This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I am very frustrated that I have the same make/model that was included in the 11/8/2006 recall but Ford and NHTSA limited the vehicles to only certain states. During cold weather water is allowed to enter the car door and freeze the latches. The car door latch then freezes making it unsafe and undriveable as the door will not latch. This recall was done on 10/5/2006 under campaign number PE11018 but because my VIN was not included Ford will not fix the safety issue.
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 day I bought me car there was problems. The front passenger side was soak with water ands the dealerships response was to use the heating system to dry it. The car had a high pitch noise and the gears seemed to be tight. If my foot was not on the brake even on an up hill climb the car would roll forward. When I accelerate it revs very high and did not drop much and when you take your foot off the gas it plummets. At about odometer 129689 my car started to sound like a mack truck and it increase it noise level. I was told I need to replace the transmission and it is a special transmission...one of a kind so a used one will run about 2500, a brand new one from Ford will cost around $5K and that does not include labor. Also to rebuild the one you have will cost you because they have to buy another use transmission from another Freestyle and then combine the 2. my odometer is at 136701 today my car is still running somewhat but any day it will explode and die. Trust me Ford is well aware of the problem(s) and will not recall the part(s) unless someone gets hurt or is killed. I will never buy another Ford! they have lost me as a supporter! they only make junk cars or lemons. I wish I realized at the time of purchase that it was a lemon and transmission was already bad. The Ford dealership knew and sold it to me with a smile. I had them fix one thing and they said they will fix that part and there was nothing else" why would they sell a damage car" if you have a Freestyle get rid of it if you can!!!! Ford does not take pride in their workmanship nor stand behind their product.
When it rains water leak inside the car causing the windshield and windows of the car to fog real bad. I had to stop in the middle of I - 65 because I could not see anything. The windshield and the windows fogged so fast that I could not see the highway. This is the third time this has happen to us.
- Enterprise, AL, USA
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A defect in Ford Freestyle 2005. Basically, interior leak that is hidden until a person has a need to look at the spare tire in the trunk area. I noticed moisture months ago, but figured that it was rain water that fell in when I opened the hatch. Recently, I needed to bring my car in for service and figured that it was time to vacuum, etc., since I maintain my property. Sure enough, there has been rusting and rotting--hidden--for a long time. The carpets were wetter--and since I drive with shoes on, I never detected the moisture throughout the floor area--from driving area down to the trunk--mostly along the driver's side. There is tremendous rust on the spare and in the spare compartment--the carpeting is moldy underneath and the floor board has been destroyed by recurrent water damage/mold. I noticed that brown marks on the carpet were not normal wear and tear but rust stains. This would remain a hidden problem if I did not actually pull up some carpet and look. I checked on-line and there are many people who complain of tremendous leakage--throughout the 2005 model. Many of these cannot be found or repaired. This can lead to serious mold and rust damage as well as damage to life saving features such as brakes, etc. The car received a great review so my ex-husband and I purchased it. I was told by Ford that they would not even consider helping me here since I reported the problem after the warranty had expired. Mind you, if I had money for a forensic scientist to assess the dawn of the damage, I am sure that the rust would tell a tale that claims leakage has been taking place for years. I believe that these cars seem to be time bombs waiting to deconstruct. There are many on-line sites where people report leakage. There are many T.B.a.S for this vehicle but leakage is not one of them, although I understand that Ford is aware of the problem but will not deal unless forced to do so. I read at least 50 descriptions of water/leakage to body/rotting.
I purchased a 2005 Ford Freestyle with 30,000 miles in Dec 2006. At 38,000 miles I noticed that the paint on the back of the wheel flares and along the bottom of the vehicle was dulling. It looked to me like the tires were causing dirt and mud to sand blast these areas. I took the vehicle in the dealer and they told me that it was out warranty and there was nothing they could do. I am wondering if anyone else is having this problem.
2005 Ford Freestyle is having intermittent dash board problems. Gauges on digital dashboard will go to zero for no apparent reason while driving. Speedometer will show zero even though the vehicle is traveling at 60 mph.
Reflection on windshield makes visibility very difficult. This causes driving blind for short instances and makes maneuvering/parking in tight spots almost impossible.
Windshield glare unsafe. E.g. rounding corner into sunlight causes dash reflection onto windshield & unable to see objects or vehicles in front. Use of polarized sunglasses helps...but can't wear them all the time. Difficult to judge distance, see other vehicles.
Contact stated the beige color of the dashboard caused a reflection in the windshield, making it difficult to see outside of the vehicle. The service dealer stated they could not redesign. The car, and that the consumer needed to get used to the reflection. The reverse sensor was not loud enough to be heard over the vehicle A/C or radio.
Upon opening either side 2ed row windows harmomic vibration/noise begins at speeds above 30mph sounds like helicopter inside vehicle- very annoying, distracting, hurts ears - contacted dealer and Ford customer service line - both indicate there is no repair for concern, no tsb for item - have printout from dealer indicating problem is "characteristic of this type vehicle and characteristic of other similar vehicles" "recommended solution is for customer to open another window" and that Ford has experienced this problem on vehicles dating back to 1999 - customer service
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Franklin, TN, USA