2005 Ford Freestar complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2005. WHILE ACCELERATING AT A STOP SIGN, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND VEHICLE LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THERE WERE NO RECALLS; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT STATED HE FOUND OVER 700 COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

ON AUGUST 18,2008 WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR ON THE HIGHWAY HOME FROM VACATION WHEN SUDDENLY THE RPM'S SHOT UP AND THEN THE CAR SLOWED DOWN SO WE COULD PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD. THEN CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN IN GEAR. NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER,HAD THE CAR TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP WHO STATED IT WAS SOMETHING IN TRANSMISSION, HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED AGAIN TO TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD WENT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 58000K MILES ON THE CAR... *TR

I WAS STRANDED WITH MY FAMILY ON THE WAY TO ST. LOUIS BY MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR. IT'S AT A SHOP IN SPRINGFIELD, IL (THANKS TO MY INSURANCE COMPANY). THE SAID IT WAS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE COST WAS $1300 THANKS FORD. *TR

COMPLAINT FOR 2ND TRANSMISSION INCIDENT: ON JULY 31, 2009, WHILE CROSSING AN INTERSECTION IN A RESIDENTIAL SECTION OF SANTA FE, TEXAS, THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR FAILED. THE ENGINE OF THE CAR WAS WORKING BUT THE VAN SEEMED TO SUDDENLY BE IN NEUTRAL. I GUIDED THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP AND TRIED THE VARIOUS GEARS, BUT DRIVE AND REVERSE WERE NOT FUNCTIONING AT ALL. I HAD 3 PASSENGERS (MY HUSBAND AND TWO 12-YEAR OLD GIRLS) ALONG WITH 4 LARGE DOGS. I CALLED FOR A TOW AND HAD THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO MCREE FORD IN DICKINSON, TEXAS. THE SERVICE AGENT RELATED THAT THEY BELIEVED THE DAMAGE WAS IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD PROBABLY BEEN DAMAGED AS WELL. FURTHER INSPECTION WOULD REQUIRE $400. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT AND IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED BY THE INITIAL WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE OR THE 12 MONTH-12,000 MILE WARRANTY FROM THE SERVICE IN NOVEMBER 2007. I CHOSE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BY SOMEONE BESIDES FORD WHO WOULD HAVE A BETTER WARRANTY. MR. TRANSMISSION INFORMED ME THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD GONE OUT AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND THE CAR WAS RETURNED ON AUGUST 11, 2009. *TR DUPLICATE TO 10279211*SMCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV. WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, THE REVVING DECREASED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS DESTINATION. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND NOTIFYING THE FORD MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,154. UPDATED 08/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, THE TACHOMETER BEGAN TO ACT ERRATIC. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.UPDATED 08/31/09.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE RPMS SUDDENLY STOPPED AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PLACED BACK INTO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,000. UPDATED 9/1/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RPM'S REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONSUMER LOST SPEED RAPIDLY. UPDATED 09/04/09.*JB

THE TRANSMISSION ON OUR 2005 FREESTAR WILL NOT ENGAGE EITHER R, D, 3 OR 1. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS WHATSOEVER AND THE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT A CROSSING WHICH LEFT MY WIFE & MY KIDS WITH NO POWER TO CROSS TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TWO LANE ROAD. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT MOST BE ADDRESS AND CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR WHEN I PUSHED ON THE GAS IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. THANK GOD MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR AT THE TIME THIS IS GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR EVEN A DEATH DUE TO THIS ISSUE. IT IS SCARY WHEN YOU GO TO MERGE ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND YOU DO NOT ACCELERATE WITH CARS COMING UP ON YOU FAST. I COASTED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. MY VAN HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT AND NEVER HAD NO PROBLEMS NOT EVEN GAVE ANY TYPE OF WARNING THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG. HAD IT TOWED TO BOB TOWNSEND FORD ON COLERAIN AVE. CIN, OHIO. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IS WAS MY TORQUE CONVERTER AND IT WAS GOING TO COST 1475 TO FIX IT. NEEDLESS TO SAY I AM A MOTHER OF 4 KIDS AND DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY AT THIS TIME. I AM TRYING TO SAVE TO GET IT FIXED. THIS HAPPENED ON FATHERS DAY JUNE 21,2009. PLEASE HELP. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION FAIL WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. FORTUNATELY THIS HAPPEN AT A VERY LOW SPEED IN OUR RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD AND THE VAN WAS SAFELY PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT HAD FAIL AND THE COST WOULD BE $1,900 TO FIX. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE VAN STOPPED ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING AT 70MPH. I DRIFTED OFF THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGN OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *TR

DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR TAKING A RIGHT TURN WHEN SUDDENLY LOST ALL ABILITY TO GO FORWARD. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, ENGINE WOULD REV AND IDLE, BUT NO MOVEMENT FORWARD OR BACK. PUSHED CAR (IN NEUTRAL) TO A SAFER LOCATION AND TOWED TO DEALER WHO HAS DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION. ESTIMATED COST OF $1400 TO REPAIR(WARRANTY IS EXPIRED), BUT MAY BE MORE WHEN THEY REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO SYMPTOMS, JUST SUDDEN FAILURE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WHILE DRIVING. LUCKILY WAS NOT GOING VERY FAST AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER RELATIVELY SAFELY. CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS JUST UNDER 29,000 MILES ON IT. DEALER SAYS HAS NOT SEEN A LOT OF THIS PROBLEM BUT THAT THEY ALSO DO NOT GET A LOT OF FREESTARS IN FOR SERVICE AT HIS DEALERSHIP. FORD CORPORATE HAD HEARD OF THE PROBLEM, I STARTED TO SAY TORQUE PROBLEM AND HE CORRECTED ME TO SAY IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. CANNOT BELIEVE WITH THE ISSUES FOUND ONLINE REGARDING THIS THAT FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. I CANNOT IMAGINE HOW THIS WOULD HAVE TURNED OUT IF I HAD BEEN GOING ANY FASTER OR ON A BUSIER STREET. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WITH ME. LUCKILY I WAS COMING FROM A STOP AND MAKING A TURN, SO COULD NOT HAVE BEEN GOING FASTER THAN A FEW MPH. FORD IMPLIED TO ME THAT IF I PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE CAR FOR AN ADDITIONAL $1650 THAT THEY WOULD MAYBE BE WILLING TO NEGOTIATE ON THE COST OF THE REPAIR. WE MAY HAVE TO BUY IT

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND PRECEDING UP A HILL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET STOPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED. EVERY TIME I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WE WOULD START ROLLING DOWN HILL. HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH FORD. CALLED THE FORD HOT LINE THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK AND I GOT A RENTAL. FORD COVERED THE REPAIR AND THE RENTAL. NO WARNING JUST DISENGAGED OR BROKE, RESULTING IN ENGINE REVIVING AND VAN SLOWING. DANGEROUS BUSINESS ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 38,483 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT HANDLED BY FORD. INCIDENT DATE 12/07. HAVE OVER 63000 MILES ON THE VAN NOW WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR

FREESTAR PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING DOWN SEAWALL BOULEVARD IN GALVESTON, TX LATE ON THE NIGHT OF 11/5/2007 MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR SIMPLY LOST THE POWER TO MOVE FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND YET THE CAR BEHAVED AS IF IT HAD BEEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ALONGSIDE A BUSINESS DRIVEWAY AND CALL FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SAND DOLLAR FORD IN GALVESTON, TEXAS FOR REPAIR. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR BILL, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND GUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. IT HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN (07/31/09). *TR

I AM AN OWNER OF 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON MORNING, MY VAN WITH APPROXIMATELY 52K MILES ON IT STOPPED MOVING. IT WAS LIKE I HIT THE GEARSHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. AFTER COASTING INTO A PARKING LOT AND HAVE MY VEHICLE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP, I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A KNOWN FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD A MULTITUDE OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE DAY AFTER I PURCHASED IT, STARTING WITH HEATING/COOLING ISSUES TO A LEAKING HATCHBACK. MY SERVICE, OR LACK OF SERVICE, AT THE DEALERSHIP IS INEXCUSABLE. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2005, I NEVER IMAGINED THAT I WOULD BE DUMPING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO IT WITH ONLY 50K MILES. *TR

OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING ON THE HIGHWAY JULY 26, 2009 WITH ONLY 65,000 MILES ON IT. IT WAS IN CRUISE CONTROL AND THE RPMS STARTED REVVING UP BUT WOULD NO LONGER GO FORWARD OR INTO REVERSE WHEN WE TRIED THAT. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AND WE HAVEN'T HAD THE COMPLETE DIAGNOSIS YET. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION DIED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR SE W/3.9L V6 ENGINE ON MI HWY M-29 JUST NORTH OF ALGONAC, MICHIGAN. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH, AND AT ONE POINT, I WAS PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AND THE VAN WAS SLOWING DOWN. I COASTED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED MY FREESTAR SAFELY, WITHOUT ANY DAMAGE TO PROPERTY. I TRIED SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, BUT NO ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION TOOK PLACE. THERE WAS ALSO NO ENGAGEMENT IN FORWARD GEARS 1 OR 3. I WAS "FOUND OFF ROAD DEAD". :-) I HAD VAN TOWED HOME TO SAINT CLAIR SHORES (37 MILES) AT A COST OF $50 TO ALLSTATE ROAD SERVICE AND $116.25 OUT-OF-MY-POCKET. I HAD MY VAN TOWED AGAIN (COVERED UNDER ALLSTATE'S $50 LIMIT) TO MY SELLING DEALER, ROY O'BRIEN FORD, ALSO IN SAINT CLAIR SHORES. I WAS INFORMED LATE THE NEXT DAY THAT TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM WOULD COST $850. THEN THE TECH GAVE MORE INFO TO MY SERVICE WRITER THAT HE THOUGHT THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES WERE STRIPPED. REVISED ESTIMATE WAS $1525 TO REMOVE THE TRANSMISSION, PULL THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND REPLACE SAME AND REINSTALL THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION PAN WAS "DROPPED' FOR EXAMINATION, SCREEN AND GASKET CHANGE, AND NEW TRANS FLUID WAS ADDED TO FILL THE SYSTEM AGAIN. ACTUAL OUTLAY TODAY WAS $1524.72. I HAD NO WARNING THAT I WAS ABOUT TO LOSE POWER TO THE WHEELS. I'M GLAD I WAS ON A QUIET SEMI-RURAL ROAD WITH HOMES AROUND. ONE HOMEOWNER CHECKED ON MY WIFE AND I TO SEE IF WE WERE OK. HE EVEN OFFERED TO LET ME USE HIS LAVATORY. AT LEAST THERE IS SOME KINDNESS LEFT. THE PHONE CALL T

ON 5/26/09 WE TOOK OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, FLUID, BELT AND FILTER CHECKS AND FRONT BRAKES. ON 6/12/09 WE LEFT NW OH FOR WASHINGTON, D.C. WE WERE 18 MILES EAST OF CUMBERLAND, MD, ON RT. 68, GOING DOWNHILL WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, WENT OUT OF GEAR. THE TACHOMETER RACED AS IF THE VAN HAD BEEN PUT IN NEUTRAL, BUT WE STILL HAD THE VAN IN DRIVE AND MY HUSBAND HAD HIS FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. AFTER IT WENT OUT OF GEAR, THE MASTER LIGHTING SWITCH ICON CAME ON. WE COASTED OVER 3 MILES TO THE NEAREST EXIT AS IT WAS NOT SAFE TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE WE WERE GOING DOWNHILL. WHEN WE GOT ONTO THE EXIT RAMP AND STOPPED, WE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE VAN WOULD GO INTO PARK, BUT REVERSE, NEUTRAL AND ALL 3 DRIVES WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND THE VAN WOULD ROLL FREELY. WE CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT WAS STILL FULL AND CLEAN. IT WAS TOWED TO HAGERSTOWN FORD IN MD ON 6/13/09. ON 6/15/09 WHILE WE WERE IN VIRGINIA BEACH, WE GOT A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPT. SAYING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND IT WOULD COST $3100 TO REPLACE IT WITH A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE ASKED WHAT INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION WAS BROKEN, ALL WE WERE TOLD WAS THAT IT WAS SHOT. WE DIDN'T PICK IT UP UNTIL 6/19/09 BECAUSE WE WERE IN VIRGINIA BEACH UNTIL THAT DATE. ON 6/22/09 WE TOOK THE VAN TO OUR LOCAL FORD SERVICE SHOP AND EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED. AFTER GIVING THE DETAILS OF THE BREAK DOWN TO ONE OF THE MECHANICS, HE CAME BACK OUT WITH A ROD W

