VehicleVerdict

2006 Ford Freestyle problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,872 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.5 times the median Freestyle year — the 2006 model ranks #2 of 5 Freestyle years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 37 injuries in total across these filings.

Speed Control leads the complaint categories with 602 reports (32% of the total).

1,872

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

58

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

37

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Freestyle years?

Freestyle NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted2,018 complaints2002: 1 complaints2004: 14 complaints2005: 2,018 complaints2006: 1,872 complaints2007: 1,250 complaints
Freestyle NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Freestyle years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Ford Freestyle problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Speed Control60232%
Transmission48426%
Engine26014%
Fuel System1518%
Electrical System1066%
Other844%
Brakes734%
Body & Structure281%
Suspension141%
Tires & Wheels121%
Visibility & Wipers101%
Airbags101%
Steering90%
Lighting80%
Latches & Locks70%
Seat Belts60%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)40%
Seats30%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

06V383000Latches & LocksOctober 5, 2006 · 139,537 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“IN HOT WEATHER, THE CAR WILL REV LIKE THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED, IN COLD WEATHER, PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOES NOT GIVE THE CAR GAS. THE DASH LIGHT AND ODB READER BOTH SAY THROTTLE BODY FAILURE. IN HOT WEATHER, IT HAS CAUSED TWO MINOR BUMPS (NO DAMAGE). IN A FEW WEEKS, I AM GOING TO BE AFRAID…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · August 7, 2011 · crash

“WHILE VEHICLE WAS PULLING INTO GARAGE THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD STRIKING AND PINNING A PERSON BETWEEN THE VEHICLE AND BRICK WALL. PERSON RECIEVED INJURIES TO BOTH LEGS REQUIRING MEDICAL TREATMENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS SURGED EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED IT. FORD HAS TOLD US REPEATED TIMES THAT IT'S NOT A…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 26, 2012 · crash

“OUR FREESTYLE HAS A REPEATED TENDENCY TO SURGE FORWARD FROM STOP WITH NO APPLICATION OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. LAST YEAR WHEN WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THEY COULD FIND NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN REPEATEDLY WORSE AND WE HAVE SURGED INTO OTHER CARS WHEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 1, 2009 · crash

“I HAVE A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE THAT LUNGES WHEN YOU PUT IT IN GEAR. IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. ITS WORSE WHEN THE AIR COND. IS ON. I HAD AN ACCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT. I HAVE QUIT DRIVING THE CAR TILL I CAN AFFORD TO TAKE IN TO A DEALER. FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FREESTYLES. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 10, 2010 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SMOKE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REMOVED THE FUSE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 8, 2015 · fire

2006 Ford Freestyle — common questions

Is the 2006 Ford Freestyle reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,872 complaints put the 2006 model at #2 of 5 Freestyle years. It is one of the Freestyle years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Freestyle problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are speed control (602 complaints), transmission (484 complaints), engine (260 complaints).

Does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2006 Ford Freestyle. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Ford Freestyle under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Ford Freestyle years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Freestyle years to avoid are 2005, 2006. The cleanest record among Freestyle years belongs to 2002.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.