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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

49 reports
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105,000 miles · Jun 4, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

OUR CAR LUNGES WHEN AT LOW SPEEDS. USUALLY FROM A STOP AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL IT LUNGES FORWARD. AGGRESSIVELY PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL STOPS THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE AC IS ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10460519

80,250 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

I BOUGHT MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 23,000 MILES WITHIN 4 MONTHS I STARTED EXPERIENCING A WHINING NOISE. THE NOISE STARTED GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER, I THEN STARTED TO FEEL THE CAR WANTING TO ACCELERATE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES. THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON. I WOULD T…

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I BOUGHT MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH 23,000 MILES WITHIN 4 MONTHS I STARTED EXPERIENCING A WHINING NOISE. THE NOISE STARTED GETTING LOUDER AND LOUDER, I THEN STARTED TO FEEL THE CAR WANTING TO ACCELERATE WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 5 TIMES. THE CAR WOULD STALL AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WOULD COME ON. I WOULD TURN IT OFF AND LET IT COOL A LITTLE AND IT WOULD START RIGHT UP AGAIN. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUED ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAT. I LIVE IN MIAMI FLORIDA AND IT WAS JUST ABOUT EVERYDAY THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN. THEN FINALLY IT HAPPENED, THE CAR JUST DIED ON ME. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WITH 30,000 AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE NO LIGHTS CAME ON. I LET THEM SERVICE THE CAR AND THEY TOLD ME EVERYTHING WAS OK. THE DEALER TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT, HE ALSO TOLD ME THE THROTTLE BODY WENT AND INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD WENT AS WELL. I ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING FORD COULD DO THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO CALL. FORD WAS THE WORST AT CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I EVER EXPERIENCED. THEY SAID NO TO EVERYTHING BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. AFTER SPENDING ALMOST $6,000 THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT FORD WAS NOW GIVING 100,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS. TO THIS DAY, I HAVE REPLACED BRAKES, ROTORS, ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY, FRONT ENGINE MOUNT AND THE CAR IS NOW EXPERIENCING A WHINING NOISE AGAIN. I STILL HAVE 15,000 WARRANTY LEFT ON LAST TRANNY I PUT IN. I'M THINKING THEY MAY HAVE TO PUT A NEW TRANNY IN AGAIN. FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS RECALL AND HOW DANGEROUS IT WAS AND NEVER ASKED FOR A VOLUNTARY RECALL, I AM ALSO VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NHTSA. THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSAND OF COMPLAINTS AND THEY ALSO DID NOTHING ABOUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451722

Mileage unknown · Mar 8, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS HOWEVER THIS IS BY FAR THE SCARIEST FORD CAR EVER AND TO ME THE UNSAFEST!! I PURCHASED MY FORD FREESTYLE BACK IN OCTOBER 2010. EVER SINCE THEN MY CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED MY CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY LUNGE FORWARD AND EVEN STALL WHEN I AM TURNING MY WHEEL. I HAV…

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I HAVE ALWAYS OWNED FORDS HOWEVER THIS IS BY FAR THE SCARIEST FORD CAR EVER AND TO ME THE UNSAFEST!! I PURCHASED MY FORD FREESTYLE BACK IN OCTOBER 2010. EVER SINCE THEN MY CAR SEEMS TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. WHEN I AM COMPLETELY STOPPED MY CAR WILL AUTOMATICALLY LUNGE FORWARD AND EVEN STALL WHEN I AM TURNING MY WHEEL. I HAVE A 5 YEAR OLD CHILD WHO I DRIVE EVERYDAY TO SCHOOL IN THIS DEATH TRAP AND IT SCARES ME TO DEATH. I HAVE TRIED TALKING TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS LIKE THIS WHEN I BOUGHT IT BUT OF COURSE THEY WANT ME TO SPEND ALL THIS MONEY I DO NOT HAVE ON REPAIRS...AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY ISN'T ANYONE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS TO PROTECT THE CONSUMER? IT IS VERY SCARY AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CAR IS LUNGING FORWARD AND BACKWARDS IF BACKING UP WHEN MY FOOT IS CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE AS WELL AS STALLING . I HOPE SOMEONE WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP IN AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEAD BECAUSE OF THIS!! THAT WOULD BE A SERIOUS LAWSUIT I AM SURE. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE PLEASE PLEASE DO A RECALL ON IT NOW IF NOT FOR ME FOR THE SAKE OF SOMEONE'S LIFE WHO IS DRIVING ONE OF THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450735

50 miles · Jan 24, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicFire

WAS DRIVING TO WORK CAR PICKED UP SPEED TO WHERE THE BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP THEN THE CAR JUST WENT OFF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10445053

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2012
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

MY FORD STARTED JERKING BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT REVERSE OR LUNGING FORWARD WHEN I START DRIVING FORWARDS. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE IN THE JEKYLL ISLAND WHEN WE WERE ON VACATION (ALL THREE DAYS) IN JULY 2011 AND ALSO WHEN RECENTLY LIKE THREE MONTHS AGO, OCT 2011. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT FROM A HOTEL PARKING LOT. I TH…

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MY FORD STARTED JERKING BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT REVERSE OR LUNGING FORWARD WHEN I START DRIVING FORWARDS. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE IN THE JEKYLL ISLAND WHEN WE WERE ON VACATION (ALL THREE DAYS) IN JULY 2011 AND ALSO WHEN RECENTLY LIKE THREE MONTHS AGO, OCT 2011. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT FROM A HOTEL PARKING LOT. I THOUGHT I AM GOING TO IT THE OTHER CARS. ALSO, I CHANGED THE BRAKES TWICE, ONCE FROM THE DEALER AND ONCE FROM THE AUTO MECHANIC. MY MILEAGE SO FAR IS 50K AND THIS IS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. I CONSTANTLY FACE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN THIS VEHICLE. AND ALSO OTHER PROBLEMS.(LIKE FRONT AXLE) COULD SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, PLEASE!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442412

50,000 miles · Dec 13, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

I WAS TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN ON A HOT DAY. WE WERE IDLING WITH THE A/C ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. I HAD MY FOOT PRESSED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE THEN LUNGED FORWARD SEVERAL FEET. THERE WERE NO IMPACTS OR ACCIDENTS, BUT AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. IT WAS SPUTTERING AN…

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I WAS TRANSPORTING MY CHILDREN ON A HOT DAY. WE WERE IDLING WITH THE A/C ON. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN MOTION. I HAD MY FOOT PRESSED FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE THEN LUNGED FORWARD SEVERAL FEET. THERE WERE NO IMPACTS OR ACCIDENTS, BUT AS I BEGAN TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ACTED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO STALL. IT WAS SPUTTERING AND KEPT LUNGING AS IF I HAD REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE CLUTCH THE CHECK ENGINE / WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED. I TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND IT DID EVENTUALLY TURN BACK ON, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH AND CONTINUED LUNGING. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER, JACKSON FORD-MERCURY TAG #540, AS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CHECKED THE AIR CONDITIONER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SAME DEALER A SHORT TIME LATER FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AND AGAIN THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS. AS THE SEASON CHANGED, THE PROBLEM CLEARED UP. WE WERE NO LONGER USING THE A/C. THE FOLLOWING SUMMER, SAME CONDITIONS, SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK IT TO A DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIP BIG VALLEY LINCOLN FORD MERCURY RO # 625097 AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM AND PROVIDED THE REPAIR TAG NUMBER. AFTER PERFORMING A MULT-IPOINT INSPECTION, NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE, AND A DIAGNOSTIC HVAC SYSTEM CHECK, THEY ALSO COULD FIND NO PROBLEM TO REPAIR. CONCERNED THAT OUR WARRANTY WAS GETTING READY TO EXPIRE, WE ASKED THEM TO DOCUMENT THE INCIDENT. WE'VE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO MANY LOCAL MECHANICS AS WELL. I AM UNSURE OF WHICH PARTS ARE ACTUALLY FAULTY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN ABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. WE DON'T UTILIZE THE A/C BECAUSE IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL AND FAILS TO COOL THE AIR PROPERLY ANYWAY. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS ENCOUNTERING THE SAME DEFECT AS MANY OF THE OTHERS DESCRIBED UP HERE AND I THINK THAT FORD SHOULD REPAIR THE DEFECT, AS I AND MANY OTHER CONSUMERS PURCHASED THESE VEHICLES IN GOOD FAITH.

