2005 Ford Freestyle complaints

REAR BRAKES ON RIGHT SIDE FAILED AT 7,800 MILES. WE HAD A NEAR ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF ADEQUATE BRAKE ASSISTANCE. DISK AND PADS WERE DAMAGED. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKES WARRANTY WAS OVERDUE (12 MO.) AND WE HAD TO PAID FOR REPAIRS ON THIRD PARTY SHOP. *JB

2005 FREESTYLE WITH 28,000 MILES WAS BROUGHT IN FOR A RECALL AND OIL CHANGE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THOUGH THE ROTORS WERE OKAY. THE FRONT BRAKES HAD GREATER THAN 50% OF THE PAD MATERIAL LEFT. THE REPRESENTATIVE WENT THROUGH A FEW UNSATISFACTORY EXPLANATIONS (OBVIOUSLY HAD NO CLUE WHAT HE WAS TALKING ABOUT) INCLUDING THE CAR "USES ITS REAR BRAKES TO DO MOST OF THE STOPPING," SOME FREESTYLES "JUST DO THIS," WE ARE NOT DRIVING IT CORRECTLY, AND FINALLY, THE 500 SERIES CARS USE THEIR REAR BRAKE PADS MUCH QUICKER THAN THEIR FRONTS. (THIS IS DESCRIPTIVE, NOT AN EXPLANATION!) WE PAID THE COSTS OF THE ROTOR RESURFACING AND THE NEW PADS. I WAS TOLD THE PAD WEAR WAS EVEN AND THE CALIPERS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. OBVIOUSLY SOMEONE MESSED UP THEIR SUMS IN DESIGNING THE BRAKE SYSTEM, SINCE THIS FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, FRONT ENGINED, SOFTLY SPRUNG CAR SHOULD USE ITS FRONT BRAKES MUCH MORE THAN THE REARS TO GENERATE ITS STOPPING POWER. IF THE REARS ARE WEARING OUT PADS TWICE AS FAST AS THE FRONTS, THEY ARE NOT "QUITE RIGHT." PERHAPS BIGGER REAR BRAKES AND A PROPORTIONING VALVE ADJUSTMENT ARE WHAT IS NEEDED, BUT FORD HAS MISSED THE BOAT HERE AND IT WILL COST US, OF COURSE. *NM

RE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 06V383000 : I HAD MY LOCAL DEALER PERFORM THE SERVICE OUTLINED IN THE RECALL IN LATE NOVEMBER. SINCE THEN, ON TWO OCCASIONS THE DRIVERS DOOR HAS FAILED TO LATCH WITHOUT REPEATED HARD SLAMMING. I DON'T THINK WHAT THEY DID HAS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *JB

AT ABOUT 26,000 MILES BEGAN HEARING METAL SOUNDS FROM REAR BRAKES WHEN STOPPING THE CAR. BROUGHT THE CAR INTO A DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT ROTORS AND PADS WERE SHOT, AND THEY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SEVERAL INTERNET SEARCHES, I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURE DESIGN. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF, INTERMITTENTLY IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, HOWEVER THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE PAPERS THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE STARTER. THE CONSUMER ALSO EXPERIENCED HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION. UPDATED 12/28/06. *JB

NOTICED REAR BRAKE NOISE ON RIGHT REAR. AT 17,529 MILES, FORD DEALER CHECKED AND CLAIMED REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED REPLACING AT COST OF APPROX. $400. DEALER CLAIMS NO WARRANTED ITEMS RELATING TO REAR BRAKES ARE COVERED. HAVE BEEN DRIVING NEW FORD VEHICLES SINCE 1980 AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE BEFORE. *JB

