2005 Ford Freestyle Complaint Log

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE ... I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A TUNE UP AND WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES (PADS AND ROTORS) NEED TO BE CHANGED (90% WORN). THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT MY FRONT BRAKES WERE ONLY 40% WORN. HOW COULD THIS BE? THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT IT LOOKS LIKE NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR! DON'T WE EXPECT THE FRONT BRAKES TO WEAR OUT FASTER THAN THE REAR? IS THERE A PROBLEM HERE? FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFERS ONLY WORDS BUT NO ACTION. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON JANUARY 9, 2007 SHE WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A RURAL ROAD. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE ICY AND SLUSHY. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING DOWN HILL, WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT VEERED OFF THE TO AVOID HITTING ANYONE, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THE BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT CONTINUED ON HER TRIP AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, BUT SHE HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. SHE DID HEAR A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. LATER IN THE DAY THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED AND SHE DOES NOT RECALL IF SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT, REMEMBERS SLOWING THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND PURCHASED 4 NEW TIRES. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD SHE NEEDED REAR BRAKES AND REAR ROTORS, THE VEHICLE HAD 30,000 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. SHE HAS NOT REPLACED THE BRAKES & ROTORS. *NM UPDATED 03/07/07. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED MOSTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD APPLY THE BRAKES AND SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, BEFORE SHIFTING THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,100.

REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 31515 MILES. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE. *JB

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WAS PURCHASED USED, UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY IN MAY OF 2006. SINCE THAT TIME IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP EIGHT TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT STARTED RIGHT AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AND THE ENGINE TURNED OFF, WHEN TRYING TO RESTART THE VEHICLE IT WOULD CLICK WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED BUT NOT START. IT WOULD TAKE TWO OR THREE TRIES TO GET THE CAR TO START. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEN AFTER THE CAR WOULD NOT START ON THE FIRST TRY, WHEN IT DID START THE OIL LIGHT WAS ON, THE PARKING BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON, THE BACK-UP LIGHTS WERE ON WHEN THE CAR WAS IN DRIVE, THE LEFT BLINKER LIGHT WAS ON AND COULD NOT BE TURNED OFF, THE AIR CONDITIONER WOULD NOT WORK AND ONCE THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF THE BATTERY WOULD DRAIN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START. THE DEALERSHIP WITNESSED THE PROBLEM ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, HAD SOMEONE FROM CORPORATE COME DOWN TO WORK ON THE CAR AND IT SEEMED FINE FOR ABOUT TWO MONTHS. THEN ON CHRISTMAS MORNING WE STARTED THE CAR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE NOW FLYING IN A "TECHNICAL ENGINEER" TO WORK ON THE CAR. *NM

TOOK 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN FOR OIL CHANGE AND COURTESY CHECK. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE FRONT TIRES HAD SIGNIFICANT INTERIOR WEAR, AND THAT THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE WAS RUBBING METAL TO METAL. VEHICLE ONLY HAD 24554 MILES ON IT. TOOK TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, REAR BRAKES AND RIGHT ROTOR REPLACED, AND TWO TIRES REPLACED. *JB

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT 22,299 MILES HAD TO HAVE REAR BRAKES PLACE ON MY CAR. NOW AT 36,450 12-26-2006 HAVE THE SAME REAR BRAKES REPLACE AND HEAD FOR A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT AGAINST FORD & FORD DEALER SHIP IF THEY DON'T DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM AT THERE COST. A CAR DOES NOT WEAR BRAKES THAT FAST WITH EVEN A PERSON WITH NORMAL BRAKE USAGE. IF ANY PERSON WOULD LIKE TO BE INCLUDED IN SUITE EMAIL AT RLBRASFIELD@BELLSOUTH.NET. I HAVE IT. I HAVE HEARD THE SAME EXPLANATIONS DEALERSHIP PUT UP. I AM ENGINEER OUT OF AUTO INDUSTRY AND KNOW WHEN CAR IS MISS DESIGNED, HOPE NO ONE GET KILLED. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 17, 2006, WHILE DRIVING AT 10 TO 15 MPH HE HEARD A WHIRLING SOUND. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM AND WAS ASKED TO GET THE CAR SERVICED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED.*AK UPDATED 1/29/2007 - AS OF 1 19/07 THE DEALER STILL HAS THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPAIRED. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME. *NM UPDATED 1/29/2007 - *NM

I BOUGHT A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE IN JULY, 2005. AT TIRE ROTATION, INSPECTION, THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE FOUND TO BE BADLY WORN AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT AT AROUND 16,000 MILES.(DECEMBER 2006) THE DEALER SERVICE REP. SAID THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I AM A RETIRED TRUCK DRIVER, AND I AM TRAINED TO USE MY BRAKES PROBABLY 1/3 AS MUCH AS THE AVERAGE DRIVER. I AM READY TO TURN THIS OVER TO MY ATTORNEY, OR A CLASS -ACTION SUIT. *JB

I TOOK MY FORD FREESTYLE TO BE SERVICED AT 20K MILES. I WAS TOLD THAT MY REAR BRAKES WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED DUE TO THE BAD BRAKES. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF REAR BRAKES GOING BAD AT 20K MILES HOWEVER THE SERVICE MANAGER AT FORD HAD INDICATED THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. HE ALSO INDICATED THAT I WILL MOST LIKELY NEED TO REPLACE MY REAR BRAKES EVERY YEAR. THIS SEENS COMPLETLEY RIDICULOUS TO ME. I REPLACED THE BRAKES AND SERVICED THE ROTORS BUT I FEEL THE NEED FOR REPLACEMENT OF REAR BRAKES YEARLY MUST BE SOME SORT OF FACTORY DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE BRAKES. *NM

REAR END NOISE STARTED ABOUT 13000 MILES ( SOUNDING LIKE A PLANE ENGINE WHEN YOU HIT 40 MPH). DEALER SAID TIRES WERE WORN REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES PLUS ALIGNMENT-DEALER PAID FOR TWO. NOISE CONTINUED. DEALER THEN REPLACE BALL JOINTS AND REAR BRAKES AT 14000. NOISE IS GONE. *JB

2005 FREESTYLE WITH 28,000 MILES WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A RECALL AND OIL CHANGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THOUGH THE ROTORS WERE OKAY. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF THE PAD MATERIAL LEFT. THE REPRESENTATIVE WENT THROUGH A FEW UNSATISFACTORY EXPLANATIONS (OBVIOUSLY HAD NO CLUE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT) INCLUDING THE CAR "USES ITS REAR BRAKES TO DO MOST OF THE STOPPING," SOME FREESTYLES "JUST DO THIS," WE ARE NOT DRIVING IT CORRECTLY, AND FINALLY, THE 500 SERIES CARS USE THEIR REAR BRAKE PADS MUCH QUICKER THAN THEIR FRONTS. (THIS IS DESCRIPTIVE, NOT AN EXPLANATION!) WE PAID THE COSTS OF THE ROTOR RESURFACING AND THE NEW PADS. I WAS TOLD THE PAD WEAR WAS EVEN AND THE CALIPERS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE MESSED UP THEIR SUMS IN DESIGNING THE BRAKE SYSTEM, SINCE THIS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINED, SOFTLY SPRUNG CAR SHOULD USE ITS FRONT BRAKES MUCH MORE THAN THE REARS TO GENERATE ITS STOPPING POWER. IF THE REARS ARE WEARING OUT PADS TWICE AS FAST AS THE FRONTS, THEY ARE NOT "QUITE RIGHT." PERHAPS BIGGER REAR BRAKES AND A PROPORTIONING VALVE ADJUSTMENT ARE WHAT IS NEEDED, BUT FORD HAS MISSED THE BOAT HERE AND IT WILL COST US, OF COURSE. *NM

FRONT PLASTIC BUMPER HAS SPIT AND CRACKED ON THE RIGHT SIDE. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY ACCIDENTS OR HITS ON THE BUMPER. OUR WEATHER WENT FROM HOT TO COLD IN A SHORT TIME. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. I AM CURIOUS TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS OR HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE I PURCHASE A NEW BUMPER. *JB

RE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V383000 : I HAD MY LOCAL DEALER PERFORM THE SERVICE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL IN LATE NOVEMBER. SINCE THEN, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS FAILED TO LATCH WITHOUT REPEATED HARD SLAMMING. I DON'T THINK WHAT THEY DID HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *JB

I NEEDED TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND HAVE THE ROTORS TURNED ON MY 2005 FREESTYLE AT 18,000 MILES. *JB

AT ABOUT 26,000 MILES BEGAN HEARING METAL SOUNDS FROM REAR BRAKES WHEN STOPPING THE CAR. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ROTORS AND PADS WERE SHOT, AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SEVERAL INTERNET SEARCHES, I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE DESIGN. *JB

WHEN SLIGHTLY RAINING, THE LIGHT SENSOR SEEMS TO ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY THEREBY NOT ALWAYS TURNING ON THE LIGHTS IN AUTO MODE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ONLY IN RAIN DURING THE DAY WHEN THE SENSOR HAS A HARD TIME DISTINGUISHING WHEN TO TURN ON AND WHEN TO TURN OFF. *TR

I EXPERIENCED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE AT JUST UNDER 14,500 MILES. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER TO HAVE IT CHECKED AND FOUND THAT I NEEDED NEW REAR PADS AND ROTORS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE ONLY EXPLANATION FOR THIS TYPE OF WEAR WOULD BE DRIVING WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I DO NOT USE MY PARKING BRAKE BUT WOULD CERTAINLY NOTICE IT IF IT WERE ON. I PAID APPROXIMATELY $400 FOR THE REPAIR. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR FORD WOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS NOT THE NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY ON PADS AND OR ROTORS. *JB

NOTICED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON RIGHT REAR. AT 17,529 MILES, FORD DEALER CHECKED AND CLAIMED REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED REPLACING AT COST OF APPROX. $400. DEALER CLAIMS NO WARRANTED ITEMS RELATING TO REAR BRAKES ARE COVERED. HAVE BEEN DRIVING NEW FORD VEHICLES SINCE 1980 AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE BEFORE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, INTERMITTENTLY IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE PAPERS THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE STARTER. THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT SPEEDS UNDER 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTENTLY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE SLIGHTLY REVVED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR, SPONTANEOUSLY AND WITH INCREASED FREQUENCY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FIFTY TIMES FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES WHERE THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. RECENTLY, THE FAILURE OCCURRED REPEATEDLY WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER IN WHICH THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. ALSO, THE ENGINE SUPPORT BRACKET HAD BROKEN. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/27/10. *LJ

PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE BRAKES WORE OUT BY 20000 MILES, WHILE THE FRONT BRAKE ARE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. *NM

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY. WHILE IDLING, DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, OR TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS ILLUMINATE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURS. ON THREE OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BECAUSE IT FAILED TO RESTART. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE SAFE MODE ENGINE INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATES. THE DEALER HAS PERFORMED MULTIPLE DIAGNOSTICS AND CANNOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL TURNED OFF WHEN I TURNED A CORNER. I WAS TURNING A CORNER FROM ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER AND MY FREESTYLE SHUT OFF AND ALL OF THE GAUGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I PULLED OVER, SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. *NM

REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT 15,000 MILES AND THEN AGAIN AT 32,000 WE HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. FACTORY PAID FOR FIRST REPLACEMENT AT 15,000. *JB

REAR BRAKES ON RIGHT SIDE FAILED AT 7,800 MILES. WE HAD A NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE BRAKE ASSISTANCE. DISK AND PADS WERE DAMAGED. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKES WARRANTY WAS OVERDUE (12 MO.) AND WE HAD TO PAID FOR REPAIRS ON THIRD PARTY SHOP. *JB

REAR BRAKES FAILED AT 31,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE DOWN TO THE METAL AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FRONT BRAKES WERE FINE. WAS TOLD THAT THEY CHECKED THE CALIPERS TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND WOULD POSSIBLY BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WERE NOT. AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD PROBLEMS, FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

IN SEPTEMBER OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WENT IN FOR A ROUTINE STATE INSPECTION. IT HAD 19892 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME. WE WERE TOLD THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. BOTH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TO PASS INSPECTION. ASSUMING THEY WERE UNDER WARRANTY, THE GARAGE CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE INFORMED THE BRAKES ARE ONLY WARRANTED TO 1 YEAR, 18000 MILES. I WANTED A SECOND OPINION. THE SECOND DEALERSHIP SAID THE WARRANTY ON BRAKES ARE 1 YEAR, 12000 MILES. SINCE WE WERE NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY WE HAD TO PAY $385 TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE TO PASS INSPECTION. *JB

