2004 Ford Freestar complaints

I'D LIKE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE LIST OF UNHAPPY FORD CONSUMERS WHO'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ON THE FORD FREESTAR MINIVANS. I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR AND IT HAS A LITTLE OVER 44,000 MILES ON IT. WE WERE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND SUDDENLY WE HAD NO POWER TO GO ANYWHERE, THE RPM INDICATOR WOULD MOVE UP BUT WE HAD NO POWER, IT BASICALLY DIED. WE HAD NO FORWARD OR REVERSE, WE WERE JUST COASTING WITH NO POWER. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL A TOW TRUCK. TOOK IT TO THE FORD GARAGE AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT WENT OUT. WE HAD IT FIXED AND THANKFULLY IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY YET. I KNOW YOU'VE HAD NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FORD FREESTAR VANS...COME ON PEOPLE DO SOMETHING BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. WE HAD NO POWER TO GO ANYWHERE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANISM FOR THE REAR DOOR HANDLE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DOOR HANDLE CAME OFF IN HER HAND WHEN SHE WAS OPENING THE LATCH. FORD IS NOT REPAIRING THE FAILURE UNDER WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT SIGNED UP FOR THE MOST EXPENSIVE COVERAGE. SHE FEELS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE HER THREE YEAR OLD CHILD CAN OPEN THE DOOR. THE PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR TWO MONTHS. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR HAVE JUST ARRIVED AT THE DEALER. THE REPAIR WILL COST BETWEEN $500 TO $1,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.

2004 FORD FREESTAR (MINIVAN). *TR

DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY(RTE 422 -OHIO) IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. STOPPED FOR A SCHOOL BUS AND THE CARS MADE A POP THEN WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. HAD TO BE TOWED , TOOK TWO HOURS AND CAUSED SOME TRAFFIC CONGESTION. TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTING FLASHED. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF A FEW MINUTES LATER AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR AREA AND CAUSED THE MAIN COMPUTERIZED SYSTEM TO FAIL. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE GAS LINE HAD TO BE BLOWN OUT, AND THE SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATION CONCLUDED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A PRODUCT DEFECT. THE MANUFACTURER ACKNOWLEDGED RECEIVING THE CONTACT'S WRITTEN COMPLAINT; HOWEVER, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE $1,200 REPAIR COST THAT THE CONTACT HAD TO PAY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,502.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 47,000 MILES OF USE. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT REQUIRED MILEAGE BY DEALER. TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP STATES THAT FAILURE MAY BE TORQUE CONVERTER. COST TO CONFIRM WILL BE $350.00. REPAIR WILL BE ADDITIONAL. *TR

MRS. ATTEE WAS STARTING OUR FORD FREESTAR, WHEN SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND NOTICED WHAT SHE THOUGHT WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. SHE(MRS. ATTEE) THEN OPENED THE HOOD TO FIND A SMALL FLAME COMING FROM THE ENGINE, SHE PROCEED TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE VAN 'S ENGINE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED IT WAS TO LATE, THE FIRE HAD ALREADY DONE ITS DAMAGE(TOTALED). *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND NEEDED TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED BECAUSE OF FAILED SPLINE. INSPECTION OF SPLINE SHOWED IT WAS WORN AWAY YET OTHER GEARS REMAINED IN GOOD SHAPE. REVIEW OF INTERNET COMPLAINTS OF THIS PROBLEM WERE NUMEROUS. SOME OF THE FAILURES WERE WITH CHILDREN IN VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING ON BUSY HIGHWAYS. FORTUNATELY MY TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS ON A EMPTY COUNTRY ROAD I JUST COASTED TO A STOP ( I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 10 MPH AT THE TIME ) WITHOUT INCIDENT. *TR

IN NOV, 2007 MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER STARTED TO EXIT THE BACK PASSENGER VAN DOOR. THE DOOR OPENED AND SHE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY OUT THE DOOR WHEN IT STARTED TO CLOSE ON HER. MY HUSBAND HAD ALREADY GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ON HER. IT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY STOP AND GO BACK ON CONTACT. THEN IN DEC MY SISTER-IN-LAW WAS ALSO STARTING TO EXIT THE VAN FROM THE SAME DOOR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER. THE DOOR OPENED, HESITATED AND THEN STARTED TO CLOSE ON HER. ON APRIL 6, 2008 MY 80+ MOTHER OPENED THE REAR PASSENGER VAN DOOR AND STARTED TO ENTER THE VAN. THE DOOR STARTED CLOSING ON HER. HER LEFT FOOT WAS ALREADY IN THE VAN AND THE DOOR CLOSURE CAUSED HER TO FALL BACKWARDS ONTO THE PAVEMENT. HER LEFT FOOT WAS TANGLED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. HER COUSIN WAS ALREADY SEATED ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR STOPPED BEFORE IT HURT HER LEG ANY WORSE. SHE HAD LANDED ON HER LOWER BACK AND WAS SORE, STIFF AND UNABLE TO SIT COMFORTABLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I MADE AN APPT WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND A PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM IT WAS INTERMITTENT,MOST OF THE TIME IT WORKED. WHEN I PICKED THE VAN UP I HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER WALK OUT WITH ME, AND I SHOWED HIM HOW WE OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE DOOR OPENED AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO CLOSE. THE SERVICE GROUP WAS TESTING IT BY USING THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE. THEY TESTED THE VAN AGAIN AND FOUND C

VERY DANGEROUS! BOUGHT A NEW 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINI VAN ON JAN. 22. OF 2005 LEFTOVER . I HAVE 35,000 MILES ON IT. DRIVING HOME WITH MY FAMILY ON THE HEAVILY TRAFFIC LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY I 495 AT APPROX 10:30 IN THE EVENING. NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION DIES. NO POWER AT ALL. I COAST TO THE RIGHT LANE AND WITH NO SHOULDER WHERE I WAS I JUST PRAYED I WOULD NOT GET PLOWED INTO THE REAR WITH MY TWO BOYS AGE 5 AND 10 SLEEPING. THIS WAS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. AFTER READING THE FORUMS ON THE INTERNET I FIND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. CHECK OUT THIS LINK WHICH IS ONE OF A FEW I HAVE FOUND... HTTP://WWW.CARSURVEY.ORG/VIEWMORECOMMENTS_REVIEW_77118_1.HTML WHAT RECOURSE DO I HAVE AND WHY ISN'T FORD MADE TO REDESIGN / REPAIR THIS DEFICIENCY IN THEIR DESIGN. SOME FAMILY WILL GET INJURED IF NOT KILLED. THESE VANS WERE DESIGNED FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND CONCERNED. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILS AND CAR STALLS IN TRAFFIC WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CREATES A SAFETY HAZARD. THE FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT REPLACED THE PCM, WIRING HARNESS, AND MULTIPLE SENSORS, BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUED. THE CAUSE APPEARS TO BE FLOODING OF PCM, RELATED WIRING, AND ATTACHED SENSORS DUE TO DESIGN DEFECT. FORD TSB EXISTS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR, BACK LIFTGATE. A DESIGN FLAW ALLOWS RAINWATER OR WATER FROM A CAR WASHING) TO SEEP IN, ACCUMULATE, AND PUDDLE ALL AROUND THE LATCH MECHANISM OF THE BACK LIFT GATE. THIS CAUSES IT TO FREEZE ON ICY DAYS WHICH CAUSES DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING THE BACK LIFTGATE. EVENTUALLY, THE LATCH MECHANISM RUSTS OUT COMPLETELY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

