2006 Ford FREESTYLE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,300 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 1,186 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 601 of 1,300 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 564 | 43.4% |
| Transmission and shifting | 301 | 23.2% |
| Engine operation | 228 | 17.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 39 | 3.0% |
| Steering behavior | 35 | 2.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 0.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 601 |
| Power Train | 350 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 127 |
| Engine | 114 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 90 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 83 |
| Electrical System | 77 |
| Unknown Or Other | 74 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 601; Power Train: 350; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 127; Engine: 114; Engine And Engine Cooling: 90; Fuel System, Gasoline: 83; Electrical System: 77; Unknown Or Other: 74
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 63 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 153 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 374 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 299 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 241 |
| 150,000 and above | 56 |
Under 25,000: 63; 25,000 to 49,999: 153; 50,000 to 74,999: 374; 75,000 to 99,999: 299; 100,000 to 149,999: 241; 150,000 and above: 56
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (374). 114 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 11 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 23 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 215 |
| 2011 | 466 |
| 2012 | 232 |
| 2013 | 76 |
| 2014 | 58 |
| 2015 | 51 |
| 2016 | 29 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 16 |
| 2019 | 19 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2005: 1; 2006: 11; 2007: 21; 2008: 23; 2009: 46; 2010: 215; 2011: 466; 2012: 232; 2013: 76; 2014: 58; 2015: 51; 2016: 29; 2017: 16; 2018: 16; 2019: 19; 2020: 10; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 564 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 301 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 228 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10171062 · 2006-10-17 (October 17, 2006)
2005 FORD FREESTYLE REAR BRAKE PADS WORN DOWN INTO BRAKE ROTORS AT 25,000 MILES. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171062 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177122 · 2006-12-27 (December 27, 2006)
REAR BRAKES ON MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE LIMITED AWD ARE FAILING. I HAVE EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST AND MY REAR ROTORS ARE ALREADY GROOVED AND THEY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. I ONLY HAVE ABOUT 20K ON THIS CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10177122 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10204150 · 2007-09-26 (September 26, 2007)
WHILE ACCELERATING UP INCLINES, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITH AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER TRAIN WRENCH LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. THIS HAPPENED ON THREE OCCASIONS. DEALER INITIALLY UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE, THEN REPORTS THAT IT IS AN ABS MODULE FAILURE, WHICH IS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, BECAUSE "IT IS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE POWER TRAIN." AFTER ABS MODULE REPLACEMENT, THE ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE, THIS IS AS YET, UNRESOLVED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10204150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10210678 · 2007-12-03 (December 3, 2007)
WHILE ACCELERATING UP INCLINES, AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, WITH AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, TRACTION CONTROL AND POWER TRAIN WRENCH LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE AND THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED. DEALER INITIALLY UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE, THEN REPORTS THAT IT IS AN ABS MODULE FAILURE. ABS MODULE REPLACED BUT FAILURE CONTINUED. THEN DEALER REPLACED A PART IN THE CVT WITH CONTINUED FAILURE. CAR CURRENTLY WITH DEALER AWAITING NEW CVT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 40,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10210678 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10279337 · 2009-08-04 (August 4, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND DECREASE IN SPEED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE THROTTLE CONTROL TRANSMISSION LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED AND THE FAILURE CEASED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT DROVE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER …
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10279337 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10280340 · 2009-08-13 (August 13, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. HE HAD TO APPLY EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY PRIOR FAILURES AND THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. ONE YEAR LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BOTTLE WAS FAILING. THE CONTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10280340 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10221025 · 2008-03-13 (March 13, 2008)
I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT ISSUE AFTER ISSUE. IT STARTED WITH MY BRAKES FAILING LIKE SEVERAL OTHERS THAT I HAVE READ. IT NOW SURROUNDS MY 6 CD PLAYER THAT EITHER MELTS OR WON'T PLAY. I HAVE HAD IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP A FEW TIMES TO NO AVAIL. ON 03-12-08 THE ELECTRICAL PANEL ONLY LIGHTS UP PARTIALLY, AND AFTER SHAKING THE FRONT DASH BOARD A FEW TIME ALL LIGHTS POPPED ON. I HAVE TALKED TO SERVICE MANAGERS AND THEY HAVE DONE WHAT THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE AND I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE FOR PURCHAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10221025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10262472 · 2009-03-19 (March 19, 2009)
MOONROOF LEAKS AFTER HEAVY RAINS OR LONG PERIODS OF RAIN. SHOWS UP AS WATER DRIPPING FROM EITHER SIDE OF WINDSHIELD UPON BRAKING OR TURNING. ALSO SHOWS UP AS WET FLOOR IN CARGO AREA/SPARE TIRE AREA. WAS SUPPOSEDLY CORRECTED BY REROUTING FRONT MOONROOF DRAINS ACCORDING TO FORD T.S.B. # 07-3-6 BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. APPARENTLY (ACCORDING TO NUMEROUS POSTS ON FORD FORUMS) THE DRAINAGE TUBES DO NOT HAVE A POSITIVE DRAIN CONDITION WHEN THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE IS PARKED SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN THE REAR. THIS NEGATIVE DRAIN CONDITION CAUSES WATER TO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10262472 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10184824 · 2007-03-12 (March 12, 2007)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 25 TO 55 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES IT BEGAN SHAKING AND VIBRATING. WHILE STEERING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING, THE TIRES RUBBED THE INNER WALLS. THE FUEL GAUGE AND SPEEDOMETER FAILED ON 2 OCCASIONS AFTER ADDING THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF FUEL TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 320. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE ON SIX OCCASIONS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 1,300. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 320 miles reported. Look up ODI 10184824 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274874 · 2009-06-24 (June 24, 2009)
SINCE THE CAR WAS NEW THE ENGINE WOULD SURGE SLIGHTLY WHEN PLACED IN REVERSE. TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOPPED SEEMED TO ACCENTUATE THE CONDITION. IN THE LAST WEEK THE SURGING HAS BECOME DANGEROUS. THE ENGINE REVS EXCESSIVELY AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE CAR WHEN BACKING UP. SEVERAL TIMES I CAME CLOSE TO HITTING CARS AND OBJECTS BEHIND ME. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED IT WAS ALL I COULD DO TO GET THE CAR STOPPED IN TIME BEFORE HITTING CARS PARKED BEHIND ME. THE SERVICE INDICATOR (WRENCH) LIGHT THEN CAME ON AND THE CAR ENTERED LI…
Owner-reported narrative. 68,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274874 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10174401 · 2006-11-27 (November 27, 2006)
I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE WITH LESS THAN 15,000 MILES. WHILE DRIVING NORTH BOUND ON INTERSTATE 75 BETWEEN MILE MARKER 101 AND 128 THE GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED. WHAT PUNCTURED THE GAS TANK IS UNKNOWN BUT THERE WAS A SMALL AREA OF "BURRING" AND THE TANK CRACKED APPROX. 4 INCHES RELEASING FUEL. THE GAS TANK AND LINER FAILED BY WHAT APPEARS TO BE A SMALL IMPACT. CONSEQUENCE WAS RELEASE OF FUEL (FULL TANK). FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO ADVERSE OUTCOME OTHER THAN REPLACING THE TANK AND FUEL... THE TANK IS BEING REPLACED. I WILL RETAIN THE DAMAGE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10174401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10340386 · 2010-06-28 (June 28, 2010)
WHEN PULLING INTO PARKING SPACES, OR OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, AND/OR REDUCING SPEED TO STOP, MY 2006 FORD FREESTYLE 58K WILL SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD. WHEN YOU PREVENT THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION BY APPLYING THE BRAKE, THE WRENCH LIGHT WILL COME ON AND SOMETIMES IT WILL STALL. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS CARBON BUILD-UP AND TOLD ME TO PUT A CAN OR TWO OF SEA FOAM IN THE GAS TANK. AFTER RUNNING TWO TANKS OF GAS, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. FORD NEEDS TO SUPPORT THEIR CUSTOMERS AND RECALL/FIX THE DEFECT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10340386 at NHTSA ↗