IllustrationI recently got my transmission replaced for my 2006 Ford Freestyle in December 2025. Yet, I am having transmission issues on my car now. Bates Ford was the dealership who replaced my transmission, but I feel as if where they got my replaced transmission from was not honest about the product it sold to me. Please help!
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
74 reportsTransmission is slipping not getting power when gas is pressed down Rpms are jumping not going into gear. Making a terrible sound in park. Passenger door not closing
THE WRENCH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON OUT OF NOWHERE AND THE CAR ISN'T DRIVABLE. WE KEEP REPAIRING THINGS BUT THEN IT COMES UP WITH DIFFERENT CODES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED 12 FEET FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR B…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE IDLING TO PARK WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED 12 FEET FORWARD AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE CONTACT PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AND CRASHED INTO THE CONCRETE WALL IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE WHERE IT CAME TO A STOP. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK, BACK, AND CHEST INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE WHERE IT CURRENTLY REMAINS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000. INVALID VIN.
WE USED THE REMOTE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR AND THE DRIVER SIDE MIRROR IMMEDIATELY CAUGHT ON FIRE. ENGINE WAS NOT STARTED AND DOOR WAS NEVER OPENED. WE BLEW THE FIRE OUT. DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE HARMED ANY OTHER ELECTRICAL PARTS EXCEPT THE MIRROR. VERY STRANGE. ODOMETER READING IS ONLY 63099 ORIGINAL MILES.
MY CAR SURGES AND THE RPMS MOVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME INTO TRAFFIC WHEN AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME AT PEOPLE WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE AT STOPS SO THAT MY FAMILY OR OTHER FAMILY'S DON'T DIE BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION THAT FORD…
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MY CAR SURGES AND THE RPMS MOVE WITHOUT TOUCHING THE GAS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME INTO TRAFFIC WHEN AT STOPLIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS. IT TRIES TO THROW ME AT PEOPLE WHEN DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH PARKING LOTS. I HAVE TO PUT MY CAR INTO NEUTRAL WHILE AT STOPS SO THAT MY FAMILY OR OTHER FAMILY'S DON'T DIE BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION THAT FORD HAD WITH THE CAR WHEN THEY SOLD IT. I WAS NEVER TOLD ABOUT THE MALFUNCTION AND THEY SAY I'M YEARS PAST THE WARENTY AND 20000 MILES PAST THE WARENTY MILAGE. SO BECAUSE MY CAR IS 20000 OVER I GUESS IT'S OKAY FOR MY CAR TO KILL ME AND MY CHILDREN OR OTHER PEOPLE?
MAY 16, 2014, FRIDAY NIGHT, AROUND 7:30 PM, LOST CONSCIOUSNESSES WHILE DRIVING DURING VERY HUMID QUICK WEATHER CHANGE PERIOD. IMMEDIATELY PUT ON A/C AND RECIRC ON HIGH WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TO CLEAR WINDOWS. I THEN PICKED UP MY SON AND FRIEND, PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THEM HOME FROM PLACE AND WITHIN 500 FEET WAS INTO A TELEPHONE PO…
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MAY 16, 2014, FRIDAY NIGHT, AROUND 7:30 PM, LOST CONSCIOUSNESSES WHILE DRIVING DURING VERY HUMID QUICK WEATHER CHANGE PERIOD. IMMEDIATELY PUT ON A/C AND RECIRC ON HIGH WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TO CLEAR WINDOWS. I THEN PICKED UP MY SON AND FRIEND, PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THEM HOME FROM PLACE AND WITHIN 500 FEET WAS INTO A TELEPHONE POLE WHEN I LOST CONSCIOUSNESS. MY SON TRIED TO SLAP ME IN THE FACE AS HE NOTICED I HAS DRIFTING TO THE RIGHT. I DID NOT REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS UNTIL POLICE/FIRE BROKE WINDOW TO EXTRACT OCCUPANTS. POLICEMAN WAS HITTING ME IN THE FACE TO WAKE ME AND FINALLY DID, ONCE I DID COM TO, I DIDN'T REALLY CARE THAT HE WAS SLAPPING ME IN THE FACE IOR THAT I WAS STILL IN THE VEHICLE. WITHIN MINUTES OF STANDING, I FELT MUCH BETTER BUT CHOSE TO TAKE AMBULANCE ON SCENE TO HOSPITAL WHERE THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG IN ER. ACCIDENT OCCURED WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN SECONDARY ROAD AT LESS THAN 30 MPH. I WENT TO MANY DOCTORS AND THEY CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING WITH EVEN MRIS, CAT SCANS, SLEEP TESTS, ETC...
TAKATA RECALL THIRD ROW SEAT IS UNSAFELY UNHINGED BECAUSE THE BODY HAS RUSTED AWAY AND LEAVES THE SEAT UNSECURED AND A HOLE TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE.
MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SUFFERS FROM PEELING PAINT ON THE ALUMINUM HOOD. THE PAINT ISSUE IS CONFINED TO THE 3 - 4 INCHES OF HOOD BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE, THE LEADING EDGE, AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD. SAME ISSUE AS ANY FORD PRODUCT WITH ALUMINUM HOODS/LIFTGATES. FORD WOULD NOT FIX THIS ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THE…
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MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE SUFFERS FROM PEELING PAINT ON THE ALUMINUM HOOD. THE PAINT ISSUE IS CONFINED TO THE 3 - 4 INCHES OF HOOD BACK FROM THE LEADING EDGE, THE LEADING EDGE, AND THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD. SAME ISSUE AS ANY FORD PRODUCT WITH ALUMINUM HOODS/LIFTGATES. FORD WOULD NOT FIX THIS ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH THEIR INTERNAL DOCUMENTS DATING BACK TO 2004 CONFIRM THE ISSUE
ANYTIME IT RAINS MY VEHICLE FILLS WITH WATER. I HAVE MOLD STARTING IN MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL WORK BUT IT STILL LEAKS HORRIBLE BAD. THIS CAR IS MOSTLY STATIONARY. WE HAVE HAD RAIN THE LAST TWO DAYS AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY. I CHECKED IT TODAY AND IT IS FULL OF WATER. THIS HAS HAPPENED …
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ANYTIME IT RAINS MY VEHICLE FILLS WITH WATER. I HAVE MOLD STARTING IN MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL WORK BUT IT STILL LEAKS HORRIBLE BAD. THIS CAR IS MOSTLY STATIONARY. WE HAVE HAD RAIN THE LAST TWO DAYS AND IT HAS BEEN SITTING IN THE DRIVE WAY. I CHECKED IT TODAY AND IT IS FULL OF WATER. THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2013
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