Page 10 of 18 · complaints 451–500 of 886

2005 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 2005 record →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 28, 2011140,000 milesNY

HELLO, WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR ON THE NYS THRUWAY AT 65MPH THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING AND THE CAR WAS NOT MOVING FORWARD. I BECAME FRIGHTENED AS CARS AND TRUCKS BEGAN FLYING BY AS I WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO SLIP INTO AN OPENING IN THE TRAFFIC AND PULLED MY CAR ONTO THE SHOULDER. IT SCARES ME TO THINK OF THE VARIOUS SITUATIONS THAT A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURRED HAD I NOT BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO MOVE THE CAR OFF THE ROAD. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A SHOP AND UNABLE TO REPAIR AT THAT SHOP HAVE THE CAR MOVED TO MY HOUSE WHERE IT NOW SITS. I JUST HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VEHICLE WITH HIS COMPUTER AND I WAS GIVEN A 3 CHOICE RANGE OF OPTIONS FROM $1100 FOR TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHAFT TO $3100 FOR A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. WHEN I MAKE A DECISION I WOULD BE ABLE TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE PARTS SAVED. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 26, 201146,916 milesIN

STOPPED AT STOP SIGN AND AS SOON AS I TOOK OFF THE GEARS WOULD NOT SHIFT AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HAD COASTED TO A SIDE STREET WHERE I SAT UNTIL MY VAN WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANIC. AFTER MECHANIC'S REVIEW HE STATED A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED DAMAGE TO ALL PARTS INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING THE TRANSMISSION USELESS. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. *TR

Power Train
Filed Apr 25, 2011133,000 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE BUT GEAR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 22, 201196,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL ABNORMALLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND THAT IT WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO FILED A CLAIM BUT PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/29/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 21, 201194,154 milesVA

THE BRUNSWICK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN. ON APRIL 20, 2011 FIVE AGENCY STAFF TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH TO A MEETING TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 75MPH EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AT WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED VIA TOW TRUCK TO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 20, 2011103,000 milesIN

I, ALONG WITH MY DISABLED FATHER AND 3 YR OLD DAUGHTER, WERE TRAVELING ON HWY 41 TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN I TRIED TO PASS SOMEONE AND MY VAN LOST COMPLETE ACCELERATION POWER. I HAD TO GET BACK INTO THE LANE AND COAST TO A SAFE AREA TO STOP AND LEAVE MY VAN. WE WERE SURROUNDED BY CARS TRAVELING IN SPEEDS OF 60MPH + AND COULD OF EASILY BEEN INJURED! THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNINGS OF ANY PROBLEMS. THE VAN JUST SIMPLY LOST COMPLETE POWER. NOW I AM LEFT WITH GETTING MY VAN TOWED AND HAVING REPAIRS MADE WHICH ARE LIKELY TO COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS! WHY IS THIS NOT ON RECALL YET??

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 201185,000 milesKY

VEHICLE WAS OPERATING IN NORMAL MANNER IN TRAFFIC. SUDDENLY ALL DRIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS WAS LOST. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL FROM A SOUND TO ANY SHUDDER FROM THE VEHICLE. SUDDEN LOSS OF PROPULSION VERY DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC MOVING 50 MPH. ENGINE NEVER STALLED OR DIED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER VEHICLE FROM FAST LANE TO A PARKING LOT ENTRANCE AND STOP VEHICLE. ENGINE RUNS FINE, BRAKES NO ISSUE; HOWEVER, THE VAN WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. THE TRANSMISSION NEVER ENGAGES WHILE SHIFTING ON THE STEERING COLUMN. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO FLUID LEAKAGE OR SMOKE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. VAN WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR FACILITY. TORQUE CONVERTER AND PUMP WERE REPLACED. TOTAL CHARGES OF ABOUT $1000 FOR THE WORK. SERVICE MANAGER AT BILL COLLINS FORD DENIED KNOWING OF ANY ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WHILE I WAS TALKING TO HIM TWO CUSTOMERS ARRIVED TO PICK UP VEHICLE WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM AND SIMILAR OCCURRENCE OF LOSS OF POWER IN TRAFFIC. HIS EXPLANATION WAS COINCIDENCE, YET THIS TORQUE CONVERTER / TRANSMISSION IS STOCKED AT A MUCH HIGHER THAN NORMAL LEVEL IN THE PARTS DEPARTMENT DUE TO HIGH DEMAND PER THE SERVICE DESK TECH. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 201155,600 milesPA

