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 2006 record →
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VAN STARTED TO JERK AND LOSE POWER. IF THE PREVIOUS 3 YEARS OF THE VAN ARE RECALLED FOR THE TRANSMISSION. AND MINE WENT OUT DOES THE RECALL NEED TO BE EXPANDED? BASED ON SOME GOOGLE SEARCHES ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE LOST THERE TRANSMISSION DO TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
I WAS ACCELERATING DOWN THE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MILES AN HOUR IN A 55MPH ZONE. WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WAS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS THROWN IN NEUTRAL. WHEN THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN SO FAST WITH NO POWER, I WAS ALMOST REARENDED BY A VEHICLE FROM BEHIND TRAVELING AT APPROX 55 MPH. WHEN I COASTED TO A STOP THE VECHILE WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I HAVINE BEEN DRIVING FORDS FOR 46 YEARS AND NEVER HAD A TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT ON ME. I COULD HAVE BEEN HURT IF REARENDED. IT COST ME OVER $3000 TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. FORD SHOULD HAVE A RECALL AND PAY ME FOR THE PROBLEM AS THE SAME FAILURE IS GOING ON EVERYWHERE IN THE US. THE 2005'S HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THERE SELFS FOR MAKING THE JUNK.
WE STOPPED AT STOP SIGN, TOOK OFF AND WENT ABOUT 30 FEET AND IT QUIT PULLING. LUCKILY THE CAR COMING DOWN THE HIGHWAY SLOWED DOWN BEFORE HE REARENDED US. WE PUSHED IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD TO CALL THE WRECKER TO BRING IT HOME. *TR
12/10/13 AND 12/11/13 MINI VAN STALLED ON THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING 25 MILES PER HOUR. NO WARNING LIGHT BEFORE HAND. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ENGINE. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS AN AIR FLOW CONTROL. DROVE CAR HOME FROM DEALERSHIP AND STALLED ON THE ROAD HOME. PCM WAS REPLACED. 1/20/14 NEXT TWO TIMES CAR FAILED TO START WHILE IN A PARKING LOT OR DRIVEWAY. (WAS REPAIRED) PCM WAS REPLACED AGAIN. 2/6/14 FOURTH STALL WAS ON AN EXIT RAMP OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. CAR WAS GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR AND STALLED. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND ENGINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AMOCO. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ UPDATED 05/29/2014 *JS
HELLO - I AM WONDERING IF THE 2006 & 2007 FORD FREESTAR VEHICLES HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR THE SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THEY PRESENT, AND FOR RECALL AS THEIR 2004 & 2005 PREDECESSORS HAVE? "2004-'05 FORD FREESTAR, MERCURY MONTEREY RECALLED FOR LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING FORD IS RECALLING 205,896 2004-'05 FORD FREESTARS AND MERCURY MONTEREYS BECAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL, RESULTING IN SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITH NO WARNING, ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. FORD WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. FORD IS RECALLING 205,896 2004-'05 FORD FREESTARS AND MERCURY MONTEREYS "THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL," SAID NHTSA IN ITS RECALLS SUMMARY OF THE PROBLEM. "THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH." FORD TOLD THE FEDERAL SAFETY AGENCY THAT THE SUPPLIER OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER MANUFACTURED CONVERTERS CONTAINING A PUMP SHAFT SPLINE THAT DID NOT CONSISTENTLY MEET THE SPECIFIED HEAT TREAT REQUIREMENTS. AS A RESULT, SOME OF THE TORQUE CONVERTERS MAY EXPERIENCE WORN PUMP SHAFT SPLINES. NHTSA OPENED A PROBE INTO THE ISSUE IN 2009. FORD DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IF YOU OWN A 2004-'05 FORD FREESTAR OR MERCURY MONTEREY, BE AWARE THAT A RECALL IS IN THE WORKS." MY 2006 FORD FREESTAR EXPERIENCED THIS VERY SAME LOSS OF POWER DUE TO A TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE ON THE HIGHWA
