Body complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Under carriage is completely rotten floor boards ,shock mounts, rear frame. Garage on lunenburg st.in Fitchburg,MA said that it was so rotten that he couldn't find a safe spot to put the car on the lift to do exhaust work. Put in a complaint in Sept 2023 with NHTSA ID number 11544728. I explained to them that I had contacted Ford Motor Co. and Ford didn't want to hear it. This car is problematic.Transmission does not shift properly. This vehicle never had a recall. There is dozens of consumer complaints. This vehicle is a hazard on the road and is very expensive to repair. Under carriage is unrepairable making this vehicle junk.
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.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that she noticed that after it rained, the front passenger's side floor would fill up with water. The contact was unsure where the leak was located. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,372.
Took the vehicle in to local Ford for 120000 mile service and was informed the subframe was rusted and starting to separate. The part is no longer available and maybe they could find a used one as they have had to do in other cases. Not sure why just the front subframe is bad and no other part of the frame structure also the car has had rustproofing done on it. Reading on the internet this seems to be a common problem with these subframes.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for routine maintenance however, the contact was informed that the motor mount torque strap needed to be replaced. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the motor mounts had been replaced four times. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.
When temperature get below freezing car doors will not latch shut and come back open. Car doors work fine when temp are higher. There is a recall already for this NHTSA# 06v383000 Ford# 06545. I have a Ford Case# [redacted] My car was not included in recall and either should be or needs to be further investigated. I don't want my kids falling out while I go down the highway and I can't wait 45 min for the car to warm up. This had done this all last winter and is doing it again and Ford refuses to do anything.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Freestyle years have body problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (61), 2006 (28) and 2007 (11) model years. Body complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Ford Freestyle body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for any Ford Freestyle model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Freestyle body problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 82,000 miles; 23% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the body (64 mentions), followed by the frame and members (6).
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.