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2006 Ford Freestyle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Freestyle do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 893.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,187 reports with mileage · 113 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 602 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 484 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 144 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

42 crash reports10 fire reports10 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

84 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2026
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I recently got my transmission replaced for my 2006 Ford Freestyle in December 2025. Yet, I am having transmission issues on my car now. Bates Ford was the dealership who replaced my transmission, but I feel as if where they got my replaced transmission from was not honest about the product it sold to me. Please help!

NHTSA ODI #11743751

Mileage unknown · Feb 2, 2023
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes

Car struggles to change gears. ABS, ENGINE, and THROTTLE warning lights on. Rough idle, car does not accelerate when shifted into drive.

NHTSA ODI #11505221

215,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WAS DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WRENCH SHOWED UP IN FAR LEFT HAND CORNER .MY VEHICLE QUIT ACCELERATING GOES TO LIMP MODE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON W BUTLER RD IN MAULDIN SC 29662 DOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED ME.I AM 70 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO DRIVE FOR 52 YRS. THIS SITUATION WAS BY FAR ONE…

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WAS DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WRENCH SHOWED UP IN FAR LEFT HAND CORNER .MY VEHICLE QUIT ACCELERATING GOES TO LIMP MODE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON W BUTLER RD IN MAULDIN SC 29662 DOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED ME.I AM 70 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO DRIVE FOR 52 YRS. THIS SITUATION WAS BY FAR ONE OF THE WORST I HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN. WHAT IF ANYTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION IF ANYTHING TO SAVE LIVES.

NHTSA ODI #11280973

153,000 miles · Oct 18, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

MY MOM'S 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, SURGES FORWARD WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR DEFROSTER. THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIMES IT HAS DONE THIS ALMOST REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HHER.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE BEET AND MY DECEASED FATHER HAVE OWN IT.(2010?) HER INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BONKERS NOW, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START…

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MY MOM'S 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, SURGES FORWARD WHEN USING THE AIR CONDITIONER OR DEFROSTER. THERE HAS BEEN MANY TIMES IT HAS DONE THIS ALMOST REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HHER.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE BEET AND MY DECEASED FATHER HAVE OWN IT.(2010?) HER INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BONKERS NOW, AND SOMETIMES THE CAR WON'T START AND THE PANIC ALARM GOES OFF WHEN WE GET OUT OF THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11141290

171,753 miles · Jun 10, 2018
Electrical SystemUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR SURGES AND THE RPMS MOVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME INTO TRAFFIC WHEN AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME AT PEOPLE WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE AT STOPS SO THAT MY FAMILY OR OTHER FAMILY'S DON'T DIE BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION THAT FORD…

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MY CAR SURGES AND THE RPMS MOVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME INTO TRAFFIC WHEN AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME AT PEOPLE WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE AT STOPS SO THAT MY FAMILY OR OTHER FAMILY'S DON'T DIE BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION THAT FORD HAD WITH THE CAR WHEN THEY SOLD IT. I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THE MALFUNCTION AND THEY SAY I'M YEARS PAST THE WARENTY AND 20000 MILES PAST THE WARENTY MILAGE. SO BECAUSE MY CAR IS 20000 OVER I GUESS IT'S OKAY FOR MY CAR TO KILL ME AND MY CHILDREN OR OTHER PEOPLE?

NHTSA ODI #11100751

161,000 miles · May 15, 2018
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE THROTTLE CONTROL TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SURGE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND CALLED COUGHLIN FORD OF JOHNSTOWN AT (740) 967-2086 (670 W COSHOCTON ST, JOHNSTOWN, OH 43031) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AN UNKNOWN RECALL THAT HAD BEEN CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.

NHTSA ODI #11093903

106,000 miles · Mar 23, 2018
Electrical System

THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE 2017, WE WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL IN OUR FREESTYLE. THE LIGHTING WOULD DIM AND BRIGHTEN ON AND OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND THERE WAS ALMOST A PULSE IN THE REV OF THE ENGINE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD TO HAVE OUR ALTERNATOR REPLACED. IN JULY 2017, WE WERE DRI…

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THE FIRST WEEK OF JUNE 2017, WE WERE HAVING ISSUES WITH THE ELECTRICAL IN OUR FREESTYLE. THE LIGHTING WOULD DIM AND BRIGHTEN ON AND OFF WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING AND THERE WAS ALMOST A PULSE IN THE REV OF THE ENGINE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD TO HAVE OUR ALTERNATOR REPLACED. IN JULY 2017, WE WERE DRIVING TO MEET WITH FRIENDS FOR BREAKFAST AND THE FREESTYLE STOPPED RUNNING A COUPLE CAR LENGTHS AWAY FROM A MAJOR INTERSECTION. WE, AGAIN, REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THIS TIME THE BATTERY HAD A DEAD CELL AND NEEDED REPLACED AS WELL. WE NOTICED NOTHING TO ALERT US TO THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE THIS TIME, NO PULSING OR CHANGE IN THE LIGHTING. WE HAVE NOT USED THE FREESTYLE MUCH OVER THE WINTER BECAUSE WE NOTICED THE PULSING AND LIGHT ISSUES AGAIN AND WHEN WE TOOK IT INTO OUR MECHANIC, THEY COULDN'T REPLICATE THE ISSUE. WE ALSO HAVE A SECOND VEHICLE AND DID NOT NEED TO USE IT MUCH. WE STARTED IT A COUPLE OF TIMES TO TRY AND PREVENT ANY ISSUES, BUT COULD NOT GET IT TO START AT ALL THIS WEEK AND WHEN WE TIRED TO JUMP START IT, WE COULD ONLY GET IT TO RUN WHEN IT WAS HOOKED TO OUR SECOND VEHICLE. THE FREESTYLE WAS TOWED TO THE SHOP TODAY AND WE ARE CURRENTLY HAVING THE THIRD ALTERNATOR INSTALLED AND A SECOND BATTERY. THE MECHANIC IS LOOKING INTO THE ISSUE FURTHER, DUE TO THE NUMBER OF TIMES WE HAVE BEEN IN FOR THESE ISSUES. WE HOPE TO FIND A RESOLUTION TO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11081137

93,015 miles · Feb 24, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE CHANGED BACK IN NOVEMBER 2017. FIRST, THE BATTERY LIGHT AND CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WENT ON RIGHT AFTER THE FORD DEALER CHANGED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL OUTPUT WAS FINE DESPITE THE WARNING LIGHT. SINCE THEN SEVERAL ALTERNATORS WERE CHANGED B…

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PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE CHANGED BACK IN NOVEMBER 2017. FIRST, THE BATTERY LIGHT AND CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM WENT ON RIGHT AFTER THE FORD DEALER CHANGED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ELECTRICAL OUTPUT WAS FINE DESPITE THE WARNING LIGHT. SINCE THEN SEVERAL ALTERNATORS WERE CHANGED BY THE DEALER BUT THE WARNING LIGHT REMAINED AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX THIS. TODAY WHILE DRIVING (STREETS AND HIGHWAY) THE DASHBOARD (INSTRUMENT CLUSTER) WENT OFF AND ON AND ALL GAUGES WENT TO ZERO AND BACK ON AFTER A WHILE DURING DRIVING. THERE WAS A KICK TO THE ENGINE EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED. MY BACKLIGHTS WENT CRAZY (INCLUDING REVERSE LIGHTS) WHILE DRIVING FORWARD ON STREETS/HIGHWAY. TURNING LIGHTS WERE ALSO AFFECTED. OTHER DRIVERS ALERTED ME TODAY. THIS IS A DANGER TO US AND OTHERS. I FEAR THE ENGINE COULD EVENTUALLY GET AFFECTED TOO. THERE ARE MANY POSTS ONLINE WITH IDENTICAL ISSUES AND FORD DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WILLING OR ABLE TO SOLVE THIS.

NHTSA ODI #11074667

152,200 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

THIS CAR HAS MANY PROBLEMS. I WOULDN'T BUY THIS CAR AGAIN. I HAVE INVESTED TOO MUCH MONEY FOR REPAIRS. THE AIR BAG SENSOR KEEPS COMING ON. THE CAR HAS NO SPEED AFTER I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE LIGHTS ON DASH ARE OFF AND ON.

NHTSA ODI #10967123

60,000 miles · Jan 23, 2017
Electrical SystemSeatsStructure

THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR SEAL IS FAULTY, LETTING WATER GET INTO THE DOOR CAUSING IT TO FREEZE AND RUST. THE ELECTRICAL FOR THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING IT TO KEEP BREAKING. THE LEVERS THAT FLIP THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATING HAVE BECOME FAULTY AND WILL NO LONGER WORK. LASTLY, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE C…

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THE DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR SEAL IS FAULTY, LETTING WATER GET INTO THE DOOR CAUSING IT TO FREEZE AND RUST. THE ELECTRICAL FOR THE DRIVER HEATED SEAT KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING IT TO KEEP BREAKING. THE LEVERS THAT FLIP THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATING HAVE BECOME FAULTY AND WILL NO LONGER WORK. LASTLY, THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE COMPONENT ON MY VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS DURING THE WINTER AND THE ROADS WERE ICY SO IT CAUSED ME TO HAVE LESS TRACTION AND FISH TAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10947119

Official recalls

1

06V383000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Oct 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

PE11018 · Idle Instability

Opened May 11, 2011 · Closed Feb 7, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control

On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.NHTSA's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in