2004 Ford Freestar complaints

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A VERY BUSY DANGEROUS ST RT 125 AT RUSH HOUR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN NOTHING NO SHIFTING, NO REVERSE , NOTHING!!!!!! I LITERALLY ALMOST DIED TRYING TO GET INTO A PARKING LOT OFF THE ROAD!!! I HAVE OWNED MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR APROX 5 MONTHS! I AM ANGRY AND CANT BELIEVE THE SAFETY ISSUE INVOLVED WITH THESE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS! IF I HAD ONLY FOUND THIS WEBSITE PRIOR TO BUYING THIS VEHICLE. THERE IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE HERE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP DEAD! AS A MOTHER OF 4 I HAVE CHILDREN IN MY VEHICLE AT ALL TIMES AND I DEPEND ON IT TO DRIVE AND KEEP ME SAFE! THIS IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $2000!! I JUST PAID $5000 FOR IT! SOMEBODY DO SOMETHING, RECALL WOULD BE NICE, MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF AND STILL HERE I SIT WITH A BROKEN TRANSMISSION AND A HUGE KNOT IN MY STOMACH AS TO GETTING THE MONEY FOR A REPAIR!! THANKS ALOT FORD! NEVER AGAIN WILL I BUY A FORD UNLESS THIS IS RESOLVED! *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT WORKING. NO PROBLEMS PRIOR TO TODAY. NO WARNINGS OR SIGNS OF TROUBLE JUST STOPPED WORKING. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE MINI VAN. WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING THE VAN CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT AN ACCIDENT WAS BARELY AVOIDED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND THAT IT WAS UNUSUAL TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION FAIL IN A VEHICLE WITH UNDER 100,000 MILES. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS HAPPEN IN MANY OTHER 2004 FREESTYLE VANS. THE MECHANIC NOTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE FUEL PUMP WORKING INCORRECTLY AND AS WELL AS THE FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER THUS CONTAMINATING THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. AFTER READING ABOUT THE NUMEROUS TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND THE ROAD HAZARDS THEY HAVE CAUSED I AM EXTREMELY UPSET THAT FORD HAS FAILED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEMS WITH THERE PRODUCT. *TR

IN EARLY DECEMBER, I PURCHASED A VERY WELL-MAINTAINED 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN. THIS VAN WAS OWNED BY CLOSE, LIFELONG FRIENDS AND I CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT THE VAN, WITH 45,000 MILES ON ITS ODOMETER, WAS IN PERFECTLY MAINTAINED PHYSICAL AND MECHANICAL CONDITION WHEN PURCHASED. ON DECEMBER 13, 2009, I WAS DRIVING SOUTH ON INTERSTATE 94 NEAR KENOSHA, WISCONSIN WHEN THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY, AND WITHOUT WARNING, FAILED. TRAVELING IN THE LEFT-HAND LANE AT FREEWAY SPEED, I HAD TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ANY FORWARD PROPULSION THROUGH THREE LANES OF HEAVY SUNDAY TRAFFIC. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST WITHOUT ANY FORWARD PROPULSION ONTO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY WHILE AVOIDING A MASSIVE PILE-UP INVOLVING THE DOZENS OF AUTOMOBILES AND TRACTOR-TRAILERS SURROUNDING ME AT THE TIME OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TRANSMISSION JUST GAVE OUT NO WARNING. WAS DRIVING OVER A BRIDGE AND CAR ACTED LIKE IT WENT INTO NEUTRAL ,TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT. *TR

WIFE TRAVELING WITH FAMILY IN VAN NOTICED SOME LOSS OF DRIVE POWER. WAS ONLY A FEW MILES FROM FORD DEALERSHIP. SHE WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS SLIPPING AND NEEDED REPLACING ALONG WITH A SOLENOID. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION DEALER NOTICED FLUID STARTED CHANGING COLOR AND FOUND SOME METAL IN FLUID. ADVISED US TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $2500. THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SERVICED EVERY 30,000 MILE PER THE MANUFACTURERS MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE AND THERE ARE RECEIPTS FOR PROOF. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

WAS DRIVING MY 2004 FORD MINI VAN FREESTAR WHEN TRANSMISSION JUST UP AND QUIT WORKING. *TR

DRIVING DOWN A SMALL HILL, CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND LOST ALL POWER. DRIFTED TO THE LEFT HAND SIDE OFF THE ROAD AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE LEFT DRIVE LANE OF THE HIGHWAY. VERY DANGEROUS SPOT TO BE IN. *TR

