Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Freestyle owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Our 2005 Ford Freestyle often accelerates or surges forward on its own when applying the brake or parking. It is a very dangerous malfunction that looks to be a wide spread problem for this make and model (based on online reports).
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. …
Traveling on hwy at approx 60 MPH, wrench light came on, "failsafe engine mode" message appeared and car powered down. Pulled over, turned car off, waited 1 min, restarted car. Message was cleared and car drove as normal. About 20 miles later, same problem, except check engine light and message appeared. Pulled over, turned off car, restarted. Check engine light and message remained. Very low power upon acceleration. Problem continued intermittently. Received engine code p2111, p2112 relating to throttle body problem. Etb had been cleaned 11/13 by dealer per technical service bulletin issued by Ford. No problems until 12/14. Service performed to reprogram etb, no cleaning was needed. Problem recurred 12/23/14. Check engine light is on and no power upon acceleration persists. Codes indicate etb needs to be replaced.
1. Driving car at 45mph..came to red light. When pushing a celerator to floor , car suddenly does not respond to pressure on gas pedal. Will not pick up speed. Notice check e gine on display panel and wrench symbol came on and words "engine in failsafe mode" display. 2. When standing still, engine yrunning... Foot on brake . Engine idling. ..car begins to lunge forward, engine revs up when lunging. 3. During 90 degree weather, driving at 55 MPH, turned on ac. Car immediately lost power and failsafe mode light came on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the engine running when the vehicle exhibited a small explosion. Immediately, gasoline fuel fumes entered into the vehicle cabin. The contact exited the vehicle and found that fuel was leaking from the front passenger side. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the contact was advised that the fuel clip had fractured. The entire fuel line had to be replaced. The failure mileage was 135,336 and the current mileage was 135,400.
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.
Door latches freezing every winter and doors will not latch and stay shut. Also went to Ford website and realized there was a recall for fsa title: engine idle RPM surge extended warranty field service action number: 12n03. I was unaware of this recall and my car does this quite frequently and I am afraid the tens years is up for this to be taken care of. When pull up to a stop sign or red light, sometimes the engine will rev really high and lurch forward causing me to stomp on brake pedal really hard.
I was parked with the car in park. I went to put the car in the garage. I had to turn it around first. I put car in drive and drove forward a little. Stopped put in reverse, drove backwards a little then put back in drive and just as I was stopping car lurched forward, hitting my deep freezer. The car has acted like it wanted to go forward before when I put on the brakes lightly. This has happened about 4 times but, today was the worst.
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.
La guagua se apaga en plena ruta luego de haberle suplido de gasolina. No apaga la luz interior del techo y techo frente al conductor. Este auto lo adquir hace un ao ms o menos a travs de venta directa del dueo. Solicito me registren para toda correspondencia.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Mounting
On certain passenger vehicles, the straps that secure the fuel tank to the vehicle body May break, causing the fuel tank and fuel tank heat shield to drop on the driveshaft (all wheel drive vehicles) or exhaust system (front wheel drive vehicles).
Remedy: Dealers will replace both fuel tank straps. The recall began on December 1, 2005. Owners May contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Fuel System complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2005 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 153 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2005 Ford Freestyle, 10% of the model year's 1,459 complaints. The component named most often is storage › fuel gauge system (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Freestyle fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-515 (mounting, Nov 9, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Freestyle fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to fuel & propulsion system 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.