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 55,000 MILES ON IT THAT I BOUGHT NEW . BUT ON APRIL 15 2011 AS I DROVE DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30PMH I SUDDENLY HAD NO POWER OF FORWARD MOTION. I WAS HEADING TO A HILL . NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING A HIT THE BRAKES TO STOP AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS FORCED TO GO AROUND ME IN THE OTHER LANE. THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS COMING UP THE HILL. I TRIED TO PUT THE VAN INTO REVERSE TO SEE IF IT WORKED BUT IT WAS LIKE BEING IN NEUTRAL. THE VAN STARTED ROLLING DOWN THE HILL AGAIN. THE MOTOR WOULD RACE NO MATTER WHAT GEAR I PUT THE VAN IN. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP WERE I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. HE ASKED IF WHERE WERE ANY SIGNS OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THIS. WHICH THERE WERE NOT. HE TOLD ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SPLINES WERE SHEARED OFF AND THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. THAT WOULD COST ABOUT 2,300.00 AND TAKE A WEEK. NOW HE IS GOING TO SAVE THE PARTS FOR ME SO I CAN SEE WHAT HAPPENEDTO THEM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF FORD WILL TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DEFECT BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HAPPEN ON EVERY VAN MADE BUT IS HAPPENING ON A SELECT FEW YEARS. MAYBE IT WAS A BAD MATCH OF PARTS ,BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT PROBLEM. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 19, 2011154,410 milesOH

DRIVING AT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND I TURNED THE CORNER AND LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER. THE MOTOR RAN FINE BUT THE VAN HAD NO GEARS FORWARD OR REVERSE. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM, I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR ANYTHING AND NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 201126,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALL RELATED AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 07/08/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 14, 201155,800 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE ACCELERATOR WAS ENGAGED YET THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP WHERE SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 55,942.

Power Train
Filed Apr 11, 201166,050 milesMI

WHILE TRAVELING ON I-94, GOING 70 MPH, I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY GONE. I HAD TO PULL OVER TO A SAFE LOCATION ON THE SIDE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY WITHOUT THE USE OF A TRANSMISSION. MY HUSBAND AND 2 SMALL CHILDREN WERE IN THE VAN WITH ME AT THE TIME. IT WAS VERY UNNERVING AND DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THAT IT NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. THEY QUOTED $1400 FOR THE REPAIR BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THEM DOWN TO $1100. THE VAN HAS ONLY 66000 MILES ON IT. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM AND A RECALL NEEDS TO BE MADE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Apr 10, 201122,300 milesAP

VEHICLE STOPPED HAVING ANY FORWARD AND VERY LIMITED BACKWARD POWER IN MY DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 23,000 MILES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OR PREVIOUS INDICATION OF A PROBLEM. NO TRANSMISSION LEAKS, THE FLUID WAS A NORMAL COLOR. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT. *TR

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Apr 8, 201152,491 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SLIDING DOORS WHEN CLOSING DO NOT STOP OR OPEN WHEN AN OBJECT WAS BLOCKING IT. IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE PATH OF THE DOOR WHILE IT WAS CLOSING IT CONTINUED TO CLOSE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DOORS AFTER THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,491.

Power Train
Filed Apr 4, 201173,758 milesMI

MY SON DROVE THE FREESTAR HOME THE NIGHT OF 3/20 AND STATED IT WAS RUNNING A BIT ROUGH. THE NEXT MORNING MY WIFE HAD A HARD TIME STARTING THE CARE TO DRIVE OUR DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. ONCE SHE GOT THE VEHICLE STARTED AND BACKED IT OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET AND WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER AND WAS ACTUALLY ABLE TO START THE VAN BUT IT NOW HAD NO REVERSE. THE DEALER HAD THE VAN FOR 12 DAYS AND REPLACED THE PCM. WE GOT THE VAN BACK AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IMMEDIATELY. THE DEALER NOW STATES THAT THE WIRING AND CONNECTORS TO THE PCM ARE ALL SOAKED AND THEY NEED TO BE DRIED AND CLEANED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FREESTAR AND THAT I WAS QUITE LUCKY AS TO THE TIMING AND LOCATION OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT FAILED. I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THIS DESIGN FLAW IN THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED BY FORD PRIOR TO ANYONE GETTING INJURED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 31, 2011153,000 milesGA

