Selling a Ford Freestyle that has quit

Ford sold the Freestyle for only three model years, 2005 to 2007, then renamed it the Taurus X with a new engine and gearbox. Every Freestyle shares one setup: a 3.0-liter Duratec V6 rated at 203 hp, a chain-type CVT, and front- or all-wheel drive, built at Chicago Assembly. Two complaint categories lead the federal file by a wide margin, speed control (1,276) and power train (921).

What goes wrong on a Freestyle

The engine revs up on its own at low speed

NHTSA opened investigation PE11-018 in May 2011 into "intermittent idle flare during low-speed driving maneuvers" on 168,720 Freestyles from 2005 to 2007. The agency counted 1,945 complaints, and 56 of them described minor impacts. Freestyles made up about 36% of the 2005-2007 Freestyle, Five Hundred and Montego build, yet drew 86% of the surge complaints.

Ford traced it to deposits that build up in the throttle body from normal crankcase ventilation, which the original engine software didn't account for. Warning signs include a Check Engine light and codes P0505, P0506 or P061B. NHTSA's test center measured the stakes: about 6 pounds on the brake pedal holds the car at normal idle, and about 10 pounds holds it through the worst flare. Test surges reached 840 to 1,495 rpm and no more than about 5 mph.

Ford put out new engine calibrations in two 2011 bulletins, then started Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 on November 29, 2012. A dealer cleans the throttle body and reprograms the engine computer. Coverage lasted ten years or 150,000 miles, counted from when each car's warranty began, and stayed with the car when it was sold. Ten years have now gone by for every Freestyle. NHTSA closed its case in February 2013 and noted that closing it "does not constitute a finding that a safety-related defect does not exist."

The CVT

All Freestyles have a CVT. Wikipedia counts the Freestyle, Five Hundred, Montego and Escape Hybrid as the first American Fords to use one. Complaints that name the CVT or transmission run 213 of 1,459 on the 2005, 249 of 1,300 on the 2006 and 177 of 893 on the 2007. One 2005 owner wrote that the car jerked, would not go past 45 mph, and sometimes sat through three light changes before it moved. Program 12N03 does not cover the transmission, and we found no CVT warranty extension for this model.

Two recalls

• 05V515 (November 2005): fuel tank straps on 2005 Freestyles can break and drop the tank and its heat shield onto the driveshaft (all-wheel drive) or the exhaust (front-wheel drive). Fuel leaking near an ignition source could catch fire. The repair is two new straps.
• 06V383 (October 2006): on 2005-2006 Freestyles registered in a list of northern states, a door latch may not catch fully, and the door "could open while the vehicle is moving." Dealers add a shield over the front latches, seal a drain hole in the rear door window trim, and grease every side-door latch.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, 2005-2007

On October 10, 2026 we pulled NHTSA's Freestyle complaint, component and recall counts. A single complaint can list two or more components. The CVT column counts write-ups in NHTSA's online lookup that use either word. Another 12 complaints sit under 2004, a year with no Freestyle, and are not included.

Repair it, or sell it whole?

1. Surging but still driving? Have a Ford dealer run the VIN for 12N03 and both recalls. Cleaning the throttle body and updating the software is the published fix.
2. CVT gone? Get a written quote first. Our CVT failure guide explains what the job involves. Then look up what a running Freestyle of your year brings locally. If the transmission alone costs close to that, selling the car as it sits usually makes more sense.
3. Curious how offers are set for a Freestyle that won't run? Read what a junk car is worth.

Getting it picked up

1. Note the VIN and mileage, plus a plain description of the problem.
2. Request an offer online or by calling (877) 421-6008.
3. Describe where the Freestyle sits and if it moves. If the CVT won't engage, say whether the car rolls in Neutral.
4. Keep it complete, with the converter, battery and wheels in place. Note any part that's been taken off.
5. Sign over the title at pickup and show a photo ID. After you sell covers plates and registration by state.

Comparing its D3 relatives? See the Five Hundred and Taurus, or all Ford models.