RoadVitals

2005 Ford Freestyle Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
324
Latest Jul 2, 2021
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.
22%
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.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 324 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 powertrain

The 25 most recent of 324, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 2, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11423269
Incident
Jun 30, 2021
Mileage
179,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 12, 2021
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11402532
Incident
Mar 4, 2021
Mileage
202,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 3, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11342877
Incident
Sep 19, 2019
Mileage
122,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 22, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11321963
Incident
Apr 22, 2020
Mileage
233,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 19, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID
11233494
Incident
Jul 17, 2019
Mileage
120,000 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN ABNORMAL BUZZING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY FORD SANDY SPRINGS (7555 ROSWELL RD, ATLANTA, GA 30350, (678) 809-5711) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11231881
Incident
Jul 10, 2019
Mileage
115,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 31, 2019

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE CVT TRANSMISSION IT SEEM TO NEVER SHIFT RIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL ALWAYS ACTED FUNNY SHIFTS HIGH OR SHIFT HARD AND THEN IT FINALLY GAVE OUT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHT IT MADE A LOUD CLUNK AND I HAD NO GEARS I COSTED TO A STOP

NHTSA ID
11192724
Incident
Mar 15, 2019
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 4, 2019

THE TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING WHILE GOING UP A HILL

NHTSA ID
11174324
Incident
Dec 25, 2018
ElectricalOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 24, 2019

VEHICLES SAYS AWD MALFUNCTION AND TRACTION CONTROL SENSOR WON'T SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE POWER LOCKS ALSO MALFUNCTIONED SHORTLY BEFORE THE AWD MALFUNCTION, MAKING IT WHERE IT WAS UNABLE TO SHUT. THE POWER LOCK WAS UNLOCKED/LOCKED A COUPLE TIMES FIXING THE ISSUE FOR NOW.

NHTSA ID
11171879
Incident
Jan 24, 2019
Mileage
164,100 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
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 17, 2018

WHILE REVERSING SLOWLY FROM A PARKING SPOT AND TURNING THE WHEEL, THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT APPLICATION OF THE GAS PEDAL. QUICKLY PRESSING THE BRAKE DID WORK TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR LAST YEAR.

NHTSA ID
11079925
Incident
Mar 9, 2018
Mileage
142,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 7, 2018

2005 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A CONSTANT SCRAPING SOUND FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I AM DRIVING IT. WE PAID $ 200.00 FOR FORD MECHANIC TO CHANGE OUT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH NEW FLUID KIT & HE DID FIND METAL & BRASS SHAVINGS FROM TRANNY IN OIL PAN. MECHANIC SAYS THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW ONE BUT I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY $4,000.00 IT WILL TAKE TO DO IT. I FOUND OUT THE CVT TRANSMISSIONS ALL SOONER OR LATER ,BUT MOSTLY SOONER ; FAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE NOTORIOUS FOR IT . BAD DESIGN FOR THAT TRANSMISSION & THEY STILL ROBBING THE OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES AS I SPEAK ! MAN UP & PAY FOR YOUR MISTAKES LIKE THOSE IN SOCIETY MUST WHEN THEY HAVE ROBBED OTHERS AND GOT CAUGHT. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY IT'S LET GO THUS FAR & WHO THEN IS ACCOUNTABLE ??

NHTSA ID
11076742
Incident
Feb 27, 2018
Mileage
95,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 18, 2017

WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARKING LOT ONTO HIGHWAY, LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND CHECK ENGINE AND CHECK TRANSMISSION LIGHTS CAME ON, WAS LUCKY THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME WERE PAYING ATTENTION AND I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK IN D AND R, WITH STILL NO RESPONSE FROM THE THROTTLE. AFTER HAVING TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED HOME SO MY FAMILY AND I WERE OFF OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY, I TRIED TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY TO TRY AND RESET THE SYSTEM, STILL NO LUCK. WE JUST HAD THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED LAST YEAR AT A COST OF 700.00, SIMILAR TO SAME ISSUES WITH THROTTLE BUT NOTHING WITH TRANSMISSION AT THAT TIME. AFTER READING THROUGH MULTIPLE REVIEWS THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS CVT TRANSMISSION AND THERE WAS ALSO A RECALL ON THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDING TO BE CLEANED. WHAT IS THE PROBLEM OF WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED, THESE VEHICLES ARE NOT ONLY FAMILY VEHICLES BUT DEATH TRAPS! SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BEFORE SOME FAMILY GETS KILLED FROM A FAULTY MISTAKE THAT FORD CO. IS WELL AWARE OF!

NHTSA ID
10995759
Incident
Jun 15, 2017
Mileage
131,000 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
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 2, 2017

CVT FAIL, THROTTLE BODY ISSUE, STARTED IN SEPTEMBER 2016. CAR NOW HAS 135,030 MILES. HAPPENS CONTINUOUSLY, WHEN IDLE AND MOVING DOWN THE ROAD. I SENT A LETTER TO FORD AND THEY RESPONDED WITH A "SORRY...WE CAN'T HELP YOU". MAKING HELICOPTER NOISE. LOSES POWER AND GOES INTO FAILSAFE MODE. I WILL ATTACH BOTH LETTERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10939023
Incident
Sep 12, 2016
Mileage
129,030 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 28, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 2 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10937874
Incident
Dec 21, 2016
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
Interior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 31, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED IN LOW OR HIGH GEAR. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT MOUNTING BRACKET WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 149,000.

NHTSA ID
10920204
Incident
Oct 10, 2016
Mileage
149,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 9, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC ADDED A HIGH PRESSURE FILTER AND TRANSMISSION FLUID, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,005.

NHTSA ID
10894368
Incident
Mar 15, 2014
Mileage
103,005 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 2, 2016

I JUST BOUGHT MY VEHICLE AND STARTED NOTICING SOME ISSUES WITH THE CAR RACING/IDLING FAST. SEVERAL TIMES IT WOULD LUNG FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE FOOT WAS ON BRAKE ALMOST HITTING A CAR, THEN STALLED & REDUCED SPEED AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TOO OREILLYS AND FOUND IT IS THE THROTTLE AND THROTTLE SENSOR. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AND DANGEROUS. I WANT IT FIXED BY FORD ASAP!

NHTSA ID
10892689
Incident
Jul 19, 2016
Mileage
97,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, IT WOULD SURGE FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,241.

NHTSA ID
10885980
Incident
Jul 18, 2016
Mileage
64,241 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE GEAR SHIFT WAS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION, THE ENGINE REVVED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *JS

NHTSA ID
10884557
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 13, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT RANDOMLY FLASHED. IN ADDITION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS AND THE ENGINE IDLED ROUGHLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ UPDATED 09/07/16. *JB

NHTSA ID
10884477
Incident
Mar 10, 2016

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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Data on this page last refreshed .