CarComplaints.com Notes: The Freestar was introduced in 2004, but it was essentially just a rebranded Windstar. While there was a redesign of the interior and exterior, the Freestar still inherited some of the design flaws of its predecessor.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 5
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,767 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Ford Freestar drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2004 Ford Freestar Owner Comments (Page 3 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #265

Aug 202017

Freestar

  • 140,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall transmission well not change to overdrive on highway, or in town driving. It still runs but not able to drive due to transmission not being able to change into overdrive. This vechile was in motion on a highway when trying to increase speed it would rive up..I didn't put vechile in the local garage the mechanic said transmission isn't able to change into overdrive. Which would result in losing the transmission.

- St.George, New Brunswick , Can, ME, USA

problem #264

Aug 112017

Freestar

  • 78,658 miles
On the way home from picking up my grandchildren, my vehicle was in motion but it started to slow down until it came to a stop. Towed to a shop for diagnosis and repairs. They determined that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. Cost was nearly $4K.. I am a senior citizen on a fixed income... this was a big hit to the pocketbook. Started looking on the internet and, from what I am reading, it seems that there was a recall on this but I never received any type of notice on this. Do I have any right to appeal to Ford for some type of relief after the fact"?"

- Harahan, LA, USA

problem #263

Jul 242017

Freestar

  • miles
Engine surges in reverse and drive violently almost hitting vehicle in front of me at stop light no engine light or vehicle codes found

- Greenwood, WI, USA

problem #262

Jun 302017

Freestar

  • 92,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission won't go into reverse and sometimes not in any gear. Engine stops running on highway with no warning. Nearly had an accident, had to be towed.

- Holyoke, MA, USA

problem #261

Jan 052016

Freestar

  • 134,000 miles
My vehicle has had two automatic transmission rebuilds before 118000 miles. The last time it went completely out and stranded me on the street in the middle of a busy road. I had the vehicle towed and the transmission rebuilt. This transmission is now slipping at 134000 miles and is past the warranty time and needs to be repaired. This is a dangerous hazard as when the car is warm it won't move. This is evidently a common defect with this product and I want to know if I can sue Ford for this obvious design defect which has affected many Ford Freestar owners.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #260

Jun 152017

Freestar

  • 142,000 miles
Was driving on my way home on I85 and the car lost speed and rev up on RPM. Read codes an it has a torque converter code on it. I could have been injured because my car was not under a recall and I didn't get no noticed. That was the only vehicle I have and now I have no way to get around. It was a very busy interstate I85 when my car lost speed and revved up on RPM while I was in motion with big rigs behind me.

- Cherryville, NC, USA

problem #259

Feb 282017

Freestar

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The third row seating latch has rusted out on the driver side. The vehicle I believe has issues that other 2004 Ford Freestar vehicles have the same issues and were recalled. I have contacted Ford, and they refuse to help. I have 4 children and I fear to take them anywhere in this vehicle. Please help. The vehicle jerks and stutters when in drive whether I'm moving or at a stop light as long as I am in any gear. It only has 85,000 miles and I've purchased it in February.

- York, PA, USA

problem #258

May 082017

Freestar

  • 110,000 miles
The vehicle started shifting roughly and within a matter of hours, failed to move when in reverse. I took it to my mechanic and after inspecting, water was found in the transmission. The transmission had to be pulled and rebuilt. Approximately six months later, I heard a whinning noise then a clicking when accelerating, coming from the left front side of the vehicle. I took it in to be inspected and once again they found water in the transmission, which was not covered under the warranty.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #257

Jan 012017

Freestar

  • miles
Im having many issues with my vehicle. The worst one is the passive security system that has stranded me in many areas because it refuses to start. I have tried many things including replacing transponder keys and the transceiver but I still am getting the flashing red security light. Im scared to drive this thing in the winter due to the possibility of getting stranded in cold temperatures. Also this vehicle lets water leak in everywhere causing severe rust and mold issues. One of the floor supports of the drivers seat is close to being rusted through and the other ones are on their way out. The body is severely rusted and im not sure how much longer this thing will be safe to drive.

- Etna Green, IN, USA

problem #256

Mar 062017

Freestar

  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle failed to shift gears. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

- Winchester, MA, USA

problem #255

Apr 062017

Freestar

  • 137,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 60 mph, the transmission warning indicator illuminated and the transmission failed. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road and waited approximately 30 minutes. When the vehicle was restarted, it operated normally. After fifteen miles, the warning indicator illuminated again and the transmission fluid started to leak out. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the seal in the transmission failed and the fluid leaked out. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.

