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
What owners actually said
1,300 reports
100,000 miles · Jul 24, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF SURGING FORWARD WHEN IDLING OR COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED THE THROTTLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF SURGING FORWARD WHEN IDLING OR COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER CLEANED AND REPROGRAMMED THE THROTTLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 100,000. UPDATED 09/07/2012 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10467229
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2012
Power Train
CAR LUNGES AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN PARKING OR BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467209
Mileage unknown · Jul 24, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
THE THROTTLE WILL RACE UP ESPECIALLY WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP. I BELONG TO A COUPLE OF FORUMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TRIED MANY OF TIMES TO GET THIS SERIOUS REPAIR RECALLED. ONE PERSON EVEN PINNED THEIR CHILD AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL. I HAVE NOT FIXED MINE YET AS FORD GARAGE SAYS IT IS ABOUT $750 REPAIR. MY WIFE ALMOST TOOK A GUYS DOO…
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THE THROTTLE WILL RACE UP ESPECIALLY WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP. I BELONG TO A COUPLE OF FORUMS THAT PEOPLE HAVE TRIED MANY OF TIMES TO GET THIS SERIOUS REPAIR RECALLED. ONE PERSON EVEN PINNED THEIR CHILD AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL. I HAVE NOT FIXED MINE YET AS FORD GARAGE SAYS IT IS ABOUT $750 REPAIR. MY WIFE ALMOST TOOK A GUYS DOOR OFF. AS SHE PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT A GUY WAS GETTING OUT OF THE CAR AND AS SHE PRESSED THE BRAKE HARDER IT MADE THE THROTTLE INCREASE. THE GUY THEN THOUGH SHE WAS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO RUN HIM OVER. WE HAD TO DEMONSTRATE THE ISSUE OF THIS AND THEN HE UNDERSTOOD. I JUST CANT BELIEVE THAT FORD CAN GET AWAY WITH THIS THROTTLE ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467194
106,500 miles · Jul 23, 2012
EnginePower Train
ENGINE SPEED WILL SURGE AND VEHICLE WILL LUNGE FORWARD OR REARWARD, DEPENDING UPON WHICH GEAR THE TRANSMISSION IS IN, AT UNEXPECTED TIMES. ALWAYS NOTICEABLE NEAR 0-2 MPH WITH A/C ON, FOOT ON OR OFF BRAKE PEDAL, MAY OR MAY NOT BE TURNING. WE HAVE SCARED PEOPLE IN CROSSWALKS AND DRIVE-THRUS WITH THIS. IT SCARES US AS WELL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467172
71,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Power Train
THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSED GEAR OR FORWARD. IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED FROM THE THROTTLE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR THE FIST TIME. AND FOR THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS FAIL WITH THE PREVIOUS PRO…
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THE VEHICLE IS IN REVERSED GEAR OR FORWARD. IT ONLY HAPPENED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PRESSED DOWN THE VEHICLE LOSSES POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED FROM THE THROTTLE BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIR THE FIST TIME. AND FOR THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WAS FAIL WITH THE PREVIOUS PROBLEM AND WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE WAS THE THROTTLE BODY BOX. THE VEHICLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000. LG
NHTSA ODI #10467124
64,000 miles · Jul 23, 2012
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARD EVEN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. USED TO ONLY DO IT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON BUT NOW WILL DO IT AT ANY TIME. WHEN SPEAKING WITH FORD THEY CLAIM THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS DESPITE ME READING THEM THE 23 PAGE LETTER BETWEEN FORD AND [XXX] (OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION). INFORMATION REDACTED…
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CAR LUNGES FORWARD AND BACKWARD EVEN WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. USED TO ONLY DO IT WITH THE AIR CONDITIONING ON BUT NOW WILL DO IT AT ANY TIME. WHEN SPEAKING WITH FORD THEY CLAIM THEY KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS DESPITE ME READING THEM THE 23 PAGE LETTER BETWEEN FORD AND [XXX] (OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATION). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10467064
83,520 miles · Jul 22, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
VEHICLE SURGES AHEAD AT LOW SPEEDS AND STOPPED. MUST HOLD BRAKE TIGHT TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM JUMPING AHEAD. ALSO VEHICLE ENGINE SURGES FAST ON AND OFF AT LOW SPEEDS LIKE COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN OR MOVING JUST AHEAD ALITTLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10466925
100,000 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY WITH THE GEAR IN ANY SELECTED POSITION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY WITH THE GEAR IN ANY SELECTED POSITION AND THE BRAKE PEDAL ENGAGED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10466638
71,000 miles · Jul 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. NEITHER THE BRAKE PEDAL NOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES AND WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTAC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ACTIVATED. NEITHER THE BRAKE PEDAL NOR THE ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE ENGAGED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD ABNORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED SIX TIMES AND WHENEVER THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
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
2006 Ford Freestyle Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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