2006 Ford Freestyle
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Freestyle › 2006
These records cover every 2006 Ford Freestyle. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2006 Ford Freestyle. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
1,300 complaints42 involved a crash10 involved a fire18 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Electrical system · Unknown or other
I 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!
- Power train · Unknown or other
Transmission 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
- Electrical system · Power train · Service brakes
Car struggles to change gears. ABS, ENGINE, and THROTTLE warning lights on. Rough idle, car does not accelerate when shifted into drive.
- Structure › Body
Took the vehicle in to local Ford for 120000 mile service and was informed the subframe was rusted and starting to separate. The part is no longer available and maybe they could find a used one as they have had to do in other cases. Not sure why just the front subframe is bad and no other part of…
Took the vehicle in to local Ford for 120000 mile service and was informed the subframe was rusted and starting to separate. The part is no longer available and maybe they could find a used one as they have had to do in other cases. Not sure why just the front subframe is bad and no other part of the frame structure also the car has had rustproofing done on it. Reading on the internet this seems to be a common problem with these subframes.
- Engine
I was driving down the road and my car just stopped like it went into Neutral but it was in drive the car starts up but when I’m Drive doesn’t go anywhere
- Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors would not close securely. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected however, the local dealer was contacted by phone and the contact was…
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors would not close securely. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspected however, the local dealer was contacted by phone and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V383000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
- Engine
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled with the battery, oil pressure, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.
- Structure › Body
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that she noticed that after it rained, the front passenger’s side floor would fill up with water. The contact was unsure where the leak was located. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not…
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that she noticed that after it rained, the front passenger’s side floor would fill up with water. The contact was unsure where the leak was located. The contact called the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,372.
- Service brakes
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated as she was driving 5 MPH and coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and the vehicle kept accelerating. The brake pedal was soft. The contact stated she continued to depress the brake pedal until it responded…
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated as she was driving 5 MPH and coming to a stop, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and the vehicle kept accelerating. The brake pedal was soft. The contact stated she continued to depress the brake pedal until it responded, and she was able to pull to the side of the road and park the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated the dealer was made aware of the failure and advised to schedule an appointment to get the vehicle diagnosed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not provide assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 175,600.
- Power train · Unknown or other
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.
- Power train · Vehicle speed control
When driving the car on a sunny/or to many errands I will start seeing the area for the rpm's to go up and down. At that point I have to basically drive with both feet. The car when placed on either drive or reverse will excelerate on it's on, I therefore have to break quickly so as to not hit a…
When driving the car on a sunny/or to many errands I will start seeing the area for the rpm's to go up and down. At that point I have to basically drive with both feet. The car when placed on either drive or reverse will excelerate on it's on, I therefore have to break quickly so as to not hit a pedestrian or automobile, which in turn the car will turn off. If in traffic I must throw it onto neutral and restart car. It IS a very serious issue
- Power train
I just bought a 2006 freestyle from a local dealer and had transmission issues on the way home on the 2ND day of ownership. Carcomplaints.com has many complaints listed from with the cvt transmission with exorbitant repairs costs well over $5000.00
- Unknown or other
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…
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.
- Vehicle speed control
Car lurches forward when parking. It IS worse if the ac IS on.
- Power train
Car won't go into any gear until about 45 min when transmission IS warm. hundreds of people with same issue.
- Power train
When cruising in the city or highway, the cvt transmission slips and downshifts to a lower gear, it would rev but no power. The car would not go any faster. The wrench icon in the dash would light up. The only way to remedy it IS to stop the car and turn the engine off, then it resets. It happened to me multiple times in a day.
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system · Vehicle speed control
I bought this car from private seller. On the drive home I turned on ac and noticed a surge so I turned the air off. After getting the car home I filled the tank as it was almost empty when I purchased the car. The car began to surge forwards and backwards at an idle, and then began to surge while…
I bought this car from private seller. On the drive home I turned on ac and noticed a surge so I turned the air off. After getting the car home I filled the tank as it was almost empty when I purchased the car. The car began to surge forwards and backwards at an idle, and then began to surge while driving. Check engine light came on and codes indicated it was a misfire, so did a tune up (changed spark plugs and coils) only to have the issue get worse. The car IS now almost stalling and surging hard. Car IS very slow to accelerate and feels to have no power while attempting to get up to even in town speeds(25-30mph) car IS undrivable safely at this point and I have not even owned 2 months. surging happens at idle, low speeds, freeway speeds, and surges violently when trying to accelerate.
- Power train
It started making like a whining growling kinda noise when not in hear and wen you put it in reverse and start to go back wards all of a sudden the car would come to a complete stop change gears to drive and you could go a little bit it would finally clunk real hard and you could go then all of a sudden the little wrench would pop up and I wouldn't be able to go any where at all
- Engine
The transmission don't work like thousands of ford free style and the transmission IS hard to find and very expensive because they don't work !!!
