SEVERE RUST ISSUES PLAGUE THE FRAME, JACK POINTS, AND REAR FRAME (SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA). THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL LOOKS AS IF IT HAS NEVER HAD PAINT ON IT THERE IS SO MUCH RUST. WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS AGO AND ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE FORD DEALER TO HOPEFULLY GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. WE DID NOT REALIZE THE SEVERE RUST ISSUES PRIOR TO PURCHASE. *TR
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 →
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WET THE SYSTEM SEEMS TO SHORT CIRCUIT ITSELF. IT CAUSES IT TO SHIMMY AND SHAKE AND IT WONT ACCELERATE. WE NOTICED IT SEVERAL TIMES AND TOOK IT IN WHERE WE WERE TOLD IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR BUT AFTER HAVING IT REPLACED TWICE IT IS STILL HAVING THE ISSUE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS CONTIGUOUSLY ON AND IT BLINKS ERRATICALLY WHEN EVER ANY WATER IS PRESENT. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE SENSOR CAN GO FAULTY DO TO A COIL ISSUE ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK ON THINGS IT SHOULDN'T. *TR
AS STATED WITH OTHER 2004 FORD FREESTARS, REAR RUST ON DRIVERSIDE REAR, REAR SEAT WILL NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE SAFETY LOCK IS RUSTED AWAY, NOT SAFE TO ANY PASSENGER TO SIT THERE. *TR
I HAVE HAD THIS VAN 1 MONTH AND PAID $8000,ITS MY FIRST CAR PAYMENT,86,000 MILES AND I AM LOSING POWER AND THE WATER LIGHT IS COMING ON THE VAN IS JERKING WHEN DRIVING THIS,,I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE LEMON LAW IN MICHIGAN. *TR
THE PANEL THAT THE LATCH IS BOLTED TO WAS CORRODED AND CAME OF LEAVING NO PLACE FOR THE LATCH ON THE DRIVE'S SIDE TO ATTACH TO. *TR
BASICALLY, WHEN IT'S WET OUTSIDE THE CAR DIES AFTER STARTING. THERE WILL BE A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN IT WILL JUST STUTTER AND STALL OUT. IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP BUT THEN IT WILL DIE AGAIN. THIS WILL EVEN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN IT'S WET OUTSIDE SO FAR BUT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT CAUSING IT AND THE DEALER IS NO HELP AT ALL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR TIRES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WHEEL MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL WERE RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE THIRD ROW LATCH FAILED AND THE SEATS WERE UNABLE TO STAY FOLDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL AND LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT THE COMPUTER MODULE AND THE COIL PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR MORE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
BACK SEAT WOULDN'T LATCH. FOUND ROTTEN WHEEL WELL DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION AND LATCH FELL OUT ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE WHEEL WELL. NOW, THERE IS A HOLE WHERE THE LATCH WAS AND THE REAR SEAT IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO LATCH TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. I HAVE THREE KIDS SO NOW THEIR LIFE IS IN JEOPARDY AND THE VAN ISN'T EVEN 10 YEARS OLD. WE'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VAN. ALSO, THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. WE WERE TOLD CHEVY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF WATER COMING RIGHT DOWN ONTO THE COMPUTER AND THEY DESIGNED A PART FOR IT, BUT NOT FORD. *TR
AFTE RPARKING VAN NOSE IN,ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BACK UP WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REVERSE VERY SLOWLY WITH MINIMAL POWER. WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT ACCELERATION TO MOVE FORWARD. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED BY MYSELF AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS EMPLOYEE AND FOUND TO BE AT PROPER FLUID LEVEL.DROVE VEHICLE 30 MILES WHEN IT CUT OFF COMPLETELY,WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD(IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY AND FOGGY AS WELL). WAS AGAIN ABLE TO GET VAN GOING AND MADE IT ANOTHER 15 MILES BEFORE IT CUT OFF ON ME AGAIN AND WAS AGAIN DIFFICULT TO TAKE OFF AND REQUIRED ONCE AGAIN MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT MOVING. FINALLY MADE IT ANOTHER 5 MILES HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. HAD RECEIVED NOTICE 2 MONTHS EARLIER FROM FORD RE A RECALL RELATED TO TORQUE CONVERTER. MECHANIC AT MAGIC CITY FORD IN ROANOKE,VA. SAID PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH TORQUE CONVERTER WITHOUT DRIVING OR WORKING ON VEHICLE. *TR
