structure › Body
When temperature get below freezing car doors will not latch shut and come back open. Car doors work fine when temp are higher. There is a recall already for this NHTSA# 06v383000 Ford# 06545. I have a Ford Case# XXX My car was not included in recall and either should be or needs to be further…
When temperature get below freezing car doors will not latch shut and come back open. Car doors work fine when temp are higher. There is a recall already for this NHTSA# 06v383000 Ford# 06545. I have a Ford Case# XXX My car was not included in recall and either should be or needs to be further investigated. I don't want my kids falling out while I go down the highway and I can't wait 45 min for the car to warm up. This had done this all last winter and is doing it again and Ford refuses to do anything. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V383000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side door…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V383000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the front driver's side door independently unlatched and opened. The local dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the parts for the repair were no longer manufactured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was filed, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 97,000.
- Structure › Body
Passanger door latch- door opened while driving, will not stay closed checked said recall was repaired in 2006, latch in not closing
- Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that all four door latches failed to latch while attempting to close the doors. The contact had to make several attempts to close and lock the doors before the doors latch and remained closed. The failure had reoccurred intermittently. The…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that all four door latches failed to latch while attempting to close the doors. The contact had to make several attempts to close and lock the doors before the doors latch and remained closed. The failure had reoccurred intermittently. The contact learned of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V383000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) but was unsure if the VIN was included. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Structure
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance however, the contact was informed that the motor mount torque strap needed to be replaced. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance however, the contact was informed that the motor mount torque strap needed to be replaced. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the motor mounts had been replaced four times. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
- Engine · Vehicle speed control
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed.…
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at a stop, the vehicle lunged forward. While starting the vehicle, the vehicle revved high. While driving at high speeds, the vehicle decelerated. The contact stated that several times, the vehicle failed to accelerate as needed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who cleaned and replaced the throttle body. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Unknown or other
Doors will not close in cold weather. This is a safety issue that was not resolved with prior recall.
- Unknown or other · Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly
Driving my 2005 Ford Freestyle today when I suddenly heard a loud explosion or crash sound overhead. At first I thought something had fallen from the sky and crashed into the top of our vehicle. I immediately slowed down and pulled the car off the side of the road. My husband was a passenger in…
Driving my 2005 Ford Freestyle today when I suddenly heard a loud explosion or crash sound overhead. At first I thought something had fallen from the sky and crashed into the top of our vehicle. I immediately slowed down and pulled the car off the side of the road. My husband was a passenger in the vehicle. He carefully got out of the vehicle and looked on top of and around the vehicle. That is when we discovered that the glass in the sunroof had literally exploded and blown out of the vehicle. The track was still in place and operating normally. The glass was completely blown out of the vehicle. Because the Ford Freestyle was only in production for 3 years (I believe), there probably are not many still in use. Thus, there are probably not many Ford Freestyle owners having or reporting this problem. Besides being scared, the potential for being hit by the exploding glass and suffering substantial injuries to our heads, eyes, face, shoulders, bodies, could have been tremendous, if not deadly. I reported the incident to Ford Motor Company. The vehicle has not been inspected yet by manufacturer, police, insurance, or others. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the sunroof glass failure.
- Engine · Unknown or other · Vehicle speed control
Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get…
Says transmission data error check engine and trac control all display and only allow me to drive 20-35 MPH some time I can turn the car off and back on and the codes will shut off but they come back on in the middle of the highway what usually takes me 30 minutes takes me an hour and a half to get to some times 2 hours I can't run my AC cuz that over does my alternator and heats my car I've only had it a year and it's been giving me problems 5 months after getting it I have kids and it gets rough going slow in the heat and hoping if I press to much on the gas please help I am broke and have nothing but this car left and I've spent $2000 for people to tell me nothing is wrong with it
- Power train
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
- Engine · Power train · Steering
I was sold a vehicle without being told that there was a recall. Instead he told me it was just some rattling that was coming from something loose and not important. Its rattling like crazy under my car. I looked up recalls for it and there IS an important recall that needs to be fixed on it.…
I was sold a vehicle without being told that there was a recall. Instead he told me it was just some rattling that was coming from something loose and not important. Its rattling like crazy under my car. I looked up recalls for it and there IS an important recall that needs to be fixed on it. Please. It can harm my newborn child and melt wires and IS gonna cost so much money that I don't have to fix it. This IS my only car. Please. Its a 2005 ford freestyle and there IS a recall for it on exactly what its been doing. Everytime I drive it feels like it's gonna fall apart and inside the cab IS getting hott and harmful fumes are coming into the cab. Its dangerous. The heat shield IS broken I guess.
