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2006 Ford Freestyle problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Ford Freestyle is acceleration and speed control, typically around 75,000 miles. It has 1.5 times the complaints of a typical Freestyle model year.

Typical year1.5x the typical complaints
Year score
60/100
Owner complaints
1,300
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
23
Worst area
Acceleration
Fuel economy
19-20mpg
Typical repair
$900

The worst 2006 Ford Freestyle problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Ford Freestyle

Sudden acceleration 300Stalling 217Jerking 158Check engine light 122Transmission failure 62CVT failure 57Loss of power 56Won't shift 17Adaptive cruise 14Hesitation 12Whining noise 11Won't start 11Door locks 9Fire or smoke 9Airbag light 8Slipping 8Warning lights 8Engine failure 7Knocking 7Water leak 7ABS 6Harsh shifting 5Misfire 5Power steering loss 5Premature wear 5Seat belt 5Shudder 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2006 Ford Freestyle mention

P2106 12P061B 8P0701 4

Recalls 1

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported October 5, 2006 · 139,537 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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.

Recall number 06V383000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2006 Ford Freestyle

Defect investigations

Idle instabilityOpened May 11, 2011, closed February 7, 2013

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 driveway.Unstable idle speed control (dips and flares) around the target engine speed (700 rpm) can occur in vehicles with deposit build-up in the throttle body when the system adjusts engine speed in response to changes in engine load, typically from power steering application or air-conditioner compressor cycling.Idle speed control logic is only active at vehicle speeds below 3.5 mph and when the accelerator pedal is not applied.Ford testing of a vehicle with a worst case throttle body measured a maximum idle flare of 1360 RPM lasting approximately 1 second, which Ford indicated was consistent with system design to limit vehicle speed and acceleration in idle control mode.Ford indicated that the test vehicle was held in place with normal brake effort and that vehicle speed remained under 4 mph without the brake pedal applied.In addition to throttle body deposit accumulation, symptoms associated with the condition may include Check Engine lamp illumination and diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) P0505, P0506 or P061B.Ford attributed the surge condition to changes in idle air flow resulting from the progressive buildup of deposits in the throttle body from normal Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system operation.This condition was not adequately compensated for in the original Powertrain Control Module (PCM) calibration.Ford issued a technical service bulletin on August 15, 2011 (TSB 11-8-5), releasing an updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with CVT transmissions.On October 19, 2011, Ford issued a second bulletin (TSB 11-10-21) superseding TSB 11-8-5 and including updated powertrain control calibration for vehicles with 6-speed transmissions.Prior to Ford issuing the TSB?s, owner?s experiencing the alleged defect either received no repairs, if dealers could not duplicate the condition, or had the throttle body cleaned or replaced, which only provided temporary correction until the throttle deposit build-up returned.Ford?s revised powertrain calibrations appear to be effective remedies for the idle instability caused by build-up of throttle body deposits.However, even after the TSB?s were released, many owners experiencing the condition continued to have difficulty with proper diagnosis and repair as dealers were often either unable to duplicate the condition or were unfamiliar with the new repair procedures.Ford's new program addresses those concerns.the federal safety agency's testing and complaint analysis indicate that the idle speed control issue in the subject vehicles can only occur at very low speeds, are very brief events, are easily controlled by moderate brake pedal forces and result in minor increases in vehicle speed even with no braking.This investigation is closed.The closing of this in

PE11018

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Ford Freestyle 23

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 23 bulletins for the 2006 Ford Freestyle

2006 Ford Freestyle fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cylFWD182520
3.0L 6‑cyl4WD172219

What 2006 Ford Freestyle owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 12, 2026 · Electrical · TN

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!

Filed Jan 11, 2025 · Transmission · FL

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

Filed Feb 2, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · WV

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

Filed May 27, 2022 · Body · MI

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.

Filed Mar 27, 2022 · Engine · MN

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

Filed Feb 3, 2022 · Locks · 160,000 miles · KY

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jan 21, 2022 · Engine · 210,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Body · 139,372 miles · DE

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.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Brakes · 175,600 miles · CA

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.

Filed Jan 5, 2021 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · NY

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.

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2006 Ford Freestyle

Is the 2006 Ford Freestyle reliable?

Owners have filed 1,300 complaints about the 2006 Ford Freestyle, 1.5 times a typical Freestyle model year.

What is the 2006 Ford Freestyle year score?

The 2006 Ford Freestyle scores 60 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Freestyle: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Ford Freestyle?

Acceleration and speed control, with 602 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles. Next is transmission (484).

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have?

1 recall, covering latches/locks/linkages.

What year does the Ford Freestyle have the most acceleration problems?

The Ford Freestyle model years with the most acceleration complaints are 2006 (602 complaints), 2005 (587 complaints) and 2007 (428 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Freestyle get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Ford Freestyle range from 19 to 20 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 18 city and 25 highway.

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