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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

602 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 9, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN ROUTE TO WORK OR THE GROCERY STORE, MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE SEEMED SLOW AND SLUGGISH TO RESPOND AS I WOULD BE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT FOR THE GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT DID TURN GREEN AND I WOULD PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO GO, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. A FEW TIMES THERE WERE CLOSE CALLS AS THE C…

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN ROUTE TO WORK OR THE GROCERY STORE, MY 06 FORD FREESTYLE SEEMED SLOW AND SLUGGISH TO RESPOND AS I WOULD BE WAITING AT A RED LIGHT FOR THE GREEN. WHEN THE LIGHT DID TURN GREEN AND I WOULD PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO GO, THE CAR WOULD SHUT OFF. A FEW TIMES THERE WERE CLOSE CALLS AS THE CAR BEHIND ME WOULD BE UNAWARE I WAS HAVING TROUBLE AND ALMOST REAR-END ME. WHEN THE CAR WOULD CUT OFF, I WOULD PROCEED TO RESTART THE CAR AND THEN PRESS THE GAS TO GO. THE CAR SEEMED TO RESPOND EXTREMELY SLOW LIKE I WOULD HAVE THE GAS PEDAL PRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD ONLY BE ABLE TO GO 20 - 25 MPH. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, THE CAR WOULD SEEM TO LURCH FORWARD OR BACKWARD (DEPENDING ON IF I HAD THE CAR IN DRIVE OR REVERSE) AS SOON AS I WOULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE. AFTER THE 3RD OR 4TH TIME THIS HAPPENED, I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO HAD TO REFER ME TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR TO BE LOOKED AT, FORD EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS IT WAS CAUSING AN ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATION MISHAP IN THE CAR. SO OVER $900 LATER, THE CAR WAS FIXED. I DID DO MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT SEVERAL OTHER 06 FORD FREESTYLES HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. EVEN THE SERVICE MAN AT THE FORD DEALER WHO FIXED MY CAR SAID THAT HE HAD JUST HAD HIS 06 FREESTYLE REPAIRED FOR THE SAME REASON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIES TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM LIKE A RECALL. THERE WERE TIMES WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE REAR-ENDED, IN AN ACCIDENT, OR POSSIBLY DRIVE THROUGH MY HOUSE. A RECALL WOULD BE BEING PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF WAITING TO BE REACTIVE. BEING PROACTIVE SHOWS THAT THE FORD CARES FOR ITS CONSUMERS AND APPRECIATES THEM AS WELL. SAFETY SHOULD BE PRIORITY #1!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10429243

40,000 miles · Oct 5, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS LUNGED WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION. WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, WHILE IN REVERSE, BUT WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED THE CAR HAS LUNGED FEET BACKWARDS AT A FAST RATE AND NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. THIS IS ALSO TRUE IN REGARDS TO STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WHILE IN DRIVE WITH THE BRA…

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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS MY VEHICLE HAS LUNGED WHEN IN A STOPPED POSITION. WHEN BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, WHILE IN REVERSE, BUT WITH THE BRAKE STILL APPLIED THE CAR HAS LUNGED FEET BACKWARDS AT A FAST RATE AND NEARLY CAUSED ACCIDENTS. THIS IS ALSO TRUE IN REGARDS TO STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR STOP SIGN. WHILE IN DRIVE WITH THE BRAKE PEDDLE DEPRESSED STOPPED BEHIND ANOTHER VEHICLE THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD A COUPLE FEET NEARLY HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND I FEEL UNSAFE IN MY OWN CAR. I DON'T KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN SO I HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR IT AT ALL TIMES. THANK GOD THAT I HAVEN'T HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. IT IS SUCH A FAST AND UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT THAT MY CHILDREN WILL SCREAM. THIS NEEDS TO BE TAKEN SERIOUSLY BEFORE SOMEONE HAS A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428824

