2005 Ford Freestar Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2005 Ford Freestar has 886 complaints, the highest of the three model years with data, and ranks worst-first at #1. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 76% of complaints, with 3 recalls including a torque converter output shaft recall.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 3 Freestar years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 886
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 8
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 18
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18
- 16 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 18 / 0
Top 2005 Ford Freestar problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain677 (76%)
- Engine116 (13%)
- Electrical System87 (10%)
- Structure & Body56 (6%)
- Brakes39 (4%)
- Steering19 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires19 (2%)
- Other14 (2%)
- Fuel System13 (1%)
- Airbags8 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicle stalls or shuts off suddenly while driving, sometimes cutting power steering and brakes along with it.
- Transmission loses ability to accelerate or engage forward/reverse without warning, even after failure diagnostics found nothing.
- Engine catches fire while the vehicle is stationary, with no prior warning signs.
- Vehicle unexpectedly lunges forward or backward when the air conditioner is engaged and the transmission is in reverse.
- Fuel leaks from the tank onto the exhaust pipe, raising fire concerns at low mileage.
- Suspension shakes or vibrates at highway speed, especially after hitting bumps, making the vehicle hard to control.
2005 Ford Freestar recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V081000Mar 7, 2013Structure & Body196,667 vehicles
Seats
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.
Risk: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
- NHTSA 12V006000Jan 9, 2012Transmission & Powertrain206,452 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:torque converter
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004 and 2005 ford freestar and mercury monterey vehicles. The torque converter output shaft may fail.
Risk: This condition results in a sudden loss of motive power with no warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will replace the torque converter free of charge. The safety recall began on august 9, 2012. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332.
- NHTSA 06V069000Mar 9, 2006Structure & Body12,728 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
On certain vans equipped with the power liftgate option, the power liftgate motor automatically disengages after the liftgate is powered open.
Risk: In the event of a liftgate strut malfunction, the liftgate can fall freely with no prior warning. Anyone standing beneath the liftgate may be injured if the liftgate falls.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the power liftgate module to reduce the likelihood that the liftgate could fall free of charge. The recall began on march 15, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
2005 Ford Freestar fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 18 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,600
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Freestar years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford Freestar reliable?
- Compared to other Freestar years with data, 2005 has the most owner complaints (886) and the highest complaint index (100), ranking worst among the three years tracked.
- What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Freestar?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate, accounting for 76% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 81,110 miles.
- Does the 2005 Ford Freestar have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA campaign 12V006000 covers 2004 and 2005 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles for a torque converter output shaft that may fail.
- How does the 2005 Freestar compare to the 2006 and 2007 models?
- The 2005 model has a complaint index of 100 versus 50 for 2006 and 0 for 2007, meaning it has reported far more problems relative to those years.
- Were there any fires reported in the 2005 Ford Freestar?
- NHTSA data lists 2 fires among the 886 complaints for the 2005 model year, including an engine fire reported at 122,000 miles.