Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled with the battery, oil pressure, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.
On my 2006 Freestyle, that I purchased on 4/01/2014 from northway motor car in latham, ny,it suddenly jerked forward and shut off today. Upon trying to restart the vehicle ran on an unstable idle and both my service engine and engine wrench light appeared on the dash. The Freestyle would not move, upon putting it into gear it ran low idle and then shut down. Once my local garage ran a diagnostic test it referenced the throttle body being bad?? So now looking up recalls I find natsa action number :pe11018. Of course the extended warranty program 12n03 is only to 10 years or 150,000 miles. Great !!! I now have 180,100 miles and a loan for still over $3000. I am under the 10 year mark but over the milage, despite buying this from a major car dealer who could have had this problem fixed before selling it to me when it only had 148,322miles !!!! …
On multiple occasions, while car is braked but in gear (d), car lunges forward despite brakes being applied. I notice the engine revs suddenly increase when this happens. This has happened sporadically over the last few months. On Thursday nov 22 around 7.30 pm, I stopped at a stop sign in woodburn, oregon as pedestrians were crossing. Suddenly the car lunged forward, but thankfully did not hit a lady who was crossing and thought I was intentionally trying to scare/run her over. Not sure if this is related, but in two occasions the car completely shut down while in motion and driving around 35 - 45mph range. The brakes naturally stiffened and I told power steering. Luckily, I was able to maneuver to the side of the road and restart. Another issue is sometimes I lose throttle control of the car. …
Today (08/26/2015) while emerging into oncoming traffic my car refused to accelerate. It would never rise above 20 MPH. Thankfully I was down the street from my mechanic. An otherwise two minute drive took fifteen minutes of my allowing the car to just coast because it would never accelerate when I pushed on the gas. After praying and finally making to the shop, he placed the diagnostic mac of thine on it only to inform me that it is the electronic throttle body was opened. I searched for a recall or something to offset the cost but I have been unsuccessful thus far. This was a very frightening experience and thankfully one where I didn't get injured due to cars almost hitting me, running up on my bumper even with the flashers on, it's not fair that this complaint is closed. …
Problems started after the battery and alternator were changed back in November 2017. First, the battery light and check charging system went on right after the Ford dealer changed the battery and alternator. We were told that the electrical output was fine despite the warning light. Since then several alternators were changed by the dealer but the warning light remained and the dealer does not know how to fix this. Today while driving (streets and highway) the dashboard (instrument cluster) went off and on and all gauges went to zero and back on after a while during driving. There was a kick to the engine every time this happened. My backlights went crazy (including reverse lights) while driving forward on streets/highway. Turning lights were also affected. Other drivers alerted me today. This is a danger to us and others. I fear the engine could eventually get affected too. …
My car will try to surge forward while at a stop with my foot on the brakes. It will happen while driving, in parked position, and while no gas or brake pedal is pressed. This happened in a pick up line and I could have hit a child if I hadn't hadn't my foot in the brake and done all I could to not move forward. Sometimes I'm in reverse and this happens and it's like I put my foot down hard on the gas. There seems to be a connection to the ac unit, because when that is on it is making a loud sound. I went to carmax 3 years ago (in 2015) with this issue and they replaced the throttle body. Now they are saying it needs to be replaced again. There is clearly an ongoing issue with this part in the car and it is a major safety concern. Sometimes after the surge, my car will 'die'. This happened in the middle of 6 lanes of traffic while stationary at a red light. …
Engine lost power while driving on the garden state pkwy. No engine lights came on it hesitated to accelerate after leaving a toll booth and kicked off. I was told the car had a cylinder that was not firing and I needed a new engine. Upon the dealership pulling the engine they verified the engine was well maintained by me and the cause of the cylinder blow out was due to the timing chain blowing apart. My son could have been killed . Their was no engine light warning no transmission light and he had to cross over 4 lanes of high speed traffic to get to the shoulder of the garden state pkwy. I had the engine replaced and 6 weeks later upon picking up the vehicle it now has a transmission problem the day I picked up the car it would not accelerate over 60mph for me to enter traffic. It still does not climb steep hills. …
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. While driving 45 MPH, the throttle control transmission warning indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the surge needed to be reprogrammed. The contact's husband called coughlin Ford of johnstown at [phone] (670 w coshocton st, johnstown, oh 43031) and was informed that the vehicle was included in an unknown recall that had been closed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 161,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH the vehicle stalled. Upon restart, the vehicle operated as normal. A check engine light was also illuminating on the instrument panel upon restart. The contact also stated that the vehicle was experiencing a recurring failure in which it would momentarily surge forward. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 08/01/11 the consumer stated he had an accident last year in a private parking lot. The consumer stated the vehicle surged when it was placed into gear. The throttle body was replaced in 2011. Updated 01/30/12
Engine complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 258 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Ford Freestyle, 20% of the model year's 1,300 complaints. The component named most often is engine (44 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Freestyle engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.