WHEN I WAS DRIVING A HILL DOWN, SUDDENLY THE ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT STOPPED, WARNING LAMP ENGINE AND BATTERY FLASHES, STEERING WHEEL AND BRAKES DID NOT WORK CORRECTLY. I NEED ABOUT 1 MILE TO STOP THE CAR. AFTER THAT THE CAR COULD NOT BE REACTIVATED/STARTED AGAIN. - CAUSE FOR INCIDENT (FORD SERVICE): THE MOTOR CONTROL UNIT WAS FILLED WITH WATER AFTER A RAIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, THE OUTPUT SHAFT TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FOUND TO BE DESTROYED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED A LOSS OF POWER WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED RESPONDING WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY ROLLED TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER (TRANSMISSION). IT COST $1200 TO REPAIR. VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH ONLY 49000 MILES. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND GOT MANY HITS. FORD HAD RECALLED THE 2004 AND 2005 MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT THE 2006? *TR
THE VEHICLE WOULD DO 35 OR 40 MPH AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO TWO AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOPS TO FIND OUT THE ISSUE. HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED ALONG WITH TRANSMISSION GASKETS AND SEALS. THE 3RD GEAR SHIFT SOLENOID WAS ALSO REPLACED AND VEHICLE STILL DOES THE SAME THING. TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM AND WHAT IT IS (WITHOUT EVEN LOOKING AT THE VEHICLE), BUT MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL NOTICE. I AM ASKING THAT THE RECALL BE EXTENDED TO INCLUDE THE 2006 MODEL FORD FREESTAR AND NOT LIMITED TO THE 2004-2005 MODEL YEAR AS FORD HAS NOT CORRECTED THE MANUFACTURER ISSUE IN REGARD TO THE POWER TRAIN PERFORMANCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS PERSONALLY INSPECTED BY THE CONTACT WHO NOTICED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000.
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED WITHOUT PREVIOUS SIGNS OF PROBLEMS--WAS ADVISED THAT SAME PART ON 2004 AND 2005 MAY HAVE BEEN RECALLED--LOOKING AT WEBSITES 2006 MODEL SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY WHILE SITTING IDLE AT A TRAFFIC STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,350.
I REPORTED TO THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE 2ND WEEK I OWNED IT THAT THERE WAS A WRENCH LIGHT ON AND IT WAS FLASHING.THEY TOLD ME TO COME TO THE STORE AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT,THEY DISCOVERED A SOLENOID HAD BLOWN AND THEY REPLACED IT.THEY TOLD ME IT WAS FIXED BUT IF IT WERE TO COME BACK ON THAT I SHOULD GET BACK TO THEM.THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND OFF RANDOMLY,SOMETIMES WEEKLY,OTHER TIMES BI WEEKLY AND I CALLED THEM EACH AND EVERY TIME.THEY SENT ME TO A GARAGE IN BIDDEFORD THAT ONLY REPLACED A SPARK PLUG AND THEY CALLED IT GOOD.I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VAN THIS WAY SINCE JUNE AND DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THEIR ATTENTION,IT NOW REMAINS UNRESOLVED.I WENT TO DRIVE IT 2 DAYS AGO,WRENCH LIGHT WAS ON WHEN I LEFT,ON THE WAY HOME,THE WRENCH LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT WERE ON AND IT WOULDN'T SHIFT.I COULDN'T GO ABOVE 40 AND PRAYED TO MAKE IT HOME.I HAVE NO MONEY FOR ANOTHER CAR AND WOULD LOVE TO GET A RESOLUTION TO THIS SOON.I AM IN A SEVERE TIME CRUNCH AND CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO HAVE A CAR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
I WAS NOTIFIED OF A SAFETY RECALL ON MY MINI VAN, CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD GET A CALL BACK AS THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PART TO FIX IT YET. NEVER GOT THE CALL BACK, FINALLY GOT TO TAKE IT IN AND AFTER THE DEALER HAVING IT FOR 4 DAYS I GET A CALL AND AM INFORMED OF "INTERNAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION" , WAS TOLD THE COST TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. I DID SOME CHECKING AND FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE SINCE 2005, MY VAN IS A 2005. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT GETTING THE TORQUE CONVERTOR REPLACED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE CONSUMER IS INFORMED OF THE "INTERNAL FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION". SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS FALLS UNDER THE "CAUSE AND EFFECT" SYNDROME , IE THE TORQUE CONVERTOR FINGERS BREAK LOOSE (TINY FRAGMENTS) AND FOLLOW THE FLUID DOWN INTO THE TRANNY AND PRESTO YOUR TRANNY GOES OUT. FORD SHOULD COVER THIS REPAIR, I HAVE THE EXTENDED COVERAGE BUT IT IS GONNA BE CLOSE ON THE EXPIRATION OF COVERAGE. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD GATHER ALL OF THE INJURED CONSUMERS AND SUE FORD. I CALLED FORD AT 1-800-565-3673 AND MADE A CONSUMER COMPLAINT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS TO SCHOOL, RUNNINING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN REALIZED THAT MY ENGINE WAS REVING UP AND I WAS NOT SPEEDING UP. IT HAPPENED OUT OF NO WHERE. SCARED ME TO DEATH BECAUSE I WAS ON A BUSY ROAD AND HAD A TRACTOR AND TRAILER BEHIND ME THAT ALMOST RAN ME OVER. HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE SHOP TO FIND OUT THAT MY TRANSMISSION HAD GONE BAD. IT COST ME $3400.00 TO HAVE A REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN. JUST ONE YEAR AGO THE PCM MODULE WENT BAD AND FORD CHARGED ME $3000.00 TO PUT A NEW ONE IN. STILL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK MY CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC SHOP AND FOUND OUT THAT THE FORD DEALER NEVER REPLACED THE PCM MODULE. HAD TO PAY THE INDEPENDENT SHOP ANOTHER $1000.00 TO ACTUALLY PUT A NEW PCM MODULE IN. HAVE CALLED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF POST OF OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FORD. I TOOK ALL MY PAPERWORK TO AN ATTORNEY AND HE TOLD ME THAT I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO FIGHT A COMPANY THE SIZE OF FORD AND TO JUST GET RID OF THE VEHICLE. I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE AND WHEN I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN, THE GUY AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THEY WEREN'T GOING TO GIVE ME MUCH FOR IT ON THE TRADE IN BECAUSE OF ALL THE PROBLEMS THAT THE VAN HAD. PLEASE SOMEONE HELP TO MAKE FORD DO A RECALL ON THESE VANS! THEY ARE RIPPING PEOPLE OFF AND NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOLD UNDER THE MIDDLE REAR SEAT. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY TREATED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
MY CHILDREN AND I WERE RETURNING FROM A TRIP TO AND WERE DRIVING THROUGH KENTUCKY ON THE INTERSTATE. WHILE WE WERE GOING UP A HILL THE CAR JUST STARTED TO REV AS THOUGH IT WERE STUCK IN NEUTRAL. I TRIED LOWER GEARS AND FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE OF THE FREEWAY AND ON TO THE SIDE. THANKFULLY WE WERE ALL OKAY. AFTER LEAVING IT IN A DIFFERENT STATE FROM WHICH WE LIVE AND HAVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPAIRED, WE WERE ABLE TO RETURN AND DRIVE IT HOME. APPROXIMATELY 4 AND A HALF MONTHS LATER, I AM DRIVING HOME FROM A NIGHT CLASS ON ROAD THAT DOES NOT HAVE GREAT LIGHTING AND GOING UP A HILL THE SAME THING HAPPENS. THIS TIME IT IS TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP AND WE ARE TOLD THAT IT WILL COST US $2400 TO PUT IN A NEW TRANSMISSION. FROM WHAT I CAN SEE HERE BY OTHER COMPLAINTS AND OTHER WEB-SITES, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. I AM REALLY DISAPPOINTED. UNTIL THIS HAPPENED THE FIRST TIME, THIS WAS A GREAT VEHICLE. I WOULD NOT BE SO UPSET, IF WE HAD NOT JUST HAD THIS PROBLEM REPAIRED SUCH A SHORT TIME AGO AND IF IT WERE NOT SO OVER ABUNDANT IN THESE AND OTHER VEHICLES.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 295, IN NJ MILE MARK 33 WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SMELLING AND SMOKING. I PULLED OVER AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAME OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND NEEDED REPLACED AND IT WOULD COST ME $3,500.00. FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING ONLINE THEY RECALLED THE 2004 - 2005 TRANSMISSION FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I ALSO READ THAT THE SAME TRANSMISSION IS USED FROM THE 2004 - 2007 MODELS, SO WHY WOULD IT FAIL FOR THE 2004 - 2005 BUT NOT FOR THE 2006 - 2007. I JUST MADE MY LAST PAYMENT ON THIS VEHICLE IN AUGUST OF 2013 AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT ON SEPT 2013. I AM UPSET WITH THIS ESPECIALLY HAVING A VAN FULL OF CHILDREN RETURNING FROM A TRIP. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED A LONG TIME AGO AND NOT STILL ALLOW FOR THE PROBLEM TO CONTINUE. *JB
MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE TRAVELING HOME FROM COLUMBUS OHIO, WE WERE TRAVELING ON SR 53. WHEN OUR 2006 FORD FREESTAR ENGINE STARTED INCREASING RPM'S. WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION JUST ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEURAL. WE WERE ABLE TO GET OFF ROAD BUT WAS ALMOST HIT BY SEMI BEHIND US. WE WERE STRANDED ON A COUNTRY ROAD AT 3 AM. I FINALLY CONTACTED A TOWING SERVIVE AND $120.00 LATER WE MADE IT HOME. I CONTACTED OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID YES, WE NO WHATS WRONG WHAT IS YOUR VIN NUMBER? I GAVE THEM MY VIN NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WASN'T ON THEIR LIST????? IT THE SAME PROBLEM THEY KNOW THEY HAVE BUT SINCE IT WASN'T ON THEIR RECALL LIST IT WAS MY RESPONDSABILITY. THSI VAN ONLY HAS 36,000 MILES, FORD KNOWS THEY HAVE A PROBLEMAND WON'T OWN UP TO IT FINANCIALLY. THEY ARE GOING TO GET SOMEONE KILLED IF THIS PROBLEM ISN'T FIXED. HOW CAN A COMPANY KNOW THEY HAVE A SAFETY PROBLEM AND NOT BE LIABLE FOR THEIR POOLY DESIGNED TRANSMISSION.
DRIVING DOWN ROAD AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL DRIVE POWER. NO FORWARD, OR REVERSE AVAILABLE WHEN TRANSMISSION SHIFTED BETWEEN ALL GEAR POSITIONS. ENGINE WOULD REV NORMALLY AND ENGINE RUNNING FINE. TRANSMISSION WHEN OUT. NO DRIVE POWER. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION RECALL THAT WAS DONE ON THE 2005 AND 2006 FREESTAR. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 9/4/13 *CN THE VEHICLE WAS REAPIRED AT A COST OF $ 1,550.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE RPM READING INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN MY FORD FREESTAR 2006 AND THE MINIVAN SEIZED, I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND I HAD DRIFTED OFF ONTO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WERE THE GRASS AND A FEW TURNS HELPED SLOW DOWN MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO IMMEDIATELY JUMP OUT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED, I JUMPED OUT AND AN AMBULANCE ASSISTED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON ABOUT 2 MINUTES BEFORE THIS OCCURRED, GIVING ME NO WARNING SIGNS. I FOUND OUT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. IN 2011, THE SAME THING OCCURRED, ENGINE AND CAR COMPLETELY FAILED. WHEN I TOOK IT IN - IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. I HAD TO BUY ANOTHER TRANSMISSION IN LESS THAN A YEAR. FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO ASSIST ME OR TALK TO ME ABOUT IT. I CALLED SEVERAL TIMES COMPLAINING ABOUT SAFETY AND THE POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS IT COULD HAVE CAUSED. NONE THE LESS, IN 2012, THE TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN. THANK GOODNESS IT WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SAME THING, CAR COMPLETELY SEIZED WHILE DRIVING AGAIN. IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN!! THREE YEARS OF GETTING A TRANSMISSION - SOMETHING IS WRONG AND NOONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. MY TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT OFF AGAIN - I AM AFRAID TO EVEN DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER. THIS IS RIDICULOUS - WHO IS HELPING THE CONSUMER AND PROTECTING THEM AGAINST THIS? MY KIDS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THE VEHICLE NOW IN CASE THE CAR SEIZES ON THE WAY TO THE DEA
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ACCELERATION POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED TO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS SHUT DOWN AND RESTARTED, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. THE VAN DOES NOT SHIFT FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. IF IT DOES SHIFT, IT IS A VERY HARD SHIFT. SOME TIMES NEED TO BACK OFF ON GAS SO IT SHIFTS. ONCE IN SECOND GEAR, VAN RUNS GOOD. REVERSE IS SPORADIC AS WELL. SOME TIMES IT WANTS TO. SOMETIMES NOT SO MUCH. CHANGED TRANSMISSION FILTER. DID NOT CORRECT THE SITUATION. DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD ISSUES LIKE I AM HAVING TO FIND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL BUT PREVIOUS 2 YEARS. NOT SURE WHY THIS YEAR HAS NOT HAD A RECALL TO FIX THE TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT I AM HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE A RECALL SOON.... IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED.... *TR
WHILE DRIVING, COMING TO A STOP SIGN, I STOPPED, WHEN COMMENCING TO GO THROUGH THE STOP SIGN, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. I TRIED PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, I MOVED APPROX 2 FEET AND COULD NOT MOVE ANYMORE IN ANY GEAR. I RECEIVED HELP TO PUSH INTO A PARKING SPACE AWAY FROM TRAFFIC UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT A RECALL EXISTS ON THE FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTERS WHICH COULD AFFECT THE TRANSMISSION ALSO ON THE 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND IT IS THE SAME EXACT FAULTY PART AS ON MY VEHICLE. FRUSTRATINGLY MY VEHICLE THE 2006 FREESTAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN FORDS RECALL PROGRAM, BUT IT SHOULD BE. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT OCCUR ON THE HIGHWAY IN A MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM CURRENTLY ON DIALYSIS AND MY WIFE WITH PARKINSON'S THIS IS ADDING TO OUR OVERALL DECLINING HEALTH WITH THIS ADDITIONAL STRESS. NOW I FOUND OUT WE MAY HAVE TO SPEND AN ADDITIONAL $3000 TO FIX OUR VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER FOR 45 YEARS. *TR
I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK AT 5AM AND WAS AT A RED LIGHT. ON THE GREEN LIGHT, HIT THE GAS AND THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULDN'T GET IT TO GO INTO GEAR. IT WAS LIKE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY SHIFTING ABILITIES. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT IT WOULDN'T MOVE. CALLED A TOW TRUCK, AND YES I HAVE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS SHOT PLUS WHATEVER ELSE CAN GO WRONG WITH BROKEN METAL IN YOUR TRANSMISSION. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX IT, SO WE HAVE A PRETTY PIECE OF JUNK IN OUR DRIVEWAY THAT WE STILL OWE $4,500 ON. I THINK I WILL PLANT FLOWERS AROUND IT SO THE NEIGHBORS WILL NOT SEE THE GRASS GROWING UNDER IT. PLUS THAT WILL GIVE IT A PROPER BURIAL, BECAUSE WITHOUT A FORD RECALL, IT WILL NEVER MOVE. *TR
RETURNED TO VEHICLE FROM THE STORE, STARTED, SELECTED REVERSE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. ENGINE WOULD RESPOND TO GAS WITH REVS, BUT NO MOVEMENT. TRIED OTHER GEARS--NOTHING WOULD ENGAGE: IT WAS AS IF EVERY GEAR WAS NEUTRAL. HAS TO BE TOWED TO SERVICE CENTER. HAVE NOW READ ONLINE THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON AND THAT THE 2004-5 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS VERY ISSUE. I AM SO FRUSTRATED THAT FORD WOULD NOT RECALL THE 06 AS WELL. AN HOUR EARLIER MY WIFE AND CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY! ALSO PRETTY DISAPPOINTED IN NHTSA FOR NOT LEVERAGING ITS POSITION TO FORCE FORD TO ADDRESS THIS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 FORD FREESTAR IN MY NEIGHBOR HOOD WITH MY KIDS WITH ME. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR SHOOK AND I LOST ALL POWER IN MY VEHICLE. THE ENGINE JUST REVVED LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL. I PULLED OVER IN A PARKING LOT. NONE OF THE GEARS ON VAN WERE WORKING. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT ON HIGHWAY AND NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH SPEED. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND FORD KNOWS IT. THEY DID A RECALL ON THE 2004-2005 TORQUE CONVERTER BUT NOT THE 2006. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR FACILITIES INCLUDING A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THEY ALL USE THE SAME TRANSMISSION. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT FORD WOULD CONSIDER THE TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL BUT NOT ONE FOR THE 2006 FREESTAR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THAT WOULD NOTIFY ME IF THERE IS A FUTURE RECALL BUT BASICALLY I AM ON MY OWN. THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE IN JEOPARDY OF THEIR SAFETY AND THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. *TR
AFTER HEAVY RAIN THE VAN BEGAN TO MISFIRE AND SHAKE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 2 DAYS LATER IT WENT OUT AFTER DRYING OFF. *TR
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC, POWER TO THE WHEELS WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE ENGINE REVVED. CAR ACTED AS THOUGH IT WAS OUT OF GEAR. AFTER COASTING OFF THE ROADWAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN GEAR. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING OR ISSUE. TOOK THE CAR TO A MECHANIC WHO CHANGED THE TORQUE CONVERTER - PROBLEM SOLVED. WE ARE SURPRISED THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR 2004-2005 VEHICLES AS IT SEEMS TO BE THE SAME ISSUE! *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 11/70 IN KNOXVILLE TENNESSEE, TRAVELING WEST MY WIFE LOST PROPULSION AND HAD TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT. ENGINE IS FINE, TRANSMISSION DOES NOT PROVIDE POWER TO WHEELS. THIS HAPPENED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY WARNINGS THAT ANYTHING WAS GOING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. I REALIZE THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS MODEL FOR THE YEARS 04, AND 05, FOR THE TRANSMISSION. MY FAILURE SYMPTOM IS CONSISTENT WITH THE FAILURE DESCRIBED FOR THE 04, 05 RECALL. THANK YOU, *TR
I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A SIDE STREET WHEN THE CAR LOST POWER TO THE POWER TRAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON BEFORE LOSING POWER. THE ENGINE DID NOT STALL AND AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, I COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REVVING. IT WAS IF THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED IT. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT TO SEE IF I COULD GET IT TO OPERATE IN GEAR. AGAIN, THE CARD TURNED OVER BUT THERE WAS NO POWER IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 170,000. *TR
AS I WAS TURNING THROUGH TRAFFIC TO DRIVE UP A HILL, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AND THE CAR NO LONGER WAS ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD UNDER ITS OWN POWER. I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ABLE TO USE THE MOMENTUM I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 3,500 DOLLARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST MOTIVE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT APPEARED THAT THE AUDIO SYSTEM HAD BEEN RESET. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REVERSE INDICATORS FAILED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT AFTER OPENING THE LIFT GATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IMMEDIATELY AND THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ERRONEOUSLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT IT WAS PROBABLY AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
PULLED INTO PARKING LOT AT WORK, THEN THE ENGINE REVVED UP AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. HAD TO COAST TO PARKING SPOT. IF THIS WOULD'VE HAPPENED MOMENTS EARLIER I WOULD'VE BEEN TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 75MPH IN TRAFFIC AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS WRECK. I HAVE LEARNED SINCE THIS INCIDENT THE 2004 AND 2005 MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE, THE MANUFACTURER DATE ON MY FREESTAR IS OCT. 2005, SO WHY HAS THE 2006 MODELS NOT BEEN RECALLED WHEN THEY HAVE THE SAME TORQUE CONVERTERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE AS THE 2004-2005 MODELS. *TR
MAY 4, 2013 , 2006 FORD FREESTAR W/ 87,785 MI. STOPPED MOVING IN INTERSECTION WITH CHILDREN IN VAN.ALL GEARS ACTED LIKE NEUTRAL EXCEPT PARK. 2 1/2 HRS FROM HOME. WIFE HAD TO CALL CARMEL, IN POLICE DEPT. FOR ASSISTANCE TO MOVE OUT OF INTERSECTION FOR HER & CHILDREN'S SAFETY. FORD IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE, HAD RECALLS ON 04-05 FREESTARS, MANY COMPLAINTS ON 06 ALSO, NO RECALL. LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT AS EITHER TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE OR PCM, BOTH WELL KNOWN ISSUES ON THIS CAR. BUILD DATE ON FREESTAR IS 12/05. WE HAD TO PAY $400 TO HAVE IT TOWED HOME.. THIS ISSUES DEMANDS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIES. NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED.. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR FAILED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS WAS A COMMON FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
WHILE IN DRIVE (IN A RAINY NIGHT) VEHICLE JUST COASTED TO A STOP. I HAD NO WORKING GEARS - VEHICLE ACTED LIKE BEING IN 'NEUTRAL' NO MATTER WHAT WAS SELECTED. TOWED TO PUNDMANN FORD AND DIAGNOSED AS A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM THAT ALSO RUINED THE TRANSMISSION. DEALER QUOTE "DIAG REMOVED TRANS ASSY REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER O/D DRUM FORWARD CLUTCH AND O/D BAND ALL PISTONS AND SEALS ROAD TEST". SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIX. FOUND OUT RECALL IN 2004 AND 2005 MODELS FOR SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS SAME PROBLEM AND 2006S SHOULD BE INCLUDED. SHOCKING THAT A TRANSMISSION GOES COMPLETELY OUT AT 47,000 MILES.