THE LEFT REAR 3RD ROW SEAT ANCHOR PLATE, MOUNTED NORMALLY TO THE LEFT REAR INNER WHEELHOUSE AS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE WHEELHOUSE, HAS RUSTED AROUND THE PLATE EDGES AND THE ENTIRE PLATE IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEELHOUSE ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY IT IS RUSTED THRU ON THE LEFT , RIGHT, AND BOTTOM EDGES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, REMAINING ATTACHED ONLY ALONG ITS TOP EDGE. THIS IS LETTING ROAD MOISTURE INTO THE INTERIOR REGIONS OF THE VAN, SOILING CARPET AND JUTE, CAUSING ODOR AND POSSIBLE MOLD DEVELOPMENT. THE 3RD ROW SEAT CAN NO LONGER BE SAFELY ATTACHED. *TR
CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A STOP. AFTER THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FURTHER DIAGNOSES BY FORD INDICATED TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED. THIS IS 5 MONTHS AFTER TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL. OBVIOUSLY TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. LOTS OF PEOPLE ON-LINE REPORTING SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FLOOR. THE PLATE THAT WAS HOLDING THE SEAT IN PLACE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND DISCONNECTED LEAVING A HOLE NEAR THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE. THE PLATE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT WAS ALSO COVERED WITH RUST, BUT HAD NOT BROKEN AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,300. UPDATED 02/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND ITS 5YRS CORROSION WARRANTY.UPDATED 03/1/2013 *JS
THE PCM INTERNAL COMPUTER IS CRASHED AND CAUSE THE VEH TO RUN POORLY AND NOT START, DRAINED BATTER, ETC - THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH A LOT OF 2004 FREESTARS AS I READ ONLINE AND WAS TOLD TO SUBMIT THE INFO SO THAT MAYBE THEY WILL DO A RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED. THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR
I HAD MY VAN IN PARK WHILE I DROPPED MY KIDS OFF TO THE SITTER..CAME BACK OUT THE VAN HAD DIED..I TRIED TO START AND IT WOULD NOT EVEN TURN. THOUGH MAYBE BATTERY..PUT A KNEW ONE IN AND STILL NOTHING. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PCM WHERE IT WAS CORRODED DUE TO WATER LEAKING IN. A TOTAL OF A LITTLE OVER $1200 FOR PART AND LABOR. VERY LUCKY I WAS PARKED AND NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE DIED. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THERE IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN THAT IS ALLOWING WATER TO GET INTO THE PCM AND CAUSING IT TO GO BAD. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PART WITH OTHER OWNERS. *TR
I OWN 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LATCH THE THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, THE LATCH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FLOOR PANEL ,SIDE PANEL AND ATTACHMENTS WHICH HOLDS THE THIRD SEAT LATCH BRACKET THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH BRACKET SLIDES OUT AND EXTRUDES TO REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURST THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHILE RUNNING CAR. I AM ENTERING THIS COMPLAINT IN RELATION TO OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TAKING PLACE (EA12003 AND PE11039) FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY 3RD ROW SEAT BACK UP AND LOCK IT INTO PLACE. ON THE DRIVE SIDE I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, I KNOW NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE LATCH HAD BROKEN OFF BECAUSE OF RUSTED PANEL. THE WHOLE PLATE RUSTED THRU . *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
THE DRIVER-SIDE WALL BRACKET THAT LOCKS THE THIRD ROW SEAT INTO THE UPRIGHT (USABLE) POSITION IS LOOSE. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS WELDED TO THE INNER SHELL SHEET METAL OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE INNER SHELL AROUND THE BRACKET HAS RUSTED SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE THE BRACKET TO BE LOOSE. WE HAVE DISCONTINUED USE OF THE BACK SEAT, FEARING INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION DURING A POTENTIAL CRASH. *TR
RETURNING FROM A 'DUMP RUN', I NOTICED THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE 3RD ROW PASSENGER SEAT, DRIVER SIDE, HAD BEEN DISLODGED AND WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. I WENT TO RECONNECT IT AND I FOUND THE LATCH 'FLOATING'. IT WAS NO LONGER PART OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD SEE OUT THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE WELDED PLATE, THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE VAN WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE TIRE FOR DAMAGE, YET. THIS IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING ERROR, AS THE LATCH BRACKET USED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER SEAT IN PLACE, NEEDS TO BE A PERMANENT PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VAN ISN'T TOO OLD, AND SHOULD LAST MANY MORE YEARS/MILES AND FOR THIS PIECE TO COME LOOSE, IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A QUALITY ISSUE. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR FEAR OF BEING GOUGED ON THE COST TO REPAIR, WHICH SHOULD BE AT FORD'S COST. IF THIS WAS A PICK UP TRUCK WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS ALL THE TIME, I COULD SEE A RUST ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED AND GARAGED NIGHTLY, SO IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN - EVER. THE OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE ARE ALL SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PART. RIGHT NOW, I'M USING A STRAP TO HOLD THE PIECE IN PLACE, STRETCHING TO THE LATCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COMMENT: THIS VAN HAS HAD TOO MANY QUALITY ISSUES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2006 - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, DRIVER SEAT HEATER REPLACED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MECH. REPLACED, IGNITION REPLACED. *TR
DURING STS TIRE SERVICING, MECHANIC SHOWED ME A LARGE SECTION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL HANGING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND A MICHELIN TIRE THAT CONTAINED ABRASIVE RIPPING CAUSED BY THE SECTION OF STEEL THAT HAD BEEN DANGLING AND RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THE LARGE SECTION OF STEEL CONTAINED AN ANCHOR AT THE CENTER WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED TO HOLD THE THIRD ROW ROW IN PLACE. THIS STEEL PLATE WITH THE ANCHOR FOR HOLDING THE THIRD ROW SEAT IN PLACE IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH ALLOWED THE WELDS HOLDING IT IN PLACE TO FAIL CREATING DANGERS OF: UNSECURED SEATING, HOLE EXPOSING PASSENGERS TO EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE AND MOVING PARTS, OPENING FOR RODENTS OR OTHER DANGERS TO ENTER VEHICLE, KNOWLEDGE OF PRIOR MAY CAUSE FEAR AND PANIC OF DRIVER OR PASSENGERS WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR MENTAL ANGUISE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SMITH FORD DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON, N.J. REQUESTING AN INSPECTION AND WARRANTY REPAIR OF THE ABOVE STATED STRUCTURAL STEEL. SMITH FORD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND THAT FORD DOES NOT ACCEPT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. REPORTED THIS TO FORD HEADQUARTERS ON NOVEMBER 30, 2012 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS CORRECT IN STATING THAT FORD WILL NOT REPAIR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. MY WIFE IS INCREASINGLY HAVING TERRIFYING VISIONS OF MICE JUMPING ON HER WHILE DRIVING, HAVING SNAKES CRAWLING INTO
HAVING THIS PROBLEM 4 DAYS IN A ROW, ENGINE QUITS AT ANY SPEED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES, CAR WILL SPEED UP WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING MOVED, FORD SAID WATER IN THE COMPUTER COULD COST 1,000 TO 1,500. CHECKED ON MY COMPUTER FOUND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM!! HAS ANYBODY BEEN KILLED YET? WHEN IS THE N.T.S.B GOING TO ACT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT A LARGE SQUARE BOLT NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THIS BOLT HELD THE REAR SEAT IN PLACE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET WAS FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WAS UNABLE TO LATCH AND REMAIN IN PLACE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THEN COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. IN 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING CONSUMERS WHO HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, WOULD RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND QUARTER HAS PASSED AND HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 AS HE ACCELERATED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. AFTER COASTING ABOUT 2000 FEET, HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AT THE EXIT RAMP AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DENIAL LETTER STATED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 3, 2009 AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2010. UPDATED 11/28/12 THE CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2012. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER USED THE SAME FLAWED PARTS TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. UPDATED 02/28/13
THE MIRRORS WILL ONLY MOVE DOWN AND IN (TOWARD THE VEHICLE). NOW THE ALARM STARTS BLARING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CD PLAYER COMES ON AT WILL. AFTER READING THROUGH THE FORUMS, APPEARS MY A/C THAT QUIT IN APRIL 2011 COULD BE CONNECTED TO THE OTHER ISSUES AND THE FACT THAT THE SIDE DOORS CONTINUALLY OPEN AT WILL EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY FIXED THE DOORS AND CAN NO LONGER FIND AN ISSUE SINCE THEY CAN NOT RECREATE THE ISSUES WITH THE DOORS OR CD PLAYER. THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE A POTENTIAL HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. WHEN FORD SAYS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THEN THEY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION. EVEN THE MEASLY REFUND/RECALL REPAIR WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER DOES NOT FIX THE ENTIRE ISSUE. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE. BOTH TIMES THE MECHANIC FOUND WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS CHANGED, AS POSSIBLE CULPRITS, BUT THAT DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE AT HAND, AS THE WATER RETURNED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE MECHANIC FOR THE THIRD TIME WITHIN THE YEAR, WITH WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC IS STUMPED AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE WATER MAY BE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF IT. A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT VEHICLE SUSTAINED UNKNOWN INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. MY WIFE WHILE DRIVING WITH CHILDREN ON A SECONDARY HIGHWAY LOST FORWARD MOTION WHILE TRAVELING UP A HILL. WAS LUCKY SHE WAS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STEER OFF HIGHWAY AND NO VEHICLES BEHIND HER. IT HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE EVER SINCE. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GERMAN FORD DEALERSHIP THAT QUOTED US A $10,000 DOLLAR REPAIR TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FOUND A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION SHOP THAT REPAIRED IT FOR ABOUT $4,000, BUT NOW THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE ERROR CODES, (TRANSAXLE, AND CHECK ENGINE LITE). REPLACED MULTIPLE SENSORS TRYING TO SOLVE PROBLEM AND BOUNCED BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND A DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIP THAT GUARANTEED THEY COULD FIX AND REPAIR ANY PROBLEM ON AN AMERICAN FORD. THOUGHT I HAD A POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROBLEM AFFECTED BECAUSE OF THE TSB (06-14-10). I WAS ASSURED THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM. IN BETWEEN THIS, FORD ISSUED THE RECALL (NHTSA ID 12V006000, ACTION NUMBER EA09016, RECALL NUMBER 11S25). MY VEHICLE HAD TO SIT FROM JANUARY-JULY 2012 WAITING ON THE RECALL TO BE ISSUED ON MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. AFTER REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER UNDER THE RECALL, THE GERMAN FORD DEALERSHIP STILL HAD THE TRANSAXLE LITE COME BACK ON, SO REPLACED A SENSOR. FOLLOWING THIS WORK, THE OIL PRESSURE LITE CAME ON. THE GERMAN FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE SENSOR. NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT EVEN START. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO BE TEST DRIVEN TO DETERMINE IF THE TRANSMISSION IS GOOD OR NOT, AND THE GERMAN FORD DEALERSHIP
VEHICLE SHUT OFF GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT SLOW SPEED AFTER MAKING LOUD SQUEAKY SOUND. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON MANY OCCASIONS SINCE THEN AND TODAY 11/01/2012 IT BECAME MORE SEVERE. MY WIFE ATTEMPTED TO GO TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AROUND AUGUST/SEPTEMBER DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CURRENTLY EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WERE ABLE TO DO. THE VEHICLE IS VERY UNSAFE AND I HAVE CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE BECAUSE OF THE RECALL, THE VOICE CLAIMS THAT THE VEHICLE IS STILL SAFE BECAUSE THE STEERING REMAINS FUNCTIONAL, THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR MY VEHICLE. AFTER, ONE OF THE MANY "INCIDENTS", OFTEN THE VAN WILL LOSE COMPLETE POWER AND THE POWER STEERING WILL DISENGAGE AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECOMES VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN EVEN FOR A LARGE MALE. WE BOUGHT THE VAN AS A FAMILY VEHICLE, AS MOST DO, WHICH MAKES IT EVEN MORE PROBLEMATIC AND DISTURBING. I AM DISGUSTED WITH FORD FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. *TR
AFTER A MAJOR RAIN STORM, TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD START, BUT WOULD QUICKLY STALL. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. DID NOT HAVE REVERSE GEAR. GARAGE TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. DID HAVE A RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT DIED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET SCHEDULED. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE PCM BOARD GETTING WET. TOWED TO A FORD GARAGE FOR REPAIRS. HOPING THAT I GET TREATED FAIRLY. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY FOR ENTIRE REPAIR BILL - NEW TRANSMISSION AND NEW PCM BOARD - AFTER ALL THEIR FAULTY PARTS WERE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE! NOT ABLE TO 'POPULATE' ABOVE "AFFECTED PARTS". *TR
THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FREESTAR LOST POWER, I WAS DOING T MOST 40 MPH BECAUSE IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR ON THE I15 HWY BY HESPERIA EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOOSING POWER AND THEN I SAW IT GO FROM FORTY TO SLOWER MPG AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND THEN THERE WAS FIRE MY 1CAR WAS BURNT A TOTAL LOSS MY DAUGHTER AND I BARELY ESCAPED WITH OUR LIVES MINUTES BEFORE THE VAN EXPLODED SOMEONE HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US FORWARD SAVING OUR LIVES WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED I WALKED BACK TO MY CAR AND THE FIRE HAD EXPANDED FAR PAST WHERE ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE STANDING. MY DAUGHTER IS STILL TRAUMATIZED BY THE EXPERIENCE AND SO AM I. WE WOULD OF BEEN SEVERELY BURNT OR DIED WHEN THE CAR EXPLODED AND EVERYTHING CAUGHT ON FIRE PAST THE SPOT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING THE FIREMEN COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE HAD BEEN SO EXTENSIVE. WE LOST EVERYTHING MY DAUGHTER LOVED, ALL HER MOST PRECIOUS MATERIAL THINGS WE WENT FROM DRIVING ON A HAPPY TRIP TO THE REALIZATION WE COULD OF DIED BY THE FIRE. IF THE PASSERBY WOULD NOT HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US TO SAFETY. *TR
THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FREESTAR LOST POWER, I WAS DOING T MOST 40 MPH BECAUSE IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR ON THE I15 HWY BY HESPERIA EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOOSING POWER AND THEN I SAW IT GO FROM FORTY TO SLOWER MPG AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND THEN THERE WAS FIRE MY 1CAR WAS BURNT A TOTAL LOSS MY DAUGHTER AND I BARELY ESCAPED WITH OUR LIVES MINUTES BEFORE THE VAN EXPLODED SOMEONE HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US FORWARD SAVING OUR LIVES WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED I WALKED BACK TO MY CAR AND THE FIRE HAD EXPANDED FAR PAST WHERE ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE STANDING. MY DAUGHTER IS STILL TRAUMATIZED BY THE EXPERIENCE AND SO AM I. WE WOULD OF BEEN SEVERELY BURNT OR DIED WHEN THE CAR EXPLODED AND EVERYTHING CAUGHT ON FIRE PAST THE SPOT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING THE FIREMEN COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE HAD BEEN SO EXTENSIVE. WE LOST EVERYTHING MY DAUGHTER LOVED, ALL HER MOST PRECIOUS MATERIAL THINGS WE WENT FROM DRIVING ON A HAPPY TRIP TO THE REALIZATION WE COULD OF DIED BY THE FIRE. IF THE PASSERBY WOULD NOT HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US TO SAFETY. *TR
