2005 Ford Freestar Interior & seats Problems

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat attachments were rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 317,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID

11674191

Incident

Jun 17, 2025

Mileage

317,000 mi

The rear wheel well has rusted on both sides and completely rusted out a large hole (approx. 1 ft diameter area visibly effected) in the the body of the van. The rusted out section is where the back seat is anchored to the frame, so the rust has cause the seat to no longer be securely anchored to the car. The hole has also caused electrical wires to get wet when water gets into the van and intermittently and unpredictably causing failure of electrical features, including headlights and blinkers, while driving.

NHTSA ID

11511200

Incident

Mar 10, 2023

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LATCH WAS RELEASED TO SECURE THE REAR SEAT, THE LATCH FAILED ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FALL. THE DEALER ANDERSON FORD OF GRAND ISLAND (120 N DIERS AVE, GRAND ISLAND, NE 68803, (308) 384-1700) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.

NHTSA ID

11325972

Incident

May 26, 2020

Mileage

240,000 mi

I WROTE ON THIS YESTERDAY BUT DID SOME MORE RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THESE TYPE OF VEHICLES. RECALL #12V006000 ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT. RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 9 2012. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO TAKE MY 8 GRANDCHILDREN AROUND. NOW I WON'T EVEN PUT THEM IN IT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK SEAT. RECALL # 13V081000. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WHEN YOUR HAULING AROUND CHILDREN. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS REALLY RUSTY. I WISH I WOULD OF NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. IT SURE IS GOING TO BE A MONEY PIT FOR SURE. IT ONLY HAS 141000 MILES ON IT. VERY SAD THAT FORD COULD MAKE SUCH A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMED FINE. 5 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP THE TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. DROVE IT BACK HOME AND STARTED READING ABOUT HOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THIS SITUATION ON THESE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TO COURT AND FORD LOST. *TR

NHTSA ID

11324406

Incident

May 7, 2020

Mileage

141,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE THIRD ROW SEAT AREA. THE DRIVER CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT ANCHOR ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED AND FELL OUT, WHICH CREATED A HOLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11230410

Incident

Jul 7, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE THIRD ROW SEATS FELL BACKWARDS WHILE OCCUPIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB SIGHT FORD (610 NW BLUE PKWY, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64063, (816) 524-6550) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND KEEP THE RECEIPT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.

NHTSA ID

11172803

Incident

Nov 1, 2018

Mileage

186,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE REVERSING OF THE DRIVEWAY, A METAL-TO-METAL SOUND EMERGED FROM THE THIRD ROW OF SEATS IN THE VEHICLE. THE SHEET OF METAL HOLDING THE BASE OF THE SEAT CORRODED AND FRACTURED, SENDING THE SEAT FORWARD WHERE TWO OF THE CONTACT'S CHILDREN WERE SEATED. THE DEALER AND INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

NHTSA ID

11071568

Incident

Feb 6, 2018

Mileage

210,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOCKS ON THE VEHICLE DOORS BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,145.

NHTSA ID

10993953

Incident

Jun 8, 2017

Mileage

68,145 mi

"REAR SEAT LATCHES SUBJECT TO CORROSION". AFTER ORIGINAL SALE, THIS VAN WAS MODIFIED BY RIDE-AWAY(RICHMOND) TO TRANSPORT WHEELCHAIR-DEPENDENT PASSENGERS IN THE REAR AREA. THE ENTIRE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOWERED, FUEL TANK ETC. MOVED TO BELOW REAR SEAT AREA, AND A HINGED BENCH SEAT WAS INSTALLED OVER THE SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT. THE ORIGINAL REAR SEATS NO LONGER EXIST, NOR DO THEIR ATTACHING POINTS. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT BATTLEFIELD FORD, MANASSAS, VA., ON AT LEAST THREE OCCASIONS WHEREIN THEY WERE REQUESTED TO REMOVE THIS VEHICLE FROM THE REAR SEAT LATCH REPLACEMENT RECALL. BATTLEFIELD FORD HAS ELECTED NOT TO COMPLY, AND I KEEP GETTING NOTICES OF NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE RECALL. HELP!