I TOOK MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE WITH LESS THAN 15000 MILES IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE COMPLETELY WORN AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF OVER $300.00 AND THE PROBLEM WAS NOT IN WARRANTY. I DECIDED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BUT I COMPLAINED TO THE MANAGER AND AFTER MUCH DISCUSSION HE ADJUSTED THE BILL (THE MANAGER SAID ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD THE EXACT PROBLEM WITH AN 05 FREESTYLE THE SAME WEEK). MY QUESTION IS HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS OF THE REAR BRAKES GOING ON 2005 FREESTYLES? THERE VERY WELL COULD BE A DEFECT IN THE BRAKES. THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE ALTHOUGH I DID ASK TO SEE THEM BUT DURING THE HEAT OF MY PROTEST I FORGOT ABOUT THE PARTS AND LEFT WHEN THE WORK WAS FINISHED. *NM

PREMATURE REAR BRAKE WEAR ON 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE BRAKES WORE OUT BY 20000 MILES, WHILE THE FRONT BRAKE ARE STILL IN GOOD CONDITION. PROBLEM WAS FOUND DURING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE. *NM

MY 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL TURNED OFF WHEN I TURNED A CORNER. I WAS TURNING A CORNER FROM ONE ROAD TO ANOTHER AND MY FREESTYLE SHUT OFF AND ALL OF THE GAUGE AND WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON. I PULLED OVER, SHUT IT OFF AND TURNED IT ON AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEM. *NM

NOISE FROM REAR REPORTED TO DEALER AT 19,000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT BRAKES WERE WORE TO THE METAL AND THAT BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED REPLACED. DEALER STATED THAT CAR MUST HAVE BEEN DRIVEN WITH EMERGENCY BRAKE ON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, WHICH IT WAS NOT. TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR SECOND OPINION, WAS TOLD THE SAME THING. DEALER COULD NOT FIND FAULTY PART FOR IT TO BE CONSIDERED WARRANTY WORK. HAD TO REPLACE REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS. *JB

SIDE DOOR LOCKS AND FREEZE DURING THE WINTER. DOOR HAS OPENED WHILE DRIVING. *JB

A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION AT 16,410 MILES REVEALED THAT THE REAR BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE WERE SEVERELY WORN. THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN STATED THE BRAKE PADS WERE DANGEROUSLY THIN. SUBSEQUENTLY, REPAIR OF THE BRAKES BY THE DEALER OF PURCHASE ENTAILED NEW PADS AND RESURFACING OF THE ROTORS. PREMATURE WEAR AND POSSIBLE BRAKE FAILURE IS OF CONCERN. I HAVE ASKED BOTH THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (FORD) FOR ASSURANCES THAT PREMATURE WEAR WILL NOT REOCCUR AND NONE WAS PROVIDED. FURTHERMORE THEY PROVIDED NO REMEDY. *NM

REAR BRAKES FAILED AT 31,000 MILES. DEALERSHIP SAID THE BRAKES AND ROTORS WERE DOWN TO THE METAL AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FRONT BRAKES WERE FINE. WAS TOLD THAT THEY CHECKED THE CALIPERS TO SEE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM AND WOULD POSSIBLY BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY WERE NOT. AFTER CHECKING TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD PROBLEMS, FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH ON DRY ROADS, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES RAISED UP TO THE HIGHEST READINGS, THEN DROPPED DOWN TO THE LOWEST AND SUBSEQUENTLY DID NOT FUNCTION. ALSO, WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. FINALLY, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS A CONTINUOUS TRANSMISSION, THERE WAS STILL A MODERATE SHIFT SHOCK BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WERE UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO NOTIFIED.

