CarBrief

NHTSA has 1,459 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Ford Freestyle, the most of any of its three model years[1][2]. Two recalls apply, one for door latches that can freeze and one for fuel tank straps that can break[3][4].

1,459owner complaints[1]
2recalls[2]
19–20MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 1,459 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 32 mention a crash, 3 a fire and 14 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part of the car.

The biggest named component groups by number of complaints:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Speed control[6] 587 79,000
Power train[7] 447 86,100
Engine[8] 249 83,000
Electrical system[9] 142 84,000
Brakes[10] 102 27,655
Fuel system, gasoline[11] 95 69,000
Structure[12] 61 78,000

The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Treat them as a rough guide to where owners ran into trouble.

Speed control. This group has 587 complaints, 16 crashes and 5 injuries[6]. In a sample of 12 of these complaints we read, 8 name the throttle body as the cause[6]. Owners describe the car surging forward or losing power and dropping into a reduced-power mode. In 6 of the 12, the replacement part was on back order and the car sat waiting[6].

Power train. There are 447 complaints in this group[7]. In the sample of 12 we read, about 10 describe transmission trouble[7]. Owners describe failures that needed a replacement, surging at highway speed, the car slipping out of gear or refusing to move in any gear[7].

Engine. The engine group has 249 complaints[8]. In a sample of 12, 7 describe the engine stalling or shutting off while driving, and 4 name the throttle body[8].

Electrical system. There are 142 complaints, including 1 fire[9]. In a sample of 12, 5 describe gauges, warning lights or other lights acting strangely[9].

Brakes. The 102 brake complaints have the lowest median mileage of the groups above, 27,655 miles[10]. We did not read brake complaint texts, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2005 Freestyle[2]. Newest first:

Ford's recall line is 1-800-392-3673[3]. Ask whether both recalls were done on any Freestyle you are considering.

Fuel economy

Both versions use a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, regular gas and an automatic with variable gear ratios[5][13].

Version City Highway Combined EPA annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[5] 18 25 20 $3,350
All-wheel drive[13] 17 22 19 $3,550

The fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new. Your cost will depend on today's gas prices and how you drive.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2005 Freestyle 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 13.3%[14].

Engine and size

Both EPA versions list a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[5][13]. Size comes from Transport Canada specifications, so these are Canadian-market numbers. They are for the front-wheel drive wagon[15].

Measure Value
Length[15] 200 in
Width[15] 74 in
Height[15] 65 in
Wheelbase[15] 113 in
Curb weight[15] 3,959 lb

How 2005 compares with other years

2005: 1,459 complaints, 2 recalls1,45920052006: 1,300 complaints, 1 recalls20062007: 893 complaints, 0 recalls2007
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Freestyle model year. The 2005 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20051,4592
20061,3001
20078930

Here is what NHTSA has on file for each Freestyle model year[2]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2005 1,459 2
2006 1,300 1
2007 893 0

The 2005 model year is highest on both complaints and recalls. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so a lower number does not prove a better car. Still, the 2007 model year has the fewest of each[2].

Should you buy a used 2005 Freestyle?

The 2005 Freestyle has more complaints and recalls on file than the 2006 and 2007 model years[2]. In the samples we read, owners describe transmission trouble, stalling and throttle body failures, and some waited on parts[6][7][8]. Those are small samples, so they show what owners describe and not how often it happens. EPA lists 19 to 20 combined MPG[5][13]. If you are considering one, confirm the two recalls were completed[3][4] and ask about the transmission and throttle body history.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Speed control has the most NHTSA complaints at 587, followed by power train at 447 and engine at 249[6][7][8]. In samples we read, owners describe throttle body failures, transmission trouble and stalling.
Does the 2005 Ford Freestyle have recalls?
Yes, two. One is for side door latches that can freeze (06V383) and one is for fuel tank straps that can break (05V515)[3][4].
How many miles per gallon does the 2005 Ford Freestyle get?
EPA rates the front-wheel drive version at 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined MPG[5]. The all-wheel drive version is 17, 22 and 19[13].
Is the 2005 Ford Freestyle safe in a rollover?
NHTSA gives it 4 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 13.3%[14].
Which Ford Freestyle year has the fewest complaints?
The 2007 model year, with 893 complaints and 0 recalls on file, compared with 1,300 for 2006 and 1,459 for 2005[2].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,459 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Ford Freestyle (32 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 14 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Freestyle model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 06V383, filed October 5, 2006: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 05V515, filed November 9, 2005: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Mounting. NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for Freestyle FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 587 complaints name the speed control component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 447 complaints name the power train component group (8 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,100). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 249 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 83,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 142 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 102 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 27,655). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 95 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 61 complaints name the structure component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Freestyle AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB None: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
  15. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FREESTYLE 4DR WAGON/SUV FWD /SE/SEL/LIMITED: length 200 in, width 74 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,959 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.