FORD FREESTYLE · model year

2006 FORD FREESTYLE

1870 NHTSA complaints, 58 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006FORDFREESTYLE carries 1870 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 58 crashes, 15 fires, 37 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 FREESTYLE is vehicle speed control with 601 filings, followed by power train (350) and power train:automatic transmission (127). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2006 FREESTYLE, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1870
Complaints
58
Crashes
15
Fires
37
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

1870 filings

Crashes Reported

58 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL601
POWER TRAIN350
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION127
ENGINE114
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING90
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE83
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM76
UNKNOWN OR OTHER73
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM53
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE44
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC36
STRUCTURE:BODY19
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)18
SERVICE BRAKES16
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER12

Recalls (1)

06V38300005/10/2006

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

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,

Recent Complaints

20250111POWER TRAIN

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

20250111UNKNOWN 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

20230202ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20230202SERVICE BRAKES

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

20230202POWER TRAIN

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

20220527STRUCTURE: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 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.

20220327ENGINE

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

20220203LATCHES/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 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.

Mileage: 160,000

20220121ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 210,000

20210910STRUCTURE: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 diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,372.

Mileage: 139,372

20210622SERVICE 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, 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.

Mileage: 175,600

20210105POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20210105UNKNOWN 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.

Mileage: 150,000

20201129POWER TRAIN

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

20201129VEHICLE 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 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

20200825POWER 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

Mileage: 123,000

20200730CrashUNKNOWN 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 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.

Mileage: 135,000

20200706VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 120,000

20200704POWER TRAIN

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

20200628POWER 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.

Mileage: 10

Compare 2006FORDFREESTYLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 FORD FREESTYLE have?
The 2006 FORD FREESTYLE has 1870 NHTSA complaints, 58 crashes, 15 fires, 37 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 FORD FREESTYLE?
Yes, the 2006 FORD FREESTYLE has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 FORD FREESTYLE?
The most-complained component for the 2006 FORD FREESTYLE is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 601 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION.
Is the 2006 FORD FREESTYLE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.