PURCHASED BRAND NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE . WITHIN THE FIRST FEW DAYS REAR BRAKES WERE HEARD DRAGGING AND BRAKE DUST WAS ALL OVER REAR WHEEL. RETURNED TO DEALER WHO SPRAYED THE BRAKES WITH BRAKE CLEANER AND SAID "NO PROBLEM FOUND." DROVE CAR FOR 20K MILES AS IS, RETURNED IT TO DEALER WITH BRAKE COMPLAINTS. DEALER SAID NO PROBLEM FOUND. TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER AT 33K MILES, DEALER SAID PADS WERE METAL TO METAL AND ROTORS DAMAGED. DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR WARRANTY. LOOKING AROUND THERE ARE AT LEAST 20 OTHER PEOPLE IN FORUM ON EDMUNDS.COM REPORTING SAME ISSUES. MY UNDERLYING CONCERN IS PREMATURE BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN OF THE ELECTRICAL BRAKE BALANCING SYSTEM IN THE 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A NOISE WAS HEARD WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL COUPLED WITH ROUGH STOPS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ROTORS AND PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. 08/04/06. UPDATED. *TT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN DECEMBER 2005. THE NHTSA RECALL, #05V515000 WAS REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: TANK ASSEMBLY: MOUNTING. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE RECALL HOWEVER THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE RECALL IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED.

REAR BRAKE PADS FAILED AFTER 21264 MILES FRONT PADS WERE FINE FORD DEALERSHIP AND CUSTOMER SERVICE STATED WHILE THEY DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED BUT WOULD REPAIR THE BRAKES. THEY STATED THEY HAD NOT SEEN IT BEFORE AND COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. THIS AFTERNOON A VISITOR WITH A FREESTYLE STATED THAT AFTER 22,000 MILES THEY HAD TO HAVE A REAR BRAKE JOB WHICH WAS SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY. A QUICK VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE AUTOMOBILE SHOWED A SIMILAR FAILURE TO WHAT WE HAD EXPERIENCED. SINCE MOST BRAKING IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE FRONT BRAKES THIS COULD BE AN INDICATION OF A SERIOUS FLAW IN THE 2005 FREESTYLE BRAKE SYSTEM. *JB

REFLECTION ON WINDSHIELD MAKES VISIBILITY VERY DIFFICULT. THIS CAUSES DRIVING BLIND FOR SHORT INSTANCES AND MAKES MANEUVERING/PARKING IN TIGHT SPOTS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE. *NM

I PURCHASED A FORD FREESTYLE ON MAY 5, 2005. SIX MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING IT I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS. THE FIRST WAS THE STRUT BEARING AT 5,000 MILES. THEN ANOTHER STRUT BEARING A MONTH OR SO LATER. DURING THIS TIME I NOTICED HEAVY BRAKE DUST ON BACK WHEELS. EVERYTIME I TOOK IT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE I HAD THEM CHECK THE BRAKES. THEY ALWAYS TOLD ME THEIR WAS NO PROBLEM. THEN I HAD TO TAKE IT IN FOR THE HOOD VIBRATING, AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT HOOD LATCH. AT 12,000 MILES THE REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, BECAUSE THE PAD WERE DOWN TO METAL, THEY ALSO HAD TO TURN THE ROTORS AT THIS TIME, TOO. A RIGHT REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WENT OUT AT THIS TIME. NOW THE VEHICLE HAS 13,600 MILES AND ANOTHER (LEFT SIDE) TURN SIGNAL LAMP HAS FAILED. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN IT AFTER HAVING SO MANY PROBLEMS. MY FIVE YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DOES NOT EVEN FEEL SAFE. *JB

2005 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION HAS A DEFECT IN THAT IT WILL SPORADICALLY AND RANDOMLY DRAMATICALLY CHANGE GEAR RATIOS RESULTING IN A VERY NOTICEABLE INCREASE IN RPM. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS IS THAT THE ENGINE UNDERGOES MODERATE TO SEVERE ENGINE BRAKING SIGNIFICANTLY SLOWING DOWN THE CAR WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS CAUSED A NUMBER OF NEAR ACCIDENTS AS CARS FOLLOWING CLOSELY BEHIND HAVE NO WARNING THAT THE CAR WILL SLOW DOWN VERY AGGRESSIVELY IN FRONT OF THEM. I HAVE REPORTED THE DEFECT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (FRONTIER FORD IN SUNNYVALE, CALIFORNIA) AND IT HAS BEEN IN THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THREE SEPARATE TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM AND HAVE NOT PROVIDED ACCEPTABLE OPTIONS TO FIX THE PROBLEM, APPARENTLY UNCONCERNED ABOUT THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK POSED BY THE DEFECT. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT OCCURRED SATURDAY APRIL 15, 2006. *JB

