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ProblemsByVin File / 2005-FORD-FREESTAR
2005 · ford

ford Freestar problems

1 safety recall. 885 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
6.6 / 10

Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
654 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
engine
50 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
36 reports · avg $850
moderate
body
24 reports · avg $1,500
severe
brakes
20 reports · avg $450
moderate
steering
19 reports · avg $700
moderate
cruise control
18 reports · avg $600
severe
suspension
10 reports · avg $900
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2005 Freestar · powertrain
JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT 05 FORD FREESTAR VAN, 3 MONTHS AGO IN MY DRIVEWAY IT REFUSED TO GO FORWARD, I PARKED IT BECAUSE I HAD SOMETHING ELSE TO DRIVE. MORNING OF DECEMBER 30, 2019 MY OTHER AUTOMOBILE TIMING CHAIN BROKE SO I'VE BEEN TRYING FRANTICALLY TO FIX THIS VAN, I'VE REPLACED…
12/31/2019 · NHTSA ODI #11292356.0
2005 Freestar · powertrain
WHILE DRIVING MY FORD FREESTAR I LOST POWER I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE AT THAT POINT. COULD GET THE RPM'S UP BUT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE PLACE I TOOK IT TO SAID IT SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. I CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS…
12/31/2009 · NHTSA ODI #10297715.0
2005 Freestar · powertrain
TRAVELING NORTH ON I-75 IN MICHIGAN, OUR VAN LOST ALL GEARS AT 50-60 MPH WITH NO WARNING OR NOISE. BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THE VAN WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE ON A DOWNHILL STRETCH OF ROAD AND WE COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE WOULD REV AND THERE WAS POWER, BUT NO GEARS. WE WERE…
12/31/2008 · NHTSA ODI #10253357.0
2005 Freestar · powertrain
2005 FORD FREESTAR - 2ND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. IN MARCH 2009 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON OUR 2005 FREESTAR. NO WARNING, LIKE ALL OTHERS WITH PROBLEMS, IT WAS LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL & WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. SERVICE TECH INFORMED US THAT 2005 FREESTARS HAVE TRANSMISSION…
12/30/2010 · NHTSA ODI #10373482.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 12V006000 09/01/2012

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES

THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2005 Ford Freestar reliable?

It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 885 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2005 Ford Freestar has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.

What's the most common problem on the 2005 Ford Freestar?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 654 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Ford Freestar has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2005 Ford Freestar?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 885 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 6 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with ford. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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