ON SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009, MY FAMILY AND I WERE TRAVELING ON HWY 9A (IN JACKSONVILLE, FL JUST OFF OF I95). WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MPH WHEN OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR SIMPLY STOPPED ACCELERATING. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY LOST POWER. WE COASTED AS FAR AS WE COULD OFF THE BUSY HIGHWAY AND CONTACTED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. TODAY WE FINALLY GOT AN ESTIMATE FROM OUR REPAIRMAN. HE SAYS IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND PUMP AND IT IS GOING TO COST $1100 TO REPLACE THEM. WE ARE A FAMILY OF 7. MY HUSBAND IS IN THE NAVY AND DEPLOYING SOON. I NEED RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION! MY VAN HAS 128000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN CARED FOR VERY REGULARLY. UPON RESEARCHING THE ISSUE, I SEE THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD FREESTARS AND IT HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES HERE. SUPPOSEDLY THERE IS AN INVESTIGATION GOING ON BY ODI IN REGARDS TO THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE OLD PART CAN POSSIBLY BE AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON HOW SOON I HEAR THAT YOU NEED IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD PITCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKING COMPONENTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB); THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

I WAS RUNNING AN ERRAND AT ABOUT 1PM EDT IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR LIMITED MINIVAN. I WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND PROCEEDED TO GO WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I HAD NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. I ONLY HAVE 61K MILES ON THE CAR WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW BACK IN 2006. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO A DIRT ROAD OFF THE MAIN ROAD. IT WAS ALSO VERY LUCKY THAT MY WIFE AND KIDS WERE NOT IN THE CAR OR I WAS NOT ON A HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A LINCOLN/MERCURY DEALER IN THE AREA AND HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED BY THE SERVICE DEPT. THAT IT WILL COST ME ABOUT $3,000 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANS INSTALLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTALLY RIDICULOUS FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 61K MILES ON IT. PLUS THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE THAT IT HAPPENED ALL OF A SUDDEN W/O ANY PREVIOUS WARNING. HAD NO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE AND TAKE GREAT CARE TO HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY. I'VE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AND HAVE SEEN ALL THE OTHER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE AND OTHER SITES ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AFFECTING MY VEHICLE AND ITS MERCURY COUSIN THE MONTERREY. NOT ONLY MY MODEL YEAR BUT ALSO PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND OTHER FORD VEHICLES WHICH SHARE THE SAME TRANSMISSION FORD NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THIS SERIOUS ISSUE, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME AND/OR MY WIFE AND KIDS HARM DUE TO THE SUDDENNESS IT JUST QUIT AND ALL I COULD DO WAS COAST TO SAFETY. *TR

TRANSMISSION STOP WORKING CROSSING AN AVENUE TRAFFIC LIGHT. IT WAS LIKE GOING NEUTRAL. *TR

WE LOST TORQUE AS THE ENGINE REVVED. LOST ALL GEARS, EVEN REVERSE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. *TR

FREESTAR STALLED OUT AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED BY A TRANSPORT TRUCK. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS HALFWAY UP THE HILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 39,000 MILES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HE WAS OUT OF LUCK AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN A $500 REBATE TOWARDS A NEW VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MERGE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SHE MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT OPERATE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INPUT SHAFT TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $3,300. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000.