THROTTLE BODY IS GIVING ME TROUBLE. WHEN I AM AT A LIGHT OR STOPPED MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS SOMETIMES I AM AT A PEDESTRIAN CROSSWALK OR JUST AT A LIGHT. VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ISSUE. *KB

A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT 16,410 MILES REVEALED THAT THE REAR BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE WERE SEVERELY WORN. THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE DANGEROUSLY THIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, REPAIR OF THE BRAKES BY THE DEALER OF PURCHASE ENTAILED NEW PADS AND RESURFACING OF THE ROTORS. PREMATURE WEAR AND POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE IS OF CONCERN. I HAVE ASKED BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (FORD) FOR ASSURANCES THAT PREMATURE WEAR WILL NOT REOCCUR AND NONE WAS PROVIDED. FURTHERMORE THEY PROVIDED NO REMEDY. *NM

I TOOK MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH LESS THAN 15000 MILES IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $300.00 AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT IN WARRANTY. I DECIDED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BUT I COMPLAINED TO THE MANAGER AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION HE ADJUSTED THE BILL (THE MANAGER SAID ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH AN 05 FREESTYLE THE SAME WEEK). MY QUESTION IS HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THE REAR BRAKES GOING ON 2005 FREESTYLES? THERE VERY WELL COULD BE A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES. THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ALTHOUGH I DID ASK TO SEE THEM BUT DURING THE HEAT OF MY PROTEST I FORGOT ABOUT THE PARTS AND LEFT WHEN THE WORK WAS FINISHED. *NM

CHRONIC PROBLEM, INCREASING FREQUENCY, CANT REMEMBER WHEN IT ALL STARTED WAS INFREQUENT 1-2X/YEAR AND USUALLY ON HOT DAYS, MAYBE WHEN IT WAS 1 YEAR OLD. HAS GRADUALLY INCREASED IN FREQUENCY HAPPENING NOW IN SPURTS WITH NO RHYME NOR REASON. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, OR DRIVE FROM REVERSE CAR WILL CHOKE AND STALL. SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN HOT WEATHER, BUT HAS ALSO OCCURRED IN VERY COLD. CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS UP IN LIMP HOME MODE BUT THEN CORRECTS WHEN SHUT ENGINE OFF FOR AWHILE, BUT THE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON EVERY TIME NOTHING SHOWS ON COMPUTER WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON EITHER. NO CODES SHOW, MECHANIC IS CERTIFIED AND A FAMILY FRIEND, HE KEPT THE CAR; IT ACTED UP ONLY ONCE AND HIS COMPUTER SAID THROTTLE BODY SENSOR - IT WAS REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. HE HAS DONE ALL HE CAN BUT CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I HAVE SEEN THIS IS A CHRONIC PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLE. I WONT LET MY KIDS DRIVE IT FOR FEAR THEIR LACK OF EXPERIENCE AND QUICK THINKING AT THE WHEEL COULD GET THEM KILLED AS IT HAS HAPPENED PULLING OUT AT INTERSECTIONS. I FOUND THIS SITE THROUGH THE EDMONDS RECALL INFORMATION SITE: PLEASE INSTITUTE AN INVESTIGATION TO GET A RECALL ON WHATEVER IS GOING ON. I LOVE THIS CAR, IT NOW HAS 225000 MILES AND THAT IS THE ONLY PROBLEM, I CANT AFFORD A REPLACEMENT, BUT I CANT AFFORD TO DIE EITHER. *JS

NOISE FROM REAR REPORTED TO DEALER AT 19,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKES WERE WORE TO THE METAL AND THAT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED. DEALER STATED THAT CAR MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, WHICH IT WAS NOT. TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR SECOND OPINION, WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULTY PART FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED WARRANTY WORK. HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. *JB