700,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed ControlCrash

OUR FREESTYLE HAS A REPEATED TENDENCY TO SURGE FORWARD FROM STOP WITH NO APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LAST YEAR WHEN WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN REPEATEDLY WORSE AND WE HAVE SURGED INTO OTHER CARS WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. T…

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OUR FREESTYLE HAS A REPEATED TENDENCY TO SURGE FORWARD FROM STOP WITH NO APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LAST YEAR WHEN WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN REPEATEDLY WORSE AND WE HAVE SURGED INTO OTHER CARS WHEN TRYING TO LEAVE A PARKING SPACE. THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CONSISTENT, BUT IT OCCURS ON A REGULAR BASIS; SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428388

69,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS PARKED WITH CAR RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP THE CAR, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ENGAGED ON THE BRAKE. CAR STALLED BUT I WAS ABLE TO RE-START CAR. WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BUT THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LABORED AND DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND WOUL…

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I WAS PARKED WITH CAR RUNNING FOR ABOUT 10 MINS. WHEN I WENT TO BACK UP THE CAR, THE CAR LUNGED BACKWARDS WHILE MY FOOT WAS STILL ENGAGED ON THE BRAKE. CAR STALLED BUT I WAS ABLE TO RE-START CAR. WRENCH AND ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. I DROVE THE CAR HOME BUT THE FUEL INJECTION WAS LABORED AND DID NOT ACCELERATE NORMALLY AND WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME, BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL LIT AFTER SEVERAL DAYS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428270

67,000 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME MINOR SURGING WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BAD GAS OR NEEDED A NEW FUEL OR AIR FILTER. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT WAS IN AUGUST WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. BEFORE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATE…

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FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS I HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING SOME MINOR SURGING WHEN CAR WAS PUT INTO REVERSE BUT THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN BAD GAS OR NEEDED A NEW FUEL OR AIR FILTER. FIRST MAJOR INCIDENT WAS IN AUGUST WHEN I STARTED MY CAR AND PUT IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE. BEFORE I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND THEN STALLED SUDDENLY. THIS HAPPENED AT LEAST 3 TIMES WHILE I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY BEGAN TO WORK PROPERLY AND I COULD DRIVE IT HOME AGAIN. BOTH WRENCH AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428264

60,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND THE WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE FAILURE UNTIL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 WAS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND THE WRENCH INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE FAILURE UNTIL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 WAS INVESTIGATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10428044

62,000 miles · Sep 30, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK OR REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGED FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND SHE SHIFTED INTO PARK OR REVERSE THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGED FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

NHTSA ODI #10428007

65,000 miles · Sep 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL OR SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LUNGE FORWARD AND BACKWARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL OR SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10427658

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE BRAKES ARE EFFECTIVE IN EITHER PREVENTING OR STOPPING THE MOVEMENT, BUT IN SOME CASES THE VEHICLE HAS MOVED AS MUCH AS 10 FEET IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, LIGHTLY APPLIED OR APPLIED LATE. THE MOVEMENT RESULTING FROM THE UNEX…

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MY VEHICLE EXPERIENCES UNEXPECTED MOVEMENT WHEN THE DRIVER'S FOOT IS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. THE VEHICLE BRAKES ARE EFFECTIVE IN EITHER PREVENTING OR STOPPING THE MOVEMENT, BUT IN SOME CASES THE VEHICLE HAS MOVED AS MUCH AS 10 FEET IF THE BRAKE IS NOT APPLIED, LIGHTLY APPLIED OR APPLIED LATE. THE MOVEMENT RESULTING FROM THE UNEXPECTED IDLE SPEED INCREASE, OFTEN DESCRIBED AS A "LUNGE," GENERALLY OF BRIEF DURATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO, HOW CAN THIS BE FIXED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427487

65,344 miles · Sep 26, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LUNGED IN DRIVE AND REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE FOR $700. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,344. UPDATED 10/12/11 *BF UPDATED 3/30/12 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10427158

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