2005 Ford Freestyle: harsh or hard shifting

Filed Mar 31, 2019 · Transmission · SD

This is a complaint about the CVT transmission it seem to never shift right and traction control always acted funny shifts high or shift hard and then it finally gave out driving down the hight it made a loud clunk and I had no gears I costed to a stop

Filed Jun 18, 2017 · Fuel system, Transmission · 131,000 miles · VA

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. What is the problem of why a recall has not been issued, these vehicles are not only family vehicles but death traps! Something needs to be done before some family gets killed from a faulty mistake that ford co. Is well aware of!

Filed May 7, 2014 · Suspension · 112,000 miles · MI

I was traveling on a side street at approximately 30 MPH. I heard a loud clunk from the rear of the car.. I stopped the car and got out to check the cause. The right rear lower control arm was no longer connected to the vehicle structure. The attachment bolt and bushing is connected to the control arm. The attachment bracket that is welded to the sub-frame is deteriorated.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Transmission · 117,000 miles · PA

Last weekend the transmission went out in our 2005 ford freestyle. The car had been driving fine with no indication that there was a problem. We were traveling at about 45 MPH when we suddenly heard a loud clunking noise. Immediately after the clunking noise we heard the sound of metal clanging around under the car and hitting the road...the front wheels began skidding and it felt as if the back of the car lifted of the road. At this point I felt as if I had no control over the vehicle. We were fortunate that no one was driving behind us, as it is very likely we would have been rear ended. I pulled the car to the side of the road and the oil light came on. I immediately turned the car off, got out and looked underneath and saw oil running out of the car onto the road. We then noticed the trail of mangled metal in the road. At this point I knew we were in big trouble. We had the car towed to a local garage and were told that the transmission went out. Garage called on monday only to tell us that a used transmission for this car is very hard to find and that they were unable to find one locally...and further explained that replacing with a new transmission would cost $6000-$7000, maybe more since this transmission had been completely destroyed and we couldn't turn it in for a core. Something in the transmission actually came apart causing the transmission to bind and literally tear itself apart. We bought this car used for $6,500 and have only owned it for 11 months. I am seeing that this is a pretty common problem with this car. Not only can I not afford this repair, there is no way I am going to spend that kind of money on a transmission that is likely to fail just as this one did. So I am without a car with 4 children trying to figure out how I'm going to afford another one. This is obviously a defect with this car and ford should have done something to fix this.

Filed Oct 4, 2012 · Acceleration · 69,500 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving approximately 15 MPH, the contact noticed a clunking sound and an abnormal vibration coming from the engine. The failure was also noticeable when the vehicle was parked. Additionally, the vehicle would jerk forward or backward when switching gears. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. There was an investigation under the federal safety agency action number: pe11018 (vehicle speed control) that could have been related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 69,500.

Filed Jul 17, 2010 · Electrical, Fuel system · 49,500 miles · CA

I have had this problem from about 2 months after obtaining the vehicle. And I currently have 49500 miles approx. The vehicle will lunge going forward or backwards, stall at times, clunking noises. Have taken vehicle in many times, and was at one time nothing wrong. Then ford dealer replaced some part in engine. While the vehicle was running and A/C was on in park, placed in reverse vehicle lunged again then the fail safe notification along with the wrench came on. Took vehicle to dealer as I was told to bring it back when it was happening again. They told me today that it was the throttle body and map sensors that need to be repaired as they mechanically failed I have an extended warranty and it is not a covered item which for both items will cost almost $1500 which should have been covered under the comprehensive coverage of any extended warranty as it is part of the engine and working comprehensive parts. I know of at least 100 people in my area that have had the same problem with the throttle body, yet ford will not do a recall on this as it is considered a fire/safety hazard as the map sensors are on the manifold which controls the fuel. If you review the internet you will find many people with the 2005 ford freestyle are having the same problem with these items and should be a national recall on it.

Filed Dec 13, 2008 · Transmission · 27,839 miles · NJ

Transmission failure at 27k miles. I was driving at 40 MPH. I accelerated slightly to maintain my speed up a slight grade. I heard a clunk from the transmission area under the dash and then the car lost all acceleration. I had enough speed to coast to a church parking lot where I parked. The engine was idling normally, but the engine would not rev higher when I stepped on the accelerator. The check engine light and check transmission indicator were displayed. I turned the engine off and then restarted it. It idled normally but I still couldn't rev the engine in park or neutral. The car would not move in drive or reverse. The check engine light and check transmission indicator were still displayed. I had the car towed to the ford dealership where I purchased it. The dealership replaced the transmission, clutch, and axle at a cost of $5885. The car is over 3 years old and out of warranty so I was liable for this cost. Neither ford nor the dealer would assume any liability for this defective transmission. Twice I complained to the dealer, while the car was under warranty, that the car was making a whining sound as I accelerated and the noise grew louder as the speed increased. He couldn't hear anything, either time. I have the work orders to prove it. I assumed it was probably road noise due to tire wear. The whining sound has disappeared since the new transmission was installed.