MY 2005 FREESTAR FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN ENTERING THE HIGHWAY, I HAD THIS PROBLEM WHEN I BOUGHT THE VAN IN 2005, THE VAN SEEMS TO DO FINE ONCE ITS UP TO SPEND. THE DANGER COMES IN WHEN I ENTER TRAFFIC PRESS THE GAS AND THE VAN DOESN'T RESPOND, I LIFT UP OFF THE GAS TRY IT A COUPLE OF TIMES BEFORE THE VAN RESPOND AND GO. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR HOME FROM GREENWICH, CT TO WILTON, CTON I-95 THE VAN SUDDENLY LOST SPEED. THE RPMS WERE STILL UP BUT THE SPEED DECREASED TO 20MPH. MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED HER THAT WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. AS THE VAN HAS ONLY 42,000 MILES ON IT AND THERE WAS NO HINT OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS INCIDENT, THIS SURPRISED US. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND WILL COST APPROX. $3500. AS OF THIS POSTING, THE WORK HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED BY THE DEALER. I HAVE SINCE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM FOR FORD FREESTARS AND THERE MERCURY COUSINS.*TR

DRIVER SIDE AIR-BAG DID NOT REACT TO CRASH BUT PASSENGER SIDE DID. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ENGINE REVVED EXCESSIVELY HIGH. THE DRIVER MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER AND CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 68,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE FORD MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE SPLINES IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. UPDATED 07/30/09

MY COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION IN MY FORD FREESTAR. I COMMUTE TO WORK DAILY, AND ONE MORNING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY MY VEHICLE STALLED. LUCKILY, THE TRAFFIC WAS NOT HEAVY AT THE TIME BUT I WAS STILL UPSET ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. MY TRANSMISSION IS GONE. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VEHICLE THAT IS CURRENTLY SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE I CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I AM GRATEFUL MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE VEHICLE WITH ME AT THE TIME MY VEHICLE DECIDED TO DIE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND HAVE FOUND THAT I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE DIFFICULTIES WITH THEIR VEHICLE GIVING OUT ON THEM WHILE DRIVING DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND PCM. THE MAIN REASON I AM LODGING THIS COMPLAINT IS IN HOPES THAT MAYBE IF ENOUGH PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS ISSUE, THEN MAYBE A RECALL WOULD BE ISSUED. I AM SURE I AM NOT THE FIRST AND NOR WILL I BE THE LAST TO COMPLAIN ABOUT FORD'S FREESTAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 67 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE AMP DISPLAYED 6,000. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE INPUT SHAFT FAILED AND CAUSED THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO FAIL AS WELL. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION WITH A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT THE COST OF $3,609.14. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN NOVEMBER OF 2007; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,850.

TWICE OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR EXPERIENCED WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH THE COWL GRILL ON THE HOOD. AFTER HEAVY RAIN IN MARCH 2008, THE FIRST OF SEVERAL BREAKDOWNS AND FIX ATTEMPTS OCCURRED, RESULTING IN 3 MONTHS OUT OF SERVICE, AND REPLACEMENTS OF THE WIRING HARNESS, THE PCM COMPUTER, SEVERAL OTHER COMPUTERS AND SENSORS, AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, EQUALING NEARLY $5,000 IN TOW, RENTAL CAR, AND REPAIR BILLS--SOME OF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP TALKED MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR AS A "WATER DAMAGE CLAIM." IN BETWEEN, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND BREAKDOWNS, AND THEN THIS PAST MARCH 2009, ALSO DURING HEAVY RAIN, THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE WATER DAMAGE BREAKDOWN. THIS TIME THE WATER ONLY RUINED THE PCM COMPUTER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE REPAIRS THAT WERE LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD AND WE TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE LICENSED REPAIR TECHNICIAN. HE FOUND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ONLINE THAT DESCRIBED THE KNOWN WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM IN SOME 2005 FREESTAR MODELS AND DID THE RECOMMENDED FIX TWICE. IN HIS OPINION AND IN THE GEICO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS OPINION, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS TIME WE HAD NO COVERAGE FOR THE DAMAGE AND WERE OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS AND OUT OF POCKET OVER $3,000. I'VE BEGGED FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICES TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AND JUST LET ME OUT OF THE FINANCING BUT THEY REFUSE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF MILES. ALSO, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LEMON LAW OFFICE SAID THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROBLEMS, IN

