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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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170,000 miles · May 26, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE WRENCH INDICATOR CAME ON, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFROMED THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUED WITH FORD FREESTYLE 2005-2006 AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION. I REVIEWED AND IT APPEARS FORD KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL/REPAIR IT. I WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL …

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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND THE WRENCH INDICATOR CAME ON, MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFROMED THERE IS A KNOWN ISSUED WITH FORD FREESTYLE 2005-2006 AND THE CVT TRANSMISSION. I REVIEWED AND IT APPEARS FORD KNOWS THIS IS AN ISSUE, BUT REFUSES TO RECALL/REPAIR IT. I WILL BE SEEKING LEGAL ACTION IF FORD DOES NOT PURSUE A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE CVT TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10721539

102,000 miles · May 23, 2015
Power Train

THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION(CVT) FOUND IN MY FORD FREESTYLE 2006 VEHICLE CONTAINS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT LEAD TO POWERTRAIN FAILURE.. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE 2005 AND HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS TO DEALERS REGARDING THE DEFECT, BUT IT HAS NEVER INFORMED ME AND OTHER CO…

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THE CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION(CVT) FOUND IN MY FORD FREESTYLE 2006 VEHICLE CONTAINS DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING DEFECTS THAT LEAD TO POWERTRAIN FAILURE.. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS SAFETY PROBLEM SINCE 2005 AND HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS TO DEALERS REGARDING THE DEFECT, BUT IT HAS NEVER INFORMED ME AND OTHER CONSUMER(S). THIS VEHICLE(S) AND THEIR CVT TRANSMISSIONS FAIL, SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY, AT ANY TIME AND UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITION OR SPEED, FURTHER, SUDDEN LOSS OF FORWARD PROPULSION AND DELAYED ACCELERATION HAS HAD SERIOUS EFFECTS ON HANDLING, STABILITY, ACCELERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF SPEED. THESE CONDITIONS AND RISKS CAN THEREBY CONTRIBUTE TO TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, WHICH CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH. THANK GOD THIS HAS NOT YET HAPPENED TO MY FAMILY. WE HAVE COME CLOSE ON MULTIPLE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. FORD HAS CHOSEN TO ACTIVELY CONCEAL THE DEFECTIVE CVT TRANSMISSIONS IN THE FORD FREESTYLES. THIS HAS PUT MY FAMILY DRIVERS' IN DANGER AND COST US OVER 3300 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS. THIS WAS IN JUNE OF 2012. NOW, THE KISTLER DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME REPAIRS WOULD BE OVER 7300 DOLLARS TO REPAIR WITH 156K MILES ON THE VEHICLE (APPROX 46K MORE SINCE THE FIRST REPAIR). AS A REASONABLE CONSUMER I WOULD EXPECT AND ASSUME THAT A VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS SAFE, WILL FUNCTION IN A MANNER THAT WILL NOT POSE A SAFETY HAZARD AND IS FREE FROM DEFECTS,. I DO NOT EXPECT FORD TO FAIL TO DISCLOSE THE CVT TRANSMISSION DEFECT TO ME OR OTHER CONSUMERS. MOREOVER, I DO NOT EXPECT FORD AND THE KISTLER DEALERSHIP TO INITIALLY DENY THIS DEFECT, CHARGE ME THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT, THEN MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT TO REPAIR AGAIN ONLY 46K MILES LATER. I AM ASKING FOR FORD TO ANSWER FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE GET BACK WITH ME FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

NHTSA ODI #10721184

112,000 miles · Apr 27, 2015
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AND HESITATED. THE VEHICLE EMITTED AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND MADE A JARRING MOVEMENT WHEN CHANGING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

NHTSA ODI #10713162

150,000 miles · Mar 4, 2015
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI #10692019

