The entire instrument panel went dark while drving at night, headlights included. The gauges all dropped to zero, then went back up, back to zero. This happened a few times within a minute. Then all the lights on the panel lit up including airbag , ABS, everything. Very scary to have this happen while driving in the dark. I am very thankful that it was me driving and not my 16 year old daughter -- it really could have caused an accident. This happened again last night while I was driving to pick up my 12 year old from church--- same exact thing. The engine was running fine, though. I researched the problem and saw many, many complaints and it's a known issue for this model year. Why isn't there a recall? This is a serious safety issue - do you want a oncoming vehicle to have there lights flashing on/off and instrument panel failing while they are driving straight toward you or someone in your family?
2005 Ford Freestyle electrical complaints
Page 3 of 6: complaints 41 to 70 of 142, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Car leaks when it rains. Third row driver side cup holders stay full of water, I pulled plug below spare tire to keep water from filling up and rusting the tire. Many complaints online about this car leaking. Now the electrical system is damaged, the reverse lights stay on, and the taillights sometimes have water in them.
The dash turned off. All of the dash components are not working including the mileage, speedometer, gas, oil, turn signals etc. It is not safe to drive. It fails several times during the day and at night keeping me guessing if I am driving the speed limit or not and if my turn signals are working. The airbag safety light also is not working, flashing on and off keeping me wondering if I have any safety at all. This problem is not just happening with my car but others in my year and make. It is not safe for the driver, passenger, and other cars on the road. This needs to be fixed. As of now, the bug has not fixed itself. The electronics have been off for a full day and I am worried they won't turn back on. Please do some further work on this problem. Thank you.
I have a 2005 sel freestyle with about 130k miles on it. This morning while driving to work with speed of 55mph all of a sudden the ABS and awd lights came on and the message center displayed "check traction control" and "awd malfunction", then entire panel went dark (RPM, gas, oil, speed and odometer). I noticed that the gauges were making a ticking noise at that time as well. I pulled off the main hwy and shut car off, I then tried to restart the car. All of the gauges lit up again, but car would not start, acted like battery/alternator was shot. Had to get it towed home and was late to work. Not sure where to start to solve the issue, have seen too many posts with the same issues. I think that ford needs to step up and take the appropriate steps to recall these vehicles before fatalities begin.
Gauges bottom out occasionally and the lights on the gauges will also go out for a few seconds. I googled this and found several forums and articles where others have run into this. A defect/short in the gauge cluster. To date though the federal safety agency or ford have not done anything. Driving at 50mph and at night time has to be considered a dangerous situation for myself and others.
We have had this car for over two years now. In those two years our instrument cluster has been replaced by the ford dealer 4 times now. When driving the instrument cluster goes off and sends fuel shutoff codes to the fuel system which causes the vehicle to shake. Other items replaced were the onboard computer and alternator. The computer has been reprogrammed once, but no help. I have seen the technical release for this issue, but this has been a huge safety concern for my family. When the car starts to shake and you are doing 65/70 MPH it could cause an accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, all of the gauges failed as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.
I took my car in to be serviced for maintenance (power steering service and transmission service) to the ford dealership in thomasville, ga. After a few days my 2005 ford freestyle started to display transmission data error, check track control, and check engine lights. I called the company and was advised to bring it in and I did. The alerts were not on at the time but the service man jerry and josh told me they would check my vehicle and let me know what - if anything was wrong. They kept it all day and when I returned to pick it up I was informed that it was fine and they re-serviced my transmission. About two weeks later my car started the same thing all over again while in traffic it seemed not to want to pull off normally with all these alerts lighting up after church one sunday. I called ford of course they were closed but the next day was monday I called and was asked to bring the car back in. This time once it started to do the same things jumping in gear and knocking hard this time the service man who answered my call says they are looking for a transmission and advised me that ford would pay for half the work and parts. I asked if they didn't cause it why would you offer to pay half. The last time they got my ford freestyle they gave me a borrowed vehicle and told my husband 4 days later that the car has electrical problems that they will pay none of the repair. I was told twice my car was fine now my husband just got a new job and no way to get to it because I believe ford damaged my vehicle and refuses to right their wrong. What can I do now?
