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).
Where to begin.... The brakes are shot. Don't work at all. During the summer and fall the car will randomly go into "failsafe mode" and just stop. It has to be turned completely off for several minutes before attempting to turn back on and will generally do this up to 8 times before I just shut it off and leave it until the next day. During these months it will also get a mind of it's own and just leap forward. I have to stop 2 car lengths behind any car in front of me when I'm coming to a stop, otherwise it will lunge forward (even though I have my foot firmly applied on the brake) and hit the car in front of me. Oh, and will jump curbs, hit garage doors, all that good stuff too when it gets this surge. Then, during the winter months the door latch gets stuck and the car doors are literally frozen open. I can't drive anywhere with two small children and car doors that won't shut. …
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.
I purchased the 2005 Ford Freestyle used. Issues: (1) shortly after purchasing the transmission light came on, then I took it to a transmission shop, who replaced the fluid, which seemed to fix the problem. (2) random surges of power, which almost resulted in a few accidents and was severely frightening (corrected before a recall) (3) this past winter problems with shutting the front doors, then with out warning ( with two children in the back sets ) the back passenger door few open when I turned the corner. The children screamed, I was thankful that a child was not severally injured and then, I had call someone to pick us up. I called Ford and was told I was the only complaint! Later at a children's recreation, I parked next to a woman with children driving the same model. …
Car was parked in rear of apartment complex.when I put it in reverse it lunged back without my foot on the gas, smashing the rear of the car into the apartment building wall. I did have a seat belt on but the impact caused severe neck trauma as my head was turned at the time of impact. I shut the car off. Approximately an hour later I started the car, put it in drive, and as I attempted to drive the car home, it would "lose power", the wrench light would come on, and the car would have no transmission power. I had to pull the car over, turn it off and restart it. This happened repeatedly. The local Ford dealership incorrectly diagnosed and charged me a repair for cleaning the sensor - and refused to refund me my diagnostic charges even though my car was not fixed. I did my own research to learn it was a throttle body issue. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the driver side door failed to remain open while the contact entered the vehicle. The door struck the contact in the head. In addition, the power steering became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received medical attention to the frontal lobe of her head and sustained a contusion. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 194,000. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled and the power steering failed. The vehicle was unable to restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was left on the side of the road. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
While driving 80mph (posted 80 speed limit) the car started to glide left and right with little turning of the wheel. It also happens while going 15-25mph. The feeling is a coasting feeling, like you have no control of correcting it with the steering. Several complaints online already of the same Ford owners experiencing the same issue.
Driving on highway, heard loud pop (clap sound). Then dash light came on and car steering wheel began to lock up. Tried to flush transmission fluid and replace os sensor from Ford and now it will not shift into first gear.
The car lunges forward when at a complete stop; nearly causing accidents (I would rear end someone if I didn't allow more space between the other vehicle and mine than legally allowed.). When you try to run the air conditioning the car shuts off immediately, no matter what speed you are driving at. The car makes noise when turning the steering wheel to the left. I just purchased this car 4 months ago and am now being told I need to replace the transmission, the air compressor and a valve. I noticed the lunging immediately and was able to allow myself more space to make up for the differential, however other people on the road are not aware of my issues with lunging and when they pull in front of me, I May not be able to slow myself. I am highly perturbed by the continuing issues. In looking online I find that I am just one of many people with these very same issues with the Freestyle. …
2005 Ford Freestyle sel FWD - 116K miles, very good condition, 2nd owner. On 11/1, I requested mechanic to do a full inspection on the car, no know issues, but just to check it over before winter. Upon inspection, mechanic found the engine cradle subframe to be rusted/rotted beyond repair, and said car was not safe to drive. Only this cradle showed significant rust, in fact the original exhaust system is still on the car (that is most shocking, the exhaust out lasted this subframe). As I stated the car is in fantastic shape, and runs great. We either had to fix or scrap the car as it was unsafe to drive. Estimates from dealers to replace were around $3000. We ended up using a local body shop we trust to replace the subframe with a used / rust free one for $1150. I retained the subframe and called Ford customer service also to issue a complaint. …
Steering complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Ford Freestyle, 1% of the model year's 1,459 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Freestyle steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2005 Ford Freestyle, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Freestyle steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to steering 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.