Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Freestar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost significant motive power before briefly hesitating and jerking. After restarting the vehicle, it returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while his wife was driving on the freeway, the RPM's increased however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact's wife was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost all motive power and would not shift to any gear other than park. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to a possible recall but was unable to provide details. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.
My Ford Freestar without warning or anything just wouldn't go after stopping at a stop sign. It was like it was stuck in neutral. But it was in drive. In 2003 and 2004 there was a recall on the transmission. My van is a 2005 but the transmission was manufactured in 2004. Which is one of the years that was recalled so why is my 2005 Ford Freestar van not one of the ones under that recall. Is it cause it's a 2005 cause the transmission was manufactured in 2004. I almost got hit by semi truck when this happen. Please recall this van. Please help!!! [redacted] Bless you all. Thanks, [redacted] Family
Driving down the road vehicle experiences total loss of acceleration it's like it's in neutral in every won't go forward or backwards towed home looked up problem seems that it's the same as recall for 04-05 models torch converter had I been on highway in St. Louis mo could have been killed as they aren't known for being the safest drivers it's my opinion Ford should have to recall every vehicle that had the parts that are faulty in them regardless of the model year if the parts are junk on 04-05 they used the same in 06 models you know they are gonna have same problems
Was driving on populated road when all of a sudden car when in to neutral and almost rear-ended if not for quick thinking. Had to have it towed and now don't have any money to fix it so I lost my job cause could not get to work please have this problem recalled like the earlier years..
I was driving on a highway in my Ford Freestar 2006 and the minivan seized, I lost control of the vehicle. The brakes were not working properly and I had drifted off onto the side of the highway were the grass and a few turns helped slow down my vehicle. I had to immediately jump out of the vehicle because there was smoke coming from the engine, but the vehicle would not stop. When the vehicle finally stopped, I jumped out and an ambulance assisted putting out the fire. The engine light went on about 2 minutes before this occurred, giving me no warning signs. I found out it was the transmission. It was replaced under warranty. In 2011, the same thing occurred, engine and car completely failed. When I took it in - it was the transmission again. I had to buy another transmission in less than a year. Ford was not willing to assist me or talk to me about it. …
I was driving home from work on a busy interstate at 70 MPH in the far left hand lane when the vehicle began slowing down. There was now warning. I applied pressure to the gas pedal attempting to keep going with the flow of traffic around me. The rpms rose but no response from the transmission. It was as though the van suddenly shifted into neutral and would not go. Thankfully traffic allowed me to coast over 4 lanes to get to the shoulder. This was Friday evening before memorial day and very very busy. It's amazing I made it to the shoulder without being hit. I turned the engine off and it restarted with no problem. I tried shifting into reverse and got no response from the transmission either. This appears to be an issue with the drivetrain. Ford has known about this problem from other complaints I have seen. How many deaths will make Ford wake up and do something? …
Torque converter failure without warning. I was driving northbound on interstate 380 on 10/6/2016 at roughly 70 MPH in the left lane of traffic. I was not using the cruise control. Suddenly (around mile marker 13-14), the engine revved very high and the van decelerated. I was traveling up a hill and was dangerously decelerating in the left lane of the interstate. I managed to get over to the side of the road (cutting off a semi-truck) with absolutely no propulsion. It felt as though the engine was not connected with the drive wheels. There was no warning this was going to happen, the van just suddenly started decelerating rapidly on the interstate. I noticed quickly because the engine revved up when the transmission let go. I had the van towed to the local Ford dealership, where I left it for them to review the issue. …
My wife was driving down the interstate and loss all propulsion to the wheels. The engine continued to run, but when applying the accelerator to attempt to apply power to the wheels she experienced no response. Once towed from the shoulder of the interstate and delivered to a certified mechanic's shop, it was determined that the torque converter had failed. We were informed that this is as common a problem with the 2006 model freestars as it is for the 2004 and 2005 models since they share the same design and material composition. I'm curious to know why the 2006 model was not recalled when the 2004 and 2005 models were recalled since these model years are identical when considering the torque converter issue. Our Freestar has been impeccably maintained over the years with only 85,300 total miles on this car. …
NHTSA investigations
Engine Stalling
The subject vehicles suffered from a design issue whereby water could run down onto the cowling under the hood and located in the area of the windshield wipers and then drip onto a computer module, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which could be manifested in a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the circuit board became wet or which of the connector pins shorted out.In addition to causing an engine…
Transmission complaints in other Freestar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Ford Freestar?
NHTSA has 254 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Freestar, 71% of the model year's 356 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Freestar transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2006 Ford Freestar, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Freestar transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.