NOTICED A PANEL LOOSE IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WHILE REMOVING THE WHEEL. THE PANEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL WELL, WITH ONLY SOMETHING ATTACHED TO IT ON THE INTERIOR KEEPING IT FROM FALLING OFF. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS PANEL IS THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR AND THE SEAT LATCH WAS THE ONLY THING KEEPING IT FROM FALLING OFF. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $906.99. THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR WAS REMOVED AND THE HOLE TEMPORARILY TAPED CLOSED, AND THE REAR SEAT IS NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE USED. CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS EXIST FOR THIS CONDITION AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NONE. CURRENTLY TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE CONDITION OF THIS PANEL/ANCHOR IS UNUSUAL WHEN COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BRACKET FAILURE. THE BRACKET IS MOUNTED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THE WELD AROUND THE BRACKET HAD SEVERE RUSTING, NO WHERE SIMILAR TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. THE PLATE HOLDING THE BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY DROPPING THE SEAT. THE PLATE AND BRACKET BEGAN RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. IF I HAD NOT STOPPED AND FOUND THE PROBLEM AND SECURED THE BRACKET, THE TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT WAS PREVENTED, BUT SERIOUS BODY FAILURE OCCURRED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AS IS THIS SEAT SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED UNTIL IT CAN BE FIXED, THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE FIX. *TR
THE 3RD ROW REAR SEAT ON MY 2004 FREESTAR DOES NOT LATCH INTO SEATED POSITION PROPERLY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUPPORT RING WHICH THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCHES INTO WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE TRIM. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT A STEEL PLATE WHICH THE SUPPORT RING IS MOUNTED HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN IT IS NOT LATCHED IT HAS A TENDENCY TO INTERFERE WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF METAL HOLDING THE MOUNTING PLATE IN PLACE, IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE TO LATCH THE SEAT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE METAL PLATE FROM SCORING THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOUNTING PLATE CONTINUES TO BE SECURE, YET THERE IS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. IF SOMEONE STOWS THE 3RD ROW SEAT AND TRIES TO FLIP IT BACK INTO SEATING POSITION WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THE SUPPORT RING IS LOOSE, THEY COULD END UP SCORING THE SIDEWALL ON THE REAR TIRE AND CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE. FURTHER, THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE SEAT BELT IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT COULD BE COMPROMISED DURING AN ACCIDENT; THE SEAT COULD PITCH FORWARD OR FLIP BACK BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOLIDLY SECURED TO THE VAN'S STRUCTURE. *TR
OUR TWO DAUGHTERS WHERE IN THE REAR SEAT AND COMPLAINED OF A BAD SMELL AS IF SOMETHING BURNING. AT ABOUT THAT SAME TIME I NOTICED HEARING A RUBBING NOISE EVERY TIME WE TURNED LEFT. WHEN WE GOT HOME SHORTLY AFTER I LOOKED UP UNDER THE INNER FENDER OF THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND FOUND A LARGE STEEL PLATE LOOSE AND RUBBING THE TIRE. IT WAS SO RUSTY YOU COULD SEE THE INTERIOR PLASTIC PANELS AND INSULATION. AT THAT TIME I PUT AWAY THE REAR SEAT AND NOTICED THE LEFT SIDE ANCHOR WAS TOTALLY LOOSE AND WHEN I ASKED THE GIRLS IF THEY NOTICED THAT THE SEAT MOVED THEY STATED THAT THEY DID NOTICE IT MOVE BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THERE IS NOW A HOLE IN THE CAR WHEEL WELL AND WE CANNOT USE THE BACK SEAT. WE HAVE A BUNGEE CORD LATCHED TO THE TWO SEAT ANCHORS HOLDING THEM INWARD TO KEEP THE METAL PLATE FROM RUBBING THE TIRE. THE VAN IS NOW LIMITED TO FOUR PASSENGERS AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT CARBON MONOXIDE ENTERING THE CAR. *TR
