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Research · Minivan - 2WD

2006 Ford FreestarRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 356 owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Freestar. Most complaints involve power train (254) and electrical system (40). The EPA rates it 17–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Mar 2013
Owner complaints
356
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats

Free remedy

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.

SeatsReported Mar 7, 2013NHTSA 13V081000

Fuel system, gasoline

Free remedy

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jun 13, 2006NHTSA 06E056000

Structure: hatchback

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

StructureReported Mar 9, 2006NHTSA 06V069000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

356 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2005 – Mar 2026
  1. Power train254
  2. Electrical system40
  3. Engine31
  4. Vehicle speed control19
  5. Seats12
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Engine and engine cooling8
  8. Fuel/propulsion system7
  9. Seat belts6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Freestar model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20041,227
2005886
2006356
200764
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

254 reports2 crashes2 fires
“My Ford Freestar without warning or anything just wouldn’t go after stopping at a stop sign. It was like it was stuck in neutral. But it was in drive. In 2003 and 2004 there was a recall on the transmission. My van is a 2005 but the transmission was manufactured in 2004. Which is one of the years that was recalled so why is my 2005 Ford Freestar van not one of the ones under that recall. Is it cause it’s a 2005 cause the transmission was manufactured in 2004. I almost got hit by semi truck when this happen. Please recall this van. Please help!!! [XXX] Bless you all. Thanks, [XXX] Family”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 9, 2024Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11571123

Electrical system

40 reports1 fire
“The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer failed to function as intended. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 18, 2025Electrical systemODI 11643484

Engine

31 reports2 fires
“I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD FREESTAR VAN ON 10-13-2020 AND 10-16-2020 CAR LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF IN AN OUTSIDE THE VAN. STARTED TO DRIVE HOME THE VAN STARTED JERKING BAD AND SMOKING. CUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE MY CHILDREN AN PREGNANT DAUGHTER IN LAW WERE IN THE VAN. THE AXLE BROKE AND MY TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING MY GEARS CHANGE BUT VAN WON'T MOVE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2020Suspension, Structure, EngineODI 11364877
All 2006 Freestar problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.9L 6-cyl · 4.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Freestar Cargo Van FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Freestar Wagon FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.9 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Freestar Cargo Van FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Freestar Wagon FWD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 4.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Ford Freestar as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 1726
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Freestar questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Freestar have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Ford Freestar problems?

Owners filed 356 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (254), electrical system (40), engine (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Ford Freestar get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Ford Freestar at 17–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026