RoadVitals

2006 Ford Freestyle Suspension Problems

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

Data refreshed

Suspension 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.
14
Latest Oct 1, 2018
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.
1%
of 1,300 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.
0
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

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Ford Freestyle submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 14 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 suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Suspension
Filed Oct 1, 2018

2006 FORD FREESTYLE, 140,000 MILES. CAR IS IN GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THE FRONT ENGINE CRADLE/ SUBFRAME RUSTING OUT. I BELIEVE FORD ISSUED A RECALL ON THE 2001-2004 ESCAPES FOR THE SAME ISSUE, THEY SHOULD STEP UP TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE ON THE FREESTYLE ALSO.

NHTSA ID
11132791
Incident
Oct 1, 2018
Mileage
140,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 3, 2016

VEHICLE WAS DISCOVERED TO HAVE SEVERE RUST ON FRONT FRAME ASSEMBLY DRIVERS SIDE DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON TODAY'S DATE. IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR SOME TIME AND HAS JUST BECAME PAINFULLY APPARENT. THE CORROSION/RUST/DETERIORATION OCCURS DIRECTLY BELOW AN AREA WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM DISPENSES LATER/CONDENSATION. EROSION TO STRUCTURAL SUPPORT IS SO BAD IT HAS EATEN AWAY BOTTOM, SIDES AND TOP OF FRAME ASSEMBLY. SOMETIMES KNOWN AS AN ENGINE CRADLE. IN ORDER TO REPLACE, THE ENGINE MUST BE MOVED AND OTHER FRONT END COMPONENTS REMOVED FROM VEHICLE. IT IS THE OPINION OF COMPLAINANT THAT THIS RUST ISSUE COULD RESULT IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION FOR THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE, THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE AS WELL AS OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC. IT IS ALSO THE OPINION OF THE COMPLAINANT THAT THIS RUST ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE STRUCTURAL ABILITY TO SUSPEND THE ENGINE. POSSIBLY RESULTING IN MISALIGNMENT OF KEY COMPONENTS OR MOVING PARTS AND COULD RESULT IN EXCESSIVE WEAR AND DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS OF THE AUTOMOBILE. IT IS ALSO THE OPINION OF THE COMPLAINANT THAT THE RUST ISSUE AND WEAKENING OF FRONT END SUPPORT MEMBERS COULD POSSIBLY IMPACT STEERING, TIRE LIFE, TIRE PATTERN ON ROADWAY DURING HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS, ETC. FORD MOTOR COMPANY APPEARS TO HAVE SIMILAR RUST/CHASSIS/FRAME ISSUES ON OTHER MODELS OF VEHICLES AFTER DOING QUICK SEARCH ONLINE REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND COMPARING PHOTOGRAPHS. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS ISSUED RECALLS FOR OTHER RUST/FRAME/CHASSIS ISSUES, BUT NOT FOR THE FORD FREESTYLE.

NHTSA ID
10872382
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Suspension
Filed Jan 14, 2016

THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED BEYOND REPAIR. I AM AWARE THAT BETWEEN THE YEARS 2001 AND 2004 FORD MOTORS HAD THE SAME ISSUE AND RECALLED THE VEHICLES

NHTSA ID
10820330
Incident
Jan 14, 2016
BrakesEngineSuspension
Filed Oct 1, 2014

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED..IT WOULD NOT COME BACK ON, IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER WITH THE KEY, SO I HAD TO TOW IT HOME IT WILL MOVE 12 INCHES FORWARD AND BACKWARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10640572
Incident
Mar 14, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSuspension
Filed Nov 3, 2012

VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW AS EXIT OFF FREEWAY, RPMS INCREASED AGAINST BRAKING SYSTEM. VERY DANGEROUS AND WOULD NOT SLOW. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE. ALSO, CONTINUES TO WORSEN, LUNGIN FORWARD AND IN REVERSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483227
Incident
Oct 17, 2012
Mileage
106,000 mi
BrakesPowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 4, 2012

MY FORD STARTED JERKING BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT REVERSE OR LUNGING FORWARD WHEN I START DRIVING FORWARDS. THIS HAPPENED TWICE, ONCE IN THE JEKYLL ISLAND WHEN WE WERE ON VACATION (ALL THREE DAYS) IN JULY 2011 AND ALSO WHEN RECENTLY LIKE THREE MONTHS AGO, OCT 2011. I FIRST NOTICED WHEN I WAS BACKING OUT FROM A HOTEL PARKING LOT. I THOUGHT I AM GOING TO IT THE OTHER CARS. ALSO, I CHANGED THE BRAKES TWICE, ONCE FROM THE DEALER AND ONCE FROM THE AUTO MECHANIC. MY MILEAGE SO FAR IS 50K AND THIS IS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. I CONSTANTLY FACE BRAKE PROBLEMS IN THIS VEHICLE. AND ALSO OTHER PROBLEMS.(LIKE FRONT AXLE) COULD SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS, PLEASE!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10442412
Incident
Jul 21, 2011
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 13, 2011

WHEN DRIVING, MY CAR LOSES POWER. SOMETIMES WHEN MOVING SLOWLY, I ENGAGE THE GAS PEDAL AND LOSE POWER. SOMETIMES WHEN I ENGAGE THE GAS TO MOVE FROM A STOPPED POSITION, MY CAR WILL START TO GO AND THEN LOSE POWER. THE CAR DOES NOT SHUT OFF, IT JUST WON'T MOVE, AND THEN SUDDENLY DOES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY, BUT THIS IS STILL HAPPENING. THEY SAID UNLESS THEY CAN GET THE PROBLEM TO HAPPEN WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING IT, THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP FURTHER. THIS IS VERY SCARY AND I'M SURE IT'S A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE IS AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN REVERSE, SOMETIMES IT REVS UP BEFORE ACTUALLY MOVING. I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE, STARTING IN THE 20,000 MILES. BAD WINDOW MOTOR, BAD BRAKES, INTERMITTENT DASH BOARD CLEARANCE, AIR CONDITIONING MECHANISM LEAKING INTO CAR. THE DEALER DID REPLACE THE WINDOW MOTOR, BRAKES AND AIR CONDITIONING PROBLEM, BUT HAD NO EXPLANATION ON THE DASH LIGHTS RESETTING. MY PAINT IS BUBBLING UP ON THE HOOD OF MY CAR. FORD OFFERED TO FIX THIS FOR $850. THE BUBBLING STARTED AT 39,000 MILES. I DID NOT PAY THEM TO FIX THIS, AS I FEEL FORD SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. WHEN FORD HAD MY CAR LAST, THEY REPLACED A SWAY BAR AND DID NOT TIGHTEN THE NUT, I THEN HAD THE ABS LIGHT COME ON AND THEY REPLACED THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND TIGHTENED THE NUT. MY CAR CLUNKED SO BAD, I FEAR THAT THIS CAUSED ADDITIONAL SUSPENSION PROBLEMS. I'VE ALWAYS HAD NOISE IN THE FRONT END, ESPECIALLY ON A TIGHT TURN. THE GREASED THE FRONT END, BUT THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. TODAY, MY CAR ONLY HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT, BUT UNFORTUNATELY, MY WARRANTY IS UP AND I KNOW THAT ONE DAY WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL, IT'S NOT GOING TO MOVE. I WAS TOLD BY A FORD SERVICE REP. THAT THE CVT TRANSMISSION CANNOT BE REPLACED, SO WHEN IT DOES FAIL, I'M OUT OF LUCK, THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR THIS. RECALL PLEASE

NHTSA ID
10426028
Incident
Oct 1, 2010
Mileage
38,000 mi
Driver assistanceSuspension
Filed Jun 15, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PLACE THE GEAR IN DRIVE, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE THROTTLE BODY WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY THREE YEARS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT BEGAN TO LUNGE BACKWARDS WHILE IN REVERSE AND FORWARD WHILE IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THERE WAS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) WHICH MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL EITHER TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A CLICKING SOUND WITHIN THE FRONT AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGERS SIDE CV JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,935.

NHTSA ID
10407022
Incident
Jun 15, 2008
Mileage
36,935 mi
Driver assistanceOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2010

SURGING FROM A WHILE BRAKE APPLIED OR WHEN LETTING OFF BRAKE BUT BEFORE APPLYING GAS. FRONT END NOISES WHEN TURNING TO RIGHT, LOUD CREAKING SOUND. BRAKES MAKE A CREAKING SOUND ALSO BUT SHOW NOW SIGNS OF NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. ALL ISSUES STARTED AT THE SAME TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10353591
Incident
Jul 10, 2010
Mileage
47,000 mi
SuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Aug 20, 2008

IN 2006 WE PURCHASED A NEW FORD FREESTYLE. AT THREE MONTHS I TOOK IT TO HAVE THE OIL CHECKED AND I WAS TOLD MY TIRES WERE BALD,FORD GAVE US NEW TIRES. SINCE THEN I AM GETTING READY TO PUT MY FORTH SET OF TIRES ON THE CAR. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME CAR AND THEY ALL HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. WE TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NO WAY TO ALIGN IT, WE THEN TOOK IT TO OUR PERSONAL MECHANIC AND HE CHECKED IT AND SAID THERE WAS NO WAY TO ALIGN IT THEN THE OTHER DAY I TOOK IT TO A TIRE PLACE AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT EVEN SELL A KIT TO ALIGN IT. WHAT CAN I DO ? *TR

