2006 Ford Freestar problems & reliability
356 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Freestar, alongside 2 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2006 Ford Freestar vehicles were involved in 15 fatal crashes with 7 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 254 | 71% |
| Electrical System | 40 | 11% |
| Engine | 31 | 9% |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 19 | 5% |
| Unknown OR Other | 13 | 4% |
| Seats | 12 | 3% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 8 | 2% |
| Service Brakes | 8 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 7 | 2% |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 95,558 miles (middle 50% between 70,335 and 120,000 miles), based on 321 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Seats · filed Mar 17, 2026
“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…”
Electrical System · filed Feb 18, 2025
“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…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Feb 9, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Investigation EQ12010 · opened Sep 28, 2012 · closed Dec 31, 2012
- Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Engineering Analysis EA12003 · opened Apr 23, 2012 · closed May 2, 2013 · led to recall 13V081000
- Engine Stalling
Preliminary Evaluation PE10033 · opened Aug 23, 2010 · closed Jul 15, 2011
Technical service bulletins
15 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Freestar. The 10 most recent:
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a…
SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2016
Safety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers - requests for recall service action
TSB160069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 2004-2007 Freestar or Monterey vehicles Safety Recall 13S01 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the sheet metal that supports the folding 3rd row seat…
16-0069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Ford/mercury: safety recall regarding sheet metal support for folding 3rd row seat latch strikers can experience corrosion and will compromise mounting point causing seat to move. Model 2004-07 freestar, monterey. *pe
TSB-14-0166 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Customer satisfaction program 06b37. Crank position sensor connector inspection. The crankshaft position sensor harness connector may not have been fully seated in the crankshaft position sensor. If the crankshaft…
0637 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 24, 2006
Low tire indicator on - tpms system sensor wake up. *tt
0637 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2006
Rear climate control noises - service tip. *tt
19004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2006
Ignition diagnostics. To include lincoln zephyr 2006. *tt
05225 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 14, 2005
Restraint control module diagnostic trouble code b2296 - service tip. *tt
18834 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2005
Safety belt retraction speed. *tt
042421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 7, 2005
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2006 Ford Freestar has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2006 Ford Freestar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 95,558 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.