2005 Ford Freestar: common problems and reliability

One of the weaker Freestar years.

886 owner complaints, most about power train. 4 recalls.

Should I buy a 2005 Freestar?

The 2005 Ford Freestar has 886 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

886
Owner complaints
4
Recalls
8
Crash reports
2
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Ford Freestar vehicles (US, public record).

The Year Score compares this year with other Freestar years only. How we score it

Is 2005 a good year for the Freestar?

Across the 4 Freestar model years we track, complaint volume runs from 64 (2007) to 1,227 (2004). With 886 complaints, the 2005 Freestar sits about the same as the model's median of 886.

These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.

Where owners report problems

power train
677
electrical system
85
engine
53
vehicle speed control
39
engine and engine cooling
35

Recalls affecting the 2005 Freestar

seats

Campaign 13V081000

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.

power train:automatic transmission

Campaign 12V006000

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

structure:body:hatchback/liftgate

Campaign 06V069000

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

fuel system, gasoline

Campaign 06E056000

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

What owners say across generations

Overwhelmingly negative sentiment based on long-term owner reports. The Freestar is consistently described as unreliable, problematic, and a source of frequent, costly repairs.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Freestar. See the full Freestar owner picture and every model year.

Typical used price

Used Freestar listings typically run $3,500–$5,290 across 2004 to 2007 model years.

Other Freestar model years

Compare every Freestar year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.

Compare the Freestar against its rivals

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