EVERY SINGLE TIME GAS IS BEING PUMPED INTO THE CAR THE PUMP STOPS SEVERAL TIMES. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY FILL THE GAS TANK. NOT ONLY DOES IT JUST STOP, IT FREQUENTLY SPITS GAS BACK OUT. THE GAS, WHICH IS A CHEMICAL, HAS GIVEN AT LEAST 2 PEOPLE CHEMICAL BURNS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND WHILE THIS IS A "KNOWN ISSUE", THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE AND/OR REPAIR UNLESS I PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE, IT IS DANGEROUS IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY BE A RECALL DUE TO THE CHEMICAL BURNS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED. ALSO THE POTENTIAL DEVASTATION THAT COULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE AT A GAS STATION THROWS A STILL BURNING CIGARETTE BUTT DOWN AND IT LANDS IN THE REMAINS OF THE GAS THAT HAS BEEN SPIT BACK OUT AND ONTO THE GROUND. ALTHOUGH NO SMOKING SIGNS ARE POSTED, I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE STILL SMOKING WHILE PUMPING GAS. *TR
INABILITY TO LATCH THE REAR SEAT, ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE ANCHOR PLATE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR
THE LEFT REAR SEAT ANCHOR HAS DETACHED FROM THE BODY DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL BY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE THIRD SEAT IS NO LONGER USABLE AND THERE IS A HOLE THROUGH THE BODY THAT LETS AIR AND WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA SHOWS RUST AS WELL BUT THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS NOT YET DETACHED FROM THE QUARTER PANEL. TWO FORD DEALERS HAVE SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT CAN BE FIXED. MY CONCERN IS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOISE AND WATER ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND THE LOSS OF USE OF THE THIRD SEAT. THIS VEHICLE IS TOO YOUNG AND USEFUL TO BE SCRAPPED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 19 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IMMEDIATELLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR HAD BEEN COMPLETED THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND ON THE WAY HOME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN ORDER FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING WORN SPLINES IN THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER. *TGW THE CONSUMER SUBMITTED THE SERVICE INVOICE. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT PULLED THE REAR SEATS UP AND NOTICED THE STUD WHICH HOLDS THE BACK SEAT IN PLACE WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE STUD AND IT FRACTURED. ALSO, THE WHEEL WELD WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WELDED NEW METAL PIECES TO THE WHEEL WELLS ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA12003 (SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY STRUCTURE STRUCTURE:BODY) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 11/14/12*LJ
THE VEHICLE LOOSE POWER WILL STALL WITH ENGINE RUNNING OTHER TIMES ENGINE WOULD STALL 2-4 SECONDS THE JUMP BACK ON HAPPEN ALOT WHEN PLGS WIRES ARE FINE IT RAINS, GET ENGINE LIGHT ALSO. RESETS, BUT WILL RESUME ON THE NEXT START WITH EMISSION CODES AND PCM ERRORS. *TR
THE THIRD ROW DRIVERS SIDE SEAT ANCHOR NO LONGER HOLDS THE SEAT IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE PLATE IN THE WHEEL WELL THAT THE ANCHOR ATTACHES TO HAS RUSTED LOOSE. I BROUGHT THE VAN TO MY DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. *TR
OUR SON WAS IN THE REAR SEAT AND COMPLAINED THAT AS WE TURNED CORNERS, HIS SEAT MOVED. HE SAID IT FELTS AS IF IT WERE NOT LATCHED. UPON INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND THE SEAT DID NOT LATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS TO RELATCH IT AND FOUND THE LATCH ANCHOR WAS LOOSE. BEING DARK AND 30 MILES FROM HOME, WE DROVE ON. WE THEN HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THAT WHEEL WELL AND BEGAN TO SMELL "BURNING RUBBER". HAVING NO OTHER OPTION, WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE DARK HIGHWAY AND SAW A PIECE OF METAL HANGING OUT OF THE VAN, ONTO THE TIRE. WE PULLED IT THE REST OF THE WAY OUT AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE SEAT LATCH ANCHOR. THE AREA SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED...FROM THE INSIDE. THE METAL DID NOT LOOK RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. WE NOW HAVE A HOLE IN THE SIDE OF THE VAN (IN THE WHEEL WELL) AND A VAN WHICH IS INCAPABLE OF HAULING OUR FAMILY OF FIVE. EVEN USING IT AS A FOUR-PASSENGER VAN, WE HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT EXHAUST ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN. (MILEAGE NOTED IS APPROXIMATE). *TR
