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Ford Freestyle Maintenance and Repair

1415 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2012 at 11:27 AM

You are in the Ford Freestyle Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Freestyle, SUV

Messages Page 132 of 142

#1310 of 1415 Re: CALLING ALL CVT ISSUES...05 FORD FREESTYLES [nutabug] by jogumo

Dec 02, 2009 (6:35 pm)

Replying to: nutabug (Dec 02, 2009 4:35 pm)
Here is my posting #1051 from 9/2007 and below it #1059. Read the posts from the naysayers with their heads in the clouds. They said I was in the minority with my issues. Pretty big minority!
 
 #1051 We really liked our 2005 Freestyle when we first got it but then the problems started. At 16,000 miles the CVT (continously variable transmission)failed. The dealer replaced with a remanufactured CVT. I'm at 40,000 miles and there are problems with the CVT again. Now Ford is renaming the Freestyle the Taurus X for 2008 and it comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission (they no longer offer the CVT). The rear brake pads and one rotor needed replacing at less than 20,000 miles. I complained that it was premature wear. The service tech agreed but said there was no recall so I had to pay over $400 for brakes. In July 07 I received a recall notice about premature wear of rear brake pads and rotors, and I need new brakes again. Who knows what is going to go wrong next.
 
#1059 This was a problem I forgot to post (see #1051). My battery died at 22,000 miles. No warning signs. I stopped at a gas station on the way to work and it wouldn't start after I pumped the gas. It couldn't be jumped so I had to pay through the nose for a new one on site. There is enough lock protruding for your kids to manually unlock the doors and the front doors unlock when you use the handle.
To recap, at 40,600 miles the CVT has been replaced twice, the brakes and rotors have been replaced twice, and my battery needed to be replaced. Any of you believers want to put your money where your mouth is and buy my Freestyle? I've done the research and this vehicle has more issues than a model normally has. A car manufacturer doesn't change the name of a vechile and re-engineer it (transmission) if it has been reliable. I'm trading it in for a Toyota Sequoia.

#1311 of 1415 Re: CALLING ALL CVT ISSUES...05 FORD FREESTYLES [jogumo] by jogumo

Dec 02, 2009 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: jogumo (Dec 02, 2009 6:35 pm)
We should try to put together a class action suit.

#1312 of 1415 Re: CALLING ALL CVT ISSUES...05 FORD FREESTYLES [nutabug] by yoyo123

Dec 02, 2009 (9:33 pm)

Replying to: nutabug (Dec 02, 2009 4:35 pm)
My problems with my 2005 Ford Freestyle are long gone. I traded it in for a 2008 Mazda 5 in March of 2008. It had the first signs of the CVT problem as I was told that the CVT needed to be replaced.
 
I had bought Fords exclusively since 1990 owning a 1990 Probe, 1992 Ford Escort, 1993 Ford Ranger, 1997 Ford Explorer, 1998 Mercury Mountaineer, 2000 Ford Focus, and the 2005 Ford Freestyle. Never again Ford!! I didn't want a new vehicle, but had little choice. The dealer I bought the Freestyle from also had 2 other CVT cars with the same problem and were fighting with Ford. They were hoping that if they got their hands on my car, the 3rd car would help to give them leverage with Ford. The dealer got no where with Ford.
 
Good luck with your lawsuit.

#1313 of 1415 Re: CVT [nutabug] by mymomstewart

Dec 03, 2009 (6:12 am)

Replying to: nutabug (Dec 02, 2009 4:33 pm)
Ours is sitting in the garage because we can not afford to fix it with the way things are today. Ours too is out of warranty - over 100,000 miles. Perhaps if you start with the safety board. Please keep us posted as to your progress. Thank you.
Have had it to two shops - only resolution is replace the transmission at 3500 +.

#1314 of 1415 Thanks for your posts thus far... by nutabug

Dec 03, 2009 (6:23 am)

Does anyone know how to actually start a post, I want this to really be noticed and try to get as many people on the post as possible, I want to show the news reporter that this is a BIG problem!

