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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

1,300 reports
60,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE VERY SLOWLY AT FIRST, THEN UNPREDICTABLY LUNGE FORWARD AT HIGHER SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY THE PEDAL WILL IMMEDIATELY RESPOND WITH RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN OUT WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. ALTERING THE WAY PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO…

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THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE VERY SLOWLY AT FIRST, THEN UNPREDICTABLY LUNGE FORWARD AT HIGHER SPEEDS. OCCASIONALLY THE PEDAL WILL IMMEDIATELY RESPOND WITH RAPID ACCELERATION WHEN LIGHTLY TOUCHED, CAUSING THE TIRES TO SPIN OUT WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. ALTERING THE WAY PRESSURE IS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR HAS NO EFFECT. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER 3 MONTHS WITHOUT ANY CHECK ENGINE INDICATORS, AND ONLY RECENTLY WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD TROUBLE IDLING DID A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND LIGHTLY DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI #11291964

150,000 miles · Nov 29, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ON GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AND WOULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MPH - HARD TO GET IN FROM THE RAMP WITH OTHER ONCOMING CARS. IT STARTED SURGING AND BUCKING. WHEN I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AT THE NEXT INTERSTATE IT AGAIN SURGED WHEN I WAS GOING 20MPH. VERY SCARY FOR ME. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STOPLIGHT IT STA…

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MY CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE ON GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE AND WOULD ONLY GO UP TO 40 MPH - HARD TO GET IN FROM THE RAMP WITH OTHER ONCOMING CARS. IT STARTED SURGING AND BUCKING. WHEN I GOT OFF THE INTERSTATE AT THE NEXT INTERSTATE IT AGAIN SURGED WHEN I WAS GOING 20MPH. VERY SCARY FOR ME. WHEN I STOPPED AT THE STOPLIGHT IT STALLED AND I HAD TROUBLE STARTING IT. I PUT MY HAZARDS ON FOR THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME. I HAVE BEEN SCARED TO DRIVE IT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY AND ESTIMATED $700 FOR THE PART AND $200 FOR LABOR. I HAVE HAD SURGING ISSUES THIS PAST SUMMER WHEN I USED THE DEFROST OR AIR CONDITIONING BUT NOT ANYTHING THIS BAD. I DID CALL THE FORD COMPANY AND HAVE A CASE NUMBER - THEY WOULD NOT HELP WITH THE PART OR LABOR. I SPOKE WITH A MANAGER...

NHTSA ODI #11282935

215,000 miles · Nov 19, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

WAS DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WRENCH SHOWED UP IN FAR LEFT HAND CORNER .MY VEHICLE QUIT ACCELERATING GOES TO LIMP MODE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON W BUTLER RD IN MAULDIN SC 29662 DOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED ME.I AM 70 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO DRIVE FOR 52 YRS. THIS SITUATION WAS BY FAR ONE…

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WAS DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN A WRENCH SHOWED UP IN FAR LEFT HAND CORNER .MY VEHICLE QUIT ACCELERATING GOES TO LIMP MODE WHILE I WAS STILL IN MOTION ON W BUTLER RD IN MAULDIN SC 29662 DOING 40 MILES AN HOUR. IT SCARED ME.I AM 70 YRS YOUNG AND HAVE BEEN LICENSED TO DRIVE FOR 52 YRS. THIS SITUATION WAS BY FAR ONE OF THE WORST I HAVE EVER BEEN INVOLVED IN. WHAT IF ANYTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT THIS SITUATION IF ANYTHING TO SAVE LIVES.

NHTSA ODI #11280973

65 miles · Nov 15, 2019
Power TrainService Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED SURGING AND WAS LOSING POWER LAST WEDNESDAY 11/13/19. ANOTHER TIME, WAS WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY, THE AC, CRUISE CONTROL, AND CAR STEREO WAS ON WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN. I GOT SCARED BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT PARTICULARLY …

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE STARTED SURGING AND WAS LOSING POWER LAST WEDNESDAY 11/13/19. ANOTHER TIME, WAS WITH MY WHOLE FAMILY, THE AC, CRUISE CONTROL, AND CAR STEREO WAS ON WHEN SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN. I GOT SCARED BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT PARTICULARLY ON THE HIGHWAY. FORD MOTORS PLEASE, DO SOMETHING ABOUT MY VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT STOP WHEN IT SHOULD EVERY TIME I APPLY THE BREAKS. WHETHER ON THE STREETS, THE HIGHWAY, MAKING TURNS, AND AT A STOPLIGHT, IT ALWAYS GOES AN EXTRA DISTANCE BEFORE ACTUALLY COMING TO A FULL STOP. THE BRAKE PADS ARE ALL OEM FROM THE FORD DEALER IN MY TOWN. I'M ALWAYS WORRIED THAT MY VEHICLE WILL ONE DAY GIVE ME THE SLIP AND GET ME INTO A VEHICULAR ACCIDENT. FORD MOTORS, WE ONLY HAVE ONE VEHICLE IN MY FAMILY AND PREVENTING A POSSIBLE VEHICULAR ACCIDENT IS SOMETHING YOUR COMPANY CAN DO ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE CAPABILITY AND THE MEANS TO DO SO.