- Thompson, PA, USA

problem #254

Feb 242017

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 174,000 miles
2004 Ford Freestar [xxx]Ford is charging me for the repair for the torque converter subframe 3-4 $600~$800 bushing kits ($200 each) they want to charge me. I informed them that only do the factory recall repairs the pulled my van out and told me the cant do the repairs, because they are scared of the ball joints and tie rods might break, then complained about the subframe my have to be cut to install new subframe bolts bushings etc. Just to they can continue to take the apart to replace the torque converter. The agreed to charge me 300 labor and told me to pick up the parts needed so I purchased 2 tie-rods. 2 transaxles L-R, 2 lower control arms which included ball joints. They took the subframe apart then told me I need to pay and additional $500 for a used subframe from the salvage yard. Instead of Ford just preplacing the subframe 4 bushings and bolts kits $67 at park Ford 400 West avenue tallmadge Ohio 44278, they want to charge me I needed to get a new subframe bolts and that the subframe is not made anymore and 3-4 $600~$800 each. Then they want to charge me $300 extra labor for cutting the frame/ and welding it back shut to install washer(bolt anchors ) then reseal it, and to uninstall the old parts and install the new parts which they have to remove to perform the factory recall repairs. So this repair is going to cost me $392.20 for parts 300 labor, 800 subframe bushings $1492.2 if purchase elsewhere around $26 each I am a usa disable veteran studying form cisco ccna 200-105 exam and so I can better support my adult special need daughter [xxx],I am [xxx] Ford had my van Friday 24th 2017 its March 1st 2017 and they are searching for ways to charge me more money. While I have to walk to my destinations. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #253

Feb 242017

Freestar

  • 145,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving 35 mph, the transmission made an abnormal noise and stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #252

Feb 212017

Freestar

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse. The contact turned off the engine and tried again. A few moments later, the contact was able to drive the vehicle home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 150,000.

- Kingston, NY, USA

problem #251

Jan 282017

Freestar

  • miles
Gears failed to engage. It was suddenly, no advance warning. We were driving on a 4 lane highway, it just lost power to the transmission gears.

- Laurel, DE, USA

problem #250

Dec 252016

Freestar

  • 121,950 miles
Vehicle was stationary and when started would not continue to run, finally did run but when put in reverse vehicle would not move, shifted into neutral and engine RPM picked up for no reason, put into drive and vehicle slightly moved and engine died. Earlier in day had driven vehicle with no problem.

- Prescott Valley, AZ, USA

problem #249

Jun 102016

Freestar

  • 153,599 miles
Had the recall for the torque converter done and now my vehicle shakes, sputters. Won't accelerate, the rpms jump up high, very loud noises coming from underneath vehicle. Sometimes it will stall out. Can't go past 25-30 mph if it even gets up to that! my vehicle ran perfect before taking it into the Ford dealership and ever since I got it back we have had this problem. Took it back to Ford and they tried to say it was throttle cable so had that fixed and it still is doing the same things as it did after the torque converter was replaced. Can't drive the vehicle because when I go to accelerate it doesn't go or get up to the correct mph. The whole vehicle shakes really bad and the noises it makes are very loud and sound like something is going to blow up. I think the torque converter they replaced it with is bad and they need to fix this problem and man up and quit trying to blame it on other things. They messed up and need to fix it.

- Normal, IL, USA

problem #248

Sep 092016

Freestar

  • 71,423 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle lost power. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed, but the vehicle failed to accelerate and increased in rpms. The vehicle was towed to a parking lot and was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was previously repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 71,423.

- Mount Shasta, CA, USA

problem #247

Aug 132016

Freestar

  • 157,698 miles
Driving at highway speeds, the engine remained at 2000 RPM but the mph continuously dropped to below 30 mph until vehicle was stopped on shoulder of highway. The torque converter was under recall and replaced previously. This is the same situation that occurred again. I believe the replacement torque converter was also defective.

- Portage, IN, USA

problem #246

Aug 092016

Freestar

  • 150,000 miles
When we bought this vehicle we loved it but it steadily went down hill. We got notification of recall about 6 months after purchase and tried several times to get into the dealer. Finally got it in March 2016 and now here I am paying on a vehicle that the torque converter went out on. Prior to repair the transmission would roughly shift and jerk/lurch into selected gear and at higher rates of speeds would shutter and trans light would come on. Now it doesn't respond to the gas pedal right away and then the engine shakes/shudders and the dipstick has a substance on it and when driving today it just coasted like in neutral! I have 4 children and this does not give me faith in Ford and it is my 3rd generation star van and my 6th Ford vehicle in general.

- Valparaiso, IN, USA

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