Body problems of the 2005 Ford Freestyle

35 problems related to body have been reported for the 2005 Ford Freestyle. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Freestyle based on all problems reported for the 2005 Freestyle.

1 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/03/2025

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# xxx 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. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

2 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/21/2025

Passanger door latch- door opened while driving, will not stay closed checked said recall was repaired in 2006, latch in not closing.

3 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/24/2019

Car doors will not relatch in freezing temps. The car was stationary but was unsafe to drive after the car door was initially opened. If I drive to work and the temp drops it will be unsafe to drive. I see that this model was recalled for this reason but my VIN was not. Obviously should have been. The dealership applied a lubricant (at my expense) but that did not work.

4 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/20/2019

Door latches freeze open in cold weather as described in NHTSA campaign id 06v383000. The doors have failed to latch when entering the car as well as in motion at 50mph. A search of the cars VIN shows no open recalls however the car has not been serviced for this issue but clearly falls under the recall. Recall noticed was never received for this issue. This is a one owner car purchase and registered in ohio so it is unclear why it would not be covered by this recall. Ford has also stated that this car is not covered by the recall. This is extremely dangerous as the issue can occur when the car is in motion.

5 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/11/2018

Anytime the weather drops below 40 degrees, which it most often does during the winter months in MA, my door locks freeze. It could be right when I start the car or while I'm driving, it's very sporadic. I can open the doors, but they will not close again, which is clearly very dangerous if you're driving and the door latches don't hold because of ice. It seems almost every other car that is my year, make and model have been recalled for the same problem, but for some reason mine has not! not sure what to do, it's my only transportation. Throw my kuds in & just hope for the best while we're out driving?.

6 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/14/2017

My front driver side door does not shut in cold weather. The locks stick on, and the door bounces back open when I try to shut the door. I paid to have the door locks replaced, a few years ago. The issue still happened on almost every cold day. Around 15f to 32f. The Ford dealer who replacement the locks, got new locks covered under the lock warranty, but this issue still happens. It has been an ongoing problem for 4 years. I am forced to drive with a driver side door that does not close. I have to hold the door closed with my hand until the door locks decide to unstick and I can close the door. The Ford dealer cannot get this problem solved or fixed even after 4 years and many many many trips back to the dealer with this issue.

7 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/17/2016

In cold weather the front driver side door will not close and latch. This was addressed in a recall (Ford recall no. 06s45) several years ago, but the problem still persists. I have taken this vehicle back to my local Ford dealer multiple times were an apparent "bandaid" fix is used because the door will not latch in cold weather. I believe the latch system is flawed. When it does latch I have no confidence it will remain latched while driving.

8 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/13/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while at an independent mechanic for a routine park, the contact noticed that there was corossion on the front sub frame of the vehicle. The mechanic diagnosed that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 103,000. Oo.

9 Body problem

Failure Date: 09/12/2015

Door latch is frozen closed and cannot get drivers side door to open. Dismantled entire car to fix issue.

10 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2015

The contact owns a 2005 Ford free style. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the driver side door opened independently and failed to close. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 163,000.

11 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/01/2015

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the driver side door latch was freezing and would not allow the contact to open the door during cold weather temperatures. The contact also stated that when driving at various speeds, the door ajar warning light illuminated. Additionally, the door latch independently unlatched and the door was opened. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000. Djr.

12 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/04/2014

While driving the rear passenger side door opened, almost expelling my child had he not had a seat belt on. The doors on this vehicle have been freezing up and either dont close or pop open while driving. I saw there was a recall that is not VIN pertinant but is on the Ford Freestyle for these freezing door latches. When I call Ford they tell me the VIN has no outstanding recalls. . . Can you help me please.

13 Body problem

Failure Date: 07/19/2013

My Freestyle surges and lunges forward and backwards. I hit a car while trying to back up and park because the car surged and accelerated into reverse. This is the second time that I have had this problem in 2 years and needed to replace the throttle body. I almost hit people in a parking lot because of the sudden surge and acceleration. This is extremely unsafe and unpredictable. Needs to be recalled! engine mount was also cracked and needed to be repaired as in many of the other cases in the class action lawsuit.

14 Body problem

Failure Date: 06/12/2013

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the wheel well on the vehicle was corroded and contained holes. As a result of the holes, fumes seeped into the vehicle and caused the contact to become ill. The holes also caused the seat belt to become wet when it rained and collect salt when it snowed. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.

15 Body problem

Failure Date: 03/12/2013

Car stalls daily three times while driving, dealer cleaned the throttle body still stalls, another dealer cleaned the maf and changed the spark plugs and change cvt transmission fluid, still stalling. Need a new throttle body it is a common defect with Ford and very dangerous some one will get killed because of it. My cvt transmission start to slip and needs replacement.

16 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/20/2013

Tl- the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the rear driver and passenger side door latches froze and the doors could not be completely closed. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000. Kmj.

17 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/15/2012

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated the front driver and passenger side doors failed to close. The contact also stated that the latches freeze when the temperature was cold. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated the door latch would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

18 Body problem

Failure Date: 11/15/2012

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated after a heavy rain a large amount of water would accumulate on the front and rear passenger's side floorboard. The contact noticed that excessive water seeped through the door panel. There was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 06v383000 ( latches/locks/linkages); however the VIN was not included. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. Js.

19 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2012

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the third row seat was anchored to the wheel well, which became rusted. As a result, the seat became dislodged. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who advised the contact not to drive with anyone in the third seat. The manufacturer was notified but provided no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 103,656. Kmj.

20 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/07/2012

In August 2012, my 2005 Freestyle surged while in reverse with my wheels at full cut as I was backing out of my driveway, as I have been doing for the last 40 years. As I took my foot off of the gas pedal to apply the brake to switch to drive from reverse, the car surged in reverse, and the right corner of my rear bumper impacted my neighbors truck behind his front door, causing me to report the accident to my insurance company to repair his vehicle. I told the agent at my insurance company I had read about this surging problem in the Freestyle forums, and asked if the accident would be contributed to mechanical failure due to defective part, rather than driver error, as I stated before I have been backing out of this driveway for 40 years with 70's lincolns and cadillacs, all cars 5 feet longer than the Freestyle, without incident. Her reply was that if there was a recall due to this problem, then yes, it would be attributed to mechanical failure. My question is, I know the NHTSA was investigating this last year, has there been any conclusion to this investigation? if anyone has an update, can you please contact me at fcejr55yahoo. Com with the information. I know it says not to use my e-mail address, but how else will somebody be able to contact me? any help will be greatly appreciated. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

21 Body problem

Failure Date: 08/01/2012

After coming home from a trip to the grocery store, about 5 mile total round trip; I pulled into my garage. With my foot on the brake and about to move the gear lever from drive to park, the car suddenly surged forward hitting a metal storage shelf. The car surged 5 feet forward while engine rpms increased from idle (about 800) to 2500 instantly and uncommanded with absolutely no throttle increase or input. It damaged the front of my car. Our Freestyle does this often. I normally can catch it. It always happens at low speed or while the car is stopped. It happens both in drive and reverse. I have since had to discontinue letting my 18 and 16 year old son and daughter drive the vehicle because of the danger involved in these uncontrolled surges.

22 Body problem

Failure Date: 06/04/2012

Car was parked in rear of apartment complex. When I put it in reverse it lunged back without my foot on the gas, smashing the rear of the car into the apartment building wall. I did have a seat belt on but the impact caused severe neck trauma as my head was turned at the time of impact. I shut the car off. Approximately an hour later I started the car, put it in drive, and as I attempted to drive the car home, it would "lose power", the wrench light would come on, and the car would have no transmission power. I had to pull the car over, turn it off and restart it. This happened repeatedly. The local Ford dealership incorrectly diagnosed and charged me a repair for cleaning the sensor - and refused to refund me my diagnostic charges even though my car was not fixed. I did my own research to learn it was a throttle body issue. The service manager stated they would apply the credit towards replacing the throttle body. . . . But not all the charges. They were horrible to deal with in customer service after completely failing to fix my car and charging me almost $500.

23 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/07/2012

When the weather falls below freezing temp the drivers door lock mechanism jams and no amt of warm air applied to the door will unjam it. I was unable to open my drivers door for three days.

24 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/16/2012

There is a major safety issue with my 2005 Freestyle we bought it less than a year ago and everytime it rains or gets cold the doors will not shut it happens all the time yesterday while driving down the road with my child in the car my driver door his dppr and the hatch popped open in moving traffic im very upset!!! the car owners sold us this probably knowing this and never said I just looked it up on line and found this on recalls and defects national highway website Ford issued a recall affecting certain 2005 Ford five hundreds and Mercury montegos and certain 2005-2006 Ford Freestyle vehicles. The recall addresses the problem of door latch freezing, which occurs mainly in cold and wet weather states. In wet and below freezing temperatures, these defective door latches may fail to fully latch, allowing a door to open while the vehicle is in motion or in a crash. If you suspect your vehicle may be part of this recall, request a door latch safety inspection from your Ford dealer. Notify the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) if your door latches are found to be unsafe. You can contact NHTSA on their vehicle safety hotline: 1-888-327-4236 or 1-800-424-9393 I want this problem rendered I do not feel safe in this vehicle nor do I wish to continue dealing with this problem I am not comfortable with the safety of my children in this vehicle! this freakstyle should be replaced I am scared of this vehicle now and highly disappointed in the product manufacturer and the dealer who sold this lemon to us! I need to know what to do we are still paying for this and I don't want to anymore because of these past problem and safety issues! its not safe for my family or other drivers around this car with bad door latches! please tell me what I can do don't think I will ever feel safe in a Ford again can you imagine what could of happen?.

25 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/03/2012

The contact owns a 2005 Ford free style. The contact was driving 40-50 mph when the rear driver's side door flew open without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,905 and the current mileage was 99,910.