NHTSA ODI #11280280

120,000 miles · Nov 1, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR STALLS, AND LUNGES FORWARDS OR BACKS SUDDENLY EVEN IF I'M PRESSING THE BRAKE.

NHTSA ODI #11277442

135,000 miles · Oct 5, 2019
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND HAVE ALMOST HAD 4 WRECKS THIS WEEK! IT JUST SURGES RANDOMLY IN THE SCHOOL PICK UP LINE REDLIGHTS PARKING LOTS AND STOP SIGNS IM SCARED FOR MY FAMILYS SAFETY.I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO I PAID ALOT OF MONEY FOR THIS CAR FROM AN INDIVDUAL

NHTSA ODI #11266508

189,597 miles · Sep 25, 2019
Engine

THE WRENCH ON LEFT SIDE OF DASHBOARD COMES ON AND WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO PARK TRANSMISSION JERKS. HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BUT NEVER FIND ANYTHANG. DOES IT MORE WHEN IT'S HOT OUT OR WHEN ENGINE GETS WARM. LOVE MY FORD FREESTYLE JUST HARD TO TAKE TRIPS OUTA TOWN. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. CAN'T DRIVE OVER 50 MPH AND I…

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THE WRENCH ON LEFT SIDE OF DASHBOARD COMES ON AND WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR FROM DRIVE TO PARK TRANSMISSION JERKS. HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BUT NEVER FIND ANYTHANG. DOES IT MORE WHEN IT'S HOT OUT OR WHEN ENGINE GETS WARM. LOVE MY FORD FREESTYLE JUST HARD TO TAKE TRIPS OUTA TOWN. HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING. CAN'T DRIVE OVER 50 MPH AND IF I AM I HAVE TO PULL OVER SHUT OFF VEHICLE AND WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND START IT BACK UP. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO REPEAT THAT A FEW TIMES

NHTSA ODI #11258045

145,000 miles · Aug 16, 2019
Power Train

THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS CAUSED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OVER LAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO TURN OFF AND HAVE EVERYTHING RESET. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM, DEFINITELY CAN NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL EITHER. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF IDENTICAL PROBLEM, MOST REC…

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THE CVT TRANSMISSION HAS CAUSED INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS OVER LAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSES POWER AND THE WRENCH LIGHT COMES ON. HAVE TO PULL OVER TO TURN OFF AND HAVE EVERYTHING RESET. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM, DEFINITELY CAN NOT USE CRUISE CONTROL EITHER. HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS REPORTS OF IDENTICAL PROBLEM, MOST RECENTLY HAD TO HAVE TRANSMISSION FIRST REBUILT THEN COMPLETELY REPLACED BECAUSE THE MODULE THEY WERE REBUILDING FIRST ARRIVED DAMAGED, THEN WHEN NEW ONE WAS PUT IN TRANSMISSION SENT UP NUMEROUS OTHER CODES SAYING TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH WE DID AT A COST OF OVER $7500 AND IT ONLY GETS A 100000 MILE OR 3 YEAR WARRANTY. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY FORD AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND ALL WORK DONE UNDER THAT RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11244439

125,000 miles · Jul 25, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

WHILE IDILING THE CAR WILL SURGE. THIS HAPPENS MORE IN HOT HUMID WEATHER. HAVE HAD THE TROTTLE BODY CHECKED AND CLEANED AND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING. IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE I COULD HAVE HAD A ACCIDENT. THIS I HAVE FOUND TO BE A ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED…

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WHILE IDILING THE CAR WILL SURGE. THIS HAPPENS MORE IN HOT HUMID WEATHER. HAVE HAD THE TROTTLE BODY CHECKED AND CLEANED AND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING. IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE I COULD HAVE HAD A ACCIDENT. THIS I HAVE FOUND TO BE A ONGOING ISSUE WITH THESE CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE AT STOPLIGHTS, PARKING, DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE SURGING HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES TODAY AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE.

NHTSA ODI #11234922

157,000 miles · Jul 9, 2019
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROGRAM COMPUTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP, IT STALLED AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY TRANSMISSION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PROGRAM COMPUTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.

NHTSA ODI #11230563

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