118,900 miles · Mar 2, 2015
Power Train

I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS TO EXIT IT DIDN'T RESPOND. THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A PASSERBY TRIED TO HELP ME MOVE IT SINCE IT WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC BUT IT WOULDN'T MOVE EVEN IN NEUTRAL. IT DID HOWEVER ROLL BACK WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE GAS. THE DAYS BEFORE I ALSO NOTICE…

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I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT THE PARKING LOT AND WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS TO EXIT IT DIDN'T RESPOND. THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. A PASSERBY TRIED TO HELP ME MOVE IT SINCE IT WAS BLOCKING TRAFFIC BUT IT WOULDN'T MOVE EVEN IN NEUTRAL. IT DID HOWEVER ROLL BACK WITHOUT HAVING TO PRESS THE GAS. THE DAYS BEFORE I ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I WAS PARKED THE CAR WOULD JUMP FORWARD WHILE I HELD DOWN THE BRAKE. A MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AND SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY. HE REPLACED IT BUT IT WAS GOOD FOR ONLY A DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10691527

136,587 miles · Feb 17, 2015
Power Train

THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM KEPT CAR LUNGING- APPLYING THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY. FELT LIKE TRANSMISSION WAS TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS BUT SHARP LUNGING. ALMOST CAUSE ACCIDENT AND SHOULD BE OF CONCERN DURING WINTER OR WET DRIVING. THE WRENCH LIGHT LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH AND THIS SHOULD BE OF CONCERN IF SOMEONE IS UNAWARE OF THIS POT…

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THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM KEPT CAR LUNGING- APPLYING THE BRAKES INTERMITTENTLY. FELT LIKE TRANSMISSION WAS TRYING TO SHIFT GEARS BUT SHARP LUNGING. ALMOST CAUSE ACCIDENT AND SHOULD BE OF CONCERN DURING WINTER OR WET DRIVING. THE WRENCH LIGHT LIGHTS UP ON THE DASH AND THIS SHOULD BE OF CONCERN IF SOMEONE IS UNAWARE OF THIS POTENTIAL. MIGHT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF NOT AWARE OF IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10683758

160,000 miles · Jan 31, 2015
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY THE TRANSMISSION WENT INTO LOW GEAR, WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED. HAVE TO PULL OVER SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTART. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10680235

103,767 miles · Dec 27, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE SPEED DECELERATED AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP (ON VACATION TRIP) HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AS THEY SAID NEEDED NEW THROTTLE BODY----AT APPROX. 103,767 MI. APPROX 107,178 MILES SPEED DECELERATED ON TRIP AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON.WHEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WRENCH LIGHT GOES OFF AND DESIRED SPEED CAN BE…

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VEHICLE SPEED DECELERATED AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO FORD DEALERSHIP (ON VACATION TRIP) HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AS THEY SAID NEEDED NEW THROTTLE BODY----AT APPROX. 103,767 MI. APPROX 107,178 MILES SPEED DECELERATED ON TRIP AND WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON.WHEN TURN THE VEHICLE OFF WRENCH LIGHT GOES OFF AND DESIRED SPEED CAN BE RESUMED. TOOK TO FORD DEALER AND SAID THEY COULD PUT IN NEW "BRAIN" OR NEW TRANSMISSION. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR SECOND OPINION AND THEY SAID IT WAS TRANSMISSION AND SUGGESTED TAKING TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AGREED TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN OUT SEVERAL TIMES BY THESE MECHANICS AND VERIFIED THAT IT WAS SHIFTING OKAY AND OKAY TO DRIVE. LEFT THE MECHANIC PLACE OF BUSINESS AND WAS SITTING STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL WITH FOOT ON BRAKE PEDAL AND VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND RAMMED THE CAR IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. LOOKING FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE AND SO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS ANYWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668505

97,000 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND SERVICE VEHICLE SOON WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND LOST ALL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000. UPDATED 01/23/15*LJ UPDATED 9/8/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10663176

76,000 miles · Dec 8, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPRO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 01/15/15*LJ UPDATED 01/15/15*JB

NHTSA ODI #10662765

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