VehicleVerdict

2005 Ford Freestar problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2005 Ford Freestar sits mid-pack among Freestar years: 1,093 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 775, with 4 recalls and 6 closed investigations. Complainants reported 24 injuries in total across these filings.

The trouble concentrates in one system: transmission issues account for 63% of all reports (690 of 1,093), far ahead of electrical system at 96.

1,093

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

6

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

24

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other Freestar years?

Freestar NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted1,600 complaints2004: 1,600 complaints2005: 1,093 complaints2006: 453 complaints2007: 77 complaints
Freestar NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Freestar years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Ford Freestar problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission69063%
Electrical System969%
Engine888%
Speed Control394%
Body & Structure343%
Brakes333%
Steering202%
Seats202%
Other141%
Fuel System131%
Suspension101%
Tires & Wheels101%
Latches & Locks81%
Airbags81%
Visibility & Wipers50%
Lighting40%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2005 Ford Freestar have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

13V081000SeatsMarch 7, 2013 · 196,667 units

Defect

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.

Consequence

In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

12V006000TransmissionJanuary 9, 2012 · 206,452 units

Defect

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

06E056000Fuel SystemJune 13, 2006 · 58,640 units

Defect

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy

UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

06V069000Body & StructureMarch 9, 2006 · 12,728 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A LIFTGATE STRUT MALFUNCTION, THE LIFTGATE CAN FALL FREELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. ANYONE STANDING BENEATH THE LIFTGATE MAY BE INJURED IF THE LIFTGATE FALLS.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“-NO EVENT LEADING TO FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY I-75, VAN LOST ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. TACH WOULD SHOW ENGINE WAS REVVING, BUT NO ACCELERATION. WAS ABLE TO GET TO EMERGENCY LANE. COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. WAS TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP, FAILURE SO COMPLETE CAR COULD NOT EVEN BE ROAD…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 20, 2010 · crash

“PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTAR MARCH 2009. HAS SUFFERED FROM REPEATED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH THE COMPUTER OFTEN RECORDING "NO CODES" PER THE DEALER. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ATMULTIPLE TIMES FOR VARIOUS SUPPOSED REPAIRS INCLUDING NEW COMPUTER, ALTERNATOR, ETC., BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 10, 2010 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 5, 2017 · fire

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE EITHER FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHILE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A WALL DUE AS A RESULT. NO ONE WAS INJURED DURING THE CRASH. THE CONTACT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · July 7, 2010 · crash

“I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL OF MY BACK ROW SEAT LATCH DO TO CORROSION. I HAD TAKEN MY VAN IN TO BE REPAIRED THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS UPON RETURNING THEY INFORMED ME THEY NEED ANOTHER PART THEY FORGOT TO ORDER SO I WAITED FOR MY CALL BACK…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 10, 2015 · fire

2005 Ford Freestar — common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Freestar reliable?

It is close to typical for the Freestar: 1,093 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and 6 investigations on file.

What are the most common 2005 Freestar problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (690 complaints), electrical system (96 complaints), engine (88 complaints).

Does the 2005 Ford Freestar have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Ford Freestar. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Ford Freestar under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Freestar years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Freestar years to avoid are 2004. The cleanest record among Freestar years belongs to 2007.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.