2006 Ford Freestar Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
No verdict The 2006 Ford Freestar has 356 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd-worst among the 3 model years with data. Transmission & Powertrain issues dominate at 71% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 95,000 miles.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #2 of 3 Freestar years
- Verdict
- No verdict
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 356
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- Best nearby year
- —
- no alternative with data
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17.5
- 15.5 city / 21.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2006 Ford Freestar problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain254 (71%)
- Engine52 (15%)
- Electrical System41 (12%)
- Brakes17 (5%)
- Other17 (5%)
- Structure & Body17 (5%)
- Fuel System11 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (2%)
- Seat Belts6 (2%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission suddenly loses power to the wheels while driving, sometimes on curves or highways, leading to loss of control.
- Engine revs high with no corresponding acceleration just before a reported transmission failure.
- Traction control activates unexpectedly on dry roads, applying hard braking and pushing back on the gas pedal.
- Electrical system failures include a main computer chip shorting out in rain, causing complete shutdown.
- Engine compartment fires have occurred, in one case fully burning the vehicle at high mileage.
- Windshield rubber trim comes loose while driving or washing the vehicle, and factory wiper blades leave streaks that obscure visibility.
2006 Ford Freestar recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V081000Mar 7, 2013Structure & Body196,667 vehicles
Seats
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.
- NHTSA 06V069000Mar 9, 2006Structure & Body12,728 vehicles
Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
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.
2006 Ford Freestar fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15.5 MPG
- Highway
- 21.5 MPG
- Combined
- 17.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Freestar years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Ford Freestar reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 356 complaints for the 2006 Freestar with a complaint index of 50, ranking 2nd-worst of the 3 model years tracked. Transmission & Powertrain problems make up 71% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 95,000 miles.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Ford Freestar?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 254 of 356 complaints (71%), including reports of sudden power loss while driving.
- Does the 2006 Ford Freestar have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2006 Freestar: one for third-row seat latch striker brackets and one for a power liftgate motor that could disengage and let the liftgate fall.
- How does the 2006 Freestar compare to other model years?
- The 2005 Freestar has a complaint index of 100 with 886 complaints and 3 recalls, while the 2007 has an index of 0 with 64 complaints and 1 recall. The 2006 falls between them with an index of 50.