2006 Ford Freestyle: complete transmission failure

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 May 31, 2019 · Transmission · 69,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. While driving, a grinding noise was heard when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle decelerated without warning. The contact shifted into low gear and drove the vehicle home. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse, it moved slowly. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was no replacement kit to repair the failure and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the 2006 transmission was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called maplecrest ford of mendham (located at 102 e main st, mendham, nj 07945, (800) 797-7259) and was informed that they could replace the transmission for $9,000. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.

Filed Sep 21, 2017 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. While driving 60 MPH, the wrench warning icon illuminated and the vehicle's speed decreased with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact pulled the vehicle over, turned off and restarted the ignition, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent shop (lona brothers car sales in kansas city, mo, 64108) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jun 1, 2016 · Transmission · 126,000 miles · PA

While driving, vehicle goes into limp mode without warning. Happens in both city and highway driving. Wrench indicator and check engine indicators light on dash. Vehicle slows and can barely accelerate causing near-accident. Resetting code p0701 allows normal operation till cycle repeats in short and random time of driving. Engine shut down/restart clears wrench light till cycle repeats. Took car to 2 ford dealers and independent transmission specialist. All advised that the CVT transmission cannot be rebuilt or repaired and that replacement transmissions are generally not available. All advised not repairing the car because even if a new transmission were available, cost is $4500-$5500 for the unit plus over $1000 labor to remove/replace transmission. Research shows this is a common complaint about this car and it's similar models (ford 500) of all years (2005-2007).

Filed May 31, 2016 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. While driving 60 MPH, or over 30 minutes of driving, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was not able to exceed 30 MPH. The contact replaced the transmission twice, but the failure recurred several times. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Apr 5, 2016 · Transmission · 99,750 miles · PA

Transmission was replaced at 36000 miles, car now has 99750 miles an transmission is broken again. Car is out of warranty new transmission is $6000

Filed Apr 4, 2016 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. While driving at any speed, there was a loud noise coming from the transmission. The faster the vehicle accelerated, the louder the noise sounded. In addition, when the gear shifter was in all gears except reverse, the noise became louder. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the CVT transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 124,000. Updated 06/15/16*lj the consumer has since sold the vehicle. Updated 06/29/16.

Filed Feb 19, 2016 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · TN

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. While idling, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of power. The check engine and maintenance warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to be operated after a few minutes, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

Filed Nov 10, 2015 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. While driving at 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2015 · Transmission · 103,000 miles · TX

Car jerked and hesitated trying to put in reverse. Engine light came one. Had more issues with transmission while driving with hesitation and jerking. 3 mechanics unable to identify codes issued caused by engine light or identify cause of problems. Took car back 2nd time to transmission shop and did an indepth inspection which found little metal shavings in the fluid in the transmission. The mechanic researched and found that was an inherent issue with the CVT transmission which is why they stopped making it. Difficult/expensive to repair due to parts not available. From 2nd mechanic that is a master ford mechanic, this car is not repairable. 1 of the mechanics said that these cars should not be sold and are, or should be, on a list of unsaleable cars by dealerships. We bought ours from a dealership just 9 months ago and not our money is down the drain. Did not check reliability before bought vehicle and found that this transmission has many complaints. If this was such a bad transmission that it is no longer made, why is it not recalled and the vehicles that have it. This is deceptive practices for dealers to sell these vehicles with such a known issue for a part that will eventually fail in all vehicles at some point. Especially when the transmissions are not able to make it to 100k miles. That is a bad transmission and these should be recalled before more consumers spend their money foolishly or someone is injured when the transmission causes issues while driving. We have been advised by the mechanics not to drive it on the freeway so as to prevent crashes due to the transmission failure.

Filed May 14, 2015 · 124,500 miles · NY

While backing out of a parking place, the car lunged and I had no control. This has also happened in the forward gear. Finally the brakes did work. This time the lurch was significant enough that the car actually stalled out on me. I restarted the car and started to drive it home and the car had no get up an go. Ran very sluggish with no power. Took the car to auto shop where I was told it would need a new transmission. Called ford dealership was informed that a new transmission would cost $6200.00. Can not afford this, but it is unsafe to drive as well as unsafe for my teenage daughters to drive for their leaner's permit. What are my options????

Filed Mar 4, 2015 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford freestyle. The contact stated that the transmission failed. The failure occurred on three occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer on three occasions where the transmission was replaced. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.