IllustrationTHE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD DEPENDING WHICH GEAR IT IS IN. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE IT FIRST OCCURRED. *TR
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
630–25K
15325–50K
37450–75K
29975–100K
241100–150K
57150K+
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
What owners actually said
1,300 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND MOST FREQUENTLY WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER NOR REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY. THE CVT STOPPED WORKING. I LOST POWER TO THE GAS PEDDLE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. IT DOES THIS ALOT NOW. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE A FIREFIGHTER WITH EMERGENCY DRIVING SKILLS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE VEHIC…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WITH MY YOUNG FAMILY. THE CVT STOPPED WORKING. I LOST POWER TO THE GAS PEDDLE. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT BEGAN WORKING AGAIN. IT DOES THIS ALOT NOW. I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WAS VERY LUCKY TO BE A FIREFIGHTER WITH EMERGENCY DRIVING SKILLS. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THE VEHICLE ALSO LUNGES FORWARD WHEN MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE.I BELIEVE A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR
DURING HOT WEATHER, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, MY NEWLY-PURCHASED 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WILL "LUNGE" WILDLY WHEN INITIALLY PLACED IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE, REQUIRING HEAVY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM RUNNING AWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS A "WRENCH" LIGHT (INDICATING A POWERTRAIN OR TRANSMISSION FAULT) AND AN "ENGINE" LIGHT (I…
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DURING HOT WEATHER, ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, MY NEWLY-PURCHASED 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WILL "LUNGE" WILDLY WHEN INITIALLY PLACED IN EITHER REVERSE OR DRIVE, REQUIRING HEAVY APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT FROM RUNNING AWAY. THE VEHICLE HAS A "WRENCH" LIGHT (INDICATING A POWERTRAIN OR TRANSMISSION FAULT) AND AN "ENGINE" LIGHT (I.E., CHECK ENGINE) WHICH BOTH COME ON WHEN THIS OCCURS. TYPICALLY TURNING THE IGNITION OFF AND RESTARTING THE CAR WILL TEMPORARILY RESOLVE THE PROBLEM, HOWEVER OCCASIONALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL REMAIN ON WHILE DRIVING FOR A DAY OR SO AFTERWARD. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS NOT BEEN EXHIBITING ITSELF SINCE THE WEATHER TURNED COOLER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT DIFFERENCE THAT MAKES, BUT IT DOES SEEM TO MAKE SOME DIFFERENCE. *TR
IT IDLES TO FAST WITH AC ON AND SPEEDS UP YOU GOT HIT BRAKE REAL HARD TO STOP IT THEN WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON IT ONLY HAS 67000 MILES ON IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IT HAPPENED TO IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS A FAULTY PART IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AGAIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO…
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IT IDLES TO FAST WITH AC ON AND SPEEDS UP YOU GOT HIT BRAKE REAL HARD TO STOP IT THEN WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON IT ONLY HAS 67000 MILES ON IT AND IM NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IT HAPPENED TO IT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AS A FAULTY PART IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD AGAIN [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AND BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED ON AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY CONTROL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,090.
WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE THE CAR LUNGES. VERY UNSAFE. IT HAPPENS MORE WHEN IT'S HOT. HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *TR
VEHICLE WILL LUNGE OR ACCELERATE UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC, STOP LIGHT OR ANY LOW SPEED. IT WILL HAPPEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALMOST CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AT TRAFFIC LIGHT. ENGINE DIED AFTER LUNGING ON ONE OCCASION AFTER I APPLIED BRAKES HARD TO STOP FROM JUMPING INTO TRAFFIC FROM PARKING LOT. *TR
FORD FREESTYLE SURGES, MOVING THE VEHICLE WHEN BRAKE IS LIGHTLY HELD. *TR
MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST WENT FORWARD THROUGH THE LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. THANKFULLY NO CARS HIT US. WE THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD THAT HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AND IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES. I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME TH…
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MY HUSBAND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST WENT FORWARD THROUGH THE LIGHT, EVEN THOUGH HE WAS HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL DOWN. THANKFULLY NO CARS HIT US. WE THOUGHT PERHAPS IT WAS JUST SOMETHING WEIRD THAT HAPPENED. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT AND IT HAPPENED TWO MORE TIMES. I CALLED FORD. THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I SHOULD TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT TESTED. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY HAD THIS HAPPEN ON QUITE A FEW OF THEIR CARS, AND THAT EVEN THOUGH THE COMPUTER DIDN'T SHOW ANYTHING, THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE HAVE A NEW THROTTLE PUT IN THE CAR. WE DID AND PAID $800. TO HAVE IT DONE. WE HAD ALSO TALKED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO CONFIRMED THAT HE HAD QUITE A FEW FORDS COME IN WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM. FORD TOLD US THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT UNLESS THERE WAS A RECALL. THEY CAR WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, THEREFORE WE PAID FOR THE REPAIR. *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