NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
49 reportsClear category filter44,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
MY '06 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FORWARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING SLOWLY BACK AND FORTH INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT TIMES IT EVEN STALLS. THE SURGE CAUSES THE CAR TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE AND I'M FORCED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR, WALL, PERSON, OR WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF ME. IT USUALLY HA…
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MY '06 FORD FREESTYLE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FORWARD ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING SLOWLY BACK AND FORTH INTO A PARKING SPOT. AT TIMES IT EVEN STALLS. THE SURGE CAUSES THE CAR TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE AND I'M FORCED TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR, WALL, PERSON, OR WHATEVER IS IN FRONT OF ME. IT USUALLY HAPPENS WHEN THE AC IS ON. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A FORD SERVICE STATION ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETECT THE PROBLEM. ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERN. THE NEXT TWO TIMES I WENT INTO THE CAR WITH THE TECHNICIANS AND THEY DID EXPERIENCE THE SURGING MOTION. HOWEVER, WHEN RUNNING THE DIAGNOSTIC ON THE CAR, NO PROBLEMS WERE INDICATED. MOST RECENTLY, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS UPDATED ON THE CAR AND I WAS SENT HOME, AS THE TECHNICIANS SAID THEY DROVE THE CAR AND NO LONGER FELT THE SURGING. BY THE TIME I EXITED THE HIGHWAY (5 MILES LATER) THE CAR WAS SURGING AND THREATENING TO STALL OUT. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ONLINE AND HAVE DISCOVERED MULTIPLE FREESTYLE OWNERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. MOST HAVE INDICATED THAT THE CAUSE IS THE THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT TO BRING IN MY CAR TOMORROW AND HAVE PHOTOCOPIED SOME OF THOSE COMPLAINTS. IF THIS ISSUE IS PREVALENT IN FORD FREESTYLES, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR OUR VEHICLES TO BE REPAIRED AT FORD'S EXPENSE. DRIVING MY 4 YEAR OLD CAR SHOULD NOT MAKE ME FEEL LIKE MY LIFE IS IN DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10343891
Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3RD SET OF BACK BRAKES 37623 MILES ON CAR 3 1/2 YEARS OLD. BRAKES ARE DRAGGING FIXED ONCE BY FORD TOLD IT WAS THE LAST TIME FORD WOULD PAY FOR IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10341524
39,000 miles · Apr 28, 2010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON 06 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS ON THIS CAR OR HAD TO HAVE THEM RESURFACED 4 TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. AT 39,000 MILES THEY DID A TSB ON THE REAR BRAKES, AT 79,000 THE REPLACED PADS, RESURFACED ROTORS, AND CLEANED AND LUBED THE SLIDES AND PINS, AT 85,000 MILES THEY REPLAC…
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FRONT AND REAR BRAKES ON 06 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKE ROTORS ON THIS CAR OR HAD TO HAVE THEM RESURFACED 4 TIME SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR. AT 39,000 MILES THEY DID A TSB ON THE REAR BRAKES, AT 79,000 THE REPLACED PADS, RESURFACED ROTORS, AND CLEANED AND LUBED THE SLIDES AND PINS, AT 85,000 MILES THEY REPLACED THE REAR ROTORS AND RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS AGAIN, AT 96,905 THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS. WHY ARE THERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THESE CARS? WHAT ARE THY DOING TO HELP THE CONSUMER WITH THE COST OF REPAIRS? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10327910
Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2009
EquipmentService Brakes, Hydraulic
REAR BRAKES ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ROTORS AND PADS AND THEY WAS REPAIRED BY FORD AT 40K BUT NOW THIS IS THE THIRD SET WITH ONLY 91K SINCE THEN AND IT TIME FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT LOOK LIKE THIS IS A ON GOING THING WITH THE FREESTYLE AND 500. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292207
28,900 miles · Oct 4, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2006 FORD FREESTYLE REAR BRAKES NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN! HAD BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED AT 16,000 MILES ON RECALL, PRESENTLY VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 29,000 MILES AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED REPLACEMENT AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286221