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the instrument panel became inoperable. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle was in operation. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who informed the contact that the instrument panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 35,000. Updated 5/22/13
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the entire instrument panel began to fluctuate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing where they stated the instrument cluster would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate mileage was 122,946.
The first incident my fuel gauge is off & producing incorrect data of gas remaining in car & driver window would roll up and down when trying to just roll it up. I took the car back to the dealership they did not fix the issue. Another incident I was on the highway and the stalled while driving. Third incident I was at a stop light with my 5 year old daughter in the car, all of a sudden the car made a loud revving up noise then shot us forward into oncoming traffic. I was barely able to back up before the cars reached us. Another time I was driving with my daughter taking her to daycare then going to work and we were going through a school zone. We stopped at a stop sign and there was a family with 3 children crossing and the car shot us forward again and we almost hit the family. Several times when picking up my daughter I would put the car in reverse and my foot was on the brake pedal still all of a sudden the car shot us back into the cars behind us. This car is very unsafe. I fear for the safety of others and my daughters and my life when getting into this car. Ford should recall this vehicle and replace it with a new car. People shouldn't be at risk for this.
While maneuvering my vehicle in a small space (forward, reverse, turning the wheel) the car began to surge and lunge (has occurred before, but mostly in reverse.) there was loud whining when I turned the steering wheel (that began recently and is almost constant.) the engine began to rev loudly, the car trying to lunge even with the brake applied. I reversed the car several feet from the road for fear it would lunge into traffic. The engine light (1st time ever) and the wrench symbol came on. Car went into limp mode, would not accelerate or exceed 30mph. (4th or 5th time this has happened in the one year I've owned the car.) diagnostic codes given by autozone on 9/19/12: p2106 (throttle actuator control system) & p061b (internal control module torque calculation performance error.) upon restart, engine light off. Dealer was contacted, and on 9/26/12 I drove the car to repair shop. They said smart junction box melted, must replace (electronic chassis control module )before doing repairs to the throttle body, CVT and suddenly non-working A/C (was working prior). No repairs have been made to the vehicle as the dealership (not ford) refuses to honor the 36,000ml warranty with car. Recent problems prior to 9/26/12:*highway driving (55+MPH/sometimes using cruise) car revs high rpms/will not accelerate at all/resumes later*sputters/stalls/loses power when slowing/stopping (it does restart) instrument panel brightens/dims*power locks malfunctioning (unlock function works with fob only) often while driving car locks/unlocks continuously/car randomly unlocks after being parked/turned off*cd player not working/displayed error code/2 month later working again*security system function inconsistent/disables randomly*gears not engaging right away, then a loud noise and car surges/lunges into drive/reverse* lunging (mostly reverse) and surge/lunge when in drive/brake applied.
I've had problems with this vehicle numerous times over the past few years. I filed a complaint on here once but do not remember the dates or the username/password I used. This vehicle is the worst car I have ever owned. I've sunk thousands into repairs in the last couple of years. I've had instrument cluster replaced 4 times, replaced engine mounts, my A/C compressor went out on it, throttle body replaced. And now it sits on blocks we thought was the fuel pump went out so replaced it. Didn't do any good. Not sure what it is the instrument cluster still doesn't work correctly, it was surging til the day the other day when it just wont go anymore, it will start and run but won't go. I was told it could be numerous things, throttle body again, instrument cluster still not right, might be my transmission, could be my pedal throttle sensor, fuel switch out..........so what do I do nickel and penny everything I have into a lemon that obviously the federal safety agency nor ford care about. I'm a single mother with two children, we live 7 miles from town...and now I have no transportation. I bought this vehicle in 2005 and paid quite a bit for it. Its like toilet paper or diapers....disposable! I will never purchase a ford again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The failure recurred intermittently as the contact drove at various speeds . The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The dealer advised that the computer had to be reset. After the repair the failure continued. The check engine warning light was also illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 88,000.