VEHICLE PURCHASED USED WITH 62,000 MILES IN MAY 2006. FREQUENT & RANDOM DASH WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON & OFF FOR NO REASON--INCLUDING TRANSAXLE, BRAKE, EMISSIONS SYSTEM LIGHT, ETC. RADIO WILL TURN ON & OFF WITHOUT THE KEYS IN THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAYS THAT THERE WAS SOME MOISTURE IN PCM & THAT PCM DOES NOT LOOK ORIGINAL. VEHICLE HAS LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES & THEN 'RECOVERED' WITH NO WARNING LIGHTS ON. TRANSMISSION 'WENT' IN DRIVEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. NEEDED APPROX. $1500.00 IN REPAIRS TO TRANSMISSION. MECHANIC SAYS FAILING PART INCLUDES PUMP SHAFT & VEINS. ALSO RECONDITIONED PUMP SLIDE & SEALS. *TR

NO PRIOR TRANSMISSION TROUBLE; NO WARNING OF PROBLEM ON THE DATE OF INCIDENT. DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON THE APPROACH TO A NARROW FOUR-LANE HIGHWAY BRIDGE. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE RPM SUDDENLY RACED WHILE THE FORWARD MOMENTUM LAGGED; THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN FINE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION NO LONGER PROVIDED ANY FORWARD POWER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED RAPIDLY DUE TO THE UPWARD GRADE OF THE BRIDGE, AND THERE WAS NO SHOULDER TO PULL OFF ONTO, WITH TRAFFIC BEARING DOWN AT 60+ MPH. THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION THEN CAUSED A FOUR-CAR ACCIDENT. DEFECT VEHICLE WAS NOT BADLY DAMAGED (ONLY MINOR REAR BUMPER CRUSH) BUT AFTER ACCIDENT IT STILL WOULD NOT MOVE IN GEAR, EVEN THOUGH ENGINE RAN FINE. HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF THIS DATE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FREESTAR WITH OVER 100,000 MILES. LAST NIGHT WHILE DRIVING HOME IN A PRETTY HEAVY SNOW STORM MY TRANSMISSION FAILED (I WILL KNOW FOR SURE AFTER FORD CALLS ME). THE ODD THING IS IT WENT OUT COMPLETELY NO GEARS WORKED AT ALL. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSIONS FAIL IN THE PAST BUT I ALWAYS HAD A GEAR OR TWO I COULD USE, NOT THIS TIME THE CAR JUST STOPPED. I WAS LUCKY ALONG WITH MY CHILDREN THAT THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC SO WE DID NOT GET HIT. *TR

COMPLETE SUDDEN TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING - NO ENGINE LIGHTS ON 2004 FORD FREESTAR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR LOST ALL DRIVE POWER AND I HAD TO DRIFT OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. UPON INSPECTION MY MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED WITH FACTORY ORIGINAL PARTS FOR $800.00. THAT WAS IN 2008. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN , HOWEVER THE RPMS WERE INCREASING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND OBSERVED THAT IT WAS FULL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A LOCAL MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MAY BE FAULTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,800.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR, I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE VAN HAS 70,000 MILES. WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VAN COASTED TO A STOP. WAS TOLD I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS OCCURRED ON DECEMBER 11, 2009. THROUGH RESEARCH HAVE FOUND THIS MAY BE A DEFECT. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO HELP. HAD NO SLIPPAGE OR ANY OTHER WARNING. WAS TOLD WILL COST ME 3000 DOLLARS WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. *TR

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. ON NOV. 13 2009 WHILE LEAVING MY PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT, I PULLED OUT OF MY PARKING SPOT AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE,THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP AND WITH SOME ASSISTANCE WAS ABLE TO PUSH IT INTO A PARKING SPACE.AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE FREESTARS OF THAT YEAR HAD DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION PUMP AND THEY HAD MANY COMING IN FOR REPAIR.THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT FORD WOULD ONLY REPLACE ON VEHICLES STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT NO COST. THEREFORE THE VEHICLE STILL HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE FOR THE REPAIR WHICH INVOLVES REBUILDING THE TRANSMISSION. AROUND $2500.00. SO I HAVE A DISABLED VEHICLE SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY THAT I STILL MAKE MONTHLY PAYMENT ON. AS OF THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH FORD REGARDING THIS MATTER SEVERAL TIME AND WILL CONTINUE MY EFFORTS UNTIL A RESOLUTION IS REACHED. *TR

BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I HAD TO WAKE UP MY NEIGHBOR AND HE HELPED ME PUSH THE VEHICLE INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE RAN FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. *TR

WITHOUT WARNING, SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTION IN CAR - LIKE IT WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. LOST ALL CONTROL OF FORWARD/BACKWARDS MOTION. FORD BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS BROKEN. *TR

TRANSMISSION IN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. VAN WAS DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND NEVER MISTREATED. ALL SCHEDULED SERVICES WAS DONE ON TIME. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING 50MPH ON A HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT WARNING,LOST TOTAL ACCELERATION, LUCKILY THERE WAS NOBODY CLOSE BEHIND ME. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF A SIDE ROAD, PLACED THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN ENGAGED IT TO THE DRIVE GEAR, BUT I WAS NOT GOING ANYWHERE, I WAS ABLE TO PUT IT INTO THE REVERSER GEAR,BUT NO MOVEMENT.,I ONLY HAVE 63,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC TELLS ME IT IS MY TRANSMISSION, AND WILL COST APPROXIMATELY 2400.00 I DON;T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY TO FIX MY VEHICLE. IF I HAD BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THESE MIGHT HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

MY 04 FREESTAR LEFT ME ON THE SIDE OF A RURAL ROAD, NEXT TO A SWAMP WITH 6 " OF FRESH SNOW AND AN UNPLOWED ROAD SHOULDER. I HAD MY 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD KIDS WITH ME AT THE TIME AND IT WAS 7 AM. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, ESPECIALLY CONSIDERING THAT I HAD NO WARNING THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING EVEN REMOTELY WRONG WITH THE VAN. MECHANIC SAID THAT IT'S THE TORQUE CONVERTER. ONLY 90,000 KM. *TR

GOING ABOUT 55 MPH ON HIGHWAY, VAN REVVED UP AND THEN SLOWED DOWN WHILE GOING UP A HILL, SIMILAR TO TAKING IT OUT OF GEAR AND COASTING. NO LIGHTS CAME ON THE DASH OR WARNING SIGNALS OF ANY KIND. NO NOISE, OIL OR SMOKE OF ANY KIND, JUST COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN. VAN HAD NEVER BEEN SERVICED ANYWHERE BUT DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED SO THEY HAD FULL SERVICE HISTORY. NO WARNING OF VAN FAILURE, IT HAD BEEN RUNNING WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS UP TO HE TIME IT SUFFERED THE LOSS OF POWER. HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PRIOR TO FAILURE ON THAT DAY. WAS STUCK ON SIDE OF ROAD AND HAD TO HAVE VAN TOWED TO DEALER AS IT WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. FOUND IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND WAS REPLACED AT A COST TO US OF $1,250. HAD APPROXIMATELY 79,000 MILES AND NO PRIOR HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY OF THE GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALISTS. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,800. UPDATED 01/15/10. *LJ UPDATED 01/19/10

TL* THE CONTACT HAS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN. WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING. HE SPECULATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE HAS BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNAVAILABLE.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE POWER STEERING LINE HAS CRACKED SO BADLY THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FILLED DAILY OR I LOSE POWER STEERING (WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS NOW IN THE WINTER WEATHER. IT WILL TAKE 6 WEEKS TO GET THE NEW PART IN, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ECONOMY HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM IN GETTING THE PART MANUFACTURED, BUT I WAS TOLD BY A FORD PARTS TECH THAT IT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF BACK ORDERS. WHY ARE SO MANY OF THESE PARTS NEEDED. THE MECHANIC THAT IS GOING TO DO MY REPAIR SAYS THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO THE PART, THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. I PUT 2 AND 2 TOGETHER, MY PART IS DEFECTIVE, THERE IS A BACK ORDER FOR THIS PART, SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF POWER STEERING IS SUDDENLY LOST. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WHICH HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE WITH NO PROBLEMS. I CURRENTLY HAVE 68,000 MILES ON IT AND YESTERDAY (DEC. 9, 2009) MY TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS COMPLETELY SHOT WITH NO HOPES OF REPAIR. *TR

AFTER ACCELERATING AROUND A CORNER NOTICED NO POWER TO THE ACCELERATOR. WE DRIFTED TO THE SIDE ON THE ROAD, STILL IN A TRAVEL LANE AS THERE WAS NO SHOULDER. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR INDICATION WE WERE GOING TO HAVE A PROBLEM. JUST PRESSED ON THE GAS AND NOTHING. HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO PROTECT THE CAR AND OUR SAFETY SINCE WE WERE STILL IN A TRAVEL LANE. SEVERAL CARS NEARLY RAN INTO US. AFTER HAVING THE VAN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WE WERE ADVISED IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NEED TO HAVE IT REPLACED. THIS VAN ONLY HAS 50,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

PULLED OUT INTO A BUSY INTERSECTION. TURNED THE CORNER AND THE RPM REVVED UP BUT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT GOES INTO PARK BUT WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY OTHER GEAR. IT GAVE NO WARNING AND HAS NOT BEEN ABUSED AND MAINTENANCE IS UP TO DATE. HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE VAN ONTO A SIDE ROAD SO WE WOULD NOT GET HIT. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO FAIRBORN OHIO FROM CINCINNATI IN OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THIS WAS PURCHASED NEW BY US. WARRANTY WAS 3 YEAR/36,000 MILES. THE VAN HAS 54,000 MILES & WHILE TRAVELING ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2009 OHIO, THE VAN WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON & STARTED FLASHING. WE ENDED UP GETTING THE VAN TOWED FROM FAIRBORN TO OUR HOME. THE TECHNICIAN THAT TESTED THE VAN FOR CODES & SAID THE "TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WAS STUCK IN THE SHUT POSITION & CAUSED THE FLUID TO OVERHEAT". LONG STORY SHORT, WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED AT 30,000 MILES PER THE MAINTENANCE LOG AT OUR DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD OF CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT SLOW SPEED. A VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MAKE SHOULD NOT HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THIS WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. THE THING THAT RATTLES MY CAGE IS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR "RELIABLE" VEHICLE. I'M THANKFUL MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE VAN. SO $2300 LATER WE HAVE A TRANSMISSION & OUR HOLIDAY GOALS ARE SHOT TO '!@#$%. THIS TRANSMISSION STYLE NEEDS A RECALL !!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE. AFTER THIS HAPPENED TO US, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE & I AM NOT ALONE. MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MAKE, MODEL YEAR & TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT I HAVE. SO THANKS TO THIS ISSUE OUR "HOLIDAY SPIRIT" IS GONE. *TR

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE CREATES FIRE HAZARD. *TR

12/03/09 TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON 101 FREEWAY 5:30 PM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN L.A. CITY WAS TOWED TO AAMCO REPAIR SHOP REPAIR COAST $1,700 TO $2,000 LESS THEN 85K MILES ON FORD VAN 2004 FREESTAR. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING ALONG 1-70 WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM'S GOT REAL HIGH AND LOST POWER. WE WERE VERY LUCKY IT WAS RIGHT NEXT TO AN EXIT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OFF AND CALL AAA. THEY CAME TO TOW US TO A LOCAL SHOP (WE WERE 1500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME WITH 500 MORE MILES TO GO ON OUR TRIP) WHERE THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. 3000 DOLLARS LATER PLUS THE COST OF HOTELS, AND CAR RENTALS WE HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOT TO MENTION THE 4 PLUS HOURS I HAD TO WAIT WITH 4 KIDS WHILE HUBBY WENT WITH TOW TRUCK TO GET THE RENTAL AS WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FREESTAR. *TR

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 79MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS WAS END OF THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND ENGINE REVVED AND COULD NOT CONTROL SPEED-NO FORWARD MOTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. NO WARNING OR LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TO INDICATE ANY TROUBLE JUST UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. TOWED AND INFORMED THAT TORQUE CONVERTER THE ISSUE AND MAY BE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS-AT THIS TIME ATTEMPTING TO FIND PARTS(NEW OR REFURBISHED). *TR

I WAS TAKING MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN TO MASSACHUSSETTES FOR THANKSGIVING. WE WERE ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE TRAVELING AT 70MPH WHEN THE ENGINE REVS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY AND MY VEHICLE LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER BUT ONLY AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC...THIS WAS THANKSGIVING BREAK. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. I HAD TO WAIT 1.5 HOURS FOR HELP, THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED BACK TO DELAWARE. I WAS RESEARCHING WHAT IT COULD BE AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WERE BEING FILED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED AND HAD TO BORROW MONEY TO GET IT TOWED. I HOPE SOMEONE FORCES FORD TO MAN UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR THE TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE AND THEN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE IT DOES NOT WORK (11-27-09). I MOVE THE SHIFTER TO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND NOTHING HAPPENS, I GIVE IT GAS AND THE ENGINE JUST REVS. I AM TAKING IT IN TO A MECHANIC THIS COMING WEEK. *TR

EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER TO THE ENGINE ON 2004 FREESTAR WHILE DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $4000. FREESTAR HAS 48,589 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST. HAD CAR IN TO DEALER 4 TIMES DURING THE SUMMER FOR TRACTION CONTROL ISSUES AND FAILURE OF BACKUP SENSORS. 2006 HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER DUE TO ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 MILES. TRADE IN VALUE $5700(MINUS $4000 IN TRANSMISSION AND AIRBAG MODULE REPLACEMENT) *TR

NO ONE RETURNED MY CALL FROM SAFERCAR.GOV. I HAVE A 2004 FREESTAR 4.2 LITER V-6 WITH 61,000 MILES AND HAD A COMPLETE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE AND THIS FAILURE WAS INEXPLICABLE. I SAW ON YOUR WEBSITE REFERENCE # PE 09033 AND IT DESCRIBES OUR PROBLEM COMPLETELY. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND REPAIRED BY A HIGHLY REPUTABLE SERVICE PROVIDER. OUR REPAIR BILL WAS $1700 PLUS DOLLARS AND WE FEEL FORD AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR ALSO 10295342 SMCH

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WITH NO WARNING OR ANY PRECURSOR PROBLEM OF ANY KIND. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HAD IT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. TORQUE CONVERTER STRIPPED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 35MPH, MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITHOUT WARNING SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS THE RPMS WENT WAY UP. WAS ON AN INCLINE AND ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING LOT. CAR IS AWAITING REPLACEMENT OF TORQUE CONVERTER / TRANSMISSION. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH THE SPLINE FELL OFF OF THE SHAFT WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,654.

MY 2004 FORD FREE STAR VAN QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER IT WAS LIKE THE VAN WAS IN NEUTRAL. MY WIFE AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE LOCAL POLICE WERE CONTACTED DUE TO THE HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA. WE ARE NOW TOLD OF THE ISSUES WITH FORD FREE STAR AND IT'S TRANSMISSIONS. THE REPAIR WE WERE TOLD WILL BE UPWARD OF $3000.00. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEEMS TO KNOW OF THE ISSUES WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

ON NOVEMBER 19, 2009 AT 0640 IN THE MORNING. I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE TO WORK AROUND 70 MPH WHEN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNING, STARTED TO LOSE POWER. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS THE RPM WOULD INCREASE BUT THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. I TRIED ALL THE DIFFERENT GEARS, BUT WAS UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM, BUT I WAS LUCKY. I WAS ALREADY IN THE FAR LANE AND THANKFULLY AT THAT TIME NO ONE WAS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME. IF THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SEMI OR SOME TRAILING TO CLOSE I WOULD HAVE BEEN HIT IN THE REAR. IT WAS THAT DRAMATIC OF A SLOW DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD REFUSES TO ASSIST IN ANY FORM, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 39, 000 MILES. I AM NOW OUT OVER 1600 DOLLARS TO HAVE THIS FAULTY PIECE OF EQUIPMENT REPLACED. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. I CONTACTED THE FORD CORPORATION AND THEY BASICALLY JUST IGNORED ME AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO ASSIST ME. *TR

I WAS LEAVING MY WORK AND PULLED OUT ONTO A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. I OR MY PASSENGER DID NOT NOTICE ANY STRANGE NOISES OR HESITATION IN THE ENGINE. UPON GRADUAL ACCELERATION TO TRAFFIC SPEED; THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MOVE AND THEN DIDN'T. I MANAGED TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT IN PARK AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO WHINE. I THEN PUT THE IT BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE TRANSMISSION MADE NO NOISE GOING INTO GEAR. I THEN TIED EACH OF THE GEARS AND AGAIN NOTHING. I THEN TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND WAITED AND TRIED AGAIN WITH SAME RESULTS. I WOULD THINK HAVING ONLY 57 THOUSAND MILES ON A 2004 VEHICLE IT WOULD NOT BE HAVING TRANSMISSION ISSUES SUCH AS THIS. I HAVE HAD A MECHANIC LISTEN TO THE NOISES AND GIVE HIS BEST GUESS. HE INFORMED ME THAT BASED ON NOT GOING INTO GEAR AND THE NOISES THAT IT IS MAKING AND UNTIL A COMPLETE IN-SHOP CHECK CAN BE MADE, WE WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. ESTIMATED COST $2500 TO $3500 DOLLARS. *TR

YES PURCHASED A 04 FORD FREESTAR WITH 55,000 MILES FROM A USED CAR DEALER. LIKE EVERYONE ELSE HAD COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 85,000 MILES. THREW FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE. I DISCOVERED THIS WAS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION THIS PIECE OF JUNK HAS REQUIRED. I WILL NEVER GO THE DOMESTIC ROUTE AGAIN, WHEN PURCHASING. NO WONDER THEY NEEDED A BAIL OUT. *TR

CONSUMER'S 2004 FORD FREESTAR HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER BACKING UP, HE PLACED THE GEAR IN DRIVE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO NOISE OF ANY TYPE THAT EVEN SUGGESTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM. *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILED. HAD IT TOWED TO A GARAGE. MECHANIC REMOVED IT AND FOUND THE TORQUE GEARS STRIPPED AND THE SHAFT DEFECTIVE.. TESTING INDICATED THE TORQUE GEARS WERE NOT HARDENED THEREBY REDUCING THE LIFE OF IT. HE IS REPLACING THE PARTS WITH BETTER QUALITY PARTS AND SAVING THE DAMAGED ONES FOR REVIEW. *TR

ON OCT 20, 2009, I LEFT HOME IN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SEL AT 7:30AM TO TAKE MY SON TO HIS LEUKEMIA DOCTOR. WHILE DRIVING ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY, THROUGH THE TOWN OF VANCEBORO, NC. WHEN I WENT TO SPEED UP FROM 35MPH TO 55MPH, MY FREESTAR WASN'T GETTING ANY POWER TO THE WHEELS. I PULLED OFF AS FAR AS I COULD GO OF THE ROAD, WHICH LEFT MY VEHICLE ABOUT 2 FEET OFF THE 55MPH ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP, CELLA FORD IN NEW BERN, NC. IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION ISSUE, (TORQUE CONVERTER STRIPED). I HAVE READ ALOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS SURFING THE INTERNET, AND SEEMS THIS IS A REALLY BIG ISSUE FOR THE FORD FREESTAR/MERCURY MONTEREY MINI-VANS. IF THIS ISSUE WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON SAY, A BUSY INTERSTATE, OR BUSY FREEWAY, AND I WASN'T ABLE TO GET MY VEHICLE OFF TO THE SIDE, MY FAMILY LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN IN DANGER. I WOULD REALLY LIKE FORD TO PLACE TIME AND EFFORT IN RESEARCHING THE CAUSE OF THESE TRANSMISSION ISSUES, AND PUT OUT A RECALL TO FIXED TO ILL FATED TRANSMISSIONS THEY PUT IN FREESTAR/MONTEREY MINI-VANS BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT AND OR KILLED. ALSO, THIS ISSUE HAS PUT MY FAMILY AND I IN A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP DUE TO THE $3210.56 REPAIR BILL AND ON TOP OF HAVING A CHILD BEING TREATED FOR LEUKEMIA. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE, HE COLD NOT SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ANY OF THE GEARS. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE HE HEARD A VERY PECULIAR NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT BECAUSE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED HE WAS NOT PROVIDED WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

APRIL 2009, THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN WAS PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY. IT HAD BEEN OUTSIDE FOR A WHILE, NOT BEING DRIVEN, AND IT HAD BEEN WET OUTSIDE. MY HUSBAND NEEDED TO MOVE THE CARS AROUND AND WENT TO MOVE THE VAN. IT WOULD NOT CATCH. HE CONTINUED TO CRANK IT AND THE ENGINE WOULD CATCH BUT IMMEDIATELY BOG AND DIE OUT. THIS CONTINUE SO LONG, I WAS SURPRISED THE BATTERY DIDN'T DIE OUT. WHEN THE ENGINE DID CATCH, THE IDLE WOULD REV WAY HIGH UP AND WOULD NOT GO DOWN UNTIL IT WOULD JUST PLUNGE AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. WHILE IT WAS ARCHING, HE ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VAN IN GEAR BUT IT WOULD NOT REVERSE OR GO FORWARD. THE DEALER WAS CALLED AND A TOW TRUCK CAME THAT SATURDAY. WHEN IT WAS LOOKED AT ON MONDAY, THE VAN STARTED RIGHT UP, APPARENTLY PUT ON THE COMPUTER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS "IT'S A NON-ISSUE." *TR