NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
484 reportsClear category filter66,400 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH APPROX. 66,500 MILES ON IT, HAS PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY AS DIAGNOSED BY FORD COASTAL IN MOBILE, AL. BEFORE DIAGNOSIS, MY FREESTYLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOUNGE OR ACCELERATE, UNCOMMANDED, WHILE BACKING UP (REVERSE), OUT OF PARKING AREA. ENGINE LIGHT AND MAINTENANCE "WRENCH LIGHT" SOON FOLLOW AFTER THESE SER…
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH APPROX. 66,500 MILES ON IT, HAS PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY AS DIAGNOSED BY FORD COASTAL IN MOBILE, AL. BEFORE DIAGNOSIS, MY FREESTYLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOUNGE OR ACCELERATE, UNCOMMANDED, WHILE BACKING UP (REVERSE), OUT OF PARKING AREA. ENGINE LIGHT AND MAINTENANCE "WRENCH LIGHT" SOON FOLLOW AFTER THESE SERIES OF EVENTS. FORD COASTAL SUGGESTS REPLACING THROTTLE BODY. THIS PART IS NOT COVERED BY MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE COST IS $920 TO BE SHOULDERED BY THE CAR OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395953
81,000 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD WHEN IN GEAR, SLIGHTLY HIT GARAGE DOOR......I THINK A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. NOT REPAIRED YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395503
38,314 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,314 UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10394304
74,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE, WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. LUNGE FORWARD AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED FINE...FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE COMPUTER S…
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VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE, WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. LUNGE FORWARD AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED FINE...FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT NOT SURE. WILL BE HAVING DEALERSHIP LOOK AT VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A MONTH...JUST A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE BEGINNING, BUT NOW IS UNCONTROLLABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10394940
38,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS AND THEN IT STALLED. THE WRENCH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLAC…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS AND THEN IT STALLED. THE WRENCH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10389835
90,000 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER OFFERED THE CONTACT NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARS WERE ON THE GROUND. THE DEALER OFFERED THE CONTACT NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BECAUSE HER VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10386074
100,000 miles · Feb 20, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT THE ENGINE SURGES WITH OUT PRESSING THE GAS. ALSO, THE AWD AND TC FUNCTION ISN'T WORKING AND WE ARE ALSO GETTING INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNINGS FOR NO SEAT BELT, AIR BAG WARNINGS. FORD SAYS I NEED TO REPLACE CVT TRANSMISSION TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383410
Mileage unknown · Feb 19, 2011
Power Train
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FALLING APART AND IT WOULD COST ME 5800 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS OR ANY RECALLS FOR THE FORD CVT TRANS…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION MAKING A TAPPING NOISE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE INSIDE OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS FALLING APART AND IT WOULD COST ME 5800 DOLLARS TO HAVE IT REPAIRED HAS THERE BEEN ANY OTHER PROBLEMS LIKE THIS OR ANY RECALLS FOR THE FORD CVT TRANSMISSION HELP I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR LUNCHING FORWARD AND STALLING OUT AND THE WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM OR ANY FAULT CODES THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10383305
99,000 miles · Feb 10, 2011
EquipmentPower Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEMS. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 99K MILES, DAYS AFTER BUYING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS APPEARED. FIRST THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR TWO WEEKS GETTING IT REPAIRED. T…
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE CONTROL PROBLEMS. BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED WITH 99K MILES, DAYS AFTER BUYING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS APPEARED. FIRST THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED, VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING AND IDLING IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS AT DEALER FOR TWO WEEKS GETTING IT REPAIRED. THEY REPLACED THROTTLE BODY CONTROL TWICE BEFORE PROBLEM WAS ELIMINATED. SECOND THE CVT TRANSMISSION FAILED, WRENCH AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS WOULD COME ON AND VEHICLE WOULD LOSE ALL DRIVE POWER, WOULD DO IT ABOUT EVERY 10 MILES EVENTUALLY BEFORE THE DEALER FINALLY AGREED THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THEY REBUILT IT TWICE AND STILL HAD SAME PROBLEM, THEY TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FINALLY TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP OVER A MONTH FOR THIS. I DO NOT LOOK FORWARD TO FUTURE REPAIR COST KNOWING THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM SINCE FORD NOR THE NHTSA WILL DO A [XXX]THING ABOUT IT. THANK YOU FORD AND THANK YOU NHTSA, LOOKS LIKE THE LITTLE GUY/TAXPAYER TAKES IT IN THE REAR AGAIN! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
NHTSA ODI #10381412
89,000 miles · Jan 26, 2011
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD LAST WEEK AND HEARD A BIG METALLIC SOUNDING BANG. MY HUSBAND FOUND METAL PARTS IN THE ROAD. I NOW HAVE A WHOLE IN MY TRANSMISSION AND A GEAR FELL OUT OF IT. STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE MECHANIC HOW MUCH THE REPAIRS WILL COST. THE CAR HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378864
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
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