Model year record

2006 Ford Freestyle recalls & problems

The 2006 Ford Freestyle has 1 safety recall and 1,300 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is vehicle speed control (602 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints1,300filed by owners

Crashes · fires42 · 10reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths18 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Ford Freestyle in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Latches/locks/linkagesOct 5, 2006

Doors › Latch

Recall 06V383000139,537 vehicles

Problem: 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, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.
Risk: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 8, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Ford Freestyle 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	13.3%

2006 Ford Freestyle 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	13.3%

2006 Ford Freestyle NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2006 Ford Freestyle NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Freestyle FWD

20mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Freestyle AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	602	25	0	1	75,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	484	11	0	7	78,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Cooling system	146	3	1	0	68,594 mi
Engine	114	0	0	0	98,000 mi
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Wiring	85	1	6	7	103,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage; Fuel injection system	85	2	0	0	71,250 mi
Unknown or other	74	4	1	3	73,231 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	55	1	1	0	28,450 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	53	1	0	1	85,000 mi
StructureBody; Body › Door	28	4	0	9	89,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)	18	0	0	0	94,321 mi
Service brakes	16	0	0	0	106,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
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!
Jun 12, 2026
Power 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
Jan 9, 2025
Electrical system
Car struggles to change gears. ABS, ENGINE, and THROTTLE warning lights on. Rough idle, car does not accelerate when shifted into drive.
Jan 4, 2023
Structure › 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.
May 17, 2022
Engine
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 Iâm Drive doesnât go anywhere
Mar 27, 2022
Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear driverâs and passengerâs 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.
Jan 28, 2022 · 160,000 miles
Engine
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.
Jan 17, 2022 · 210,000 miles
Structure › Body
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that she noticed that after it rained, the front passengerâs 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.
Jul 15, 2021 · 139,372 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

Idle instabilityClosed
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle (all vehicles are eligible for the program through May 31, 2013, regardless of mileage).Dealers will repair vehicles exhibiting the condition by removing and cleaning the throttle body and reprogramming the PCM with software containing an updated idle speed control strategy.According to Ford, some of the affected vehicles may experience momentary, intermittent engine idle RPM surge (idle flare) when stopped or during low speed driving maneuvers such as in a parking lot or…
PE11018 · opened May 11, 2011 · closed Feb 7, 2013