IllustrationWHEN WE PUT OUR FORD FREESTYLE INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE REVS TO 2000-2500 RPMS. *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 reportsWE HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES FORWARD OR REVERSE MAINLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON DURING SLOW PARKING LOT TYPE MOVEMENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN THE PAST FOR THIS AND THEY DID "SOMETHING" BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL EVIDENT. THIS HAPPENS A LOT AND I'VE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS BECAUSE OF IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO A PROPER REPAIR. …
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WE HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES FORWARD OR REVERSE MAINLY WHEN THE A/C IS ON DURING SLOW PARKING LOT TYPE MOVEMENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN THE PAST FOR THIS AND THEY DID "SOMETHING" BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL EVIDENT. THIS HAPPENS A LOT AND I'VE ALMOST HIT OTHER CARS BECAUSE OF IT. PLEASE LOOK INTO A PROPER REPAIR. *TR
THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. IT HAS LUNGED BACKWARD WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND FORWARD WHEN IT IS AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE WRENCH CAME ON AND HE CAR STALLED AT A DRIVE THRU AND DROVE VERY SLOW AFTER RESTARTING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A…
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THE LAST MONTH, THE CAR HAS BEEN LUNGING FORWARD WHEN THE A/C IS ON AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. IT HAS LUNGED BACKWARD WHEN PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACES AND FORWARD WHEN IT IS AT A COMPLETE STOP. THE WRENCH CAME ON AND HE CAR STALLED AT A DRIVE THRU AND DROVE VERY SLOW AFTER RESTARTING. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST POWER AND QUIT IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN TWO YEARS THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. THE 1ST WAS IN 2009 AND WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACED. NOW ON 6-4-11 THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING, AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT NEEDED YET ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A …
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WHILE DRIVING THE CAR LOST POWER AND QUIT IN TRAFFIC. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN TWO YEARS THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED. THE 1ST WAS IN 2009 AND WAS TOLD BY FORD DEALERSHIP THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACED. NOW ON 6-4-11 THE CAR IS DOING THE SAME THING, AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT NEEDED YET ANOTHER THROTTLE BODY. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WE WERE IN DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC WHEN THE CAR QUIT,WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS! *TR
WHEN SHIFTED FROM P TO R OR D, THE VEHICLE SURGES OR LUNGES. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL EVEN WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. WORSE WHEN A/C IS ON. THE ENGINE RACES, AND RPMS INCREASE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED LAST YEAR, AT APPROXIMATELY 48K MILES. NOTICED THE PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMED ALMOST IMAGINAR…
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WHEN SHIFTED FROM P TO R OR D, THE VEHICLE SURGES OR LUNGES. VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL EVEN WITH FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. WORSE WHEN A/C IS ON. THE ENGINE RACES, AND RPMS INCREASE. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED LAST YEAR, AT APPROXIMATELY 48K MILES. NOTICED THE PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE, BUT THE PROBLEM SEEMED ALMOST IMAGINARY, THEN WENT AWAY OVER THE WINTER MONTHS. THE PROBLEM HAS RETURNED AND SEEMS WORSE AT THIS TIME (SUMMER 2011). DEFINITELY NOT IMAGINARY, DEFINITELY DANGEROUS. OCCURS IN PARKING LOTS AND INTERSECTIONS, WHERE THERE ARE OFTEN MANY PEDESTRIANS AND VEHICLES IN CLOSE QUARTERS. ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, MECHANIC SAYS SERVICE CODES INDICATE THROTTLE PROBLEM. HOPE TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED TOMORROW. *TR
VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN BACKING BUT WILL HAPPEN ALSO WHEN IN DRIVE. SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT NOT FOR SURE. ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN VERY HOT WEATHER OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. ACCELERATION IS MINOR TO MODE…
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VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WHILE FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. HAPPENS MOSTLY WHEN BACKING BUT WILL HAPPEN ALSO WHEN IN DRIVE. SEEMS TO HAPPEN AS WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY IN EITHER DIRECTION, BUT NOT FOR SURE. ALSO SEEMS TO HAPPEN MORE IN VERY HOT WEATHER OR AFTER VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE. ACCELERATION IS MINOR TO MODERATE AND HAPPENS UNEXPECTEDLY. FORD REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER LAST SUMMER BUT STILL OCCURS. VEHICLE IS ALSO WEARING OUT RIGHT REAR BRAKE FASTER THAT OTHER BRAKES.
VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IDLING IN GEAR AND AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN A/C IS ON. WHEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE.
HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. ACCELERATION SURGES FROM IDLE, MOSTLY IN REVERSE BUT SOMETIMES IN DRIVE, HAVE INCREASED IN DURATION OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. LAST NIGHT IT SURGED ABOUT 10 FEET BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON LAST NIGHT BUT WAS OFF WHEN IGNITION T…
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HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. ACCELERATION SURGES FROM IDLE, MOSTLY IN REVERSE BUT SOMETIMES IN DRIVE, HAVE INCREASED IN DURATION OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS. LAST NIGHT IT SURGED ABOUT 10 FEET BACKING OUT OF A PARKING PLACE AND CAME VERY CLOSE TO HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON LAST NIGHT BUT WAS OFF WHEN IGNITION TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. I AM REALLY AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR. READ ABOUT THE INVESTIGATION INTO SURGES ON THIS MODEL. *TR
OUR FREESTYLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE RPMS WILL GO UP AND THE CAR WILL TRY TO JUMP AHEAD WHEN THE BRAKE IS ON. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SURGE WHILE DRIVING AND THE DASHBOARD MAY GO COMPLETELY BLANK. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON MANY TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS COMES BACK. DIFFERENT SENSORS AND RESETS OF THE COMPUTER…
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OUR FREESTYLE HAS PROBLEMS WITH SURGING FOR OVER A YEAR. THE RPMS WILL GO UP AND THE CAR WILL TRY TO JUMP AHEAD WHEN THE BRAKE IS ON. OTHER TIMES IT WILL SURGE WHILE DRIVING AND THE DASHBOARD MAY GO COMPLETELY BLANK. IT HAS BEEN WORKED ON MANY TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM ALWAYS COMES BACK. DIFFERENT SENSORS AND RESETS OF THE COMPUTER HAVE BEEN DONE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,814. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD AND BACKWARDS UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,814. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD WHILE IN REVERSE. THE CONDITION WAS MORE PREVALENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HOT. UPDATED 02/03/12
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