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.
Transmission is going out and can't afford to repair because of ridiculous cost. Seat belt in middle seat is stuck and my children can't sit in that seat because it is stuck. Very unhappy with this Ford buy. I do not feel safe in my family vehicle!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the wrench icon and the traction control warning indicator illuminated as the vehicle exhibited an abnormal reduction in power. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 116,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that the check engine, wrench icon and the traction control warning indicators illuminated as the vehicle exhibited an abnormal reduction in power. The engine rpms also increased abnormally as the vehicle lunged forward. The failure was recurring over a two year span. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the technician could not diagnose the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure was 90,000.
The contact owns 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle began to shake and would not shift out of gear. The contact moved the vehicle off the roadway, shut off and restarted. The vehicle resumed normally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
- Mckee, KY, USA
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When stopping, idling, putting car in gear, etc., the car will lunge almost striking car ahead of me. It seems to be worse when the ac is on or if my steering wheel is turned. I usually put my car in neutral while stopping in a drive thru or at a traffic light because I fear I'm going to hit someone. If I put my car in park, the engine revs very high until you turn off the car. This is extremely dangerous!!
We purchased a used 2005 Ford Freestyle on April 4, 2013. It had 74,590 miles on it. On October 1, 2013 the ctv transmission began to fail. Check engine and check transmission warnings came on, the car would not accelerate past 10mph, it lurched and crunched at 3500-4000rpms. We made it less than one block before it just stopped in the road. Turning the engine off and back one, I was able to get back to ten mph and limp it back home. Later that day after disconnecting the battery for ten minutes, the car fired up no problem and was drivable until the October 3, 2013 where this action repeated but it didn't even make it a block before stopping. Again, by turning the engine off and back on I was able to limp it home. My husband was able to get it started one more time and took it to the mechanic. After an afternoon of full diagnoses, we were told it needed a new refurbed (so not even new) transmission for $6400! we were able to limp it home from the mechanics while we consider our options. After researching online this appears to be a well known problem with the ctv transmissions that Ford is fully aware of and has no plans to correct. We would like to know what our options are with this lemon! we haven't even had it for 6 months and it has low mileage. Thank you.
While driving on the freeway the wrench light, and check engine light came on. The car lost significant power, almost resulting in accident would only allow me to drive 40mph, pulled over around 11 times and restarted the car. I was an hour away from home. I had the throttle body cleaned a few months ago at the Ford dealership, they assured me that this would fix the previous problem because the car was lunging forward (which I have already made a formal complaint). However they also stated that it really should be replaced but they were only instructed to clean it and eventually it would get clogged again. When I spoke to them today they stated that there was nothing they could do and I would have to fix at my own expense. I could understand if it was normal wear and tear on the vehicle. However this is a major safety issue. Someone is going to end up hurt by this. I am a family of six and I am really scared for my families safety while in this vehicle. First the lunging backward and forward.... now the car loosing significant power while driving on the freeway... seriously this is not appropriate... please have Ford look further into this or eventually they will be sued by someone. As I was pulled over on the side of the road. Another gentleman stopped and told me that he as well owns a Freestyle and he is having same issues and currently is in the process of a lawsuit with Ford. Too many safety complaints on the vehicle/transmission for Ford not to recall. !!!!!!!!!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the transmission light illuminated as the vehicle began to decelerate independently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection where they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford free style. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph. Transmission warning light illuminated and the transmission failed to operate. She pulled off to the side of the road and started the vehicle back up. She was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for diagnostic testing and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 117,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle came to a complete halt without warning. The contact mentioned that the accelerator pedal failed to engage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 150,000.
While driving the car the check transmission light came on and the car started driving rough and wasn't shifting properly. Drove car back home. Barely made it home due transmission problem. Had car towed to shop and was told that the cvt transmission needed to be replaced at accost of $7426. Car is only worth $4500. No way am I spending over $7000 to fix this. I can buy a whole used Freestyle for the same price. With all the complaints and failures of this transmission Ford needs to replace these free of charge.
2005 Freestyle sat parked at idle (in parking lot) for approximately 7 minutes. Brake pedal was then pressed and gear shift put into "drive". vehicle RPM's immediately went up out of control without foot on accelerator. Vehicle quickly lurched forward about 10 feet before brake pedal was depressed far enough to cease the movement. Speed estimated at 8mph. RPM's continued to increase and vehicle lurched again and traveled about a foot before brake pedal was further depressed enough to cease movement. For about one-half second after brake pedal was depressed, rpms stayed high and then vehicle shook violently and stalled. Dash readout said, "engine failsafe mode". fortunately, no persons were in front of vehicle during incident. One hour later, same day, vehicle would not properly accelerate during passing attempt. Unknown if this issue was related. The next morning, vehicle would not start and hasn't started since. Vehicle currently in auto repair shop (we've been afraid to drive vehicle and will not drive it until situation is rectified).
I purchased my Ford Freestyle in June 2011 and shortly after my car began lunging forward when the air conditioner was on. My car began doing it in forward and reverse gear. I have taken my car to the dealer twice before. They replaced the air compressor, cleaned the throttle body, and reset the computer. This will treat the problem for awhile but it will always come back. Last week I nearly hit a pedestrian in a cross walk when my car decided to lunge forward at a red light with my foot on the brake. My wife has nearly hit cars in drive through lines. Again I put my car in the shop and they are doing the same work as before. I have been pushed into intersections and nearly T-boned. I have almost hit cars when trying to back up. This car is not safe because even with my foot on the brake the car can move 5-8 feet. When the car lunges forward or backward it will most of the time rumble then die, which is dangerous when I am sent into an intersection with cars coming at me. Sometimes I am able to depress the gas pedal all the way, driving at 4000 rpms and slowly move out of the way. I worry about my family of six safety as well as any innocent that may get hurt because of Ford incapability to fix the problem they have created.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle exhibited an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, all of which confirmed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 163,000.
I was backing up out of parking spot, the car lunged backwards. Put the car in drive it lunged forward, idled and the engine fail safe light came on, showing wrench as well. The car stalled out. Luckily I was able to coast into parking lot. I had to let the car sit before being able to start it up again. The car has lunged forward on multiple occasions when at a slow mph or pulling into parking spaces. I'm afraid to drive the car in case this happens again with my daughter in the car. I continue to read the same complaints on this vehicle so hard to believe Ford hasn't done more for the safety of their customers.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving 55 mph, the vehicle repair warning lamp illuminated and failed to maintain or increase speed. The vehicle was not repaired but was diagnosed as a problem with the converter. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would lunge forward and the transmission warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would fail to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician stated that the throttle body was malfunctioning. The technician cleaned the throttle body however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 123,187 and the current mileage was 130,500.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Delta, OH, USA