50,219 miles · Jun 20, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI LOCK BRAKE PUMP DEFECTIVE, LUCKILY DISCOVERED BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY. BACK BRAKES ALREADY REPLACED ONE TIME ON FORD 2006 FREESTYLE. NO DASHBOARD INDICATORS EVER CAME ON, ONLY REALIZED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT WHILE USING BRAKES. FORD NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS I…
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ANTI LOCK BRAKE PUMP DEFECTIVE, LUCKILY DISCOVERED BEFORE SERIOUS INJURY. BACK BRAKES ALREADY REPLACED ONE TIME ON FORD 2006 FREESTYLE. NO DASHBOARD INDICATORS EVER CAME ON, ONLY REALIZED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT FEEL RIGHT WHILE USING BRAKES. FORD NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED. WE WERE JUST LUCKY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10274422
Mileage unknown · Jan 26, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
WE PURCHASED A USED FORD FREESTYLE JUST OVER 18 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED TWICE...THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVED WITH THESE YET BUT WE HAVE A SMALL SON AND I TAKE CARE OF THEM BEFORE THERE IS A FAILURE...AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A FEW FORD OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS W…
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WE PURCHASED A USED FORD FREESTYLE JUST OVER 18 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE BRAKES REPLACED TWICE...THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS INVOLVED WITH THESE YET BUT WE HAVE A SMALL SON AND I TAKE CARE OF THEM BEFORE THERE IS A FAILURE...AND FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN A FEW FORD OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS... *TR
NHTSA ODI #10256368
26,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
06 FORD FREESTYLE, 26,000 MILES. BOUGHT IT NEW. DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY. GRINDING NOISE IN RIGHT REAR TIRE, EXPECT IT TO BE BRAKE SINCE IT IS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. HAVE SMELLED BURNING SMELL TWICE WHEN STARTING CAR, DON'T KNOW WHY. ENGINE 'REVS' WHEN FIRST STARTED WHEN COLD, NEED TO KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE OR IT TAKES OFF. TOOK …
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06 FORD FREESTYLE, 26,000 MILES. BOUGHT IT NEW. DRIVE CONSERVATIVELY. GRINDING NOISE IN RIGHT REAR TIRE, EXPECT IT TO BE BRAKE SINCE IT IS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKE. HAVE SMELLED BURNING SMELL TWICE WHEN STARTING CAR, DON'T KNOW WHY. ENGINE 'REVS' WHEN FIRST STARTED WHEN COLD, NEED TO KEEP FOOT ON BRAKE OR IT TAKES OFF. TOOK IT TO DEALER ONCE, THEY COULDN'T IDENTIFY PROBLEM SAID BRING BACK IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THAT WAS BEFORE THE BRAKE GRINDING NOISE, WHICH HAS BEEN IN THE LAST FEW DAYS. WILL TAKE TO DEALER THIS WEEK. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10253299
19,000 miles · Sep 29, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicTires
THE BRAKES AND ROTORS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE PRE-MATURELY WEARING HAVING TO BE REPLACED AT 19K BY THE DEALER. I NOW HAVE 31K AND THE REPLACED SET IS ALREADY 60% USED. THIS CONCERNS ME GREATLY AS THE REALLY MAKES THE CAR UNSAFE. TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE ALSO WEARING FASTER THEN NORMAL. WILL NEED REPLACEMENT SOON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10243929
Mileage unknown · Sep 9, 2008
Electrical SystemPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, AWD, LTD AND INSTALLED THE SPACE SAVER TIRE. WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE, ALL FAULT INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION PROCEEDED TO ERRATICALLY UP AND DOWN SHIFT. WENT DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEREIN TOLD BY S…
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HAD A FLAT TIRE ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE, AWD, LTD AND INSTALLED THE SPACE SAVER TIRE. WHILE DRIVING, THE SPEEDOMETER FAILED TO OPERATE, ALL FAULT INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION PROCEEDED TO ERRATICALLY UP AND DOWN SHIFT. WENT DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHEREIN TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL. TOLD SERVICE ADVISOR THAT I THOUGHT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE SPACE SAVER TIRE. THERE WAS NO INFORMATION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO THE VEHICLES ERADICATE BEHAVIOR. LATER, SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL BEHAVIOR WITH THE SPACE SAVER TIRE AND THE VEHICLES ABS SENSORS. I DISAGREED ON THE NORMAL BEHAVIOR SINCE I CONSIDER MY SPEEDOMETER A SAFETY DEVICE - AND SINCE THE SPACE SAVER TIRE IS SPEED LIMITED, THIS MADE THE VEHICLE BEHAVIOR QUESTIONABLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241448
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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