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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.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine complaints

114 reports
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117,000 miles · Jan 23, 2013
EnginePower Train

OUR VEHICLE WAS CRUISING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS WHEN IT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE DUE TO AN INCLINE IN THE ROAD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WRENCH LIGHT ALONG WITH THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR OFF CRUISE AND APPLIED THE GAS AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESULTS, HI…

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OUR VEHICLE WAS CRUISING AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS WHEN IT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE DUE TO AN INCLINE IN THE ROAD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WRENCH LIGHT ALONG WITH THE ANTI SLIP LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. I TOOK THE CAR OFF CRUISE AND APPLIED THE GAS AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESULTS, HIGH RPM BUT NO ACCELERATION. THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE NO MATTER WHAT I DID. WE EVENTUALLY PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND STOP AT A GAS STATION WHERE WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND FUELED UP. AFTER LEAVING THE GAS STATION WE HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE ISSUE SINCE. WE TOOK IT TO OUR MECHANIC THE NEXT DAY WHO SAID WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR ABOUT $5000. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND OUT THE MANY FORD FREESTYLE OWNERS HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ALONG WITH REPLACING THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (WHICH FORD EVENTUALLY PLACED A RECALL ON). WE HAVE HAD THE ETC REPAIRED BUT THE TRANSMISSION BEING SHOT IS UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10494496

63,449 miles · Jan 19, 2013
Engine

UPPER ROLL RESTRICTOR MOUNT BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10493516

101,000 miles · Jan 2, 2013
EnginePower Train

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP COMPLAINT FROM EARLIER. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION A MONTH AFTER BUYING MY FREESTYLE. ALMOST $4000! I HAVE VIDEOS OF THE CARS RPMS SURGING AS I AM DRIVING IT. NOT A SAFE CAR - HOW MANY COMPLAINTS BEFORE A FORD RECALL IS MADE? PLEASE TELL ME SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE TO GET HURT OR DIE FIRST! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490792

52,000 miles · Dec 23, 2012
EnginePower Train

THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO GO FROM AN EVEN IDLE TO FLOORED SOMETIMES, JUST MOMENTARILY. COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GETTING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION...DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY PARTICULAR CONDITIONS. LATELY…

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THE CAR WILL RANDOMLY SURGE WHEN STOPPED OR AT LOW SPEEDS AND BEGINNING TO ACCELERATE. IT SEEMS LIKE IT JUST WANTS TO GO FROM AN EVEN IDLE TO FLOORED SOMETIMES, JUST MOMENTARILY. COULD HAPPEN WHEN YOU ARE GETTING INTO OR OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, PULLING OUT OF AN INTERSECTION...DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ANY PARTICULAR CONDITIONS. LATELY HAS STARTED TO SHUDDER AT MID SPEEDS (15-40 MPH) AND SURGE AHEAD AS IF YOU WERE MOVING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, EVEN THOUGH YOUR FOOT IS STOCK STILL. GETTING TO BE A LITTLE UNEASY HAVING MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489566

103,000 miles · Dec 13, 2012
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND ON 12/12/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE RPMS STARTED REVVING ON IT'S OWN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I WAS NOT INCREASING IT'S GAS. I MADE IT HOME AND STOPPED AT THE MAILBOX; AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. THEN ON 12/13/2012 AS I WAS DR…

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I JUST GOT THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2012 AND ON 12/12/2012 I WAS DRIVING HOME, THE RPMS STARTED REVVING ON IT'S OWN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 50-60 MPH. I WAS NOT INCREASING IT'S GAS. I MADE IT HOME AND STOPPED AT THE MAILBOX; AS I LET OFF THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT ME HITTING THE GAS. THEN ON 12/13/2012 AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK IT DID THE SAME LURCHING COMING OUT OF PARK IN MY DRIVEWAY AND ALSO AT STOP LIGHTS AND SIGNS. IT ALSO DID THE SAME REVVING AND HALFWAY TO WORK IT DECIDED NOT TO GO OVER 40 MPH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488669

50,000 miles · Dec 7, 2012
EngineExterior Lighting

MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE FIRST STARTED TO SURGE A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER WE GOT IT(APPROX 2009) I RESET IT (AS WAS EXPLAINED IN THE MANUAL) NO MAJOR ISSUE-I THOUGHT. IT SURGED MOSTLY WHILE THE AC WAS ON,WHEN IT WAS HOT AND SOMETIMES IN REVERSE. AFTER AWHILE I MADE ALLOWANCES FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC PERIODIC…

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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE FIRST STARTED TO SURGE A COUPLE OF YEARS AFTER WE GOT IT(APPROX 2009) I RESET IT (AS WAS EXPLAINED IN THE MANUAL) NO MAJOR ISSUE-I THOUGHT. IT SURGED MOSTLY WHILE THE AC WAS ON,WHEN IT WAS HOT AND SOMETIMES IN REVERSE. AFTER AWHILE I MADE ALLOWANCES FOR THIS ISSUE. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC PERIODICALLY FOR MAINTENANCE W/ NO OTHER (NEW OR MAJOR MECHANICAL) ISSUES OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS. THIS PAST SUMMER-2012(IT HAS CONTINUED TO SURGE(WORSE THAN BEFORE)) IT ALSO STALLED A COUPLE OF TIMES. MY CAR WAS TAKEN IN AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS CLEANED(I CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS ALL THROUGH THE SUMMER). IT IS NOW DECEMBER AND SINCE SEPTEMBER, MY CAR HAS NOW STALLED OUT 4 TIMES! THE MOST RECENT WAS THE DAY AFTER IT WAS CHECKED BY A MECHANIC. THE PANEL LIGHT FOR THE DRIVETRAIN ILLUMINATES FOR AWHILE AS WELL AS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MY CAR JUST GOT A NEW ALTERNATOR THIS PAST WEEK AND STALLED ON THE FREEWAY. ALL THESE YEARS I HAVE TAKEN THE ADVICE OF THE FORUMS WHILE COMMUNICATING WITH MY MECHANIC TO RECTIFY THE ANNOYING AND DANGEROUS ISSUES. I HAVE NOT WRITTEN BEFORE BECAUSE I DIDN'T TAKE THIS PROBLEM AS SERIOUSLY AS I SHOULD HAVE. I HAVE TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND DO NOT LIKE STALLING OUT ON THE STREETS. IF THIS PROBLEM IS SO PREVALENT,WHY DOESN'T FORD JUST RECALL IT AND TAKE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY CAR?! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10487657

40,000 miles · Nov 28, 2012
EnginePower Train

IN THE SUMMER OF 2011 OUR FREESTYLE BEGAN TO SURGE AS FAR AS TWO FEET WHILE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS AND ALSO WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, SURGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN IN REVERSE, REVVING LOUDLY AND SUBSEQUENTLY STALLING. CONCERNED, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT THE PRO…

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IN THE SUMMER OF 2011 OUR FREESTYLE BEGAN TO SURGE AS FAR AS TWO FEET WHILE DRIVEN AT LOW SPEEDS AND ALSO WHILE AT A COMPLETE STOP, SURGING FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN IN REVERSE, REVVING LOUDLY AND SUBSEQUENTLY STALLING. CONCERNED, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD US THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNCOMMON (NOT TRUE) AND DID NOT MENTION ANY SERVICE BULLETINS BEFORE REPROGRAMMING OUR FREESTYLES PCM AND REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486400

92,000 miles · Nov 19, 2012
EnginePower Train

LURCHING OR SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485135

80,000 miles · Nov 18, 2012
EnginePower Train

MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A LURCHING PROBLEM AND NOW IT IS GETTING MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, AND EXTREMELY SLOW SPEEDS, IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS REGARDING THIS AND I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, ARE THEY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OR IS IT EASIER TO SUE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HEL…

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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE HAS A LURCHING PROBLEM AND NOW IT IS GETTING MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, AND EXTREMELY SLOW SPEEDS, IT WANTS TO TAKE OFF. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS REGARDING THIS AND I CAN'T SEEM TO FIND OUT IF FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, ARE THEY DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT, OR IS IT EASIER TO SUE AFTER THE ACCIDENT. HELP ME, PLEASE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10485064

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

Official recalls

1

06V383000 · 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

1

PE11018 · 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