DecodedCars2005 Ford Freestar
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Minivan - 2WD
- Body styles
- Se/Sport/Sel/Limited
- Engines
- 3.9L 6-cyl, 4.2L 6-cyl, 3.8L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 18 combined · 16 city / 22 hwy
- Length
- 201.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,275 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints148 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 19 for similar models — most often about the power train.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 13 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Ford Freestar is a minivan offered with 3 engines (3.9L 6-cyl, 4.2L 6-cyl and 3.8L 6-cyl) and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 202 inches long and 77 inches wide on a 121-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,275 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 18 MPG combined (16 city / 22 highway), 3% worse than the 2005 minivan average of 18.6 MPG, for an estimated $3,700 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Se/Sport/Sel/Limited | 201.6 in | 76.8 in | 68.9 in | 121.3 in | 63.8 / 62.6 in | 4,275 lb | 59/41 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freestar Cargo Van FWD | 3.9L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -3% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Freestar Cargo Van FWD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -3% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Freestar Wagon FWD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | -3% | $3,700 | 494 |
| Freestar Wagon FWD | 4.2L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | -3% | $3,700 | 494 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Ford Freestar under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 minivans
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Ford Freestar (this car) | 18 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Toyota Sienna | 19 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2005 Kia Sedona | 17 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Honda Odyssey | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 Nissan Quest | 19 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan | 20 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Uplander | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (2)
Seats · Mar 7, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V081000 · 196,667 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.
- Fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
Power Train › Automatic Transmission · Jan 9, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V006000 · 206,452 vehicles
- Problem
- FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
- Risk
- THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Not every 2005 Ford Freestar is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Ford Freestar buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 85 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 24 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 16 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 130,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Freestar. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Freestar years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 Freestar | 18 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 22 |
| 2006 Freestar | 18 | 201.6 in | Not rated | 1 | 119 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →