Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
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.
In August 2012, my 2005 Freestyle surged while in reverse with my wheels at full cut as I was backing out of my driveway, as I have been doing for the last 40 years. As I took my foot off of the gas pedal to apply the brake to switch to drive from reverse, the car surged in reverse, and the right corner of my rear bumper impacted my neighbors truck behind his front door, causing me to report the accident to my insurance company to repair his vehicle. I told the agent at my insurance company I had read about this surging problem in the Freestyle forums, and asked if the accident would be contributed to mechanical failure due to defective part, rather than driver error, as I stated before I have been backing out of this driveway for 40 years with 70's lincolns and cadillacs, all cars 5 feet longer than the Freestyle, without incident. …
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. …
I bought this SUV 9-11-15 with the intent to go to my va appointments due to my medical conditions. The owner stated it had a few problems with the transmission, but I did not know that much about automobiles to understand what he was talking about. When I got ready to drive the car it would not change gears, just going forward but could go in reverse. I had it towed to a Ford dealership 35 miles away from my home to diagnosis the problem. They stated it needed a throttle body to correct the problem, but it did not, and I had to pay for the repair which they stated it would idle down the car before they could diagnosis the correct problem. Now they stating I have to replace the transmission in this vehicle for $6000. I do not have this much money to buy a transmission having to go back and forth to my appointments in sc and ga. …
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. …
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. …
After coming home from a trip to the grocery store, about 5 mile total round trip; I pulled into my garage. With my foot on the brake and about to move the gear lever from drive to park, the car suddenly surged forward hitting a metal storage shelf. The car surged 5 feet forward while engine rpms increased from idle (about 800) to 2500 instantly and uncommanded with absolutely no throttle increase or input. It damaged the front of my car. Our Freestyle does this often. I normally can catch it. It always happens at low speed or while the car is stopped. It happens both in drive and reverse. I have since had to discontinue letting my 18 and 16 year old son and daughter drive the vehicle because of the danger involved in these uncontrolled surges.
Bought car and within two weeks it had a complete transmission failure. Car makes a horrnedous noise and will not drive forward. Prior to this happened the car would suddenly accelerate or surge. Took to transmission repair shop who quote me $4,250 to remove and replace the transmission. At that price I asked what a new transmission would cost and they informed there are no new transmissions available. They also informed me that Ford had abandoned the Freestyle and its CVT transmission. I check wiht junkyards and found the cheapest I could find a CVT transmission was around $3,000. Car has become a lawn ornament for the past two years. Ford refuses to do anything ohter than to say it is out ofwarrantly. Tere are class action suits brought over this.
2005 Ford Freestyle has a constant scraping sound from the transmission when I am driving it. We paid $ 200.00 for Ford mechanic to change out the transmission fluid with new fluid kit & he did find metal & brass shavings from tranny in oil pan. Mechanic says the transmission needs to be replaced with new one but I can't afford to pay $4,000.00 it will take to do it. I found out the CVT transmissions all sooner or later ,but mostly sooner ; fail because they are notorious for it . Bad design for that transmission & they still robbing the owners of these vehicles as I speak ! Man up & pay for your mistakes like those in society must when they have robbed others and got caught. I'd like to know why it's let go thus far & who then is accountable ??
Transmission complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2005 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 447 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Freestyle, 31% of the model year's 1,459 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (119 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Freestyle transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 8 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.