TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Freestyle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
1,300 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S POWER SHUT OFF AND THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE F…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S POWER SHUT OFF AND THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED..IT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER WITH THE KEY, SO I HAD TO TOW IT HOME IT WILL MOVE 12 INCHES FORWARD AND BACKWARD. *TR
THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WOULD BE OFF BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO REACH THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS ALWAYS TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SYMPTOM. WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT IDLE SURGE WHILE DRIV…
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THIS HAPPENED 3 TIMES BEFORE THEY WERE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THE LIGHTS WOULD BE OFF BY THE TIME I WAS ABLE TO REACH THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEIR RESPONSE WAS ALWAYS TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE SYMPTOM. WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH ON THE INTERSTATE THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT IDLE SURGE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION LOST POWER AND THE VEHICLE CRAWLED TO A HALT. THERE WAS NO ACCELERATION EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE REVVED UP. THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER SO I WAS UNABLE TO EVEN GET IT INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE INTERSTATE WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE WRENCH LIGHT FOR THE CVT TRANSMISSION, AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. I HAD TO TURN THE CAR OFF, PUT IT IN PARK, AND THEN RESTART THE CAR, WHEN I REACHED THE DEALERSHIP THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO RETRIEVE SEVERAL FAULT CODES. THEY PERFORMED AN R&R TRANSMISSION AND OVERHAUL. THIS HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES AT (77004 MILES, AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK AT 0 MPH. THEY REPLACED A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY FOR THIS REPAIR- AND THEN AT 77238 MILES-THEY REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR FOR THIS REPAIR). IT'S BEGINNING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS WAS AND STILL IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. I NOW HAVE 3 KIDS. I THANK GOD WE WEREN'T STRUCK FROM BEHIND WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. I AM TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO LONG DISTANCE LOCATIONS OR DRIVE ON ANY PARKWAY, HIGHWAY, OR INTERSTATE BECAUSE IT TOOK A WHILE FOR THE VEHICLE TO START UP LONG ENOUGH TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT WAS ONLY 4 MILES AWAY. *TR
WAS GOING HOME AFTER VISITING WITH A FRIEND AND ON WAY BACK WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEED LIMIT ON I75 NORTH (65MPH) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND AC STARTED BLOWING WARM, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT VERY POORLY. I HAD TO CAREFULLY GET OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND DROVE ON THE SI…
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WAS GOING HOME AFTER VISITING WITH A FRIEND AND ON WAY BACK WAS DRIVING NORMAL SPEED LIMIT ON I75 NORTH (65MPH) WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND AC STARTED BLOWING WARM, THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR WAS STILL RUNNING BUT VERY POORLY. I HAD TO CAREFULLY GET OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE AND DROVE ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE TO GET OFF AT THE VISIBLE OFF RAMP JUST A FEW YARDS AWAY. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR UP TO A MCDONALDS AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP. I SHUT IT OFF AND DECIDED TO GO INSIDE AND EAT. ABOUT 25~30 MINUTES LATER, I DECIDED TO TRY AND START THE CAR AND SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, THE CAR STARTED RIGHT UP, EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL, NO WARNING LIGHTS AT ALL. WE DROVE IT THE LAST 2 HOURS HOME WITHOUT ANY CONCERNS. WE RAN A CODE TESTER ON THE CAR THE NEXT DAY AND NOTHING CAME UP. THAT WAS IN SEPTEMBER 2013. ALMOST A YEAR LATER, THIS SEPTEMBER 2014, I HAD THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT I DO NOT REMEMBER THE LIGHT COMING ON THIS TIME AND IT HAPPENED AFTER ONLY DRIVING THE CAR 6 MILES TO MY LOCAL HOME DEPOT. AGAIN ONCE I GOT BACK INTO THE CAR AFTER ABOUT 45 MINUTES, EVERYTHING SEEMED TO BE OPERATING NORMAL AGAIN. THIS IS NORMALLY MY WIFE'S GRANDSON MOBILE, SHE NOW SAYS THAT THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES WITH SURGING WHILE STOPPING AND TAKING OFF AND THE AC IS BLOWING WARM WHEN SHE IS AT STOPS OR NOT DRIVING WITH ENGINE RUNNING. I READ A COUPLE FORUMS ABOUT WHY THE AC MAY BE ACTING UP BUT THIS DOESN'T EXPLAIN THE LIMP MODE THING AND THE NEW SURGING GOING ON. WE HAVE NO ENGINE OR WARNING LIGHTS AT ALL. I WILL TELL YOU I TEST DROVE IT AFTER HER CONCERNS AND THEY ARE REAL, THE SURGING THING IS A CONCERN AND I DON'T LIKE HER DRIVING IT. AT A LOCAL GARAGE GUYS SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE ITS THAT "FORD'S" PROBLEM, BUT DON'T SEE RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE....IS THIS A FORD PROBLEM THAT IS KNOWN? I CAN'T SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIND THE ROOT CAUSE. *TR
