We have a 2006 for Freestyle. After completing a turn, the car made a loud pitched squeal, and all gears were lost. Ford has advised that the cvt (transmission), has failed. We kept the car maintained, and had no warning other than a light which came on at the time of failure. We had three children in the car at the time, and were lucky we were on a side road. Ford also acknowledged they have seen this happen on other Freestyles. Dealer said they know about the issue, but no recall. Cost to repair is close to $6,000.

- Round Hill , VA, USA

Excessive brake dust. Was informed that rear brakes were down to metal. Rotors were so worn they could not be turned.replaced rear brakes and rotors.took car in for routine check and mentioned that the rear bar that the 3rd row of seats holds onto was rusting. Asked if they could check for leaks and if other people were complaining. They found no leaks and said I must have gotten the car excessively wet on the inside (no!). I also complained about a sour moldy smell coming from the air conditioner...again no solution.had to replace tires becuase they wor out 'prematurely'. was told it was my driving. Dealership would not do anything under warranty or offer help. Tires had abnormal wear on the inside(toeing?) then I was getting very poor gas mileage and needed a routine check and oil change again. I took it in and was informed I had no rear brakes left. The rear calipers were failing to release. Once again brake assembly was replaced. Took car in for and engine noise/whine 3 different times and had a tech ride with me. Each time they heard nothing and did nothing. Took car in for a loud noise coming from rear wheel along with a burning smell. Tech rode with me and did not hear any noise from tire but did comment about the engine noise/whine. I was finally relieved that he heard it and I told him no other tech has seemed to hear it. Car was looked at and found that rear driver tire bearings were shot and wheel was loose(very dangerous they said) they had to order parts. When I asked what they found out about the engine whine that the tech also heard, I was told there was no mention of it but they would look into it before I came to pick up my car. Next I got a phone call saying the shop foreman didn't hear the noise, so there was nothing they could do.now for the last two days my car has started really rough and then died. Yesterday it surged forward and the wrench light turned on. I took it in and now they say the code says there is a transmission failure!? 45,000.

- Graham, WA, USA

The engine seems to have power surges in reverse. It seems as though it is going to take off while my foot is on the brake.

- Petersburg, VA, USA

Transmission failure requiring total new transmission in vehicle less than 3 years old.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

While driving along the freeway. The car made a hard shift, then the transmission failed. The car would not accelerate, and we had to coast across 3 lanes of traffic to get out of harms way. I have been on edmunds.com and there are other reports from people who have had the same problem with the same make and model. The transmission failed without any previous problems or indications of problems. During the repair, we found out the input shaft came unwelded, other people with similar cars have had the same problem.

- Monroe, MI, USA

I have two big problems with my Ford, first I've had it for a year and a half and replaced the front and rear brakes four times. The rotors were supposed to have been replaced before I got the SUV. For over a year I haven't had no help by Ford, during the same time I've had a loud knocking noise from either the engine or transmission, they wouldn't even look at that problem. For being a 2006 there is so many things wrong with it and spend double in gas I'm very unsatisfied with my Freestyle.

- Apple Vally, CA, USA

While accelerating up inclines, at highway speeds, with and without cruise control, traction control and power train wrench light would illuminate and the transmission disengaged. Dealer initially unable to diagnose, then reports that it is an ABS module failure. ABS module replaced but failure continued. Then dealer replaced a part in the cvt with continued failure. Car currently with dealer awaiting new cvt.

- Warminster, PA, USA