Page 3 of 25 · complaints 101–150 of 1,227

2004 Ford Freestar complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Engine
Filed Jul 24, 2016130,000 milesWI

WHENEVER IT RAINS OR IS HUMID THE VAN SPUTTERS, DIES, STRUGGLES TO SPEED UP AND SHIFT. MY FAMILY WAS NEARLY HIT WHEN OUR VAN DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION DURING A RAIN STORM.

Power Train
Filed Jul 19, 2016160,000 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE GEARS WOULD ONLY SHIFT AFTER THE VEHICLE REACHED 30 MPH OR ABOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 13, 2016132,125 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,125.

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 8, 201685,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER BEGAN THE RECALL REPAIR,BUT WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE IT DO TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL. *JS

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 1, 2016154,000 milesKS

THE 3RD SEAT HOOKS RUSTED OUT LEAVING AND UNSTABLE PASSENGER SEAT AND BODY STRUCTURE ISSUES THAT ARE IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL #13S01BUT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING IN A "SALTBELT" STATE, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT KANSAS AND NEBRASKA USE SALE ABUNDANTLY ON THE ROADS. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY SPECIFIC CAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IS WAS MANUFACTURED DIFFERENTLY THAN THE 100,000 THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IT NOW HAS. I PUT MY FOUR KIDS IN THIS VAN AND NOW IT IS NOT STRUCTURAL STABLE FOR THEM.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Jun 20, 2016108,000 milesKS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP, BUT FAILED TO OPERATE AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) PRIOR TO PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Power Train
Filed Jun 20, 2016110,000 milesTX

TRANSMISSION GET LOST WHILE DRIVING FORD FREESTAR 2004 VAN; DRIVING BACK FROM CHURCH, STOP IN TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VAN COULD NOT START AGAIN, PUSHED TO THE NEAREST GAS STATIONS, TOWED TO THE DEALER, WAS ADVISED THAT SINCE THEY CANNOT DO ANY DIAGNOSIS WITHOUT TURNING ON THE VEHICLE AND KNOWS WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VAN, THEY NEED A NEW COMPUTER TO REPROGRAM THE CAR. PAID $2500 FOR COMPUTER REPLACEMENT AND REPROGRAMMING(RECEIPTS ATTACHED). I WAS TOLD ALL THE ISSUE WILL BE GONE. DURING THE DROP-OFF I TOLD THE SERVICE SPECIALIST THAT WHILE I AM DRIVING THE VAN SOMETIME WHILE INCREASING THE SPEED, OR JUST IN THE STEADY MOTION I DO EXPERIENCE CONDITION LIKE STUCK BACK AND FORTH, AND THEN MOVE; THE PROCESS REPEAT SOMETIME. TWICE THE CAR LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY THIS YEAR, AND WAS HELPED BY OTHER DRIVER TO STOP IT AND PUSH IT AWAY FROM THE HIGHWAY, LUCKY DUE TO CONSTRUCTIONS THE TRAFFIC WAS VERY SLOW. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FROM THE DEALER AFTER REPROGRAMMING I STILL HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NOW BACKSEAT DOOR CAN BE OPEN MANUALLY ONLY; DEALER TOLD ME IT IS TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE, WHEN I GOOGLE I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS KNOWN ISSUE (RECALL NUMBER 12V006000) FOR FORD FREE STAR 2004-2006 FOR TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT, WHEN I CALL THE DEALER I WAS TOLD YES THAT RECALL EXISTED, BUT MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED FOR THAT RECALL HENCE THEY CANNOT HELP ME. I COLD FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE, THEY GAVE ME THE SAME ANSWER THAT SINCE MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT LISTED THEY CANNOT HELP ME

Structure
Filed Jun 1, 2016125,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). WHILE OBSERVING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 26, 201686,580 milesNY

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS ROTTED ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR. I FOUND OUT WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION. THEY CALLED THE FORD DEALER THEY SAID FORD WAS NO LONGER MAKING THE PARTS. THE DEALER SAID FORD USED TO HAVE RECALLS. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS ON THE WINDSTARS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID ALL THE RECALL ON MY CAR WERE FIXED. THEY SAID I SHOULD CALL THE FORD DEALER.

Electrical System
Filed May 22, 201616,462 milesOH

PROBLEM #1 THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WILL NOT WORK . IT'S CONTROLL MODULE WAS REPLACED IT WORKED ONE TIME AND STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. PROBLEM #2 THE DRIVE AXLE BROKE IN TRAFFIC LUCKILY WE WERE STOPPING AND WERE ONLY GOING ABOUT 5 MPH. PROBLEM #3 TODAY AFTER A NIGHT OF HEAVY RAIN WHEN THE VAN WAS UNLOCKED THE RADIO CAME ON BEFORE THE KEY WAS EVEN IN THE IGNITION. WHICH BRINGS US TO PROBLEM #4 THE BIGGEST AND NO DOUBT MOST EXPENSIVE. THE VAN STARTED AND WAS RUNNING KIND OF SLUGGISH BUT RAN FINE IN REVERSE BUT IF YOU SHIFT TO DRIVE THE VAN SHUTS OFF. YOU CANNOT START IT IN NEUTRAL EITHER. I HAVE HAD 2 INDEPENDENT MECHANICS LOOK AT IT TODAY BOTH SAY IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. I LOOKED IT UP AND THERE IS A RECALL BUT OF COURSE IT'S THE WEEKEND AND I CAN'T CALL TO SEE IF IT'S COVERED.

Power Train
Filed May 17, 2016225,000 milesIA

DESPITE THE RECALL OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND REPLACEMENT OF PART, IT FAILED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE LOST ABILITY TO USE IT AFTER A SOCCER GAME. IT STARTED, BUT WOULDN'T DRIVE BEFORE LOOSING ALL POWER. IT WOUDN'T GO IN REVERSE AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THIS IS THE 2ND VEHICLE OF THE SAME MODEL TO DO IT THAT I OWNED. THIS COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT, SINCE I WAS HEADING TO THE INTERSTATE WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. I AM CONCERNED THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED AGAIN DUE TO EITHER A FAULTY PART OR THE WAY IT WORKS WITH OTHER PARTS. THIS IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN ON PEOPLE THAT OWN THESE VEHICLES.

Structure › Body
Filed May 17, 2016172,000 milesKS

FORD IS NOT HONORING 13V081000 FOR THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER PROBLEMS. OUR VAN WHICH IS OPERATED IN THE KANSAS CITY METROPOLITAN AREA, WHICH HEAVILY SALTS THE ROADS IS HAVING THE CORROSION PROBLEM. JUST THIS WEEKEND WE WERE TRAVELING WITH ALL SEATS OCCUPIED WHEN THE INNER FENDER WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE THROUGH WITH THE SEAT STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKET HITTING THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR TIRE. FORTUNATELY AT THE TIME WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE SEAT OCCUPANTS AND RETURN HOME SAFELY. THE DESIGN OF THIS SEAT STRIKER PLATE IS FLAWED AS THERE IS A REINFORCING PLATE ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE FENDER WELL THAT RESULTS IN ENTRAPMENT OF MOISTURE AND DIRT. THIS BAD DESIGN COMBINED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THREE PEOPLE OCCUPYING THE SEAT RESULTS IN STRESSING OF THE FENDER WELL MATERIAL. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER ON MONDAY AND GAVE THEM MY VIN THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY HINT OF A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE.

Seats
Filed May 10, 201687,000 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR MECHANISM FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TO PUNCTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRACTURED SEAT ANCHOR HAD PUNCTURED THE INSIDE SIDEWALL OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE REAR TIRE WAS NOT ALSO REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 8, 2016OH

FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2015. RECEIVED NOTICE FROM FORD OF SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING 3RD ROW SEATING. FORD WANTS $2100 FOR REPAIR OF THE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELLS. THE ROW SEATING IS USELESS DOESN'T LOCK IN OPEN POSITION.

