2006 Ford Freestyle

1,300 federal complaints (1,872 component records) · 1 recall campaigns on file · 1 federal investigation · 23 service bulletins · 1 Canadian recall
See all 5 model years of the Ford Freestyle →
Engine
3.0L 6-cyl
Fuel
Regular
Drive
4WD/AWD
EPA economy
17 city / 22 hwy
Federal complaints
1,300
Recall campaigns
1
Specifications show one example EPA configuration for this model year; other engines, drivetrains, and trims exist and the records below cover all of them.
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.

Fault profile

Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.

Speed control
602
Power train
484
Engine & cooling
260
Fuel system
151
Electrical system
85
Other
75
Brakes
72
Body & structure
28
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.

When it fails

The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.

Vehicle age when the failure occurred

0 years old: 26 complaints01 years old: 37 complaints2 years old: 51 complaints3 years old: 95 complaints4 years old: 296 complaints5 years old: 393 complaints56 years old: 168 complaints7 years old: 69 complaints8 years old: 36 complaints9 years old: 46 complaints10 years old: 17 complaints1011 years old: 12 complaints12 years old: 18 complaints13 years old: 17 complaints14 years old: 8 complaints15 years old: 2 complaints1516 years old: 4 complaints17 years old: 1 complaints18 years old: 0 complaints19 years old: 1 complaints20+ years old: 1 complaints20+
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 1,298 of 1,300 complaints with a usable failure date.

Odometer when the failure occurred

0,000 - 20,000 miles: 34 complaints020,000 - 40,000 miles: 85 complaints40,000 - 60,000 miles: 192 complaints40k60,000 - 80,000 miles: 339 complaints80,000 - 100,000 miles: 225 complaints80k100,000 - 120,000 miles: 136 complaints120,000 - 140,000 miles: 86 complaints120k140,000 - 160,000 miles: 35 complaints160,000 - 180,000 miles: 18 complaints160k180,000 - 200,000 miles: 10 complaints200,000+ miles: 9 complaints200k+
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 1,169 of 1,300 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).

Known issues

The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.

Speed control

602 complaint records25 crash reports
"VEHICLE LUNGES WHILE AT ZERO OR LOW SPEEDS SOMETIMES ALMOST CAUSING A COLLISION WITH OTHER VEHICLES OR STATIONARY ITEMS. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →

Power train

484 complaint records11 crash reports
"VECHICLE SURGES OR RAVE FORWARD WITH PRESSING GAS PEDAL ON SHIFTING FORWARD OR REVERSE,LOSES DRIVE POWER,WRENCH LIGHT ON!..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse power train parts in the directory →

Engine & cooling

260 complaint records1 fire report3 crash reports
"VECHICLE SURGES OR RAVE FORWARD WITH PRESSING GAS PEDAL ON SHIFTING FORWARD OR REVERSE,LOSES DRIVE POWER,WRENCH LIGHT ON!..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →

Federal defect investigations

Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.

InvestigationStatusComponentSubject
PE11018
opened May 2011
closed Feb 2013Vehicle Speed ControlIdle instability
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...

Recall campaigns

Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.

CampaignComponentSummaryRemedy
06V383000Latches/Locks/LinkagesON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA,...Normally free

Transport Canada recalls

Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.

RecallSystemUnits (CA)Summary
2006273
2006-10-19
Other13,656On certain vehicles, the door latch mechanisms may experience water intrusion that, over time, may wash out grease applied during the manufacturing process.

Service bulletins and warranty extensions

Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.

BulletinTypeComponentSummary
SSM 52567
May 2024
Power TrainMotorcraft® 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.
SSM 46085
Sep 2016
EngineThe 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.
CSP-12N03
Nov 2012
EngineFORD: 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.
0710
Nov 2007
Service BrakesFORD 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
19722
Apr 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingMIL WITH DTC P0106 AND/OR P0109. *KB
Show 18 more bulletins
BulletinTypeComponentSummary
19312
Aug 2006
Electrical SystemBATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *KB
19005
Jan 2006
SuspensionGRUNT OR SQUEAK FROM FRONT SUSPENSION DURING FULL LOCK TURNS - SERVICE TIP. *TT
06211
Jan 2006
SeatsHEATED SEATS INOPERATIVE. *TT
0664
Jan 2006
SeatsSECOND ROW SEAT RECLINE CONCERN. *TT
0662
Jan 2006
Electrical SystemINTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GAUGE SWEEP/RESET - MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ON - REVERSE LIGHTS ON - VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/17/2006. *TT
06114
Jan 2006
Power TrainCONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSAXLE (CVT) NOISE DIAGNOSIS. *TT
041601
Nov 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingWDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT
05175
Oct 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingENGINE RPM FLUCTUATION AT HIGHWAY CRUISING SPEEDS - VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 8/2/2005. *TT
19107
StructureNOISE IN RIGHT FRONT OF PASSENGER COMPARTMENT - AIR INLET DOOR ACTUATOR INOPERATIVE (RECIRCULATION). *TT
19087
Electrical SystemTENTHS DIGIT NOT DISPLAYED ON ODOMETER AFTER 10,000 MILES/KILOMETERS. *TT
19083
VisibilityINTERMITTENT BOUNCE-BACK OF THE DRIVER'S WINDOW DURING ONE TOUCH UP OPERATION. *TT
06202
Electrical SystemAIR BAG LIGHT ON WITH DTC B2290 - DIFFICULT TO DUPLICATE. *KB
06172
Electrical SystemFUEL GAUGE ERRATIC/INACCURATE AND/OR MIL ON WITH DTC P0463, B1202, B2627, B2879, AND/OR P2068. *KB
06179
Electrical SystemINTERMITTENT INSTRUMENT CLUSTER OPERATION - INCLUDING GAUGES SWEEP/RESET - MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND/OR REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON. THIS APPLIES TO VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 02-17-06. *KB
06154
TiresPREMATURE SHOULDER (TOE) WEAR ON INSIDE EDGE OF THE FRONT TIRES. *KB
0718
Power TrainTRANSMISSION SHIFTER BINDING / HIGH EFFORT BEZEL REPLACEMENT. *KB
0747
Fuel SystemMIL ON WITH DTC P0191 - FUEL RAIL PRESSURE SENSOR CIRCUIT PERFORMANCE. *KB
0759
Service BrakesREAR BRAKE DRAG, NOISE, DUST, AND/OR PREMATURE PAD WEAR. *KB

Before you buy this vehicle

A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.

  1. Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
  2. Drive it from a dead stop, twice, on a hill if you can.Shudder, hesitation, or a lurch under light throttle is how this vehicle's largest complaint cluster shows itself. Then ask for the transmission service history in writing; repeat repairs are a pattern, not a fluke.
  3. Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
  4. Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
  5. Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.

Parts search directory

The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.

Open the parts directory for this Ford Freestyle →