9.4

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$5,380
Average Mileage:
113,750 miles
Total Complaints:
24 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace transmission or rebuild hard parts (18 reports)
  2. replace transmission (4 reports)
  3. not sure (2 reports)
2006 Ford Freestyle transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Ford Freestyle Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Aug 272021

Freestyle

  • CVT transmission
  • 194,445 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently bought a 2006 Ford Freestyle from this small dealership. I recently got out of prison and had never heard of the ford freestyle. but it looked like a good car and i test drove it and it ran awesome. now, a week later the engine light comes on, the wrench light comes and and its in limp mode. I can go more than 5 miles per hour.

I took it to a mechanic and he had to look the code up online... He told me to take it to a transmission shop. I went to a transmission shop, and they said it would cost about 3600 for a used on and like 6500 for a new one. I only paid 1500 for the car. Are you serious? If I would have known about the cvt transmission problems, I never would have bought that pos. I feel like the dealer should haver known or told me about the cvt Problem when I bought it. But I bought it because I needed a car for work. Now I'm screwed. The cheapest used transmission I could find was 1400, and then like 1700 to install it. I liked this car - now I hate it. Ford needs to issue a recall and fix them for us. Now I've got a 3000 pound paperweight and can't get to work. THANKS FORD. YOU SUCK. I'll never buy another Ford.

- Bryan L., Pittsburgh, US

problem #23

Oct 012014

Freestyle LX 3.2L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 155,000 miles

I bought this Freestyle after an accident that totaled my Toyota Tacoma. The CVT transmission in the Freestyle is really crappy. Would be driving at highway speed and the transmission would, without warning, drop into low gear. Would have to pull over, shut off the ignition, and turn the car back on. Engine light would be on. Service light on. Then later the warning lights would turn off. Finally after a year of this crap, I took it to AAMCO. Code read was transmission failure. Cost $3700.00 and 4 months to fix (due to lack of parts). Now 4 years later, the transmission is whining with engine RPM. Youtube video said it was bad planetary gears. Re-manufactured transmission from Ford is $4500 + installation. Now I know why Ford only made Freestyles for 3 years. Not worth it. Time to get something else.

- Alex M., Gardena, US

problem #22

Dec 152016

Freestyle LX V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 108,000 miles

CVT has been reported to be bad since a few years after it came out.Never recalled. I bought it used and was never told 1.5 years into ownership it died 6500+ to replace paid 7600 for car still owe 3000. Ford is responsible for never issuing a recall and dealership is "dishonest" for not warning customers or just not selling faulty vehicles. No more fords for me!

- Tim L., Red Hill, PA, US

problem #21

Oct 032016

Freestyle ES V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 106,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am a widow, I loved my freestyle till going to the store turning my car off then getting back into the car pulling out of the parking lot the tool light came on :c My car wouldn't shift out of 1 gear. I replaced the sensor for fuel which was my check engine light register (not the problem). now from reading your complaints I know it's my transmission - I need my car, I just brought my car last year and I always have brought Fords - I want a recall because it sounds like to me all replacements would be bad or not work or have problems in the future.Ford help me please.

- Cynthia C., Yelm, WA, US

problem #20

Jul 172016

Freestyle V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 178,000 miles

Our transmission went out with out warning a wrench light came on and we were a few feet from our house , we left it and had someone put a scanner on it and it told us we needed a throttle body 299.00 we had it put on and had it towed to a garage to check everything out and they could not fix it , we then had it towed home and called our Ford dealer we had it towed in and then the dealer put it on a machine and told us we needed a transmission they told us they only put in new transmissions , transmission and repairs are 6500. Then the dealer garage called us back today and told us it would be another 1000.00 for brackets and other parts and the total cost would be 7500.00. We do not have another vehicle and cannot afford another one at this time we have been without a vehicle for over a week . We are maxing out our credit card to pay for this. Our 2006 Ford Freestyle only books for 4000.00 . We are over a barrel I hope they are not ripping us off we are an older couple on a fixed income and we don't know anything about car repairs, we are at their mercy. The car is paid for thank God and we will have to try to keep it a few years until we get our house paid for. Thanks for letting me vent , if anyone out there knows if this price sounds fishy I would like to know!

- dolfard, Omar, WV, US

problem #19

Oct 152015

Freestyle LS

  • CVT transmission
  • 205,000 miles

WE LOVED THIS CAR THAT HAD MINIMAL REPAIR ISSUES SINCE IT'S PURCHASE NEW IN 2006. RAN WONDERFULLY, THEN OUT OF NOWHERE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. SINCE LOOKING INTO IT'S REPAIR, WAS TOLD BY A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION FIXER WE SHOULD LOOK AT ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF FAILED CVT TRANSMISSIONS, AND THAT WE WERE ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE EARLIER TROUBLE WITH IT. WHEN CONTACTED FORD BY PHONE, THE PERSON RESPONDING ACTED IGNORANT OF THE CVT TRANSMISSION TROUBLES THAT FORD HAS TO BE AWARE OF ,.... GUY SAID "SORRY". LOCAL SMALL TOWN FORD DEALERSHIP SAID HE'D "REPAIR" IT FOR $1750 BUT ONCE TORN DOWN MIGHT NEED MORE PARTS, SO COST WOULD BE UNKNOWN, PLUS NO WARRANTY GIVEN AT ALL. HAVE A JUNK YARD PERSON THAT WILL PUT A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IN FOR $2500 BUT WILL GIVE A ONE YEAR WARRANTY WHICH I COULD THEN TRADE THIS VEHICLE. LAST OPTION IS TO JUST JUNK IT NOW WHICH WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ADVISED TO DO. THIS IS SO UPSETTING, AND THE MOST IS THAT FORD ISN'T OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM AND HELPING RESOLVE IT. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED.

- gmajoyc, Dwight, IL, US

problem #18

Sep 282015

Freestyle SEL V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 189,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Truck started cutting off while driving. There weren't any warning lights before shutting off. Car would coast and lock up in the middle of the road. When turning on the ignition, the truck would rev up to high rpm's without having my foot on the gas pedal. When taking the gear out of park to drive it would cut off again.

- Shakasha C., Charlotte, NC, US

problem #17

Aug 242014

Freestyle SEL V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 130,000 miles

This is the second time transmission went out on me. The first time my car was covered at 25,000 miles. So now my car has 130,000 miles on it and transmission went out again. I was getting on the highway and my car jerked and I heard a big bang. The noise was so loud I thought my tire busted or that I hit something. When I pushed on the gas it would not speed up and, thank God, an exit ramp was ahead. My car came to a complete stop and transmission fluid started to leak out. Had to put my emergency brake on. The car rolled when I placed in park.

I called around to get estimates from junk yards and auto shops.The prices I was quoted were from $2600- 6500. My car was towed 3 times to an auto shop and they all said my transmission was broke in half. I still have my car and not fixed yet. Mechanics have told me my 2006 Ford Freestyle with the CVT transmission is a piece of junk and to take it to a junk yard.

Ford company should be shame of themselves for selling this piece of junk. I was on the highway both times when my transmission went out. This vehicle is not safe to drive and could of caused me a bad accident. I will never buy another Ford again, stay away from CVT and I will make sure I tell everyone!!!! I hope for a recall on this Ford Freestyle transmission.

- T P., Mascoutah, IL, US

problem #16

Aug 122011

Freestyle SEL 3.0L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 144,205 miles

A crazy expensive transmission. We purchased it and it came with a 3 year warranty. This warranty has now expired and we are trading this vehicle in before it goes again. The cost of replacing the transmission today would be way over the value of the vehicle. That seems to be a theme for all of the replacement parts on this model. Abnormal parts that require the most expensive replacement option (alternator, drive shaft, CVT transmission). Truly avoid like the plague. I will never buy another vehicle with a CVT transmission because of this. Buyer beware.

- Nathan P., Traverse City, MI, US

problem #15

Dec 022013

Freestyle es 3.0L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 122,899 miles

I absolutely hate my Freestyle, it's horrible!! Between the transmission and the throttle body, it's just not worth it.

- Austin S., Gadsden, TN, US

problem #14

Feb 122014

Freestyle

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am a single father of two, one of which is in a wheelchair from muscular dystrophy. I bought this van used because it had been handicap equipped with a ramp and we travel to her doctor appointments 500 miles round trip. Like I said I am a single father so when I got the bill of nearly 3000.00 dollars from AAMCO to replace my transmission I was devastated mentally and financially! Ford offered no help even after I proved to them that this van had the 2005 parts THAT WERE RECALLED!!! It shows it when I put in the VIN #!!

This is crazy that there hasn't been a recall on this model year!! When someone losses their life, or a whole family, will they even care? This happened a few months ago, but I just found this site, so I am being as proactive as I can to let people know about the problem. I have filed a complaint with FORD as well as NHTSA! I hope this gets remedied soon!

MIKE

- Michael W., Williamsport, PA, US

problem #13

Jun 062014

Freestyle LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 68,873 miles

I am 100% disabled - I had a horse kick me in the spine and I have no connection to my legs. WE bought the Free Style new (2006 Ford Freestyle) because it was easy access for me and it was easy to drive. I also had faith in ford since I have had 8 F250 trucks from them and with out the exception of the 1994/ 95 diesel ( yes that's right , when the turbo went and I ordered one ,it did not fit Turns out it was a end of the year model and it was made with parts from 2004 and 2005 parts) reminded me of the old Johny cash song about the car he built bringing parts home everyday from his assembly line job. "I built it one piece at a time"

last week I was at a light and it sounded like it slipped into neutral ,only to realize the transmission had gone and it was as if it was stuck in neutral.I had a car packed with food for 130 people since I run a soup kitchen the first Friday of the month I called Al Packer Ford West and I made arrangements to have it towed there . The service manager could not be nicer and they called today to tell me the transmission had gone and it would be $ 8000 to replace it. I nearly $%&* myself . Premium condition its only worth about $ 7000 . Again the dealer couldn't have been nicer,and although I was so angry at ford I had to remember the service manager was only the messenger, and I thanked him for looking at it.

I have spent the last several hours on your terrific web site and I am applaud at all the similar complaints I have just lost all my faith in ford and plan to never buy one again

What gets me is I have not been able to work for several years, even just sitting down is not an option to me because of the pain. Just to drive several miles I have to stop and stand to release the pressure . My wife just went back to work, because she no longer has to take care of me,and how thrilling it was to have a vehicle that we just paid off. WE were hoping to buy a used pick up because the extra seat height was a little more comfortable Well that's gone and we have no car ,my wife has no transportation to get to work . I have just read so many similar complaints about this same problem for the Free Style and I just think Ford has rapped us all I wondered why they stopped making them and now I know .

So Ford from a former lover of for products you are nothing but scum bags Sincerely,but not to Ford Joe McCloskey , Wellington ,FL, 33414

- Joseph M., Wellington, FL, US

problem #12

Mar 072014

Freestyle V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 106,110 miles

I purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle 6 months ago and current have a car-note on it as well and the Transmission has failed on me. The car would not move and the indicators stated it was the transmission. I am pissed right not because I was told it would cost between 2250-5500 to fix this vehicle. When I purchased this car I was told that the extended warranty would cost to much and it was not necessary. I actually picked out another car but the car dealership knew this car was a piece of junk and was trying to get rid of it. I looked online and saw thousands of other consumers had the same issue with the stupid CVT transmissions Ford put in the 2005-2007 Ford Freestyle there need to be a recall for a poor stupid consumer that thought we were getting a good car. My car is currently sitting at a mechanic shop and I cannot pay for it. I need to know what I can do before they start charging storage fees too.

- Priscilla Y., Rochester, NY, US

problem #11

Mar 012014

Freestyle 3.0lV6

  • CVT transmission
  • 190,401 miles

I have looked for a used trans and I am finding out there is simply hundreds of these cars with bad transmissions for sale or being parted out because of the trans. For a dealership to replace it, it will cost basically the KBB value of the car!!!!!!!!!!!!! The transmissions go out at a early very low mileage on these vehicles!! I don't see how there hasn't been a recall on this CVT transmission yet. A re-manufactured trans without labor is about $ 4500. I want to know how I can force Ford into a recall for all of us that own this vehicle.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- creepn06, glouster, VA, US

problem #10

Mar 072014

Freestyle SE 3.0L

  • CVT transmission
  • 133,000 miles

ford CVT transmission good until goes out. had complete service job approx may 2013 transmission included, spent 1600.00 had regular service on vehicle. tranny goes out this march 2014 6200 to fix car worth less. owe 5000 on it. Ford should recall or replace if they knew it had problems will never buy from ford again. even if i trade in dealer give me 500 bullshit plus the thottle body went out on mine. recalled 2007 but not 2006 mine surged and surged until wrent light came on left me stranded, put more money in vehicle than its worth. stuck paying for car that cant be drives, such would not be a Ford executive, hell no.

- John L., Wichita, KS, US

problem #9

Jul 212012

Freestyle

  • CVT transmission
  • 62,000 miles

Im a mechanic and recently acquired a Ford Free Style ,with trans problem,I changed the filter you know the one in the pan!,took me a bout two week to convince people that it had one,because of the cvt issue,one shop sold me something that looked like an in line fuel filter for a tractor,called it a high pressure return filter,right!,after all this work I jacked up the front put the car in gear and low and behold it took off,but when I put it back down not only did the vehicle not move I could not idle up the engine,pushed the pedal to the floor and nothing just sat there at curb idle,when I run my computer on it I get two codes ,one for the trans and one for the engine,the engine code is throttle body,but so is the trans code,so now Im wondering,is there some type of pump or sensor or vacuum line that has control over the transmission,I m afraid to replace it and have it happen again,I'm lost!

- Edward D., Castle Hayne, NC, canada

problem #8

May 012012

Freestyle

  • CVT transmission
  • 100,000 miles

I just want to say that I'm totally disappointed with Ford. My transmission went out and i took it the dealer and they want 6500.00 for another transmission .They are out of their ###@!!!!! mind !!!!!!!! i had to buy me a beater to transport my kids to school. It will be last Ford i buy that's for sure.

- Maria F., Hammond, IN, US

problem #7

Aug 012012

Freestyle Limited AWD V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 91,991 miles

I owned a Japanese van and it gave me trouble since I bought it, so I recently traded it in for a 2006 FORD Freestyle after remembering how awesome it was to have previously owned 2 Windstars. I'm a struggling single mom of 6 kids and I saved up to pay cash for this used 2006 Ford Freestyle expecting it to be reliable and to last me for at least 6 years as I could never afford to fly with my family and have to rely on cars. I recently lost my job so this investment of $12,500 was extremely stressful for my whole family. We had to sell a lot of our stuff to come up with the money. At the time I thought I would rather spend more money on a reliable car than to buy another junk that will cost more in repairs. The body and interior was beautiful. But within a month, the car started to shake and tremble as I drove it and wouldn't let me go faster than 45 mph. Keeping the A/C made it worse. If I drove it for several miles, the speed would decrease to 25 mph. The service engine light and the transmission light (the wrench symbol) would light up. If I stopped even on a slight slope at a red light, the car won't move forward when the traffic light turned green. I have to put the car into neutral and roll it backward and then simply pray to God someone won't slam into me. The car wouldn't go into the reverse gear, so I had to avoid going backwards. I brought it into a mechanic and he said that he was unable to get the parts to fix it because Ford does not sell transmission parts to anyone. I had no choice but to bring it into Ford which cost $105 per hour for labor. They took 10 hours to take the transmission apart (that's $1,050 right there). Recommended I replace the entire transmission since it's a CVT transmission (all-in-one unit). Cost is $6500 for the transmission. I have no clue how much more hours it will take for labor to put the new transmission in. I absolutely have no money to invest into getting it fixed. Meanwhile,my kids and I are currently walking because Ford claimed my car was unsafe to drive and I have no money to fix it. I am so sorry I trusted Ford. I should have been more investigative and read up on the model on this site before making such an investment. I got burned. I never purchase another Ford again. Shame on them for selling cars that simply look good but lasts less than 100K miles! I noticed the 2005 Freestyles were the worst for transmission failure. Mine is a 2006. You would think they'd back up their customers and provide good after-service for their products. Being Japanese, I must say that Japanese car companies have pride in their product and work. I've never heard of any Toyota's transmission failing in less than 100K miles. I am very disappointed in my Ford. I don't recommend this car to anyone. It will truly be the worst mistake you'll ever make.

- lucet, Longmont, CO, US

problem #6

Jan 052012

Freestyle Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle with just over 65.000 mile that is having transmission problems. It is presently at the Ford Service Center. They are quoting me a cost of $570.00 the disassemble the transmission to determine to problem. If I let them perform this action, and the transmission can't be repaired, it must be replaced. My warranty extended warranty expired a 60000 mile. The estimated cost to replace the transmission is $6000.00. I am still paying on a vehicle that can't be driven. Stuck with out a vehicle.

- Reginald H., Fort Worth, TX, US

problem #5

Feb 232011

Freestyle ES 3.2L V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 55,000 miles

MY CVT TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE I WAS ON VACATION. I WAS WITHOUT A CAR FOR 6 WEEKS. I HQVE SINCE FOUND OUT THE CVT IS NOT RELIABLE AND CANNOT BE CHECKED FOR FLUID LEVELS. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A FORD GUY. I HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR AND AM TRYING TO SELL IT.

- Tom C., Evansville, IN, US

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