- Back over prevention › Warnings · Service brakes · Unknown or other
Stationary and in motion my AWD malfunction light will come on, it does this multiple times a day, I just got this ford the other day, nobody knows what the issue IS, but I've seen thousands of other people have this issue. That almost caused me an accident today in the snow. Not very happy about it, and I don't want it to happen again. It's been doing this since I got it. I'm lucky it's not totaled.
- Forward collision avoidance › Adaptive cruise control · Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
Just got the car and it stalled on me today, accelerated and shut off in the middle of the road. Alot going on IV read other people's comments about the ford causing accidents I don't want that to happen to me I'm a new driver
- Engine · Power train
Driving just fine whenever I got it. Not even 20,000 miles later at about 122K miles the transmission IS bad and going out. It drives at high rpm but low speeds and will not shift into proper gear. Makes a funny airplane noise from the transmission. This vehicle has been kept up with by me.
- Vehicle speed control
My car has begun to accelerate when I am braking, and it IS a powerful and sudden acceleration! it seems to happen more often when I am backing up and turning, but will happen at any time. It started last week and IS happening with greater frequency, making it unsafe to drive. Last night it went…
My car has begun to accelerate when I am braking, and it IS a powerful and sudden acceleration! it seems to happen more often when I am backing up and turning, but will happen at any time. It started last week and IS happening with greater frequency, making it unsafe to drive. Last night it went into fail safe mode, but upon restarting the car today, it has returned to normal. I did an internet search and found that other people have had similar experiences, particularly when the air conditioner IS running. As it so happens, I had my air conditioner fixed last week.
- Power train
Check transmission keeps popping up and the wrench light comes on and cars rpms go to 3000 yo 5000 on its own going down the highway
- Unknown or other
This vehicle transmission doesnt work and can not be fix. This problem came with the vehicle. It make noise like a helicopter. I took the car to the dealer and they told me they couldnt do anything and to call ford motor as there IS recall in this model..
- Engine · Unknown or other · Vehicle speed control
The car stops randomly at times and sometimes will not even startup. check engine light IS on and I recently hit someone in front of me due to jerking or lerching while at a stop light. Very dangerous
- Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
TL* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. On several occasions, over the course of several years, the instrument panel failed to operate when the vehicle was started. Over time, the instrument panel became totally inoperable and the contact was unable to see the speed, fuel level, or other…
TL* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. On several occasions, over the course of several years, the instrument panel failed to operate when the vehicle was started. Over time, the instrument panel became totally inoperable and the contact was unable to see the speed, fuel level, or other gauges. The vehicle was taken to varney ford (located at 237 moosehead trail, newport, me 04953, (888) 460-7356) where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. Additionally, the battery needed to be replaced because the vehicle had not been driven for days to weeks at a time. However, the failure recurred. The contact stated that dielectric grease was added to the wire connectors and the vehicle operated as intended. The contact stated that the failure seemed to be more prevalent when the outside temperature was between 60-68 degrees. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate the first failure mileage was 1200 miles in 2007 and again by 2012. *Tp
- Engine · Unknown or other
My vehicle stalls every week steering and brakes hard to control, my wife drives the vehicle. Took it to many shops, no codes stored in computer cannot find problem. I had the throttle body cleaned, replaced fuel pump, same fault. The car IS unsafe hard to stop sometimes when engine shuts off. Ford dealer cannot find the problem.
- Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While waiting to make a left turn with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lunged forward spontaneously. the contact had to release and reapply the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not…
TL* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While waiting to make a left turn with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle lunged forward spontaneously. the contact had to release and reapply the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 151,215.
- Fuel/propulsion system · Power train
The vehicle lunges forward when backing and when stopping going forward. it feels like seone IS pushing the accelerator even though your foot IS on the brake.
- Power train · Vehicle speed control
TL* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While idling, the vehicle would suddenly surge forward. The failure also occurred while idling with the gear in reverse, and the vehicle would surge backwards. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and spradley ford (2828 hwy 50 west, pueblo, co) were notified of the failures, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 170,000.
- Electronic stability control (esc) · Fuel/propulsion system · Power train
Fuel line just snapped off the car , also the transmission line snapped off and the trans system shut down, the door locks shut down and stopped working . The transmission and fuel line snapped while in motion on the highway.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Idle instability
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…
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
- Instrument cluster failure
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…
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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11000557Motorcraft Continuously Variable Chain-Type Transmission Fluid (XT-7-QCFT in non-Canadian markets, CXT-7-LCF12 in Canada) is no longer manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes. The recommended replacement fluids are Phillips 66 VersaTrans CVT Plus Fluid or Kendall VersaTrans CVT Plus Fluid. Mixing Motorcraft CVT fluid (blue-green color) with these replacement fluids (red color) in the same transmission is acceptable.
- 10109070The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
- 10051815Ford: see document search button for owner letter. Momentary engine idle rpm surge may be intermittent and may occur, due to deposits buildup in throttle body, at low speeds, while parking or entering driveway and check engine lamp may illuminate. Models 2005-07 freestyle, 500, montego.
- 10023294Ford\mercury service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD ford five hundred, freestyle and mercury montego vehicles - rear brake wear. Also have an owner's letter. Updated 1/25/08.
- 10022241Mil with dtc p0106 and/or p0109.
- 10021463Rear brake drag, noise, dust, and/or premature pad wear.
- 10021444Mil on with dtc p0191 - fuel rail pressure sensor circuit performance.
- 10021220Transmission shifter binding / high effort bezel replacement.
- 10021061Battery light illuminated.
- 10021049Premature shoulder (toe) wear on inside edge of the front tires.
- 10021037Intermittent instrument cluster operation - including gauges sweep/reset - multiple warning lights illuminated and/or reverse lights stay on. This applies to vehicles built before 02-17-06.
- 10021036Fuel gauge erratic/inaccurate and/or mil on with dtc p0463, b1202, b2627, b2879, and/or p2068.
- 10020134Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis.
- 10019951Intermittent instrument cluster gauge sweep/reset - multiple warning lights on - reverse lights on - vehicles built before 2/17/2006.
- 10019950Second row seat recline concern.
- 10019914Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10019811Intermittent bounce-back of the driver's window during one touch up operation.
- 10019807Tenths digit not displayed on odometer after 10,000 miles/kilometers.
- 10019793Noise in right front of passenger compartment - air inlet door actuator inoperative (recirculation).
- 10019377Heated seats inoperative.
- 10019068Grunt or squeak from front suspension during full lock turns - service tip.
- 10018745Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10018066Engine rpm fluctuation at highway cruising speeds - vehicles built prior to 8/2/2005.
- 10018065Intermittent speed control deactivation and/or speed control will not set.
- 10014682Intermittent headlamp flicker with no key in the ignition - vehicles built before 2/21/2005.
- 10014670Incorrect compass information in owners guide and work shop manual.
- 10014669Squeak from rear of vehicle when driving over bumps.
- 10014650Thumping noise or roughness from rear brakes.
- 10014646Engine service procedures.
- 10014624Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10014623Squeak from rear of vehicle when driving over bumps.
- 10014601Audio unit backlight inoperative and or dtc b2477.
- 10014310Weld bonding procedure.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10014048Driveability concerns during deceleration.
- 10013317Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10012976Vehicle may exhibit an oil life xx% message inthe odometer message center display prior to the vehicle reaching 5000 miles.
- 10012970Memory seat, mirrors and pedals operation.
- 10012961Memory seat, adjustable pedals and mirrors operation concerns.
Every Ford Freestyle model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.