I got this car new, at 4800 miles the back brakes locked up and it was smoking. I took it to the dealership the just replaced pads and machined my rotor. I took t back to the dealership 7 more time due to it just not stopping. This dealership is Winter Haven ford. I was told it was me pushing gas not brake, I was told I needed driving lessons that I was a women driver. After I ran a stoplight and almost hit a child at a crosswalk and the dealership said it was me I took it to another dealership. It was my master cylinder. This was at 12,000 miles. I have had lots of issues with the brakes just not working. They just could not find the issue. Flash forward to today 10-15-2012 I needed new pads again, only 31,843 mies on the car(scared to drive it) I went to Autozone an bought the brakes for my type of freestyle got them to my repair guys, the pads do not fit. I go back to Autozone with the pads off my car and none of the pads for a 2006 sel fit. Guess what, my calipers and brake pads and my rotors and who knows how much more of my brain system is for a 2006 AWD. The pads are about half the size for the AWD. This is why I've been having trouble, half of my brake system is for a AWD the other is for a 2wd. Ford has told me to bad out of warenty. The dealership knew that it was the wrong calipers because they changed the pads and had to know the ones they used did not fit. They told me they are allthe same, if that is true why do they 2 types pads to begin with. hy are AWD pads so small compared to what I should have. So my fellow freestyle owners, ord is making Frankenstein cars at he factory and letting our children ride in them. I have had lots more trouble with this car(27 visits and repairs in 1st 2 years) This is a awful dangerous car that ford will not help you with. Ford is a awful company who none should ever buy a a car from. They will let you drive off in a dangerous car with your children.

My front brakes were still okay they are the originals, the rear brake pads were worn out and rear rotors required machining. My Gold Extended Service Contract purchased from the dealer at time of purchase of new vehicle, at the cost of $1,376.00, which lists $100.00 deductible for all repairs, was deemed not to cover the brake pads which should last two to three times the life of the front brakes, which are still okay. The calipers must have been faulty or the emergency brake release faulty, faulty calipers are listed as covered in the extended service contract however the service center deemed no problem other than normal wear of brake pads which aren't covered. How convenient that insurance policy prohibits customers from the work area. It's a little difficult to view the problem from the customer waiting area. I understand that pads wear from normal use but the front brakes didn't wear at the normal expected two to three times faster than the rear pads. I guess I'm just a conspiracy theorist.

We bought this car new in May 2006. We have enjoyed the car as it gets decent gas mileage for a people hauler. We have gotten crappy service from dealer when it has come to repairs. The latest is the rear brakes wore out prematurely. We received the letter from Ford acknowledging a problem with the rear brake wear but the program expired December 31, 2007. I personally called Ford and spoke with Jose and ranted for 45 minutes or more about how this is the last straw with this car given the horrible customer service in the last 2 1/2 years. We have to replace the rear brake pad and the right rear rotor. From what I have read, it seems we are definitely not the first person with this car. We will be more than happy to join a class action lawsuit on this one!!!