Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (seat frames, recliners, heated seats and seat tracks).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Freestar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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.
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. …
"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!
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.
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, [phone]) 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.
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, [phone]) 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.
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
Seats
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota,…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013.
NHTSA investigations
Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-081 for more details).The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the salt belt states or high corrosion areas of the United States: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia,…
Seat complaints in other Freestar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are seat problems on the 2005 Ford Freestar?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the seats of the 2005 Ford Freestar, 2% of the model year's 886 complaints. The component named most often is mid/rear assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Freestar seat problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-081 (seats, Mar 7, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Freestar seat problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 153,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 3 injuries to seats problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.