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN WHEN I HAD TO STOP AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TO GET OUT AND CHECK ON SOMETHING IN THE BACK. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VAN BACK IN DRIVE, THE ONLY GEAR THAT WAS WORKING WAS NEUTRAL. WITH NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. WE WERE FORTUNATE WE WERE NOT DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT THE TIME. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WITH NO NOTICE. HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON I-65 RPM'S GO UP SPEED GOES DOWN. COAST ON I 65 TO A STOP AND CALL TOW TRUCK. VEHICLE DOES NOT GO F OR REV AND GEARS. TRANSMISSION IS DEAD. TRANSMISSION GIVES NO WARNING PRIOR TO TOTAL FAILURE. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING HOME FROM VACATION WITH FAMILY IN OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. FORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN IT HAPPENED BECAUSE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN, ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT WAS LIKE THE GAS PEDDLE WAS UNPLUGGED. WE HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE ROAD. DRIVE NOR REVERSE WORKED. HAD TO HAVE TOWED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AT A LARGE COST AFTER THE LARGE COST TO GET HOME IN A CAB AND THEN A RENTAL CAR. *TR

TRANSMISSION JUST DROPPED OUT OF GEAR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN 15 MONTHS. THIS WILL COST ANOTHER $1500. PLEASE HELP. *TR

AS WITH ALOT OF FREESTAR 2005 OWNERS...THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 50,000 MILES. NO HINT OF FAILURE...JUST PULLED UP TO STOP SIGN AND WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN TRAFFIC WAS CLEAR. MY WIFE AND ANOTHER COUPLE HAD TO PUSH THE CAR ACROSS THE INTERSECTION TOO REACH A SAFE HAVEN. LUCKY THAT OTHER CARS TRAVELING ON THAT ROAD GAVE THE PUSHERS THE RIGHT OF WAY AND NOBODY WAS INJURED. IT WAS A VERY BAD SITUATION TO BE IN. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS AS MY COST IS OVER $3500.00 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION THAT SHOULD HAVE LASTED MUCH, MUCH LONGER. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 71,817 MILES. TRANSMISSION HAS NO FORWARD OR REVERSE. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER GREAT SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO GEAR AND THE RPM'S GO UP AND DOWN. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JERK. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 20 MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AFTER APPROXIMATELY FOUR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FIRST THREE REPAIRS WERE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,710 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,986. UPDATED 05/05/09 *BF UPDATED 05/06/09*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE CHANGED GEARS AND AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WITHOUT THE GEARS BEING MOVED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. SHE THEN PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE TO A SECURE LOCATION AWAY FROM THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FAILED COMPLETELY AND LOST TOTAL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $3,600. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 94,000.

THE TRANSMISSION ON THIS VEHICLE HAS GIVEN OUT TWICE. FROM INFORMATION POSTED BY OTHER OWNERS, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE GEARS DISENGAGED AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I HAD TO MANEUVER THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. I NEARLY GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT, BECAUSE I WAS NOT ABLE TO ACCELERATE PROPERLY.

ON MY WAY TO WORK THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PURCHASED. WAS TOLD THAT A PART HAVING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER WAS BAD. AT FIRST WAS TOLD IF WE COULD WE SHOULD GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE NOW. WE CAN NOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE!! THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. WE ARE THE ONLY OWNERS. PRIOR TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE WAS A RENTAL VEHICLE FOR A DEALERSHIP (WE PRESUME IT WAS THE DEALERSHIP WE PURCHASED IT FROM) WHILE IT HAS 93000 MILES WE TAKE CARE OF OUR VEHICLES! THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED LESS THAN 10 MONTHS AGO, NOW WE ARE EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE SAME THING. FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS AND TAKE CARE OF THESE PROBLEMS. WE HAVE HAD OLDER VEHICLES WITH LESS PROBLEMS. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED: LIFTGATE PROBLEMS, COIL PROBLEMS AND TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS X2. *TR

