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SteeringPart report

2006 Ford Freestyle Steering Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
1%of 1,300 total for the year
Median mileage
108,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Ford Freestyle, 1% of the 1,300 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 108,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My engine blew and had to be rebuilt. I then had to have the transmission rebuilt 2 months after getting it back. The inner tie rod ends went out. There was a number of .there things that went wrong at the same time. It was as though the vehicle started falling apart at 120000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #10595572, filed 2014-06, 120,000 miles

“On 9/12/11 my 2006 Ford Freestyle experienced several failures. Driving through a parking lot and my wrench and emission lights came on. Took to mechanic and he diagnosed complete failure of transmission, and that my power steering was whining as any turns were made. Contacted Ford motor and the dealership and was told that while not uncommon, there was nothing they could do. My car has essentially died at 160,000 miles as the cost of repairs are greater than the value of the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10425495, filed 2011-09, 160,000 miles

“I'm writing again. I've had a throttle body issue twice. The customer satisfaction program that Ford did was a temporary fix. Ford knew this. Ford dealership mechanics have told them it doesn't solve the issue. Less than a year after I had to the c. S. P. On my car I was stranded on side of road only to find out it was the throttle body I could have it cleaned and reprogrammed again at my cost which was nearly the same cost to replace. I had it replaced at my cost. In my situation the 1st time my car lunged forward toward wall of my home. I had to use both feet and all my weight to stop it. …”

NHTSA complaint #10888530, filed 2016-07, 90,000 miles

“This happened 3 times before they were able to do anything at the Ford dealership because the lights would be off by the time I was able to reach the dealership, and their response was always technician was unable to duplicate symptom. While driving at 50mph on the interstate there was an intermittent idle surge while driving and then a loud clunking noise and then the transmission lost power and the vehicle crawled to a halt. There was no acceleration even though the engine revved up. The steering wheel became difficult to maneuver so I was unable to even get it into the emergency lane. …”

NHTSA complaint #10638542, filed 2014-09, 55,383 miles

“Car was parked for about 10 minutes after running without issue for 20 minutes. When starting again from the parked position, car lost all power steering. Within the 2.1 mile/6 minute ride that followed, the power steering never returned. Checking under the hood revealed serpentine belt failed in a clean break. The car was not driven prior to replacing the belt the next day. Once the belt was installed, a quick run through the system functions included running the A/C. All systems seem functional until the A/C is activated. …”

NHTSA complaint #10731126, filed 2015-06, 110,170 miles

Steering: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
200791%
200691%
2005211%
200418%

Other parts of the 2006 Ford Freestyle

Vehicle speed control
602 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
484 complaints
Fuel system
151 complaints
Engine cooling
144 complaints
Engine
114 complaints
Electrical system
84 complaints
Other or unknown
77 complaints
Brakes
66 complaints
Body and structure
28 complaints
Electronic stability control
18 complaints
Equipment
15 complaints
Suspension
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2006 Ford Freestyle

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology