NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports75,349 miles · Nov 16, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO 10/02/12 I BEGAN TO HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD IN DRIVE AND YOUR FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, OR LUNGING BACKWARDS AT SLOW SPEEDS IN THE SAME SCENARIO. IT HAD GOTTEN SO BAD THAT TROUBLES STARTED BLEEDING OVER INTO THE GEARS NOT CATCHING WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT…
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FOR ABOUT 6 MONTHS PRIOR TO 10/02/12 I BEGAN TO HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH MY FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD IN DRIVE AND YOUR FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, OR LUNGING BACKWARDS AT SLOW SPEEDS IN THE SAME SCENARIO. IT HAD GOTTEN SO BAD THAT TROUBLES STARTED BLEEDING OVER INTO THE GEARS NOT CATCHING WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. IT WAS THROWING TONS OF CODES, SO I ENDED UP HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY READ THE CODES AND SAID THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND HOPEFULLY AFTER IT'S REPLACED THE OTHER CODES WILL GO AWAY. SO AFTER A BILL OF $1038. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS FIXED, OR WAS IT? MY PROBLEMS ONLY CONTINUED, NOW WE WERE INTO THE CVT TRANSMISSION. WITH MY CAR STILL THROWING TONS OF CODES, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANNY WAS BAD. AS I HUNG MY HEAD LOW, KNOWING WHAT THIS INVOLVED, I KEPT TRYING TO RESET THE CODES AND SEE HOW LONG SHE WOULD GO BEFORE SHE GAVE UP AGAIN. 3 TOWS LATER AND TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP, I ENDED UP WITH A $3000 REBUILT TRANSMISSION :-( THE THROTTLE BODY IS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT YET FORD DOESN'T HAVE A RECALL AND IS ALLOWING ITS LOYAL CUSTOMERS TO PAY OUT THE YING-YANG FOR THIS THING. THE TRANNY, THE SAME THING, BECAUSE IT'S A CVT 'VERY SPECIAL AND NO ONE WORKS ON THEM' LOL, TONS OF PEOPLE HAVE DONE THE SAME THING AND ONLY HAD THE OPTION TO REPLACE THE TRANNY. I AM SO UPSIDE DOWN IN MY CAR AND TRIED LIKE HELL TO GET INTO ANOTHER ONE BUT TO NO AVAIL, DID I MENTION I ONLY HAVE 75,000 MILES ON MY CAR?! THIS IS A TRAGEDY TO ME. I'VE BEEN A LOYAL FORD OWNER FOR MY ENTIRE LIFE, AND IT SADDENS ME TO SEE SO MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE THE SAME CAR AND ARE GETTING SHAFTED BECAUSE 'BIG MONEY' DOESN'T WANT TO ADDRESS AN OBVIOUSLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. HOPING THAT BY STATING MY CONCERNS AND WHAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE. I HAVE MY RECEIPTS AND THAT'S GREAT AND ALL BUT I'M ALSO OUT $4,000...IN THIS ECONOMY, THAT SUCKS FOR ME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484876
62,000 miles · Nov 12, 2012
Electrical SystemPower Train
I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, RETURNED IN 30 MINUTES, STARTED RIGHT UP, PLACED TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, HEARD AND FELT A LARGE BANG, WHINING NOISE FROM ENGINE, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I DROVE IT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP, REPLACED THE COMPUTER, RECODED, REFLASHED, NOTHING WO…
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I PULLED INTO MY GARAGE, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, RETURNED IN 30 MINUTES, STARTED RIGHT UP, PLACED TRANSMISSION IN REVERSE, HEARD AND FELT A LARGE BANG, WHINING NOISE FROM ENGINE, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON, THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I DROVE IT. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP, REPLACED THE COMPUTER, RECODED, REFLASHED, NOTHING WORKED. I WAS TOLD IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION. NEW TRANSMISSION ESTIMATE IS $7000.00...FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR A FLAWED DESIGN...I WAS FORTUNATE IN THAT MY TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY GARAGE, OTHERS WERE NOT SO LUCKY. PLEASE DONT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE'S FAMILY IS KILLED BEFORE YOU FORCE A MUCH NEEDED RECALL ON SOME SERIOUSLY BAD RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10484080
106,000 miles · Nov 3, 2012
Service BrakesSuspensionVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW AS EXIT OFF FREEWAY, RPMS INCREASED AGAINST BRAKING SYSTEM. VERY DANGEROUS AND WOULD NOT SLOW. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, CONTINUES TO WORSEN, LUNGIN FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10483227
131,000 miles · Nov 2, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
ON INCREASINGLY FREQUENT OCCASIONS, MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SEL FWD VEHICLE HAS SURGED (OR LUNGED) DURING VERY LOW/0 SPEED MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING INTO, OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE/GARAGE; QUEUING UP IN A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN LANE, OR WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR; OR NAVIGATING TIGHT PASSAGES, I.E., PA…
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ON INCREASINGLY FREQUENT OCCASIONS, MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SEL FWD VEHICLE HAS SURGED (OR LUNGED) DURING VERY LOW/0 SPEED MANEUVERS, SUCH AS TURNING INTO, OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE/GARAGE; QUEUING UP IN A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN LANE, OR WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT/SIGN FOR TRAFFIC TO CLEAR; OR NAVIGATING TIGHT PASSAGES, I.E., PARKING GARAGE EXIT LANES AND DRIVE-THROUGH LANES. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE EXACERBATED BY HOT WEATHER AND/OR A/C OPERATION AND/OR STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT. THIS PROBLEM HAD OCCURRED PRIOR TO 9/6/2011, BUT WITH VERY RARE FREQUENCY. NOW HOWEVER, I AM EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM ON AN ALMOST DAILY BASIS. I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE DEVELOPING WITH THIS MODEL. IF I DON'T HAVE MY FOOT FIRMLY PLANTED ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR CAN SURGE (FAIRLY RAPIDLY) FORWARD OR BACKWARD A GOOD 10 - 20 FEET.
NHTSA ODI #10483183
95,881 miles · Oct 30, 2012
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
LOST POWER FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING LOST SPEED. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE SPUTTERED. SINCE THE FIRST EPISODE, I HAVE HAD CONTINUED EPISODES. TYPICALLY WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP. CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE ON A TRIP OF ABOUT 75 MILES. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE…
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LOST POWER FROM THE ENGINE CAUSING LOST SPEED. UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. ENGINE SPUTTERED. SINCE THE FIRST EPISODE, I HAVE HAD CONTINUED EPISODES. TYPICALLY WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE WARMS UP. CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENGINE ON A TRIP OF ABOUT 75 MILES. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE REPLACED IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUG, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WITHOUT IMPROVEMENT OF THE CONDITION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482671
108,432 miles · Oct 30, 2012
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR REVVED UP. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON .TOOK TO SHOP THE NEXT DAY HAD THE FOLLOWING CODES. P0871,P0961,P0701. TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT THE TUNE OF 6000.00. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482669
97,000 miles · Oct 27, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FREESTYLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED IDLE SPEED ACCELERATION OR LUNGING. THESE LUNGE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED, THE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE. THIS ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE - AND THIS ACCELERATION WHE…
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE EXPERIENCED UNEXPECTED IDLE SPEED ACCELERATION OR LUNGING. THESE LUNGE WAS SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED, THE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE AND NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE. THIS ISSUE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS BOTH IN DRIVE AND REVERSE - AND THIS ACCELERATION WHEN OR SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO GEAR. AGGRESSIVE BRAKING STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WAS FOUND TO BE DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10482450
77,000 miles · Oct 26, 2012
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
NHTSA ODI #10482300
77,000 miles · Oct 19, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD BECAUSE THROTTLE REVVING THE ENGINE. SITTING IN THE CAR LINE TO PICK UP CHILDREN AT SCHOOL IS WORRISOME. THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THIS DATE. FORD DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS UNREASONABLE TO HAVE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES I…
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VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD BECAUSE THROTTLE REVVING THE ENGINE. SITTING IN THE CAR LINE TO PICK UP CHILDREN AT SCHOOL IS WORRISOME. THROTTLE BODY REPLACED TWO TIMES PRIOR TO THIS DATE. FORD DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THROTTLE BODY NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. THIS IS UNREASONABLE TO HAVE REPLACED SO MANY TIMES. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES IN MY LIFE, CURRENTLY ONE WITH OVER 200,000 MILES 12YRS OLD, HAVE NEVER REPLACED A THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD MUCH LIKE THE RECENT TOYOTA ACCELERATOR ISSUE. THROTTLE BODY SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM OR SHOULD BE COVERED FOR REPLACEMENT BY FORD FOR LIFE OF VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481198
77,000 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Power Train
I WENT TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND MY CAR ACCELERATED HAD TO JUMP ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET CAR STALLED RESTARTED IT HAD NO POWER AND RECENTLY TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE HAD LOSS OF POWER I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE I WOULD SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT WOULD BE FINE THEN ONE NIGHT I WAS DR…
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I WENT TO PUT MY CAR INTO PARK AND MY CAR ACCELERATED HAD TO JUMP ON THE BRAKES WITH BOTH FEET CAR STALLED RESTARTED IT HAD NO POWER AND RECENTLY TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING NOISE HAD LOSS OF POWER I WOULD STEP ON THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE I WOULD SHUT THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT AND IT WOULD BE FINE THEN ONE NIGHT I WAS DRIVING IT HAD MY KIDS IN THE CAR AND MY CAR LOST ALL DRIVE GEARS NO ACCELERATION CAR WOULD JUST NOT MOVE LEFT US STRANDED MY CAR ONLY HAS 77000 MILES ON IT AND ITS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD I SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS WITH IT I HAVE BEEN READING ON LINE THERE'S ALOT OF PEOPLE WHO OWNS THE 2006 FORD FREESTYLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM SO WITH ALL THESE COMPLAINTS WHY IS THERE NO RECALL ON THIS CAR I GOT THE CAR BACK IN JANUARY FROM MY FATHER WHO PASSED AWAY I FINISHED PAYING IT OFF FOR HIM HE BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND NOW THERE'S ALOT OF EXPENSIVE REPAIRS THAT I CANT AFFORD I DON'T WANT TO GET RID OF IT HAS ALOT OF SENTIMENTAL VALUE IT BELONGED TO MY DECEASED FATHER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10481111
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