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 2007 Ford Freestyle owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was also hesitating before moving forward when the gear shifter was shifted into drive. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was an internal failure that had caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH or above, the vehicle would suddenly go into limp mode and fail to accelerate. There was a warning light that displayed a wrench however, the contact did not know what was indicated specifically. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that after researching the cause of the failure he became aware that the transmission was faulty. Additionally, that type of transmission was discontinued by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift properly. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the floorboard, undercarriage, and shock mounts were rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. When starting the vehicle and shifting into reverse or drive at 2 MPH, the vehicle would lunge forward or backwards as the brake pedal was depressed. In addition, the check engine and the wrench warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
After starting the car in my driveway, I heard a loud 'helicopter sound' under the hood (to which I have come to find out was the transmission (CVT)). When I put the car into reverse, it violently raced forward, hitting the brick wall of my house. I have pushed it a few feet back and have not restarted the car for fear of this happening again.
I purchased this vehicle 01/20/15 from a used lot in raleigh nc, 'something you should never do in the first place''. I had just got off maternity leave and I needed a car so I could be able to get to work. On the 4th of April 2015. I was driving the car on the highway when it started to jerk back and make a very loud roaring sound. The car started to slow down and jerk back and forth if you went over 20 miles per hour. I pulled over to check the car and I could not figure out what was wrong with it so I called my husband and he came. The car could still drive but very slowly while making the same sound so he drove very slowly behind me. Keep in mind I had my two month old in the back seat when all of this craziness was happening. Next day I couldn't even drive the car because of the poor condition it was in. …
The CVT transmission in this vehicle is not safe. Not sure why there hasn't been an investigation as of yet. My car started out making a humming sound and now has progressed to the point I need a new transmission. After lengthy research online I have found this is a common problem with this vehicle as well as in other Ford vehicles. I have read of failures in these types of transmission as early as 15,000 miles on the vehicle. This is a well known problem including the fact that there is a class action suit on this matter which as far as I know is still pending. Apparently Ford has known of the problem, hence they stopped using and manufacturing this transmission making the parts to repair this transmission outrageously priced. …
On May 27th, 2017, we were traveling at 50-55 MPH with cruise control engaged on the highway when our Ford Freestyle began lurching badly and the RPM began surging. In a a few minutes the wrench light came on along with the engine light, battery light, ABS light and airbag light. Our speedometer began flipping back and forth uncontrollably. At that point the vehicle would not exceed 25-30 MPH even at full speed. We could have been rear-ended! We immediately pulled off at a gas station to check the oil levels and check to see what was wrong. We started the vehicle back and returned home cautiously. We took the vehicle to the nearest lube place and got the oil changed. We returned home and researched about the issue. My husband (who is very mechanically inclined) decided to follow a mechanic's advice and cleaned the throttle body thoroughly with seafoam and a toothbrush. …
I had bought a used Ford Freestyle 2007 for a little over $6,000.00 with 102,000 miles on it and after almost exactly a year later, I was going to take off from a stop sign near my house and without even reaching 30 miles per hour the SUV made a loud winding sound and the CVT transmission completely shut down without any warning and the transmission icon on the dash popped on. I tried to roll to the side of the road but ended up stuck in the middle. I tried shutting down the whole car and turning it back on with no luck. Luckily family lived near by and they helped me by pulling it with a rope home. We had it checked out and the transmission is bad now to get it fixed would cost $5,000+ pretty much totaling the SUV unfortunately we have no insurance and we are left with a $6,000.00 lemon in our driveway thanks Ford. …
Helicopter noise started in December 2014. You hear the whirling sound in park neutral and reverse- sounds fine in drive. Driving fine. No loss of power this vehicle gets driven about 100 miles a day. Last week had dealer look and tell me the torque converter about to break. Can only fix it with complete new tranny install. $6300!!! Took it to independent transmission guy and tells me same thing with lower price. 2 hours later after I stopped car and went into store and started car up and the wrench was lit up on dash. No power. Revving really high. Bucking and undriveable. Got a code reader and code p042-hydraulic pressure unit came up let car sit for 30 mins then turned car on and wrench display gone! Moved car out of road to safety and there it sits. Should I be fixing a car that cannot be guaranteed to never do this again as all CVT transmissions do this? …
Transmission complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2007 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 360 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2007 Ford Freestyle, 40% of the model year's 893 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (90 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2007 Ford Freestyle transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2007 Ford Freestyle. 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 2007 Ford Freestyle transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 0 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.