- Fuel/propulsion system · Vehicle speed control
I just bought the vehicle via private seller. No issues were reported by seller. I filled vehicle and entered the freeway. A few moments later the vehicle started jolting while at a high rate of speed. I pressed the accelerator, the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle continued to jolt off/on. I…
I just bought the vehicle via private seller. No issues were reported by seller. I filled vehicle and entered the freeway. A few moments later the vehicle started jolting while at a high rate of speed. I pressed the accelerator, the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle continued to jolt off/on. I exited the freeway due to feeling unsafe to continue on the freeway. Upon exiting the ramp, the vehicle stalled. I had no control of the vehicle as the breaks did not seem to work and the power steering was out. I pulled the steering wheel, as hard as I could, to the right to the shoulder of the road. Once the vehicle came to a stop. I put the vehicle in park, restarted the vehicle and continued driving cautiously. Driving at a slower rate, 35-40mph, the vehicle started to jolt again and had difficulty accelerating. After several days of this issue, I cleaned the battery terminals to ensure there was a good connection. I thought the issue was resolved. At this point I had half a tank. A couple days later, I was on empty. I filled up the vehicle for the week. My vehicle IS now jolting and surging again. I was almost home, when the vehicle shut off, I lost power steering again and the breaks were not working. I again pulled the steering wheel, as hard as I could to the right, to get off the road as an oncoming car was just ahead. Once the vehicle came to a stop, I put it in park, restarted the car, entered the driveway and parked it. Today the vehicle IS still jolting, surging and has a delay when pressing the accelerator. I am scared to continue driving this vehicle! I have no control after the vehicle stalls. I am scared the vehicle IS going to stall, at a high rate of speed, and I am not going to be able to get off to the shoulder, turn the wheel fast enough to avoid a collision or maneuver a curve when if it stalls. I am scared I may hit a pedestrian due to no breaks.
- Engine · Fuel/propulsion system · Vehicle 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 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.
- Fuel/propulsion system · Vehicle 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…
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...
- Electrical system · Electronic 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…
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.
- Power train · Service 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…
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.
- Service brakes · Vehicle speed control
My car stalls, and lunges forwards or backs suddenly even if I'm pressing the brake.
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Idle instability
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…
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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 11000557Motorcraft Continuously Variable Chain-Type Transmission Fluid (XT-7-QCFT in non-Canadian markets, CXT-7-LCF12 in Canada) is no longer manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes. The recommended replacement fluids are Phillips 66 VersaTrans CVT Plus Fluid or Kendall VersaTrans CVT Plus Fluid. Mixing Motorcraft CVT fluid (blue-green color) with these replacement fluids (red color) in the same transmission is acceptable.
- 10109070The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a limited refresh rate when reading these PIDs and cannot display quickly enough to validate a concern. The PCM automatically monitors these inputs more accurately and will set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) when appropriate. Using these PIDs for diagnostics will lead to inaccurate results and improper ETB replacements. If a concern is intermittent and no DTCs are present, refer to historical DTCs and the PC/ED, Section 3 No DTCs Present Index chart for further information.
- 10051815Ford: see document search button for owner letter. Momentary engine idle rpm surge may be intermittent and may occur, due to deposits buildup in throttle body, at low speeds, while parking or entering driveway and check engine lamp may illuminate. Models 2005-07 freestyle, 500, montego.
- 10023294Ford\mercury service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD ford five hundred, freestyle and mercury montego vehicles - rear brake wear. Also have an owner's letter. Updated 1/25/08.
- 10022241Mil with dtc p0106 and/or p0109.
- 10021463Rear brake drag, noise, dust, and/or premature pad wear.
- 10021444Mil on with dtc p0191 - fuel rail pressure sensor circuit performance.
- 10021220Transmission shifter binding / high effort bezel replacement.
- 10021061Battery light illuminated.
- 10021049Premature shoulder (toe) wear on inside edge of the front tires.
- 10021037Intermittent instrument cluster operation - including gauges sweep/reset - multiple warning lights illuminated and/or reverse lights stay on. This applies to vehicles built before 02-17-06.
- 10021036Fuel gauge erratic/inaccurate and/or mil on with dtc p0463, b1202, b2627, b2879, and/or p2068.
- 10020704Air bag light on with dtc b2290 - difficult to duplicate.
- 10020134Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis.
- 10019951Intermittent instrument cluster gauge sweep/reset - multiple warning lights on - reverse lights on - vehicles built before 2/17/2006.
- 10019950Second row seat recline concern.
- 10019811Intermittent bounce-back of the driver's window during one touch up operation.
- 10019807Tenths digit not displayed on odometer after 10,000 miles/kilometers.
- 10019793Noise in right front of passenger compartment - air inlet door actuator inoperative (recirculation).
- 10019377Heated seats inoperative.
- 10019068Grunt or squeak from front suspension during full lock turns - service tip.
- 10018745Wds cop kit diagnostic tip - coil on plug (cop) ignition systems - engine misfire or rough running.
- 10018066Engine rpm fluctuation at highway cruising speeds - vehicles built prior to 8/2/2005.
Every Ford Freestyle model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.