FORD Freestyle Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used FORD Freestyle options? We analyzed 3 model years (2005–2007) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
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Found a FORD Freestyle? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the FORD Freestyle has 3,652 owner complaints and 3 safety recalls across model years 2005–2007. The most reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. 2005 drew the most complaints; 2007 drew the fewest.
- Make
- FORD
- Model
- Freestyle
- Model years analyzed
- 2005–2007 (3 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 3,652
- Safety recall campaigns
- 3
- Crash-related complaints
- 101
- Fire-related complaints
- 14
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2005 (1,459 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2007 (893 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
FORD Freestyle: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe FORD FREESTYLE has 3,652 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. 101 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 3,652 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 3 federal recall campaigns
- 101 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
3 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:MOUNTING
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2005–2007. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 3,652 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
3,652 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was also hesitating before moving forward when the gear shifter was shifted into drive. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was an internal failure that had caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
Under carriage is completely rotten floor boards ,shock mounts, rear frame. Garage on lunenburg st.in Fitchburg,MA said that it was so rotten that he couldn't find a safe spot to put the car on the lift to do exhaust work. Put in a complaint in Sept 2023 with NHTSA ID number 11544728. I explained to them that I had contacted Ford Motor Co. and Ford didn't want to hear it. This car is problematic.Transmission does not shift properly. This vehicle never had a recall. There is dozens of consumer complaints. This vehicle is a hazard on the road and is very expensive to repair. Under carriage is unrepairable making this vehicle junk.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the transmission failed to shift properly. The contact stated that the transmission warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the floorboard, undercarriage, and shock mounts were rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and determined that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was unknown.
I had an oil change for vehicle. Service technician listed on report of vehicle that the subframe has several holes in it and a long crack along the seam . It was serviced by the facility that does my servicing so I believe that qualifies as a dealer. I transport four children back and forth to school and am very concerned about the vehicle “ falling apart!” I understand that the Taurus and the Freestar have the same subframe and those have been recalled. I would think that the Freestyle should be recalled also. There were no warning lights or messages related to this problem. I have now reported this and am asking you to take action to repair this problem. Thank you!
Front crossmember/subframe that supports the motor and transmission as well as connects controls arms for both front wheels rusted out almost causing an accident due to loss of vehicle control.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH or above, the vehicle would suddenly go into limp mode and fail to accelerate. There was a warning light that displayed a wrench however, the contact did not know what was indicated specifically. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that after researching the cause of the failure he became aware that the transmission was faulty. Additionally, that type of transmission was discontinued by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Read 14 more owner reports
THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING NOISE THEN A WRENCH LIGHT SHORTLY AFTER CAME ON AND MOTOR/ TRANSMISSION MAYBE REVES VERY HIGH AND CAN'T DRIVE IT
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE 2WD CVT TRANSMISSION MAKING NOISE IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. TOOK TO MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE INPUT SHAFT AND BEARING WAS BAD. TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID SAME THING. DID RESEARCH AND FOUND HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUE.
WHEN DRIVING THE CAR SUDDENLY LURCHES FORWARD. I HAVE HAD THE CAR 3 DAYS AND IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE. BOTH TIMES I WAS ON CITY STREETS DRIVING UP A SLIGHT INCLINE. THE FIRST TIME I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH. TWO DIFFERENT TOWNS TWO DIFFERENT HILLS. THE FIRST WAS A FREEWAY OVERPASS AND THE SECOND WAS JUST A STREET ON A HILL. TODAY I HAD JUST PULLED OUT FROM A STOP SIGN AND WAS ACCELERATING UP THE HILL BETWEEN 20-30 MPH IT LURCHED/SURGED AGAIN!
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE FORD FREESTYLE HAD A SUDDEN JOLT/WIGGLE DURING A LONG SWEEPING TURN TO THE LEFT. CONTINUED DRIVING HOME FOR 200 MILES WITHOUT ISSUES. THE DRIVER'S REAR WHEEL APPEARED CROOKED (SPLAYING OUT) AFTERWARDS. CAR WAS BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION AND THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS BROKEN. MECHANIC NOTICED LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST. CAR HAS 161K MILES.
2007 FORD FREESTYLE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BRAKE HOSE LEAK. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED, NEARLY CAUSING A CRASH. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A BREAKLINE HOSE CONNECTED TO THE ABS RUPTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.*JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO STALL WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT APPEARING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK. THE CONTACT THEN PLACED THE VEHICLE BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE HESITATED UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FAILED ACCELERATE ABOVE 15 MPH. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO RESTARTED THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS AT STAND STILL AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU AND AFTER TURNING ON THE AC, WHEN THE VEHICLE JERKED FORCEFULLY FORWARD AND STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED AS OF YET. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS MOTHER WHO OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS MOTHER WAS IDLING AT A FAST FOOD DRIVE THRU, THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HER RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
MY 2007 FORD FREESTYLE IS LUNGING WHEN I AM STOPPED AND TAKE MY FOOT OFF BRAKE PEDAL. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS THIS COULD EASILY CAUSED OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE OR EVEN BODILY INJURY SHOULD SOMEONE BE WALKING IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. I SEE THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM. THE LUNGING SEEMS WORSE WHEN IT IS HOT OUTSIDE AND CAR AC IS ON. IF VEHICLE IS ALLOWED TO IDLE IN HOT WEATHER FOR MORE THAN 5-10 MINUTES THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL GENERALLY COME OUT AND ENGINE WILL DIE. AN ACCIDENT COULD EASILY OCCUR WHICH WOULD NOT BE THE FAULT OF THE DRIVER.
WELL I NOTICED THIS ISSUE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, I BOUGHT THE CAR BACK IN JULY OF 2019 WITH 123,000 MILES. WHENEVER I GO TO PARK OR REVERSE WITH THE A/C ON OR ANYTHING MY CAR LUNGES WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE ACCELERATION AND I HAVE TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES NOT TO HIT ANYTHING. AND TODAY I REVERSED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT AND IT LUNGES AS USUAL AND WHEN I STARTED DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD A WRENCH LIGHT FLASHED ON AND I WASN'T GETTING AS MUCH ACCELERATION AS USUAL. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR. IT JUST SCARES ME WITH IT LUNGING AND SPEEDING UP ON ITS OWN IN DRIVE THRUS, PARKING LOTS/SPOTS, AND SIMPLY WHEN I'M SITTING AND TURN MY WHEEL JUST A LITTLE BIT IT DECIDES IT WANTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS ON! ALL THIS HAPPENED MOSTLY WHEN I JUST START DRIVING, OR PULLING IN SOMEWHERE OR REVERSING, AND SOMETIMES WHEN I'M STATIONARY AT A DRIVE THRU.
DURING LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SURGES!. WITHOUT HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN HARD THIS WOULD HAVE RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE AND IN SOME CASES OTHERS. THIS OCCURS SOMETIMES AT A COMPLETE STOP LIKE IN LINE AT A RESTAURANT OR EVEN IN A PARKING SPOT. THIS OBVIOUSLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR (DRIVE). THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES AND USUALLY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP. IT HAS ALSO DIED AFTER THE SURGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND THEN DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
LUNGING, LUGGING, WHILE STATIONARY OR AT LOW SPEED, FORWARD OR REVERSE, WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I SEE THIS SAME COMPLAINT HUNDREDS OF TIMES ON THIS NHTSA SITE AS WELL AS INTERNET SEARCHES. AFTER READING NUMEROUS DETAILED ISSUES AND MATCHING MINE TO SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE IS THE THROTTLE BODY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY TRUSTED MECHANIC FOR REMOVAL AND THOROUGH CLEANING. THIS INEXPENSIVE REPAIR RESOLVED THE ENGINE LUNGING ISSUE. PLEASE PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION TO FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENTS VIA BULLETINS OR WHATEVER, SO THIS PROBLEM CAN BE RESOLVED EASILY AND QUICKLY. THE LUNGING IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, WITH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGING FORWARD FROM AN IDLING POSITION WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I SEE THAT EXPENSIVE, UNNECESSARY REPAIRS ARE BEING PERFORMED WHICH HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUE. IT IS A THROTTLE BODY THAT JUST NEEDS TO BE CLEANED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE POWER TRAIN AND BATTERY WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT AN UNKNOWN COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE'S BATTERY AND BODY CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 161,000.
Showing 20 of 3,652 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact FORD Freestyle
These pages show model-year patterns across 3 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used FORD Freestyle, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The FORD Freestyle has 3,652 complaints on record across 3 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The FORD Freestyle has 3 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 101 of the FORD Freestyle's 3,652 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all FORD Freestyle vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two FORD Freestyle vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The FORD Freestyle has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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Check a FORD Freestyle by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used FORD Freestyle.
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FORD Freestyle reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the FORD Freestyle reliable?
Poor. The FORD Freestyle has 3,652 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which FORD Freestyle years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2005 (1,459 complaints), 2006 (1,300 complaints), 2007 (893 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common FORD Freestyle problems?
Top reported issues: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1,617 complaints); POWER TRAIN (1,291 complaints); ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (347 complaints).
Does the FORD Freestyle have recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the FORD Freestyle. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.