Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Ford Freestyle owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle in April 2010 with 45,831 miles on it. The car is used for transportation to and from work, errands, and leisure. Since purchasing the car, we have experienced unexplained surges in the engine resulting in the rpms to increase and a sudden jerking movement while in drive or reverse. The surges have become more frequent occurring on a daily basis during warm weather especially during the summer months. We have been worried about the car lunging into another vehicle while parking/backing out of a parking space or while waiting at a light or stuck in traffic on the highway. On 6-13-11 at 5 pm est, while on our way home from work, the car unexpectedly surged and moved forward into another car while we were waiting at a traffic light. …
I have a 2006 Ford Freestyle and when ever I drive it, it accelerates when your stopped at stop signs, traffic lights,coasting through parking lots, etc. I have just recently hit the car in front of me while waiting at a traffic light I was slowing down to stop when the car accelerated causing the car to lunge forward hitting the car in front of me before I had time to stop. This has become very dangerous. I took it to a Ford dealer with no results. I called the Ford mfg. And they told me they were aware of the problem but nothing was being done about it. I have ask several owners of the Freestyle about this and they said they were having the same problem. I have checked on the internet and found complaint after complaint about this problem and the high cost of trying to fix it. I have went to several repair shops with no guarantees. …
Vehicle speed decelerated and wrench light came on took to Ford dealership (on vacation trip) had to leave the vehicle as they said needed new throttle body----at approx. 103,767 mi. Approx 107,178 miles speed decelerated on trip and wrench light came on.when turn the vehicle off wrench light goes off and desired speed can be resumed. Took to Ford dealer and said they could put in new "brain" or new transmission. Took vehicle to mechanic for second opinion and they said it was transmission and suggested taking to transmission specialist. Transmission specialist agreed transmission had to be replaced.the vehicle was taken out several times by these mechanics and verified that it was shifting okay and okay to drive. …
Upon utilizing the drive through of a fast food restaurant, the breaks were being feathered to creep up to the window; the 2006 Ford Freestyle lunged forward unexpectedly and almost hit a women and her kid crossing in front of the car; I moved the car from the drive through and stopped at the edge of the parking lot before continuing onto the side street; at this time when I moved my foot off the break the car again unexpectedly lunged forward sticking the nose of my car out into traffic, cars swerved into the far lane to avoid colliding with the front of my car. I immediately brought the car to the Ford service dealer. …
This makes the second time I have complained about this problem. It seems that Ford has no plans to rectify the "throttle body" issue although there are many that have voiced the same concern with their vehicles. This issue is a severe safety risk. I have had several incidences, all involving surging, followed by a sudden loss of power. There have also been instances of sudden loss of power upon acceleration after idling at a stop sign or red light. This happens randomly and there is no warning beforehand. Once, I was passing a truck and pulled into the passing lane and the Freestyle completely lost power. I was "hanging" in the passing lane with no power and no way to avert a collision had there been oncoming traffic or traffic behind me. Thank goodness, I had time to brake and force the Freestyle onto the shoulder. This also happenes at stop signs and red lights when I accelerate. …
Driving down the interstate in traffic the engine stalls wrench light came on, leaving me with no power to control my speed. As my car quickly reduces speed on a major interstate I attempt to get over to the shoulder out of harms way. This is happened 4 times, the latest time our check engine light came on and stays on. P2104, p2100, p2112, and p0325 codes are present. I have seen Ford has recalled 1.6 million electronic throttle body in Ford escape, Mercury mariner, and Mercury milan vehicles with the same 3.0l engine and same electronic throttle body. All Ford has to do is to list the Ford Freestyle as one of these recall vehicles for the etb to be repaired/replaced. This is a very scary situation to be in with children in the car and you have no power to you accelerator to get out of the way of speeding vehicles all around you!! …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact was at a complete stop when the vehicle abnormally accelerated with the illumination of the wrench warning light. The contact attempted to maneuver the vehicle and ended up crashing into a ditch. The vehicle was inspected by the dealer who replaced the wiring harness on the right rear engine compartment. The battery and the shock mount was also replaced and the contact was advised to have the throttle body and crank sensor replaced. The contact stated that the throttle body and crank shaft sensor were previously replaced and denied having the components replaced a second time. There was an open investigation under NHTSA action number: pe11018 (vehicle speed control) that could possible have been related to the failure. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,000.
While pulling into our garage, creeping up to the front wall of the garage with foot firmly on the brakes, the Freestyle lunged forward 2-3 feet. It accelerated on its own. The car struck the front wall of the garage, crushing the drywall, breaking 3 studs, and breaking the brick on the outside of the garage. The accident caused thousands of dollars damage to the house. This is not the first time the car has lunged like this but it is the first accident. Problem seems to be worse at low speeds, while hot, and moving very slowly such as in the garage out backing in/out of a parking space. A/C on makes it worse. The Ford car dealer where we bought the car has had the car now for a week, trying to diagnose the problem. They say there is nothing wrong with the car because they have not been able to duplicate the problem. .
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that when she placed the vehicle in reverse or park the engine rpms would increase and the vehicle would lunge forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who refused to diagnose the failure unless the contact paid for the diagnostic test. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 108,000 and the current mileage was 110,000. Updated 09/19/11 the consumer stated the car lurches forward and reverse and the consumer had to slam on the brake to keep the vehicle from jumping. Also, when the consumer was attempting to park, the vehicle lurched forward and she hit a fence causing cosmetic damage. Updated 10/03/11
My car wouldn't accelerate on getting on the interstate and would only go up to 40 MPH - hard to get in from the ramp with other oncoming cars. It started surging and bucking. When I got off the interstate at the next interstate it again surged when I was going 20mph. Very scary for me. When I stopped at the stoplight it stalled and I had trouble starting it. I put my hazards on for the rest of the trip home. I have been scared to drive it. I took it to the Ford dealer and they said it was the throttle body and estimated $700 for the part and $200 for labor. I have had surging issues this past summer when I used the defrost or air conditioning but not anything this bad. I did call the Ford company and have a case number - they would not help with the part or labor. I spoke with a manager...
NHTSA investigations
Idle instability
On November 29, 2012, Ford Motor Company (Ford) initiated Customer Satisfaction Program 12N03 to extend warranty coverage terms for repair of engine idle RPM surge caused by throttle body deposits in all model year (MY) 2005 through 2007 Ford Freestyle, Five Hundred and Mercury Montego vehicles.The program extends the coverage for up to 10 years of service or 150,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle…
Acceleration complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 602 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Ford Freestyle, 46% of the model year's 1,300 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Freestyle acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Ford Freestyle, though it has 1 recall 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 Freestyle acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 25 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to speed control & acceleration 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.