26 Body problem

Failure Date: 10/23/2011

The contact owns a 2005 Ford freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate in any gear. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the rear sliding door failed to lock properly. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 77,000.

27 Body problem

Failure Date: 05/20/2011

1- the engine cradle totally rusted out replacement est. 3,000. 00 . Dealer says not covered 2-the hood is pitted dealer says not covered est. 1000. 00 3- radiator coolant tube made from steel rusted out and coolant leaked . Est 250. 00 4-door latches fail in cold weather door will not stay closed . Dealer says its been fixed under recall . Its still a problem .

28 Body problem

Failure Date: 04/09/2011

1. Any time it rains 2. Passenger cargo floor is swamped with water creating mildew and rust in car 3. Vacuumed out but water returned because it settles in the frame of the car.

29 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2010

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact was entering the vehicle when the front driver side door failed to close properly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed to the contact that the VIN did not qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 06v383000(latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 81,000.

30 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/15/2010

I filed a complaint on January 3rd, 2012 and never heard back from anyone regarding this. It is still happening and is still an issue. My original complaint number is 10442220. I own a 2005 Ford Freestyle. I was entering the vehicle when the front driver side door failed to close properly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was contacted and they confirmed to the contact that the VIN did not qualify for repairs under NHTSA campaign id number: 06v383000(latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 81,000.

31 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/01/2010

I was sent the recall for door latches freezing and doors not closing securely and/or doors opening. I had the recall work done at Ford dealer. The followinfg winter was mild and doors were not wet in below freezing days/nights etc the following years doors still continued to open and not latch shut when wet and below freezing. Following this discovery I called Ford customer service on 2 separate occasions and they said "we did the recall work and thats all we are doing" I told them it did not fix anything --they said its not their problem. This car is junk at every level but doors not closing is their problem - please make them re-recall this issue!!.

32 Body problem

Failure Date: 12/12/2009

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that during colder temperatures or when it rains, the front driver's side door would not engage when closed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. . . . Updated 03-12-14.

33 Body problem

Failure Date: 02/28/2008

Water leaking on drivers side head around moonroof, soaking drivers side floor, pouring out of drivers side door when opened, collecting in spare tire well. After 4 visits to dealer, still unable to repair.

34 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/20/2007

Leaks water from wet weather into vehicle's cargo area and front passenger floor area. Freezing to sub-freezing temps cause water to freeze carpet and anything in car with moisture on it. First time this was apparent, car was in for recall on door latches; at that time, we told dealer about water leak in cargo area after it has just rained - they said they could not find the leak, and therefore never filed with Ford. Second time car was in was at the end of December '06 for a water leak on front passenger floor. Dealer said they spent more than an hour water testing until it did leak in their presence. Said they removed areas of carpet and doors where water was coming in, fixed seal, and dried out carpet before re-installing and giving car back to us (keep in mind this is roughly 11-12 total hours of labor). A month later, we are in the same position after a light snow (1-2"). This time, however, the front passenger floor and rear cargo area are soaking wet. Dealer has had car for almost a full week. Ordered new carpet for front and rear, replaced any panels and electronics associated with where water was coming in, said they have made fixes to seals where water is now coming in *another 12-14 hours). Still waiting for vehicle to be returned. Dealer says that, although we have the highest end warranty you can buy through them at 7 years/75,000 miles, this problem will more than likely not be covered beyond the 3yr/36,000 mile manufacturer's warranty. We are talking roughly 25 hours of labor at almost $100/hr. I cannot afford $2,500/month. . Read more...

35 Body problem

Failure Date: 01/11/2007

The rear cargo area on my 2005 Ford Freestyle began to leak shortly after the purchase from bob bell Ford. It has been in and out of the dealer 4 or 5 times. They keep it for a week or more. Replace the carpet. Remove the mold that has begun to grow in the rear cargo area. Replaced the carpets and mask the smell with deodorizer. The work is always performed by a sub-contractor hired by Ford. The company visits the dealer here in maryland twice a week, which makes you wonder how bad the Ford products are. The paperwork is written so that you can't tell what repairs if any are ever conducted. The dealers paperwork provides little or no detail and when asked about the repairs, the service writer acts as if you are bothering him for the details. Of course the vehicle has returned to the dealer again for more water leaks. The Ford corporate complaint office has been contacted regarding the problem. They act as if this has never happened before. We were advised that someone would call us back in two days. Both office and home numbers have been provided to Ford in hopes of a real contact with someone that can fix the problem. So they keep calling the house and leaving a message. Yet they will not return three voice mail messages that I left today. Ford did offer an extended warranty, but as soon as they offered it they stated they couldn't make the offer and it wouldn't cover the water leak anyway. How stupid. We are very frustrated with bob bell Ford, Ford and the local glass repair company. We know that this problem exists for many Freestyle owners crossing several years 2005-2007. So why can't Ford figure out how to fix it. Our warranty expires this month. Where do we turn next?.



Freestyle Service Bulletins
Freestyle Safety Recalls
Freestyle Defect Investigations