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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.

About this comparison →

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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165,000 miles · Dec 20, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA AND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LUNGED FORWARD. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA AND THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #11055675

142,000 miles · Oct 10, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION SURGES OR LUNGES FORWARD DANGEROUSLY AT LOW SPEEDS, AND OFTEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR A CROSSWALK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 7 OR 8 MONTHS. TWICE THE SURGING OR LUNGING HAS RESULTED IN A NEAR ACCIDENT, ONCE WHILE STOPPED FOR A PEDESTRIAN IN A CROSSWALK, AND A 2ND WHEN STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, NEAR…

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TRANSMISSION SURGES OR LUNGES FORWARD DANGEROUSLY AT LOW SPEEDS, AND OFTEN WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR A CROSSWALK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 7 OR 8 MONTHS. TWICE THE SURGING OR LUNGING HAS RESULTED IN A NEAR ACCIDENT, ONCE WHILE STOPPED FOR A PEDESTRIAN IN A CROSSWALK, AND A 2ND WHEN STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE, NEARLY RESULTING IN AN IMPACT WITH THE FRONT VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11032816

120,000 miles · Sep 21, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE IGNITION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP (LONA BRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WRENCH WARNING ICON ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE'S SPEED DECREASED WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER, TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE IGNITION, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT SHOP (LONA BROTHERS CAR SALES IN KANSAS CITY, MO, 64108) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #11024900

55,000 miles · Jun 16, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT JERKED INDEPENDENTLY FORWARD AND BACKWARD, DEPENDING ON THE GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT JERKED INDEPENDENTLY FORWARD AND BACKWARD, DEPENDING ON THE GEAR THE VEHICLE WAS IN AT THE TIME. THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVEN WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10995513

175,000 miles · May 16, 2017
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND THE RPMS GO CRAZY AND THE CAR STRUGGLES TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, IT WILL DRIVE FINE FOR A WHILE - SOMETIMES WEEKS - BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AFTER IT HAPPENS A FEW TIMES, THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN ON BUT WILL GO BACK OFF AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE OR RESTARTI…

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WHILE DRIVING THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL RANDOMLY COME ON AND THE RPMS GO CRAZY AND THE CAR STRUGGLES TO SHIFT GEARS. AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR, IT WILL DRIVE FINE FOR A WHILE - SOMETIMES WEEKS - BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. AFTER IT HAPPENS A FEW TIMES, THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL TURN ON BUT WILL GO BACK OFF AFTER DRIVING A LITTLE OR RESTARTING IT A FEW TIMES. NOW, A FEW DAYS AGO IT STARTED JUMPING AND STRUGGLING TO MOVE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, NO WRENCH LIGHT THIS TIME. TURNING THE CAR OFF & LETTING IT SIT FOR A COUPLE MINUTES HELPED & I GOT TO WORK. THEN ON MY WAY HOME, I MADE IT 5 OF THE 7 MILES BEFORE IT STARTED ACTING UP AGAIN. THIS TIME SLUGGISH ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP. AFTER SITTING FOR A COUPLE DAYS, THE CAR DROVE SMOOTHLY FOR 3 MILES, STOPPED AT A LIGHT AND CAR JERKED AGAIN THEN LIMPED FORWARD. PULLED OVER & RESTARTED THE CAR AND IT DROVE SMOOTHLY FOR A LITTLE THEN VERY SLUGGISH ACCELERATION AGAIN. ONCE IT GOT MOVING, IT WAS GOOD, UNTIL THE NEXT COMPLETE STOP. I MANAGED TO GET A BLOCK FROM HOME AND PARK THE CAR AND I'M WAITING TO TAKE IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP 2 BLOCKS AWAY. HOPEFULLY AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR A DAY IT WILL MAKE IT THERE WITH NO PROBLEM...

NHTSA ODI #10985956

Mileage unknown · May 8, 2017
Power Train

TRANSMISSION NOISE

NHTSA ODI #10984163

130,000 miles · May 7, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

VECHICLE SURGES OR RAVE FORWARD WITH PRESSING GAS PEDAL ON SHIFTING FORWARD OR REVERSE,LOSES DRIVE POWER,WRENCH LIGHT ON!

NHTSA ODI #10983897

190,000 miles · Sep 2, 2016
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE RPMS REVVED UP AND DOWN ALTHOUGH THE SPEED REMAINED THE SAME. DURING THE FAILURE, THE WRENCH INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE RPMS REVVED UP AND DOWN ALTHOUGH THE SPEED REMAINED THE SAME. DURING THE FAILURE, THE WRENCH INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, AFTER THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 25 MPH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10903254

44,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER STICK WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE RPMS RAPIDLY INCREASED WITH A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LUNGED BACKWARDS WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE GEAR SHIFTER STICK WAS PLACED IN REVERSE, THE RPMS RAPIDLY INCREASED WITH A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY LUNGED BACKWARDS WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE AND WRENCH WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ODI #10894646

100,000 miles · Jul 5, 2016
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THIS MAKES THE SECOND TIME I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS NO PLANS TO RECTIFY THE "THROTTLE BODY" ISSUE ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE VOICED THE SAME CONCERN WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE IS A SEVERE SAFETY RISK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCES, ALL INVOLVING SURGING, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOS…

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THIS MAKES THE SECOND TIME I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT SEEMS THAT FORD HAS NO PLANS TO RECTIFY THE "THROTTLE BODY" ISSUE ALTHOUGH THERE ARE MANY THAT HAVE VOICED THE SAME CONCERN WITH THEIR VEHICLES. THIS ISSUE IS A SEVERE SAFETY RISK. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL INCIDENCES, ALL INVOLVING SURGING, FOLLOWED BY A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN INSTANCES OF SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER UPON ACCELERATION AFTER IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT. THIS HAPPENS RANDOMLY AND THERE IS NO WARNING BEFOREHAND. ONCE, I WAS PASSING A TRUCK AND PULLED INTO THE PASSING LANE AND THE FREESTYLE COMPLETELY LOST POWER. I WAS "HANGING" IN THE PASSING LANE WITH NO POWER AND NO WAY TO AVERT A COLLISION HAD THERE BEEN ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR TRAFFIC BEHIND ME. THANK GOODNESS, I HAD TIME TO BRAKE AND FORCE THE FREESTYLE ONTO THE SHOULDER. THIS ALSO HAPPENES AT STOP SIGNS AND RED LIGHTS WHEN I ACCELERATE. VERY DANGEROUS.

NHTSA ODI #10882717

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