2006 Ford Freestar Owner Complaints

I purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle which currently has an open safety recall for 3rd Row Seat Latch Striker Corrosion Repair. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership to have the recall repaired. The dealership confirmed the recall but days later informed me that the necessary parts are no longer available and that they are unable to complete the repair. This creates a serious safety concern because the recall involves corrosion of the 3rd row seat latch striker, which can affect proper seat latching and passenger safety in the event of a crash. I attempted to escalate this issue by contacting Ford corporate customer support. However, I have not received any resolution. I have been given the runaround between Ford corporate and the dealership. The dealership referred me to Ford customer support, and Ford customer support continues to refer me back to the dealership without providing any solution. I also have written communication from the dealership service department stating that their Special Service Support Center would not be able to assist and advising me to contact Ford customer support. Despite following these instructions, no assistance or remedy has been provided. As a result, the safety recall remains unresolved, and I am unable to complete required vehicle inspection/registration. I am left with a vehicle that has a known safety defect with no available repair and no clear resolution from the manufacturer. I am requesting immediate assistance and a definitive resolution to this safety issue.

NHTSA ID

11724996

Incident

Mar 6, 2026

The alternator caught on fire and burned alternator wring harness.

NHTSA ID

11645204

Incident

Feb 26, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer failed to function as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11643484

Incident

Feb 18, 2022

Mileage

100,000 mi

My Ford Freestar without warning or anything just wouldn’t go after stopping at a stop sign. It was like it was stuck in neutral. But it was in drive. In 2003 and 2004 there was a recall on the transmission. My van is a 2005 but the transmission was manufactured in 2004. Which is one of the years that was recalled so why is my 2005 Ford Freestar van not one of the ones under that recall. Is it cause it’s a 2005 cause the transmission was manufactured in 2004. I almost got hit by semi truck when this happen. Please recall this van. Please help!!! [XXX] Bless you all. Thanks, [XXX] Family INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11571123

Incident

Feb 8, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost all motive power and would not shift to any gear other than park. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to a possible recall but was unable to provide details. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11549645

Incident

Aug 16, 2023

Mileage

85,000 mi

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost significant motive power before briefly hesitating and jerking. After restarting the vehicle, it returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

NHTSA ID

11549260

Incident

Jan 15, 2023

Mileage

137,000 mi

Was driving on populated road when all of a sudden car when in to neutral and almost rear-ended if not for quick thinking. Had to have it towed and now don't have any money to fix it so I lost my job cause could not get to work please have this problem recalled like the earlier years..

NHTSA ID

11487389

Incident

Sep 27, 2022

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while his wife was driving on the freeway, the RPM’s increased however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact’s wife was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

NHTSA ID

11480057

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

Mileage

140,000 mi

During rush hour I was pulling out of a Walgreens parking lot to take a left hand turn. As soon as I gave it gas it went forward about 7 feet and then it seemed as though my van went into neutral on its own. I looked on the dash and saw it was still in drive. I was stuck in the middle of traffic in the middle of my left turn. My car was sideways with traffic coming toward me from both sides I tried to put it in 3rd ,1nd, reverse. The shifter moved to those gears but all that happened when I gave it gas was revve up the rpm. I'm EXTREMELY lucky that the on coming traffic didn't side swipe me. I was able to get help pushing it to a side street. Where I turned it off for 30 min and tried again, still no vehicle movement, checked transmission fluid... It was good. I was not getting any transmission engagement. There was no warning lights illuminated prior to this incident and there is currently no warning lights illuminated now. I would absolutely LOVE if someone could inspect my vehicle and I'm available anytime for someone to do so. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because I was unable to complete my left turn my vehicle was stuck sideways during rush hour with on coming traffic coming from both ways. I haven't taken the vehicle to the ford dealer or any other independent service center. Thankfully there was no accident, so I didn't have the need to call the police.

NHTSA ID

11435165

Incident

Oct 1, 2021

Driving down the road vehicle experiences total loss of acceleration it’s like it’s in neutral in every won’t go forward or backwards towed home looked up problem seems that it’s the same as recall for 04-05 models torch converter had I been on highway in St. Louis mo could have been killed as they aren’t known for being the safest drivers it’s my opinion Ford should have to recall every vehicle that had the parts that are faulty in them regardless of the model year if the parts are junk on 04-05 they used the same in 06 models you know they are gonna have same problems

NHTSA ID

11430012

Incident

Aug 8, 2021

WHILE DRIVING MY VAN, IT JUST STOPPED RIGHT IN THE ROAD. WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. WOULDNT GO IN GEAR OR MOVE. HAD TO TOW IT TO A SHOP. TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. NEEDED TO REBUILD IT. VERY COSTLY. 3200. NOT HAPPY.

NHTSA ID

11394543

Incident

Dec 15, 2019

Mileage

15,000 mi

MY THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH RUSTED OFF AND COMPLETELY FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A BIG HOLE RIGHT BY THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE. I HAD TO SCREWW A PIECE OF METEL OVER THE HOLE CAUSE WATER WOULD SPLASH IN. I CANNOT USE MY THIRD SEAT ANY LONGER.