MY WIFE WAS TAKING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL WHEN SHE PULLED OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY AND DROVE ABOUT A 1/2 MILE AND THE CAR JUST STOPPED GOING FORWARD. SHE TRIED PUSHING THE GAS AND THEY ENGINE JUST REVS UP. LUCKILY A NEIGHBOR WAS COMING UP AND TOOK HER HOME. WE YOU START THE CAR IT WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR. IT WON'T GO IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY TRANSMISSION PROBLEM UP UNTIL THIS POINT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 31, 201154,000 milesNY

OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR LTD MINIVAN HAS EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER SYMPTOMATIC OF A TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WHICH NO WARNING OR SIGNS OF A PENDING FAILURE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING, AND ALTHOUGH IT DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR SERIOUS INCIDENT, IT COULD HAVE. THE VAN HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIRS. THE SYMPTOMS EXPERIENCED SEEM VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE ARTICULATED BY OTHERS IN A PENDING NHTSA INVESTIGATION OF FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER INPUT SHAFT SPLINES ON THIS MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Torque Converter
Filed Mar 24, 2011146,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER ABNORMALLY WITH AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, SHAFT AND A PUMP WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR ALL COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,000. UPDATED 05/24/11*LJ UPDATED 05/26/11

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 16, 201166,495 milesOH

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND THEN IT DIED 5 MORE TIMES. WHEN I WOULD GET IT RESTARTED IT WOULD NOT GO, IT WOULD JERK AND SPUTTER. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS WATER IN WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS HOUSED.THEY HAD LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION DRIVEABILITY ISSUES, REFERENCE NUMBER 06-14-10. THEY ADVISED US THAT THIS WAS MOST LIKELY THE PROBLEM. WE REPLACED THIS PART FOR IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. PULLED OUT OF THE LOT AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 15, 201186,000 milesKS

MY WIFE WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH MY 2 AND 4 YEAR OLD TRAVELING 70 MPH TODAY(3/15/11). VAN LOST POWER TO TRANSMISSION AND THANKFULLY SHE WAS ABLE TO REACH THE SAFETY OF THE SHOULDER BY WAY OF DODGING TO SEMI TRUCKS COMING UP FAST BEHIND HER. VAN IS AT THE DEALERSHIP NOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAS CAUSED THE FAILURE OF POWER. I HAVE READ ABOUT ALL OF THE ISSUES OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING AND FIND THIS VERY DANGEROUS AND DISTURBING. SOMETHING NEEDS TP BE DONE BY FORD TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 12, 201183,230 milesTX

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WE BOUGHT IT IN 2008 AND ENJOYED DRIVING IT ALL OVER TEXAS BUT THE REAR BRAKES HAVE ALWAYS HAS MADE A MOANING SOUND NO MATTER WHAT IS REPLACED AND THE FRONT BRAKES RATTLE. DEC 2010 REPLACED THE WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, ILDER PULLEY AND BELT TENSIONER BEFORE I FOUND THE SOLUTION ON YOUTUBE THAT IT WAS THE CAMSHAFT SYCHRONIZER THAT WAS MAKING A SHRIEKING NOISE. THEN WITHOUT WARNING THREE WEEKS LATER THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL 83230 MILES, LEFT MY WIFE STRANDED IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LUCKILY IT WASN'T AT NIGHT OR MY KIDS IN THE VAN. NO CAUSE COULD BE DETERMINED BY MECHANIC OTHER THAN TRANNY PAN WAS FULL OF METAL AND HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT FOR $2000. I HAVE OWNED AN F150, AEROSTAR, AND EXPLORER ALL WENT OVER 180,000 MILES AND STILL WORKING WHEN I SOLD THEM. THE FREESTAR HAS BEEN A LET DOWN. NEXT MINIVAN WILL BE NISSAN OR TOYOTA. HOPEFULLY FORD WILL RECALL THE TRANNY ON THESE VAN SINCE MOST OF THE COMMENTS I HAVE READ EXPERIENCE TRANNY FAILURE AROUND 80K MILES HOPEFULLY NO ONE GET HURT BECAUSE OF IT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 10, 201171,500 milesKY

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN. OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS I NOTICED IT WOULD SHIFT HARD WHEN I PUT IT INTO DRIVE. THEN ON TUESDAY, 3/8/11 ME AND MY FAMILY WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, MY HUSBAND DRIVING, AND NOTICED THE VAN WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 3RD GEAR. WE PULLED OVER AND CHECKED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ADDED JUST A BIT. WE THEN STARTED DRIVING AGAIN AND THEN THE VAN WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. WE WERE ABLE TO GET IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE EITHER REPLACED OR REBUILT. WE ARE HAVING IT REBUILT WITH AT LEAST $1600 OR MORE EXPENSE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 7, 201183,000 milesNY

THE DAY AFTER A HEAVY RAIN, MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR STARTED STALLING OUT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. I THOUGHT IT WAS A SENSOR AS I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM LAST YEAR AFTER A HEAVY RAIN & TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE CAM SENSOR WHICH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION & HE COULD NOT FIX IT. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER WE BOUGHT IT FROM WHO CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION & WILL COST US $2,200 TO HAVE IT FIXED. WHY IS SUCH A NEW, LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE HAVING THIS PROBLEM? I HAVE BEEN READING MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VERY SAME VEHICLE. WHY HASN'T FORD RECALLED IT? WE CANNOT AFFORD THIS AND I NEED MY VAN. IT IS SO FRUSTRATING. ESPECIALLY KNOWING THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. ISN'T THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO??? I STILL OWE OVER $2000 ON THIS VAN THAT I EXPECTED TO LAST ME FOR YEARS WITHOUT HAVING TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 201180,939 milesIA

WE WERE RUNNING SOME ERRANDS ON 3/4/11. IT WAS RAINING . DIFFERENT TIMES I NOTICE A LITTLE BIT OF HESITANCY WHEN LEAVING THE MALLS & PULLING AWAY FROM STOPLIGHTS & STOPSIGNS. ON 3/5/11 WE WERE BACKING OUT OF OUR DRIVEWAY & PROCEEDED TO PUT IN DRIVE, VAN KIND OF CHUG A LUG AND WENT MAYBE 30 FT & STOP. RESTARTED VAN AND IT WOULD DO THIS ALL OVER AGAIN. FINALLY AFTER ABOUT 5-6 TIMES ,WENT AROUND THE BLOCK & PARKED IT IN DRIVEWAY. MILEAGE IS 80,939. WE HAD TROUBLE LIKE THIS IN JAN 2011. HAD IT TOWED TO LYNCH FORD, DEALER CHARGED US $150.00 & COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MAYBE BECAUSE IT WAS INSIDE THE DEALERSHIP & GOT DRIED OUT. MILEAGE APPROX 77800 BACK IN MARCH 2010, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING THE SAME TYPE OF THING CHUG A LUGGING & THEN STOP. HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP WHO THEN HAD TO TOW IT TO THE FORD DEALER. FORD DID HAVE A RECALL ISSUE ON TCM , REPLACED IT,THE COWL PANEL & NEW KEY FOBS. WE HAD TO PAY FOR LABOR DUE TO FORD MOTORS FAULT WHAT SUPPOSEDLY DIDN'T COVER. MILEAGE APPROX 65,000 NOT SURE ON THIS. AT THIS TIME. I BELIEVE IT IS THE SAME TROUBLE AGAIN. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 6, 201143,309 milesFL

MY HUSBAND WAS THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEM AND HE NARRATES THE EVENTS BELOW. I WAS COMING OUT OF A BASEBALL GAME AND AFTER A STOP SIGN I STARTED MOVING OUT FROM AN INTERSECTION TURNING RIGHT WITH TRAFFIC FROM THE LEFT. SUDDENLY, THE 2005 FREESTAR MADE A NOISE AND ACCELERATED (AS I HAD MY FOOT ON THE GAS) AND LIKE SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL GEAR. I TRIED TO GET IT IN GEAR AGAIN ONLY TO NOTICE THAT IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I TRIED TO STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT AS I WAS JUST MOVING OUT DIDN'T ROLLED ENOUGH TO CLEAR THE TRAFFIC LANE. CARS FROM THE LEFT STARTED AVOIDING ME GOING CLOSE TO THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO LANE ROAD AS ONCOMING TRAFFIC HONKED THEIR HORN. REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR IT STOOD LIKE IF IN NEUTRAL. FINALLY AFTER A WHILE THE TRAFFIC SLOWED DOWN SO I GOT OUT AND STARTED TO PUSH THE VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE AND COUPLE OF MECHANICS THAT HAD COME BY HAVE QUOTED ME OVER $2000.00 WHICH I CANNOT AFFORD SINCE I JUST GOT A JOB. I HAD TO RENT A CAR UNTIL I CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 4, 201177,069 milesWV