SLOWED TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE LIGHT CHANGED AND WHEN I ACCELERATED NOTHING HAPPEN. IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE INTO A GAS STATION. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS JUST BEGINNING TO MOVE. COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS!! VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED. CAUSED THOUSANDS TO ONLY REPLACE SOME PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION!! *TR DUPLICATE TO 10262197*SMCH

THE CAR STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION AND RESTARTED AND STALLED CONTINUALLY. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE COMPUTER SHOWED A LOT OF FUNNY READINGS LIKE IT WAS GOING 122 MPH WHILE AT A STAND STILL. HE DETERMINED THAT WATER HAD LEAKED IN THE PCM. DRIED IT OUT AND SEALED IT AND MADE REPAIR ACCORDING TO TSB. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. THE ISSUE IS DRIVABLE AND POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS AND MY WIFE BEING STRANDED IN UNDESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. *TR

I WAS SIMPLY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD SLOWED DOWN TO ENTER THE TOWN WHEN TO PUT FOOT BACK ON THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING BUT THE ENGINE REVVING UP, TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT HAPPENED BEFORE IT HAPPENED. THE TRANSMISSION OIL LOOKS FINE AND IT IS NOT LOCKED UP IT IS JUST LIKE EVERY GEAR OTHER THAN PARK IS NEUTRAL. THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

WITH NO WARNING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN TRANSMISSION FAILED (MILEAGE 63,146). CAR WAS DRIVEN ~25 MILES TO WORKPLACE. STARTED CAR TO RETURN HOME AND NOTHING HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS PUT IN GEAR. RECEIVED QUOTE STATING TRANSMISSION HAS INTERNAL PROBLEMS AND MUST BE REPLACED. PRICE OF QUOTE WAS $3506.00 - REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. FOUND LOCAL GARAGE THAT REBUILDS TRANSMISSIONS. CURRENTLY, IN THE PROCESS OF TOWING TO LOCAL GARAGE. WAITING FOR 2ND QUOTE ON REBUILD. AFTER SEARCHING FORUMS / WEBSITES I HAVE FOUND AN ALARMING NUMBER OF IDENTICAL INCIDENTS WITH THE FREESTAR MINIVAN. I AM HOPING NHTSA WILL TAKE ACTION AGAINST FORD MOTORS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED BECAUSE OF THIS DESIGN FAILURE. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR SEL - 90,000 MILES - TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. PARKED CAR, RAN ERRAND, CAME BACK & CRANKED - WOULD GO INTO GEAR BUT NOT MOVE. HAD TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHO SAYS IT NEEDS A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, FOR $2100 - WHICH I DON'T HAVE! APPARENTLY THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FREESTAR AND FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. BROWSING THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS LISTED ON THIS SITE ALONE, I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE NHTSA IS ALSO NOT INVESTIGATING. *TR

PURCHASED A 2005 FREESTAR NEW FROM A LOCAL DEALER AND HAS BEEN DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 54,200 MILES TO DATE. ALL MAINTENANCE PERFORMED WAS BY THE DEALER WITH WHOM WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE GARAGED THE VAN AS USUAL. THE NEXT MORNING THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED. I WAS INFORMED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUID PUMP SHAFT BROKE APART REQUIRING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE PULLED FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. WE ARE EXTREMELY UPSET THAT A VEHICLE ONLY 3.5 YEARS OLD WITH LESS THAN 55,000 MILES WOULD REQUIRE SUCH MAJOR DRIVE TRAIN REPAIRS. WE BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE WITH THIS PART AT THE TIME OF INSTALLATION. EITHER THE PART HAD SOME TYPE OF DEFECT OR WAS INSTALLED IMPROPERLY TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE TO A TRANSMISSION WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. *TR