#1315 of 1415 Re: CVT [mymomstewart] by catmoura

Dec 03, 2009 (11:13 am)

Replying to: mymomstewart (Dec 03, 2009 6:12 am)
I have an 05 Freestyle and lately when I am going under 30mph I can hear a whining sound from the tranny. Is this the problem you have had? I haven't taken it back to the mechanic yet

#1316 of 1415 Re: CVT [catmoura] by bruneau1

Dec 03, 2009 (1:05 pm)

Replying to: catmoura (Dec 03, 2009 11:13 am)
The whining sound is normal if everyting else is working ok.

#1317 of 1415 Re: CALLING ALL CVT ISSUES...05 FORD FREESTYLES [yoyo123] by bobw3

Dec 05, 2009 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: yoyo123 (Dec 02, 2009 9:33 pm)
yoyo123...How's your mazda5 in comparison to your Freestyle? I have an '05 FS with75,000 miles. No problems yet, but my extended warranty ends in Feb 2010 and I like the Mazda5. How much better MPG is your mazda5 getting in comparison to your FS? How about the space inside and the ride? Just wondering your views.

#1318 of 1415 Re: CALLING ALL CVT ISSUES...05 FORD FREESTYLES [bobw3] by yoyo123

Dec 05, 2009 (1:58 pm)

Replying to: bobw3 (Dec 05, 2009 12:44 pm)
My family loves the car. It gets about 8 mpg more than what we got on the FS as I get anywhere between 24-28 mpg; usually around 26. I have 35k miles on it. I really like it for its reliability, gas mileage, sliding doors and perfect size. I love so many things about this car that there are too many to list. I would buy it again in a heart beat. But when someone asks me my opinion, I always want to point out the things I wish it had or didn't have. This is nitpicking, though:
 
- tires are expensive to replace as they have a 50 aspect ratio.
- it doesn't ride as smooth as the FS, but I enjoy that it handles better.
- It will only accept a 1 1/4" hitch for my bike rack so I can only carry 2 bikes vs. 4 on a 2" hitch. Of course, if it could handle a 2" hitch, it would be a heavier car and then mpg would suffer. It's a tradeoff I have no trouble living with.
- Mazda does not recommend towing with this vehicle and I believe it will invalidate your warranty if you do. I could be wrong on this, but I don't tow, so I don't worry about it.
- brakes tend to "moan" when backing up when damp. I have read and been told that this is normal.
- It has a fan for the rear seat, but it doesn't come directly from the heater/ac. It just helps circulate the air. It doesn't seem to take any longer to warm up the back seat occupants. I just asked my kids and they have no complaints.
- It is smaller than the FS, but makes really good use of the space, so we haven't really noticed the difference except when going on vacation. I figured we can always buy a car rack and a storage compartment for much less than the difference between the cars. We haven't needed to, though.
 
That's all I can think of. I have only taken it back to the dealer once and that was to replace a piece of missing interior molding that we noted when we picked up the car. We have had to replace the tires; 2 at 20k miles because I hit a pot hole and damaged one of the tires and the other 2 just last week because I didn't do a wheel alignment when I replaced the first 2. I hit a REALLY deep pot hole that I saw at the last minute. I am very surprised that I didn't flat the tire and do other damage. I won't write what I am thinking as that will jinx me, but let's just say that I am very happy with its quality.
 
In summary, I love the car and would buy it again. Hope that helps.

#1319 of 1415 Re: CVT [catmoura] by nutabug

Dec 07, 2009 (5:36 am)

Replying to: catmoura (Dec 03, 2009 11:13 am)
The problem with the cvt issue is that can't even detect it! So I would tell you to have it checked, but if the engine light and the wrench light is not going on, then they can't run any codes! The whinning noise has been said to be normal, but who knows with these vehicles. You could ask them to run the codes, just to be on the safe side! Good Luck!

Messages Page 132 of 142

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