IllustrationI OWN A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION THAT THE AGENCY IS INVESTIGATING. I WOULD LIKE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS INVESTIGATION. *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
Power Train complaints
484 reportsMY FORD FREESTYLE JUMPS FORWARD OR BACKWARD WHEN DRIVING. VERY SCARY WHEN IN PARKING LOT. NOW STALLING AFTER JUMPING. *TR
BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS BEEN VERY HOT 100+ DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, IDLING FOR A FEW MINUTES (5-15 MINS). UPON PUTTING CAR IN GEAR, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SURGED. LUCKILY THE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS, VEHICLE HAS DIED TWICE, AND TENDS TO DO IT MORE AT LOW…
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BOTH TIMES THIS HAS HAPPENED, IT HAS BEEN VERY HOT 100+ DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, IDLING FOR A FEW MINUTES (5-15 MINS). UPON PUTTING CAR IN GEAR, THE VEHICLE ENGINE SURGED. LUCKILY THE FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHILE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS, VEHICLE HAS DIED TWICE, AND TENDS TO DO IT MORE AT LOW, IDLE ONLY SPEEDS, FOR EXAMPLE WHILE PARKING OR PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. ONCE, WE WERE DRIVING FROM OUT OF TOWN, AND THE VEHICLE WAS SLUGGISH ON ACCELERATION, AND NEVER SEEMED TO SWITCH GEARS. WE MADE IT HOME, THEN LET IT COOL, AND IT RAN FINE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. ABOUT A WEEK LATER, HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. GOING TO TAKE IT INTO THE FORD DEALER TOMORROW AND HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT, REFERENCING THE NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO THE FORD FREESTYLES. *TR
THE CAR WILL SURGE ON IT'S OWN AT DIFFERENT TIMES: SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ~NORMAL MISC IDLING, WHILE IN REVERSE, WHILE MAKING FULL TURNS. IT WILL ALSO SOMETIMES DIE RIGHT AFTER THE SURGE, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. IT IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER DURING HIGH TEMPS, BUT WILL SOMETIMES DO IT IN COLDER TEMPS AS WELL. IT DOES THIS WHEN YOU HAVE …
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THE CAR WILL SURGE ON IT'S OWN AT DIFFERENT TIMES: SITTING AT A RED LIGHT ~NORMAL MISC IDLING, WHILE IN REVERSE, WHILE MAKING FULL TURNS. IT WILL ALSO SOMETIMES DIE RIGHT AFTER THE SURGE, BUT NOT EVERY TIME. IT IS WORSE IN THE SUMMER DURING HIGH TEMPS, BUT WILL SOMETIMES DO IT IN COLDER TEMPS AS WELL. IT DOES THIS WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE, ALSO WHEN IT HAS BEEN IN PARKED (WHILE IDLING). AT A DRIVE THRU WINDOW ON ONE OCCASION, IT SURGED OVER 5 TIMES AND WAS RESTARTED OVER 5 DIFFERENT TIMES, ALL AT SAME DRIVE THRU WINDOW. (MAYBE 10 MINUTES AT THE WINDOW) . ADDITIONALLY THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT, SEAT WARMER HAS STOPPED WORKING, THE KEYPAD ON THE DRIVER'S CAR DOOR TO OPEN THE CAR DOORS WILL NOT FUNCTION, SEVERAL LIGHTS INSIDE THE DASH DO NOT LIGHT UP AND/OR VERY DIM, THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT 2/3, THE SEAT ON THE LEFT SIDE WILL NOT FOLD DOWN. *TR
FORD FREESTYLE 2006 LIMITED - THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO LUNGE WHEN SHIFTED. THIS IS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, WITH FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I AM GETTING VERY WORRIED THAT MY WIFE WILL RUN OVER SOMEONE. THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY AND IS GETTING GRADUALLY WORSE …
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FORD FREESTYLE 2006 LIMITED - THE VEHICLE HAS STARTED TO LUNGE WHEN SHIFTED. THIS IS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, WITH FOOT OFF THE PEDAL. I AM GETTING VERY WORRIED THAT MY WIFE WILL RUN OVER SOMEONE. THIS IS A THROTTLE BODY ISSUE THAT YOU ARE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING. THIS HAPPENS ALMOST EVERY DAY AND IS GETTING GRADUALLY WORSE - 89,000 MILES ON THE CAR. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF REPORTS OF THIS ONLINE. YOU NEED TO HAVE FORD FIX THIS. I CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR MYSELF, SO I HAVEN'T HAD IT FIXED. I'M HOPING IT WON'T KEEP GETTING WORSE AND THAT A RECALL WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SHUDDERED AND LOST ACCELERATOR POWER. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING, HOWEVER, I WAS UNABLE TO GIVE THE CAR ANY GAS TO GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD, AND COULDN'T EVEN REV THE ENGINE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. NO RESPONSE AT ALL FROM THE GAS PEDAL - ONLY IDLE AND ENGINE STILL RUNNING. THE "WRENC…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN SUDDENLY THE CAR SHUDDERED AND LOST ACCELERATOR POWER. THE ENGINE WAS IDLING, HOWEVER, I WAS UNABLE TO GIVE THE CAR ANY GAS TO GET IT OFF OF THE ROAD, AND COULDN'T EVEN REV THE ENGINE WITH THE GAS PEDAL. NO RESPONSE AT ALL FROM THE GAS PEDAL - ONLY IDLE AND ENGINE STILL RUNNING. THE "WRENCH" SYMBOL WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF, RESTARTED THE CAR AND THE CAR RESPONDED AS IF NOTHING HAD JUST HAPPENED. I AM LUCKY I HADN'T REACHED THE INTERSECTION YET AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING OUT TO TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC! FIRST TIME THIS HAS EVER HAPPENED, HOWEVER, I HAVE BEEN NOTICING HOW MY CAR HAS BEEN SURGING AS I DRIVE. IT HAS NOT BECOME EXTREME, HOWEVER, IT IS NOTICEABLE SINCE I AM NOT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL ANY HARDER WHEN IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES AS I DRIVE ALONG. *TR
WHEN WE PUT OUR FORD FREESTYLE INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE IT SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE ENGINE REVS TO 2000-2500 RPMS. *TR
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. …
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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
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