2006 Ford Freestar
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 254 of 356 complaints (71%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 886 in 2005 to 356 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | vs. 2006 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450 | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–18 | 18 | 17–18 | 17–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 21 | 16 / 21–22 | 15–16 / 21–22 | 15–16 / 21–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–523 | 494 | 494–523 | 494–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,227 | 886 | 356 | 64 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 16 | 8 | 3 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 2 | 4 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 18 | 1 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Ford Freestar have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Ford Freestar?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 254 of 356 NHTSA complaints (71%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Ford Freestar get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Ford Freestar?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 39 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 254 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SEATS · Campaign 13V081000 · Mar 8, 2013
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E056000 · Jun 23, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE · Campaign 06V069000 · Mar 14, 2006
Defect: ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.
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.
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.