2004 Ford Freestar complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2004 FREESTAR VAN GOING DOWN ROAD AT 60 MILES AND CAR LOST POWER TRANSMISSION FAILED. NOW WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE FORD BUILT A FAULTY DESIGN AND WON'T RECALL THEM. *TR

WHILE DRIVING APPROX 40 ON A SUBURBAN ROAD CAR BEGAN TO SURGE FORWARD AND I FOUND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 40 AND THEN NOT AT ALL. THEN IT SURGE AGAIN AND DROVE FOR A BIT AND REPEATED THE CYCLE. I HAD MY TODDLER IN THE CAR AND WAS ALMOST TO THE SITTERS SO I SLOWLY MADE IT NEAR THEIR HOME WHEN I GOT STUCK AT A LIGHT. WHILE STOPPED IT BEGAN TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND THE BATTERY LIGHT WAS FLASHING. IT ALSO BEGAN TO SMELL AS IF SOMETHING WAS BURNING. IT SHOOK A LITTLE LONGER AND DIED. IT STARTED BACK UP AFTER A FEW TRIES AND I WAS ABLE TO DROP HER OFF AND GET IT TO THE SHOP. I BOUGHT THIS USED 3 MONTHS AGO AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED ALL DOOR CONTACTS, THE WIRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN, ALL WIRING IN THE HEATING SYSTEM, THE REAR POWER WINDOWS, THE HORN AND OTHER SMALL THINGS. NOW THIS. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AND WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS MONSTROSITY FORD PUT OUT ON THE ROAD. *TR

DRIVING DOWN RURAL HIGHWAY, SUDDEN LOSS OF DRIVE ABILITY TO VEHICLE, VEHICLE COASTED TO STOP ON SHOULDER OF HIGHWAY. ENGINE STILL HAD POWER. TOWED VAN TO FORD DEALERSHIP, RESULT OF DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR: TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING SEVERE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. DAMAGE REQUIRED NEW COMPONENTS TO BE INSTALLED.

WHILE TURNING LEFT IN A BUSY INTERSECTION, THE ENGINE LOST ALL POWER. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I COASTED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK. I TRIED ALL GEARS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST REPAIR SHOP, THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAILED TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC PUT IN A NEW TURBINE SHAFT, PUMP ASSEMBLY, PRESSURE REGULATING SOLENOID AND REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION FILTER AND FLUIDS. IT WAS A $1900.00 REPAIR. SEVERAL AUTO MECHANICS I SPOKE WITH WERE WELL AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS SEEMED UNUSUAL TO ME. THEY ALL SAID THAT THIS IS A WIDELY KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FREESTARS AT ABOUT 80,000 MILES. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY. IT DENIED ANY KNOWLEDGE. I BEGAN RESEARCHING. AFTER READING SEVERAL AUTO BLOGS AND MESSAGE BOARDS, I LEARNED THAT NHTSA HAD OPENED A INVESTIGATION INTO THIS POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION DEFECT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LATCH THE THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, THE LATCH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FLOOR PANEL AND ATTACHMENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 1/24/2012 *LN *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 88,000 MILES. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION PENDING. NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM THEN SUDDENLY THE CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR AND IS DEAD IN THE WATER EVEN THOUGH ENGINE IS RUNNING. *TR

I TO OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. I NEVER HAD ANY TROUBLE WITH THE VAN UNTIL FEBUARY 2011. I WAS PULLING OUT IN AN INTERSECTION THE VAN STARTED TO GO BUT DECIDED NOT TO. I TRIED TO PUT THE VAN IN REVERSE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND IT WOULDN'T GO. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT DECIDED TO GO IN A BIG HURRY SQUEALING TIRES. I WAS PRETTY HAPPY THERE WASN'T ANOTHER CAR AT THE STOP SIGN WAITING TO GET OUT. I FINALLY GOT THE VAN HOME AND IT WOULDN'T STAY RUNNING. WE TOWED IT OVER TO A LOCAL DEALER. HE FINALLY LOOKED AT THE COMPUTER AND DUMPED WATER OUT OF IT. HE HAD CALLED THE FORD DEALER PARTS DEPARTMENT AND THEY TOLD HIM IT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTAR VANS. I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO THE SAME FORD DEALER AND I WAS TOLD THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THIS PROBLEM. THEY PUT A NEW COMPUTER IN IT AND A WIRING HARNESS. $1,800.00 DOLLARS OF WORK. THEY TEST DROVE IT AND IT THREW 2 MORE SENSORS. THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER 500.00 TO FIX THAT AND THEY WOULDN'T GUARANTEE THAT IF I FIXED THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN ON ANOTHER SENSOR. APPARENTLY THE WATER FROM THE COMPUTER AND DOWN THE WIRING HARNESS AND FOLLOWED DOWN TO THE SENSORS AND CORRODED MOST OF THEM. THEY SUGGESTED I JUST HURRY AND GET RID OF MY VAN. OF COURSE, AFTER I PAY THEM THE 1,800.00. I CALLED FORD, THE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE REALLY SORRY BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP ME. I PAID 26,000.00 FOR THIS VAN AND I HAD IT FOR 7 YEARS AND FORD JUST BASICALLY SAID GET RID OF IT. I HAVE THE VAN BACK WITH THE 2 SENSORS STIL

DRIVING A FORD 2004 FREESTAR 113K MILES NO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. BACKED CAR OUT OF DRIVEWAY, LOST GEARS WHEN SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. COULD NOT RECOVER GEAR. NO SLIPPING GEARS OR OTHER SYMPTOM PRIOR TO FAILURE. NO PRIOR HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION RELATED PROBLEMS AT ALL. TOWED TO MECHANICS SHOP, RECOMMENDED REPLACE TRANSMISSION. REPLACED WITH USED TRANS, $1800. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE, HEADING NORTH BOUND IN THE MIDDLE LANE. I FELT A SUDDEN THUMP AND THEN NOTICE THE MINI VAN STARTED TO REV UP TO 4500 - 5000 RPM, WHICH IT HAS NEVER DONE. I PULL TO THE EMERGENCY PULL OFF. THE CAR WOULD TURN ON AND SHIFT HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE.

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF ACCELERATION. THE ENGINE WOULD REV WHEN GAS PEDAL PUSHED, BUT WOULD NOT GAIN MOMENTUM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND NO NOISES. NONE OF THE GEARS WOULD WORK. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE BANDS INSIDE THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD SHREDDED.

2004 FORD FREESTAR SEL TRAVELING @ 60 MPH. AS I WAS PROCEEDING UP A HILL, I NOTICED THAT THE RPMS WERE INCREASING BUT THE CAR WAS NOT ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO MOVED TO THE SHOULDER BUT THE CAR SLOWED TO A STOP BEFORE I COULD GET COMPLETELY OFF THE ROAD. AFTER ROLLING IT OFF THE ROADWAY, MY HUSBAND WHO WAS FOLLOWING US ARRIVED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO SHIFT INTO DIFFERENT GEARS IT WAS APPARENT THERE NOTHING HAPPENING IN THE TRANSMISSION. WE ARE GETTING THE TRANSMISSION REPAIRED/REBUILT AS WE SPEAK. MILEAGE, 104,000. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING EASTBOUND ON HIGHWAY 26 IN THE STATE OF OREGON. WE WERE DRIVING UP THE HILL WHEN THERE WAS A ODD SOUND, THEN THE RPM OF THE VEHICLE WENT OVER 3000. WE WERE ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE HIGH WAY BARELY PAST THE WHITE LINE. I LET OFF THE BRAKE AND TRIED TO DRIVE THE RPM REVVED BUT THE CAR DRIFTED BACKWARDS. WE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND THEN TRIED AGAIN IN 1, 3 AND DRIVE AND AGAIN SAME RESULT. WE DRIFTED THE CAR BACKWARDS FURTHER OFF THE ROAD AND CONTACTED A TOW. IF WE WERE NOT LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE HAD NO TRAFFIC BEHIND US AND HAVE A LARGE ENOUGH SIDE BAR ON THE ROAD WE WOULD HAVE LIKELY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST A FEW FEET TO A SAFE PLACE TO LEAVE THE CAR. THE CAR WAS RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR BEFORE THEN. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, I DID HEAR A SOUND LASTING MAYBE 5 SECONDS, A BIT LIKE HISSING. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR GUY TOLD ME THE INPUT SHAFT TO THE TRANSMISSION SNAPPED. THE COST TO REPAIR IS ESTIMATED AT $3,200. THIS OCCURRED ON APRIL 24, 2011. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55MPH). TOTAL LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP I WAS UNABLE TO GET THE CAR TO MOVE IN ANY GEAR (DRIVE, REVERSE, 1, 2, ETC.) *TR

THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH WATER GETTING INTO THE PCM(COMPUTER). THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (03/10) I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISES PER THE OBDB SCAN CODES THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED AN OVERHAUL. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD JUST PULLED THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NO REVERSE AND HAD SLIPPAGE IN OTHER GEARS, IT WAS RAINING VERY HEAVILY THAT DAY- I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF IT COULD BE AN ISSUE OF MOISTURE GETTING INTO PCM(COMPUTER), THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, THERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS THE THIRD TO FREESTAR TO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH AN ISSUE OF WATER GETTING INTO THE PCM(COMPUTER). THE OWNER OF THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WAS ABLE TO LET THE PCM DRY OUT FOR THREE DAYS AND REINSTALL WITH NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE SECOND EVENT (04/11) HAPPENED AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF RAIN; WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS: CHECK ENGINE, BRAKES, ABS, FUEL, BATTERY, AND TRANS AXLE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE TRANS AXLE LIGHT WAS STILL APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR SECOND TIME, AND THROUGH CAREFUL TROUBLE ISOLATION, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PCU WAS TELLING THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR WHILE COMING T

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED AND SHE COULDN'T ACCELERATE. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR OR AFTER THE FAILURE. THE DRIVER THEN COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HER THAT IT MIGHT BE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BUT THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND THE TRANSMISSION JUST SUDDENLY WENT OUT. IT WAS LIKE THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE NO POWER TO THE WHEELS; FORWARD OR REVERSE. *TR

REPEATED PROBLEMS WITH MOISTURE/RAIN GETTING INTO PCM(COMPUTER). CAR IS BACK AT TRANSMISSION SHOP AGAIN DUE TO CAR STALLING DURING BRAKING. I HAVE HAD FUEL PUMP/MODULE REPLACED IN ERROR, DUE TO FALSE CHECK ENGINE CODES DUE TO MOISTURE/RAIN GETTING INTO PCM, OWNER OF TRANSMISSION SAID ISSUE IS WITH WATER IN PCM CAUSING TORQUE CONVERTER TO ENGAGE DURING BRAKING. *TR

TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. *TR

MY MINI VAN IS MAKING A WEIRD NOISE AND WHEN I DRIVE IT ON THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING WEAL SHAKES A LOT . *TR

I WAS DRIVING AT 35 MPH AND WENT TO SPEED UP COMING OUT OF TOWN. WHEN I WENT TO ACCELERATE, MY RPMS REVVED UPTO 5 AND MY SPEED DRASTICALLY DECLINED TO WHERE I HAD NO POWER AND COULD NOT GO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD T CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE VAN BACK TO TOWN. HAVE BEEN TOLD TORQUE CONVERTER IS BAD AND THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING LEADING UP TO THE CAR NOT DRIVING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD BETWEEN ONE AND TWO RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE BALL BEARINGS AND HOSES. SIX DAYS LATER, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, BATTERY, AND OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT STALLED AGAIN AND SHE WAS UNABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND VACUUM HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

2004 FORD WINDSTAR INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AUTOMATIC RETRACTION FEATURE. AUTOMATIC DOOR WILL START TO CLOSE OR OPEN WHEN PASSENGERS ARE ENTERING OR EXITING VEHICLE AND WILL NOT RETRACT. ONCE DOOR OPEN WITH-OUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. FURTHER OBSERVED THAT UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SATURATED WITH A LIQUID. OBSERVED GASOLINE FLOWING FROM VEHICLE TANK AREA AND BELOW DRIVERS AREA AT UNDERCARRIAGE FROM GASOLINE LINES. VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. FILED REPORT WITH FMC. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AGAIN. SECOND TRANSMISSION TRANS WAS REPLACED BY FORD JUST AFTER WE BOUGHT IT. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IT HAS LEFT US STRANDED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART SPORADICALLY OR THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO START INDEPENDENTLY WITHOUT THE KEY BEING IN THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED THE COMPUTER CORRODED THE SYSTEM WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD MOST RECUR WHEN THERE WAS RAINY WEATHER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER AND ABNORMALLY DECELERATED TO 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 10 MPH AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED. LATER, THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 40 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO ACCELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

HAD TRANSMISSION FIXED IN JAN 2010 AND MY TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT AGAIN MARCH 10 2011... I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE RANGING FROM BROKEN MOTOR MOUNTS, TRANNY, A/C, RADIATOR, SPARK PLUGS 02 SENSORS AND SO FORTH. THIS IS THE 5TH TIME I HAVE REPORTED ON HERE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT KILLS MORE PEOPLE. ON TOP OF THIS, I WAS DRIVING AND THE DVD PLAYER FELL OUT OF THE CEILING LANDING ON MY CHILD'S LEGS CAUSING BRUISES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, FIVE OTHER UNKNOWN COMPONENTS THAT FAILED DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED *LJ UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/13/11

PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSE OF POWER TO THE WHEELS (THE RPMS STARTED TO CLIMB, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER TO THE WHEELS). AFTER COMING TO A STOP, TRIED TO MOVE THE VAN IN ANY GEAR ( FORWARD, REVERSE OR ANY LOWER GEAR), IN ANY DIRECTION, BUT THERE WAS NO MOVEMENT. WHILE THERE WAS ONE SOUND AT THE LOSE OF POWER (A THUMP), THERE WAS NO WARNING SOUNDS, VIBRATIONS OR OTHER INDICATORS OF THIS COMING PROBLEM. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED BY MAKER DEALERSHIP (AT OWNERS EXPENSE).

A CAR JACK, PART NUMBER 3F2Z17080AB, THAT COMES STANDARD WITH 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVANS, BENT WHILE SUPPORTING THE VAN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL, CRUSH AND KILL THE OWNER THAT WAS UNDER THE VEHICLE DOING REPAIRS IN THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL. UPDATED 05/26/11 *BF *TR UPDATED 09/08/11 *BF UPDATED 1/5/12 *CN...UPDATED 10/03/12 *BF UPDATED 10/4/2012 *JS

BOUGHT VAN WITH 68,000 MILES AND A WEEK LATER WITH 68,500 MILES THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING...HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION $2900.00.......I WOULD LIKE ALL OF THAT BACK....AND SO WOULD EVERYONE ELSE THAT HAS HAD THIS HAPPEN TO THEM....THANKS *TR

ON 3/5/11, MY HUSBAND, MYSELF, AND 2 OF OUR CHILDREN WERE TRAVELING UPHILL ON ROUTE 79 IN UPSTATE NY. SUDDENLY OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN ACTED AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. MY HUSBAND PUSHED ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE ENGINE REVVED, BUT THE CAR JUST WOULDN'T GO. WE HAD TO COAST BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL AND INTO SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS THE DRIVEWAY OF A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO QUICKLY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS TRANSMISSION FAILURE. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I FOUND ON WWW. EDMUNDS.COM THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHERS HAD EXPERIENCED THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE (OURS IS APPROXIMATELY 72K). I WAS HOPING TO FIND THAT THIS WOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE, BUT APPARENTLY HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST ISN'T ENOUGH. *TR

MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR HAD A CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR. MY CAR HAS ONLY 88K MILES AND GAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING MECHANICALLY WRONG PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD FREESTAR OWNERS; I AM APPALLED THAT THE N.H.T.S.A. HAS DONE ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THIS. FORD HAS MADE A LEMON WITH AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SAFETY ISSUE; WE WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE MADE IT ACROSS FIVE LANES OF BUSY HIGHWAY BEFORE OUR CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. FORD NEEDS TO MAKE RESTITUTION TO ITS OWNERS. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT YOU, THE ENTITY THAT IS SUPPOSED TO PROTECT CONSUMERS, IS DOING NOTHING. *TR