TRAVELING IN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR ON I-69 FROM INDIANAPOLIS TO FT WAYNE AT 65MPH. SPOTTED RAIN SHOWERS IN AREA. ACTIVATE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON HIGH. DRIVERS SIDE WIPER DETACHES FROM ASSEMBLY AND ENTANGLES WITH PASSENGER SIDE WIPER. EMERGENCY EXIT FROM RIGHT-HAND LANE ONTO SHOULDER LANE. FASTENER NUT FOUND LOOSE ON WIPER ATTACHMENT KNURL. ALIGN WIPER AND TIGHTENED FASTENER FINGER TIGHT. WIPER ASSEMBLY REMAINED ACCEPTABLE CLEAR VISION AT INTERMITTENT CONDITION FOR REMAINDER OF TRAVEL. WIPER ASSEMBLY HAD SEEN ELEVATED SNOW LOAD/REMOVAL 2 DAYS PRIOR TO EVENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND THAT PASSENGER SIDE WIPER ASSEMBLY ARM ALSO LOOSE. *TR

VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WENT ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN WITH NO WARNING SIGNS WHILE DRIVING. (CAR ONLY HAD 74,000). I HAVE READ ONLINE AND THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THESE SAME VANS THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.. VANS ARE PRIMARILY PURCHASED TO TRANSPORT KIDS AND THIS SHOULD BE A NUMBER ONE REASON FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ANYONE HAS A DANGEROUS ACCIDENT. *TR

IN OCT. MY TWO YEAR OLD AND I WERE IN A LEFT LANE ON THE EXPRESSWAY IN FLINT DURING RUSH HOUR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. SOMEHOW I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CARS WERE SWERVING AROUND US. PEOPLE HELPING ME PUSH THE CAR SAID THEY CAN'T BELIEVE WE WEREN'T HIT. IT WAS TERRIFYING. THE CAR ONLY HAD 79,000 MILES. THIS WAS JUST THE BEGINNING OF OUR JOURNEY. WE ALREADY HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE BACK TAILGATE (A DESIGN FLAW I'M TOLD), SLIDING DOORS TO THE POWER STEERING. AFTER A COUPLE MONTHS BECAUSE OF ARRANGING FUNDING AND GETTING A NEW TRANS THE CAR WAS BACK. I DROVE MY HUSBANDS LEASE ON MY 4 DAYS 50 MILE EACH WAY A WEEK COMMUTE PUTTING US WAY OVER THE MILES ON HIS LEASE. 4 WEEKS LATER THE LIGHT WAS ON AND THE TRANS SHOP HAD IT FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS WHILE THEY KEPT REPLACING PARTS TO GET IT WORKING. WE GOT IT BACK AND WITHIN A MONTH HAD IT BACK IN FOR SERVICE. MY SON AND I SPENT THE DAY AT THE SHOP. THE LIGHT WAS BACK ON WITHIN A MONTH. ON 6/21/07 WE DROPPED IT OFF. WE GOT IT BACK THE END OF AUGUST. THE TRANS SHOP GOT FORD INVOLVED AND THE TRANS SHOP REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE TORQUE CONVERTER, WHICH I READ COMPLAINTS ABOUT, WAS ONE OF THE THINGS REPLACED - I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES. I CONTACTED FORD LONG BEFORE THIS AND GOT NOWHERE WITH THEM. WE GOT THE CAR BACK AND A MONTH LATER THE LIGHT CAME ON. THE TRANS SHOP DECIDED TO START OVER AND GET ANOTHER COMPLETE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE IT. THEY ORDERED IT AND THE VAN WENT IN AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF W

EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE NOISE. SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY A GRINDING NOISE. I CAN NOT BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW LOUD THIS IS. IT IS NOT EVEN NEAR THE LEVEL OF NORMAL BRAKE SQUEALING. DEALERSHIP REPORTS THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THERE HAS GOT TO BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT IN THE WORKMANSHIP OF THIS BRAKING SYSTEM AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. THIS HAS BEEN ON GOING SINCE PURCHASE OF VEHICLE. *TR

MY 04 FREESTAR JUST STOPPED NO WARNING NOTHING JUST STOP WHILE I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER TO THE DOCTOR MY SON IN LAW HAD TO TAKE OFF WORK AND TOW ME HOME I CANT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED I LIVE ON A DISABILITY AND BARELY MAKE MY BILLS THEN I READ ON THE INTERNET THAT HUNDREDS OF THE SAME VEHICLES ARE DOING THE SAME THING I CAN BET THAT IT IS MY TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER WHEN I CAN GET IT FIXED FORD NEEDS TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,300.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE RPM'S CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED TO 2,000. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS AND THE RPM FLUCTUATES BETWEEN 25,000-35,000. THERE IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE; HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WHEEL HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL OF 2008, BUT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE INTERIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,550 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,600.

MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR STOPPED GOING FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. HAD IT TOWED AND IT NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION WITH LESS THAN 30,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR LIMITED ONLY HAS 48000 MILES ON IT. THIS MORNING WHILE MOVING SLOWLY THROUGH OUR DAUGHTERS SCHOOL PARKING LOT THE VAN LOST ALL POWER AND SHE COASTED INTO A PARKING PLACE. THE GEAR SHIFT SHIFTS INTO ALL GEARS BUT DOESN'T MOVE. WHEN YOU CRANK THE VEHICLE IN PARK IT JUST WHINES AND DOES THE SAME THING NO MATTER WHAT GEAR YOU ARE IN. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC SAID THE SPLINES ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER WERE GONE AND DUE TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILING IT HAS ALSO LEAD TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I AM BEING QUOTED REPAIR PRICES BETWEEN 1800 AND 2200 TO REPAIR IT. THIS VEHICLE IS TOO NEW FOR THIS TYPE OF A PROBLEM ON SO MANY VEHICLES, THE COMPANY SHOULD STEP UP OR THE NHTSA SHOULD REQUIRE THEM TO. *TR

12/06 FRONT DRIVER-SIDE BRAKE FROZE ON WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING VAN TO WANT TO PULL INTO OTHER LANE. DEALER SAID FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. ON 1/07 SAME THING HAPPENED ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE AGAIN CAUSING VAN TO PULL. DIFFERENT DEALER SAYS AGAIN A FAULTY MASTER CYLINDER. BOTH INCIDENTS COULD HAVE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. IT SEEMS MORE THAN COINCIDENTAL. I FEEL THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL DESIGN/RECALL PROBLEM. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 59,000 MILES DUE TO STRIPPED SPLIES ON TORQUE CONVERTER. A SEARCH FOR TORQUE CONVERTER STRIPPED SPLINES RETURNS FORD FREESTAR AS THE TOP RESULT. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE REVIEW TO SEE IF THERE IS A GENERAL DEFECT WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTERS. IT SEEMS EARLY IN THIS MODEL YEARS LIFE FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. *TR

WITH 51,000 MILES ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY FAILED WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. VEHICLE BASICALLY SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. GEARS WOULD NO LONGER ENGAGE AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP BLAMES A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER AND WANTS $1,600.00 IN REPAIRS. *TR

JUST DRIVING ALONG AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING. WOULD NOT WORK IN ANY GEAR, BUT WOULD GO INTO PARK. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR NOISES. *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING AT A STOP LIGHT. I FELT A POP AND THERE WAS NO POWER TO GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. IT WAS LIKE RUNNING IN NEUTRAL. TRIED SHIFTING GEARS BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I DID RESEARCH ABOUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR CASES OF INTERNAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION. THERE WHERE NO WARNING SIGNS. NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH COLUMN EVEN AFTER THE PROBLEM OCCURRED. I HAD MY 3 YEAR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE AND WE WERE VERY LUCKY THAT WE WERE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE SOMETHING HORRIBLE COULD HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FREESTAR 2004 & AT 44,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I AM NOT GETTING ANYWHERE WITH FORD AND I THINK THIS COULD RESULT IN A FATAL ACCIDENT. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF OTHER 2004 FREESTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM & I THINK FORD SHOULD ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I'VE BEEN ASKING ABOUT THE WEIRD BRAKE NOISE (GRINDING) EACH TIME I'VE TAKEN MY VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT FORD DEALERSHIPS. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG AND THAT MY PADS WERE FINE. I TOOK CAR TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE MY BRAKES WERE OBVIOUSLY SHOT AND THEY SAID THE CALIPERS WERE BAD. THEY ALSO SAID IT SEEMED PREMATURE FOR MY CAR. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAID THE SAME THING TO ME OVER THE PHONE AND A THIRD REPAIR SHOP SAID THEY SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN BAD IN THE 2 YEARS THAT I'VE OWNED THE CAR. I'VE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND MANY OTHERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

