NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports200,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START LATER THAT DAY AND THE CHECK E…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE OFF. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START LATER THAT DAY AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT NEW THROTTLE BODIES NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE REPAIR FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
NHTSA ODI #11219694
84,000 miles · Jun 11, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE SPEED INCREASED WHILE I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, I CHANGED GEARS TO DRIVE AND IT DID NOT INCREASE ON ITS OWN. ONCE AGAIN ON REVERSE AND HAD ANOTHER SUDDEN INCREASE OF SPEED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. IF I WASN'T CAREFUL IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11219375
207,300 miles · Jun 2, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control
WHEN LETTING UP ON MY BRAKE PEDAL FROM A STOP MY CAR WILL RANDOMLY ACCELERATE AND LUNGE FORWARD. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 2017. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO EFFECT MANY FREESTYLE OWNERS, AND IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY FAMILY.
NHTSA ODI #11217368
106,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Exterior LightingFire
VEHICLE SITTING OUTSIDE WITH TAILGATE OPEN, NO KEY IN IGNITION WHEN THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT SIDE PASSENGER MIRROR EMITTED WHITE SMOKE ALSO A BURNT ELECTRICAL SMELL. THE PUDDLE LIGHT UNDERNEATH THE OUTSIDE MIRROR ON FRONT PASSENGER SIDE MELTED THE WIRES AND BLEW FUSE. FRONT WINDOWS NO LONGER WORK AS A RESULT OF BLOWN FUSE
NHTSA ODI #11217166
69,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT MOVED SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR AND DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE, IT MOVED SLOWLY. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS NO REPLACEMENT KIT TO REPAIR THE FAILURE AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE 2006 TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED MAPLECREST FORD OF MENDHAM (LOCATED AT 102 E MAIN ST, MENDHAM, NJ 07945, (800) 797-7259) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY COULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $9,000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
NHTSA ODI #11217094
8 miles · May 15, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
HELLO, I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON US HIGHWAY 2, DRIVING FROM SNOHOMISH, WA TO MONROE, WA, WHICH IS A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN (DEATH HIGHWAY) SUDDENLY, THE CAR SEEMED TO LUNGE AND I LOST ACCELERATION WITH THE YELLOW SERVICE WRENCH DASH LIGHT COMING ON. MY SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED AND THE CAR PULLED AT THE SAME TIME. RP…
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HELLO, I WAS DRIVING 60 MPH ON US HIGHWAY 2, DRIVING FROM SNOHOMISH, WA TO MONROE, WA, WHICH IS A 2 LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO MEDIAN (DEATH HIGHWAY) SUDDENLY, THE CAR SEEMED TO LUNGE AND I LOST ACCELERATION WITH THE YELLOW SERVICE WRENCH DASH LIGHT COMING ON. MY SPEED SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED AND THE CAR PULLED AT THE SAME TIME. RPM'S JUMPED TO 5000+ BUT I WAS DROPPING SPEED. I AVOIDED THE CAR COMING UP BEHIND ME AND THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC BY QUICKLY PULLING INTO AN AREA ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS A VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE THAT COULD HAVE TURNED OUT VERY BADLY IF I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STUNNED FOR 5-10 MINUTES, NOT KNOWING WHAT HAPPENED. IT HAD ALSO HAPPENED ONCE EARLIER THAT DAY AT MUCH LOWER SPEEDS AND THEN SEEMED TO RESET ITSELF. AGAIN THE WRENCH LIGHT RESET AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND DRIVE TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. AS OF NOW, I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE DAMAGE MAY BE OTHER THAN I'M BEING TOLD IT'S A BAD TRANSMISSION AND THAT I NEED A NEW ONE, WITH REALLY NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME THING WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. SINCE THIS INCIDENT I HAVE DONE A GREAT DEAL OF RESEARCH ON THIS CAR AND SPECIFICALLY THE 05-07 FORD FREESTYLE WITH THIS CVT. IT IS NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS HOW CAN FORD GET AWAY THIS AND WHY HASN'T THIS TRANSMISSION BEEN RECALLED AND FORD MADE TO FINALLY RESOLVE THE ISSUE SAFELY OR MADE TO REIMBURSE ALL AFFECTED PARTIES THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE SEVERELY UNSAFE VEHICLE. I AM THANKFUL THAT I HAD A PLACE TO TURN OFF, RATHER THAN THE POTENTIAL OF AN ACCIDENT ON THAT HIGHWAY!! NO PHYSICAL INJURY, BUT DEFINITELY AN EMOTIONALLY CHARGED EVENT!! THANK YOU. (XXXX) PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ODI #11207917
100,000 miles · Apr 1, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN SELLERS FORD (2600 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 221-2368) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEAN SELLERS FORD (2600 W MAPLE RD, TROY, MI 48084, (248) 221-2368) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #11193182
220,000 miles · Mar 26, 2019
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. JONES FORD (2410 OCEAN HWY W, SHALLOTTE, NC 28470, (888) 826-3208) WERE CONTACTED AND AT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE COULD NOT EXCEED 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED, IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. JONES FORD (2410 OCEAN HWY W, SHALLOTTE, NC 28470, (888) 826-3208) WERE CONTACTED AND ATTEMPTED TO FIND A USED TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER GAVE THE CONTACT SEVERAL LEADS TO CALL FOR REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSIONS, BUT THE CONTACT WAS NOT HAVING SUCCESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
NHTSA ODI #11191540
120,000 miles · Jan 17, 2019
Power Train
WHEN TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CRUISE ON WHILE GOING UP HILL OR DOWN HILL THE TOOL LIGHT WILL COME ON AND THE TRANSMISSION WILL SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. ALSO OCCURS WHEN CRUISE IS OFF AND GOING AT A STEADY PACE THE TRY TO ACCELERATE TO PASS SOMEONE. VERY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE.
NHTSA ODI #11170515
194,000 miles · Dec 14, 2018
EngineVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. JOE MACHENS CAPITAL CITY FORD (LOCATED AT 807 SOUTHWEST BLVD, JEFFERSON CITY, MO 65109, (855) 929-5900) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 194,000.
NHTSA ODI #11161344
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