The Lemon Index
200520071st generation
102 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–20 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota Highlander 792006 Honda Pilot 362006 Ford Explorer 149
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Ford Freestyle
- Throttle body / loss of power389 complaintsmostly at 59,000–98,000 miles (94,000–158,000 km)
- Engine stalling223 complaintsmostly at 57,000–100,000 miles (92,000–161,000 km)
- Transmission failure56 complaintsmostly at 62,000–110,000 miles (99,000–177,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,300 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Freestyle (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 55,000 miles (26,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 86 complaints, of all 102 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 06V383000 (latches/locks/linkages) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any shudder, whine or slipping from the CVT? Ask for CVT fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Ford sent dealers 23 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Ford's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 102 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 16K to 55K miles (26K to 89K km) on the car (86 of all 102 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Transmission failure requiring total new transmission in vehicle less than 3 years old.
2006 Ford Freestyle owner · NHTSA complaint 10233119
More owner reports
2006 Ford Freestyle came to sudden stop on a freeway due to transmission fluid leak.
NHTSA complaint 10292984
Rear brakes failed (pad remaining is 2/32) at 30,000 miles. I had the vehicle in to have a wheel alignment and the tires replaced. The service center advised me to have the rear brakes replaced asap.
NHTSA complaint 10221502
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 2.2M views · 2005–2007 Ford Freestyle
Most-watched topics
- Transmission & shifter295K views
2007 Ford Freestyle Engine/Transmission Issuemkm230 · 204K views · 3 videos - Cooling system151K views
2005-2007 Ford Freestyle Five Hundred Overheating: WARNING Never Use Aftermarket Water Pumps!FordTechMakuloco · 97K views · 3 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank144K views
How to Install Fuel Pump Assembly E2465M in a 2005 - 2007 Ford FreestyleAirtex-ASC Performance Pumps · 144K views - Heat, A/C & blend door134K views
How to access the low side A/C port 2006 Ford Freestylestevenofpa · 53K views · 5 videos
Show 4 more
- Timing chain & engine94K views
Running rough misfire codes Ford Freestyle 3.0L V6 2005 2006 map sensor problem in EGR valveFixing cars and stuff · 93K views · 2 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors53K views
2007 Ford Freestyle throttle body replacement.GenXBen77 · 27K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets44K views
How to Replace Valve Cover Gaskets 2005 - 2007 Ford Fivehundred / Ford Freestyle / Mercury MontegoDee Struggles · 44K views - Windows, doors & mirrors38K views
How To Remove 2005-2007 Ford Freestyle Door PanelMartin's Used Cars & Collectibles LLC · 23K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Ford freestyle 2007 problemslramire3 · 5K views
2005 Ford Freestyle electrical problems.pt.2Robin McCracken · 503 views
2005 Ford Freestyle electrical problems.Robin McCracken · 469 viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 23 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Continuously variable transaxle (cvt) noise diagnosis
- Transmission shifter binding / high effort bezel replacement
- Motorcraft Continuously Variable Chain-Type Transmission Fluid (XT-7-QCFT in non-Canadian markets
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2006
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, …
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedIdle instability2011–2013
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,000–$3,150 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Ford Freestyle year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 3 Ford Freestyle years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/ford-freestyle/?y=2006" title="Ford Freestyle reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/ford-freestyle/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Ford Freestyle reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Ford Freestyle reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 276; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2006 Ford Freestyle problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (31%), transmission & drivetrain (24%) and speed control (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have?
1 safety recall (latest: latches/locks/linkages). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Freestyle get?
19 to 20 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Ford Freestyle problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 16,000 and 55,000 miles (26,000–89,000 km) (the middle half of the 86 complaints, of all 102 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 24% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Ford Freestyle cost in fuel a year?
About $3,000 to $3,150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Ford Freestyle have?
3.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Ford Freestyle year than the 2006?
Not nearby: the 2006 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Ford Freestyle years within 3 model years of it.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works