The Lemon Index
20061st generation
Avoid · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
171 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2005 Toyota Highlander 652005 Honda Pilot 542005 Ford Explorer 53
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2005 Ford Freestyle
- Throttle body / loss of power363 complaintsmostly at 58,000–102,000 miles (93,000–164,000 km)
- Engine stalling203 complaintsmostly at 61,000–110,000 miles (98,000–177,000 km)
- Transmission failure46 complaintsmostly at 79,000–117,000 miles (127,000–188,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,459 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Freestyle (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 42,000 miles (16,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 138 complaints, of all 171 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 06V383000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 05V515000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any shudder, whine or slipping from the CVT? Ask for CVT fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Ford sent dealers 43 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 171 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 42K miles (16K to 68K km) on the car (138 of all 171 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Dt*: the contact stated a noise was heard while depressing the brake pedal coupled with rough stops. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who determined the rotors and pads needed to be replaced. 08/04/06. Updated.
2005 Ford Freestyle owner · NHTSA complaint 10163034
More owner reports
Premature brake wear and grinding noise from rear wheel area.
NHTSA complaint 10181876
The right rear brake caliper has locked up and is not working, I have an '05 Ford freestlye sel 2wd. It has burnt through 2 brake pads already.
NHTSA complaint 10178730
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 2.2M views · 2005–2007 Ford Freestyle
Most-watched topics
- Transmission & shifter295K views
2007 Ford Freestyle Engine/Transmission Issuemkm230 · 204K views · 3 videos - Cooling system151K views
2005-2007 Ford Freestyle Five Hundred Overheating: WARNING Never Use Aftermarket Water Pumps!FordTechMakuloco · 97K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank144K views
How to Install Fuel Pump Assembly E2465M in a 2005 - 2007 Ford FreestyleAirtex-ASC Performance Pumps · 144K views - Heat, A/C & blend door134K views
How to access the low side A/C port 2006 Ford Freestylestevenofpa · 53K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine94K views
Running rough misfire codes Ford Freestyle 3.0L V6 2005 2006 map sensor problem in EGR valveFixing cars and stuff · 93K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors53K views
2007 Ford Freestyle throttle body replacement.GenXBen77 · 27K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets44K views
How to Replace Valve Cover Gaskets 2005 - 2007 Ford Fivehundred / Ford Freestyle / Mercury MontegoDee Struggles · 44K views - Windows, doors & mirrors38K views
How To Remove 2005-2007 Ford Freestyle Door PanelMartin's Used Cars & Collectibles LLC · 23K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Ford freestyle 2007 problemslramire3 · 5K views
2005 Ford Freestyle electrical problems.pt.2Robin McCracken · 503 views
2005 Ford Freestyle electrical problems.Robin McCracken · 469 viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2005 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 43 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis
- Battery light illuminated
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, …
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE STRAPS THAT SECURE THE FUEL TANK TO THE VEHICLE BODY MAY BREAK, CAUSING THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD TO DROP ON THE DRIVESHAFT (ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES) OR EXHAUST SYSTEM (F…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedIdle instability2011–2013
- ClosedInstrument cluster failure2007–2008
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Freestyle year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Ford Freestyle years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-freestyle/?y=2005" title="Ford Freestyle reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-freestyle/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Ford Freestyle reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Ford Freestyle reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 290; 100 is average, lower is better). The Ford Freestyle year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2006.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Freestyle problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (46%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Freestyle have?
2 safety recalls (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Freestyle get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Freestyle problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 10,000 and 42,000 miles (16,000–68,000 km) (the middle half of the 138 complaints, of all 171 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2005 Ford Freestyle have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Ford Freestyle cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Ford Freestyle have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Freestyle year is better than the 2005?
Nearby, the 2006 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about 3 times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works