APRIL 2008. DRIVING HOME FROM SISTERS WEDDING IN CANADA TO NORTH CAROLINA. TORQUE CONVERTER CAME APART AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION, (97000 MILES). NEW TRANSMISSION INSTALL AT AAMCO IN MANCHESTER, CT. 65000 MILES LATER (NOVEMBER 2011) THAT TRANSMISSION FAILS. HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WATER WAS GETTING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. NO VISIBLE SIGNS AS TO HOW. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD NOISE LIKE A GUN SHOT. MY FORD FREESTAR VAN BACK WINDOW EXPLODED WHILE I HAD CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT. THEY COULD HAVE BEEN CUT UP OR KILLED SITTING BACK THERE. IT WAS A SCARY SITUATION AND I WOULD LOVE IT IF THIS COMPLAINT COULD GET TO THE FORD CORP. THEY SHOULD RECALL THESE VANS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A CLANGING NOISE IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE AND THEN IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE SPLINE WAS STRIPPED AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,576 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ THE DEALER FOUND THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SHAFT STRIPPED OUT OF PLACE. UPDATED 05/05/11*JB

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER THE WATER ENTERS INTO THE ELECTRIACL SYSTEM AND STALLS THE VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY WOULD GET THE WATER OUT AND BLOW DRY THE WET AREA. THEY ALSO ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS NO OTHER SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE AND ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS OCCURRING IN OTHER VEHICLES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. TB

DRIVING TO WORK THE TRANSMISSION IN 2004 FREESTAR WITH ONLY 78,000 MILES CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, STRANDING THE VEHICLE IN THE SOUTHBOUND LANE OF TRAFFIC ON A RURAL HIGHWAY CREATING TRAFFIC HAZARDS FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A PRIVATE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP FOR REPLACEMENT OF FAILED TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER COULD NOT ACCOMMODATE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE NECESSARY PARTS AVAILABLE DUE TO "NATIONAL BACKORDER" OF THE PARTS. SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO TRANSMISSION SHOPS AND A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED THAT THE 2004-7 FORD FREESTARS ARE WELL KNOWN FOR" SUDDEN CATASTROPHIC FAILURES" DUE TO INFERIOR TORQUE CONVERTERS, INPUT SHAFTS AND PUMPS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN DEFECT SINCE MOST AUTOMOBILES AND VANS IN THIS CLASS DO NOT HAVE HISTORIES OF LARGE NUMBERS OF SUDDEN FAILURES, ESPECIALLY AT SUCH LOW MILES. FORD NEEDS TO ACCEPT THIS DESIGN FLAW AND HONOR RECALL REPAIRS TO CUSTOMERS. *TR

AS WE WERE ON A FAMILY VACATION CROSSING WISCONSIN ON INTERSTATE 94 GOING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE CAR STARTED T REV VERY HIGH AND WE LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE RAN FINE AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRAKE AND STEER, BUT HAD NO FORWARD OR BACKWARD GEARS. WE HAD TO INTERRUPT OUR TRIP, HAVE THE STATE TROOPER GIVE MY WIFE AND KIDS A RIDE TO THE NEXT TOWN, AND HAVE THE CARE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. IT COST $1250 AND TOOK TEN DAYS TO FIX THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE ROD THAT GOES TO IT. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT MELT THE TRANSMISSION )OR SO THEY TOLD ME).

