NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
484 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Oct 7, 2010
Power Train
BRAKES WERE COMPRESSED DUE TO SUDDEN STOP IN CAR IN FRONT OF US DURING TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR REVVED TO ~4000 RPM AND WAS VERY UNRESPONSIVE TO COMPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE PAST MONTH; EACH TIME THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THEN UPON RESTARTING EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE FIN…
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BRAKES WERE COMPRESSED DUE TO SUDDEN STOP IN CAR IN FRONT OF US DURING TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR REVVED TO ~4000 RPM AND WAS VERY UNRESPONSIVE TO COMPRESSION OF GAS PEDAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 MORE TIMES OVER THE PAST MONTH; EACH TIME THE CAR MUST BE TURNED OFF AND THEN UPON RESTARTING EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE FINE AGAIN. WE HAVE NOW TAKEN THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY TELL US IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THE CVT AND WILL COST $5200 TO REPLACE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359594
100,000 miles · Oct 6, 2010
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES/SURGES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR PARK TO REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR .IT IS VERY SCAREY AND UNSAFE FOR MY TEENAGE DRIVER WHO IS JUST LEARNING TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS TWICE ALREADY. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY AROUND 15,000 M…
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LUNGES/SURGES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR PARK TO REVERSE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST 1 YEAR .IT IS VERY SCAREY AND UNSAFE FOR MY TEENAGE DRIVER WHO IS JUST LEARNING TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE BRAKES PADS AND ROTORS TWICE ALREADY. THE BRAKES WEAR OUT VERY QUICKLY AROUND 15,000 MILES. LAST I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AT 100,000. I BOUGHT A USED 2007 TRANSMISSION TO SAVE SOME MONEY. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT MY TRANSMISSION IS BAD AGAIN. IT IS ONCE AGAIN SLIPPING AND I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 15,000 SINCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH ONE OD ONLY 56,000 MILES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10359414
54,000 miles · Sep 27, 2010
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND WOULD THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ABNORMA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN RPMS AND ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE BACKWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED AND WOULD THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. UPDATED 01/06/11 *LJ UPDATED 01/24/11
NHTSA ODI #10357901
72,450 miles · Sep 25, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train
MY VEHICLE WHEN IN GEAR AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT 2 PEDESTRIANS AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. THIS OCCURS DAILY WHEN MY VEHICLE IS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND…
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MY VEHICLE WHEN IN GEAR AND FOOT ON THE BRAKE LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST HIT 2 PEDESTRIANS AND SEVERAL VEHICLES WHEN I AM AT A COMPLETE STOP. THIS OCCURS DAILY WHEN MY VEHICLE IS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION. I HAVE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT IS THE THROTTLE BODY AND THE PART IS ON BACKORDER. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY SCARY BECAUSE I AM AFRAID OF HITTING SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2008 AND I DID TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY WOULD DO SOMETHING TO IT AND IT WOULD STOP FOR AWHILE BUT WOULD START DOING IT AGAIN AND THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS FOR 2 YEARS NOW. I CANNOT LET MY TEENAGERS DRIVE MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I AM AFRAID THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN IT STARTS LUNGING FORWARD AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10357491
111,000 miles · Sep 22, 2010
Power Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 110K MILES AND I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEED AN NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR LOST POWER. IT WOULDN'T GO FAST ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFE DRIVING SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPAIRED YET BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. THIS ISSUE SH…
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. MY CAR HAS 110K MILES AND I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEED AN NEW TRANSMISSION. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND MY CAR LOST POWER. IT WOULDN'T GO FAST ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A SAFE DRIVING SPEED ON THE INTERSTATE. I HAVEN'T HAD IT REPAIRED YET BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD IT. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356971
60,000 miles · Sep 21, 2010
Power Train
MY FORD FREESTYLE 2006 THE TRANSMISSION CVT IS BROKEN, I HAVE WARRANTY BUT THEY SAID THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE DEALER FORD SAID THE COST THE NEW TRANSMISSION IS 6000. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356896
110,525 miles · Sep 20, 2010
Power Train
TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING SUDDENLY QUITS AND ALMOST MAKE ME LOST CONTROL AT 70 MPH. I HAVE READ THAT FORD HAD MANY PARTS THAT WERE BAD AND STILL PUT IT IN TRANSMISSIONS WHILE MANUFACTURING TO KEEP UP WITH DEADLINES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356667
50,000 miles · Sep 18, 2010
Electrical SystemPower Train
2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHEN BRAKE IS ON. PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN THE AC IS RUNNING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO SUCH AS TIGHT PARKING SPACES, SCHOOL PARKING LOTS, DRIVE THRU FAST FOOD PLACES, ETC. THE CAR WILL ALSO HAVE A BIG SURGE AND THEN LOSE POWER. HAPPENED TO ME IN A BUS…
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2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHEN BRAKE IS ON. PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN THE AC IS RUNNING. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE. IT HAPPENS WHEN YOU DO NOT WANT TO GO SUCH AS TIGHT PARKING SPACES, SCHOOL PARKING LOTS, DRIVE THRU FAST FOOD PLACES, ETC. THE CAR WILL ALSO HAVE A BIG SURGE AND THEN LOSE POWER. HAPPENED TO ME IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. AWESOME CAR BUT THE SAFETY IS BEING COMPROMISED AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356272
75,264 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Power Train
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LURCHES OR SURGES WITHOUT ACCELERATION. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. IT NOW OCCURS MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. I THINK IT MAY HAPPEN MORE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN IDLING FOR A WHILE. LAST WEEKEND THE CAR HAD BEEN IDLING FOR A WHILE THEN WHEN I BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE A…
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I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LURCHES OR SURGES WITHOUT ACCELERATION. I FIRST NOTICED IT WHEN REVERSING OUT OF PARKING SPACES. IT NOW OCCURS MUCH MORE FREQUENTLY. I THINK IT MAY HAPPEN MORE WHEN THE CAR HAS BEEN IDLING FOR A WHILE. LAST WEEKEND THE CAR HAD BEEN IDLING FOR A WHILE THEN WHEN I BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE AND HAD THE WHEEL TURNED AS FAR AS IT WOULD GO, THE CAR DIED. THEN THURSDAY WHEN TURNING AROUND - AGAIN WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY TURNED - CAR SURGED AND THEN DIED AGAIN. I RESTARTED IT AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND WELL TO ACCELERATION. THE RPM'S WENT UP BUT I COULD NOT ACCELERATE FAST AT ALL AND THE CAR HAD A HARD TIME RESPONDING. IT SEEMED TO EVEN OUT AFTER GETTING TO 40MPH, BUT GETTING THERE WAS DIFFICULT. THE YELLOW WRENCH LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH INDICATING A POWER TRAIN ISSUE. THE CAR CONTINUES TO LUNGE OR SURGE BACKWARD OR FORWARD WITHOUT ACCELERATING. IT IS VERY SCARY AND I AM VERY CONCERNED I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP THE CAR ONE OF THESE TIMES AND MAY HIT SOMEONE OR SOMETHING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356213
62,000 miles · Sep 17, 2010
Power Train
WRENCH LITE CAME ON SHOW A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 62,000 MILES. TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REBUILD. WHICH WOULD COST $5,100. ON SEPTEMBER 12 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. VEHICLE WITH ONLY 62,000 MILE SHOULD NOT HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10356211
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
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