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 Freestyle owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We own a 2006 Ford Freestyle and are only the 2nd owners of this car! We bought it in 2011 and are at our boiling point with it! The previous owners had to get the transmission rebuilt, we had owned the car for less than a year and had to get the transmission rebuilt again at almost $4,000! Now 3 years after we fixed the transmission we are back at the same juncture where our transmission is causing us a problem again! I took it in because it was overheating and I ended up having to have the radiator and a portion of the water hose replaced at almost $1000! Two days later I'm driving and as I pull off from a light I notice the car does a pretty heavy jerk forward! I thought I hit the pedal too hard so I didn't think much of it! …
While driving the wrench light will randomly come on and the rpms go crazy and the car struggles to shift gears. After restarting the car, it will drive fine for a while - sometimes weeks - before it happens again. After it happens a few times, the engine light will turn on but will go back off after driving a little or restarting it a few times. Now, a few days ago it started jumping and struggling to move from a complete stop, no wrench light this time. Turning the car off & letting it sit for a couple minutes helped & I got to work. Then on my way home, I made it 5 of the 7 miles before it started acting up again. This time sluggish acceleration from a complete stop. After sitting for a couple days, the car drove smoothly for 3 miles, stopped at a light and car jerked again then limped forward. …
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. …
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. …
I was driving on the highway when suddenly the vehicle started surging and was losing power last Wednesday 11/13/19. Another time, was with my whole family, the ac, cruise control, and car stereo was on when suddenly the vehicle lost power all of a sudden. I got scared because I did not want to get into an accident particularly on the highway. Ford motors please, do something about my vehicle. Also, the vehicle does not stop when it should every time I apply the breaks. Whether on the streets, the highway, making turns, and at a stoplight, it always goes an extra distance before actually coming to a full stop. The brake pads are all OEM from the Ford dealer in my town. I'm always worried that my vehicle will one day give me the slip and get me into a vehicular accident. …
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. …
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. While driving, a grinding noise was heard when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle decelerated without warning. The contact shifted into low gear and drove the vehicle home. When the vehicle was shifted into reverse, it moved slowly. The vehicle was later taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was no replacement kit to repair the failure and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the 2006 transmission was failing. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called maplecrest Ford of mendham (located at 102 e main st, mendham, nj 07945, [phone]) and was informed that they could replace the transmission for $9,000. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 69,000.
My 2006 Ford Freestyle has started trying to run away with me whenever I've been sitting in a parking space with the engine on and the air conditioning on. When I put the car into gear either forward or reverse it shoots out of the space causing me to have to jam on the brakes. The first time this happened last June 2010,I crashed into a car that was parked behind me. It did not happen again for several weeks. When it happened again the weather was extremely hot so, I thought maybe the hot weather had caused it. It did not occur during the winter. Now that the weather is getting hot it's happening again. I am very anxious every time I have to drive anywhere when it's hot outside. I talked to my son-in-law about it and he said maybe it had something to do with the transmission. But, they check the transmission when they change my oil and have not told me of any problems.
While driving, vehicle goes into limp mode without warning. Happens in both city and highway driving. Wrench indicator and check engine indicators light on dash. Vehicle slows and can barely accelerate causing near-accident. Resetting code p0701 allows normal operation till cycle repeats in short and random time of driving. Engine shut down/restart clears wrench light till cycle repeats. Took car to 2 Ford dealers and independent transmission specialist. All advised that the CVT transmission cannot be rebuilt or repaired and that replacement transmissions are generally not available. All advised not repairing the car because even if a new transmission were available, cost is $4500-$5500 for the unit plus over $1000 labor to remove/replace transmission. Research shows this is a common complaint about this car and it's similar models (Ford 500) of all years (2005-2007).
Transmission complaints in other Freestyle years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Ford Freestyle?
NHTSA has 484 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Ford Freestyle, 37% of the model year's 1,300 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (127 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Ford Freestyle transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 11 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries 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.