2006 Ford Freestyle problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (601) · Power Train (259) · Power Train:automatic Transmission (80)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Freestyle model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
1,183 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (23)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Power Train 2024-05-24 · SSM 52567 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
motorcraft® continuously variable chain-type transmission fluid (xt-7-qcft in non-canadian markets, cxt-7-lcf12 in canada) is no longer manufactured and will only be available until inventory depletes. the recommended replacement fluids are phillips 66 versatrans® cvt plus fluid or kendall versatran
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Engine 2012-11-29 · CSP-12N03 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: see document search button for owner letter. momentary engine idle rpm surge may be intermittent and may occur, due to deposits buildup in throttle body, at low speeds, while parking or entering driveway and check engine lamp may illuminate. models 2005-07 freestyle, 500, montego.
Service Brakes, Air 2007-11-28 · 0710 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford mercury service campaign: see document search button for owner letter. certain 2005 through 2007 fwd and awd ford five hundred, freestyle and mercury montego vehicles - rear brake wear. also have an owner's letter. *nj updated 1/25/08. *nj
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:pads 2007-04-27 · 0759 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
rear brake drag, noise, dust, and/or premature pad wear. *kb
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail 2007-04-26 · 0747 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
mil on with dtc p0191 - fuel rail pressure sensor circuit performance. *kb
Showing the 6 most recent of 23 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-12 · Unknown Or Other“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!…”
2025-01-11 · Unknown 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 …”
2023-02-02 · Service Brakes“car struggles to change gears. abs, engine, and throttle warning lights on. rough idle, car does not accelerate when shifted into drive. …”
2022-05-27 · 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 rustproofin…”
2022-03-27 · 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 i’m drive doesn’t go anywhere …”
2022-02-03 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · 160,000 mi“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. up…”
2022-01-21 · Engine · 210,000 mi“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 failu…”
2021-09-10 · Structure:body · 139,372 mi“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 be…”
2021-06-22 · Service Brakes · 175,600 mi“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 an…”
2021-01-05 · Unknown Or Other · 150,000 mi“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.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.