Problems · by component

2005 Ford Freestar structure problems

33 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Freestar cite structure, 4% of all 886 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
33
4% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
7
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the structure

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“I WROTE ON THIS YESTERDAY BUT DID SOME MORE RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THESE TYPE OF VEHICLES. RECALL #12V006000 ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT. RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 9 2012. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO TAKE MY 8 GRANDCHILDREN AROUND. NOW I WON'T EVEN PUT THEM IN IT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK SEAT. RECALL # 13V081000. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WHEN YOUR HAULING AROUND CHILDREN. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS REALLY RUSTY. I WISH I WOULD OF NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. IT SURE IS GOING TO BE A MONEY PIT FOR SURE. IT ONLY HAS 141000 MILES ON IT. VERY SAD THAT FORD COULD MAKE SUCH A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMED FINE. 5 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP THE TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. DROVE IT BACK HOME AND STARTED READING ABOUT HOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THIS SITUATION ON THESE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TO COURT AND FORD LOST. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2020Power train, Structure, SeatsODI 11324406
“WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP FORD RECALLS AND IT STATES THAT THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TORQUE SOMETHING THING. THE VAN HAS ONLY 141000 MILES AND IS RUSTED SEVERELY UNDERNEATH IT. VERY SAD. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 12, 2020Power train, StructureODI 11324345
“REAR HATCH DOOR WHEN OPENED IMMEDIATELY CLOSES, WIFE WAS TRAPPED IN THE DOOR AND HAD TO BE HELPED TO REOPEN THE DOOR BY A PASSING MAN. STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2018StructureODI 11071613
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS DID NOT WORK AND FAILED TO OPEN MANUALLY. THE FAILURE MADE IT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR REAR PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 199,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2017StructureODI 11015957
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STOPPED AT A GROCERY STORE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND FAILED TO UNLOCK BOTH FROM THE INTERIOR AND FROM EXTERIOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER SHERWOOD OF SALISBURY LOCATED AT 1902 N SALISBURY BLVD, SALISBURY, MD 21801; 866-341-4841 WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS BUT NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED: CAS-12779247-C5Y2K4. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 25, 2017StructureODI 11010472

Showing 6 of 33 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

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

StructureReported Mar 9, 2006NHTSA 06V069000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

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