I WAS GOING TO WORK TRAVELING AT EXACTLY 40 MPH AND ENGINE WAS WORKING FINE BUT TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ENGAGING. THE VAN CAME TO A SLOW GRADUAL STOP. I TURNED THE VAN OFF ANT STARTED IT AGAIN WITH NO PROBLEMS BUT WHEN TRIED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. MY BROTHER WHO IS A CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR TECHNICIAN IN PUERTO RICO WAS VISITING AND CHECKED IT FOR ME AN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP FAILED CAUSING THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO BREAK. IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF AT LEAST $1200.00. I AM MAKING PAYMENTS AND I HAVE NO OTHER VEHICLE AND NOW I CAN'T GET TO WORK. FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS THE SAME TRANSMISSION RECALLED IN 2005 THE FREESTAR I AM PREPARING TO SUE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY VAN HOME FROM THE GROCERY STORE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS TRAVELING AT OVER 100 MILES AN HOUR AND BEGAN TO VIBRATE. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. IT SEEMED TO BE OKAY AT FIRST. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO GET IT UP TO SPEED IT WOULD ONLY MOVE DOWN THE ROAD AT A CRAWL. SAME PROBLEM AS THE 2004-2005 MODELS. *TR
ENGINES RUNS FINE AND ACCELERATES, BUT VAN DOES NOT MOVE. AS IF IN NEUTRAL. SAME PROBLEM AS RECALLED 2004 - 2005 FAULTY FACTORY TORQUE CONVERTER. WAS ALMOST HIT ON HIGHWAY AS SPEED DECELERATED RAPIDLY. SEEING MANY OTHERS ONLINE HAVE FILED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, I AM QUITE SURE FORD KNOWS THIS DEFECT EXTENDS TO THE 2006 MODEL WHICH WAS BUILT IN 2005 USING THE SAME PARTS KNOWN TO BE FAULTY.*TR
WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC DURING A SNOW STORM WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER ON THE FREEWAY MY 2006 FORD FREESTAR STARTED JERKING AND TRYING TO STALL OUT WHEN TRYING TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY TO SAFETY SPEEDOMETER WAS SHOWING I WAS DRIVING 120 AT A STOP LIGHT. THE RPM'S WERE AT A 3 WHILE SITTING STILL. IF THE VAN HAD STALLED ON THE FREEWAY THE INCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN HORRIFIC. THEN A SECOND INCIDENT HAPPEN ON MARCH 28, 2013 WHEN I WAS PREPARING PULL ONTO A SIDE STREET MY VAN STARTED JERKING AND STALLING OUT ON ME AND THE SPEEDOMETER SHOWED I GOING A 120 WHILE SITTING STILL AT A STOP SIGN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO UNLATCH. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SEAT WAS FOLDED DOWN AND THE SEAT BELT TIGHTENED, LEAVING NO SLACK IN THE WEBBING TO ALLOW IT TO RETURN TO THE UPRIGHT POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000. *TR
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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