ON 7 OCT. 2012, SUNDAY WHILE DRIVING TO KLEBER KASERNE U.S. ARMY BASE IN KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY WITH MY WIFE MY 2004 FORD, FREESTAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ROAD WAS WET FROM RAIN. I WAS IN LIGHT TRAFFIC IN THE SLOW LANE AND THIS PROVED TO BE FORTUNATE. I PUSHED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AS SOON AS I REALIZED I HAD LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND WAS SLOWING DOWN IN A COAST ON THE HIGHWAY. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. MY CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE BRAKES WORKED. THE ENGINE WOULD SHOW AN INCREASE IN RPM ON THE DISPLAY WHEN I TOUCHED THE GAS AFTER I STOPPED BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. I CALLED MY ADAC AUTO CLUB, GERMANY FOR A TOW TRUCK AND THEY ARRIVED SOON AFTER. THE DAY BEFORE THIS I HAD DRIVING TO FRANKFURT, GERMANY AND WIESBADEN, GERMANY ON A RAINY DAY AND RETURNED THAT EVENING. THIS IS A ROUND TRIP OF ABOUT 200 MILES ON THE AUTOBAHN. THE AUTOBAHN I TAKE TO FRANKFURT HAS SECTIONS WITH NO SPEED LIMITS AND THE TRAFFIC IS VERY FAST. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS DIDN'T OCCUR ON THE AUTOBAHN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. FOR ANYONE ELSE THIS HAPPENS TOO, STAY CALM AND LOOK FOR A PLACE TO GET OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. IF A PERSON IS IN FAST TRAFFIC SUCH AS THE FAST LANES HERE IN GERMANY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS COMMON TO PASS CARS HERE IN THE AUTOBAHN IN THE SLOW LANE AT 70 TO 80 MILES PER HOUR WHILE WATCHING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR CARS IN THE FAST LANE THAT OFTEN ARE TRAVELING IN THE 90 TO 110MPH SPEED. IN MY FORD FREE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR SEAT SUPPORT CORRODED CAUSING THE SEAT TO FALL FORWARD AND ALSO PUSH PIECES OF METAL INTO THE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
I AM ENTERING THIS COMPLAINT IN RELATION TO OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TAKING PLACE (EA12003 AND PE11039) FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY 3RD ROW SEAT BACK UP AND LOCK IT INTO PLACE. ON THE DRIVE SIDE I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, I KNOW NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE LATCH HAD FALLEN OFF AND WAS LAYING ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE WHEEL. THE WHOLE PLATE RUSTED THRU AND FELL OFF INTO THE WHEEL WELL. I'VE HAD THIS CAR SINCE 2004. YES I LIVE IN A SNOW STATE THAT USES SALT, BUT THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE GARAGE ITS ENTIRE LIFE. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT STANCE, IF ANY, FORD IS TAKING WITH THIS ISSUE. *TR
THE THIRD ROW SEAT WAS LOOSE WHEN LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE I NOTICED THE METAL PLATE WAS LOOSE. I PUT DOWN THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND LOOKED THROUGH THE PLASTIC TO SEE THAT ALL AROUND THE METAL PLATE ROTTED AWAY. SINCE THE THIRD ROW SEAT WAS NOT LOCKED IN PLACE WHEN I TOUCHED THE BRACKET ON THE METAL PLATE, THE ENTIRE PLATE FELL OUT ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THE METAL ALL AROUND THE PLATE INSIDE THE REAR QUARTER PANEL IS ROTTED AND THERE IS NOTHING TO WELD THE PLATE BACK TO. THERE IS ALSO A LARGE OPENING INTO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THAT PLATE IS NO LONGER THERE. MY SEVEN SEAT VAN CAN ONLY HOLD FOUR PEOPLE SAFELY. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RECALL NOTICE 11S25/12V006000 CONCERNING TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL IN MARCH. HOWEVER, THE RECALL LETTER STATED PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL THE THIRD QUARTER OF 2012. IN JULY 2012, WHEN THE CONSUMER WENT TO HAVE THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, SHE INQUIRED ABOUT THE RECALL, AND THE DEALER INFORMED HER, THEY WERE ONLY REPAIRING VEHICLES, THAT HAD ACTUALLY HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE CONSUMER THEN RECEIVED AN OFFICIAL LETTER, STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. HOWEVER, SHE FELT THE DEALERSHIP WAS GIVING HER THE RUN AROUND, IN NOT FIXING HER VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER.
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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 →