NHTSA ID
10239044
Incident
Oct 22, 2006
Mileage
1,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 13, 2008

TSB 06154 PREMATURE TIRE WEAR I HAVE 40,000 MILES ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND NEED MY FORTH SET OF TIRES, I HAD IT TO THE DEALER AT LEAST THREE TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10227664
Incident
Apr 12, 2008
Mileage
13,000 mi
BrakesSuspension
Filed Mar 17, 2008

REAR BRAKES FAILED (PAD REMAINING IS 2/32) AT 30,000 MILES. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE A WHEEL ALIGNMENT AND THE TIRES REPLACED. THE SERVICE CENTER ADVISED ME TO HAVE THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED ASAP. *TR

NHTSA ID
10221502
Incident
Mar 17, 2008
Mileage
30,363 mi
BrakesSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Aug 26, 2007

SINCE WE FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR, WE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING THAT OUR TIRES HAVE BEEN WEARING OUT TOO QUICKLY, SHOW UNUSUAL SIGNS OF WEAR. AFTER THE THIRD VISIT TO THE DEALERS, I CONTACTED FORD TO EXPRESS MY FRUSTRATION REGARDING THE TIRES AND THAT FACT THAT I HAD TO CONTINUALLY REPLACE THESE TIRES AT MY COST ? IT WAS UNUSUAL THAT TIRES WERE WEARING OUT WITH LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE TIRE, SUGGESTING THAT THE UNUSUAL WEAR WAS A FACTOR THAT WAS BEING CAUSED ROADS WITHIN NEW HAMPSHIRE AND IMPROPER MAINTENANCE AND OUR FAILURE TO KEEP OUR TIRE ALIGNED AND BALANCED. ON AUGUST 26TH, 2007 - MY CAR BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SOME A WOBBLING IN THE CAR AS IF THE CAR WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT - WITH A FIVE MINUTE PERIOD, IT STARTED TO FEEL LIKE WE HAD A FLAT TIRE. I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND INSPECTED THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE, WHICH DID NOT APPEAR TO BE FLAT. AGAIN I PROCEEDED DOWN THE ROAD AND WITHIN THE NEXT 500 MY CAR BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE SOME A SEVER WOBBLING, VIOLENTLY SHAKING THE CAR. AGAIN, I GOT OUT OF THE CAR TO INSPECT THE TIRES ASSUMING THAT THIS WAS BEING CAUSED BEING CAUSED BY A FLAT TIRE. AGAIN, ALL OF THE TIRES APPEARED TO BE FINE, WHO EVER I DID NOTICE THAT LEFT REAR PASSENGER TIRE APPEARED TO WOBBLE WHEN I PUSHED ON IT WITH MY FOOT. ASSUMING THAT THE TIRE MIGHT BE LOSE, I PROCEED TO JACK UP THE VEHICLE IN AN EFFORT TO DETERMINE IF THE TIRE WAS POTENTIALLY LOOSE WHAT I DISCOVER, WAS THAT THE TIRE WAS FINE, INSTEAD, THE ENTIRE LEFT ASSEMBLE (TIRE, DISK BRAKE ASSEMBLY AND THE ROTOR) WERE COMING OFF THE CAR? *TR

NHTSA ID
10200801
Incident
Aug 25, 2007
Mileage
28,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 30, 2007

CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVE WAY WHEN MY HUSBAND NOTICED BOTH REAR TIRES HAD 10-12 INCH SLITS WITH METAL EXPOSED..TOOK TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WITH OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FORD TAKES NOT LIABILITY..THE DAMAGE IS AS FOLLOWS: FRONT END ALIGNMENT, 2 TIRES AND 2 CONTROL ARMS BENT WHEN VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED BY CARRIER...FORD ADMITTED THAT, THEY EVEN CHANGED THE CONTROL ARMS BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT STRONG ENOUGH FOR THE 2007 YEAR MODEL BUT WE HAVE TO PAY ANYWAY..FORDS QUOTE WAS OVER $750.00. THE ARMS ARE FACTORY FAULTED BUT WE HAVE TO PAY...WHY GET EXTENDED WARRANTY THEN OR WORSE WE HAVE LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON CAR... *TR

NHTSA ID
10192043
Incident
May 28, 2007
Mileage
19,461 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .