Ford freestar 2005. The radio flashes phone and runs down the battery. It was replaced by Ford, still having the same problem. They don't know what is causing this. Next, transmission failed at 71,000. The torque converter came apart internally and sent metal through the transmission destroying it. When having the transmission replaced by Ford, they found that the drivers cv joint was bad.…
2005 Ford Freestar suspension problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 10 suspension complaints filed for the 2005 Ford Freestar, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Owners report persistent front-wheel bearing failures starting at 66,000 miles, unexplained steering vibration within days of purchase, and rear axle damage causing brake-line rubbing. Dealerships have struggled to diagnose these issues reliably.
The 2005 Freestar suspension generates several distinct failure patterns in owner complaints. Front-wheel bearing noise is the most concrete issue: one owner at 66,000 miles developed a high-pitched whine at highway speed after sustained driving, diagnosed as bearing failure in both front hubs simultaneously and repaired for $775. Another reports loud squealing from the front triggered by hot weather and extended driving, with a dealer initially blaming brake pads before suggesting wheel bearing—but unable to diagnose without hearing the noise live.
Steering vibration appears early: one owner experienced steering-wheel vibration and vehicle shuddering within three days of purchase. The dealer kept the vehicle for extended periods (5 days, then 17 days), replaced rotors twice, changed tires, and had a Ford technical representative run diagnostics—but never resolved it, with the representative eventually suggesting tires were the culprit.
Post-bump vibration is also reported—vehicle shakes after hitting bumps with enough force to extend headrests. At 60 mph, one owner experienced suspension shaking so severe it made the vehicle difficult to control.
One narrative involves a rear axle dent at 169,000 miles causing brake lines to rub the tire; replacement was needed but not completed. The vehicle had prior powertrain work under NHTSA campaign 12V006000.
Failure modes owners describe
Front-wheel bearing noise and failure
Loud squealing or high-pitched whine from the front suspension, typically triggered by heat and extended driving. Mechanics have diagnosed wheel bearing failure and both front hubs failing simultaneously at relatively low mileage.
When: 66,000 miles and after approximately one year of ownership; occurs after sustained driving in warm conditions
Symptoms owners cite: Loud squealing noise from front of vehicle; High-pitched whine at highway speeds; Noise increases with distance traveled and frequency; Noise triggered by hot weather
Repairs/costs cited: Front hub bearing replacement reported at $775; dealer unable to diagnose without hearing noise live
Steering-wheel vibration and vehicle shuddering
Steering wheel vibrates and vehicle shutters, occurring early in vehicle life. Dealership attempted multiple repairs (rotor replacement twice, tire changes) without resolution, including a Ford technical representative's diagnostic evaluation.
When: Within 3 days of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration; Vehicle shudders; Vibration persists after rotor and tire service
Repairs/costs cited: Rotors replaced twice; tires changed; Ford diagnostic machine consulted but root cause unresolved
Suspension vibration after bumps
Vehicle vibrates and shakes after hitting bumps, severe enough to cause headrest movement. Vibration also reported at highway speeds (60 mph) making vehicle control difficult.
When: Mileage not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Vibration and shaking after hitting bumps; Head rests extend due to vibration; Suspension shakes at 60 mph; Difficult vehicle control at highway speed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted by owner
Rear axle dent causing brake-line rubbing
Rear axle developed a dent that caused brake lines to rub against the tire, producing an abnormal noise. Axle replacement was needed but repair was not completed.
When: 169,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal noise from rear passenger side tire at 35 mph
Repairs/costs cited: Rear axle replacement required; not repaired per owner report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; vehicle previously repaired per NHTSA campaign 12V006000 (powertrain)
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Headlight lenses have faded real bad, making it unsafe to drive at night
Had suspension trouble with your 2005 Ford Freestar?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2005 Ford Freestar?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, suspension issues most often appear around 95,061 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2005/Ford/Freestar.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.