I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION ONCE SHORTLY LATER. IT DID NOT REOCCUR UNTIL RECENTLY IT EXPERIENCED CVT TRANSMISSIONS MALFUNCTIONS THREE TIMES WHILE ON A FAMILY VACATION. THIS RESULTED IN A "SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION" AFTER SLOW…
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I BOUGHT THIS CAR 2 YEARS AGO AND HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION ONCE SHORTLY LATER. IT DID NOT REOCCUR UNTIL RECENTLY IT EXPERIENCED CVT TRANSMISSIONS MALFUNCTIONS THREE TIMES WHILE ON A FAMILY VACATION. THIS RESULTED IN A "SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION" AFTER SLOWING DOWN FOR TRAFFIC FROM CRUZING SPEED AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO REACCELAERATE BACK TO HIGHWAY SPEED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, THE WRENCH LIGHT AND THE TRACTION CONTROL DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE ENGINE EXPERIENCED HIGH RPM'S WITH LITTLE FORWARD MOVEMENT. I TOOK THE PROBLEM TO AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALER WHO TOLD ME THE CODES WERE P0701 , P0715 , P2765 WHICH INDICATED A CVT TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT WOULD COST ABOUT $400.00 TO PULL AND DIAGNOSE THE TRANSMISSION AND ABOUT ANOTHER $5000 TO REPAIR IT BUT THEN THE DEALER TOLD ME THE PARTS ARE OBSOLETE OR NOT AVAILABLE. WHAT IS THE POINT OF ATTEMPTING A REPAIR IF THE PARTS ARE OBSOLTE ? WHY WOULD PARTS BE OBSOLETE AFTER 7 YEARS OF DISCONTINUING PRODUCTION ? IS FORD MAKING EXCUSES SO AS NOT TO HAVE TO WORK ON DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS ? THE SERVICE WRITER ADMITTED THAT IT WAS NOT A GOOD TRANSMISSION FOR FORD. FORD KNEW ABOUT THESE ISSUES AND NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEM. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE CORRECTLY AND DECREASE IN SPEED OR FAIL TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE CORRECTLY AND DECREASE IN SPEED OR FAIL TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE VEHICLE LUNGED TWICE WHILE I WENT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS IN CARLINE PICKING UP MY CHILDREN FROM PRIVATE SCHOOL. ON 8-23-14 AS I WAS IN REVERSE PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARDS AND LOST POWER. I TURNED OFF THE EN…
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THE VEHICLE LUNGED TWICE WHILE I WENT FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I IMMEDIATELY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AS I WAS IN CARLINE PICKING UP MY CHILDREN FROM PRIVATE SCHOOL. ON 8-23-14 AS I WAS IN REVERSE PULLING OUT FROM A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED BACKWARDS AND LOST POWER. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE . I STARTED THE ENGINE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHICH FELT AS IF IT WAS LOSING POWER. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE 2 MILES HOME AND PRAYED THE ENTIRE TIME THAT I WOULD MAKE IT SAFELY. AFTER DOING RESEARCH, WE DISCOVERED THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018. WE WERE NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AND FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE OWNERS OF ALL MONIES SPENT ON THE DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY SYSTEM. SO FAR WE HAVE SPENT $600. *TR
THE VEHICLE LUNGED AFTER GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES THAT WEEK. IT ALWAYS OCCURRED WHEN THE AC WAS RUNNING. I THEN HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN DAPHNE,AL LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. I HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AT [XXX] IN PENSACOLA. WE S…
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THE VEHICLE LUNGED AFTER GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. I QUICKLY PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THIS OCCURRED THREE TIMES THAT WEEK. IT ALWAYS OCCURRED WHEN THE AC WAS RUNNING. I THEN HAD THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN DAPHNE,AL LOOK AT THE CAR. THEY ADVISED THAT IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. I HAD THE REPAIR COMPLETED AT [XXX] IN PENSACOLA. WE SPENT $500 ON THE REPAIR. I FEEL THAT THIS MALFUNCTION WAS EXTREMELY PREMATURE. FORD SHOULD REIMBURSE CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE RECEIPTS TO PROVE THAT THEY COMPLETED WORK THAT WAS LATER A NHTSA ACTION. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WAS SITTING IN CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH AC RUNNING WAITING FOR MY WIFE. AS I BEGAN TO BACK UP I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO LET CAR GO BY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR GAS PEDAL. THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LATER WE WERE WAITING IN A LINE AT A DRIVE-THRU AS WE WAITED IN L…
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WAS SITTING IN CAR IN A PARKING LOT WITH AC RUNNING WAITING FOR MY WIFE. AS I BEGAN TO BACK UP I PUT FOOT ON BRAKE TO LET CAR GO BY WHEN THE CAR BEGAN TO SURGE AND MY FOOT WAS NO WHERE NEAR GAS PEDAL. THEN THE CAR SHUT OFF BY ITSELF AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. LATER WE WERE WAITING IN A LINE AT A DRIVE-THRU AS WE WAITED IN LINE I HAD CAR IN DRIVE BUT FOOT ON BRAKE. THEN THE CAR LUNGED FORWARD AND I COULD HAVE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR DIED AGAIN. THIS HAPPENED ANOTHER TIME. I TOOK IT TO AUTO PART STORE TO DIAGNOSE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. IT GAVE ME CODE P2106 AND WHICH IS THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL SYSTEM-FORCED LIMITED POWER. *TR
Official recalls
106V383000 · 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
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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