Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle jolted forward. The contact stated that the vehicle was also hesitating before moving forward when the gear shifter was shifted into drive. The contact stated that the failure was a recurring failure and there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred at various speeds. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that there was an internal failure that had caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH or above, the vehicle would suddenly go into limp mode and fail to accelerate. There was a warning light that displayed a wrench however, the contact did not know what was indicated specifically. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact stated that after researching the cause of the failure he became aware that the transmission was faulty. Additionally, that type of transmission was discontinued by the manufacturer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
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. …
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact called the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
I was sold a vehicle without being told that there was a recall. Instead he told me it was just some rattling that was coming from something loose and not important. Its rattling like crazy under my car. I looked up recalls for it and there is an important recall that needs to be fixed on it. Please. It can harm my newborn child and melt wires and is gonna cost so much money that I don't have to fix it. This is my only car. Please. Its a 2005 Ford Freestyle and there is a recall for it on exactly what its been doing. Everytime I drive it feels like it's gonna fall apart and inside the cab is getting hott and harmful fumes are coming into the cab. Its dangerous. The heat shield is broken I guess.
I received a recall notice for the torque converter on my vehicle. I took it to the dealer for replacement of the torque converter on August, 22, 2012. I never had a problem with the vehicle before but when I brought it home I began to notice a bump when I put it in drive. I thought this might smooth out over time. Three months later I noticed a shudder at fifty five miles per hour and the tachometer would rise about two hundred rpms. I took the vehicle to my mechanic, who was a Ford mechanic for about twenty years before he opened his own shop and he said the problem was in the torque converter. Ford service rep. Told me that since it has been over a year that I had the torque converter replaced I have to pay for all parts and labor. The van has 119,000 miles on it and I'm hoping it will last another six months so I can trade it in. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Ford freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH the vehicle suddenly jerked forward and stalled. After restarting the vehicle the engine the check transaxle sensor light illuminated and the vehicle would not accelerate past 10 MPH. After driving the vehicle home the contact later discovered that the vehicle would not operate in reverse. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that water was present inside the PCM (power train control module ). The PCM was repaired and the defect was remedied. The failure mileage was 101,674.
Frequently asked questions
Which Ford Freestyle years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (484), 2005 (447), 2007 (360) and 2004 (6) model years. Transmission complaints make up 37% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Ford Freestyle transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Ford Freestyle model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Ford Freestyle transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles; 15% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (336 mentions), followed by the driveline (11).
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.