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, ENGINE RPM RAPIDLY INCREASED AND VEHICLE SLOWED IN SPEED. CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISENGAGED, DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR CAUSED AN INCREASE IN RPM, BUT VEHICLE HAD NO MOTIVE POWER. PULLEDTO SHOULDER OF INTERSTATE, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR. TOWED FOR REPAIRS-CAUSE OF FAILURE ATTRIBUTED TO TORQUE CONVERTER CURRENT MILEAGE-77069. PARTS REQUIRED TO EFFECT REPAIRS-TORQUE CONVERTER OVERHAUL KIT, BUSHING KIT, OUTSIDE DIAMETER BAND, PUMP ROTOR KIT, CLUTCH COMPLETER. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 2, 201172,082 milesFL

I PURCHASED MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR NEW AND WITH 72,082 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER, BANNER KIT, HARDENED PUMP SHAFT WITH PUMP GEARS REPLACED. WE WERE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AND FELT A THUMP LIKE WE HAD RUN OVER SOMETHING. PRIOR TO THAT THE VAN WOULD SHAKE AT 30 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR. THE COST OF THE REPAIRS WERE $14450. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS IN THE FREESTAR'S ARE NOT BUILT FOR VAN'S. 72000 MILES IS TO LOW FOR SOMETHING LIKE THE TRANSMISSION TO HAVE TO BE REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 1, 201188,109 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREE STAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WAS REPLACED WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. WITHIN 18 MONTHS, THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,109. UPDATED 04/08/11

Power Train › Driveline
Filed Feb 28, 2011101,000 milesIL

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING 200FT.BEFORE RAILROAD CROSSING. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 27, 2011123,000 milesKY

FIRST AND FOREMOST I AM A MOTHER OF THREE AND USE MY VAN DAILY TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO SCHOOL. THIS IS MY SECOND TIME HAVING TO REPORT TRANSMISSION FAILURE THE FIRST BEING IN JUNE/2010 WE WAS DRIVING AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE VAN'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WE HAD IT FIXED IN JULY 19 2010. THEN AGAIN 2/26/2011 I WAS DRIVING ABOUT THIRTY MILES FROM MY HOME TO VISIT MY BROTHER IN THE HOSPITAL I HAD GOT WORD HE WAS NOT DOING WELL FROM SURGERY AND I DID NOT MAKE IT I HEARD A NOISE AND FELT A SURGE SO I PULLED OFF INTO A PARKING LOT AND CALLED MY FATHER THAT WAS AT THE HOSPITAL TO COME AND PICK MY DAUGHTER AND ME UP. HE CHECKED EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD AND DID NOT SEE A PROBLEM. MY HUSBAND SHOWED UP A FEW HOURS LATER IN WHICH HE HEARD A NOISE IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN HE WENT TO PUT IN GEAR IT STARTED ROLLING THERE WAS NOTHING IT HAD DONE WENT OUT. SO WE CALLED THE WRECKER MAN TO COME GET IT WE HAD DONE SPENT $45.00,$50.00 AND NOW THIS COST $90.00 ON TOW BILLS. I WILL NOT KNOW UNTIL LATER THIS WEEK WHAT WENT OUT. I GOT ON THE INTERNET LAST NIGHT AND DAY AFTER DAY SOMEONE IS REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM HERE WE ARE. IN LESS THAN A YEAR OURS HAS WENT OUT TWICE WHAT WILL IT TAKE BEFORE FORD DOES SOMETHING TO FIX THIS LOSING A FAMILY MEMBER OR A WHOLE FAMILY. WE STILL OWE ON OUR VAN AND WITH THE ECONOMY WAS HOPING TO PAY IT OFF AND ENJOY LIFE WITHOUT PAYMENTS FOR A WHILE BUT WHO KNOWS.I DO NOT FEEL SAFE EVEN GETTING IN THIS VEHICLE I JUST FEEL IT WILL TAKE A DEATH BEFORE FORD WISES UP AND