Power Train
Filed Apr 15, 2016163,074 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING IN A MAJOR INTERSECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART SHORTLY AFTER AND BE DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE MINUTES, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 05/17/16*LJ *TR

Service Brakes
Filed Mar 15, 2016260,000 milesPA

THE 2004 FREESTAR IS SHORTING OUT ALL THE SENSORS ARE SHORTING OUT U TOOK IT TO BE PUT ON MACHINE AND IT CANE BACK WITH 17 SENSORS MALFUNCTION GOING ON AND IT'S THE ONLY VECHELE I OWN AND I'VE GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND I SEE 100000 OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHAT SHOULD I DO I MIGHT BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VRAJE SENSOR IS GOING AND I CAN'T STOP I'M NOT RICH I CANTVGO BUY ANOTHER VAN PLEASE HELP ME

Power Train
Filed Feb 26, 2016123,000 milesWA

I BOUGHT THIS CAR IN 2014. IT STRANDED ME ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. FINALLY AFTER 4 HRS I GOT IT TO WHERE I COULD DRIVE IT HOME. TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG THEY HAD TO SEE IT ACT UP. EVEN THOUGH THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ON AND THE LIGHT FOR THE TRANSAXLE WAS ON THE SHOP SAID THEY PUT IT ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND IT SHOWED NOTHING. SO I TOOK IT HOME AND IT WHEN I DRIVE IT IT JERKS AND THE RPM'S GO TO ABOUT 4000 RPM'S BEFORE IT SHIFTS. I HAVE HAD IT 4 TIMES AT A SHOP AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW IT HAS REALLY GONE BAD. IT NO LONGER SHIFTS YOU CANT GET IT PAST 35 MILES PER HOURS BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD PROBABLY BLOW. I CAN'T TAKE IT ON THE FREEWAY BUT EVERY SHOP I TOOK IT TO SAID NOTHING IS WRONG. I HAVE A YEAR TO GO ON PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE I COULDN'T EVEN DRIVE IF I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN I WOULDN'T OF BOUGHT IT. THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM DIDN'T EVEN TELL ME THAT THIS VAN HAD THIS PROBLEM NOW I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF THIS VAN IS ON THE RECALL LIST OR NOT OR IS IT TOO LATE TO GET IT FIXED. I STARTED HAVING THIS PROBLEM 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT IN JULY OF 2014.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 24, 201681,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION AS A RESULT FUEL LEAKED FROM THE OUTER PART OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 15, 2016125,000 milesMO

VAN JUST LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH. AFTER CALLING FORD I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DONE IN 2011 AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN.

Power TrainFire
Filed Feb 11, 2016120,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, AND DRIVING AT 25 MPH, SMOKE FILLED THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Power Train
Filed Feb 8, 2016170,000 milesCO

MY VAN SUDDENLY WENT OUT OF GEAR AND THE VAN LURCHED FORWARD, WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MPH. THANKFULLY WE WERE IN TOWN, AND NOT GOING A FASTER SPEED OR ON A MAJOR HWY! AFTER COASTING TO A SAFE PLACE, WE FINALLY MANAGED TO GET IT TO GO BACK INTO GEAR FOR A SHORT TIME. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, WE MANAGED TO GET IT HOME. IT REFUSES TO GO INTO GEAR NOW AND HAS BEEN PARKED SINCE THEN. I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, AND THOSE CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIANCED THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS AS MY VAN. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH A LOT MORE VANS THAN ORIGINALLY THOUGHT AND THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO OTHER VIN #S, INCLUDING MINE.

Suspension
Filed Jan 31, 2016MI

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS SEVERELY CORRODED. MECHANIC SAYS IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE. FORD RECALLED 425,000 1998-2003 FORD WINDSTARS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. IT DOESN'T APPEAR THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED.I DON'T WANT TO WAIT FOR IT TO FAIL BEFORE IT'S REPORTED AND I CAN'T, IN GOOD CONSCIENCE, SELL IT SOMEONE ELSE. IS THERE ANYTHING I DO TO RECTIFY THIS?

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jan 19, 201687,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY ON AN ELEVATION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, DECELERATED, AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 201667,000 milesTX

THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) GETS WET . THE CAR WILL THEN EXHIBIT VARIOUS FAILURES INCLUDING ENGINE STOP, TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO ENGAGE, ENGINE CODE INDICATORS. THIS CAN HAPPEN WHEN STATIONARY (TRANSMISSION WON'T ENGAGE ) OR IN MOTION( ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF ABOVE CERTAIN SPEEDS, MAY BE 35-45MILES PER HOUR) OR THE TRANSMISSION WILL BEGIN SLIPPING. FORD HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN TSB 06-14-10 ON THIS ISSUE

Power Train
Filed Dec 10, 2015GA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE JERKED BACK AND FORTH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACTED RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSISTED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Power Train
Filed Dec 10, 2015219,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEAT BELTS); HOWEVER, IT WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED AND THE GEAR SHIFT HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 219,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Dec 8, 2015120,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 26, 2015142,004 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,004.

Seats
Filed Oct 6, 2015MI

FORD IS RECALLING 04-07 FREESTAR FOR THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKETS. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THEY SAID MY VAN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL. MY THIRD ROW STOWABLE SEAT IS EXPERIENCING CORROSION AND STRUCTURAL DEGRADATION AT THE SEAT ANCHOR MECHANISM MOUNTED TO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS. AND I KNOW THAT THIS WILL NOT FULLY LATCH INTO ITS SEATING POSITION. WHAT CAN BE DONE REGARDING THIS ISSUE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY GAVE ME A CASE # NUMBER BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL( 13V081000) RECALL ID 92589

Seats
Filed Oct 5, 2015223,040 milesMO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT A LARGE PIECE OF METAL WAS PROTRUDING FROM UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEAT). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 223,040. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Visibility
Filed Sep 14, 2015120,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH WAS LOOSE. THE LATCH REQUIRED READJUSTMENT IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE LATCH. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE REAR SEAT LEVER FRACTURED AND THE BOTTOM LATCH WAS USED AS A TEMPORARY OPTION TO LIFT THE SEAT UP AND DOWN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ALSO FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE MOTOR FOR THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE STILL WOULD NOT OPEN AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Seats
Filed Sep 4, 2015KY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S THIRD ROW REAR SEAT WAS UNATTACHED TO THE ANCHOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. MA 10/5 *CN

Seats
Filed Aug 26, 2015200,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT BRACKETS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BRACKETS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) BUT THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

Wheels
Filed Aug 14, 2015210,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE TWO REAR WHEELS DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 10, 2015168,368 milesNC

WHILE DRIVING MY 4 CHILDREN ALL BUT ONE IN A CAR SEAT, MY CAR JUST DIED WITHOUT WARNING, MY CAR STARTING ROLLING BACKWARDS BEFORE I HAD EVEN REALIZED IT SHUT DOWN. IN PANIC I GOT THE CAR STOPPED AND PUT INTO PARK AND GOT HAZARDS ON AND THEN TRIED STARTING CAR AND IT FIRED RIGHT BACK UP. I BROUGHT IT TO MECHANIC TO BE TOLD ITS THE AIR FILTER, CHANGED THAT THEN GOT TOLD ITS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, REPLACED THAT THEN WAS TOLD THAT'S NOT IT. FINALLY SOMEONE SAID ITS THE PCM!! NO ONE CAN DO IT BUT FORD SO I CALLED FORD, FORD SAYS THAT CANNOT DO IT!! GO FIGURE, SO I AM NOW SCRAMBLING FOR THE MONEY AND FOR THE PARTS AND FOR THE MECHANIC TO FIX THIS. AND FROM WHAT I CAN FOLLOW FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS ITS NOT JUST ME THIS HAPPENING TO OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THIS IS A FAULTY MAKE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE CUSTOMERS POCKET ANYMORE. FORD SHOULD PICK UP THE PIECES.