NHTSA ID

10991157

Incident

Jan 1, 2016

Mileage

51,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE THIRD ROW SEAT BACK INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE SEAT FAILED TO LATCH. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE METAL AROUND THE SEAT LATCH WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ALSO SHOWED SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,015.

NHTSA ID

10983716

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

162,015 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, THE HYDRAULIC LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,765.

NHTSA ID

10939485

Incident

Jan 5, 2010

Mileage

116,765 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT MADE UNUSUAL NOISES WHEN OCCUPIED BY A PASSENGER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER WAS CORRODED AND RUSTED INSIDE OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10824562

Incident

Aug 14, 2014

DISCOVERED THAT THE 3RD ROW SEAT WAS LOOSE. LOOKING CLOSER FOUND THAT THE U SHAPED BOLT THE SEAT ATTACHED TO WAS LOOSE AND THAT THE WHEEL WELL, WHERE THE BOLT CONNECTS,HAD CORRODED. FOUND THAT FORD DOES HAVE A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM BUT IT DOES NOT COVER KENTUCKY WHERE I LIVE. IT DOES COVER ALL OF THE STATES NORTH OF KENTUCKY. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD COVER ALL STATES SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10669627

Incident

Dec 28, 2014

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT ANCHOR/LATCH RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10659264

Incident

Nov 16, 2014

THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE PLATE WITH THE 3RD ROW ATTACHMENT POINT ON THE DRIVER SIDE TIRE WELL COMPLETELY FELL OUT LEAVING A 8-10" HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL FOR THIS BUT ONLY IN CERTAIN STATES. I LIVE IN KANSAS WHICH IS NOT INCLUDED. WHY THIS IS I DO NOT UNDERSTAND. WHAT DOES IT MATTER WHAT STATE YOU LIVE IN? IF IT IS A DEFECT, IT IS A DEFECT NO MATTER WHERE THE CAR IS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10655394

Incident

Nov 16, 2014

Mileage

100,560 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SLIDING DOOR LOCK FAILED AND COULD NOT BE UNLOCKED ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

NHTSA ID

10610305

Incident

Jul 12, 2014

Mileage

126,000 mi

I BOUGHT MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR IN 2005. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER BUYING IT WE HAD INSTANCES OF THE POWER LOCKS NOT WORKING. THE DRIVER DOOR WILL UNLOCK BUT THE REST WILL NOT. WE HAVE EVEN HAD TO CLIMB IN THROUGH THE DRIVER DOOR TO UNLOCK THE BACK DOORS BY HAND THEN TRY TO GET GROCERIES OUT OF THE WAY BACK THROUGH THE MIDDLE DOORS. THIS IS ALSO A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME. IF I WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND BE INCAPACITATED AND MY KIDS WERE IN THE CAR, THEY WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO OPEN THOSE DOORS BECAUSE IT KEEPS THEM LOCKED EVEN IF YOU PUSH THE BUTTONS TO OPEN THEM AUTOMATICALLY. I AM SICK OF DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE SO MANY FORUMS ON LINE WHERE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED! *TR

NHTSA ID

10585088

Incident

Jun 1, 2013

Mileage

85,000 mi

2005 FORD FREESTAR WAS RECALLED FOR TORQUE CONVERTOR, THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH. LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER (MARCH 2014) THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTOR. *JS

NHTSA ID

10579133

Incident

Apr 12, 2013

Mileage

152,500 mi

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND NOTICED THE THIRD SEAT CAME LOOSE. WHEN I LOOKED INTO IT I FOUND THAT THE WHEEL WELL AROUND THE REINFORCEMENT PLATE HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE FOR FEAR OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE FACT THAT THE THIRD SEAT IS MOSTLY USED BY CHILDREN I DECIDED TO REPORT IT. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE PLATE ON THE OUT SIDE MUST NOT SEALED AFTER BEING WELDED TOGETHER ALLOWING RUST TO START FORMING IMMEDIATELY AFTER VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO SERVICE BY MANUFACTURER. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE WHEEL WELL. *TR

NHTSA ID

10501930

Incident

Mar 1, 2013

Mileage

90,000 mi

THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTING OUT AND THE FRONT MOUNT OF THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS DETACHING FROM THE BODY. *JS

NHTSA ID

10461074

Incident

Jun 8, 2012

SUPPORT BARS IN DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED COMING THROUGH CUSHION & JABBING DRIVER IN THE BACK. VEHICLE HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES AT A TIME DUE TO THE DISCOMFORT FROM THE SUPPORT BARS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10451346

Incident

Nov 5, 2011

Mileage

49,000 mi

TWICE OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR EXPERIENCED WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH THE COWL GRILL ON THE HOOD. AFTER HEAVY RAIN IN MARCH 2008, THE FIRST OF SEVERAL BREAKDOWNS AND FIX ATTEMPTS OCCURRED, RESULTING IN 3 MONTHS OUT OF SERVICE, AND REPLACEMENTS OF THE WIRING HARNESS, THE PCM COMPUTER, SEVERAL OTHER COMPUTERS AND SENSORS, AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, EQUALING NEARLY $5,000 IN TOW, RENTAL CAR, AND REPAIR BILLS--SOME OF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP TALKED MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR AS A "WATER DAMAGE CLAIM." IN BETWEEN, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND BREAKDOWNS, AND THEN THIS PAST MARCH 2009, ALSO DURING HEAVY RAIN, THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE WATER DAMAGE BREAKDOWN. THIS TIME THE WATER ONLY RUINED THE PCM COMPUTER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE REPAIRS THAT WERE LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD AND WE TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE LICENSED REPAIR TECHNICIAN. HE FOUND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ONLINE THAT DESCRIBED THE KNOWN WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM IN SOME 2005 FREESTAR MODELS AND DID THE RECOMMENDED FIX TWICE. IN HIS OPINION AND IN THE GEICO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS OPINION, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS TIME WE HAD NO COVERAGE FOR THE DAMAGE AND WERE OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS AND OUT OF POCKET OVER $3,000. I'VE BEGGED FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICES TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AND JUST LET ME OUT OF THE FINANCING BUT THEY REFUSE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF MILES. ALSO, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LEMON LAW OFFICE SAID THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROBLEMS, IN 90,000 MILES, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS NOW FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THEY ARE WARPING DANGEROUSLY. THE PADS ARE OK, BUT THE ROTORS ARE CONTINUALLY WARPING AND IT COSTS $800 EACH TIME TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10272435

Incident

Mar 8, 2008

Mileage

66,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO GEAR AND THE RPM'S GO UP AND DOWN. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JERK. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 20 MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AFTER APPROXIMATELY FOUR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FIRST THREE REPAIRS WERE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,710 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,986. UPDATED 05/05/09 *BF UPDATED 05/06/09*JB

NHTSA ID

10264082

Incident

Jan 15, 2009

Mileage

20,710 mi

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT HE FOUND A LOOSE METAL BRACKET. THE WARRANTY COMPANY WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT PRESENTLY THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SEAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 4/16/08 *CN UPDATED

NHTSA ID

10223189

Incident

Jan 5, 2008

Mileage

73,000 mi

I HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATIC REAR DOORS. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT ALWAYS CLOSE PROPERLY AND WHEN I BACK UP THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON. THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WITH THE OVERHEAD BUTTON ALL THE TIME, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO UNLOCK. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES (AT LEAST 6 OR MORE) AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THE DOOR NOT CLOSE PROPERLY BEFORE. THEY ORDERED PARTS AND SAID IT WAS "FIXED" BUT I'M STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM AND AGAIN THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT MY TODDLER SITS IN THE SEAT BEHIND ME AND IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN I'M BACKING OUT AND THE DOOR OPENS!!!! THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPORTS OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, HOWEVER I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET. MY OTHER PROBLEM, THAT THEY ALSO SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE, IS THAT WHEN I'M DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A DRY SURFACE THAT THE VAN STARTS JERKING. THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES NEED ROTATING, I TOLD THEM I KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE AND NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER I REPLACED 2 OF THE TIRES AND HAD THE FRONT TIRES ROTATED TO THE BACK AND THE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE FRONT AND AGAIN, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE VAN STARTED JERKING AGAIN. MY SON WAS IN THE CAR AND THOUGHT THE VAN WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. *TR

NHTSA ID

10218476

Incident

Jan 29, 2008

Mileage

5,000 mi