NHTSA ODI #10440708

17,500 miles · Oct 19, 2011
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PREMATURELY WORN REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR DAMAGE. FORD INITIALLY HAD A RECALL ON THE REAR BRAKE PADS DUE TO FAULTY MATERIAL COMPOSITION. SINCE THE PADS WERE REPLACED BY RECALL I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS ABOUT 17000 MILES, FOLLOWED BY 33000 MILES AND AT 47000. THE VEHICLE I…

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PREMATURELY WORN REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR DAMAGE. FORD INITIALLY HAD A RECALL ON THE REAR BRAKE PADS DUE TO FAULTY MATERIAL COMPOSITION. SINCE THE PADS WERE REPLACED BY RECALL I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FAILURE ON TWO OTHER OCCASIONS. THE FIRST FAILURE WAS ABOUT 17000 MILES, FOLLOWED BY 33000 MILES AND AT 47000. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT 67000 MILES AND THE REAR PADS AND ONE ROTOR HAVE FAILED AGAIN. FRONT BRAKE PADS WHERE REPLACED AS A COURTESY BY THE FORD DEALER AT 47000 AND FRONT ROTORS HAVE NEVER BEEN REPLACED. I SPOKE WITH THE LOCAK FORD DEALERSHIP REGARDING THE PREMATURE WEAR AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS BUT FORD HAS NOT RECALLED OR CORRECTED ANYTHING. AS A RESULT OF THAT CONVERSATION I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS CONTACTED BY AN INVESTIGATOR TO DISCUSS THE BRAKES AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS. THE INVESTIGATOR DID NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE BRAKE WEAR WAS A PROBLEM AND ONLY STATED THAT IT WAS A WEAR ITEM. WHEN ASKED WHY THE REAR BRAKES FAILED AT A RATE SIGNIFICANTLY FASTER THAN THE FRONT BRAKES THE INVESTIGATOR REFUSED TO COMMENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10430811

100,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

CAR LUNGED FORWARD WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THIS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN THE CAR WAS IN REVERSE. THIS LUNGING STOPPED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THEN. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10425794

70,000 miles · Sep 4, 2011
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST WENT FORWARD THROUGH THE LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. THANKFULLY NO CARS HIT US. WE THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD THAT HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AND IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES. I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME TH…

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MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST WENT FORWARD THROUGH THE LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. THANKFULLY NO CARS HIT US. WE THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD THAT HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AND IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES. I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT TESTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY HAD THIS HAPPEN ON QUITE A FEW OF THEIR CARS, AND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE COMPUTER DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE A NEW THROTTLE PUT IN THE CAR. WE DID AND PAID $800. TO HAVE IT DONE. WE HAD ALSO TALKED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD QUITE A FEW FORDS COME IN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT UNLESS THERE WAS A RECALL. THEY CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THEREFORE WE PAID FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423215

78,500 miles · Aug 14, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CAR IS SURGING AND LUNGING (SEE PENDING INVESTIGATION FROM MAY 2011). ALSO, WHEN RUNNING THE A/C IT STARTS TO GO OFF AND ON BY ITSELF, THEN THE ENGINE STARTS TO SHUT OFF AND ON, AND ALL GAGES GO TO ZERO, LIKE THE CAR IS LOSING POWER.

NHTSA ODI #10420210

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