Power Train
Filed Aug 8, 201583,000 milesNJ

MY CAR HAS SPENT 10 DAYS AT FORD TO BE SERVICED AFTER HAVING THE SAFETY RECALL SERVICE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEHAVING UNPREDICTABLY, SOMETIMES STALLING OUT WHILE IDLED, STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION, SOMETIMES IDLING WITH HIGH OR LOW RPMS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT BACK IN TO CHECK THE TORQUE CONVERTER, THEY THEN SAID IT WASN'T THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THE THROTTLE BODY, THEY THEN CLEANED THAT AND SAID IT'S NOT THE THROTTLE BODY, IT'S THE PCM. THE PCM IS TAKING ON WATER FROM A FLAWED DESIGN OF THE ABOVE PCM WHERE WATER IS RETAINED AND EVENTUALLY LEAKS ON TO THE CONNECTOR. THIS OF COURSE IS NOT COVERED BY FORD, AND CAN COST UP TO $1200 TO REPLACE. THIS ISSUE CREATES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS MAKING IT HARD TO IDENTIFY THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM. CAUSING EXTENDED STAYS FOR MAINTENANCE. THIS SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY FORD AND NOT IT'S CUSTOMERS AS THERE'S NO WAY THIS FLAW CAN BE CAUSED BY USER ERROR, IT'S A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST.

Electrical System
Filed Aug 7, 2015154,970 milesVA

2ND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VAN STARTED BUCKING/SPUTTERING/SURGING. IT WOULD DIE AND THEN FIRE RIGHT BACK UP JUST TO DO IT ONCE AGAIN. SOAKED PCM CONNECTOR WAS TO BLAME BOTH TIMES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW BY FORD AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M GLAD I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.

Power Train
Filed Aug 6, 201583,230 milesNJ

FOLLOWING THE SAFETY RECALL REPLACEMENT OF MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR'S TORQUE CONVERTER MY VAN LOST ALL POWER WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION GOING APPROXIMATELY 15MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS OF A PROBLEM (NO LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, NO ODD NOISES, NOTHING). THE VEHICLE JUST LOST ALL POWER AND CAME TO A STOP, LUCKILY I WAS JUST SHY OF THE CROSS-TRAFFIC. THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION OF THIS VEHICLE IF IT DIES AFTER GETTING THE PROBLEM PART, THE TORQUE CONVERTER, REPLACED AS A RESULT OF A SAFETY RECALL. UPON BRINGING IT BACK TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART REINSPECTED, I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO CODES BEING THROW BY THE COMPUTER AND THE CAR IS FINE. CLEARLY THE CAR IS NOT FINE IF IT'S STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE IN MOTION. I'M VERY FRUSTRATED.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 31, 201562 milesCA

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND AS I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY NO WARNING ,NO NOTHING JUST DIED I ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE PCM IS NOT SEALED PROPERLY AND GOT WET AND FRIED OUT THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT FORD WOULD SEE TONS OF THESE COMPLAINTS LIKE I HAVE SEEN ONLINE SAME PROBLEMS AND PUT PEOPLE LIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES IN DANGER WITH THIS POOR MANUFACTURING. WHAT CAN I DO ??? THANK YOU [XXX] VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR*JB

Electrical System
Filed Jul 25, 2015156,000 milesIN

STARTED SPUTTERING, JERKING, AND STALLING PCM WAS WET CAUSING ALL KINDS OF HAVIC LOST POWER GOING INTO A TURN AND ALMOST WENT INTO A DITCH FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND GET IT FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENS ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND FORD KNOWS IT IS THERE FAULT AND THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

Power Train
Filed Jul 17, 2015157,000 milesIN

TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED A YEAR AGO COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ALMOST WENT INTO A DITCH TRYING TO GET IT OFF THE ROAD NO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION UNTIL I HAD FORD REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER DUE TO RECALL

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 11, 201550,000 milesDC

VAN WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE, POWER WINDOWS WONT WORK DOOR LOCKS WORK STRANGE. PCM MODULE HAS MOSTURE ALSO HARD SHIFTING WHILE IN TRAFFIC

Power Train
Filed Jul 9, 2015101,000 milesME

I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL PERFORMED ABOUT 8 MONTHS AGO. WHILE DRIVING TODAY, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. FORD DEALERSHIPS REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTERS WITH FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTERS.

