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2006 Ford Freestyle engine complaints

Page 7 of 10: complaints 161 to 190 of 258, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2006 Ford Freestyle engine problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Aug 9, 2011 · Acceleration, Brakes · 59,000 miles · IN

When placed in reverse the auto would surge without warning, as if the fuel pedal were applied. This also did it when going from reverse to forward. Had to keep foot firmly on the brake at all times or risk an accident. Car became very difficult to drive when this occurred. At 80,472 miles. Engine check light stayed on after another surge problem that stalled the auto. Ray skillman ford in greenwood, in determined it was the "throttle body". It was replaced and while the service man drove the car, the entire A/C unit went out. They put a new clutch & compressor. After calling several ford dealerships, there has been a huge backorder of these throttle body's. Capital city ford is installing two a day the same with ray skillman ford.

Filed Aug 8, 2011 · Engine · VA

I have a 2006 ford freestyle and at a stopped position, sometimes, will try to lung forward or backward, even when the brake is engaged and my foot is not on the gas. Will do the same when at a stop light and release the brake the car will lung forward. Have contacted ford with this complaint and even received a case number. After contacting them several times concerning the matter, I still have not heard from ford.

Filed Aug 5, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 68,000 miles · NC

2006 ford freestyle "lurches" at low speeds or when sitting still; into reverse or forward gears; especially when it is hottest out. Example: sitting in line to pick up our children (carpool lane) at the school; vehicle in park. Once you move the transmission into drive, while holding down the brake pedal, the engine will rev (run higher) and the vehicle will try to move, therby causing it to 'lurch' or jump foward. It is not a consistent thing, however it does seem to happen the most when the engine and transmission are hot. Also happens when switching from park to reverse. Often, it will cause the 'wrench' icon on the dashboard to turn on. Placing the vehicle in park then turning it off; and turning it back on seems to correct the issue, temporarily. However, it does haappen 3 to 4 times a week.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 72,000 miles · AL

Vehicle surges forward in low idle or when stopped. Will happen also in reverse. Seems worse on hot days or with A/C running. Service "wrench" light will come on and car will almost stop running and has stopped on some occasions.

Filed Aug 3, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 92,744 miles · TX

We own a 2006 ford freestyle. In 2008, at 36,730 miles we had the throttle body replaced because the vehicle lurched & the wrench light came on. Problem fixed. However, 2011 @ 88,356 we had the car in again because it lurched and engine & wrench light would come on again, and it would lose power. If we turned the key off and back on, it would temporarily go away. They replaced an electronic sensor in the transmission. This was at a ford dealer. They had to call their mechanic help line & work on it several days to figure out the problem. Apparently, that was not the problem, because it had to go back in two weeks later for the same issue. They claimed the new part was faulty and they replaced the sensor again. Fast forward 2.5 months. We are in june @ 92,744. Vehicle was again lurching, wrench & check engine light would come on and had a loss of power. This all seemed to happen when the engine was under strain/load: AC on high, turning the wheel. It would happen in reverse or drive. I had a foot on/over the brake - so lurching never caused any incidents. This time, I took it to my mechanic. He didn't believe me - because as I said - if you turned the car off, it would all go away until the next random time it happened. So, after 2 days I picked the vehicle up from him. It happened again 2 days later. I took it to autozone and had them plug it in to get the codes out of it - before I turned it off. I took the vehicle and the codes to my mechanic. He had the car for a couple days and was able to get it to behave as I described to him. He replaced the throttle body and it seemed to fix it. We took it on a road trip for 6,000 miles and there was no problem. It is now just over 100,000 miles and the warranty has now expired. Until now - warranty has covered the bulk of the cost. About 2 weeks ago, there was one instance of surging but no other symptoms or lights. Not sure what I plan to do from here except perhaps wait until it is recalled?

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · TX

When stopping or taking off car surges whether your backing up or at a stop light. They said it was the throttle body,check engine light on when stopped at red light can only inch forward.

Filed Aug 2, 2011 · Engine · 83,000 miles · NY

After returning from the ford repair center, the car lost power in the accelerator. My husband was unable to make the car move forward while pressing on the gas pedal. Ford came to pick up the vehicle and we were later told that the engine was blown and needed to be replaced. We have had the car approximately seven months and have driven it for for less than 8,000 miles.

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 64,000 miles · OH

2006 ford freestyle lunging started about 2 months ago. It happens often, thought it was just when I ran the air conditioner but it is happening all the time now. It will happen when the car is going forward and in reverse and sometimes it will die on me. I've already heard of this problem being responsible for 1 injury and I'm afraid it could continue to happen to other freestyle owners including myself. I should not have to pay for this problem. Ford needs to own up to the fact that this is their fault and recall all freestyles made within 2006-2007. As I am researching this problem with the freestyle I am becoming aware that ford has known about this issue for some time now and have not done anything about it. If this is how they are going to make vehicles and treat their customers then I can assure you that most of their costumers will choose to go elsewhere with their business, including myself! They need to recall this model and fix it!!!! I am at 65,000 mile's and this is unacceptable to me and every other owner out there.!!! Please do something about this mess.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

I was backing out of a parking place when my freestyle lunged backward, narrowly missing people walking. The red 'wrench' light came on indicating there was an engine problem. The motor ran very rough but we did get to our destination. I remember reading an article regarding this issue with the freestyle, lunging forward or backward. I researched this and concluded many other freestyle owners have had the same problem. We did have this problem corrected at a hefty price of $700.00. Hopefully, the ford motor company will recall these freestyles before a fatal accident occurs.

Filed Jul 28, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 61,000 miles · NC

Car accelerated unexpectedly, to the point of having to hold the brake while the tires were still spinning in the gravel. After this the dashboard wrench and check engine light came on. Car also stopped while in traffic several times. After taking car to ford dealership for service, we were told the throttle body was malfunctioning and caused this problem. While the car is still under warranty we were advised this part was not covered under the warranty at a cost of $700.00 to us. We have no problem with the dealership, our problem is with ford motor company. Why is there no recall!! This is a dangerous situation.

Filed Jul 26, 2011 · Engine · 80,000 miles · PA

2006 ford freestyle lunging forward.

Filed Jul 26, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 97,000 miles · MS

2006 ford freestyle lurches when coming to a stop or departing from a stop. To prevent the car from involuntarily moving, heavy brake pressure is required. These events started in april 2011 when vehicle had approximately 97,000 miles on it (26 july 2011 odometer reading 99,150 miles). Symptoms occur every time the vehicle is put into reverse; less frequent when in forward gears.

Filed Jul 25, 2011 · Engine · 75,000 miles · MN

The car has been having a highly irregular idle and has been lurching/surging forward at low speeds when shifting into gear (both forward and reverse). This started occurring about a month ago and has been fairly consistent since that time.

Filed Jul 24, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 60,850 miles · MO

2006 ford freestyle while sitting still at idle, in gear, suddenly surging causing unintentional vehicle movement.

Filed Jul 22, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 68,450 miles · AL

The vehicle's engine cut out after a stop several times, when restarted, vehicle behavior was erratic during acceleration. Dealer determined the electric throttle body was bad and replaced the component.

Filed Jul 22, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 55,000 miles · CT

The car began to jerk and lurch, and engine speed abruptly slowed after about (3) hours of highway driving (from vermont to new hampshire). A trouble light (wrench icon) appeared. Engine rpms fluctuated, but vehicle would not respond to the gas pedal. Pulled over, waited a few minutes, restarted the car. Trouble light was no longer on, and the vehicle was fine and normal for the rest of the ride home. Brought car to portsmouth ford, who could not find any problem. Second incident, january 2011: highway drive back to new hampshire from connecticut. Same problem. Abrupt and alarming drop in car speed. No throttle control. Erratic engine RPM performance. Attempted to pull off interstate highway to a safe area. Waited 5 minutes. Re-started the engine. Trouble light gone, engine performed fine, and no issue the rest of the trip. Brought the car for transmission service to valvoline, then to dowling ford where the vehicle was purchased. Third incident, march 2011: after (2) hours of highway driving abrupt drop in engine speed while attempting to merge on interstate 84. Lost throttle control. Near collision with a tractor-trailer in bad weather while trying to get out of the way and off the highway. Frightening experience. Brought car to bob thomas ford in hamden, connecticut for a transmission program update and complete transmission service. Dealer could not find a problem with the vehicle. Fourth incident, june 24, 2011: again on I-84 in the rain after 2.5 hours of highway cruising. Radical loss of engine power and vehicle speed. My daughter barely avoided a collision attempting to maneuver off the highway in heavy traffic with erratic throttle control. Daughter called me in a panic, crying. Waited off the highway a few minutes, re-started, and was fine. Car no longer used on the highway, just locally. The consumer also stated the alternator failed. Updated portable 08/23/11 updated 09/14/11

Filed Jul 20, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 124,600 miles · MI

While putting car in reverse car surged backwards and the check engine wrench came on. Drove car home approx. Five blocks and shut car off because car was running rough. Started car back up and car ran smooth and the check engine wrench was off. I sat in parking lot for approx. Five minutes while my wife was shopping with car running and the air conditioning on. This is the second time in the last month that this car has done this. Both with the same issues. The car surges, then runs rough, then the check engine wrench comes on, then when you shut the car off and restart it the car runs smooth and the check engine wrench shuts off.

Filed Jul 20, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 100,300 miles · IL

Car lurches (in drive or reverse) when at low speeds. This issue is much more pronounced while air conditioning is on. Engine revs from 1,000 RPM to 2,500 RPM. On occasion the "fail-safe" will engage and the engine will shutdown completely when brakes are applied to stop the car from lurching. The only unusual light that comes on is "throttle system" light.

Filed Jul 20, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 57,000 miles · PA

Early july 2010 car would surge after started when placed into drive or reverse. July 17,2010 about 95 degrees ambient. Driving 55 MPH car started to lose power and stall. Restarted and it went into limp mode with check engine light and occasional surges. I found a ford dealer about 5 miles away. Diagnosis was a bad mass air flow sensor. Replaced and we were on our way again. Early june 2011 it was surging after starting when placed in drive or reverse. June 11,2011. Car stalled and went into limp mode again with check engine light on. Bought a new mass air flow sensor, installed it myself and cleared the code. July 5,2011 while driving to baltimore at 65 MPH and 100 degree ambient, car stalled, restarted and it went into limp mode with check engine light on. I found a parking lot with shade and let it idle for about 20 minutes. Shut it off and restarted. Check engine light was off and it ran fine to baltimore. This appears to be an issue with the mass air flow circuit. The federal safety agency cannot ignore this flaw.

Filed Jul 20, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 65,000 miles · TN

2006 ford freestyle over the past year my car has been accelerating and stalling for no reason. I have had to brake suddenly many times when pulling into a parking space and or backing up. Its really scary. Last week it accelerated so fast and I slammed on my brakes so hard that it quit, I started it, it quit and when I started it again, my engine light was on. I just spent over $1600 dollars to have the problem corrected at the local ford dealership. I bought this car new and gave over $34,000 dollars for it and it has had many issues. I just paid it off in december and now I'm still spending so much money to keep it going. I am a teacher and can not afford this but I can't afford to trade it in and have car payments all over again. Please, isn't there anything you can do to help me?

Filed Jul 19, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 84,000 miles · KY

I drive a 2006 ford freestyle. I would like to report that when the car has been running and it is a hot day when placed in reverse it will accelerate on it's own and then the motor will die causing the check engine light to come one. Typically if I turn it off and wait a few minutes it will come back on light free, but there has been two occasions when it has not. The first I took it for a diagnostics where I was told to take it to ford that it seemed to be a transmission issue, ford told me that they were not sure but they cleared out the sensor to give it a good wash if it happened again. It has happened again only this time the engine dying to acceleration ration has increased and a good car wash has not helped the issue. I am becoming very concerned before the acceleration was only in reverse now it is occurring in drive as well and happening more frequently. I have plans to take it to my local ford dealership however I do not have high hopes for answers as they were not all that helpful the first time.

Filed Jul 19, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · 65,000 miles · MS

2006 ford freestyle is experiencing sporadic lunging (engine racing) when shifting from park to reverse or park to drive. Has happened more frequently in the last month. 65500 miles on odometer.

Filed Jul 17, 2011 · Brakes, Engine · 72,000 miles · MI

I was approaching an intersection at about 1-5 MPH and pressing the brakes, then the car lunged forward and moved 2 to 4 feet (at no point I pressed the gas pedal). After that, the gas pedal did not work, and I had to restart the car to be able to move it again. This all happened at an intersection. I believe this is a very dangerous problem. With the lunge I could have hit a pedestrian. With the need to re-start at the middle of a congested intersection, I could have been hit by a car moving in the opposite direction.

Filed Jul 15, 2011 · Engine · 85,000 miles · NC

My 2006 ford freestyle will "lunge" into gear in really hot weather. My check engine light came on so I went to autozone. The tech told me it has to do with the throttle body. My car has approx 85,000 miles on it.

Filed Jul 11, 2011 · Engine · 103,000 miles · AL

Was driving vehicle, attempting to pass another vehicle, my vehicle lost power and I was unable to pass. Could not bring vehicle to full power. Took to ford dealership, they said it was the driveability and made the repair. Then on 5/15/2011, the same problem occurred when attempting to enter freeway. Again taken to ford delearship. This time they said it was transmission control system, repairs made. This problem again occurred yesterday, again when on freeway traveling at 60 MPH, vehicle lost power and could not return vehicle to full power. I feel that my life and the lives of my family members are in danger due to the problems with this vehicle and the inability of the ford delearship to make repairs. We have read that others with this make and model vehicle have had similar problems and are reporting issues with the throttle body.

Filed Jul 9, 2011 · Engine · 73,000 miles · IA

Our 2006 ford freestyle sel lunges when idling, when backing out of parking spot, putting car into drive or reverse, etc. It happens frequently. The car will, on occasion, then idle rough, the "wrench" or "check engine" lights come on. Approximately twice in the last eight months it then looses power and doesn't accelerate. Sometimes, turning off the car will re-set the system and it seems to run better. It concerns me for many reasons.

Filed Jul 7, 2011 · Acceleration, Engine · PA

My 2006 ford freestyle was accelerating when I had my foot on the brake at a stop sign. It does not gas when I have my foot on the gas pedal. It stalled a few times and when I have the car in reverse it accelerates without me even pressing on the gas. My wrench light was on in my dash as well. I took it to pepboys and was informed that my sensor was bad and I needed spark plugs and a vacuum hose..after spending $700, needless to say the problem with the accelerating still exists and there is also a humming noise while driving and the steering is very hard to maneuver. I took it back to pepboys and they said it is an electrical issue and I have to take it to ford to get it fixed. *tr updated 03/23/12

Filed Jul 5, 2011 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 76,000 miles · MO

On saturday, july 2, 2011 we had been driving the car for about 40 minutes to our destination when the vehicle started acting up at a stop. I was idling at a stop with my foot on the brake when the vehicle suddenly increased rpms to 3 ' 4k. I had to turn the car off to get it to stop. The indicator light that looks like a wrench and an engine came on during this time. I had a difficult time starting the vehicle shortly after tuning it off. The temperature on that day was right at 100 degrees and I had the air conditioner running while driving and at the stop when this occured.

Filed Jul 3, 2011 · Engine, Transmission · 44,000 miles · PA

I was sitting in the car with the air conditioner on for about 10 minutes with my children while my wife went to pick up a few groceries. When we left I put the car reverse and slowly took my foot of the break. The car then jerked backwards as my foot was softly on the break and then again when it was off the break. The car then stalled and the wrench light appeared. This has happened several more times since, mostly when the car is in "drive" with the air conditioner working hard and my foot either softly on the break or just off the break. The car will jerk forward. I'm not sure the component that is malfunctioning, but bellow is an educated guess.

Filed Jul 1, 2011 · Engine · 123,300 miles · IL

2006 ford freestyle surges when foot on the brake, when backing up, and sometimes while driving. Wrench light comes on or service engine light or both. Also car revved while driving and could not go over 40mph without the engine revving to over 5,000 RPM. This is not safe and has been reported numerous times.

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