WAS TRAVELING IN THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST ALL POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. WAS VERY CONCERNING AS IT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FORD SERVICE MANAGER STATED A SUBSTANCE -APPEARS TO BE WATER-ENTER THROUGH TRANSAXLE VENT. VENT IS SUPPOSE TO BE COVER BY A COWL GRILLE PANEL. LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING AND UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR, ALTHOUGH ENGINE RUNNING. TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON BACK IN JUNE 2010 TAKEN TO BANGOR, ME FORD, TRANSMISSION DRAINED, FLUSHED WITH BG FLUSH MACHINE AND REFILLED. FEB 17, 2011 TRANSAXLE LIGHT AGAIN CAME ON .WAS ABLE TO GET SAFELY BACK INTO DRIVEWAY WHEN ALL TRANSMISSION POWER LOSS. UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN IN NY WHERE I LIVE. AFTER TRANNY TORN DOWN ($450.00) FORD SERVICE MANAGER STATED A SUBSTANCE -APPEARS TO BE WATER-ENTER THROUGH TRANSAXLE VENT. VENT IS SUPPOSE TO BE COVER BY A COWL GRILLE PANEL. FOUND TSB06-04-10 REPORT THAT IDENTIFIED THAT WATER MAY LEAKE INTO PCM AND OR TRANSAXLE VENT IF THE PCM CONNECTOR COVER IS NOT PROPERLY SEATED AND ALLOWS WATER TO LEAK INTO THESE TWO AREAS. IN NOV.2006, I INCURRED A FAILURE OF THE PCM . THREE SCARY LOSS OF POWER ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THREE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM BEFORE FORD HOTLINE CONTACTED BY TECHNICIAN AND TSB BULLETIN USED TO INSTALL NEW PCM AND INSTALL COWL PANEL FIX DESCRIBED. THIS PANELS SEAL MAY HAVE FAILED ALLOWING WATER TO ENTER THE TRANSAXLE'S VENT. FORD'S CONSUMER'S 800 LINE REFUSED TO HELP AND DENIED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIRS AS DID MY WARRANTY COMPANY. THEY SAID THAT WATER INTRUSION ISN'T COVERED. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING UPHILL APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME RESISTANT TO THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A TRAFFIC STOP. AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCREASE IN SPEED TO 25 MPH, IT THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

#1398 OF 1400 ANOTHER TRAN FAILS "DEATH TRAP" BY ALTON5 FEB 20, 2011 (1:31 PM) I HAVE A 2004 FREESTAR AND WAS TRAVELING ON A 5 LINE FREEWAY WHEN ALL THE SUDDEN THE TRAN LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR LOST ALL POWER EVEN THE POWER STEERING. I WAS IN THE INSIDE LANE AND HAD TO COAST TO TRY AND MAKE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY CUTTING OFF TRAFFIC. I HAD MY 3 KIDS IN THE CAR AND WAS TERRIFIED AS WE ALMOST GOT SLAMMED IN TO TWICE SINCE I WAS COASTING AT 30 AND THE TRAFFIC WAS GOING 70. ONCE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD I TRIED TO START THE VAN AND NOTHING WORKED. HAD TO WALK WITH MY 3 GIRLS 2 MIKES ALONG SIDE THE HIGHWAY "AGAINST THE LAW" TO GET TO A PAY PHONE AND CALL AAA. HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A SHOP AND IT WILL COST ME $3000 TO FIX. FORD- SHAME ON YOU! YOU HAVE PUT A BIG BURDEN ON MY FAMILY AND PUT OUR LIVES AT RISK!!! - [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING AND CAUSING SMOKE AND LOSS OF TURNING POWER. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS OUT OF THE LOW PRESSURE LINE AND ON TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CORRECTED IN FEBRUARY 2011 BY REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION, POWER STEERING PUMP AND LOW PRESSURE HOSE TO THE COOLER. *TR

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR, THE VEHICLE CEASED MOVEMENT DUE TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, REQUIRING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. THE MAINTENANCE GARAGE (A FORD DEALER) COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NOTED THE PRESENCE OF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF METAL SHAVINGS WITHIN THE FLUID EVACUATED FROM THE FAILED TRANSMISSION. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO A LOWER GEAR WHICH ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE MOVED FINE IN REVERSE BUT NOT IN THE DRIVE POSITION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,250.

WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL DISINGAGES FOR NO APPARANT REASON. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE WORKING FINE AND AFTER THE TRACTION CONTROL DISINAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO STOPS THEN SOMETIMES AFTER YOU PRESS RESUME IT REINGAGES AND SOMETIMES IN DOESEN'T IF YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIIGHT GOES OFF AGAIN. IT MAY COME ON AGAIN A FEW MILES LATER OR IT MAY NOT PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTTENT SAME WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES THAT THE RADIO CONTROLS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WORK FINE OTHER TIMES IF YOU PRESS THE VOLUME CONTROL IT WILL CHANGE THE STATIONS. VAN PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2010 PROBLEM BAGAN SOMETIME IN OCTOBER OF 2010. *TR