HI: THE CVT TRANSMISSION SURGES AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 MILES THIS IS ON OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE SEL. IT CONTINUES TO DO THIS AND HAS BEING BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM AND AS OF YET THEY HAVE NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE AIR BAG LAMP ILLUMINATED AND THE INSTRUMENT GAUGES FELL TO ZERO. THIS LASTED FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. UPDATED 10/06/06.*JB

2005 FREESTYLE DOES NOT PERFORM WELL IN WINTER CONDITIONS. THERE IS MINIMAL TRACTION WHEN DRIVING IN WINTER CONDITIONS. *TS THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SLIDES AND BECOMES STUCK IN SNOW EASILY. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO SNOW TIRES DESIGNED FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP SNOW TIRES WERE AVAILABLE, HOWEVER THEY WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. THE CONSUMER STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY SNOW TIRES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WERE NOT A VERY AGGRESSIVE TREAD, BUT IT WAS RECOMMENDED NOT TO CHANGE THE TIRES. *JB

2005 FORD FREESTYLE: DANGEROUS IN MILD WINTER WEATHER AND CONDITIONS. VEHICLE DOES NOT PERFORM IN WINTER WEATHER. VEHICLE SLIDES, SLIPS, GRINDING OF BRAKES AND BUCKING OF VEHICLE, VIBRATING OF STEERING WHEEL, ALL IN LESS THAN 3 INCHES OF SNOW. NO SNOW TIRES MADE FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE ACCORDING TO DEALER AND NON-DEALER AFFILIATED VENDORS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS MODIFIED TO ALLOW THE DRIVER TO BE SEATED IN A WHEEL CHAIR. SHORTLY AFTER THE MODIFICATION A PROBLEM BEGAN WHILE ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO LOWER THE RAMP. THE DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AUTOMATICALLY TO ENGAGE THE RAMP FOR EXIT OR ENTRY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER WERE THE MOTHER BOARD WAS REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THE KEYLESS ENTRY REMOTES WERE REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE REMOTES DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE ORIGINAL MODIFICATION DEALER WERE IT WAS INSPECTED AND WAS DETERMINED THE REMOTES WERE OBSTRUCTED BY A FOREIGN BODY WHICH WAS REMOVED. THIS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MOBILITY DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE ENTIRE FLOORING MATERIALS NEEDED TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO SECURE THE LOCK DOWN FOR THE FRONT SEAT WHEEL CHAIR. THIS PROCEDURE WAS COMPLETED TO REMEDY A SECOND PROBLEM THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE EXISTED. ADDITIONALLY, THE INDEPENDENT MOBILITY DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE MOTHER BOARD BECAUSE OF UNPREDICTABILITY. THE DEALER DETERMINED THE ORIGINAL AND REPLACEMENT BOARDS WERE NOT THE APPROPRIATE APPLICATION FOR USE IN THE CONVERSION. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THE USE OF A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT BRAND OF MOTHER BOARD. THE DEALER ORDERED THE NEW MOTHER BOARD AND IS AWAITING SHIPMENT. CURRENTLY THE ONLY WAY THE DOOR AND RAMP CAN BE USED IS BY SOMEONE MANUALLY OPEN

TRANS WOULD FUNCTION NORMALLY AND THEN WHEN YOU PUT IT IN PARK IT STARTS BACKING UP! THEN WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO PLACE THE CAR IN DRIVE IT REVS LIKE IT'S IN NEUTRAL. YOU HAVE TO SHIFT IT INTO LOW TO GET IT INTO DRIVE. THIS ALSO CAUSES IT TO COME OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING. *NM

