Check a VIN

2005 Ford Freestyle transmission complaints

Page 3 of 16: complaints 41 to 70 of 447, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2005 Ford Freestyle transmission problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jul 23, 2015 · Transmission · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at a low speed and approaching a stop sign, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate. Multiple unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Jun 18, 2015 · Transmission · 104,000 miles · IN

Bought car and within two weeks it had a complete transmission failure. Car makes a horrnedous noise and will not drive forward. Prior to this happened the car would suddenly accelerate or surge. Took to transmission repair shop who quote me $4,250 to remove and replace the transmission. At that price I asked what a new transmission would cost and they informed there are no new transmissions available. They also informed me that ford had abandoned the freestyle and its CVT transmission. I check wiht junkyards and found the cheapest I could find a CVT transmission was around $3,000. Car has become a lawn ornament for the past two years. Ford refuses to do anything ohter than to say it is out ofwarrantly. Tere are class action suits brought over this.

Filed May 29, 2015 · Transmission · 148,255 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate when going up a hill. The vehicle also jerked violently and the check engine warning light illuminated. The failure recurred only when the vehicle was driven up a hill. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 148,255.

Filed May 3, 2015 · Transmission · 101,000 miles · NY

Was traveling at approximately 40 MPH when car suddenly jolted, as if it had struck something. After looking to insure nothing had been struck, we proceeded and the car made another odd noise and ceased to go forward. The transmission had blown and all fluids escaped. The car is ruined and from all I have read, this is a serious and extremely costly flaw costing consumers a small fortune and endangering lives on highways.

Filed May 2, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · MI

Awd malfunction light started coming on occasionally last fall. It is now on all the time. Talked to a mechanic and was told it was either a sensor or a wheel bearing. In the process of replacing the wheel bearing right now.

Filed Apr 26, 2015 · Acceleration, Steering · 100 miles · OH

I purchased the 2005 ford freestyle used. Issues: (1) shortly after purchasing the transmission light came on, then I took it to a transmission shop, who replaced the fluid, which seemed to fix the problem. (2) random surges of power, which almost resulted in a few accidents and was severely frightening (corrected before a recall) (3) this past winter problems with shutting the front doors, then with out warning ( with two children in the back sets ) the back passenger door few open when I turned the corner. The children screamed, I was thankful that a child was not severally injured and then, I had call someone to pick us up. I called ford and was told I was the only complaint! Later at a children's recreation, I parked next to a woman with children driving the same model. I asked her if she experienced door issues, she stated both doors flew open with the children in the back seats, and stated her husband lubed the doors down. (4) now the transmission will randomly decide not to move, but if I turn the free style on and off it might go into gear. No transmission light on indicated an issue. My opinion is the 2005 ford freestyle was created to market toward families, the design and marketing worked, but as a result several families are now in danger.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · TX

Vehicle lunges forward when driver's foot has the brake pressed while pulling into a parking space prior to shifting into park.

Filed Mar 29, 2015 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · OH

Stopped at a red light, when we went to take off, there was no reverse or forward. Engine just revs when gas is pushed, no movement from vehicle.

Filed Mar 19, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 109,000 miles · IL

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the awd warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the awd system failed. No further information was available. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would suddenly loose power and would not accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Feb 27, 2015 · Acceleration, Transmission · 30,000 miles · PR

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while proceeding after a complete stop, the vehicle abruptly accelerated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a transmission specialist who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. However, the failure was not corrected. The vehicle continued to abruptly accelerate. The vehicle was taken for a second diagnostic to an independent mechanic whom located a failure code at the throttle body. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Jan 29, 2015 · Engine, Transmission · 135,000 miles · PA

Throttle body stuck closed, forcing limp home mode - stall in middle of highway, ford recall 12n03 did not work - after idling, there is a power surge which lunges vehicle forward while in drive at a stop sign, happened directly after service.

Filed Dec 10, 2014 · Suspension, Transmission · 187,000 miles · TX

For about a month now my car has been making this loud "helicopter" noise. We thought it was the alternator so I had that changed, thought it was the water pump and cooling fan, had that changed. The mechanic believes it's the torque converter within the transmission. After doing research I see this is a very very common and dangerous problem with the CVT transmission. Thankfully my car has not lost power while driving but has gone into safe mode while attempting to drive. A few weeks ago I was trying to backup and I put the car in gear and it wouldn't move. I revved the engine but instead of revving up the RPM's went down...it had happened again twice last week. I turned off the car and let it sit for awhile and it started working again. I don't feel safe driving it and it feels like it could stop at any moment. I contacted ford today but they say it's nothing they can do being there is no recall and my car is no longer under warranty (I bought it used 4 years ago). I had the throttle body cleaned about a year ago because of the surging issues and had the motor mounts replaced a month ago. Too many issues with the 2005-2007 models. I find it funny they stopped making them, then started again under the name taurus x with a different type of transmission. Seems they know they messed up. I googled my issues and found a lawsuit plus many many many complaints of the same issue. Something needs to be done as these transmissions are no longer being made and you run the risk of having the same issue if you "fix it" or rebuild it. Not safe at all and ford needs to be held accountable! Now I either have to fix it or save for a new car. We have 4 kids and need something safe.

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 98,000 miles · IN

Own a 2005 ford freestyle, v6, 3.0, all wheel drive, limited edition. I started hearing loud grinding and knocking noises from the CVT transmission. The vehicle will start, and the rpms will increase and decrease uncontrollably. This is the reason the CVT transmission in these vehicles are going bad, malfunctioning, and breaking continuously. The rpms are delayed in the decreasing rpms process, which tells the computer to shift prematurely, or to quickly, causing any internal parts and external parts to be damaged. These vehicles are equipped with a computerized throttle positioning sensor that is attached to the actual throttle body. The computer is sending improper commands to the throttling position sensor, rpms, shifting delay and synchronized shifting sensors. This is putting too much of a load on the gears, bearings, clutches, and other parts pertaining to the functioning of the CVT transmission shifting and everyday use. Ford motor company (as stamped on the VIN and vehicle information sticker inside and on the driver side door jam of the vehicle) should have perfected and or recognized these issues during the manufacturing, testing, and or dino sessions. All vehicle designs are to be tested, diagnosed if any issues occur, and are to be fixed, redesigned, and replaced. Ford should take recognition to the customers and dealers that own these vehicles. People are purchasing these vehicles without the knowledge of possible failure and technical difficulties of these units. These issues can cause the vehicles, especially the vehicles that are all wheel drive, to lock up, brake, break, accelerate uncontrollably, and cause wrecks, fender benders, or more severe injuries, and even the lives of people of this great nation. The united states government will need to take action immediately, before ford motor company vehicles kill, eliminate, and or decease people.

Filed Oct 11, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 141,000 miles · PR

While driving on the highway the wrench light suddenly came on & my car was put in "safe mode" . This make my car stop. I almost slam another car. Had engine light that came on read & was told the throttle body was stuck open. Took it to local ford dealership where they changed the throttle body. When the wrench light comes on the car doesn't want to accelerate & goes into safe mode. I took the car to a ford dealer and was told the transmission has to be replaced but it was replaced few years ago.

Filed Sep 6, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 142,000 miles · TX

Car lunges when sitting still with engine running both forward and reverse and is worse when air cond is on. Loud noise I believe is coming from transmission while parked and running and sitting still. System was overcharging and caused my battery to explode. Check light comes on intermittently.

Filed Aug 29, 2014 · Transmission · 141,090 miles · PR

Cars runs fine when cold or early in the morning after few minutes wrench light gets on and transmission start to make noise when shifted and won't accelerate well, runs but engine stay at high rpms , if I turn it off for few seconds wrench light come off and runs fines but after few minutes running wrench light come on and the problem again .

Filed Aug 14, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 104,000 miles · MS

Car was financed and purchased used from authorized ford dealer in 2007 @ approx. 64k miles. Previous owner was registered as ford motor co., indiana. On 12 jun 2014, without warning, the continuously-variable transmission (CVT) first showed signs of a problem: failing to shift out of lower speed gear from a stop to higher gears during travel. Problem was remedied temporarily by shifting from d to r and back to d while stopped. The problem recurred sporadically, but within last week frequency of problem has increased while awaiting service appointment. This morning, 13-aug-2014, transmission slipped and failed to engage in any forward gear while stopped at intersection, resulting in a complete loss of forward propulsion. Problem remedied by shifting from d to r and back to d, with significant difficultly. Service technician states that CVT failures in this make and model are common and recommends replacement of transmission with rebuilt (as transmission is no longer manufactured by ford). Moreover, only ford can perform the repair/replacement. No warning lights were activated during any of these events. Cost of repair will exceed value of car. $5800 or more versus $3600 trade-in or instant-cash offer price $1500. Ac compressor failure and rebuild (including rear AC) in 2012 cost $875.

Filed Aug 6, 2014 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle jerked without warning. The failure recurred multiple times. An independent mechanic stated that the transmission fluid needed to be changed and the transmission filter replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 105,000.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Transmission · 145,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, the fail safe mode and the check engine warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that there was a sudden loss of power and the vehicle failed to accelerate over 10 MPH. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 10/02/14*lj the consumer stated the vehcle would surge at low speeds and experience a loss of power at high speeds. Updated 03/2/2015

Filed Aug 2, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 170,000 miles · FL

The problem with this car and the throttle body has been going on for a while. I took the car to the ford dealer but they only cleaned the throttle body when it needed replacement. The last event was in august 1 when while I was driving the fail safe mode came up and the car suddenly lost the power and wouldn't run faster than probably 0.1 mile per hour. This was the second time this happened the first time I was with my kids in a major highway and the car suddenly stop running. Thank god I had a chance to steer to the emergency lane. Many people are having the same issue with the 2005-2007 freestyle, this is a super safety issue and nobody is doing anything about it. When my car stopped I could have been hit on the back with a worst outcome. I got a tow truck and they took the car to the ford dealer. Those people are not helpful at all and treated me with a bad attitude. Very expensive to change that's why ford is not getting involved and only offered to clean the part in the extended warranty, knowing that wouldn't fix the problem. Ford should have a recall for the throttle body part before somebody gets killed in a very serious accident that this problem could cause.

Filed Jul 22, 2014 · Transmission · 91,000 miles · MO

Check transmission light and check engine indicator came up wrench light lit up would not shift gears.

Filed Jul 21, 2014 · Steering, Transmission · GA

Riding down road and car started lunging and trying to go on its own. Then transaxle light came on. Car would then only go 40mph but it would rev up and tac at 5 or more. Took it to americus sunbelt ford, they said it needed transaxle fluid and put some in. Light went off and it worked. Very dangerous to be in road and car won't go fast enough to get out of the way. The A/C quit right after this. Had A/C fixed and it was ok. Next the throttle body in june 2012 messed up and I had it fixed at sunbelt ford and they charged me almost $900. Ran for a while then ford had a recall on throttle body and I took it in and they cleaned it but would not reimburse me for what I paid to get fixed. May 2014 A/C compressor went out again got it fixed and on july 13, 2014 in atlanta ga on interstate 85 around norcross with the traffic flying 75 80 MPH by me jerking along at 40mph and the transaxle light came on. It was extremely scary since I had my child and husband with me when this happened and we were not at an exit to get off but when we limped to one I turned into a parking lot and it quit going up the small hill. It would not go forward or backward therefore we were in harms way again. With the help of strangers we pushed it to safety. I had to have it towed 169 miles back to my home and the mechanic says that it is full of transmission fluid but it will not go. This is a safety hazard and an accident waiting to happen. Ford should have to take these cars off the road and pay me for all the repairs and a car that won't go.

Filed Jul 20, 2014 · Acceleration, Transmission · 129,500 miles · FL

Vehicle idling, vehicle put into reverse and instantly accelerated backwards, depressed brake and vehicle net into a safe fail mode. Engine light and a wrench dashboard light came on. Turned vehicle off and back on systems came up fine. Put vehicle in drive and vehicle accelerated and lunged forward. Engine light and wrench dashboard light came on and engine went into fail safe mode again. Drove vehicle home in fail safe mode. Vehicle was taken in for servicing september 08, 2010 for same issue, throttle body was replaced.

Filed Jun 25, 2014 · Transmission · 125,000 miles · PA

The vehicle suddenly lunges forward when at a stop. Vehicle lunges forward and stalls.

Filed Jun 1, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 83,000 miles · IN

The very first time it occurred I was parking my vehicle and it just lunge forward on its own. My foot was on the brake and not on the accelerator. It happen multiple times that day to the point I started to put the car in neutral when I came to a stoplight to keep it from possibly hitting another vehicle. This went on and on that summer and it seemed to do it when it is hot and the A/C is running. It hasn't stop since!

Filed May 30, 2014 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · MO

When putting car in drive on warm days with the air on the car will lunge forward. I am used to this but my wife got in the car yesterday 5-29-2014 and almost hit a car in the parking lot. Very dangerous !!! Read that I am not the only one with this issue. I am the original owner of this car.

Filed May 29, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 145,000 miles · MI

This vehicle looses complete power while driving. Runs sluggish and hesitates.. Took it to the dealership for possible recall (throttle body) dealer says not the issue need to replace alternator, and transmission, etc.. Called ford motor company customer service for assistance to see if this was a known issue.

Filed May 28, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 20,000 miles · NY

It should have been a sign when the brakes wore out at less than a year and less than 9,000. The car would idle high and jump before stepping on the gas. The car would get a jump start before I wanted it to move. A noise could be heard while the car was in park. However, it did change noises as I change gears. Driving the car would sound like it was roaring. During the winter time, the car was not good with the gears/transmission as it felt like it was slipping in the transmission and not sticking in the gear. The car is presently in the service station of the place I purchased the car and I have been advised the vehicle needs a transmission and catalytic converter. The car has a little over 62,000 miles and has been maintained.

Filed May 26, 2014 · Transmission · TN

We own a ford freestyle 2005 the transmission has never been quite right, it failed over the weekend and the ford tech says transmissions are defective but their recommendation is to replace it at a cost of 6600 with the same type of defective transmission. I have done my research and have spoken to many people owners of the 2005 through 2007 ford freestyles who have had the same experiences. 75 I have found posted online they replaced their transmissions at cost from 5600 to 7800 only to have them fail again in a short time. Ford should be forced to stand behind their product as we have owned fords for almost 30 years now and maintain our cars will due diligence this is a defective product. We have both owned ford taurus wagons which one had nearly 400000 miles on the clock when we sold it still running great! Our ford also has had many occurrences of the throttle sticking under acceleration so much so that it would have to be shifted to neutral to pull over and restart it.

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.

VIN decoder

See the problems and recalls for an exact car

Buying a used 2005 Ford Freestyle?

Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.

Check its history