2005 FREESTYLE- AT APROX 25,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE WORN DOWN TO METAL, RESULTING IN A TOTAL BRAKE JOB DONE AT THE DEALER. PADS, ROTORS, EVERYTHING. I COMPLAINED THAT THESE SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS, AND SERVICE CHECKED TO SEE IF IT COULD BE UNDER WARRANTY. NO SUCH LUCK. RESULTS $400 REPAIR BILL. SOME 6 MONTHS LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD STATING THAT THERE WAS CONCERN FOR THE REAR BREAKS AND IF YOU STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL RECEIPT FOR REPAIRS THEY WOULD REFUND YOUR CHARGE ON THIS REPAIR. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL DEALER CONCERNING THIS LETTE. THEY TOLD ME WITHOUT THIS LETTER ( I CAN NOT FIND NOW) THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. SORRY!!!. WHERE CAN I RECEIVE A COPY OF THIS NOTICE? *TR

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER PURCHASE OFF NEW CAR LOT BEGAN HAVING TROUBLE WITH ENGINE SURGING WHILE A/C WAS RUNNING. HAVE HAD IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOTHING HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND THE YEAR 2010 IS NOW ENDING. ON MANY OCCASIONS WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE HAS SURGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD SO FORCEFULLY THAT I HAD TO HOLD THE BRAKE TO THE FLOOR TO AVOID A COLLISION. REPEATED VISITS TO FORD DEALER HAS RESULTED IN NOTHING BUT A $50-$100 LABOR BILL AND NO REPAIR. I AM AFRAID THAT IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON DRY ROADS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES RAISED UP TO THE HIGHEST READINGS, THEN DROPPED DOWN TO THE LOWEST AND SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT FUNCTION. ALSO, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. FINALLY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS A CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION, THERE WAS STILL A MODERATE SHIFT SHOCK BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL COUPLED WITH ROUGH STOPS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 08/04/06. UPDATED. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT WAS UNSURE AS TO THE EXACT REPAIR THAT WAS MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE . WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS REAR BRAKES WERE HEARD DRAGGING AND BRAKE DUST WAS ALL OVER REAR WHEEL. RETURNED TO DEALER WHO SPRAYED THE BRAKES WITH BRAKE CLEANER AND SAID "NO PROBLEM FOUND." DROVE CAR FOR 20K MILES AS IS, RETURNED IT TO DEALER WITH BRAKE COMPLAINTS. DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM FOUND. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER AT 33K MILES, DEALER SAID PADS WERE METAL TO METAL AND ROTORS DAMAGED. DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. LOOKING AROUND THERE ARE AT LEAST 20 OTHER PEOPLE IN FORUM ON EDMUNDS.COM REPORTING SAME ISSUES. MY UNDERLYING CONCERN IS PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN OF THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE BALANCING SYSTEM IN THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. *NM

2005 FORD FREESTYLE SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS AND MOTOR REVS WHILE AT SLOW SPEED OR AT A FULL STOP. MOTOR REVS AND THEN STALLS ALSO THE CAR GOES INTO "SAFE" MODE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE NEW 9/05 AND EVERY SUMMER WE GO THROUGH THIS THE PROBLEM HAS BE MIS-DIAGNOSED BY FORD DEALERS SEVERAL TIMES CAPITOL FORD IN SAN JOSE CA, HAS PUT A "PATCH" IN COMPUTER, LITHA FORD IN FRESNO, REPLACED M.A.F SENSOR, AND FUTURE FORD IN CLOVIS BLAMED INCORRECT AIR BOX INSTALLATION AFTER THE CAR WAS SERVICED AND AIR FILTER REPLACED. EACH WARM SEASON THE CAR DOES THIS. DROVE THE CAR 2 MILES FROM FUTURE FORD ONLY TO HAVE IT REPEAT THE SAME PROBLEM WE CAME IN WITH. *TR

THE FORD FREESTYLE SURGES AND ACCELERATES WHILE IDLING IN PARKING SPOT OR WHILE SITTING AT A STOP LIGHT. SOMETIMES WHEN IT SURGES, THE CAR LOSES POWER AND GOES INTO "ENGINE FAILSAFE MODE". *TR

TL*THE CONTACT 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, IT DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE AND THE POWER TRAIN LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ UPDATED 08/15/11

IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN A SIGN WHEN THE BRAKES WORE OUT AT LESS THAN A YEAR AND LESS THAN 9,000. THE CAR WOULD IDLE HIGH AND JUMP BEFORE STEPPING ON THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD GET A JUMP START BEFORE I WANTED IT TO MOVE. A NOISE COULD BE HEARD WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. HOWEVER, IT DID CHANGE NOISES AS I CHANGE GEARS. DRIVING THE CAR WOULD SOUND LIKE IT WAS ROARING. DURING THE WINTER TIME, THE CAR WAS NOT GOOD WITH THE GEARS/TRANSMISSION AS IT FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND NOT STICKING IN THE GEAR. THE CAR IS PRESENTLY IN THE SERVICE STATION OF THE PLACE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THE VEHICLE NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CAR HAS A LITTLE OVER 62,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. *TR

REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED AFTER 21264 MILES FRONT PADS WERE FINE FORD DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED WHILE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED BUT WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES. THEY STATED THEY HAD NOT SEEN IT BEFORE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS AFTERNOON A VISITOR WITH A FREESTYLE STATED THAT AFTER 22,000 MILES THEY HAD TO HAVE A REAR BRAKE JOB WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY. A QUICK VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE AUTOMOBILE SHOWED A SIMILAR FAILURE TO WHAT WE HAD EXPERIENCED. SINCE MOST BRAKING IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FRONT BRAKES THIS COULD BE AN INDICATION OF A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE 2005 FREESTYLE BRAKE SYSTEM. *JB

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WOULD LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD IF MY FOOT WAS NOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE WHEN IDLING OR SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THIS IS ESPECIALLY PROBLEMATIC WHEN THE AC IS ON.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. DURING THE FAILURES, THE ENGINE WOULD REV UNTIL THE TACOMETER DISPLAYED A READING OF 5,000 ROTATIONS PER MINUTE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 07/26/11 *BF UPDATED 07/28/11

THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT ALSO STOPS WHEN DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD. THE "WRENCH" LIGHT COMES ON AND THE VEHICLE SLOWS TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE VEHICLE DOES THIS ON A CONSISTENT BASIS......6 OR 7 TIMES PER 25 MILES! I TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE WHERE I PURCHASED IT IN CLINTON, NC. THEY PUT IT ON THE MACHINE AND SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. THEIR SUGGESTION WAS TO TURN OFF AIR OR HEAT!!! NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ONLINE I FIND OUT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO WAS SUGGESTED TO ME BY OUR LOCAL ADVANCE AUTO STORE. THE MECHANIC WAS VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THE SAME ISSUE. THE SOLUTION TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS A NEW THROTTLE BODY. AT A COST OF $520.00. I CALLED THE FORD GARAGE IN CLINTON, NC TO SEE IF THEY HAD THE PART SO MY LOCAL MECHANIC COULD FIX IT. NOW THE PARTS EMPLOYEE, BOBBY TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM WAS A "HUGE" ISSUE WITH THE FREESTYLE AND THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE FORD TAKES RESPONSIBILITY. BY THE WAY, I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, TO NO AVAIL. THE WRENCH LIGHT ISSUE STARTED ONCE IN A WHILE ON FEBRUARY 18, 2011. IT NOW IS A DAILY THING MULTIPLE TIMES A DAY SINCE APRIL 5, 2011. UPDATED 10/06/11 STATUS UPDATE 11/15/11

2005 FORD FREESTYLE SE: THROTTLE BODY PROBLEM LED TO INTERMITTENT SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC, ENGINE SURGING AND CAR LURCHING AT IDLE. FREQUENCY OF INCIDENCE INCREASED DURING SNOWY WEATHER. TOOK MY LOCAL FORD DEALER NEARLY 8 MONTHS TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSIS & REPAIR PROBLEM. (DATE LISTED IS FIRST INCIDENT.) *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ON FOR A LONG TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR IT WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, SHE ALSO EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND DECELERATING; THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT THE METAL PART OF THE BRAKE PEDAL FRACTURED THROUGH THE CALIPERS CAUSING IT TO LEAK THE FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IT WILL SPORADICALLY AND RANDOMLY DRAMATICALLY CHANGE GEAR RATIOS RESULTING IN A VERY NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN RPM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE ENGINE UNDERGOES MODERATE TO SEVERE ENGINE BRAKING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AS CARS FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND HAVE NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN VERY AGGRESSIVELY IN FRONT OF THEM. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (FRONTIER FORD IN SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA) AND IT HAS BEEN IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THREE SEPARATE TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED ACCEPTABLE OPTIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE DEFECT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2006. *JB