2005 Ford FREESTYLE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,459 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
77,905 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,298 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 587 of 1,459 complaints (40.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 529 | 36.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 274 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 217 | 14.9% |
| Steering behavior | 54 | 3.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 44 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 587 |
| Power Train | 323 |
| Electrical System | 123 |
| Engine | 120 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 119 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 91 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 82 |
| Unknown Or Other | 72 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 587; Power Train: 323; Electrical System: 123; Engine: 120; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 119; Fuel System, Gasoline: 91; Engine And Engine Cooling: 82; Unknown Or Other: 72
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 114 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 153 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 339 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 312 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 307 |
| 150,000 and above | 73 |
Under 25,000: 114; 25,000 to 49,999: 153; 50,000 to 74,999: 339; 75,000 to 99,999: 312; 100,000 to 149,999: 307; 150,000 and above: 73
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (339). 161 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2006 | 32 |
| 2007 | 63 |
| 2008 | 46 |
| 2009 | 64 |
| 2010 | 218 |
| 2011 | 447 |
| 2012 | 239 |
| 2013 | 86 |
| 2014 | 74 |
| 2015 | 41 |
| 2016 | 45 |
| 2017 | 20 |
| 2018 | 13 |
| 2019 | 23 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2005: 30; 2006: 32; 2007: 63; 2008: 46; 2009: 64; 2010: 218; 2011: 447; 2012: 239; 2013: 86; 2014: 74; 2015: 41; 2016: 45; 2017: 20; 2018: 13; 2019: 23; 2020: 4; 2021: 4; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 529 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 274 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 217 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10110382 · 2005-02-12 (February 12, 2005)
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ON 2/6/05. IT STOPPED WORKING ON 2/07/05, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND IN A RENTAL FOR NEARLY A WEEK. YET I'VE PAID FOR A NEW VEHICLE. FORD REALLY SHOULD WORK OUT THE QUIRKS BEFORE PUTTING OUT A NEW VEHICLE. THEY ARE SUPPOSED REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION ON 2/14. THIS IS RIDICULOUS!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 245 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110382 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10112893 · 2005-02-22 (February 22, 2005)
CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD UNTIL THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS THE ALTERNATOR. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 8,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116034 · 2005-03-29 (March 29, 2005)
I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND AT 35 MPH. A WESTBOUND CAR LOST CONTROL AND CROSSED THE MEDIAN. I STRUCK THE CAR T-BONE AT 35 MPH. IT WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL COLLISION TO MY CAR. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE EXAMINED.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116034 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116352 · 2005-04-04 (April 4, 2005)
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WE HAVE FOUND THIS TO BE A VERY OOD AUTOMOBILE EXCEPT FOR ONE NOTABLE DEFECT. THIS DEFECT IS DESCRIBED BELOW.*AK THE AUTOMOBILE'S SPECIFICATIONS INDICATE THAT IS HAS A 19 GALLON FUEL TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE AND INSTRUMENTATION PANEL COMPUTER ALL CALCULATE FUEL USAGE BASED UPON A 16 GALLON FUEL TANK. FOR EXAMPLE, IF THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES 1/2 FULL, THE FUEL USED IS APPROXIMATELY 7.5 TO 8 GALLONS. THE FUEL GAUGE WILL BE AT EMPTY (AND LOW FUEL LIGHT COME ON) AT 15.5 TO 16 GALLONS OF FUEL U…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120125 · 2005-05-06 (May 6, 2005)
DT: WHEN WINDOWS IN BACK SEAT ARE ROLLED DOWN THE NOISE IS DEAFENING. IT HURTS THE EARS OF ANYBODY IN VEHICLE. WHEN THE WINDOWS ARE DOWN THE WHOLE VAN VIBRATES. TOOK IT TO DEALER, AND THEY HAVE NO SOLUTION. HE CALLED FORD,THEY SAID IF THEY DECIDE THERE IS A PROBLEM THEY WILL CALL HIM BACK. CONTACT HAS CONCERNS ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE BUYING THIS VEHICLE. CONTACT DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120860 · 2005-06-07 (June 7, 2005)
THE CONSUMER'S FRONT BRAKES RUMBLED BADLY WHEN THEY WERE APPLIED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND THE VIBRATION COULD BE FELT IN THE FLOOR OF THE CAR. IT MOSTLY SHAKES WHEN COMING DOWN FROM HIGH SPEEDS. IT WAS A HIDDEN DEFECT THE DEALER IS FIXING BUT NOT SENDING OUT NOTICES TO EVERYONE. *JB *SB
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10121127 · 2005-05-17 (May 17, 2005)
GLARE ON DASH. NO ACCIDENT YET, BUT WILL BE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10121127 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10124266 · 2005-06-06 (June 6, 2005)
MY NEWLY PURCHASED FORD FREESTYLE DEVELOPED A FLAT, PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND REPLACED WITH SPARE DONUT SUPPLIED BY FORD. UPON INSTALLATION AND START OF DRIVING WITH SPARE DONUT, WITHIN 1/4 MILE THE SPEEDOMETER WENT TO ZERO9NO REGISTRATION) , THE RPM GAUGE WORKED, THE ANTILOCK ,TRAC CONTROL LIGHTS CAME ON. DRIVING WAS ALLOWABLE WITHOUT NO SPEEDOMETER, CONFIDENCE OF SAFE DRIVING WITH SPARE TIRE. I BELIEVE FORD PURPOSELY PROVIDED IRREGULAR TIRE TO CUT COSTS. THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD FULL SIZE REPLACEMENT TO BALANCE AND REGULATE COMPUTER FOR NEW VEHI…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10124266 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:Mounting
Reported: 2005-11-09 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗06V383000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Reported: 2006-10-05 (October 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