RoadVitals

2006 Ford Freestar Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
207
Latest Feb 9, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
58%
of 356 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
4
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Ford Freestar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 207 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 207, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 9, 2024

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 12, 2023

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 10, 2023

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 1, 2022

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 21, 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 3, 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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 30, 2020

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
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 2020

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11321531
Incident
Feb 3, 2020
Mileage
87,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2020

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2019

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
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 4, 2019

WHILE DRIVING HOME ONE DARK NIGHT VEHICLE QUIT ENGINE REVVED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. COASTED TO A SAFE AREA TO PULL OFF OF ROAD. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. WE WERE STRANDED IN THE DARK MILES FROM NEAREST RESIDENCE WAS FINALLY ABLE TO CONTACT MY SON .HE TOWED US HOME

NHTSA ID
11165242
Incident
Dec 14, 2017
Mileage
150,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Dec 24, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD DECELERATE AND STALL ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TT CONSUMER STATED SEL INSTANTANEUOS TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHEN HE WAS MILDLY ACCELERATING INTO A BUSY HIGHWAY INTERSECTION. THE CROSS-TRAFFIC NEARLY COLLIDED WITH MY SEL BUT AVOIDED COLLISION. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING OR SYMPTON OF IMPENDING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER . 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

NHTSA ID
11163306
Incident
Dec 13, 2018
Mileage
85,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 1, 2018

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I COASTED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY LANE. I HAD IT TOWED. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM LAST NIGHT THIS VAN WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND NO ISSUES UNTIL NOW. IT ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. I ALSO OWN A 2005 FREESTAR AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AT THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP DUE TO A RECALL. FORD WAS CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF RECALLING THE 2004 AND 2005 FREESTARS. ITS THE SAME PART IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE 2006 FREESTAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL, AS WE HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM 2006 OWNERS.SECOND CALENDAR QUARTER OF 2012. THE RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S25 FOR THE 2004 AND 2005. ANYONE KNOW IF A RECALL FOR THE 2006 FREESTAR IS IN PROCESS. PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ID
11155303
Incident
Nov 30, 2018
Mileage
80,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 21, 2018

ON HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING MOTOR RUNNING FINE MILES NOT READABLE

NHTSA ID
11153129
Incident
Nov 19, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 22, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11141752
Incident
Oct 19, 2018
Mileage
110,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 10, 2018

HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT HAS THE WRENCH ICON COMING ON. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE VEHICLE LOSES ACCELERATION AND I HAVE TO TURN IT OFF THEN TURN IT BACK ON TO GET THE LIGHT TO GO OFF. I HAVE CALLED PRATER FORD IN CALHOUN GA. WHEN THIS STARTED HAPPENING TO SEE IF BY CHANCE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE DEFECT. THEY TOLD ME NO RECALLS. MY POINT IS IF THIS IS HAPPENING MORE AND MORE ON THIS MODEL SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD COST ABOUT 400.00 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, WHICH IS MONEY I DON'T HAVE. THE PROBLEM HAPPENS WHEN YOU DRIVE IT ON THE ROAD. TOO SCARED TO HIT THE INTERSTATE WITH IT.

NHTSA ID
11110650
Incident
Oct 25, 2012
Mileage
117,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2018

THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT JUST LIKE THE 2004 AND 2005 FREESTAR MODELS.

NHTSA ID
11103695
Incident
Dec 22, 2017
Mileage
180,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed May 17, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. UPON RESEARCHING THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT WAS DEFECTIVE BASED ON THE INFORMATION FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). OLATHE FORD LINCOLN (1845 E SANTA FE ST, OLATHE, KS) WAS CONTACTED, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBERS: 14829406 AND 14829397. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 111,000.

NHTSA ID
11096579
Incident
May 16, 2018
Mileage
111,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION STAYED IN GEAR TOO LONG AND THERE WAS A PAUSE WHENEVER THE GEAR FINALLY ENGAGED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED PER A PREVIOUS UNKNOWN RECALL. THERE WERE NO RELATED OPEN RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
11083104
Incident
Mar 1, 2018
Mileage
92,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 7, 2018

WHILE DRIVING 2006 FREESTAR AROUND A CORNER WITHOUT WARNING , IT COMPLETELY LOST ABILITY TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD OR IN ANY GEAR. WE WERE ON COUNTRY ROAD AND GRATEFUL NO OTHER CARS NEARBY, BUT IT WAS COLD AND WE ARE ELDERLY. WE JUST ROLLED TO A STOP TRYING TO GET OFF ROAD AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO NEARBY GARAGE. THEY REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER AND CAR IS NOW WORKING AGAIN.

NHTSA ID
11076767
Incident
Jan 26, 2018
Mileage
182,437 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 16, 2018

JUST LIKE WITH THE 2004-2005 FORD FREESTAR RECALL IN THE YEAR 2012 (RECALL NUMBER 11S25), OUR 2006 FREESTAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITH NO WARNING WHILE WE WERE ACCELERATING WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. WE WERE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ON A SIDE STREET WITH NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AND HAVE ENOUGH SPEED TO SAFELY PULL OVER, BUT WE HAD NO POWER IN ANY GEAR WE CHOSE, AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. IF WE WERE GOING SLOWER, HAD TRAFFIC BEHIND US, OR NO SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER, WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN REAR-ENDED. THE WAY THE VEHICLE BEHAVED, IT SEEMS TO BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER SHAFT AND/OR TORQUE CONVERTER, JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM IN THE 2004-2005 FREESTAR MODELS WHICH HAD THE RECALL IN THE YEAR 2012 (RECALL NUMBER 11S25).

NHTSA ID
11062926
Incident
Jan 3, 2018
Mileage
112,500 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 16, 2017

WHERE TO START.... EVERY TIME ITS RAINING MY VAN STARTS TO PUTT AND STALL OUT I HAVE ALMOST HAD 3 ACCIDENTS DUE TO MY VAN STALLING ON A MAIN ROAD TRYING TO GET HOME...ISSUE #2. I USE MY KEY PAD TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE ON NIGHTS THAT IM WORKING AND LATELY IT WILL UNLOCK THEN RE LOCK N UNLOCK OVER AND OVER WITH OUT BEING TOUCHED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AND IT WOULD UNLOCK AND LOCK.. ITS NOT SAFE IF ITS UNLOCKING ITS SELF AND MY 2 YEAR OLD REACHS HE COULD OPEN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING... ISSUE #3.. MY VAN SAYS I HAVE 1/2 A TANK OF GAS YET MY DIGITAL GAS READER CONTINUES TO SAY 0 MILES..

NHTSA ID
11033842
Incident
Oct 16, 2017
Mileage
111,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 11, 2017

I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION WHEN SHIFT, SOME TIMES IS REALLY HARD SHIFTING AND ALSO I HAVE PROBLEM WITH BATTERY LIGHT IN THE CLUSTER IS ALWAYS ON BUT THE CHARGING SYSTEM WORKS NORMALLY, THIS HAPPEN ALL THE TIMES

NHTSA ID
11032909
Incident
Oct 4, 2017

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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