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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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107,500 miles · Aug 16, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

AS I WAS DRIVING TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL I WAS PULLING FORWARD ON A PARKING SPOT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING LIKE IF I WAS PUSHING THE GAS BUT I WAS NOT I WAS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION I WAS GOING TO THE STORE WITH MY CHILDREN AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN I WAS ABOUT TO PULL INTO A PARKING S…

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AS I WAS DRIVING TO TAKE MY CHILDREN TO SCHOOL I WAS PULLING FORWARD ON A PARKING SPOT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED ACCELERATING LIKE IF I WAS PUSHING THE GAS BUT I WAS NOT I WAS PUSHING ON THE BRAKE. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION I WAS GOING TO THE STORE WITH MY CHILDREN AND THE SAME THING HAPPEN I WAS ABOUT TO PULL INTO A PARKING SPOT AND IT STARTED PLUNGING FORWARD I WAS PRESSING ON THE BRAKE AND IT WOULDN'T DO A THING. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT A MONTH. THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON AND WHEN I TURN OF THE CAR IT DISAPPEARS SO WHEN I TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC THEY DON'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT I DID RESEARCH WITH THE FORD FREESTYLE AND THEIR IS A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS SAME ISSUE, THEY ALL SAY ABOUT THE THROTTLE. I'M VERY CONCERN THAT ONE OF THIS DAY SOMETHING WORST MAY HAPPEN AND I'M WITH MY CHILDREN PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BEFORE SOMETHING WORST HAPPENS TO PEOPLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10622648

124,910 miles · Aug 7, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAD JUST STARTED THE ENGINE, A/C ON,AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING STALL.THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE WORKING NORMAL.ENGINE TEMP-NORMAL,FUEL-3/4 FULL, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON, ENGINE RPMS ABOUT 750. WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL,I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE.THE VEHICLE POWERED BACKWARDS AB…

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I HAD JUST STARTED THE ENGINE, A/C ON,AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING STALL.THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE WORKING NORMAL.ENGINE TEMP-NORMAL,FUEL-3/4 FULL, NO INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ON, ENGINE RPMS ABOUT 750. WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE SERVICE BRAKE PEDAL,I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO REVERSE.THE VEHICLE POWERED BACKWARDS ABOUT 5 FEET AND I BEGAN TO TURN THE VEHICLE TOWARDS THE RIGHT.THE ENGINE SPEED IMMEDIATELY RAISED, BUT MY FOOT WAS HOVERING ABOVE THE BRAKE PEDAL & NOT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL.I STOMPED HARD ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO AVOID HITTING THE VEHICLES PARKED BESIDE & DIRECTLY BEHIND ME.THE VEHICLE STOPPED AFTER POWERING BACKWARDS ANOTHER 5 FEET AFTER APPLYING THE SERVICE BRAKES.NO COLLISION OCCURED.I IMMEDIATELY LOOKED AT THE DASHBOARD AND SAW THE RPMS WERE AT 2250+ WHILE TRANS STILL IN REVERSE & SERVICE BRAKES FULLY APPLIED.I SHUTOFF THE ENGINE WHILE TRANS IN REVERSE AND THEN MOVED TRANS INTO PARK. A LOUD CLICK WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA AND THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10620690

118,000 miles · Jul 30, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE CLEANED AND THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ODI #10617557

15,000 miles · Jul 24, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON JAN 01, 2008 WE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH LUNGING AND HIGH IDLING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR A FEW MONTHS AND STARTED BACK. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE TBS AND ANOTHER PART. CAR WORKED GREAT FOR A WHILE, …

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SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED THE CAR ON JAN 01, 2008 WE BEGAN TO HAVE ISSUES WITH LUNGING AND HIGH IDLING. CAR WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT WAS OK FOR A FEW MONTHS AND STARTED BACK. WE TOOK IT BACK AND THEY REPLACED THE TBS AND ANOTHER PART. CAR WORKED GREAT FOR A WHILE, BUT HAD TO HAVE THE TBS CLEANED AGAIN IN 2011 AND 2012 AND IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN AND MORE. NOW IT IS EXTREME. I WORK ABOUT 6 MILES FROM HOME AND HAVE TO STOP SEVERAL TIMES TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON TO RESET THE WRENCH THAT COMES ON IN ORDER TO RESET THE HIGH IDLE. IF I DON'T, WHEN I HIT THE GAS, THE RPM'S GO UP TO 4 AND 5K ONLY DOING 30 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALSO ON. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED AND THE ERROR CODE IS P0701 INDICATING TRANSMISSION AND TB ISSUES. THE CAR ALSO LUNGES FORWARD A GREAT DEAL AND I HAVE TO STAY BACK A SAFE DISTANCE IN ORDER TO BE SURE IF IT LUNGES I DON'T HIT ANYONE. THE ISSUE IS FAR BEYOND THE THROTTLE BODY SENSOR. IT HAS TO ALSO DO WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION WHICH FORD KNOWS IS A LEMON. PLEASE PUSH THIS ISSUE SO THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO RECALL THE FAULTY PARTS AND PROTECT THE SAFETY OF THE FAMILIES IN THEIR VEHICLES. IF I HAD ANOTHER MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION I WOULD CERTAINLY NOT BE IN THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615929

