NHTSA vehicle safety data

2005 Ford Freestyle Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2005 Ford Freestyle has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,459 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2005 Ford Freestyle, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2005 Ford Freestyle owner complaints

Owners have filed 1,459 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Freestyle, describing incidents dated January 30, 2005 to June 30, 2026.

Most-cited components

Vehicle Speed Control 587 complaints
Power Train 447 complaints
Engine 249 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System 153 complaints
Electrical System 142 complaints
Service Brakes 105 complaints

Of the 1,459 complaints on file, 32 report a crash and 3 a fire; across all 1,459 complaints, owners report 14 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11747522 · Filed June 30, 2026
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).
ODI #11704107 · Filed December 9, 2025
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…
ODI #11696759 · Filed October 31, 2025
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…

Read all 1,459 complaints

Owner-reported

2005 Ford Freestyle mileage at failure

1,285 of the 1,459 complaints on file for the 2005 Ford Freestyle give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Vehicle Speed Control	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–100,000 miles	Based on 529 complaints
Power Train	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–115,000 miles	Based on 400 complaints
Engine	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 60,000–115,000 miles	Based on 224 complaints
Fuel/Propulsion System	Median 80,000 miles	Middle half 55,000–100,000 miles	Based on 137 complaints
Electrical System	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–120,000 miles	Based on 125 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 30,000 miles	Middle half 18,000–55,000 miles	Based on 89 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2005 Ford Freestyle in 2 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Preliminary Evaluation PE11-018: Idle instability
Closed February 7, 2013
Preliminary Evaluation PE07-058: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER FAILURE
Closed March 11, 2008

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS

NHTSA #06V383000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch · NHTSA notice

Reported October 5, 2006 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 139,537 vehicles

Ford campaign 06S45 · Owners notified November 8, 2006 · Vehicles built February 16, 2004 – June 20, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 06S45.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FUEL TANK STRAP BREAKAGE

NHTSA #05V515000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Storage — Tank Assembly — Mounting · NHTSA notice

Reported November 9, 2005 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 123,206 vehicles

Ford campaign 05S37 · Owners notified December 1, 2005 · Vehicles built January 3, 2005 – June 21, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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).

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 1, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 05S37.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2005 Ford Freestyle 5-DR

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

13% rollover risk

Safety Technology

2 investigations

1,459 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Freestyle.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11747522

Incident: June 30, 2026 · Filed: June 30, 2026

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

ODI #11704107

Incident: December 3, 2025 · Filed: December 9, 2025

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

ODI #11696759

Incident: October 15, 2023 · Filed: October 31, 2025

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

ODI #11637411

Incident: January 21, 2025 · Filed: January 21, 2025

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

ODI #11629170

Incident: November 29, 2024 · Filed: December 6, 2024

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

ODI #11610391

Incident: July 23, 2024 · Filed: August 23, 2024

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.

Vehicle Speed Control; Engine

ODI #11569427

Incident: September 1, 2023 · Filed: February 2, 2024

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

ODI #11557112

Incident: November 27, 2023 · Filed: November 27, 2023

Doors will not close in cold weather. This is a safety issue that was not resolved with prior recall.

Unknown or Other; Visibility

ODI #11518753

Incident: April 24, 2023 · Filed: April 24, 2023

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.

Vehicle Speed Control; Unknown or Other; Engine

ODI #11468338

Incident: June 8, 2022 · Filed: June 8, 2022

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

Other Ford Freestyle model years

Check your 2005 Ford Freestyle VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Freestyle at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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