Engine sputter then failure. Then computer error states, fail safe engine mode. Diagnostic reveals throttle body failure. Common problem according to service department recall pending, why won't u act. Web full of this complaint.
Engine sputter then failure. Then computer error states, fail safe engine mode. Diagnostic reveals throttle body failure. Common problem according to service department recall pending, why won't u act. Web full of this complaint.
My instrument panel started going out while I was driving down the highway one night and it caused my reverse lights to flash on and off. This is a problem that ford knows about and it is a problem due to faulty solder joints on the back of the instrument panel, there is a tsb for this, but there is no recall on this why? This problem has also LED to my transmission going out again, and ford will do nothing about any of it. I am not the only one who has had this problem either there are tons of owners of this car that have had these issues. Ford needs to be held accountable for these issues that are a result of faulty manufacturing. We are a hard working family and we spent everything we had replacing the transmission in our car six months ago, and our warranty was up seven days before our transmission went out and now thanks to the faulty instrument panel doing whatever it was doing to the computer when it was cutting in and out it has tore my almost $4000.00 transmission up and now I have no car to haul all of my children around in. I also contacted ford via email and the response I got was save your receipts in case of a recall or a forgiveness program is started up.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the transmission warning light illuminated. The contact decelerated to 40 MPH as the vehicle began to lunge forward abnormally. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The failure recurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who stated that the transmission would need to be replaced again however, they did not have the necessary parts to complete the repair. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the transmission was rebuilt however, the failure recurred. The contact was informed that there was an electrical problem that was causing the recurring transmission failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The failure mileage was 84,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.
The vehicle unexpectedly surges when turning into a parking space or sitting at drive through. Also having issues with engine dying when reversing.
I was backing up out of a parking spot very slowly and the car surged backward about a foot, I was able to depress the brake and stop it. The fail safe mode then engaged. I turned the car off and sat for a couple minutes and restarted it and started backing out. The same thing happened again, the surge backward and the failsafe mode engaged. I once again stopped and turned off the engine and sat for about 15 minutes. When I restarted the car the check engine light was on but I was able to back out of the parking space all right, and the failsafe mode did not come back on. It was an extremely hot 100 degrees day, and the A/C was on. This is extremely scary. I could have hit someone.
When parking, driving very slow (under 10mph) or backing up my car lunges forward with surge of power and foot on brake not gas. Sometimes it dies and gave error code engine failsafe mode. Worse when acon, don't remember it being an issue in the winter. Took to dobbs and was told it was my throttle body and my computer would need reset. Cleaned throttle body to see if that would correct issue. Improved, but did not correct. Very scary and dangerous in traffic, approaching stop signs, especially if pedestrians nearby. Fear could lunge at them.
Car lost power at 35-40 MPH for just a few seconds. Many instances of lunging in forward and reverse. Frightening to drive in parking lots.
I owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The instrument cluster sporadically shuts down and you are unable to see the speedometer, odometer or any gauges on the dashboard for about 10 seconds. The problem recurs several times a day. The answer I have received is that my car is receiving a surge of energy causing this malfunction. My vehicle has completely shorted out at this point and my lights on the inside of the vehicle and dashboard flicker, but the motor is not attempting to start. Hoping it is a blown fuse but maybe the alternator.
While driving the instrument cluster would behave erratically and then completely stop working for 10-30 seconds, after this the wrench and seat belt light stay on. Then they reset and all gauges work normally and then this reoccurs. During these occurrences the engine would act sluggishly and there would be slower acceleration. This has been happening for 3+ months and today the gauges have all stopped working, the same 2 icons are lite and now the reverse lights stay on whether the car is in park, drive, neutral or reverse. The turn signals, lights and brake lights all work but do not display on the dash. Seen the tsb's from ford, the investigation done by the federal safety agency pe07058, this needs to be re-opened and a recall performed by ford.
While driving to work all of a sudden the cluster lights in the instrument panel all went out and the speedometer, odometer, control temp, and gas gage all zeroed out and a wrench and air bag light came on. Then after about 10 minutes of driving everything starting working again and the two warning lights went off however, then the check engine light came on. I had a diagnostic done and the errors were all electrical. Have to take it in a few days to the ford dealer and be charged a $90.00 fee up front just for them to look at it and diagnose the problem. According to all the complaints it's been a very well known problem that ford should have dealt with in a recall. Not just try to sweep it under the rug. I'm sure it's going to cost me an arm and a leg when they get done. I have always owned a ford but now I think I'm going to make a switch to a chrysler (since I do work there now) and I know I will be taken care of not just taken.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge failed and displayed an erroneous reading of zero. In addition, the turn signals and headlights were inoperable. The contact also stated that with the brakes depressed, the vehicle would surge forward abnormally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure, nor was the vehicle diagnosed or repaired. The current and the failure mileages were 60,000.
I have a 2005 ford freestyle with two issues.. Issue #1- when shifting into gear (drive or reverse) or starting to accelerate the car lunges forward or backward. It is a requirement to stay a few feet back and foot firmly on the brake at all times as not to hit other vehicles or pedestrians. Issue #2- instrument panel randomly began to illuminate lights (ie check engine, seatbelt, air bag) for a period of time and then they would disappear. Then the gauges (ie gas, temp, and speedometer) began not working. Took it in to shop and they confirmed a faulty instrument cluster.
I have more than one complaint. 1) shortly after buying my used 2005 freestyle I would be driving both at higher and lower speeds and I would loose all control of the vehicle. It would not respond to gas or steering. It was like it was losing power but it was still running. I had several near misses when this would happen. I was lucky that when I bought my freestyle it was "certified" and under warranty, otherwise the repairs would have cost me over $1200. My ford dealer replaced the kind of sensor/brain as they called it. Has been working sense. 2) air compressor needs to be replaced now. I thought the A/C wasn't blowing cold enough, I finally told it to a repair shop I trust and he said he couldn't understand I had any cool air at all. 3) brakes, rear most of all, have been replaced several times. Way too soon and anytime it's wet they squeal like crazy. Guess I need to have them changed again. 4) transmission issues are starting now. I roughly have 90k miles and hoped this would be my last car for several more years. I hate to trade it in and start another car payment and let this car get back out to some other unsuspecting soul.
While driving on the highway with my wife at a speed of 55mph the motor suddenly dies and the wrench symbol appears. I tried to restart the car by turning the key - didn't work. Luckily we were close to an exit and I let the car roll out and onto a parking lot. There I tried again to start the car and it suddenly started again and the wrench symbol is gone. I went to a mechanic to have it checked out but he couldn't find anything. And the car runs fine w/o incident since then. I am just glad that my 3 kids weren't with us in the car that day and that nothing serious happened. A motor dying on a highway can cause serious trouble ! Shortly after I bought the car about 2 months ago the cel went on and the error codes for torque/throttle body were given. I went to valvoline to have the fuel system cleaned and the codes taken out, no problems since then. But I've noticed that the car is very sluggish when I accelerate and then suddenly lunges. Needless to say that I think this car is not the best model ford developed, we did some research on this model and there are so many complaints. Ford needs to do some serious customer care !!! And of course I find my car highly unreliable and expect it to break down any day.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the instrument cluster had a interruption in power, causing the dials to operate improperly. The contact was unable to read the speedometer due to the malfunction. The contact had the instrument cluster replaced by the dealer three times bu the failure continued to recur. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the cluster malfunction and the manufacturer advised that there was nothing they could do to assist. The failure mileage was 101,000.
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