This is the second time we are having to replace the rear brakes on this car! The first time was somewhere around 20000 miles and now at 51000. Not to mention the 3 times we have had to have the struts replaced!!! Just over a month ago our rear side window blew out as we were driving down the highway- noone in sight... I thought that a rock had hit the window, but it was blown out from the inside- totally shattered. We have had trouble with this car from day 1. The struts, steering column, gas pedal, warped molding, brakes, and the horrible cabin pressure when the windows are only part way down. I definitely think that we need a class action lawsuit here. Ford needs to be held responsible for this piece of crap they are selling to us unsuspecting consumers.

I am very upset about my back brakes wearing out on my 2005 Ford Freestyle. I have only 27,000 miles on my car and my front brakes are fine. I decided to see if any other Freestyle owners had problems with their rear brakes and the responses I found on the web were overwhelming. I proceeded to call Ford and ask why they haven't declared a recall on the rear brake system and I was told, "We are not aware of a problem until now. If more people would inform us of this problem, then maybe we could look into having it resolved,(with a recall)." You can't tell me that out of ALL the complaints posted on numerous web sites that I am the only Freestyle owner that has actually called and complained of this problem. So, I am encouraging all Ford Freestyle owners having problems with their rear brakes failing, wearing down,(whatever the case) prematurely, PLEASE call Ford Motor Company at 1-800-392-3673. It's your money that will continue to pay for brake repairs and it is your children you tote back and forth in these automobiles with faulty brakes, so the choice is yours... call and let them know that this is a very evident problem that needs to be resolved immediately.

I noticed a grinding sound in the rear wheel area. Never occurred to me it could possibly be the brakes at only 26,500 miles, especially since I drive like a little old lady! But it was. Both rear brake pads worn to a nub and the rotors damaged. Had to replace pads and rotors on rear. Same story as all the other complaints. Dealer says this is now normal and that 25k-30k miles is all you get with brake pads and that it is maintenance and not under warranty, blah, blah, blah. Apparently the dealer never noted the wear in previous inspections, the last being less than 5,000 miles ago. This dealer warrants the new brake pads for life and will replace them forevermore free of charge. Thought that was odd and suspect this is their way of salving their many unhappy customers. This is reportedly an admitted design flaw and that does not surprise me since this is a first year of this model. But that Ford would not make good on their product is a disappointment. I'll wait for the class action law suit I guess. And have my brakes checked every 5,000 miles or so from here on.

I was told in December my brakes were going, then I said too close to x-mas, then I bought my own brakes and brought my car to a friend who has an auto repair shop. They fixed my brakes and calipers and rotors which cost me $265.. Then my friends called PRIME service dept and (Brock) said it was covered, bring the bills in. I could go into it further ,however when I brought my bills in - they said no I had to claim it before 12/31/07. I spoke to supervisor and he was useless too. I will file a complaint with the AG of Maine

Wife noticed a sound from brakes. I noticed a 1/2" wide gouge in the left rear rotor. Took it to Simi Valley Ford. They shuffled nervously and gave me a bull- excuse. Having turned a wrench or two in my life, I have never heard of rear disk breaks failing in 20,000 miles. I had Ford give me the parts. Upon further examination these pads are undersized for the size of this vehicle. There was also uneven wear on the left pads the inner pad had plenty of material left while the outer pad wore through to the rivet. The right pads hadn't worn through, but the rotor thickness was out of spec and it had to be replaced as well. I PLAN ON SENDING A LETTER TO FORD AND FOLLOWING UP WITH A SMALL CLAIMS ACTION UNLESS I FIND A CLASS ACTION SUIT IS WARRANTED

This is ridiculous, Before 30,000 miles we began having trouble with the brakes, front and back. We just had the front ones replaced by our mechanic, when he called to check on the reason for the brakes going bad at such low mileage, he was told that Ford uses really "hard" brake pads and they were wearing the rotors. This is STUPID!!! We have always bought Ford vehicles but now we are thinking of buying something else. Someone needs to do something, I am calling our local Ford dealership today to make a complaint, think it will do any good? This Freestyle has been the worst vehicle we have ever had!

Rear brake shoes started grinding at 37,000 miles. Got new shoes, but getting the caliper off and the piston pushed in was a bear. Brake system self-compensates, so you have to open both rear brake line valves and then get a special tool from the auto parts store and use an air gun to drill in the piston. and make sure you know left from right side, because the left/drivers side screws in clock-wise and the right/passenger side screws in counter clock-wise. now, 4 months later, i get a letter from Ford saying the brake shoes got "wet" and may have "expanded" which would cause them to drag and wear prematurely. Ford will replace your brakes if still under warranty, or until 31 Dec 2007. i'm looking for my receipt so i can get my $75 back...

Up until this time I had no complaints with my Freestyle. I expected there to be something with this being the first year but come on new brakes after 27,000 miles!!! I drive a GMC truck for work that has over 50,000 miles and the brakes are not ready to replace yet. It sounds like they have fixed this for 2006 so they should go back and help out the people who invested in this car the first year. I am still mad about the fact that I purchased this car and a month later they dropped the prices with the employee pricing so my resale value is almost less than what I owe.

Seems to be a common theme with 2005 Ford Freestyles, rear brakes and rotors that go out of conditions early! At 27,000 miles it's ridiculous to have the rotors and disc brakes go to metal on metal. Then to have Ford pretend that it's normal to have these types of problems. I've owned 10 other vehicles, my first Ford, and none of these other makes or models have had an issue, and some have had over 90,000 miles! You'll note via Consumer Reports that Ford has also noted this problem as their 2005 rating on Freestyle brakes was well below average, while the 2006 Freestyle is rated well above. Ford should implement a full recall or at least a inclusion under warranty on the 2005 Freestyle for brake replacement, but they won't as customers are not their concern, their recent financial results/problems clearly indicates that the customer and their satisfaction is not their primary concern.

August 06 was the last time I had any problems with my brakes. It is now March 07 and I am having the same problem with my 05 Freestyle. The rear pads and rotors need to be replaced and Ford will not cover the cost. The first time it happeden was at 20k miles and they fixed it after I made a scene at the dealership. Now no matter how much I yell and scream they are holding firm and saying it is part of the design, to lessen the amount of braking the fronts do. But if I have to replace or repair my reasrs every 15k to 20k miles I am going to be very pissed.

I had noticed a noise coming from the back of my car. I took the car in for a look. Ford told me that my breaks had worn down to the rotors and both had to be replaced. The where going to charge me $600 to make the repair. At 18560 miles my breaks went out, that’s crazy. We shouldn’t have to pay for that and I know of at least 2 other people that have had the same problem. This Is not cool. I am taking the time to get a hold of the manufacture rep. for Ford. I will up date the out come of this when I have some more answers. So far I have been told Tuff-luck.