Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Minivan - 2WD

2005 Ford FreestarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 886 owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestar. Most complaints involve power train (677) and electrical system (85). The EPA rates it 18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2013
Owner complaints
886
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Mar 7, 2013NHTSA 13V081000

Power train: automatic transmission

Free remedy

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

Power trainReported Jan 9, 2012NHTSA 12V006000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

886 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2005 – Jun 2026
  1. Power train677
  2. Electrical system85
  3. Engine53
  4. Vehicle speed control39
  5. Engine and engine cooling35
  6. Structure33
  7. Seats20
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic20
  9. Steering19

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Freestar model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20041,227
2005886
2006356
200764
Crashes reported
8
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

677 reports3 crashes
“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 couldn’t do it Mac hik in Jackson”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2026Power trainODI 11742615

Electrical system

85 reports1 crash
“The rear wheel well has rusted on both sides and completely rusted out a large hole (approx. 1 ft diameter area visibly effected) in the the body of the van. The rusted out section is where the back seat is anchored to the frame, so the rust has cause the seat to no longer be securely anchored to the car. The hole has also caused electrical wires to get wet when water gets into the van and intermittently and unpredictably causing failure of electrical features, including headlights and blinkers, while driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 10, 2023Electrical system, Structure, SeatsODI 11511200

Engine

53 reports1 fire
“AFTER HAVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED AS THE RECALL SAYS I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING GOOD BUT RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WARRENTY MILEAGE I NOTICED THAT IT STARTED ACTING KINDA LIKE BEFORE AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS GUESS WHAT AS I WAS CLIMBING UP A HILL ON MY DRIVEWAY THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING STARTING TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AS FOR IT TO RECALL THE TORQUE CONVERTER THEN WHY HAS IT ONCE AGAIN ALMOST LIKE ME WITH LOSS OF ALL GEARS YET NO NEW RECALL HAD BEEN ADDED WHY DID IT DO THIS AGAIN?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2021Power train, EngineODI 11397067
All 2005 Freestar problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.9L 6-cyl · 4.2L 6-cyl · 3.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Freestar Cargo Van FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Freestar Cargo Van FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
Freestar Wagon FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Freestar Wagon FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Ford Freestar as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1575
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Freestar questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Freestar have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Ford Freestar problems?

Owners filed 886 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (677), electrical system (85), engine (53). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Ford Freestar get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Ford Freestar at 18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026