2005 Ford Freestyle Consumer Reviews

CVT trouble

Written by: CVT troubles on 11/10/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SEL AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

Just when you think you have bought a reliable family vehicle. I noticed a ticking noise coming from under the hood after a long business trip. When I got back, I decided to have it looked at. I was not even thinking that it could be transmission trouble. Who thinks that at 71,000 miles that you would have transmission trouble? And when I looked to see what the manufacturers warranty was, only 3 years or 36,000 miles???!!! Oh my goodness! You think Ford didn't know that would be a problem? The transmission specialist told me a brand new tranny would cost about $7,000!! I almost choked! What a shame. Please read this and take something from it!

Favorite Features

Nice looking, handles well.

Suggested Improvements

Please fix the transmission problems. No one should have to worry about transmission trouble at 71,000 miles!

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Read before you buy

Written by: Dimattei5 on 09/25/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

I have owned a 2005 Ford Fresstyle since last year and now it has been in the shop for a Throttle body issues. The car revs up and shuts down. This part is on Backorder and will not be available until Jan 2010. I have been withour my car for 70 days now. Ford is not helpful an supporting the customer. No one will call me back. BUYER BEWARE....

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Bad Tranny

Written by: ripped off on 08/12/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SEL AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

I bought the second freestyle available at our local dealership. It was roomy and looked sharp.I enjoyed it with the exception of transmission problems. Took it to dealership and they replaced transmission which I paid for would not help.New tranny at 50k give me a break. Drove 1 mile and turned around it was exactly the same problem. They diagnosed the catalytic converter was the problem and replaced that still charging me for the misdiagnosed tranny. 115k new transmission again. Dumped it can't wait to be Ford Free once my F-150 is gone.

Favorite Features

Handling and room for 7

Suggested Improvements

new transmission set up

4 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Family Dream

Written by: Satisfied Owner on 08/02/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SEL Fwd 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

My wife chose the Freestyle as a family car while I was overseas, the family (wife and three daughters)enjoyed it for six months. When I returned for vacation I had the opportunity to drive it for a week. I loved the style, handling,color, gas mileage for the times, in-city and highway, spaciousness and cargo capacity. Only regular maintenance and general upkeep required. We loaned it to my sister in- law (a Chevy fan)for 6 months, and now she is a convert. Friends unfamiliar with the vehicle also enjoyed the comfortable ride, leg space and features.

Favorite Features

Gear shifter location, split 2nd row seating and 3rd seat. both fold down maximizing cargo space.

Suggested Improvements

The dash could use improvement, bringing gauge panel forward and using a lighter (tan) background. If not, Change LED readouts on mileage readouts and radio from light blue to bold white.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Holy Freestyle

Written by: Rolli on 07/31/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SE Fwd 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

Bought our '05 Freestyle used with 27K. Ran good for 2 weeks, then one of the sensors went bad. $210 later because the car was out of warranty. It's been a year and 27K w/o issues until now the transmission literally blew up while driving. No noise, no check lights, just BAM! It's going to be at least $3K-$6K to fix. From what I've been reading, this is not the first time. I could never figure out how there were so little miles on a 3 year old car. Well, i figure now it must have been in the shop most of those years.

Favorite Features

How the '05 Freestyle dazzles. It dazzles my brain how a tranny can literally blow up, without ever making some kind of indication before there was a problem.

Suggested Improvements

Don't put in junk tranny's that blow up before 50K!!! And then deny there is a problem.

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A Bad Joke!

Written by: Taken In on 06/24/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SEL AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

We bought this car, new,from our local dealership. We have never been more unhappy with a car! Even though we always have,we won't buy another Ford product! Things gone wrong: tailgate latch, 2 radio/cd players, seat warmers, rear heater fan, 3 sets of tires-something wrong w/alignment, and now the throttle. Part is on emergency backorder along w/600+ others whose cars are sitting. Dealer solution: car must sit for at least 6 months while waiting for part. Was told all Ford parts are on backorder due to slowing economy and manufacturing problems. Dealership won't give us a loaner or any hope for a reasonable solution, despite our extended warranty. Considering contacting an attorney.