Air Bags
Filed Feb 24, 201187,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR . THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL SINCE DECEMBER 2010. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT SHE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE AND THE DEALER ADVISED HER TO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 87,000. UPDATED 03/24/11*LJ UPDATED 04/22/11

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 23, 201187,877 milesTN

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN TO WORK. MY TRIP TO WORK WAS JUST LIKE ANY OTHER DAY. NO PROBLEMS AND WORRY FREE. I WAS AT WORK PULLING INTO MY PARKING PLACE AND IT WAS JUST LIKE SOMEONE HAD PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR, OR IN ANY DIRECTION. THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR MANY PEOPLE NOW INCLUDING MYSELF. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 22, 201163,000 milesMA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREE STAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD NOT MOVE INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A RESPONSE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THEY WILL SEND A LETTER TO THE LOCAL DEALER ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 63,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 22, 201165,000 milesNH

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE,AND I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OCCUR TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS AT ~30K MILES ON A LOCAL ROAD. THE SECOND WAS AT ~65K MILES ON THE INTERSTATE. BOTH TIMES I WAS ON A GENTLY INCREASING SLOPE AND SUDDENLY LOST DRIVE POWER. IN THE FIRST CASE, I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH SPEED (~25 MPH AT FAILURE) AND THUS TIME TO REACT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE POSITION. I WAS FORCED TO GLIDE BACKWARD DOWN THE SLOPE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IN THE SECOND CASE, I HAD ENOUGH SPEED (~70 MPH AT FAILURE) AND THE EXPERIENCE FROM THE FIRST TIME TO GET THE VEHICLE SAFELY TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE BEFORE LOSING MOMENTUM. BOTH EXPERIENCES WERE VERY DISCOMFORTING, AS I WAS CARRYING TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. THE SECOND TIME WAS ESPECIALLY UNSETTLING BECAUSE IT WAS AT NIGHT ON THE INTERSTATE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINTER, NOT TO MENTION THAT IT WAS SECOND TIME WITH THE SAME SYMPTOMS. IN BOTH CASES, ALL OTHER ENGINE FUNCTIONS APPEARED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. IN BOTH CASES THERE WAS NEITHER FORWARD NOR REVERSE POWER. I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THIS VEHICLE REPAIRED AND MAINTAINED AT THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT NEW. FOR THE FIRST FAILURE, THE DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SPLINES HAD BEEN STRIPPED OFF. THE SECOND FAILURE HAPPENED ONLY A WEEK AGO, SO IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP BEING REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSIS IS THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES WERE AGAIN STRIPPED AND ALSO THAT THE PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 20, 201162,665 milesNY

2005 FORD FREESTAR 62,665 MILES. TRANSMISSION WENT WHILE DRIVING WITH NO WARNING. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS REPAIR WILL COST BETWEEN $2500 AND $3500 DOLLARS U.S. LOST ALL POWER CONTROL TO THE VEHICLE. GOING UP HILL STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS ONLY OPTION WAS TO STOP. *TR

Visibility
Filed Feb 15, 2011MI

WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH THE LEFT WINDSHIELD WIPER COWLING CAUSED OUR POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE TO GO BAD. THIS REPAIR IS COSTING US ALMOST $1,000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET WE HAVE COME TO REALIZATION THAT THIS IS A VERY PROLIFIC PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VAN. JUST FOR THEM TO GET THE PART IS GOING TO TAKE A MONTH. THAT SHOWS YOU JUST HOW PROLIFIC IT IS. FORD IS NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS FAULTY COWLING THAT LEAKS DIRECTLY ON TO THE PCM EVEN THOUGH TENS OF THOUSANDS OR MORE PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO HAVE THIS PART REPLACED MULTIPLE TIMES COSTING THEM THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OUT OF THEIR OWN POCKETS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A GOVERNMENT FORCED RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES CAUSE IT'S APPARENT THAT FORD IS NOT GOING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR FAULTY EQUIPMENT DESIGN ON THEIR OWN.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 12, 201167,324 milesPA

