10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
25 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,025 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Ford Freestyle:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Ford Freestyle Owner Comments (Page 15 of 31)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #321

Aug 272011

Freestyle

  • 102,500 miles

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

My 2006 Ford Freestyle accelerated in reverse when my foot was not engaging the gas pedal. It then lurched forward before stalling out. I have complained to the Ford dealership about unusual performance especially at parking lot speeds. They are never able to diagnose a problem. Today, it lunged in reverse while backing out of a parking space. It then stalled out. I finally got it to crank back up. Then it lunged forward out of control approximately 5 to 10 feet. I got it to drive, but it would not accelerate without having my foot all the way down. It would hardly make it up a hill and then lunge at the top of the hill acting like it was going to stall out again. I have lost all confidence in my car and fear for the safety of my children.

- Ga, GA, USA

problem #320

Aug 252009

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that whether the vehicle was in drive or reverse, it would exhibit a loud noise and stall. The dealer diagnosed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied any assistance with repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 160,000. Updated 10/21/11 the consumer stated she can not drive or 25 mph, as the problems becomes worse. Updated 11/07/11

- Wenbell, NC, USA

problem #319

Nov 232008

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2006 Ford Freestyle and I have had many problems with it. The most prevalent and frustrating issues are ones I've seen many complaints about...the car lunging forward or backward (happens more when A/C has been on), high rpms with pedal to floor and the car going nowhere (wrench light comes on). The first time the RPM issue happened I was on my way up to lancaster, ca driving up a very steep hill. I had my 2 year old son with me and the car would barely go. I was able to put on my hazards and get off the freeway and made it to a park-and-ride. After I shut the car off for awhile and started it again it was fine. This has happened quite a few times since then; the most recent was last month (July 2011). Also, mostly when getting on the freeway and having to accelerate into traffic, the car will rev at a very high RPM and not go down unless I pull over/get off freeway and try the acceleration a little slower. If the rpms stay high it sometimes causes the wrench light to come on and problem with the pedal to the floor and car going nowhere comes into play. I have not been able to have any work done on the car to try to relieve the problems due to financial issues. I know that a lot of other people have had these same problems and I just hope that something can be done before someone seriously gets hurt.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #318

Feb 152011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles

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

The car lurches forward or revs ups when under these conditions: Ac is on, car is idling such as in a parking lot, stop signs or intersections. This has been gradually worsening until I narrowly missed a person walking in the parking lot and took the car in for repairs. The local dealer replaced the throttle body.

- Copperas Cove, TX, USA

problem #317

Apr 012011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
2006 Ford Freestyle with approximately 80,000 miles began violently lurching forward from a parked position without the driver's foot being on the gas pedal (was actually on brake which prevented the car from going more than a couple of feet forward). This was a sudden and powerful lurch, that even the brake could not totally stop. Having air conditioning on exacerbated the problem. I researched the issue online and found many forums, comments and even a facebook page with Freestyle owners experiencing identical problems, all stemming from a throttle body problem. We cleaned accumulation out from flap leading into throttle body and the problem was resolved for a few weeks. Without warning, the vehicle now will not move as there is no response with foot on accelerator. The idle remains below 1,000 rpms and the car is sluggish to the point of not moving. Found out that replacing the throttle body at a cost of several hundred dollars is the only solution, but even that is not a permanent fix, according to many reports online. This is because the part is only manufactured by Ford and the item will continue to fail.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #316

Jun 012011

Freestyle

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving in reverse, the vehicle accelerated at idle speeds unexpectedly. The vehicle stopped moving when the brakes were depressed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Maplesville, AL, USA

problem #315

Jul 072011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 96,465 miles

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

I experienced an unexpected movement of the vehicle when I wasn't pushing the accelerator either moving forward or backwards. An increase in the rpms is evident in both but worse in reverse. When stopping at the light and gear is in "D", after a full stop, the engine increases the rpms. When you release the brakes to start moving again, the car abruptly moves without pushing the accelerator. In reverse, with brakes lightly applied, the engine increases the rpms more dramatically than in forward. It is even worse if you turn the steering wheel, in my case, to the left. You have to apply firmly the brakes to stop the car from moving without control but the rpms still running high. One of the times, even when applying firmly the brakes, the car still moved up to the point that it shut down the engine. That happened in a parking lot and almost hit another car. That's when I decided to take it to the dealer. This is very dangerous. We park the car inside our garage and it became unsafe to pull in and out as space is tight and you could hit the walls or my other car or the kids. You do not know when it will happen and how severe the sudden increase in speed will be. The dealer said it was the electronic throttle body that failed and changed it. I have a 2006 Freestyle SE.

