NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Ford Freestar Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Ford Freestar has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 356 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Ford Freestar, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2006 Ford Freestar owner complaints

Owners have filed 356 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Freestar, describing incidents dated September 19, 2005 to March 6, 2026.

Most-cited components

Power Train 254 complaints
Electrical System 40 complaints
Engine 39 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control 19 complaints
Unknown or Other 13 complaints
Seats 12 complaints

Of the 356 complaints on file, 3 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 356 complaints, owners report 1 injury (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11724996 · Filed March 17, 2026
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…
ODI #11645204 · Filed February 27, 2025
The alternator caught on fire and burned alternator wring harness.
ODI #11643484 · Filed February 18, 2025
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…

Read all 356 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Ford Freestar mileage at failure

322 of the 356 complaints on file for the 2006 Ford Freestar give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 95,000 miles	Middle half 80,000–120,000 miles	Based on 235 complaints
Electrical System	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–110,000 miles	Based on 33 complaints
Engine	Median 100,000 miles	Middle half 85,000–125,000 miles	Based on 34 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2006 Ford Freestar in 3 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-003: Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Closed May 2, 2013
- Recall 13V-081
Equipment Query EQ12-010: Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Closed December 31, 2012
Preliminary Evaluation PE10-033: Engine Stalling
Closed July 15, 2011

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Corrosion of Third Row Seat Attachment

NHTSA #13V081000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 196,667 vehicles

Ford campaign 13S01 · Owners notified March 28, 2013 · Vehicles built March 24, 2003 – November 7, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Ford's recall campaign number is 13S01.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FUEL LEAK/FIRE

NHTSA #06E056000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2006 · UFI FILTERS USA

Potentially affected: 58,640 vehicles

Owners notified August 4, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO UFI FILTERS USA (PUROLATOR) AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

POWER LIFTGATES

NHTSA #06V069000 · Structure — Body — Hatchback/Liftgate · NHTSA notice

Reported March 9, 2006 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 12,728 vehicles

Ford campaign 06S42 · Owners notified March 15, 2006 · Vehicles built April 13, 2004 – December 13, 2005 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 06S42.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Ford Freestar

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

3 investigations

356 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Ford Freestar.

Seat Belts; Seats

ODI #11724996

Incident: March 6, 2026 · Filed: March 17, 2026

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 resolution to this safety issue.

Electrical System; Engine

ODI #11645204

Fire

Incident: February 26, 2025 · Filed: February 27, 2025

The alternator caught on fire and burned alternator wring harness.

Electrical System

ODI #11643484

Incident: February 18, 2022 · Filed: February 18, 2025

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; Unknown or Other

ODI #11571123

Incident: February 8, 2024 · Filed: February 9, 2024

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

ODI #11549645

Incident: August 16, 2023 · Filed: October 12, 2023

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

ODI #11549260

Incident: January 15, 2023 · Filed: October 10, 2023

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

ODI #11487389

Incident: September 27, 2022 · Filed: October 1, 2022

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

ODI #11480057

Incident: August 17, 2022 · Filed: August 18, 2022

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

ODI #11435165

Incident: October 1, 2021 · Filed: October 1, 2021

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

ODI #11430012

Incident: August 8, 2021 · Filed: August 21, 2021

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

Other Ford Freestar model years

Check your 2006 Ford Freestar VIN

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