DRIVING AT 55MPH, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY DISENGAGED. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE AFTER STOPPING. NO FLUID LEAKS, HIGH AMOUNT METAL FLAKES IN FLUID, HIGH FLUID LEVEL (NOT CIRCULATING) ALSO SUDDEN AND SLIGHT WHINING NOISE FROM TRANS AS WELL. TORQUE CONVERTER, OR PUMP HAS GONE BAD. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 8, 201140,986 milesNJ

STALLING OUT OF NOWHERE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 5, 2011160,000 milesNY

IN 2006 I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN USED WITH 23,000 MILES ON IT, AND IN 2007 THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SUDDENLY WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE 2007 TRANSMISSION REPAIR COST ME APPROX. $3600. TODAY 02/05/11, I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MPFH ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY(BOTH LANES GOING ONE WAY) WHEN MY VAN STOPPED ACCELERATING WITHOUT WARNING. I NEARLY WAS STRUCK BY AN 18 WHEELER IN TRAFFIC AS I ATTEMPTED TO SAFELY GET OFF THE ROA, I WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS IS TWICE A TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE! NHTSA PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO FORCE FORD MOTOR CO. TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS THEY PUT IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE , BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED - PERHAPS PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY DIED BECAUSE OF THIS. PLEASE HELP ME. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 2, 2011110,000 milesFL

FEBRUARY 1, 2011. 2005 FREESTAR, 110,000MILES. AS I WAS DRIVING 45MPH ON PARKWAY I ACCELERATED INTO MIDDLE LANE WHEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I HIT THE GAS, TACHOMETER REVVED BUT NO RESPONSE. I QUICKLY COASTED TO SHOULDER AND MANAGED TO AVOID GETTING HIT! AFTER PUTTING VAN IN PARK, I TRIED CHANGING GEARS BUT VAN WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. NO WARNING SIGNALS AT ALL! NOT EVEN A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAD VAN TOWED TO SHOP. STILL TROUBLESHOOTING FAILURE. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 31, 2011MA

FAILED COMPONENT #1: 8/9/10 - TRANSMISSION FAILED - REPLACED TRANSMISSION - $1,732.32, FAILED COMPONENT #2: 10/9/10 - REMOVE AND REPLACE ALTERNATOR - $442.00. FAILED ON ROUTE 95 SOUTH CT HEADED TO NJ, BATTERY FAILED, ALTERNATOR FAILED, POWER SURGE, POWER LOST, COASTED TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF EXIT WHERE I WAS STRANDED WITH 2 CHILDREN LATE AT NIGHT. HAD TO GET TOWED AND FIXED, STAYED OVER NIGHT IN SEEDY PART OF CITY. FAILED COMPONENT #3: 11/1/10 - REMOVE AND REPLACE ALTERNATOR - $297.68, FAILED ON ROUTE 113 AGAIN, POWER SURGE AND POWER FAILED, ALTERNATOR DIED, LOST POWER AND MANAGED TO GET HOME A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, HAD TO GET TOWED TO SHOP, NEW BATTERY FAILED AS WELL. HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS TOTAL.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 31, 2011108,000 milesIL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED; THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD AN OIL CHANGE AND THE VEHICLE SERVICED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 108,000.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 30, 201180,000 milesOH

2005 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM - CAR JUST STALLED ON ME WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY BUSY TIME PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY UP HILL. IN ADDITION, ANY TIME I TRIED TO PUT IT IN A GEAR IT WOULD ROLL BACK. I ALMOST HIT THE CARS/PEOPLE BEHIND ME. PLUS, I WAS BLOCKING THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 28, 201175,000 milesMA

DROVE ABOUT AN HOUR AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT WAS SLIPPING A BIT AROUND 65/70. HAD NEVER FELT IT BEFORE. CALLED MECHANIC WHEN WE GOT HOME WHO SAID BRING IT IN 2 DAYS LATER. WITHIN THAT TWO DAYS, THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY LET GO AND WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO MECHANIC. HE SAID HE FOUND WATER IN THE PAN. ENDED UP REPLACING TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT. GOT CAR BACK. WITHIN A WEEK THE CONVERTER LET GO AND HE SAID IT WENT THROUGH TRANSMISSION AND HE FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN PAN. HAD TO DROP TRANSMISSION AGAIN AND REPAIR. (HOPE THIS ALL MAKES SENSE, I BELIEVE THIS IS WHAT HE DESCRIBED TO ME BUT IF NOT, I CAN GET A BETTER EXPLANATION FROM THE MECHANIC). *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 27, 2011104,000 milesGA