- Watkinsville, GA, USA

problem #314

Nov 232008

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2006 Ford Freestyle and I have had many problems with it. The most prevalent and frustrating issues are ones I've seen many complaints about. The car lunging forward or backward (happens more when A/C has been on), high rpms with pedal to floor and the car going nowhere (wrench light comes on). The first time the RPM issue happened I was on my way up to lancaster, ca driving up a very steep hill. I had my 2 year old son with me and the car would barely go. I was able to put on my hazards and get off the freeway and made it to a park-and-ride. After I shut the car off for awhile and started it again it was fine. This has happened quite a few times since then; the most recent was last month (July 2011). Also, mostly when getting on the freeway and having to accelerate into traffic, the car will rev at a very high RPM and not go down unless I pull over/get off freeway and try the acceleration a little slower. If the rpms stay high it sometimes causes the wrench light to come on and problem with the pedal to the floor and car going nowhere comes into play. I have not been able to have any work done on the car to try to aleve the problems due to financial issues. I know that a lot of other people have had these same problems and I just hope that something can be done before someone seriously gets hurt.

- Whittier, CA, USA

problem #313

Jun 012011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
2006 Ford Freestyle lunges when reversing or going forward when the ac is on. This happens on a daily basis.

- Cedar Hill, TX, USA

problem #312

Dec 012010

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles
Having issues with hard starting issues to the point it got to where it would not start. I have also had issues with acceleration fluctuation without me touching gas peddle. There was even a time where it fluctuated while I was driving. At the time I had the cruise on and it shut off the cruise when it did it. I have had mechanic clean out the throttle body and intake air sensor with electrical contact cleaner which seems to alleviate the problem temporarily. It lasts anywhere from 1 1/2 to 2 months and needs cleaned again as it hangs up and my engine begins to self accelerate and is hard starting again. I am very worried that this will self accelerate while we are driving. This first began to give issues Dec. 2010.

- Elma, WA, USA

problem #311

Mar 022011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 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 while driving in reverse the vehicle would lunge backwards, when the accelerator pedal was not engaged. The vehicle would also lunged forward while the contacts foot was depressed on the brake. The dealer nor manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 56,000 and the current mileage was 60,000. Updated 12/05/11

- Conover, NC, USA

problem #310

Aug 012011

Freestyle

  • 81,200 miles
Car lurched/lunged forward when shifting into reverse. Has since happened when at a stop with car in gear. On one occasion, the wrench light came on, car sputtered, and then died-did this twice in the same incidence.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #309

Sep 092009

Freestyle

  • 46,000 miles
Bought car used, certified, but noticed right away that car would lunge backwards when I would go to back up. Ford found no problem. Problem continued for numerous months and then at about 56,000 miles issue escalated. Now car lunges forward or reverse, moving anywhere from 2 to 8 feet. At times it feels like pressure is being pushed from the brake up, to my foot......pushing it off the brake. Problem is worse the more car is driven that day, and seems to happen mostly when ac is on. But in the early days of issue air was not always on. If someone walks in front or behind me when this happens they would certainly be injured.

- Inverness, FL, USA

problem #308

May 152011

Freestyle

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact was driving 50 mph when the vehicle lunged forward and accelerated abnormally. The check engine warning light illuminated immediately following the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the throttle body was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 69,000 and the current mileage was 72,000.

- Fayetteville, NC, USA

problem #307

Aug 102011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
We purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle on Wednesday August 3rd, 2011. Acceleration seemed "off" but since we had been driving a minivan, we and the dealer put it off as more "get up and go." Problem persisted with each time the vehicle was driven and we became concerned. Wednesday August 10th, as we pulled into a parking spot, engine revved and car surged forward very forcefully, almost making us hit the car in the spot ahead of us. No feet or other objects came into contact with either pedal at time of incident. My 3 children were in the car. This is very concerning to us. Vehicle is currently in the shop and will not be driven off the lot until loan is forgiven on account of us being sold a faulty and unsafe vehicle. On the way to repair shop, steering wheel locked up, entire car shook, engine accelerated without any pressure on either pedal.

- Johnstown, OH, USA

problem #306

Jul 012011

Freestyle

  • 96,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact attempted to place the vehicle into reverse when it surged forward without warning. Both the dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and the contact was awaiting a response. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The current and failure mileages were 96,000.

- Stamant, LA, USA

problem #305

Mar 282008

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
1. there were no events leading to this failure. 2. the failure is that while driving and without notice my 2006 Freestyle goes into fail safe mode which causes the rpms to rapidly increase and the accelerator to not respond to my actions. This has been occurring since my Freestyle turned 50,000 miles. This failure happens everyday and multiple times per day. The consequences from this failure are near fatal accidents. 3. my vehicle was brought into the Ford dealership from which I purchased it. I was told multiple times they could find nothing wrong, but they could investigate the transmission at a cost of $1800. I did not have them do that. I did bring it to a transmission specialist at a cost of $1600. They would not warranty the work as the only parts available from Ford were reconditioned and Ford then required the replaced part be shipped back to them. I drove 1000 miles without an occurrence and the problem returned.

- Franksville, WI, USA

problem #304

Aug 012011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
Vehicle will surge or lunge when trying to park vehicle or you are moving slowly (not accelerating) - perhaps when you are just using the idling power of the engine to move. Your foot is often over the brake, or maybe even braking slightly, using the vehicle's own power at idle to just move slowly or slightly into a parking spot or come to a stop. There have not been any accidents, as your foot is typically already over the brake and you can react quickly enough to stop the car. It started doing it 2 or 3 years ago, but just occasionally, so it wasn't a big concern. But it has become steadily more common, to the point that it is happening weekly or sometimes more often - every 2 or 3 days. The engine RPM seems to increase for just a second, and then subside. It is not clear to me if the air conditioning has any impact, as others have said. But the car runs fine and normally otherwise. We recently had a repair done to replace an egr tube, which was causing acceleration to be uncontrolled, which was at all speeds, and was unrelated to this surge or lunge condition. However, we hoped that it would improve or correct the lunge or surge, but it hasn't. the lunge or surge does not occur when you are touching the accelerator, only when you are already braking slightly and letting the idle speed of the engine creep the car along. It happens in both forward and reverse and is noticed when parking or when you are trying to park close to something, so you are creeping along with just idle speed into a parking position. We haven't had any other repairs performed, as it didn't happen often enough to duplicate for the dealer, but it is more often now that perhaps it could be duplicated with some attempts after a couple of days. I know that it has been discussed, and it seems to only affect cvt transmission equipped Freestyles and may be a function of the transmission that causes it.

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

problem #303

Aug 072011

Freestyle 6-cyl

  • 78,150 miles
In hot weather, the car will rev like the gas pedal is being pressed, in cold weather, pressing the gas pedal does not give the car gas. The dash light and odb reader both say throttle body failure. In hot weather, it has caused two minor bumps (no damage). In a few weeks, I am going to be afraid to pick the kids up at school for fear of lunging.

- Conway, SC, USA

problem #302

Dec 162009

Freestyle

  • 59,000 miles
When placed in reverse the auto would surge without warning, as if the fuel pedal were applied. This also did it when going from reverse to forward. Had to keep foot firmly on the brake at all times or risk an accident. Car became very difficult to drive when this occurred. At 80,472 miles. Engine check light stayed on after another surge problem that stalled the auto. Ray skillman Ford in greenwood, in determined it was the "throttle body". it was replaced and while the service man drove the car, the entire A/C unit went out. They put a new clutch & compressor. After calling several Ford dealerships, there has been a huge backorder of these throttle body's. capital city Ford is installing two a day the same with ray skillman Ford.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?