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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2006 Ford FreestyleRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1,300 owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Freestyle. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (602) and power train (484). The EPA rates it 19–20 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
19–20mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Oct 2006
Owner complaints
1,300
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Latches

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE FOLLOWING STATES: ALASKA, COLORADO, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KANSAS, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH DAKOTA, UTAH, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND WYOMING. THE SIDE DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS MAY EXPERIENCE WATER INTRUSION ALLOWING THE LATCH MECHANISM TO FREEZE IN COLD WEATHER.

Latches/locks/linkagesReported Oct 5, 2006NHTSA 06V383000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1,300 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2005 – Jun 2026
  1. Vehicle speed control602
  2. Power train484
  3. Engine and engine cooling144
  4. Engine114
  5. Fuel system, gasoline85
  6. Electrical system84
  7. Fuel/propulsion system53
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic49
  9. Structure28

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 Freestyle model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20051,459
20061,300
2007893
Crashes reported
42
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
18
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

602 reports25 crashes
“WHEN DRIVING THE CAR ON A SUNNY/OR TO MANY ERRANDS I WILL START SEEING THE AREA FOR THE RPM'S TO GO UP AND DOWN. AT THAT POINT I HAVE TO BASICALLY DRIVE WITH BOTH FEET. THE CAR WHEN PLACED ON EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE WILL EXCELERATE ON IT'S ON, I THEREFORE HAVE TO BREAK QUICKLY SO AS TO NOT HIT A PEDESTRIAN OR AUTOMOBILE, WHICH IN TURN THE CAR WILL TURN OFF. IF IN TRAFFIC I MUST THROW IT ONTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART CAR. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2020Power train, Vehicle speed controlODI 11377008

Power train

484 reports11 crashes
“Transmission is slipping not getting power when gas is pressed down Rpms are jumping not going into gear. Making a terrible sound in park. Passenger door not closing”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 11, 2025Power train, Unknown or otherODI 11635407

Engine and engine cooling

144 reports3 crashes1 fire
“THE FREESTYLE CUT OUT ON THE INTERSTATE. LUCKILY IT WAS IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE AND NO CARS WERE COMING. AN 8 YEAR OLD WAS IN THE CAR AS WELL. AFTER SPENDING $1200 ON REPAIRS THE FREESTYLE STILL LEAKS, AND IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH CUTTING OUT, LEAKING INTO THE CAR AND ALL THE LIGHTS COMING ON. WE HAVE SPENT OVER $1200 TO FIX, AND THE CAR STILL HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS US TO SPEND ANOTHER $1000, AND THEY CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, AS ANOTHER FREESTYLE HERE IN BOONE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUES. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2013Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10521901
All 2006 Freestyle problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (variable gear ratios)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-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 Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Freestyle FWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182520$3,200444
Freestyle AWD
Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
  • Freestyle FWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Freestyle AWD
    Auto (variable gear ratios), 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Ford Freestyle as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 2371Vehicle 1727
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 Freestyle questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 Freestyle problems?

Owners filed 1,300 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (602), power train (484), engine and engine cooling (144). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Ford Freestyle get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Ford Freestyle at 19–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026