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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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50,000 miles · Sep 9, 2011
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY. THE CVT STOPPED WORKING. I LOST POWER TO THE GAS PEDDLE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. IT DOES THIS ALOT NOW. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE A FIREFIGHTER WITH EMERGENCY DRIVING SKILLS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE VEHIC…

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY. THE CVT STOPPED WORKING. I LOST POWER TO THE GAS PEDDLE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. IT DOES THIS ALOT NOW. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE A FIREFIGHTER WITH EMERGENCY DRIVING SKILLS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424407

50,000 miles · Sep 8, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR LUNGES. VERY UNSAFE. IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT'S HOT. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424206

42,000 miles · Sep 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

VEHICLE WILL LUNGE OR ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, STOP LIGHT OR ANY LOW SPEED. IT WILL HAPPEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALMOST CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. ENGINE DIED AFTER LUNGING ON ONE OCCASION AFTER I APPLIED BRAKES HARD TO STOP FROM JUMPING INTO TRAFFIC FROM PARKING LOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423259

93,000 miles · Aug 29, 2011
Power Train

2006 FORD FREESTYLE HAD LURCHING AND TRANSMISSION WANTING TO NOT ENGAGE WHILE DRIVING DOWN OPEN HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422445

81,100 miles · Aug 25, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2006 FORD FREESTYLE STRONGLY SURGED/LUNGED A DISTANCE OF 5 FEET FORWARD FROM STOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN GEAR AND WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES. IF A PEDESTRIAN OR OTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WE WOULD HAVE HIT THE PEDESTRIAN OR VEHICLE. THE SAME HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. …

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2006 FORD FREESTYLE STRONGLY SURGED/LUNGED A DISTANCE OF 5 FEET FORWARD FROM STOP IMMEDIATELY AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE IN GEAR AND WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES. IF A PEDESTRIAN OR OTHER VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN FRONT OF THE CAR, WE WOULD HAVE HIT THE PEDESTRIAN OR VEHICLE. THE SAME HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES IN BOTH FORWARD AND REVERSE. FORD DEALER IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE ACTION NOR HAS FORD MOTOR COMPANY ISSUED A RECALL DESPITE THOUSANDS OF REPORTS ON THE INTERNET OF THIS PROBLEM AND POTENTIAL DANGER AND INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10421510

80,000 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Power Train

IN 2010, MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE GEARS FELT LIKE IT WAS STARTING TO SLIP AND A 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, I STARTED DOWN THE ROAD AT A LOW GEAR UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN TO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE CAR WAS CUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO, IT STARTED U…

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IN 2010, MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE GEARS FELT LIKE IT WAS STARTING TO SLIP AND A 'WRENCH' LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN SPEED AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, I STARTED DOWN THE ROAD AT A LOW GEAR UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO PULL IN TO A GAS STATION. AFTER THE CAR WAS CUT OFF FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO, IT STARTED UP FINE AND THE 'WRENCH' LIGHT CUT OFF. I WOULD DRIVE FOR 4 OR MONTHS BEFORE IT DID IT AGAIN BUT ANYTIME THE SPEED CONTROL WAS SET, IT WILL START AGAIN. I WOULD CUT THE CAR OFF AND THE LIGHT WOULD BE GONE. THOUGHT IT WAS A SENSOR. HOWEVER, THIS PAST WEEK, THE CAR HAS STARTED LURCHING FORWARD WHILE MY BRAKES ARE APPLIED. IT WILL DO IT FORWARD OR WHILE BACKING UP AND THE 'WRENCH' LIGHT WILL CUT ON AND THE CAR WILL STALL OUT. I MUST KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE WHEN BACKING UP OR GOING FORWARD FROM A STOP POSITION BECAUSE THE CAR COULD ACCELERATE AT ANY TIME. RECENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHEN THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER 1 AND HALF DAYS THE ENGINE LIGHT HAS GONE OFF BUT THE CAR IS STILL JUMPING. AS OF YET, NO REPAIR WORK HAS BEEN DONE. BEFORE TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP, I DECIDED TO CHECKED FOR ANY RECALLS AND SAW THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN CASE ON THIS MODEL WITH MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ODI #10420600

96,465 miles · Aug 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I WASN'T PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR EITHER MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. AN INCREASE IN THE RPMS IS EVIDENT IN BOTH BUT WORSE IN REVERSE. WHEN STOPPING AT THE LIGHT AND GEAR IS IN "D", AFTER A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE INCREASES THE RPMS. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKES TO START MOVIN…

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I EXPERIENCED AN UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE WHEN I WASN'T PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR EITHER MOVING FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. AN INCREASE IN THE RPMS IS EVIDENT IN BOTH BUT WORSE IN REVERSE. WHEN STOPPING AT THE LIGHT AND GEAR IS IN "D", AFTER A FULL STOP, THE ENGINE INCREASES THE RPMS. WHEN YOU RELEASE THE BRAKES TO START MOVING AGAIN, THE CAR ABRUPTLY MOVES WITHOUT PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR. IN REVERSE, WITH BRAKES LIGHTLY APPLIED, THE ENGINE INCREASES THE RPMS MORE DRAMATICALLY THAN IN FORWARD. IT IS EVEN WORSE IF YOU TURN THE STEERING WHEEL, IN MY CASE, TO THE LEFT. YOU HAVE TO APPLY FIRMLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE CAR FROM MOVING WITHOUT CONTROL BUT THE RPMS STILL RUNNING HIGH. ONE OF THE TIMES, EVEN WHEN APPLYING FIRMLY THE BRAKES, THE CAR STILL MOVED UP TO THE POINT THAT IT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. THAT HAPPENED IN A PARKING LOT AND ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR. THAT'S WHEN I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WE PARK THE CAR INSIDE OUR GARAGE AND IT BECAME UNSAFE TO PULL IN AND OUT AS SPACE IS TIGHT AND YOU COULD HIT THE WALLS OR MY OTHER CAR OR THE KIDS. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AND HOW SEVERE THE SUDDEN INCREASE IN SPEED WILL BE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY THAT FAILED AND CHANGED IT. I HAVE A 2006 FREESTYLE SE. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10420036

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE MOST PREVALENT AND FRUSTRATING ISSUES ARE ONES I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT. THE CAR LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD (HAPPENS MORE WHEN A/C HAS BEEN ON), HIGH RPMS WITH PEDAL TO FLOOR AND THE CAR GOING NOWHERE (WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON). THE FIRST TIME THE RPM IS…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE MOST PREVALENT AND FRUSTRATING ISSUES ARE ONES I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT. THE CAR LUNGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD (HAPPENS MORE WHEN A/C HAS BEEN ON), HIGH RPMS WITH PEDAL TO FLOOR AND THE CAR GOING NOWHERE (WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON). THE FIRST TIME THE RPM ISSUE HAPPENED I WAS ON MY WAY UP TO LANCASTER, CA DRIVING UP A VERY STEEP HILL. I HAD MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WITH ME AND THE CAR WOULD BARELY GO. I WAS ABLE TO PUT ON MY HAZARDS AND GET OFF THE FREEWAY AND MADE IT TO A PARK-AND-RIDE. AFTER I SHUT THE CAR OFF FOR AWHILE AND STARTED IT AGAIN IT WAS FINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED QUITE A FEW TIMES SINCE THEN; THE MOST RECENT WAS LAST MONTH (JULY 2011). ALSO, MOSTLY WHEN GETTING ON THE FREEWAY AND HAVING TO ACCELERATE INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL REV AT A VERY HIGH RPM AND NOT GO DOWN UNLESS I PULL OVER/GET OFF FREEWAY AND TRY THE ACCELERATION A LITTLE SLOWER. IF THE RPMS STAY HIGH IT SOMETIMES CAUSES THE WRENCH LIGHT TO COME ON AND PROBLEM WITH THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND CAR GOING NOWHERE COMES INTO PLAY. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HAVE ANY WORK DONE ON THE CAR TO TRY TO ALEVE THE PROBLEMS DUE TO FINANCIAL ISSUES. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THESE SAME PROBLEMS AND I JUST HOPE THAT SOMETHING CAN BE DONE BEFORE SOMEONE SERIOUSLY GETS HURT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419844

50,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES WHEN REVERSING OR GOING FORWARD WHEN THE AC IS ON. THIS HAPPENS ON A DAILY BASIS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10419742

65,000 miles · Aug 16, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOSE OF POWER WHI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT A LOSE OF POWER WHILE ACCELERATING. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND WITH TIME BECAME CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10419620

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