DT*: THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE OPERATED AT A REDUCED SPEED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. ALTHOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS WORSE IN COLD TEMPERATURES, IT WOULD OCCUR IN ANY CLIMATE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. IN SOME INSTANCES, THE VEHICLE LOUDLY BACK FIRED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SEEN BY A DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, AND SUGGESTED THE CONSUMER LET THE VEHICLE WARM UP PRIOR TO DRIVING. *JB

VIOLENT ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PULSATION DURING HARD BRAKING ON SLIPPERY ROADS. VEHICLE CANNOT BE STOPPED IN A REASONABLE DISTANCE. *JB

1. I LEASED A 05 FORD FREESTYLE AND IN JUST 3 DAYS THE PCM WAS BROKEN. IN JUST 100 MILES. I WAS STILL ABLE TO DRIVE HOME THAT NIGHT. 2. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM THAT THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND THE VEHICLES TURNS ON AND OFF, SO MAYBE THEY CAN TOW THE CAR FROM MY HOME. INSTEAD THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I EXITED THE FREEWAY THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED INCLUDING THE BRAKES WHICH ALMOST MADE ME FALL OFF THE DITCH. I WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALEARSHIP. 3. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO ORDER A NEW PCM AND WHEN THE PCM ARRIVE AFTER 2 DAYS THEY HAD TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS SINCE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE SOFTWARE TO CALIBRATE THE NEW PCM. THE CAR STAYED LONGER IN THE DEALERSHIP THAN WITH ME WHILE I WAS PAYING THE LEASE EVERYDAY. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 05V515000 CONCERNING THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SHE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

WHEN DEPRESSED, BRAKE PEDAL WILL DESCEND BELOW THE LEVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS ALLOWS THE FOOT TO CONTACT THE ACCELERATOR (GAS) PEDAL BEFORE THE CAR IS STOPPED. DEALER TECHNICIAN HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL MAY ACTUALLY CONTACT THE FLOOR IN A HARD STOP. WHEN ASKED FOR A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NONE, EXCEPT FULLY MOVING ONE'S FOOT FARTHER TO THE LEFT. WHEN ASKED IF THE PAD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD BE ELEVATED, I WAS TOLD NO. AS THESE TWO SURFACES ARE IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY, ESPECIALLY FOR A LARGE SHOE, AND AS A PANIC STOP MAY NOT ALWAYS ALLOW THE TIME AND SENSE TO FULLY CLEAR THE GAS PEDAL, I CONSIDER THIS A POTENTIALLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED BOTH SURFACES AT CONTROLLED INTERSECTION STOPS. I TRY TO BE WARY, BUT I AM UNCERTAIN THAT I CAN ALWAYS ACCOMPLISH THE MANEUVER. I DO NOT WISH TO BE DRAWN INTO A HAZARDOUS SITUATION BECAUSE OF A DESIGN FLAW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE DETAILS. *JB

MANY NOISES ON CAR , MANY TIMES ON SERVICE , REAR NOISE NEVER REPAIRED AND SERVICE TECH SAID " THE FORD DOESN'T HAVE A FIX AT THIS TIME". *JB

THE REAR OBSTACLE SENSOR INCLUDED IN THIS '05 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A SLOW RESPONSE TIME BEFORE IT SOUNDS THE WARNING TONES, AND CAN ALLOW THE DRIVER TO HIT AN OBSTACLE IN BACK OF THE VEHICLE. IN THIS CASE, THE VEHICLE HIT A CAR BEHIND IT WHILE BACKING, AND THE ALAM DID NOT SOUND UNTIL THE CONTACT HAD OCCURRED. *NM

I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS WHEN IT HAPPENS. THE VEHICLE JUST DIES FOR NO REASON AND WITHOUT WARNING. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. I AM AFRAID I OR MY SON COULD BE TRYING TO PASS ANOTHER AUTO AND THIS ONE DIE AGAIN AND COULD CAUSE A HEAD ON COLLISION. *NM

WHEN VEHICLE IS UNOCCUPIED AT NIGHT, THE HEADLAMPS BLINK ON AND OFF, THE HEADLAMPS ILLUMINATE FOR MILLISECONDS AND THEN SHUT OFF. ALL POWER IS OFF IN THE VEHICLE AND NO KEY OR PERSON IS IN THE CAR. THIS HAPPENS ABOUT 10 TIMES A MINUTE. THE BATTERY IN THE MORNING IS WEAK. *JB

OPENED REAR DOOR WINDOW AND WIND NOISE AND VIBRATING SOUND SEEMED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BURST OUR EAR DRUMS,NOISE WAS UNBEARABLE. *NM

WHEN LOWERING REAR DOOR WINDOWS ABOVE 30 MILES PER HOUR WIND NOISE IS UNBEARABLE IT HURTS ALL THE PASSENGERS EARS TO THE POINT YOU THINK IT IS GOING TO BURST YOUR EAR DRUM PLUS YOU CAN'T HEAR UNLESS PASSENGER YELLS AT YOU PAIN IN EARS IS SOME SEVERE. ON STEERING WHEEL THEIR IS TWO PLACES TO BLOW HORN LEFT AREA IS NO LONGER WORKING WILL PUT IN SHOP OCT.18,2005 FOR REPAIRS. ALSO FUEL MILEAGE STINKS WE HAVE AVERAGED APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER GALLON HAVE SPOKEN TO DEALER ABOUT PROBLEM BUT NO RESULTS YET.

DT: 2005 FORD FREESTYLE - THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THIS USUALLY HAPPENED WHEN DRIVING UP HILL. ALSO, IT HAPPENED WHILE TRYING TO TAKE OFF FROM A RED LIGHT. AFTER LEAVING THE RED LIGHT IT HAPPENED THREE MORE TIMES IN A SPAN OF TWO MILES. THIS HAPPENED SEVEN TIMES TO CONSUMER, AND ONCE FOR THE DEALER. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM ONLY ONCE, AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO TELL WHAT WAS THE CAUSE THE PROBLEM. THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT MIGHT BE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE MANUFACTURE , AND THEY WERE UNSURE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THE DEALER TOLD THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER AND CONSIDER THIS CAR A LEMON. HAD NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER YET, BUT I PLANNED TO DO SO. *AK

DT: CONTACT STATED THE BEIGE COLOR OF THE DASHBOARD CAUSED A REFLECTION IN THE WINDSHIELD, MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO SEE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED THEY COULD NOT REDESIGN. THE CAR, AND THAT THE CONSUMER NEEDED TO GET USED TO THE REFLECTION. *AK THE REVERSE SENSOR WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH TO BE HEARD OVER THE VEHICLE A/C OR RADIO. *NM

WINDSHIELD GLARE UNSAFE. E.G. ROUNDING CORNER INTO SUNLIGHT CAUSES DASH REFLECTION ONTO WINDSHIELD & UNABLE TO SEE OBJECTS OR VEHICLES IN FRONT. USE OF POLARIZED SUNGLASSES HELPS...BUT CAN'T WEAR THEM ALL THE TIME. DIFFICULT TO JUDGE DISTANCE, SEE OTHER VEHICLES.*JB