TRAVELING ON BUSY 2-LANE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT..APPROX 50 MILES AN HOUR..SUDDENLY CAR REVVED UP AND WENT INTO NEUTRAL..ENGINE RUNNING FINE. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THERE WERE CARS EVERYWHERE..DARK HIGHWAY..NO STREET LIGHTS. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A PULL OFF POINT WITHOUT ANY INJURIES. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN...NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO TRANSMISSION SHIFTS OR SLIPPAGE, NO SMOKE, NO SMELL. SINCE THIS OCCURRED OUT-OF-TOWN--VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED OVER 100 MILES. QUOTED COST OF REPAIR AT LOCAL FORD DEALER--$3,000. NEEDLESS TO SAY, IT HAS BEEN SITTING SINCE THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE I DO NOT HAVE FUNDS TO GET IT REPAIRED.*TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 26, 201161,000 milesMI

WHILE DRIVING THE 2005 FREESTAR THE VEHICLES ENGINE STARTED TO REV AND QUICKLY BEGAN LOSING SPEED. I MANAGED TO GET THE VAN OFF THE ROAD BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AVOIDING A NEAR REAR END CRASH. THE VEHICLES WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR AND WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. WAS TOLD THAT THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTOR WAS STRIPPED AND CHARGED $1730.47 FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTOR. WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS NOT A UNCOMMON FAILURE FOR THIS VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE EASILY RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 20, 201178,000 milesCT

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR (78,000 MILES). THIS MORNING (1/20/2011) ON HER WAY TO WORK THE CAR LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. WHAT SHE EXPLAINED TO ME OVER THE PHONE I SUSPECTED IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP IN VERNON, CT. MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THE 'TORQUE CONVERTER' WAS SHOT AND WOULD COST $1,700 TO REPLACE. THE OTHER OPTION WOULD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AT A CHARGE OF $3,700. I EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT WHILE DOING RESEARCH ABOUT THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SPECIFIC MODEL YEAR. MECHANIC CLAIMING THAT THIS WAS THE 1ST FREESTAR HE HAS EVEN HAD WITH THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 19, 201166,309 milesNH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR SEL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED HE ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE BUT THE GEAR SHIFTER WOULD NOT RESPOND. HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT FROM PARK AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOW STALL, PERFORMED A MASTER OVERHAUL, AND REPLACED THE FILTER, PUMP SHAFT, OVER DRIVE BAND, MANUAL LEVER POSITION SENSOR, TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND THE OIL PUMP. THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,309. UPDATED 02/23/11*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jan 17, 2011117,131 milesIA

I WAS DRIVING WEST ON KIMBERLY RD IN DAVENPORT,IA. IN OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR. ON 1/17/2011 APPROXIMATELY AT 1230PM. AT THE INTERSECTION OF DIVISION ST AND KIMBERLY THE STOP LIGHT WAS RED AND THERE WERE THREE CARS IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY FREESTAR WOULDN'T MOVE. IT HAS ONLY A LITTLE OVER 117,000 MILES ON IT, AND DIDN'T GIVE ANY WARNING OF GOING OUT. AFTER REVIEWING EDMUNDS.COM FOR FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I SEE THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND I WAS LUCKIER THAN MOST. THE WORSE PART OF THIS WAS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, IT WAS ON A BUSY ROAD IN WINTER SNOW CONDITIONS AND CAME CLOSE TO BEING REAR-ENDED A FEW TIMES. LUCKY I DIDN'T HAVE MY FAMILY WITH ME, BECAUSE THIS COULD OF TURNED INTO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. A DAVENPORT OFFICER SHOWED UP TO GIVE ME A SAFETY BARRIER BEFORE A TOW TRUCK SHOWED UP, BUT I WAS THERE OVER AN HOUR BEFORE THE OFFICER SHOWED UP. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 14, 201180,772 milesMO

PULLED AWAY FROM STOP SIGN AND VEHICLE REACHED APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN VEHICLE SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS IN DRIVE. VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ATTEMPTED TO PUT VEHICLE IN OTHER GEARS INCLUDING REVERSE TO NO AVAIL. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC. MECHANIC DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SPLINES ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. MECHANIC REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER AT A COST OF $1168.68.

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.

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