2006 Ford Freestar

Above average

Owners filed 356 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
95,000 milesMedian miles at failure

325 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 90,000105,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train192
220
Power Train › Automatic Transmission36
001
Electrical System22
010
Engine16
000
Seats10
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter10
000
Vehicle Speed Control6
000
Fuel/Propulsion System6
000
Seat Belts5
000
Unknown or Other4
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Seats13V081000
Filed Mar 7, 2013196,667 vehiclesFord Motor Company

Defect. 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.

Risk. In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Remedy. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Fuel System, Gasoline06E056000
Filed Jun 13, 200658,640 vehiclesUfi Filters Usa

Defect. 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.

Risk. FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy. UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Structure › Body › Hatchback/Liftgate06V069000
Filed Mar 9, 200612,728 vehiclesFord Motor Company

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

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A LIFTGATE STRUT MALFUNCTION, THE LIFTGATE CAN FALL FREELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. ANYONE STANDING BENEATH THE LIFTGATE MAY BE INJURED IF THE LIFTGATE FALLS.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Seat Belts
Filed Mar 17, 2026CA

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 provided. As a result, the safety recall remains unresolved, and I am unable to complete required vehicle inspection/registration. I am left with a vehicle that has a known safety defect with no available repair and no clear resolution from the manufacturer. I am requesting immediate assistance and a definitive resolut

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Feb 27, 2025TX

The alternator caught on fire and burned alternator wring harness.

Electrical System › Instrument Panel › Speedometer/Odometer
Filed Feb 18, 2025100,000 milesTX

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.

Power Train
Filed Feb 9, 2024KY

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 INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Power Train
Filed Oct 12, 202385,000 milesTN

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost all motive power and would not shift to any gear other than park. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to a possible recall but was unable to provide details. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 10, 2023137,000 milesFL

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost significant motive power before briefly hesitating and jerking. After restarting the vehicle, it returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 1, 2022IA

Was driving on populated road when all of a sudden car when in to neutral and almost rear-ended if not for quick thinking. Had to have it towed and now don't have any money to fix it so I lost my job cause could not get to work please have this problem recalled like the earlier years..

Power Train
Filed Aug 18, 2022140,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while his wife was driving on the freeway, the RPM’s increased however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact’s wife was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 1, 2021NC

During rush hour I was pulling out of a Walgreens parking lot to take a left hand turn. As soon as I gave it gas it went forward about 7 feet and then it seemed as though my van went into neutral on its own. I looked on the dash and saw it was still in drive. I was stuck in the middle of traffic in the middle of my left turn. My car was sideways with traffic coming toward me from both sides I tried to put it in 3rd ,1nd, reverse. The shifter moved to those gears but all that happened when I gave it gas was revve up the rpm. I'm EXTREMELY lucky that the on coming traffic didn't side swipe me. I was able to get help pushing it to a side street. Where I turned it off for 30 min and tried again, still no vehicle movement, checked transmission fluid... It was good. I was not getting any transmission engagement. There was no warning lights illuminated prior to this incident and there is currently no warning lights illuminated now. I would absolutely LOVE if someone could inspect my vehicle and I'm available anytime for someone to do so. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because I was unable to complete my left turn my vehicle was stuck sideways during rush hour with on coming traffic coming from both ways. I haven't taken the vehicle to the ford dealer or any other independent service center. Thankfully there was no accident, so I didn't have the need to call the police.

Power Train
Filed Aug 21, 2021MO

Driving down the road vehicle experiences total loss of acceleration it’s like it’s in neutral in every won’t go forward or backwards towed home looked up problem seems that it’s the same as recall for 04-05 models torch converter had I been on highway in St. Louis mo could have been killed as they aren’t known for being the safest drivers it’s my opinion Ford should have to recall every vehicle that had the parts that are faulty in them regardless of the model year if the parts are junk on 04-05 they used the same in 06 models you know they are gonna have same problems

Power Train
Filed Feb 3, 202115,000 milesIL

WHILE DRIVING MY VAN, IT JUST STOPPED RIGHT IN THE ROAD. WOULDNT DO ANYTHING. WOULDNT GO IN GEAR OR MOVE. HAD TO TOW IT TO A SHOP. TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT. NEEDED TO REBUILD IT. VERY COSTLY. 3200. NOT HAPPY.

Seats
Filed Feb 3, 2021155,000 milesIL

MY THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH RUSTED OFF AND COMPLETELY FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A BIG HOLE RIGHT BY THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE. I HAD TO SCREWW A PIECE OF METEL OVER THE HOLE CAUSE WATER WOULD SPLASH IN. I CANNOT USE MY THIRD SEAT ANY LONGER.

Seats
Filed Jan 14, 2021OH

3RD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER CORROSION DOES NOT HOLD UP 3RD ROW SEAT

Seats
Filed Jan 11, 2021154,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD-ROW SEAT LATCHED WHEEL WELL CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RAIN WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR WHEEL WELL BY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ROLLER OF THE SLIDING DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.

Power Train
Filed Nov 30, 2020140,000 milesMO

I GOT INTO MY VAN AND STARTED IT , PUT IT INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE. I PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND STILL NO MOVEMENT . THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE ON ITS OWN AT ALL. THERE WAS NO PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THIS INCIDENT.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 18, 2020TN

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.

Seats
Filed Jul 28, 2020110,000 milesMI

THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH PANEL IS ROTTED OUT ON MY FREESTAR, THANK GOD MY GRANDKIDD WEREN'T IN THE SEAT WHEN IT BROKE AWAY FROM BODY.

Engine
Filed Jun 30, 2020160,000 milesWI

MY 2006 FORD FREE STAR, LOST IT GEARS IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING ON A BUSY HWY. I WAS REVERSING OUT OF A DRIVE WAY ON TO THE HWY AND WENT TO GO INTO D AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE IT WOULD ONLY GO INTO FIRST GEAR. I THINK THIS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT POOR DESIGN. ME AND MY CHILDREN COULD OF BEEN HURT OR EVEN WORSE KILLED. THE HWY IS 65 MPH AN I'M STUCK ACROSS THE TWO LANES. BECAUSE THE VAN WONT SHIFT. I LOOKED ONLINE AND THIS HAPPENS A LOT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. AND IT NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE LOST POWER WELL DRIVING ON THE HWY IN THIS VAN DUE TO POOR DESIGN.

Power Train
Filed Apr 19, 202087,000 milesID

TORQUE CONVERTER IS STRIPPED AND FAILING CAUSING NO POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS

Power Train
Filed Mar 10, 202085,000 milesNJ

MY MOM WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 FORD FREESTAR LIMITED, IT ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION BLEW ON US. WHEN IT HAPPENED WE WERE DRIVING UP A HILL AT NIGHT . WE CALLED THE POLICE AND AN OFFICER CAME TO JUST TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T GET HIT. THE FLASHERS WERE ON THE WHOLE TIME, BUT APPARENTLY PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION, LATER WE HAD FOUND OUT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS NO GOOD. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT FROM 2004-2005 MODEL YEARS HAD A RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. PERSONALLY ALL YEARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN ON THE RECALL AND NOT JUST 2 MODEL YEARS. ITS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WE ACTUALLY HAD TO BRING THE VAN BACK TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT FROM. CURRENTLY WE HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR MONTHS.

20 of 356 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
200764210Routine
2006 — this page356340Above average
2005886420Above average
20041,2275141Fatalities reported

Compare every Freestar year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 7, 2013. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.