IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN SHIFTING IN REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
144 reportsTHE THROTTLE BODY IN MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WAS CAUSING MY CAR TO EITHER STALL OR LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL. TRYING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR STALLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN BEGAN WORKING AS NORMAL. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED. WOULD LUNGE WHEN IN DRIVE …
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THE THROTTLE BODY IN MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WAS CAUSING MY CAR TO EITHER STALL OR LUNGE OUT OF CONTROL. TRYING TO PULL INTO TRAFFIC, THE CAR STALLED IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN BEGAN WORKING AS NORMAL. A FEW DAYS LATER THE CAR BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED. WOULD LUNGE WHEN IN DRIVE AND STOPPED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY REPLACED WITH A NEW THROTTLE BODY. I DO NOT HAVE THE OLD ONE. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY HAVE BEEN BACKORDERED FOR MOST OF 2009 AND INTO 2010 ON THIS PART. THEY HAVE CHANGED THE REPLACEMENT PART TO A NEW ONE, WITH DIFFERENT PART NUMBER. THOUSANDS OF CARS HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE. CARS CAN STALL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, IN TRAFFIC. OR CAN SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. *TR
VEHICLE ACCELERATES WENT FIRST PUT IN GEAR (ESPECIALLY REVERSE). SOMETIMES DIES AFTER THE ACCELERATION. RECURRENT PROBLEM. DEALER SAYS THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, PARTS ON BACK ORDER. *TR
I HAVE A FORD FREESTYLE 2006. THE CAR HAS ACTED FUNNY IN THE SUMMER WITH THE AIRCONDITIONING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT I NEVER DEALT WITH IT. NOW THE CAR HAS 98000 MILES ON IT, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE CARE CONSTANTLY SURGERS FORWARD AND BACKWARD ESPECIALLY WITH THE AIRCONDITIONING ON. THIS IS A SA…
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I HAVE A FORD FREESTYLE 2006. THE CAR HAS ACTED FUNNY IN THE SUMMER WITH THE AIRCONDITIONING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS, BUT I NEVER DEALT WITH IT. NOW THE CAR HAS 98000 MILES ON IT, THE ENGINE LIGHT AND WRENCH LIGHT HAS COME ON. THE CARE CONSTANTLY SURGERS FORWARD AND BACKWARD ESPECIALLY WITH THE AIRCONDITIONING ON. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MY FAMILY IN THE CAR AS WELL AS THE OTHER PEOPLE AROUND ME WHEN DRIVING. I HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THIS LOOKED AT, BUT AFTER READING THE COMPLAINTS ON LINE, IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH I MAY BE OUT OF LUCK. THIS IS OUR ONLY FAMILY CAR AND WHAT ARE WE TO DO IF THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR OVER A MONTH? FORD IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE SAFE CARS AND GOOD QUALITY PEOPLE CAN RELY ON. THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED FOR ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO OWN FREESTYLES. *TR
WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE AND OR REVERSE IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. IT LUNGES FORWARD THEN STALLS OUT. THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS WAS HAPPENING A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT STOPLIGHTS STOP SIGNS…
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WHEN CAR IS IN DRIVE AND OR REVERSE IT ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN. IT LUNGES FORWARD THEN STALLS OUT. THE WRENCH LIGHT APPEARS AND NOW THE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS WAS HAPPENING A YEAR AGO AND I TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT HAPPENS AT STOPLIGHTS STOP SIGNS AND WHEN I AM PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAYS. *TR
WE HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. MY HUSBAND NOTED VEHICLE HAS BEEN LURCHING WHEN PUT IN DRIVE, THEN WHILE BACKING UP CAR STALLED 4 TIMES. ENGINE LIGHT AND YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER STATES IT IS THROTTLE SENSOR. CAR HAS LESS THEN 48,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
ENGINE SURGE/ WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT STOP SIGN. HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES TO PREVENT LURCHING INTO INTERSECTION. TURN OFF VEHICLE OK ON RESTART. RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ITEM IMMEDIATELY. FELT NEED TO REGISTER INCIDENT AFTER READING OF OTHER OPERATOR'S P…
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ENGINE SURGE/ WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT STOP SIGN. HAD TO STAND ON BRAKES TO PREVENT LURCHING INTO INTERSECTION. TURN OFF VEHICLE OK ON RESTART. RESEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS PROBLEM IS A KNOWN THROTTLE BODY ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ITEM IMMEDIATELY. FELT NEED TO REGISTER INCIDENT AFTER READING OF OTHER OPERATOR'S PROBLEMS. *TR
ENGINE WILL REV UP WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE BEING APPLIED TO THE GAS PEDAL. HAPPENS MORE FREQUENTLY WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN PARK AND IS PUT IN GEAR. HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY, AS IT IS A FAMILY CAR. MY LOCAL MERCURY DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAYS THAT I NEED A NEW THROTTLE BODY. *TR
2006 FORD FREESTYLE EXPERIENCES ENGINE REVVING AND STALLS WHEN SHIFTED INTO REVERSE FROM PARK. ENGINE REVS AND REQUIRES BRAKES TO BE APPLIED TO PREVENT RAPID ACCELERATION. DEALER IS REPAIRING AT CUSTOMER COST. THIS SEEMS TO BE HAPPENING TO OTHER OWNERS ALSO. *TR
ENGINE SURGES/LURCHES AT IDLE. OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT IS BECOMING MORE FREQUENT AS VEHICLE AGES. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT YET. *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