Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,300 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Ford Freestyle, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle speed control | 372 | 29% |
| Power train | 241 | 19% |
| Power train | 69 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 53 | 4% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 51 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 36 | 3% |
| Power train | 22 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 22 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 21 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 21 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I recently got my transmission replaced for my 2006 Ford Freestyle in December 2025. Yet, I am having transmission issues on my car now. Bates Ford was the dealership who replaced my transmission, but I feel as if where
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Transmission is slipping not getting power when gas is pressed down Rpms are jumping not going into gear. Making a terrible sound in park. Passenger door not closing
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Car struggles to change gears. ABS, ENGINE, and THROTTLE warning lights on. Rough idle, car does not accelerate when shifted into drive.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Took the vehicle in to local Ford for 120000 mile service and was informed the subframe was rusted and starting to separate. The part is no longer available and maybe they could find a used one as they have had to do in
NHTSA complaint: Structure
I was driving down the road and my car just stopped like it went into Neutral but it was in drive the car starts up but when I’m Drive doesn’t go anywhere
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the rear driver’s and passenger’s side doors would not close securely. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer to be inspect
NHTSA complaint: Latches/locks/linkages
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stalled with the battery, oil pressure, and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle wa
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestyle. The contact stated that she noticed that after it rained, the front passenger’s side floor would fill up with water. The contact was unsure where the leak was located. The contact
NHTSA complaint: Structure
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2006 Ford Freestyle. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, MISSOURI, MONTANA, NEBRASKA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, NORTH DAKOTA,
Risk: AS A RESULT, THE DOOR LATCH PAWL MAY NOT RETURN TO THE LATCH POSITION WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, AND THE DOOR COULD OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS MOVING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SHIELD OVER THE FRONT LATCHES; SEAL A DRAIN HOLE IN THE REAR WINDOW TRIM MOLDING ON THE FREESTYLE REAR SIDE DOORS; AND APPLY GREASE TO ALL FRONT AND REAR SIDE-DOOR LATCH MECHANI
| Reliability raw | 59 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,300 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and vehicle speed control is the most reported area with 372 of them (29%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 59/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.