VAN WITHOUT WARNING STOPPED MOVING AND ENGINE CUT OFF. THIS IS A FOLLOW UP FROM OUR CHRISTMAS ADVENTURE. GOT IT TOWED TO DEALER AND AFTER 2 DAYS OF "LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM" TOLD ME THAT WATER LEAKED IN FROM UNDER DASH(IT HAD NOT RAINED OR SNOWED FOR DAYS- ROADS WEREN'T EVEN WET) AND GOT THE COMPUTER WET AN CAUSED IT TO MALFUNCTION. SEALED LEAK AND $250 LATER SENT US ON OUR WAY. FAST FORWARD 2WEEKS AND OUR VAN IS BACK IN THE SHOP AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS. COME ON NOW, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!! RECALL THIS PROBLEM BEFORE PEOPLE GET KILLED!!!!! *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE, CRUISE CONTROL SET AT 74, AND ALL AT ONCE THE ENGINE REVS AND ALL POWER IS LOST . MANAGED TO GET OFF TO THE SIDE. 3 ADULTS AND A 4 YEAR OLD. IT TOOK 2 HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET THERE. NOW I FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF FORD PRODUCTS. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR....DRIVING 45 MPH IN VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC...WIFE DRIVING WITH A 5 YEAR OLD, 2 YEAR OLD, AND 6 MONTH OLD....TRANSMISSION JUST DISENGAGED....JUST WENT INTO NON-OPERATIONAL MODE EVEN THOUGH YOU COULD SHIFT FROM R TO D TO 1 TO 2...VAN IS AT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY ARE INDICATING TRANS. FAILURE....IE TORQUE CONVERTER.*CN

2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN WITH 32,593 MILES ON ODOMETER WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A FLAT, STRAIGHT, STRETCH OF HIGHWAY AT A CONSTANT 60 MPH WHEN DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. DRIVER DANGEROUSLY MANEUVERED OUT OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY, BUT COULD ONLY COAST AND SOON DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO GEARS WORKING IN THE TRANSMISSION, NO DRIVE, NO REVERSE, NO LOW GEARS....NO ABILITY TO MOVE VAN AT ALL! WAITED FOR TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK ON A COLD MINNESOTA WINTER NIGHT IN DECEMBER. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. WAS INITIALLY TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT OUR FORD FREESTAR WITH 32,593 MILES (9 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY) NEEDED AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT FOR $3700, THEY TOLD US IT WAS TOO EXTENSIVE OF DAMAGE TO REPAIR ANY PARTS INDIVIDUALLY (THIS RECOMMENDATION CAME FROM THEM DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY ADMITTED THEY HAD NOT EVEN PUT THE CAR UP ON A LIFT). WE CALLED FORD DIRECTLY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE AND PLEAD OUR CASE FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAD EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE AND WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE TOLD US THEY WOULD CALL THE DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS PROBLEM. A DAY LATER WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD BE REPAIRING THE BROKEN PART, A TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD OFFERED $1000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. IT TOOK 10 DAYS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE BROKEN TORQUE CONVERTER. OUR COST WAS ULTIMATELY $1220.41. THIS WAS AN OUTRAGEOUS BALANCE DUE TO REPAIR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE! FORD DID

FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR IS A SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD SAFETY DEFECT. NHTSA NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED DRIVING ONE OF THESE THINGS. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE! FAMILIES DESERVE SAFE VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY WHEN PURCHASING DECISIONS ARE MADE BASED ON SAFETY CLAIMS!*CN DUPLICATETO 10290338*SMCH

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE MOVING. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE ON TRANSMISSION AT 49,500 MILES. TRANSMISSION REBUILD NECESSARY TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR

1. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING 2. AFTER NORMAL HIGHWAY DRIVING, I CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT. 3. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTOR AND THE SHAFT WERE DAMAGED, CAUSING METAL TO ENTIRE THE TRANSMISSION, SCORING IN THE VALVE COMPARTMENT. THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ARE BEING REPLACED. *TR

DRIVING ALONG AT HIGHWAY SPEED WHEN I NOTICED MY TACHOMETER SPIKE UPWARD AND THE ENGINE RACING. I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND GAVE THE VAN GAS ONLY TO HEAR THE ENGINE RACE AND NO PICK UP IN SPEED. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO GET ONTO THE SHOULDER SAFELY. THE FORD DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE "PLANETARY SHAFT" HAS BROKEN OFF INSIDE THE PUMP IN MY TRANSMISSION AND THAT MY REPAIR WILL COST ME ROUGHLY $3000.00. THIS FREE STAR IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. WHY IS THIS HAPPENING TO THESE FAIRLY NEW VEHICLES? I HAVE NOTICES OVER 1300 COMPLAINTS ON EDMUNDS NOT TO MENTION THE ONE ON THIS SITE. WHY ISN'T FORD DOING A RECALL. DO THEY NEED THE EXTRA MONEY TO MAKE THEIR STOCK HOLDER HAPPY! *TR

THE FIRST TIME WE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR (APPROXIMATELY 38,000 MILES)WAS IN APRIL OF 2007. WE WERE EXPERIENCING MANY PROBLEMS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO OUR DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT A DEAD MOUSE WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. THE NEXT TIME THE PROBLEMS WERE THE SAME, BUT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE VAN WHEN TAKEN INTO THE DEALER. THE THIRD TIME, THEY SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED REPLACED. AT THIS TIME THEY KEPT OUR VAN FOR THREE DAYS WAITING FOR FORD TO GET BACK TO THEM BECAUSE THE LOCAL DEALER DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS WRONG WITH IT. THEY FIXED IT BY REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER....$1109 LATER. THE FIRST TWO VISITS AMOUNTED TO APPROXIMATELY $400.00 I SHOULD ADD THE FIRST TIME IT STOPPED WORKING, MY WIFE AND TWO YOUNG CHILDREN WERE DRIVING IN A NOT SO HOT PART OF TOWN AND HAD TO PULL INTO A SEEDY AREA. CARS WERE HONKING THEIR HORNS AND YELLING AT MY WIFE TO MOVE. OUR LITTLEST CHILD WAS CRYING AND EXTREMELY UPSET. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO THEM AND WE DROVE THE SPUTTERING VAN HOME WHERE WE HAD IT TOWED. THE SECOND TIME WE WERE LUCKY. MY WIFE WAS IN HER WORK PARKING LOT. THE THIRD TIME WE WERE EVEN LUCKIER...WE WERE HOME. THE FOURTH TIME WE WERE COMING HOME (JUST TO LET YOU KNOW...IT WAS CHRISTMAS) WE HAD THE SAME THINGS HAPPEN..SPUTTERING, JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION, ENGINE SHUT OFF. ALL TIMES WE HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED. MY WIFE IS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT IN FEAR THAT WHEN WE PULL OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY, SHE A

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 56,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO...SHE ACCELERATED ONTO THE FREEWAY AND PULLING IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER WHEN THE VAN JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SHE QUICKLY ACTIVATED HER HAZARD LIGHTS AND MERGED OFF OF THE FREEWAY. MY FOUR CHILDREN WHERE IN THE BACK SEATS AND THIS COULD HAVE TURN TRAGIC IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. WE TOWED THE VAN TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS PROBABLY THE TRANSMISSION. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSIONS AND DID NOT FIND ANY. HOWEVER, I WAS ABLE TO READ OVER 1300 BLOGS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS ON EDMUNDS.COM WEBSITE. THE HORRIBLE THING THAT RAISE THE RED FLAG IS THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I JUST RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A ONE YEAR TOUR IRAQ, NOT THINKING MY FAMILY WOULD BE IN DANGER ON THE ROADS HERE IN THE GREAT U.S OF A. THIS IS A CRY FOR HELP / REQUEST THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THE FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILURES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, I PRAY THAT NO ONE HAS ALREADY BEEN KILLED. SENIOR CHIEF TROY THIBEAUX U.S. NAVY *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPAGE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DIDN'T CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BECAUSE THE DEALER TOLD HIM IT WAS NOT NECESSARY.

THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE OF A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE TRANSMISSIONS OF A FORD MOTOR COMPANY PRODUCT THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACCEPT OR BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND INTEGRITY ISSUE. *TR

BAD EGR VALVE. ORDERED PART 6 WEEKS AGO AND KEEP GETTING TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER, HAVE CALLED OTHER DEALERS, THEY HAVE SAID THEY WILL HAVE THE PART BUT NEVER GET IT. THIS VEHICLE IS A PRIMARY CAR AND IT HAS BEEN OUT FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE I CANT GET THE PART TO GET IT FIXED? I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, SIMILAR MILES BUT THEIR THE 05 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CANT GET THE PART EITHER. *TR

AFTER LEAVING A FAMILY GATHERING ON THANKSGIVING DAY WE WERE DRIVING HOME (MY HUSBAND, 2 KIDS AND I) WHEN AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO PUT IT ON REVERSE AND AND OTHER GEARS BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE, ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF A 3 LINES STREET WITH OTHER CARS HONKING AT US. BECAUSE IT WAS A HOLIDAY WE HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOUSE FIRST AND TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION THE DEALER TOLD US THAT IT'LL COST US $4390. AFTER COMPLAINING TO FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY AGREED TO LET US PAY $1293. *TR

ON 11/15/07, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 45,000 MILES NEAR OUR HOME, (LUCKILY), WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY WOULD NOT MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER AND STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT FORD WAS UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WAS A LIE. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL AAMCO DEALER. THE OPERATOR OF THE AAMCO DEALER IS A RETIRED FORD TECHNICIAN WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. IN FACT, HE MAINTAINS HIS FORD CERTIFICATION. NOT ONLY DID HE INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND FIND IT TO BE DEFECTIVE, BUT HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT OURS IS THE THIRD VEHICLE OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL WITH THIS SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO. ALL 3 VEHICLES HAVE AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE AS WELL. SO FAR, FORDS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER IN DEARBORN HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL AND IS STONEWALLING ME ON A RESOLUTION. I AM AWAITING A PHONE CALL FROM A SUPERVISOR AT THE CALL CENTER BUT I AM NOT HOLDING MY BREATH. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND MEET WITH THEM THIS WEEK. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WE ARE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE THAT WAS MARKETED FOR ITS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE AND FORD

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR TO WORK. SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A FREEWAY OVERPASS READY TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VANS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BE THE DEALER AS THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHTS TO THE FAILURE. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT THE VAN DID NOT DIE ON THE FREEWAY 20 FEET AWAY AND THAT SHE DID NOT ROLL INTO THE CAR BEHIND HER. THE VAN HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER REVIEWING EDMUNDS COMMENT BOARDS ON THE FORD FREESTAR IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. APPARENTLY, OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WITHOUT NOTICE. ONE POSTER WAS GOING 40MPH WHEN HIS VAN DIED. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSING PEOPLE FOR NEW TRANSMISSIONS. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 60,000 MILES AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR USED IN FEBRUARY OF 2006 FROM EASTERN MOTORS AND HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. FIRST IT NEEDED A TUNE-UP THEN THE COIL PACK WENT BAD AND NOW NEEDS BRAKES AND TIRES. BUT MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY TRANS-AXLE LIGHT COMING ON. I AM A MECHANIC SO I SCANNED IT ON OBD-II SCANNER,IT TOLD ME THAT MY TORQUE-CONVERTER WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. SO IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD BECAUSE I CANT GET IT AFTERMARKET AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME 300.00 FOR IT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS I CAN'T AFFORD IT AND ITS ON BACK ORDER FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG .FORD CANT GET UNTIL THEY GET SOME IN. ITS 2007 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE IT BUCKS AROUND WHILE DRIVING AND IT DOESN'T GO INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY. ALSO WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING IT MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE AT THE FRONT WHEELS AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHAKES WILE DRIVING 45 + MPH. ACCORDING TO MY VIN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG (YEAH RIGHT BS) IF I DIDN'T OWE SO MUCH ON THIS VAN I WOULD GET RID OF IT OR BETTER YET( SET IT ON FIRE MY SELF) SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT ANY MORE. I HAVE SEEN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE WROTE AND I AGREE THIS IS (BS )AND FORD SUCKS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMER. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THERE IS A RESTRICTION THAT PREVENTS THE STEERING WHEEL FROM TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT PROPERLY. ON AUGUST 31, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL; HOWEVER, THE WHEEL HAS BECOME EVEN HARDER TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

'04 FORD FREESTAR QUICK CONNECT ON FUEL LINE WILL COME LOOSE, SPRAYING FUEL ON MUFFLER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM! NO REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE. HAVE TO BUY COMPLETE FUEL LINE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. I'M AN AUTO-TECH AND HAD TO REPAIR THIS SAME VEHICLE BEFORE FOR THE SAME THING.

2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH NO REAR DOOR SENSORS. CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT THE REAR SLIDING DOOR SHOULD HAVE SENSORS ON THE REAR OF THE DOOR. *KB THE CONSUMER'S SON WALKED TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. HER SON GRABBED THE BACK EDGE OF THE DOOR, WHICH ULTIMATELY CLOSED ON HIS FINGERS. THE CONSUMER'S SON SUFFERED BRUISED AND SWOLLEN FINGERS. *JB

MYSELF, MY HUSBAND AND OUR TWO CHILDREN WERE LEAVING A RESTAURANT WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. MY HUSBAND STOPPED THE CAR AND TRIED SEVERAL GEARS AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY DIRECTION. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND IT STILL WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR. HE PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WE CALLED AAA FOR A TOW TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. SEVERAL HOURS LATER THEY TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3,000 TO REPLACE IT (WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD). THIS VAN HAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES ON IT. WE BOUGHT IT NEW AND STILL OWE OVER $13,000.00 ON IT. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FREESTAR TRANSMISSIONS GOING OUT ANYWHERE FROM 30,000 MILES TO 70,000 MILES - WAY EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD. JUST VISIT HTTP://TOWNHALL TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0FB94A/71 THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTAR, BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MINE (BYERLY FORD IN LOUISVILLE, KY), THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEREFORE NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WE HAVE SINCE TOWED MY FREESTAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST NEAR US WHERE IT IS IN LINE TO BE WORKED ON. HE ISN'T YET SURE IF HE CAN REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION OR IF A NEW ONE WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED. THIS IS NOW SEPTEMBER 11 AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VAN FOR 8 DAYS. I'M ALREADY OUT OVER $300 JUST FOR CAR RENTAL AND NO END IS IN SIGHT. *TR UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 44,800 MILES, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY A PASSING TRUCK DRIVER WITH HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE, THEN IT WAS MOVED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP CLOSE TO MY HOME. THE VAN NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND AN OXYGEN SENSOR THAT WAS DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. FORD WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THIS, AND MY INSURANCE IS ONLY WILLING TO PAY FOR THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET, BECAUSE THE DEALER IS WAITING FOR THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION TO ARRIVE. *JB