AFTER PURCHASING A NEW 2005 FORD FREESTYLE I NOTICED THAT THE REAR DOORS WOULD NOT UNLOCK FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. I WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALER THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN ORDER TO OPEN THE REAR DOORS, YOU HAVE TO HIT THE ELECTRONIC DOOR LOCK SWITCH FROM THE DRIVER OR PULL THE LOCK ROD LOCATED AT EACH DOOR. MY CONCERN IS THAT IF AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED AND SOMETHING HAPPENED TO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE REAR PASSENGERS WOULD BE TRAPPED AND RESCUERS ON THE OUTSIDE COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS. MY WIFE DRIVES DAILY WITH YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN INSIDE AND THEY COULD NOT OPEN THE DOORS USING THE LOCK-RODS. IF THIS REALLY WAS A SAFETY SITUATION AS FORD DESCRIBES IT, THEN THE FRONT DOORS SHOULD NOT OPEN EITHER. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION OPERATES IN THE SAME MANNER. THIS POTENTIAL PROBLEM COULD BE TAKEN CARE OF WITH A SIMPLE COMPUTER CODE CHANGE. AS IT STANDS, I BELIEVE THAT SERIOUS INJURIES COULD BE EXPECTED WITH TRAPPED CHILDREN OR HANDICAPPED IN THE REAR SEATS. *JB

FOR A FEW DAYS, OUR FAMILY HAD BEEN VACATIONING IN THE MOUNTAINS OF RUIDOSO, NEW MEXICO. BEFORE HEADING HOME TO TEXAS, WE FILLED THE GAS TANK IN OUR 2005 FORD FREESTYLE. SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING RUIDOSO ON OUR WAY HOME, THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY. WE STOPPED BY THE SIDE OF THE ROAD NOT KNOWING IF SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO OUR FUEL TANK BUT KNOWING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD JUMP INTERMITTENTLY FROM INDICATING THAT THERE WAS GAS TO EMPTY WHICH CONTINUED THE ENTIRE TRIP. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE CONTROL PANEL AND ALSO A MESSAGE TO CHECK THE ENGINE. THIS CONTINUED THE ENTIRE TIME. WHEN WE RETURNED HOME, WE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. AFTER KEEPING IT A DAY, THEY INFORMED US THAT FORD WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FREESTYLE BUT DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. SO, WE WERE TOLD THAT WE WOULD JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT UNTIL FORD COMES UP WITH A SOLUTION WHICH WILL PROBABLY TAKE A FEW MONTHS. THE CHECK ENGINE MESSAGE AND LIGHT, THEY SAID, MUST BE RELATED TO THIS. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS GREATLY BECAUSE WE NEED A RELIABLE CAR AND DISTANCES ARE FAR IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY. WAITING A FEW MONTHS FOR A REPAIR OF SOMETHING ESSENTIAL DOES NOT SEEM TO BE A VIABLE OPTION BUT POLLARD FORD IN LUBBOCK, TEXAS HAS GIVEN US NO OTHER CHOICE. *JB

VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON 7/16/2005. AFTER BEING DRIVEN OFF THE LOT, TRANSMISSION LIGHT APPEARED. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WHO COULD NOT LOCATE A PROBLEM. VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN 23 MILES WHEN ALL POWER WAS LOST. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER. SERVICE TRIED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM FOR 1 WEEK BEFORE ORDERING A NEW TRANSMISSION. NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED ONE WEEK LATER. UPON PICKING UP VEHICLE, ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. VEHICLE WILL NOW NEED TO BE RETURNED ONCE AGAIN. GLARE FROM TAN INTERIOR IS DANGEROUS ALSO, AND ACCELERATOR TENDS TO STICK. *NM

UPON OPENING EITHER SIDE 2ED ROW WINDOWS HARMOMIC VIBRATION/NOISE BEGINS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30MPH SOUNDS LIKE HELICOPTER INSIDE VEHICLE- VERY ANNOYING, DISTRACTING, HURTS EARS - CONTACTED DEALER AND FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE - BOTH INDICATE THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR CONCERN, NO TSB FOR ITEM - HAVE PRINTOUT FROM DEALER INDICATING PROBLEM IS "CHARACTERISTIC OF THIS TYPE VEHICLE AND CHARACTERISTIC OF OTHER SIMILAR VEHICLES" "RECOMMENDED SOLUTION IS FOR CUSTOMER TO OPEN ANOTHER WINDOW" AND THAT FORD HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON VEHICLES DATING BACK TO 1999 - CUSTOMER SERVICE LI

