NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
484 reportsClear category filter157,000 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROGRAM COMPUTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROGRAM COMPUTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
NHTSA ODI #11230563
69,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT MOVED SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT MOVED SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT KIT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE 2006 TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED MAPLECREST FORD OF MENDHAM (LOCATED AT 102 E MAIN ST, MENDHAM, NJ 07945, (800) 797-7259) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $9,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #11217094
8 miles · May 15, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
HELLO, I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON US HIGHWAY 2, DRIVING FROM SNOHOMISH, WA TO MONROE, WA, WHICH IS A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN (DEATH HIGHWAY) SUDDENLY, THE CAR SEEMED TO LUNGE AND I LOST ACCELERATION WITH THE YELLOW SERVICE WRENCH DASH LIGHT COMING ON. MY SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED AND THE CAR PULLED AT THE SAME TIME. RP…
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HELLO, I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON US HIGHWAY 2, DRIVING FROM SNOHOMISH, WA TO MONROE, WA, WHICH IS A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN (DEATH HIGHWAY) SUDDENLY, THE CAR SEEMED TO LUNGE AND I LOST ACCELERATION WITH THE YELLOW SERVICE WRENCH DASH LIGHT COMING ON. MY SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED AND THE CAR PULLED AT THE SAME TIME. RPM'S JUMPED TO 5000+ BUT I WAS DROPPING SPEED. I AVOIDED THE CAR COMING UP BEHIND ME AND THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY QUICKLY PULLING INTO AN AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE THAT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY BADLY IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STUNNED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED. IT HAD ALSO HAPPENED ONCE EARLIER THAT DAY AT MUCH LOWER SPEEDS AND THEN SEEMED TO RESET ITSELF. AGAIN THE WRENCH LIGHT RESET AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. AS OF NOW, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE DAMAGE MAY BE OTHER THAN I'M BEING TOLD IT'S A BAD TRANSMISSION AND THAT I NEED A NEW ONE, WITH REALLY NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME THING WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH ON THIS CAR AND SPECIFICALLY THE 05-07 FORD FREESTYLE WITH THIS CVT. IT IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS HOW CAN FORD GET AWAY THIS AND WHY HASN'T THIS TRANSMISSION BEEN RECALLED AND FORD MADE TO FINALLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE SAFELY OR MADE TO REIMBURSE ALL AFFECTED PARTIES THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SEVERELY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM THANKFUL THAT I HAD A PLACE TO TURN OFF, RATHER THAN THE POTENTIAL OF AN ACCIDENT ON THAT HIGHWAY!! NO PHYSICAL INJURY, BUT DEFINITELY AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED EVENT!! THANK YOU. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11207917
100,000 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN SELLERS FORD (2600 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 221-2368) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN SELLERS FORD (2600 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 221-2368) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11193182
220,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. JONES FORD (2410 OCEAN HWY W, SHALLOTTE, NC 28470, (888) 826-3208) WERE CONTACTED AND AT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. JONES FORD (2410 OCEAN HWY W, SHALLOTTE, NC 28470, (888) 826-3208) WERE CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO FIND A USED TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT SEVERAL LEADS TO CALL FOR REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT HAVING SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA ODI #11191540
120,000 miles · Jan 17, 2019
Power Train
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CRUISE ON WHILE GOING UP HILL OR DOWN HILL THE TOOL LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ALSO OCCURS WHEN CRUISE IS OFF AND GOING AT A STEADY PACE THE TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS SOMEONE. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE.
NHTSA ODI #11170515
128,000 miles · Nov 27, 2018
EnginePower Train
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHILE CAR IS BRAKED BUT IN GEAR (D), CAR LUNGES FORWARD DESPITE BRAKES BEING APPLIED. I NOTICE THE ENGINE REVS SUDDENLY INCREASE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SPORADICALLY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. ON THURSDAY NOV 22 AROUND 7.30PM, I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN WOODBURN, OREGON AS PEDESTRIANS WERE CRO…
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, WHILE CAR IS BRAKED BUT IN GEAR (D), CAR LUNGES FORWARD DESPITE BRAKES BEING APPLIED. I NOTICE THE ENGINE REVS SUDDENLY INCREASE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED SPORADICALLY OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS. ON THURSDAY NOV 22 AROUND 7.30PM, I STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN IN WOODBURN, OREGON AS PEDESTRIANS WERE CROSSING. SUDDENLY THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD, BUT THANKFULLY DID NOT HIT A LADY WHO WAS CROSSING AND THOUGHT I WAS INTENTIONALLY TRYING TO SCARE/RUN HER OVER. NOT SURE IF THIS IS RELATED, BUT IN TWO OCCASIONS THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHILE IN MOTION AND DRIVING AROUND 35 - 45MPH RANGE. THE BRAKES NATURALLY STIFFENED AND I TOLD POWER STEERING. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND RESTART. ANOTHER ISSUE IS SOMETIMES I LOSE THROTTLE CONTROL OF THE CAR. ON FEW OCCASSIONS, THIS HAPPENED AS SOON AS I STARTED THE CAR, AND SOMETIMES WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT STOP SIGN. ALL THREE OF THESE SYMPTOMS STARTED SHOWING UP AROUND THE SAME TIME, WHICH IS WHY I BELIEVE THEY MAY BE RELATED. THE PROBLEMS STARTED APPROXIMATELY WHEN THE ENGINE HAD 128,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY IT HAS 140,000MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11154133
181,472 miles · Aug 16, 2018
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 181,472.
NHTSA ODI #11120496
Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2018
Power Train
WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER THE CAR GETS A POWER SURGE. IT WILL START JUMPING I HAVE ALMOST RAN OVER SOMEONE IN A PARKING LOT! I WILL SOMETIMES BE SETTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT WILL GET A POWER SURGE JUST SETTING STILL I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS AT RED LIGHTS. THE CAR CAN BE IN MOTION OR JUST SETTING STILL WHEN…
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WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER THE CAR GETS A POWER SURGE. IT WILL START JUMPING I HAVE ALMOST RAN OVER SOMEONE IN A PARKING LOT! I WILL SOMETIMES BE SETTING AT A RED LIGHT AND IT WILL GET A POWER SURGE JUST SETTING STILL I HAVE ALMOST REAR ENDED SEVERAL CARS AT RED LIGHTS. THE CAR CAN BE IN MOTION OR JUST SETTING STILL WHEN IT GETS THE SURGES BUT IT IS ALWAYS WHEN THE AIR OR HEAT IS ON. I CAN TURN THE AIR OFF OR HEAT OFF AND IT WILL STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11119474
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
Official recalls
1Oct 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
1PE11018 · 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