75,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 10/2013 FROM NATIONAL USED CAR RETAIL CHAIN. *RECORDS, VIA FORD DEALERSHIP (AS OF 07/2014), INDICATE TB ISSUE (REF. NHTSA PE11018) ADDRESSED UNDER FORD CSP 12N03; 08/13 [TB CLEANED & PROGRAMMING EDITED BY 2ND LOCAL FORD DEALER.] INITIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED 10/2013, LESS THAN 72 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE, CODES IN…

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VEHICLE PURCHASED USED 10/2013 FROM NATIONAL USED CAR RETAIL CHAIN. *RECORDS, VIA FORD DEALERSHIP (AS OF 07/2014), INDICATE TB ISSUE (REF. NHTSA PE11018) ADDRESSED UNDER FORD CSP 12N03; 08/13 [TB CLEANED & PROGRAMMING EDITED BY 2ND LOCAL FORD DEALER.] INITIAL INCIDENT OCCURRED 10/2013, LESS THAN 72 HOURS AFTER PURCHASE, CODES INDICATED; AS PER RETAIL CHAIN REPAIR SHOP*, A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 6. REPAIR MADE VIA DEALER WARRANTY, REPLACING PLUG & ASSOCIATED PARTS.DROVE CAR FROM DATE OF REPAIR, INCLUDING HIGHWAY, LONG DISTANCES & LOCALLY W/O NOTABLE INCIDENT. LATER, SERVICE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ON & OFF; NO CODES PRESENT. ASSUMED INDICATOR SHORT. ENG. LIGHT & SVC. LIGHTS CAME ON & WENT OFF PERIODICALLY BUT NEVER READABLE FOR CODES. CAR THEN BEGAN TO MAKE NOISES OCCASIONALLY UPON START UP SIMILAR TO SOLENOID FAILURE & EXHIBIT "DIESELING" UPON IGNITION. WEATHER RELATED? THEN; 03/2014, ENTERED HIGHWAY, ACCELERATING TO 60/MPH - AT HALF MILE UP, CAR "SHUT DOWN"; RPM FLAT, SPEEDOMETER FLAT, PEDAL NON-REACTIVE, STEERING IMPAIRED, NO ELECTRICITY. COASTED TO DIVIDE IN HIGHWAY; CRANKED VEHICLE, TURNED & CROSSED TO SHOULDER; STOPPING & STARTING SEVERAL TIMES. MOVING 10/MPH TO SAFETY. STILL NO CODES. THOUGHT CLOG IN FUEL SYSTEM/ TRASH IN GAS. NEXT ATTEMPT TO DRIVE, FILLED TANK, NEW GAS; NO INDICATOR LIGHTS, NO PROBLEMS. THEN: INCIDENT:05/2014: CRANKED & BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY, PLACED G.SHIFT IN D.. NOTHING...NO MOVEMENT, RPM FLAT,SPEEDOMETER FLAT. SERVICE & ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ROLLED BACK IN DRIVE, CAR SAT FOR SEVERAL DAYS. CRANKED IT, ENG, & SVC. LIGHTS STILL ON; DROVE TO PARTS STORE. CODES PRESENT INDICATE TB MALFUNCTION. PROBLEM NOT COVERED VIA PURCHASE AGREEMENT. FORD SAYS; "PROBLEM SOLVED". PART/ $500 PLUS LABOR.PAYMENT:$475/MO. AFRAID TO DRIVE IT. DON'T WANT TO BE THE STALLED CAR HIT FROM BEHIND @ 65/MPH BY A BIG RIG STATISTIC TO FIX IT. IT IS STILL BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611013

80,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IF THE A/C WAS ON. THE CONTACT HAD TO POWER THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENDLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD FAIL TO START IF THE A/C WAS ON. THE CONTACT HAD TO POWER THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TO BE INSPECTED, DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10598980

98,326 miles · Jun 2, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE SERVICE AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED BEFORE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,326. UPDATED 10/24/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10595520

185,000 miles · May 29, 2014
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR GIVES CODES FOR SAFEMODE AND THERE IS NO SOLUTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595003

121,000 miles · May 21, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED AS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #10593229

229,000 miles · May 8, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10587254

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