NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
1,300 reports34,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STOP BU THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TR…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM THE STOP BU THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED AS THE VEHICLE RESUMED NORMALLY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION YET THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN 1,000 MILES AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. MOST RECENTLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION THROTTLE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
NHTSA ODI #10398280
58,000 miles · Apr 29, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
VEHICLE ACCELERATES, WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. LUNGE FORWARD AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IT SURGES IN REVERSE AS WELL, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND THE GAS PEDAL IS VACANT. I CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST UP TO $1000.…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE ACCELERATES, WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. LUNGE FORWARD AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. IT SURGES IN REVERSE AS WELL, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED AND THE GAS PEDAL IS VACANT. I CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY, IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST UP TO $1000. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD AND IT IS COMMON TO ALL FORD FREESTYLES. IT IS MOST DEFINITELY A MANUFACTURING FLAW AND IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE CAR ALREADY HAS SURGED INTO A POLE ONCE, IT IS GETTING BAD. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10398247
63,000 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE ABNORMALLY. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE ABNORMALLY. ALSO, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY TO A COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000. UPDATE 05/24/11*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10397408
22,500 miles · Apr 20, 2011
Power Train
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396895
Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
I HAVE AN 06 FREESTYLE THAT SURGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN RUNNING THE A/C. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE AND STAY AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AT A RED LIGHT FOR INSTANCE OR THE CAR WOULD LUNGE IN THE THEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO R…
Read full complaint
I HAVE AN 06 FREESTYLE THAT SURGES FORWARD OR BACKWARD WITHOUT PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES ESPECIALLY WHEN RUNNING THE A/C. I HAVE TO MAKE SURE AND STAY AWAY FROM OTHER CARS AT A RED LIGHT FOR INSTANCE OR THE CAR WOULD LUNGE IN THE THEM. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO REPLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10396865
66,400 miles · Apr 14, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH APPROX. 66,500 MILES ON IT, HAS PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY AS DIAGNOSED BY FORD COASTAL IN MOBILE, AL. BEFORE DIAGNOSIS, MY FREESTYLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOUNGE OR ACCELERATE, UNCOMMANDED, WHILE BACKING UP (REVERSE), OUT OF PARKING AREA. ENGINE LIGHT AND MAINTENANCE "WRENCH LIGHT" SOON FOLLOW AFTER THESE SER…
Read full complaint
2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH APPROX. 66,500 MILES ON IT, HAS PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE BODY AS DIAGNOSED BY FORD COASTAL IN MOBILE, AL. BEFORE DIAGNOSIS, MY FREESTYLE WOULD SUDDENLY LOUNGE OR ACCELERATE, UNCOMMANDED, WHILE BACKING UP (REVERSE), OUT OF PARKING AREA. ENGINE LIGHT AND MAINTENANCE "WRENCH LIGHT" SOON FOLLOW AFTER THESE SERIES OF EVENTS. FORD COASTAL SUGGESTS REPLACING THROTTLE BODY. THIS PART IS NOT COVERED BY MY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THE COST IS $920 TO BE SHOULDERED BY THE CAR OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395953
81,000 miles · Apr 11, 2011
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGING FORWARD WHEN IN GEAR, SLIGHTLY HIT GARAGE DOOR......I THINK A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. NOT REPAIRED YET. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10395503
38,314 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,314 UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ
NHTSA ODI #10394304
74,000 miles · Apr 4, 2011
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE, WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. LUNGE FORWARD AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED FINE...FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE COMPUTER S…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE, WITHOUT DEPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. LUNGE FORWARD AT STOP LIGHTS WHILE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. WHILE DRIVING, AT APPROX. 50MPH, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE STALLED. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD, STARTED THE CAR AGAIN AND IT WORKED FINE...FOR AWHILE. CALLED DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID IT COULD BE COMPUTER SYSTEM, BUT NOT SURE. WILL BE HAVING DEALERSHIP LOOK AT VEHICLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A MONTH...JUST A SLIGHT INCREASE IN THE BEGINNING, BUT NOW IS UNCONTROLLABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10394940
38,000 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Power Train
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS AND THEN IT STALLED. THE WRENCH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLAC…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS AND THEN IT STALLED. THE WRENCH AND THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 38,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10389835
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
Illustration