Favorite Features

Was purchased because it had roomy interior for passengers and enough space to carry my business supplies for my rental properties.

Suggested Improvements

Don't keep making cars when you are not going to make parts accessible, especially when the under warranty car is going to need those parts as soon as the car is driven off the lot!

10 out 13 people found this review helpful

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Bad Brakes and CVT Transmission

Written by: tfry on 06/23/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

Problems with transmission fromday one, replaced rear brakes twice (check recall) and now need front brakes, transmission repair at 34,000 miles and at 77,000 need a new transmission $6,500. Acceleration problems from day one and they could never duplicate problem. Vehicle would stop abruptly while driving on highway or accelearate. Terrible on snow slides can't get in my drive with two inches of snow, two sets of tires already! Rear doors have never closed right. Gas tank bracket is on a recall, airconditioning has terrible smell they can't get rid of. most of these problems since new purchase! This vehicle is a lemon DO NOT BUY IT!!!

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

Get rid of braking sytem and CVT transmission

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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1,300 miles 5 people + Luggage= Review

Written by: Iceman on 06/02/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SEL Fwd 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

This is my wife's car. I own a Fusion that I love dearly. We took a weekend trip to St. Louis for a funeral. Over 1,400 miles in one weekend with 5 people + luggage. I drive fast (around 90) and still got over 20 mpg for the trip. I could easily see 23-24 mpg fully loaded driving say 65 or 70. Not the fastest vehicle in acceleration but adequate for a family vehicle. Very stable in turns at expressway speeds. Change your tires which we just recently did from the original Continentals. New Goodyears are a huge improvement. This is a great family vehicle that is good on long trips. Ford hit a homerun again. These are cheap buys on the used market.

Favorite Features

Room, handling in curves. Seating position (higher than a car but not as high as a truck) makes entry and exit for tall people a snap. Gas mileage is very good for the space the vehicle offers.

Suggested Improvements

An optional engine upgrade to the 3.5 V-6 (this was done on the Taurus X for 2008). Satellite Radio standard with better sound system. Little more luggage space behind the 3rd row (I think this also was accomplished in the new Flex).

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Most Unreliable Car ever owned.

Written by: NeverbuyFordAgain on 05/31/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle SEL Fwd 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

Drive the Car about 3000 miles per year, the vehicle has 18000 took it into the dealer because of a noise comming from the tranmision the same day the the engine light came up. After the dealer diagnosys, the car need new cylinder #5 new valves new head and a new Torque conveter for the tranmission about $5100.00 dollars later no word from Ford since the vehicle is out of warranty of course after the first 3 years called everyone at ford to try to get some type of help, no response I've had 5 fords in my life time, this is the last one I will ever owned, they lost me as a customer.

Favorite Features

None - I hate this vehicle can wait till I have money buy another I am upside down on a trade or if I sell it.

Suggested Improvements

The seriously need to do something about the transmission on this model year if you have not had any problem just wait my suggestion trade the car in while there is no problems.

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Don't walk away from this car...RUN!

Written by: HateMyFord on 05/15/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Freestyle Limited AWD 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl CVT)

Review

Replaced brakes prematurely twice, tires before the first year of ownership was up, driver seat heater is broken, stereo goes out, car is now at dealership saying the CVT will need to be replaced. Buyers beware w/this car! Not worth it. Car is worth less than we currently owe. We are up-side-down with this car and it is no longer driveable. Ford has known about this problem but hasn't recalled or acknowledge it. It is not only a pain financially, it is also a safety issue for drivers and their families.

Favorite Features

I actually now hate this car.

Suggested Improvements

stop making cars unless you back up your product. Don't act as though there is nothing wrong with your CVT transmissions in your '05's.

1 out 3 people found this review helpful

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