Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Ford Freestar problems
Owners filed 356 complaints about the 2006 Ford Freestar with NHTSA between Sep 2005 and Mar 2026. The most-cited component is power train (254).
Complaints
356
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Power train254
- Electrical system40
- Engine31
- Vehicle speed control19
- Seats12
- Service brakes8
- Engine and engine cooling8
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Seat belts6
- Structure5
- Air bags5
- Steering5
- Visibility5
- Suspension4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
9
2
7
17
18
27
62
57
37
34
27
18
14
5
7
6
2
2
1
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 1 |
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 17 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 27 |
| 2012 | 62 |
| 2013 | 57 |
| 2014 | 37 |
| 2015 | 34 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 14 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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”
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.”
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.”
Vehicle speed control
19 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 05/03/17*LJ *CN”
Seats
12 reports1 related recall
“I purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle which currently has an open safety recall for 3rd Row Seat Latch Striker Corrosion Repair. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership to have the recall repaired. The dealership confirmed the recall but days later informed me that the necessary parts are no longer available and that they are unable to complete the repair. This creates a serious safety concern because the recall involves corrosion of the 3rd row seat latch striker, which can affect proper seat latching and passenger safety in the event of a crash. I attempted to escalate this issue by contacting Ford corporate customer support. However, I have not received any resolution. I have been given the runaround between Ford corporate and the dealership. The dealership referred me to Ford customer support, and Ford customer support continues to refer me back to the dealership without providing any solution. I also have written communication from the dealership service department stating that their Special Service Support Center would not be able to assist and advising me to contact Ford customer support. Despite following these instructions, no assistance or remedy has been…”
Service brakes
8 reports1 crash
“AS I WAS DRIVING MY CHILDREN TO THE BUS STOP ON DRY CITY STREET, I STARTED TO APPLY BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT DOWN QUICKLY TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CAR WOULD NOT COME TO A FULL STOP IMMEDIATELY. IT SEEMED LIKE IT FELT LIKE I WAS DRIVING ON AN ICE SHEET, UNABLE TO COME TO A FULL STOP QUICKLY. I HAVE GONE TO THREE PLACES FOR REPAIR. DIAGNOSTIC SCAN CODE B1342. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIND ABS MODULE.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.