10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
9 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
86,731 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 Freestyle drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2006 Ford Freestyle Owner Comments (Page 12 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #129

Sep 022011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

The vehicle lunged while in reverse when backing out of a restaurant parking space. Rapid hard application of brakes stopped the vehicle after 15 ft. I put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition. The vehicle then operated normally. It was a 90 degree day with ac on.

- Butler, PA, USA

problem #128

Feb 022012

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • miles
Purchased used 2006 Ford Freestyle in 11/2007 with approximately 35,000 miles. 2008 vehicle began lunging and accelerating without pressing on the gas pedal, had throttle body replaced at the dealer. Vehicle drove fine for approximately 12 months then began the lunging, accelerating and occasional stalling. Husband replaced throttle body himself after purchasing a new throttle body from the dealer. Again, it drove fine for a while. Now the beginning of 2012 it is happening again. This is obviously a factory/part failure that needs to be recalled. There are way too many Ford Freestyle owners of '05, '06, and '07 owners that have also been dealing with the same problems.

- Huffman, TX, USA

problem #127

May 102011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • miles
Not sure on date when incident occurred, but the vehicle would start lunging even while brake pedal was engaged. Problem worsened over a short period of time to where it would cut off multiple times. Also problem would get worse while air condition was on. One day pulling into a parking spot one day the vehicle lunged forward causing me to hit a parking block. Damage was done to the front bumper only. Eventually it got to where we were unable to drive the vehicle. Has been parked for several months. Will crank up for a couple seconds and will cut off.

- Kannapolis, NC, USA

problem #126

Feb 142012

Freestyle

  • 135,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving 30 to 40 mph, the vehicle would lose power. The RPM S would increase to 4,000, the air bag light, traction control light, and the onboard diagnostic light would also illuminate when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic and a diagnostic was performed, but the mechanic was unable to generate a failure code. The contact stated that the vehicle would return to normal function when the engine was turned off for a few moments. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact to have a dealer perform the diagnostic. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 135,000. The VIN was not available.

- Portland , TN, USA

problem #125

Aug 082011

Freestyle

  • 90,000 miles
Hearing a thud noise and then it started a sudden surge forward by itself while I had my foot on the brake.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #124

Feb 272008

Freestyle

  • miles
My Ford Freestyle has been lurching for years. I have now started stalling when pulling into parking spaces, or making sharp turns. My air compressor needs replacing and I was told the erg valve may cause the lurching? my engine lights comes and goes sporadically and I have to go through carpool line or grocery store with one foot on brakes. I can't fully feel confident at redlights that I won't rearend the person in front of me. I can't understand how this is a issue we should all be stuck with when its obvious a defect. I filed a complaint quite awhile back but now the stalling and lurching has become quite a safety issue. I can live without air although the mechanic seems to think its all related... please recall the issued parts! I stall on hills, when pulling out into traffic, I lunge at random times and then....its fine for the next drive... then dangerous the next!

- Covington , GA, USA

problem #123

Mar 012011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles

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

This car started surging little by little getting progressively worse as the months went on. Hotter weather seemed to make it worse, stalling in drive thru's and lurching more. A few times cutting out all together, having to wait in parking lots to come back on. Then it began making a high pitched whining sound like the transmission was going to blow up if it got to "over worked" it seemed. Then wow "shock of all shocks" this lemon of a car simply died while finally sputtering it's last gasps sounding like a diesel engine mack truck and had a " catastrophic engine failure" as two different mechanics of ours diagnosed. Now we are faced with replacing the engine, used at a steal for about $3000 to $5000+ or taking a huge loss since we owe on it still. And gee what do we have to look forward to if we do replace the engine" a safe non-lurching ride? no. A future free from more costly repairs? no. New throttle body replacement and new transmission replacements" I can't wait!!! what a joke. I hate this car. Please recall something, anything to take this death trap off my hands!!! and yes I have a small child that has to ride in this bundle of safety too.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #122

Apr 082009

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 40,000 miles
I have a 2006 Freestyle. I have a few major issues with the vehicle. About 3 months after we purchased the vehicle used I was driving on the freeway when all of a sudden the wrench dash light came on and it seemed like the car was shifted into a lower gear. I checked the shifter just in case, but it was still in drive. No matter how much gas I gave it the car wouldn't go any faster than 20 or so mph. I got off the freeway and took surface streets straight to the dealership to see of they could figure it out. I parked the car while I was waiting for the service person, when I turned the car back on everything was back to normal. This has happened several times in the past years but if you turn the car off and back on everything is fine so the dealership cant seem to diagnose the issue. Shortly after that when the summer came the car started lurching or surging when at slow speed, typically if we were idling in a drive thru or going slowly to park or back out of a parking spot. I cant tell you how many cars and people I have almost hit because of this issue. And of course we are no longer under warranty so it will be thousands to fix it. Last issue is with the A/C. I just replaced the compressor in August due to a bent valve or something in the compressor that was not fixable. The mechanic told me this has been a huge issue with this type of Ford, but again no warranty and no recall so I'm out $1300 on a car with less than 80,000 miles on it.

- Spring , TX, USA

problem #121

Dec 222011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
When driving at low speeds the car will lunge forward on its own. It is usually when pulling out of a parking space or pulling up to a stop sign. This happens when you are not pressing on the gas at all but lunges forward on its own. When driving at a high speed it does the opposite and the emergency brake/parking brake tries to engage. For instance I was going 60 mph on the highway and the ABS and parking brake light came on, the speedometer dropped to 0, and the rpms revved up. My foot was on the gas the entire time yet the vehicle kept pulling back like it was trying to engage the brakes.

- Horizon City, TX, USA

problem #120

Jul 082010

Freestyle

  • 65,000 miles
I was in myrtle beach summer of 2010 when I was backing my vehicle out of a parking space it lunged back almost causing a wreck. Then when I went forward did the same stalled. Changed fuel filter and everything. About 1 month later did it again. I seems to do it when the temperature outside is warm. This is very scary and not sure what has to happen for Ford to recall. I guess someone has to die and they have to be sued.

- Beulaville , NC, USA

problem #119

Jul 212011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • miles

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

My Ford started jerking backwards when I put reverse or lunging forward when I start driving forwards. This happened twice, once in the jekyll island when we were on vacation (all three days) in July 2011 and also when recently like three months ago, Oct 2011. I first noticed when I was backing out from a hotel parking lot. I thought I am going to it the other cars. Also, I changed the brakes twice, once from the dealer and once from the auto mechanic. My mileage so far is 50K and this is a 2006 Ford Freestyle. I constantly face brake problems in this vehicle. And also other problems.(like front axle) could someone do something about these problems, please!!!

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #118

May 102011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
My car began having problems lunging forward while I was stopped at a school zone cross-walk waiting for children to cross. It lunged forward and stopped just inches from hitting 4 children. It terrified me!!!! it happened several times that day and the next day until I could get it in the shop. I was told it needed the throttle body replaced by the Ford mechanics but luckily I got by with just a throttle body cleaning. The car no longer lunges forward. About the same time, the car had problems feeling like it wouldn't get past 2nd gear and it wouldn't accelerate. I still don't know what caused this. A few months later the car started making a strange clicking noise that would get faster when I would accelerate then slower when I would brake. It quit making the noise by the time I could take it to get it looked at a few days later. The air conditioner won't get cold unless the car is in motion. The heater does the same thing. It only seems to happen on extreme temperature days. Then spontaneously, both these problems seemed to fix themselves. Just this week, my car backfired 2 times, then the next morning when I started it, it smelled horrible! I turned it off immediately, then the next day, it wouldn't start. Took it to my Ford mechanic, and he said everything checked out ok. He now thinks there is something wrong with the computer system. Everything I have read on the internet suggests that these have been huge problems for many Ford Freestyle owners. And yet no recall? come on Ford!! you have lost many loyal customers over this!! please help all of us to get a recall issued for this car!! I am a single mother of three children, and if I get stranded, I, like many people, have nobody to call and no way to pay if I get stranded. Please help before someone gets seriously injured or even killed. Many other probs but no room to list.

- Okc, OK, USA

problem #117

Jun 012011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • miles
Vehicle lunges randomly when I am backing up and occasionally when I am going forward. It has been doing it for a while. I had to put both feet on the brake pedal to keep it from hitting a pole. Took it to the dealership and they diagnosed it as being the throttle body. Upon doing research, I saw that it has been a problem with several vehicle of the same make. As for a date when this occurs, it is like I stated before it is random and has been doing it for a while and more frequently.

- Rockledge, FL, USA

problem #116

Dec 202011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 61,500 miles
While accelerating from a stop the chain-driven cvt failed. According to 2 technicians that I spoke with the unit requires replacement due to internal damage, at a cost of approximately $6,400. Upon doing research on the make/model/transmission it appears this is not an uncommon occurrence. I realize this vehicle is beyond it's warranty, however, a 5 year old car with 61K miles should not require a $6K repair under any circumstance barring a collision. The vehicle (with a functional transmission) is worth approximately $9K as a trade. Unless I receive a subsidy from Ford or a christmas miracle, this otherwise functional and safe car will be sold for parts/scrap. Shame on Ford for not backing it's products.

- Beavercreek, OH, USA

problem #115

Dec 202011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
Vehicle will not start. Dealership claimed that the throttle body needs to be replace along with a computer update to a tune of $800+. various posts have been found on the internet regarding a known defect with this model year's throttle body including a "lunging issue" caused by this failed component. I would like this issue to be investigated and Ford to be responsible for the replacement and remedy of this defective component.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #114

Dec 082011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 68,738 miles
When pulling out of my driveway the car would not accelerate, seemed to not have any power. Then when placing my foot on the brake at a stop sign it surged forward. It was really scary and had there been traffic, I would have been hit broad side, as I felt I couldn't control the car. The wrench light came on, and as I drove my son to school, the car continued to either have no power or was surging forward, I called my local dealer where I had just had the cvt transmission replaced in September, and asked to bring it in. They diagnosed it as a throttle body problem, and replaced it. I had asked about this when the transmission was replaced, and they had told me they didn't know about any problems. Oh please!!!!!! I've also had two very dangerous tire blow outs, and after some research see that unusual inside tire wear has also been a problem on Freestyles due to the sway bar links. Now tomorrow.... I am back at the dealer for the engine mount, yet another repeat problem that needs to be recalled. Please help us get these dangerous cars recalled and repaired!

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #113

Dec 072011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 57,000 miles
This incident actually started happening in 2006 not too long after I had bought the vehicle; however it did it only once or twice, or maybe not even so much that I noticed it; however in the past year and a 1/2 I have been experiencing the car lunging forward or backward. It always seems to do it when pulling in or backing out of a parking lot or the driveway. I have noticed that it seems to occur when the ac unit is on. Turn the ac unit off and it doesn't do this. I find this very disturbing because even with foot on brakes the car doesn't want to stop, it wants to proceed. Fortunately for us it hasn't resulted in any kind of collision. I feel it is only a matter of time before something bad happens. Please investigate and issue recall. I understand that it is a throttle body issue which costs a lot of money and this is the only family car we have. I can't afford to pay to have this fixed. Struggling as it is after 2 job losses in 3 years time. Please help!

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #112

Jun 062011

Freestyle

  • 119,000 miles
I drive a 2006 Freestyle. Just weeks after buying it from used dealer the vehicle started lunging when I would attempt to stop or be at a slow pace. Example being in parking lot and trying to park it would lung from about 1000 RPM to 4000-5000 rpms. This would throw my car forward. I did tap a car that day but no body damage. Also the car will be driving down the road and the wrench comes on and motor shuts down. There is no warning and has been very scary when merging into 75mph traffic with no where to go. On the 6th of June 2011 the throttle body was replaced. However within the 30 days all symptoms were occurring again. I had the compressor go out which cost $1000 to replace. On 12/02/11 I took the vehicle back to the shop, they ran codes and found it was the transmission. I have many accounts of the lunging and the wrench shut down issue. It has become very regular and makes my car very unreliable.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #111

Nov 182009

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
Vehicle would surge while parked in reverse or forward. With the foot on the brake vehicle would actually lurch in movement several feet. One time almost hitting a pedestrian. The transmission failed due to a failed inlet shaft bearing which was caused by incorrect machining of the inlet shaft.

- Deltona, FL, USA

problem #110

Jul 132010

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
The car when your at a stop or low speed, in drive or reverse the car will try to lurch. When driving down the highway it's fine but when you come to a stop the wrench light comes on. A couple of times the car wouldn't go right away but eventually it would sometimes after turning the car off and back on again the wrench would be gone and would be able to go. Sounds like sometimes the car isn't shifting right.the lurching is really noticeable when the A/C is on. Can't have the A/C on when at a stop or it will lurch.

- Cicero, IN, USA

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