2005 Ford Freestar recalls and problems

The 2005 Ford Freestar has 3 safety recalls and 886 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Ford dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

886

Crashes / fires

8 / 2

Injuries / deaths

18 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Ford Freestar vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 Ford Freestar recalls

Recall 13V-081: Seats

Reported Mar 7, 2013 · 196,667 vehicles affected · Ford Motor Company

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 12V-006: Power Train

Reported Jan 9, 2012 · 206,452 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

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.

Recall 06V-069: Structure

Reported Mar 9, 2006 · 12,728 vehicles affected · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Problem: 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.

Fix: 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 problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	690
Electrical System	85
Engine	53
Vehicle Speed Control	39
Engine and Engine Cooling	35
Structure	34
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	25
Seats	20
Steering	20
Suspension	10
Unknown or Other	10
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)	9

Most reported parts

Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 376
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter — 36
Structure › Body — 13
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) — 7
Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate — 6
Structure › Body › Door — 5
Power Train › Driveline — 4
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 81,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2005 Ford Freestar complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Power Train · reported Jun 7, 2026

When I was driving my van was loosing power even when I was pushing the gas I had to pull over before a car was about to hit me. I look it up online it had a recall in 2013 but I bought van from someone last year and I called the ford place about the recall and they said couldnât do it Mac hik in Jackson

Seats · at 317,000 miles · reported Jul 17, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat attachments were rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 317,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Power Train · reported May 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized and remained in neutral. The vehicle jerked and shortly returned to normal functionality; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the gear shifter light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure became a recurring failure, and the contact parked the vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer driven. The contact related the failure to NHTSA…

Power Train · reported Oct 17, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped in the middle of the street, however the engine was still on. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not function as intended. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not shift. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact and her son pushed the vehicle to the nearest parking lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…

Power Train · at 350,000 miles · reported Jun 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and releasing the accelerator pedal, the contact noticed an abnormal clucking sound. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated he was able to continue driving; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle only responded when the RPMs were high, and the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it…

Other Ford Freestar years

2007 200620052004

Compare all Ford Freestar years · All Ford models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Freestar have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Ford Freestar: 13V-081 (seats), 12V-006 (power train), 06V-069 (structure). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Ford Freestar?

Owners report power train problems most often (690 reports), followed by electrical system (85). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 81,500 miles.

Are Ford recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Ford dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.