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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Structure5
  11. Air bags5
  12. Steering5
  13. Visibility5
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20051
20069
20072
20087
200917
201018
201127
201262
201357
201437
201534
201627
201718
201814
20195
20207
20216
20222
20232
20241
20252
20261

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.

03 —Owner reports

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”
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

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 1, 2017Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 10957783

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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 17, 2026Seat belts, SeatsODI 11724996

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 10, 2017Service brakesODI 11053726
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.