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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

Power Train complaints

484 reports
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68,000 miles · Aug 9, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

2006 FORD FREESTYLE WANTS TO GO ON IT'S OWN (MEANING ACCELERATE)WHEN PULLING IN OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THEN WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES REAL QUICK TO GET THE CAR TO STOP IT WILL STALL OUT. SO FAR I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING FROM THESE EVENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE, BUT FEAR IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. THE SITUATION SEEMS TO…

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2006 FORD FREESTYLE WANTS TO GO ON IT'S OWN (MEANING ACCELERATE)WHEN PULLING IN OR BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. THEN WHEN YOU HIT THE BRAKES REAL QUICK TO GET THE CAR TO STOP IT WILL STALL OUT. SO FAR I HAVE NOT HIT ANYTHING FROM THESE EVENTS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE, BUT FEAR IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME. THE SITUATION SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. I BELIEVE THIS IS GOOD ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED FOR A SAFETY RECALL. THIS IS THE ONLY FAMILY VEHICLE I HAVE, I HAVE 3 CHILDREN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348257

54,425 miles · Aug 8, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2006 FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATES - SURGES IN REVERSE. WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. BEFORE I COULD STEP ON THE GAS, IT ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I NEARLY RAN INTO A FAMILY. NO CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON ITS OWN. I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOTHING …

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2006 FORD FREESTYLE ACCELERATES - SURGES IN REVERSE. WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND WENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. BEFORE I COULD STEP ON THE GAS, IT ACCELERATED AND I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES. I NEARLY RAN INTO A FAMILY. NO CAR SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THAT ON ITS OWN. I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10348060

40,400 miles · Aug 7, 2010
Power Train

THROTTLE BODY FAILURE OCCURRED AT 40,400 MILES DURING FAMILY VACATION W/4 PASSENGERS. SYMPTOMS BEGAN WHILE CROSSING THE HOOVER DAM. VEHICLE LUNGED/SURGED FORWARD IN 1ST GEAR (HAD TO HOLD BRAKE TIGHT AND SLIP INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID IMPACT WITH CAR). THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE LUNGED IN REVERSE (NEARLY STRIKING PEDESTRIAN IN …

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THROTTLE BODY FAILURE OCCURRED AT 40,400 MILES DURING FAMILY VACATION W/4 PASSENGERS. SYMPTOMS BEGAN WHILE CROSSING THE HOOVER DAM. VEHICLE LUNGED/SURGED FORWARD IN 1ST GEAR (HAD TO HOLD BRAKE TIGHT AND SLIP INTO NEUTRAL TO AVOID IMPACT WITH CAR). THE FOLLOWING DAY THE VEHICLE LUNGED IN REVERSE (NEARLY STRIKING PEDESTRIAN IN PARKING LOT). VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING AND CONTINUED LUNGING/SURGING OVER THE NEXT 30 MINS UNTIL ARRIVED AT DEALERSHIP. POWERTRAIN AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS WERE LIT. MY COMPLAINT IS NOT RELATED TO THE COST AND THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PART, BUT THE SAFETY FACTOR. I WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM (FROM ONLINE INFO) AND KNEW WHAT TO DO QUICKLY ENOUGH TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. THE AVERAGE CONSUMER (DRIVER) WOULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS HAPPENING AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO THINK QUICK ENOUGH TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. ADDITIONAL INFO: THROTTLE BODY ISSUES OCCURRED IN HIGH TEMP (110 RANGE), LOW ELEVATION AND HUMIDITY. ANTI-TWIST ENGINE MOUNT (DOGBONE) WAS REPLACED 4 DAYS PRIOR. FROM INTERNET SEARCH, I LOCATED ONE OTHER THROTTLE BODY COMPLAINT OF FREESTYLE JUST HAVING UPPER ENGINE MOUNT REPLACED (ENGINE MOUNT MAY REQUIRE REMOVAL OF THROTTLE BODY). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347881

110,000 miles · Aug 4, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A FORD FREESTYLE 2006 WITH ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE AND I ALMOST WRECKED THE CAR AND THEN DROVE ANOTHER MILE AND IT STOPPED DOING ANYTHING AND I LET IT DRIVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAD A WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I THEN WAITE…

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I HAVE A FORD FREESTYLE 2006 WITH ABOUT 110,000 MILES ON IT AND I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED FULL THROTTLE AND I ALMOST WRECKED THE CAR AND THEN DROVE ANOTHER MILE AND IT STOPPED DOING ANYTHING AND I LET IT DRIVE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT HAD A WRENCH LIGHT ILLUMINATED. I THEN WAITED ABOUT 10 MINUTES AND THEN MY CAR WAS ABLE TO START UP AND DRIVE MYSELF HOME. I HAD 3 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR AND WAS SCARED IT WOULD ACCELERATE AGAIN BUT MADE IT 40 MILES HOME AND NOW I SIT HERE READING THIS AND WAITING TILL FORD OPENS SO I CAN CALL AND REPORT THIS ISSUE. MY THROTTLE BODY HAS BEEN REPLACED WHEN THE CAR HAD ONLY 50000 MILES ON IT AND ALSO HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT 90000. I AM WANTING TO GET MY CAR FIXED BUT THIS IS THE SAME THING THAT HAPPENED WHEN THROTTLE BODY GOT REPLACED BEFORE AND NOW I SEE THEY ARE ON BACKORDER. THIS IS AWFUL THIS CAR SHOULD BE ON NATIONAL RECALL. I SPENT A LOT OF MONEY ON THIS CAR AND IT SHOULD LAST THIS LONG! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347363

79,500 miles · Aug 2, 2010
Power Train

2006 FORD FREESTYLE P2106 THROTTLE ACTUATOR CONTROL (TAC) SYSTEM - FORCED LIMITED POWER I BELIEVE YOU KNOW THE PROBLEMS, ETC. FROM THE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346946

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2010
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

IT JUST STARTED LURCHING WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE, I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. IT HAPPENS IN MY DRIVE WAY, AT FAST FOOD DRIVE THRUS, THE BANK. I HAVE YET TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER THROUGH FORD. I HAVE TRIED TO…

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IT JUST STARTED LURCHING WHEN YOU LET OFF THE BRAKE, I HAVE ALMOST HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME BECAUSE OF THIS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY. IT HAPPENS IN MY DRIVE WAY, AT FAST FOOD DRIVE THRUS, THE BANK. I HAVE YET TO FIX IT BECAUSE THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER THROUGH FORD. I HAVE TRIED TO LOCATE ONE ON THE INTERNET. THIS PART IS ABOUT $500. IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY SO YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT'LL LURCH. IT SCARES ME AND WHO EVER IS WITH ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10346330

52,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Power Train

2006 FORD FREESTYLE-ENGINE SURGES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE/REVERSE AND LOSES POWER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND STILL DOES IT. RESEARCH DONE ON THE INTERNET SHOWS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU DO NOW HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE HARD YOU COULD POSSIBLE HIT SOMETHING. I …

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2006 FORD FREESTYLE-ENGINE SURGES WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE/REVERSE AND LOSES POWER. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE FORD DEALER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM AND STILL DOES IT. RESEARCH DONE ON THE INTERNET SHOWS ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU DO NOW HAVE YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKE HARD YOU COULD POSSIBLE HIT SOMETHING. I WAS TOLD FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY JUST KEEP REPLACING PARTS. 1.MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR 2. SOME THROTTLE MODULE 3. TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345991

58,096 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Power Train

WHEN CAR IS PUT IN REVERSE (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THE VEHICLE WILL ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE. PRESSING FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE AT THE SAME TIME WILL REDUCE THE ACCELERATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345942

109,972 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

THROTTLE BODY/TRANSMISSION NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IDLING. DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC AS THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD DOWN IN ORDER TO NOT HIT CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. TRANSMISSION FAILED GOING DOWN EXPRESSSWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH 3 GRANDCHILDREN IN CAR. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 350 MILES HOME. IN A…

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THROTTLE BODY/TRANSMISSION NUMEROUS INCIDENTS OF 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SURGING WHILE IDLING. DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC AS THE BRAKES WOULD HAVE TO BE HELD DOWN IN ORDER TO NOT HIT CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. TRANSMISSION FAILED GOING DOWN EXPRESSSWAY AT 65 MILES PER HOUR WITH 3 GRANDCHILDREN IN CAR. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED 350 MILES HOME. IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THIS, MY IN-LAWS HAVE THE SAME TYPE VEHICLE AND ARE NOW CURRENTLY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WITH THE CURRENT ONLINE COMPAINTS, THIS DOESN'T SURPRISE ME. FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION AND DISCONTINUED USING IT IN LATER MODEL FREESTYLES. I THINK FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING A VEHICLE WITH DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION AND THROTTLE BODY. TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD COST 5,000 TO 6,000 DOLLARS WHICH IS HALF THE PRICE OF THE CAR. THIS IS TOTALLY UNFAIR FOR LOYAL FORD CUSTOMERS TO HAVE DEAL WITH. THIS WOULD BE OUR 41ST YEAR OF OWNING ONLY FORD VEHICLES AND WILL BE OUR LAST. THERE ARE TOO MANY OF THESE INCIDENTS BEING REPORTED FOR NOTHING TO BE DONE. THANKFULLY NO CRASH OR INJURY BUT I SUSPECT THAT THE LATTER IS WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO FINALLY HAVE THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345913

90,000 miles · Jul 28, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

THE VEHICLE SURGES IN FORWARD AND REVERSE WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURS RANDOMLY; TYPICALLY AT LEAST HOURLY WHEN DRIVING IN-TOWN. I HAVE READ THAT FORD SAYS THE PROBLEM IS THE THROTTLE BODY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345893

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