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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

602 reports
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119,000 miles · Jul 13, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED THE VEHICLE WILL LUNGE IN FORWARD AND REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465507

91,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

EXPERIENCING ENGINE SURGING WHILE MANEUVERING IN A PARKING GARAGE. MOST NOTICEABLE WHILE IN REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465309

180,000 miles · Jul 11, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LUNGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MOST NOTICEABLE WHEN THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY WOULD HAVE TO BE RESET. THE MECHANIC REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE HE COULD NOT PERFORM THE REPAIR. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10465239

129,000 miles · Jul 9, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

BEGINNING ABOUT AUGUST OF 2011 MY CAR STARTED TO SUDDENLY "JUMP" FORWARD EVEN IF MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY MY BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE IT STOP AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN PARK. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 MORE TIMES IN THE WEEK THAT FOLLOWED. I HAD A FRIEND L…

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BEGINNING ABOUT AUGUST OF 2011 MY CAR STARTED TO SUDDENLY "JUMP" FORWARD EVEN IF MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR AND EVEN WHEN MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. I WAS ABLE TO APPLY MY BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO MAKE IT STOP AND I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE CAR IN PARK. IT HAPPENED AT LEAST 2 MORE TIMES IN THE WEEK THAT FOLLOWED. I HAD A FRIEND LOOK AT THE CAR, BUT THEN IT DID NOT START TO DO IT AGAIN UNTIL THIS WEEK. SEVERAL TIMES THE CAR JOLTED FORWARD ONCE I EVEN HAD MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO REALLY PUSH ON THE BRAKE AS I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO KEEP FROM HITTING THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME. EACH TIME I WAS ABLE TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. EVEN IN PARK THE ENGINE WOULD REV TO HIGHER THAN USUAL RPMS. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND STARTED IT AGAIN TO SEE IF THAT WOULD CORRECT THE ISSUE. BUT A SHORT TIME LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. THEN FINALLY, MY CAR DIED AND I HAD A HARD TIME STARTING IT AGAIN. WHEN IT DID START, I HAD A HARD TIME TRYING TO GET IT TO DRIVE. IT WAS IN GEAR, BUT IT DID NOT WANT TO GO FORWARD, ALMOST AS IF IT WAS FIGHTING THE ACCELERATION. I GOT IT HOME AND PARKED IT. I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR TO A FORD DEALER THIS WEEK TO BE LOOKED AT. BUT, WHEN I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE PROBLEM, I FOUND THERE HAVE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS SO I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE AWARE OF MINE AS WELL. DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE ABOUT THE ISSUE AND THE REPAIR THAT WILL BE REQUIRED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464725

75,210 miles · Jul 9, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

DURING IDLE AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WILL ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE RPM'S WILL GO UP. THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS WHILE AT IDLE AND AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE SETTINGS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PHENOMENON WHILE AT IDLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WIL…

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DURING IDLE AND FOOT ON BRAKE, THE VEHICLE WILL ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE AND ENGINE RPM'S WILL GO UP. THE VEHICLE WILL DO THIS WHILE AT IDLE AND AT RANDOM TIMES. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS IN BOTH DRIVE AND REVERSE SETTINGS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REPRODUCE THIS PHENOMENON WHILE AT IDLE AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WILL ATTEMPT TO LUNGE FORWARD EVEN WHILE STOPPED IN TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITHOUT NOTICE FOR SOME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464653

81,000 miles · Jul 7, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD LIKE THE GAS WENT BY ITSELF. THEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND APPLIED THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THE GAS PEDDLE WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. LATER I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR STALLED AND DIED. MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DEATH AND IS AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CRA…

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WHILE FOOT ON THE BRAKE THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD LIKE THE GAS WENT BY ITSELF. THEN AT A STOP LIGHT THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND APPLIED THE GAS. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO. THE GAS PEDDLE WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. LATER I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND THE CAR STALLED AND DIED. MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DEATH AND IS AFRAID IT IS GOING TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER CAR. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY TRUSTED AUTO REPAIR PLACE. THEY STATED THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTYLES AND SURPRISED IT WAS NOT RECALLED YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464533

115,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS INDICA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD WHILE BRAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL DURING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED WHILE IN REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE TEST RESULTS INDICATED A FAULTY THROTTLE BODY. THE THROTTLE BODY WAS NOT REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #10464501

80,000 miles · Jul 6, 2012
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WE BOUGHT A USED FORD FREESTYLE IN 2008. SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. IT HAS BEEN IN-AND-OUT OF THE SHOP, WHILE VARIOUS MECHANICS TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, I DID MY OWN RESEARCH (DISCOVERED THE COUNTLESS REPORTS OF PROBLEMS…

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WE BOUGHT A USED FORD FREESTYLE IN 2008. SINCE THAT TIME, WE HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS STEMMING FROM A DEFECTIVE THROTTLE BODY. IT HAS BEEN IN-AND-OUT OF THE SHOP, WHILE VARIOUS MECHANICS TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS AGO, I DID MY OWN RESEARCH (DISCOVERED THE COUNTLESS REPORTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE FREESTYLE) AND SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT THE MECHANIC REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS WAS AFTER HAVING SURGES IN RPMS AND LURCHING OF THE CAR (WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC WITH NO FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR), AND ALSO DEAD STALLS IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTIONS AND ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM UNTIL SEVERAL MONTHS LATER. NEXT, WE REPLACED THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION LAST SPRING (THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT DOWN TO FIRST GEAR AT CRUISING SPEED, E.G., ON THE INTERSTATE, THEN GO INTO "LIMP" MODE). IN ADDITION, APPARENTLY THERE IS ALSO A SYSTEMIC ISSUE WITH THE DESIGN OF THE FORD'S SCROLL COMPRESSOR, WHICH BEGAN SHOWING SYMPTOMS THIS PAST SPRING. THANKFULLY MY (NEW) MECHANIC REPLACED A $40 VALVE IN THE COMPRESSOR, INSTEAD OF THE ENTIRE $1000 COMPRESSOR (WHICH THE FORD FOLKS RECOMMENDED). APPROXIMATELY TWO YEARS LATER, WE ARE REPLACING THE THROTTLE BODY FOR A SECOND TIME TODAY (IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP) BECAUSE OF ISSUES WITH SURGES IN ACCELERATION AND STALLING IN TRAFFIC AND LOSS OF POWER. THE MECHANIC JUST TOLD ME, "AS A FRIEND, I'M TELLING YOU: AS SOON AS THIS CAR IS FIXED, YOU NEED TO SELL IT. YOU WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH IT." WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE FOR AROUND $10,000, AND I'D ESTIMATE WE HAVE SPENT NEARLY THAT MUCH IN REPAIRS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT MY WIFE AND CHILDREN WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THE MEANTIME. HOW CAN FORD SELL SUCH AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WITH NO RECOURSE? AS SOON AS I CAN AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE, I'M SELLING THIS FREESTYLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10464483

109,000 miles · Jul 5, 2012
EngineVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE WAITING IN TRAFFIC, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 08/01/12*LJ UPDATED 08/02/12

NHTSA ODI #10464344

52,156 miles · Jul 5, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE INJECTORS AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY IN JULY 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE FROM MOVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CLEANED THE INJECTORS AND REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY IN JULY 2009. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED TO REPORT THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,156 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10464325

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