Makes›Ford›Freestyle›2005

2005 Ford Freestyle

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Body styles
4dr Wagon/SUV FWD /Se/Sel/Limited
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
20 combined · 18 city / 25 hwy
Length
200 in
Curb weight
3,960 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Many owner complaints160 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 29 for similar models — most often about the power train.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2005 Ford Freestyle is a SUV - offered with a 3.0L 6-cyl engine and front-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 200 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 113-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,960 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 20 MPG combined (18 city / 25 highway), 11% better than the 2005 SUV - average of 18 MPG, for an estimated $3,350 a year in fuel.

It has 0 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr Wagon/SUV FWD /Se/Sel/Limited200 in74.4 in65 in112.6 in64.2 / 64.6 in3,960 lb55/45

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Freestyle FWD3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)Front-Wheel Drive18 / 25 / 20+11%$3,350444
Freestyle AWD3.0L 6-cylAutomatic (variable gear ratios)4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19+14%$3,550468
Spend $4,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18 MPG2005 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD average

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 Freestyle under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Ford Freestyle (this car)20 MPGNot rated0
2005 Toyota Land Cruiser13 MPGNot rated2
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe16 MPGNot rated1
2005 GMC Yukon16 MPGNot rated0
2005 Ford Expedition14 MPGNot rated0
2005 Dodge Durango16 MPGNot rated3
2005 Toyota Sequoia15 MPGNot rated8

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Freestyle.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Ford Freestyle is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

160Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
5Involved a crash
1Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
129,900 miTypical mileage at failure
Power Train50
Vehicle Speed Control43
Engine38
Electrical System30
Unknown Or Other21
Structure › Body12
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Steering8
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/04: 119/05: 219/06: 319/07: 619/08: 219/09: 119/12: 120/01: 120/04: 120/06: 120/08: 121/01: 221/03: 121/07: 122/06: 123/04: 123/11: 124/02: 124/08: 124/12: 125/01: 125/10: 125/12: 126/06: 119/0419/0719/1220/0621/0323/0424/0825/10max 6

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Ford Freestyle buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
  2. Power Train — 50 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  3. Vehicle Speed Control — 43 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
  4. Engine — 38 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 129,900 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. 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 Freestyle. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Freestyle years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2007 Freestyle20200 inNot rated0101
2006 Freestyle20200 inNot rated0151

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Ford. How we calculate this →