2005 Ford Freestyle Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 447about this part
- Share
- 31%of 1,459 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 86,100miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 447 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Freestyle, 31% of the 1,459 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 86,100 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving just fine whenever I got it. Not even 20,000 miles later at about 122k miles the transmission is bad and going out. It drives at high RPM but low speeds and will not shift into proper gear. Makes a funny airplane noise from the transmission. This vehicle has been kept up with by me.”
NHTSA complaint #11342877, filed 2020-08, 122,000 miles“Cvt fail, throttle body issue, started in september 2016. Car now has 135,030 miles. Happens continuously, when idle and moving down the road. I sent a letter to Ford and they responded with a sorry...we can't help you . Making helicopter noise. Loses power and goes into failsafe mode. I will attach both letters.”
NHTSA complaint #10939023, filed 2017-01, 129,030 miles“While driving the vehicle on the highway the speed suddenly reduced and the vehicle would not accelerate my than ~40 MPH. My daughter was able to exit the highway and park the vehicle in a nearby parking lot. Once parked and the ignition was turned off the vehicle will no longer start. According to the local Ford dealer the transmission must be replaced at a cost of $6,600.”
NHTSA complaint #10837138, filed 2016-02, 111,000 miles“My 2005 Ford Freestyle is making a helicopter noise Ford dealer said it will need a replacement for 7000 dollars wtf .I can see that this same thing is happening to thousands for Freestyle owners with no recall from Ford don't they stand by their products anymore .this is a defect Ford should replace the transmission on their dime not mine. Please help!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10516187, filed 2013-06, 80,000 miles“I just bought my vehicle and started noticing some issues with the car racing/idling fast. Several times it would lung forward while driving and while foot was on brake almost hitting a car, then stalled & reduced speed and wouldn't accelerate. The wrench light came on. Took it too oreillys and found it is the throttle and throttle sensor. This is a serious issue and dangerous. I want it fixed by Ford asap!”
NHTSA complaint #10892689, filed 2016-08, 97,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11000557May 24, 2024Motorcraft® Continuously Variable Chain-Type Transmission Fluid (XT-7-QCFT in non-Canadian markets, CXT-7-LCF12 in Canada) is no longer manufactured and will only be available…
- 10021220Mar 23, 2007Transmission shifter binding / high effort bezel replacement.
- 10020134Jan 1, 2006Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis.
- 10019914Jan 1, 2006Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10013317Jan 1, 2005Oil leak from power transfer unit.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014624Dec 1, 2004Oil leak from power transfer unit.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Freestyle
587 complaintsFuel system
153 complaintsElectrical system
142 complaintsEngine cooling
129 complaintsEngine
120 complaintsBrakes
105 complaintsOther or unknown
80 complaintsBody and structure
61 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
37 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsSuspension
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Freestyle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology