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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

Power Train complaints

484 reports
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63,000 miles · Aug 7, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT SHUT DOWN, DIED COMPLETELY. 30 MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OVER. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED THROTTLE BODY BUT IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER UNTIL AUGUST 2009. SO HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME. HAPPENED QUITE A BIT THROUGHOUT THAT TIME UNTIL I REALIZED THAT IT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH HAVING…

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FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED CAR LUNGED FORWARD AT SHUT DOWN, DIED COMPLETELY. 30 MINUTES LATER WAS ABLE TO TURN IT OVER. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED THROTTLE BODY BUT IT WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER UNTIL AUGUST 2009. SO HAD TO DRIVE IT HOME. HAPPENED QUITE A BIT THROUGHOUT THAT TIME UNTIL I REALIZED THAT IT HAD A LOT TO DO WITH HAVING THE A/C ON. IT HAPPENS EVEN WITHOUT THE A/C ON SOMETIMES AT LIGHTS, STOP SIGNS, AND IN PARKING LOTS, AND ALSO WHEN IN REVERSE IT LUNGES IN THAT DIRECTION AS WELL; SOMETIMES AT VERY HIGH RATE WHICH IS SCARY. HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND CANNOT FATHOM WHY THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. I STILL OWE MONEY ON IT AND NOW IT IS SITTING IN MY MECHANICS GARAGE BECAUSE THE CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT.. 5 WEEKS NOW AND I DO NOT HAVE TRANSPORTATION BECAUSE I CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THE CVT TRANSMISSION THAT ALOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469482

68,790 miles · Aug 5, 2012
EnginePower TrainService Brakes

WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR LUNGES WHEN FOOT IS STILL ON THE BRAKE. CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY LUNGE FORWARD WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. VERY UNSAFE!!!!!! MUST MAKE SURE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE HARD WHEN STOPPED OR BE READY TO QUICKLY BRAKE WHEN BACKING UP. THE AC IS SOMETIMES ON…

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WHILE BACKING UP THE CAR LUNGES WHEN FOOT IS STILL ON THE BRAKE. CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY LUNGE FORWARD WHEN PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT OR WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. VERY UNSAFE!!!!!! MUST MAKE SURE MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE HARD WHEN STOPPED OR BE READY TO QUICKLY BRAKE WHEN BACKING UP. THE AC IS SOMETIMES ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE UPPER 80'S. WE LIVE IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO AND 80 DEGREE TEMP ARE PRETTY HOT HERE. LATELY IT HAS BEEN IN THE 90 DEGREE + RANGE AND THE ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING MORE. MY WIFE MOSTLY DRIVES THIS CAR AND OUR TEENAGE DAUGHTER, NEW DRIVE WITH A PERMIT, IS LEARNING TO DRIVE, THIS IS NOT SAFE!!!. PLEASE PUT PRESSURE ON FORD TO FIX THIS SAFETY ITEM. SEEMS LIKE MAY OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. WILL IT TAKE FOR SOMEONE TO BE SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED BEFORE THIS GETS LOOKED AT? HOW MANY ACCIDENTS MAJOR OR MINOR HAS THIS CAUSED? HOW MANY INSURANCE RATES HAVE INCREASED BECAUSE OF THESE ACCIDENTS? PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS!!!!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10469228

98,213 miles · Aug 1, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES MAINLY IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO DOES IT IN DRIVE AT TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SURGED I THOUGHT MAYBE MY FOOT HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND DISMISSED IT. I STARTED DRIVING THIS CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT PREVI…

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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGES MAINLY IN REVERSE, BUT ALSO DOES IT IN DRIVE AT TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT SURGED I THOUGHT MAYBE MY FOOT HAD HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND DISMISSED IT. I STARTED DRIVING THIS CAR IN OCTOBER OF 2010 AND HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THEN, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. I HAVE NO IDEA ABOUT PREVIOUS OWNERS OR THE CAR'S HISTORY SO I ONLY KNOW HOW IT HAS BEEN MAINTAINED SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. ALSO THERE ARE 2 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS THAT ARE ALSO WRONG WITH MY CAR. TSB 07-1-8 AND 06-11-4 I THINK THAT SINCE FORD KNOWS THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CVT TRANSMISSION THAT THEY OUGHT TO RECALL THE VEHICLES AND REPAIR THEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468872

80,000 miles · Jul 31, 2012
EnginePower Train

THE CAR AHEAD OF ME HAD RUN OFF THE FREEWAY DUE TO SNOW. I STOPPED TO SEE IF HE WAS OK. ONCE I STARTED UP, I PUSHED DOWN HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND BE UP TO SPEED FOR THE TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND ME. THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. ONCE IT REACHED 75MPH, I HELD DOWN FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AN…

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THE CAR AHEAD OF ME HAD RUN OFF THE FREEWAY DUE TO SNOW. I STOPPED TO SEE IF HE WAS OK. ONCE I STARTED UP, I PUSHED DOWN HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND BE UP TO SPEED FOR THE TRAFFIC COMING UP BEHIND ME. THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELERATING. ONCE IT REACHED 75MPH, I HELD DOWN FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND THEN RESTARTED. AS SOON AS I PUT IT IN DRIVE, THE CAR TOOK OFF AGAIN ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. I QUICKLY HIT MY FOOT TO THE GAS PEDAL AND WAS ABLE TO KNOCK IT LOOSE AND THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS A FAULTY GAS PEDAL AND I HAD IT REPLACED (AT MY COST). THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND THERE HAVE BEEN NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VEHICLE. AFTER THAT FIRST INCIDENT, THERE WAS ONE TIME THAT I HAD STARTED THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AND DROVE DOWN THE STREET. ONCE I TURNED THE CORNER, THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN, LUNGING FORWARD BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT. AT THAT TIME, I WAS TOLD IT WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND THE DEALER DID THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. EVEN AFTER THAT WORK, I STILL HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE GAS PEDAL STICKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468520

89,000 miles · Jul 31, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR SPEEDS UP WITH OUT ANY WARNING WHEN IN REVERSE. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY AND ONLY SCRAPED THE FRONT BUMPER ON THE GARAGE DOOR. TWO DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS CANNOT FIND A REASON FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468508

112,000 miles · Jul 28, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I540 NEAR RALEIGH, NC AND CAR "WRENCH" ICON CAME ON AND CAR DECELERATED QUICKLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND REQUIRED TOWING TO A SAFE PLACE. APPEARS THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROLLER MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DISABLED TEMPORARILY. AFTER THE CAR COOLED THE THROTTLE WOR…

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WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I540 NEAR RALEIGH, NC AND CAR "WRENCH" ICON CAME ON AND CAR DECELERATED QUICKLY CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. CAR WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND REQUIRED TOWING TO A SAFE PLACE. APPEARS THAT THE THROTTLE CONTROLLER MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DISABLED TEMPORARILY. AFTER THE CAR COOLED THE THROTTLE WORKED BUT WE ELECTED NOT TO DRIVE UNTIL A LOCAL MECHANIC COULD CHECK OUT THIS CONDITION / PROBLEM. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE ON A TRAILER TO LOCAL GARAGE NEAR OUR HOME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10468115

113,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM HOLIDAY, MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR AND WE COULD SMELL THE ENGINE BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT. MY ENGINE WAS TRYING TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO DECELERATE AND I BARELY MADE IT OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY VIA AN EXIT RAMP. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE…

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WHILE TRAVELING HOME FROM HOLIDAY, MY WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON IN THE CAR AND WE COULD SMELL THE ENGINE BEGINNING TO OVERHEAT. MY ENGINE WAS TRYING TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. MY VEHICLE THEN STARTED TO DECELERATE AND I BARELY MADE IT OFF FROM THE HIGHWAY VIA AN EXIT RAMP. PULLED OVER, TURNED OFF THE CAR AND OPENED THE HOOD TO LET THE ENGINE COOL OFF. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM MAY BE GEAR OR TRANSMISSION RELATED OR PERHAPS BAD GAS. I TRIED A TRICK TOLD TO ME BY MECHANIC FRIEND TO BACK UP THE CAR AND GO FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 40-50 FEET, STOP THE VEHICLE AND REPEAT THE MOVEMENT AGAIN TO RESET THE TRANSMISSION CONTROLS. I ALSO ADDED FUEL INJECTION CLEANER AND FILLED THE TANK AGAIN. AFTER FUEL INJECTION AND LETTING THE CAR SIT, IT WAS OKAY FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP. HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT JUST RECENTLY (JULY 2012). THE SAME WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND MY CAR ONCE AGAIN LUNGED AND DECELERATED AND I HAD TO PULL OFF. LUCKILY, THERE WAS A GAS STATION AT EXIT AGAIN. AND, LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THROUGH TRAFFIC WHEN DECELERATING WITHOUT HARM TO MY FAMILY. I BOUGHT MORE FUEL INJECTION CLEANER AND FILLED THE TANK. I THEN LET THE CAR SIT AGAIN. THAT SEEMED TO HELP. WE MADE IT HOME AFTER ANOTHER REST STOP FOR THE CAR. SHORTLY AFTER, MY HUSBAND USED THROTTLE BODY CLEANER TO CLEAN OUT MY FUEL INJECTION PATHWAY. HE REMOVED AIR CONNECTION AND FOUND THE THROTTLE BODY TO BE CLOGGED WITH GUNKY MATERIAL AND SPRAYED A GOOD DOSE OF THE CLEANER INTO IT WHILE I GUNNED THE ENGINE TO CLEAR IT OUT. I AM NOW USING FUEL INJECTION CLEANER WITH EVERY GAS FILLUP TO MITIGATE THE PROBLEM. I KNOW I PROBABLY NEED TO REPLACE THE WHOLE THROTTLE BODY, BUT I AM LEARY FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON INTERNET WITH OTHERS HAVING SAME PROBLEM, REPLACING THROTTLE BODY AND THEN IT HAVING TO DO IT AGAIN A YEAR LATER. I AM GOING TO FIX CAR AND THEN PROBABLY SELL IT. NOT SAFE ANYMORE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467265

100,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF SURGING FORWARD WHEN IDLING OR COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED THE THROTTLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF SURGING FORWARD WHEN IDLING OR COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED THE THROTTLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10467229

Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2012
Power Train

CAR LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467209

106,500 miles · Jul 23, 2012
EnginePower Train

ENGINE SPEED WILL SURGE AND VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR REARWARD, DEPENDING UPON WHICH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN, AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. ALWAYS NOTICEABLE NEAR 0-2 MPH WITH A/C ON, FOOT ON OR OFF BRAKE PEDAL, MAY OR MAY NOT BE TURNING. WE HAVE SCARED PEOPLE IN CROSSWALKS AND DRIVE-THRUS WITH THIS. IT SCARES US AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467172

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