RoadVitals

2005 Ford Freestyle Driver assistance Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the driver-assistance system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Driver assistance reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
603
Latest Feb 2, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
41%
of 1,459 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
16
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford Freestyle submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 603 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming driver-assistance

The 25 most recent of 603, in the owner's own words

Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Feb 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.

NHTSA ID
11569427
Incident
Sep 1, 2023
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 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

NHTSA ID
11468338
Incident
Jun 8, 2022
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 31, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11390922
Incident
Jan 31, 2021
Mileage
257,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jan 31, 2021

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

NHTSA ID
11390862
Incident
Jan 30, 2021
Mileage
159,229 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 7, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11327670
Incident
Jun 7, 2020
Mileage
168,009 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 3, 2019
Crash reported

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

NHTSA ID
11286718
Incident
Aug 23, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 9, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11242780
Incident
Aug 8, 2019
Mileage
151,215 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 19, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11233422
Incident
Jun 1, 2019
Mileage
170,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 15, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11232100
Incident
May 22, 2019
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 3, 2019

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SPEEDOMETER FLUCTUATES ON ITS ON CAUSING THE CAR TO JUMP FORWARD AND TAKE OFF SLOW WITH VERY LITTLE POWER IT DOES IT WHEN SITTING IN PARK WITH THE CAR TURNED ON AND WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ID
11229118
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Mileage
172,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 30, 2019

WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, IT FEELS LIKE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. I AM STILL ABLE TO ACCELERATE, STEER AND STOP; HOWEVER, THE LIGHTS, HEATER AND RADIO SHUT OFF AND ALL OF MY GAUGES QUIT WORKING. MY DASHBOARD SAYS "CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM" BUT THE SOURCE OF THE ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN FOUND. I HAVE ALREADY REPLACED THE STARTER (WAS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AT TIMES), BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES ON DIFFERENT ROAD TYPES AND VARYING SPEEDS.

NHTSA ID
11228563
Incident
Jun 21, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemVisibility
Filed May 20, 2019

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND LOST POWER THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING. THE REAR WIPER DOESN'T WORK AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING

NHTSA ID
11208744
Incident
May 19, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed May 19, 2019

THE CAR IS LUNGING FORWARD AT LOW SPEED WHILE BRAKING, THIS SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE ADDRESSED IN A RECALL THAT HAD BEEN COMPLETED IN DECEMBER OF 2016.

NHTSA ID
11208523
Incident
May 11, 2019
Mileage
90 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Mar 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER, PLACE THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL, AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPAIRED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.

NHTSA ID
11183426
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
188,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 10, 2018

DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE VEHICLE STARTS TO REV FORWARD AND BACKWARDS. I SEE THE "ENGINE FAIL SAFE MODE APPEAR AND A LIT UP WRENCH ALSO APPEARS AND THE ENGINE STARTS STALLING OR SURGING, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER.

NHTSA ID
11139391
Incident
Oct 8, 2018
Mileage
10 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 25, 2018

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, MY 05 FREESTYLE LUNGES FORWARD, TRANSMISSION IS ENGAGED IN THE DRIVE POSITION AND WHEN IN REVERSE, IT ALSO LUNGES. OFTEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT THE CAR WILL NOT ACCELERATE. IT WILL STUMBLE ALL OVER ITSELF AND DIES. I'VE ALMOST BEEN HIT ON A COUPLE OCCASIONS BECAUSE I COULDN'T GET ACROSS AN INTERSECTION OR OUT OF THE WAY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING, IT LOSES POWER AND WILL NOT ACCELERATE. HAD A A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. HE SAID THE THROTTLE BODY WAS GUMMED UP AND HE CLEANED IT. IT RAN GOOD FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND IT'S BACK TO DOING THE SAME THING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 72310 MILES ON IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE YEARS AND HAS GOTTEN SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE.

NHTSA ID
11113656
Incident
Jul 18, 2018
Mileage
63,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 1, 2018

VEHICLE KEEPS JUMPING. THROTTLE BODY

NHTSA ID
11104972
Incident
Jun 2, 2018
Mileage
100 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 29, 2018

AT LOW SPEED OR STOPPED WHILE IN DRIVE THE CAR LUNGES FORWARDS. I WAS AT A DRIVE THROUGH AND IT LUNGED FORWARD ALMOST HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. ALSO WHILE DRIVING IN A LOWER SPEED ZONE 20-35 (SCHOOL ZONES AND NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS) THE RPM'S START PULSING CAUSING THE CAR TO LUNGE EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ID
11104674
Incident
Jun 28, 2018
Mileage
149,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jun 12, 2018

WHEN NOT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND TURNING THE WHEEL, THE CAR SPEED UP WITHOUT THE DRIVERS INTENTION.

NHTSA ID
11101442
Incident
Jun 12, 2018
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Dec 7, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD ACCELERATE FORWARD AND CAUSE A CRASH. A CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID
11053305
Incident
Dec 7, 2017
Mileage
200,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Nov 25, 2017

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET GOING 25 AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 55, THE LIGHTS IN CLUSTER OF GUAGES WENT OUT. THE WRENCH ICON LIGHTS UP AND ALL POWER GOES OUT TO THE GUAGES. ALL NEEDLES DROP. CHECKED THE FUZES. NOTHING BLOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE A.C. ALSO STOPS BLOWING COLD AIR.

NHTSA ID
11048378
Incident
Nov 25, 2017
Mileage
107,500 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jun 5, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AFTER SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VOLUNTARY RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,508. UPDATED 08/09/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ID
10993252
Incident
May 5, 2017
Mileage
148,508 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2017

CAR WILL STALL OUT WHILE IDLING, ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING (APPARENTLY FAIL SAFE MODE). MAY OR MAY NOT START AGAIN AFTER SHUTTING OFF AND RESTARTING. ALTERNATIVELY, ENGINE WILL ROAR WHEN APPLYING GAS PEDAL, WITH NO ACCELERATION; OR WILL JOLT/SHUDDER WHILE MOVING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR. NEW FUEL PUMP ALREADY INSTALLED. ALL ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS ALREADY GONE OVER AT DEALER. TWICE NEW INERTIA SHUTOFF VALVES INSTALLED. ($800) IF THIS IS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY, I WANT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE CLASS ACTION.

NHTSA ID
10956858
Incident
Feb 23, 2017
Mileage
160,000 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 13, 2017

MY VEHICLE ENTERS ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING, EXPERIENCES IDLE ISSUES AND THE THROTTLE BODY IS RESPONSIBLE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL PRESENT - WHEN RESEARCHING THE ISSUE YOU FIND MANY CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY BUT THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. MY CHILDREN HAVE BEEN PUT IN SERIOUS DANGER DUE TO THE SUDDEN ENGINE SHUT OFF WITH NO WARNING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS INCLUDING INTERSTATE DRIVING. THE ENGINE FAILSAFE HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING IN TOWN, WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, WHILE ACCELERATING, THERE IS NO WARNING OR SPECIFIC PATTERN.

NHTSA ID
10954306
Incident
Mar 14, 2016
Mileage
136,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 19, 2016

AWD MALFUNCTION IS PRESENT AND IT INTERFERES WITH THE STABILITY CONTROL AND ABS. IT SOMETIMES CAUSES ABS NOT TO GET ENGAGED.

NHTSA ID
10936312
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
53,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .