10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,028 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Ford Freestar engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Ford Freestar Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #30

Oct 162020

Freestar

  • miles

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

I purchased a 2006 Ford Freestar van on 10-13-2020 and 10-16-2020 car lights started blinking on and off in an outside the van. Started to drive home the van started jerking bad and smoking. Cut off in the middle of the road while my children an pregnant daughter in law were in the van. The axle broke and my transmission fluid is leaking my gears change but van won't move.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #29

Jun 242020

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
My 2006 Ford free star, lost it gears in the middle of driving on a busy hwy. I was reversing out of a drive way on to the hwy and went to go into D and it would not move it would only go into first gear. I think this a major safety issue and Ford should be held accountable for it poor design. Me and my children could of been hurt or even worse killed. The hwy is 65 mph an I'm stuck across the two lanes. Because the van wont shift. I looked online and this happens a lot with this make and model. And it not the first time I have lost power well driving on the hwy in this van due to poor design.

- Fort Atkinson, WI, USA

problem #28

May 142019

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 139,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. When the vehicle was started and placed in reverse, the rpms increased. The failure had been occurring for approximately five years. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but said they were no longer fixing that issue. It can happen on drive or reverse and while I am turning into alone it will turn off so I have to rush and put the car in neutral and start it so I don't cause an accident. Approximate failure mileage was 139,000.

- Cutler City, FL, USA

problem #27

Jan 032018

Freestar

  • 30 miles

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

Was driving down the highway and the vehicle completely wouldn't accelerate. It was like the engine wouldn't go. Had to had it towed with children in the car and I was told it might be my transmission.

- Greenfield, MA, USA

problem #26

Jul 312016

Freestar

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed and a certified mechanic diagnosed that the motor and transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle regarding the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Altus, OK, USA

problem #25

Apr 182015

Freestar

  • 118,744 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle began to slow down and then stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 118,744.

- Waco, TX, USA

problem #24

Apr 092015

Freestar

  • 126,486 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. No repairs were made to the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 126,486.

- Ruskin, FL, USA

problem #23

Dec 162014

Freestar

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. While driving at 45 mph, the vehicle stalled and the check engine light illuminated. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer stated that the sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Oconomowoc, WI, USA

problem #22

Feb 272015

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 95,000 miles
I went through an automatic car wash around 315pm. The van was driving fine up to this point. Immediately after I left the carwash, the van started acting like it was going to stall out and the engine light was blinking. I've had one other situation like this with this van when we went away for a weekend and it rained a lot where we were staying. The van acted like it was going to stall but we had no idea why. I went online to see if anyone else had problems with their van that was attributed to water. I was shocked to see how many others have had the same thing happen. I also found an investigation that stated there is a defect and it's a safety concern but that they weren't going to issue any recalls at this time because there haven't been enough complaints. The diagnosis from the Ford dealership is as follows-water has leaked into the PCM. They would need to clean that out and seal it so water can't leak into it anymore. Water has also leaked into my spark plugs and corroded them. They would need to replace the spark plugs and wiring. Water has also leaked into my fuel lines so they want to clean out my fuel line. All of this for over $700. When I contacted Ford motors because this happened due to a manufacturing defect, they told me that they can't help me because there aren't any recalls. I can't say I'm surprised by that since they haven't taken responsibility for this defect with others and don't sound like they ever will. I'm not paying Ford to fix it because this isn't normal wear and tear and it's not caused by anything that I have done. I'm going to take my chances with the vehicle while I try to pursue this another way. I no longer feel safe in my van and will not be transporting my children in it until something is done about this issue.

- Sidney, IL, USA

problem #21

Jan 302015

Freestar

  • 96,234 miles
While driving down the highway with my five children in the car the carson we lost power and I had to say try my best to safely coast to the side of the road and was not able to get completely out of the way before the car stopped and wouldn't move. We have to get out of the car walk through a field A9 year old 10 year old 6 year old two year old and an 8 month old. There are recalls on all other urs except this one even though they have the same engine and failing parts. Torque converter!!! my kids were afraid and didn't know what would happen to us. It will cost us money we don't have to fix this car, with the faulty part. We should be included in the recall.

- Ft Worth , TX, USA

problem #20

Mar 012011

Freestar

  • 114,000 miles

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

Sudden loss of power to wheels @ 114,000 miles; Ford dealer: "you need to purchase a rebuilt transmission" this is the torque converter as known to NHTSA; demanded Ford refund, refused. Second Ford remanufactured transmission warranty not being honored with failure @ 93,000. Ford dealer: "replaced fuse, torque converter shudder; your van has over 200,000 miles on it!!" significant transmission vibration with steering shudder, re-diagnosed January 10, 2014; continuation of 93,000 failure and claimed repair. PCM failed at aprox. 85,000 miles; power steering leaks year after purchase @ 53,000 original miles. Ford dealer refuses repair/refund. All documents in possession.

- Flovilla, GA, USA

problem #19

Jun 072014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 172,000 miles
Accelerated away from a stop sign within a walmart parking lot and after about fifteen feet the vehicle began to slow down while depressing the accelerator. Attempted to accelerate and the RPM's went up with no propulsion. Allowed vehicle to stop then pushed in a parking space. There was never any indication that the transmission would fail via warning light nor was there a noise/bang/clunk etc associated. Vehicle just stopped accelerating. Had vehicle towed to shop and they said there were no codes indicating the failure and a transmission rebuild would be in order for $2000.

- Pasadena, TX, USA

problem #18

Sep 182011

Freestar

  • 97,758 miles
Engine idle RPM surge.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #17

Aug 052013

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 136,000 miles
After stopping at a stop sign, I accelerated to proceed, and as my vehicle started to go it just as quickly died. With traffic behind me and coming at me from the left and right, I was lucky enough that those cars were able to stop in time and not broadside me or rear end me, and I was able to coast to the side of the road. Long story short, it was the torque converter! I see that there was a recall on the 04 and 05 models but not the 2006. Having researched thoroughly online for this problem, clearly, mine is not an isolated incident, as there are numerous other 2006 Ford Freestar owners who have experienced the same torque converter failure between 120K and 150K miles, complaints stated in many Ford forums and other internet venues. Of the 75+ I read, about 50% had registered a complaint about the torque converter failure in the 06 Freestars with NHTSA. Clearly, Ford needs to address this problem in the 2006 as well. Thank you for taking the time to read my info and complaint?? and for your prompt response.

- Britton, MI, USA

problem #16

Mar 012014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
I was driving down the road in the rain and the engine light came on. Then the vehicle started to sputter and acted like it was going to stall out. It felt like I was going to lose power but I was able to make it home. Then the next day the sun was out and the car seemed to run fine. This happened to me several more times over the next few months. I started to notice a pattern of it only happening when it was raining outside. Otherwise, the vehicle ran fine in good weather. I realized water was getting into the engine somehow. Our mechanic thought it was a problem with the spark plugs at first. Then it kept happening so we had it in the shop again. Water was found to be leaking into the powertrain control module. I started to research the problem on the internet and found several customers complaining about the same problem with their vehicles. Apparently it is a well known defect in the manufacturing of this vehicle. I feel Ford should take action and recall these cars before someone gets tragically injured from their minivan losing power on a busy highway.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 162014

Freestar

  • 96,340 miles
Some times while backing up the car would lurch. While driving the car would suddenly accelerate while cruise control was engaged oreven just by it self. Sometimes the car was having problems accelerating from a stop.

- St. Charles , IA, USA

problem #14

Jun 122012

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 230,000 miles
When it rains it starts shaking and smells like it's burning. It does it every time it rains and it's getting worse. It takes longer to dry and to recover.

- Brownsville , TX, USA

problem #13

Mar 222014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
We were in the middle lane of I5 North heading home from a family vacation when we suddenly lost power.no warning sounds, lights or anything.one minute we were driving along, the next I was hanging out the passenger window( my husband was driving) waving off oncoming traffic to let us coast to the side.we have endured $ 20000 in repairs ( and counting),750.00 in hotel bills ( and counting because we are still here!) as for Ford saying, it's not a safety issue',we could easily have been killed.my 2 kids were in the car, the hair on my arm stood up when I thought about what could have happened thanks to Ford crappy workmanship.there is no way they don't know this problem exists.I will never buy Ford again.

- Victoria, OR, USA

problem #12

May 292013

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 81,417 miles
When I was driving a hill down, suddenly the engine and all electronic equipment stopped, warning lamp engine and battery flashes, steering wheel and brakes did not work correctly. I need about 1 mile to stop the car. After that the car could not be reactivated/started again. - cause for incident (Ford service): The motor control unit was filled with water after a rain.

- Hochheim / Germany, IL, USA

problem #11

Nov 012012

Freestar

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled unexpectedly as the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that when the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle would not accelerate and would stall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Gainesville, GA, USA

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