DT: ON JUNE 24, 2005 CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN GAS GAUGE WENT FROM ALMOST FULL TO EMPTY. CONSUMER STOPPED AT GAS STATION, AND THE VEHICLE ONLY TOOK A COUPLE DOLLARS OF GAS. CONSUMER THEN DROVE DOWN A MOUNTAIN TO GET TO FORD DEALER AND FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AGAIN. CONSUMER CONTINUED TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD CONSUMER THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP. BUT IT STILL DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN VEHICLE ATTEMPTED PULL OUT IT HESITATED FOR A WHILE BEFORE TAKING OFF. CONSUMER STATED THAT FORD GAVE HER AN EXTRA MILEAGE WARRANTY, EXTENDING IT TO 75,000 MILES. CONSUMER PICKED CAR UP ON JULY 8, 2005, AND THERE WAS STILL A PROBLEM WILL FUEL GAUGE UNTIL JULY 10, 2005. CONSUMER SAID THAT AFTER FUELING VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT GAUGE DID NOT WORK. VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. SHE ASSUMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE AGAIN.*AK

OWNER HAS HAD NUMEROUS SERIOUS REPAIR ISSUES SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASED. THIS IS COMPLAINT 2 OF 4. CAR IS 3 MONTHS OLD. OWNER MUST PUSH BRAKE ALMOST TO THE FLOOR TO GET VEHICLE TO STOP. BRAKES MAKE GRINDING NOISES AND STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES WHEN DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH OR LESS.

DT: THE CONSUMER STATES WHILE DECELERATING THE VEHICLE STALLS. THIS HAPPENS MORE IN WARM WEATHER AND AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MILES. IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON THERE IS A WARNING AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THREE DIFFERENT SERVICE DEALERS IN THREE DIFFERENT STATES. THE PROBLEM CANNOT BE DUPLICATED AND DEALERS CANNOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER AND THE SERVICE DEALER DO NOT KNOW WHAT SPECIFIC COMPONENT IS THE PROBLEM.*AK

I AM LEASING A FORD FREESTYLE. WE HAVE FOUND THAT WITH THE CHILD LOCK OFF, THAT THE REAR PASSANGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN UNLESS THE DRIVER OR PASSANGE UNLOCKS THE DOORS WITH THE ELECTRONIC SWITCH AT ANY TIME - WITH THE MORTOR RUNNING, THE CAR IN PARK, OR THE MOTOR OFF AND THE CAR IN PARK. IF THERE SHOULD BE A CRASH OR BOTH THE FRONT DSEAT DRIVER AND PASSANGER BE UNABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR, THE REAR SEAT PASSANGERS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT. THE WINDOWS ARE ELECTRIC WHICH WITH THE MOTOOR AND KEY IN OFF ARE INOPERABLE. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. THEY TELL US THAT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO ANY THING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE BEEN INTO THE COMPUTER AND CAN NOT FIND ANY WAY TO CHANGE THE WAY THE REAR DOORS OPEN. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE, ESPECIALLY IN A FRONT END OR FRONT SIDE CRASH. I HAVE SENT A DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE TO FORD THROUGH THEIR WEB SITE.

THE REFLECTION OF THE DASHBOARD ONTO THE WINDSHIELD IMPEDES VISIBILITY OUT OF THE WINDSHIELD. GOING FROM THE OUTSIDE (BOTH SUNNY AND CLOUDY DAYS) INTO A GARAGE OR TUNNEL, THE EXTREME GLARE PROHIBITS VISIBLITY THROUGH THE WINDSHEILD. WHEN IN A PARKING LOT AND BACKING OUT OF A SPACE, VISIBILITY IS RESTRICTED SEEING THE ADJACENT CARS.