Power Train
Filed Jun 25, 201577,000 milesPA

ACCELERATING AT 35-45MPH. LOSS OF POWER AS ENGINE STARTS A GRINDING NOISE AND WONT UPSHIFT TO NEXT GEAR. INDY MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE/REBUILD TRANSMISSION .RECALL FOR TORQUE CONVERTER WAS PERFORMED BY FORD DEALER PRIOR TO PROBLEM.

Electrical System
Filed May 13, 2015157,000 milesNC

DIFFERENT THINGS ARE HAPPENING. MY VAN IDLES AT A HIGHER RPM. MY VAN DOESNT WANT TO CRANK ON THE FIRST TURN OF THE KEY. MY VAN IS POSSIBLY MISS-FIRING. MY FRONT WIPER MOTOR HAS STOPPED. MY ALTERNATOR WAS REPLACED. NOW MY BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON BUT THEN MAY GO OFF. MY CAR SHUTS OFF WHEN IDLES, MY BATTERY LIGHT IS ON. NOTHING BUT THE ENGINE CRANKED, BUT BATTERY LIGHT IS ON. MY BATTERY WAS REPLACED WITH IN 6 MONTHS BEFORE THIS. SOMETIMES THE SIDE DOORS DECIDE TO OPEN WHEN BUTTON IS PUSHED AND SOMETIMES THEY DO NOT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH WATER GETTING INTO THE PCM. WATER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET INTO THIS AREA. THERE IS NOT TIME FRAME AS TO HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN DAMAGED, BUT IT IS A PROBLEM. IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. WHEN RESEARCHING THE INTERNET I FIND THAT THIS IS ALMOST EVERYONE'S ANSWER TO THEIR PROBLEM, I FEEL THAT IT IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS SOME ATTENTION FROM FORD TO RECOGNIZE AGAIN. YES SOMETIMES THESE PROBLEMS CAN BE DUE TO SOMETHING ELSE BUT WHEN ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS HAVE BEEN FIXED OR REPLACED AND IT CONTINUES THEN IT IS A PROBLEM.

Power Train
Filed May 12, 2015141,723 milesOH

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AS VEHICLE APPEARS TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO OVER DRIVE THERE IS A SHUDDER IN THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE HAD VEHICLE CHECK BY A PROFESSIONAL REPAIR FACILITY AND BEEN ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS BAD. THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, ALTHOUGH I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED. I AM HOPING THAT A REVISION CAN BE DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND ALL OTHERS LIKE CAN BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Engine
Filed May 11, 2015162,801 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND THERE WAS NO ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. IN 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED RECENTLY BECAUSE THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,801.

Power Train
Filed Apr 27, 2015135,928 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) IN 2012 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,928.

Suspension
Filed Apr 8, 2015185,600 milesOK

AS I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN,@ A PERMITTIBLE SPEED 25 M.P.H. I COULD HEAR NOISE EMANATING FROM THE RT. FRT. SIDE OF THE VEH. FUEL SYS. FURTHER CK'ING NEEDED. *TR

Structure
Filed Apr 6, 2015141,000 milesCA

FIRST CRACK IN U SHAPED STEEL CHANNEL NOTICED WHEN I TOOK THIS VAN IN FOR OTHER RECALL REPAIRS AT YUCCA VALLEY FORD . THEY NOTIFIED ME AND I HAD IT WELDED . A FEW MONTHS LATER CRACK WAS BACK HAD IT REWELDED AND GUSSETS ADDED TO RESTRENGTHEN BOTH SIDES. LASTED SIX MONTHS TILL I TOOK TO TIRE SHOP TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED AND TWO NEW TIRES PUT ON. LEFT NEXT DAY FOR GIG BROKE ONE MILE FROM HOME JUST PAST THE WELD. THIS VAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CALIFORNIA CAR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. NO RUST. SAME REAR AXEL AS WINDSTAR. BAD DESIGN. VAN IS HEAVY LITTLE [XXX] STEEL CHANNEL TO HOLD ALL THAT WEIGHT IS STUPID. COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS BUILT THAT WAY. HOW COME NO RECALL FOR SAME AXEL DESIGN ON FREESTAR. PEOPLE APT TO DIE FROM THIS STUPID DESIGN. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Ford Freestar → · Every Freestar year → · How the figures are calculated →