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2006 Ford Freestyle: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 1,300 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Freestyle, and the biggest groups are speed control, power train and engine[1][2][3][4]. It also has one recall, for door latches that can freeze in cold weather[5].
Most reported problems
NHTSA lists 1,300 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 42 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 18 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Speed control[2] | 602 | 74,500 |
| Power train[3] | 484 | 78,000 |
| Engine[4] | 258 | 78,250 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[8] | 85 | 71,250 |
| Electrical system[9] | 84 | 103,000 |
| Unknown or other[10] | 74 | 73,231 |
| Brakes[11] | 65 | 37,270 |
| Fuel/propulsion system[12] | 53 | 85,000 |
Speed control. In a sample of 12 complaint texts we read, 9 describe sudden surging, loss of power or a car that does not respond to the pedal. Several of those say a dealer pointed to the throttle body and a part that was hard to get[2].
Engine. In a sample of 12 texts, 9 describe the engine revving or the car lunging forward or backward at a stop[4]. Some mention a warning light, and some link it to the air conditioner running[4].
Power train. In a sample of 12 texts, 4 describe a transmission that failed or lost its gears[3]. Another 4 describe surging, often in reverse[3]. The power train group had 7 injuries across its complaints[3].
Fuel system. In our sample of 12 texts filed under this group, 11 are about surging, stalling or unwanted acceleration[8]. Only 1 describes a punctured fuel tank[8].
Electrical system. There are only 84 complaints, but they include 6 fires and 7 injuries[9]. The median mileage is the highest in the table at 103,000[9].
Brakes. Brake complaints are fewer at 65, but they come at a low median of 37,270 miles[11].
Recalls
NHTSA lists one recall for this model year.
- Door latch (06V383). Dated 2006-10-05 and covering 139,537 potentially affected vehicles[5]. It applies to vehicles registered in a list of states that the recall names. Water can get into the side door latches and freeze in cold weather. The latch may then not return to its closed position, The latch may then fail to catch when the door is shut, so a door could come open while driving[5].[5]. Dealers are to add a shield over the front latches, Dealers are to add a shield over the front latches, plug the drain hole in the rear door window trim, and grease all the side door latches, free of charge[5]., and grease all the side door latches, free of charge[5]. Owners can contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673[5].
Fuel economy
Both versions use a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine, regular fuel and an automatic with variable gear ratios[7][13].
| Version | City | Highway | Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front-wheel drive[7] | 18 | 25 | 20 | $3,350 |
| All-wheel drive[13] | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door front-wheel and all-wheel drive versions a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 13.3%[14]. The 4-door W/SAB listing has the same 4 stars and 13.3%[15].
Engine and size
The EPA lists a 3.0L 6-cylinder engine[7][13]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 1,459 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1,300 | 1 |
| 2007 | 893 | 0 |
NHTSA counts for the Freestyle by model year[6]:
The 2006 model sits in the middle on both counts. It has fewer complaints and recalls than 2005 and more than 2007. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat the gap as a rough guide.
Should you buy a used 2006 Freestyle?
The complaint file is large, with 1,300 entries, and the biggest groups are speed control, power train and engine[1][2][3][4]. In the texts we sampled, owners describe sudden surging and loss of power, so a long test drive that includes stops and reverse is sensible[2][4]. Ask whether the door latch recall 06V383 work was done, since the recall remedy is a free dealer repair[5].. Fuel costs are listed at $3,350 for front-wheel drive and $3,550 for all-wheel drive per year[7][13]. The complaints are unverified and not adjusted for sales, so read them as warning signs to check, not as a prediction for any one car[1].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Ford Freestyle?
- Speed control has the most complaints at 602, then power train at 484 and engine at 258[2][3][4]. In a sample of texts, owners describe surging and loss of power[2][4].
- Has the 2006 Ford Freestyle been recalled?
- NHTSA lists one recall, 06V383, for side door latches that can freeze in cold weather. The remedy is a free dealer repair[5].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2006 Ford Freestyle?
- The EPA rates the front-wheel drive version at 18 city, 25 highway and 20 combined mpg[7]. The all-wheel drive version is 17, 22 and 19[13].
- Is the 2006 Freestyle better than the 2005 or 2007?
- By NHTSA counts it has 1,300 complaints against 1,459 for 2005 and 893 for 2007[6]. The counts are not adjusted for sales.
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,300 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Ford Freestyle (42 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 18 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 602 complaints name the speed control component group (25 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 74,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 484 complaints name the power train component group (11 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 258 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 06V383, filed October 5, 2006: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Ford Freestyle model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Freestyle FWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 85 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,250). NHTSA vehicle records
- 84 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 6 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 74 complaints name the unknown or other component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,231). NHTSA vehicle records
- 65 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 37,270). NHTSA vehicle records
- 53 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA rating for Freestyle AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4-DR W/SAB FWD/AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 13.3%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FREESTYLE 4DR WAGON/SUV AWD LIMITED: length 200 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,825 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FREESTYLE 4DR WAGON/SUV FWD /SE/SEL: length 200 in, width 75 in, height 65 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,649 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov