RoadVitals

2006 Ford Freestyle Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints 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.
1,300
Latest Jun 12, 2026
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
52
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Oct 24, 2005

What this page shows

Our database holds 1,300 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Ford Freestyle. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

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

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 1,300 · page 1 of 52

Electrical
Filed Jun 12, 2026

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!

NHTSA ID
11743751
Incident
Jun 12, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 11, 2025

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

NHTSA ID
11635407
Incident
Jan 9, 2025
BrakesElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 2, 2023

Car struggles to change gears. ABS, ENGINE, and THROTTLE warning lights on. Rough idle, car does not accelerate when shifted into drive.

NHTSA ID
11505221
Incident
Jan 4, 2023
Body & structure
Filed May 27, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11466341
Incident
May 17, 2022
Engine
Filed Mar 27, 2022

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

NHTSA ID
11458536
Incident
Mar 27, 2022
Interior & seats
Filed Feb 3, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11450202
Incident
Jan 28, 2022
Mileage
160,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 21, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID
11448360
Incident
Jan 17, 2022
Mileage
210,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Sep 10, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11432476
Incident
Jul 15, 2021
Mileage
139,372 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 22, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11421913
Incident
Jun 12, 2021
Mileage
175,600 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jan 5, 2021

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.

NHTSA ID
11386693
Incident
Dec 10, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 29, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11377008
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11351197
Incident
Aug 25, 2020
Mileage
123,000 mi
Filed Jul 30, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11342345
Incident
Jul 22, 2020
Mileage
135,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 6, 2020

CAR LURCHES FORWARD WHEN PARKING. IT IS WORSE IF THE AC IS ON.

NHTSA ID
11337807
Incident
Jul 6, 2020
Mileage
120,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 4, 2020

CAR WON'T GO INTO ANY GEAR UNTIL ABOUT 45 MIN WHEN TRANSMISSION IS WARM. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11337495
Incident
Jul 4, 2020
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 28, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11331357
Incident
Jun 28, 2020
Mileage
10 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Apr 5, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11320241
Incident
Mar 4, 2020
Mileage
180,575 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 12, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11317655
Incident
Dec 30, 2019
Mileage
142,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 29, 2020

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 !!!

NHTSA ID
11312202
Incident
Feb 15, 2012
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Jan 29, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID
11302767
Incident
Jan 23, 2020
Mileage
148,446 mi
Driver assistanceEngineFuel system
Filed Dec 30, 2019

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 ID
11291964
Incident
Nov 1, 2019
Mileage
60,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Nov 29, 2019

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 ID
11282935
Incident
Nov 17, 2019
Mileage
150,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 19, 2019

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 ID
11280973
Incident
Nov 18, 2019
Mileage
215,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 15, 2019

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 ID
11280280
Incident
Nov 13, 2019
Mileage
65 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Nov 1, 2019

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

NHTSA ID
11277442
Incident
Oct 30, 2019
Mileage
120,000 mi

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