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Vehicle Overview:
Vehicle Type: Sport Utility Vehicle
ABS Brakes: Standard
Standard Airbags: 2
MPG: 19-20/24-27 (City/HWY)
Engine Offered:
3.0L V6 203HP
Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 3.2
Exterior: 3.9
Interior: 3.8
Overall: 3.2
Review Guide:
5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Subscribe to the latest reviews of Freestyle 
2005 Ford Freestyle
Consumer Car Review Summary
Top 5 Pros of 2005 Ford Freestyle
1. Comfortable seats
2. Gas mileage and power balance
3. Car-like ride
4. Cockpit layout
5. CVT
Top 5 Cons of 2005 Ford Freestyle
1. Dash reflects on windshield
2. Better initial quality control
3. Needs better fabric
4. Gas mileage
5. Too many blind spots
2005 Ford Freestyle Reviews by Consumers
Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
By D_Sullivan
Submitted Jul 17, 2009, 05:08pm
Performance: 
Exterior: 
Interior:
Overall: 
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
I love the SUV look and feel with the low center of gravity like a minivan.
Easy to get in and out of.
Roof rack is very accessible due to low roof height.
The sound system seems to be above average from other vehicles I've owned.
I have had good luck so far with the CVT transmission on mine and it's sitting at 130k miles.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Had lots of warranty issues from the start:
Rear brakes would toast after just 10,000 miles--Only the inner pad on the passenger side.
Vent motor failed.
Engine mounts broke.
Fuel pump failed.
Wiper motor failed.
Just to name a few. All were taken care of by the dealer, but having to take the car in over and over was a hassle.
Then the warranty expired and things REALLY started to go wrong. Rear brake issue is still an issue. Now that warranty is expired the dealer tells me it's my fault due to bad driving practices!! Explain to me how it's possible to wear down only the inner brake pad on just the passenger side. Not the outer and not either pad on the driver side?? It's obviously a caliper issue but Ford is telling me to go pound sand. So, I'm stuck replacing brakes every 10,000 miles. Also, front brakes wear much faster than they should, no matter what kind of pads I use. It's not me either--I've never had this issue with any other car/SUV/van in my life.
I am also having the crazy dashboard lights situation. Out of nowhere, they'll start going crazy and all the gauges fail. This lasts for 5-20 seconds then it goes back to normal. Because it's out of warranty, Ford tells me tough luck--even though they obviously know it's an issue with the '05 Freestyle. They refuse to fix it for free and want to charge me for an obvious manufacturer defect.
The light grey interior shows every single stain. It not only shows them, it basically shines a spotlight on the fact that there is a stain to be seen. Ridiculous.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
I actually like the vehicle's overall look and feel. It's just a shame that the few defects ruin the experience. Back that up with crappy support from Ford (refusing to stand behind their product when they know there's an obvious recurring problem) and I say stay far, far away. Not just from the Freestyle, but Ford in general.
By GUEST
Submitted Aug 28, 2011, 03:45pm
Performance:
Exterior: 
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Powerful v6 duratec motor.
Lots of room.
Easy to get in and out of.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Needs better acceleration.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
Good on gas IF YOU TURN OFF TRACTION CONTROL.
By C_McKernan
Submitted Feb 16, 2011, 09:26am
Performance:
Exterior: 
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Great room for family.
Easy to get in and out.
lots of room in truck area.
The rear windshield wiper actually works in this vehicle. GM should use the same supplier for rear windshield wipers.
Like variable speed transmission on the highway.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Light grey interior shows water spots really badly and when cleaned professionally they do not come out.
Tie rods went in vehicle very early.
Brakes are horrible, need to be replaced right away.
Bad on gas, my Saturn Van was much better on gas?
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
Would not consider another Freestyle or Taurus.
By Kimber_Ball
Submitted Jan 5, 2011, 10:17pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Looks nice inside and out.
Plenty of room for the kids and storage when traveling.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Car has been in the shop repeatedly for the transmission. The transmission is currently being rebuilt for the third time in the last 2 1/2 years. Have had problems with the car lurching forwards and backwards. Have had it where the car would not go over 10 mph. Car takes off like a bat out of he.. in reverse.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
Why has there not been any recalls on the transmission for this particular year of Freestyle's? From looking at other people's reviews, I see that the issues that we have been having with our 2005 Freestyle are wide spread and should be dealt with better than throwing another junk transmission in our cars. The dealerships know these transmissions are junk, yet they still sell these cars as "Certified" cars. I have owned Ford vehicles for over 20 years, but this will be the last.
By GUEST
Submitted Mar 3, 2010, 09:59pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
It is great for the family.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
It is bad on gas. I think I get 17 mpg on the highway and I barely drive it.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
Overall ok, but the design needed a lot of work before it hit the market.
By GUEST
Submitted Oct 29, 2009, 03:44am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Ride is nice.
Entry /exit is nice.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Replaced rear brake pads and rotors at 20,000 miles.
Replaced front front brake pads at 25,000 miles.
Replaced leaky windshield washer tank twice.
Rear visibility is terrible.
Mileage was 22 mpg city 24 mpg highway until 25,000 miles, now its 20 mpg highway.
By Ann_Luehrsen
Submitted Oct 12, 2009, 08:17am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
At first I thought it was great !
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
I have had the freestyle 4 years and had to replace the brakes 4 times. I have had the car in the shop twice before because the Check Transmission, and check engine lights kept coming on. After the second time I thought it was fixed, then last week I drove 400 miles to pick my daughter up from college, and 30 minutes from home I was at a stop light, when the light turned green I pressed on the gas, and the car wouldn't move, once again the Transmission light came on. Every time I take it to the dealership to be fixed it is $1,000. And after 3 times it is not fixed so I could keep trying and paying for another band-aid fix or just get rid of it ! I have always driven a Ford, but I have 3 kids in college, and I can't afford to keep doing this so I will go somewhere else for another car. Sorry Ford We thought you would never let us down !
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
BAD VERY BAD.
By Andrea
Submitted Aug 22, 2009, 08:43am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
Loved my car till....
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
2005 68,000 miles transmission is cvt and has died $6200 to fix...
No choice but to fix it. This transmission is no longer being used in ford cars 2006 models. Those of us who bought 2005 are sol. because Ford will not stand behind product and dealerships don't want it.
Hope your car doesn't make a whining noise or your next. Sorry to say.
Also, my hood paint starting to bubble. It is under warranty until 5 years but because there are no holes in it they will not cover repair on hood.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
I was extremely happy with my car until this last 8 weeks. Now I've realized by family bought a lemon. My husband and I have to borrow $6,200 to fix a car barely 5 years old with a little over 60,000 miles.
By Jewel
Submitted Jun 23, 2009, 08:57pm
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
I like the exterior package. Love the sunroof, the bucket seats, and the fact the it has the seats that fold down all the way back. It has been my little truck.
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
The grey interior that I have shows water spots something terrible. The heat and air do not get to the rear of the vehicle very well. If there were more vents in the rear it would help.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
I have a terrible whining noise coming from the motor or transmission. It is not doing it if the car is setting still. It only does it when I am accelerating. There is a small whine when I am at cruising speed as well. I have had trouble with it revving real high as well. It seems to be shifting fine but it sounds like it is going 100 miles an hour all the time.
By GUEST
Submitted May 14, 2009, 11:43am
Performance:
Exterior:
Interior:
Overall:
Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
Pros: What do you like about 2005 Ford Freestyle?
seating capacity
Cons: How would you improve 2005 Ford Freestyle?
better gas mileage, less noise especially with windows down...near deafening. Never use a transmission that is unreliable and needs full replacement before a car can even be paid off.
2005 Ford Freestyle Review:
Have you purchased one yet? If you haven't, don't walk away from buying one...RUN!!!! Watch out for CTV transmission. Possible buyers beware. CTV's have become famous for breaking and then replacement will cost you at least $2600-$5800. American cars get bad names due to crappy transmissions, cheap parts and the attitude that this is not the manufacturer's problem. This is also a danger to those in the car as the engine could shift and jerk the car forward, backwards, and even have had some transmissions just fall out to the ground! Think hard if you don't want to spend a fortune on this car down the road. Go with a car that has an incredible track record (Ford did for years, but read the online comments from your search engines how they have dropped with customer satisfaction). Buy American? I don't know anymore. Build something worth the investment and back it up, then I might. Otherwise, this Freestyle will be last American car in my garage!
Displaying 10 Reviews - Read More
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