NHTSA ID

11394540

Incident

Jun 1, 2020

Mileage

155,000 mi

3RD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER CORROSION DOES NOT HOLD UP 3RD ROW SEAT

NHTSA ID

11388145

Incident

Apr 3, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD-ROW SEAT LATCHED WHEEL WELL CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RAIN WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR WHEEL WELL BY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ROLLER OF THE SLIDING DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

NHTSA ID

11387577

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

154,000 mi

I GOT INTO MY VAN AND STARTED IT , PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE. I PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND STILL NO MOVEMENT . THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE ON ITS OWN AT ALL. THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11377149

Incident

Nov 28, 2020

Mileage

140,000 mi

I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD FREESTAR VAN ON 10-13-2020 AND 10-16-2020 CAR LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF IN AN OUTSIDE THE VAN. STARTED TO DRIVE HOME THE VAN STARTED JERKING BAD AND SMOKING. CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE MY CHILDREN AN PREGNANT DAUGHTER IN LAW WERE IN THE VAN. THE AXLE BROKE AND MY TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING MY GEARS CHANGE BUT VAN WON'T MOVE.

NHTSA ID

11364877

Incident

Oct 16, 2020

THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH PANEL IS ROTTED OUT ON MY FREESTAR, THANK GOD MY GRANDKIDD WEREN'T IN THE SEAT WHEN IT BROKE AWAY FROM BODY.

NHTSA ID

11341924

Incident

Jul 24, 2020

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY 2006 FORD FREE STAR, LOST IT GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A BUSY HWY. I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY ON TO THE HWY AND WENT TO GO INTO D AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE IT WOULD ONLY GO INTO FIRST GEAR. I THINK THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT POOR DESIGN. ME AND MY CHILDREN COULD OF BEEN HURT OR EVEN WORSE KILLED. THE HWY IS 65 MPH AN I'M STUCK ACROSS THE TWO LANES. BECAUSE THE VAN WONT SHIFT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. AND IT NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE LOST POWER WELL DRIVING ON THE HWY IN THIS VAN DUE TO POOR DESIGN.

NHTSA ID

11331799

Incident

Jun 24, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

TORQUE CONVERTER IS STRIPPED AND FAILING CAUSING NO POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS

NHTSA ID

11321531

Incident

Feb 3, 2020

Mileage

87,000 mi

MY MOM WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 FORD FREESTAR LIMITED, IT ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW ON US. WHEN IT HAPPENED WE WERE DRIVING UP A HILL AT NIGHT . WE CALLED THE POLICE AND AN OFFICER CAME TO JUST TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T GET HIT. THE FLASHERS WERE ON THE WHOLE TIME, BUT APPARENTLY PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION, LATER WE HAD FOUND OUT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NO GOOD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT FROM 2004-2005 MODEL YEARS HAD A RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. PERSONALLY ALL YEARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE RECALL AND NOT JUST 2 MODEL YEARS. ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WE ACTUALLY HAD TO BRING THE VAN BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT FROM. CURRENTLY WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR MONTHS.

NHTSA ID

11317170

Incident

Jul 23, 2019

Mileage

85,000 mi

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY, 45-60 MPH THE THIRD ROW STOW-ABLE SEAT FRACTURED AND LEANED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENWOOD FORD LINCOLN 3075 SCOTTSVILLE RD, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104 (270) 843-9041, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,118.

NHTSA ID

11299329

Incident

Jan 12, 2020

Mileage

178,118 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RUST ON THE WHEEL WHEEL, MOUNTING BRACKETS, AND LATCHES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,988.

NHTSA ID

11266848

Incident

Oct 3, 2019

Mileage

95,988 mi

I HAVE REPLACED MY WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR 3 TIMES AND THEY MAY WORK ONE OR TWICE THEN STOP WORKING

NHTSA ID

11222647

Incident

Jun 14, 2019

Mileage

187,643 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND PLACED IN REVERSE, THE RPMS INCREASED. THE FAILURE HAD BEEN OCCURRING FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT SAID THEY WERE NO LONGER FIXING THAT ISSUE. IT CAN HAPPEN ON DRIVE OR REVERSE AND WHILE I AM TURNING INTO ALONE IT WILL TURN OFF SO I HAVE TO RUSH AND PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND START IT SO I DON'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000. *TR*JB

NHTSA ID

11209221

Incident

May 14, 2019

Mileage

139,000 mi

DRIVING HOME FROM STORE AFTER GETTING DINNER WHICH IS ONLY 2.2 MILES AWAY, MADE IT 2 MILES BACK HOME. STOPED AT STOP SIGN STARTED TO ACCELERATE UP A SMALL INCLINE, ENGINE REVVED TO RED LINE. SO I COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD, SHUT OFF VEHICLE, THEN STARTED IT TO TRY AND LET IT RESET, IT WOULD NOT GO AT ALL OR TRY TO GO INTO ANY GEAR ONLY PARK WILL WORK. AFTER LETTING IT SIT IT WILL STILL NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR OR MOVE AT ALL. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS FULL AND DOES NOT SMELL OR LOOK BURNT, ENGINE RUNS GREAT AND STARTS WITH NO PROBLEMS. I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS IS NOT THE FIRST COMPLETE MADE ABOUT THIS HAPPENING TO THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE. IT WAS MADE IN MAY OF 2005 AND IS CONSIDERED A 2006.

NHTSA ID

11202577

Incident

Apr 19, 2019

Mileage

140,000 mi