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

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Ford Freestar:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Ford Freestar Owner Comments (Page 5 of 16)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #225

May 022015

Freestar

  • 141,723 miles

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

When driving down the road as vehicle appears to shift from drive to over drive there is a shudder in the transmission. I have had vehicle check by a professional repair facility and been advised that the torque converter is bad. This vehicle does not fall under the recall, although I am having the same problem of the vehicles that were recalled. I am hoping that a revision can be done on this vehicle and all others like can be included in the recall.

- Lore City, OH, USA

problem #224

May 072015

Freestar

  • 162,801 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 30 mph, the accelerator pedal was applied and there was no engine power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. In 2013, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train), but the failure recurred recently because the remedy was insufficient. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,801.

- Wheatfield, IN, USA

problem #223

Apr 232015

Freestar

  • 135,928 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While shifting from reverse to drive, the vehicle suddenly would not accelerate forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who indicated that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train) in 2012 for the same failure. The failure mileage was 135,928.

- Middletown, OH, USA

problem #222

Mar 232015

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 141,998 miles

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

Transaxle broke while I was in a fastfood drive thru. Complete loss of drivability.

- Billings, MT, USA

problem #221

Mar 212015

Freestar

  • 148,000 miles
Had the torque recall done last August by a local dealership, and while accelerating yesterday I lost all control of the vehicle and the engine stalled, transmission is now shot and the PCM is damaged from the moisture even though I had completed the tsb the dealership advised me of. Several sensors kept failing randomly, and would only last about a month.

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #220

Jan 202015

Freestar

  • 173,000 miles
Stopped at a stop sign and the van would not move. No gears worked. Couple days later, it drove fine. Couple days later no gears again. (and the torque converter was replaced under recall in 2012) now won't start and dashboard goes crazy after the key is out. With all the transmission problems and the wet PCM problems, I can't believe Ford doesn't have to recall these van because of the PCM!! this vehicle is a hazard to drive.

- Waterford, MI, USA

problem #219

Jan 112010

Freestar

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2004 Ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact shifted to park and the vehicle failed to shift gears. The contact mentioned there was an internal transmission leak. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- Saint Pete, FL, USA

problem #218

Jan 062015

Freestar

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 40 mph, the transmission began to hesitate and slip gears without warning. In addition, the transmission failed to function in reverse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Laredo, TX, USA

problem #217

Feb 042015

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
While driving on the freeway at 55 mph my vehicle lurched forward drastically and then stalled. I was able to get it to the side of the road coasting as I was in the outside lane. I could restart the car but only go 50-100 feet and it would stall again. I managed to get it off the road into a parking lot and found out the car wouldn't go into reverse. Although I could go forward. I am now being told that there was a torque converter recall for this year and make of car but not for my vehicle. I am being told the transmission will need rebuilt and be at a cost of 3000-3900 dollars. The car has approx. 102,000 miles on it. I was told by the transmission shop this is a common problem with this car even if they are repaired they tend to have problems again. It should be noted that it had snowed a large volume that day and there was a lot of water on the roadway.

- Mentor On The Lake, OH, USA

problem #216

Mar 012014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
PCM gets wet and causes all kinds of problems! should be a recall! can cause vehicle to just stop while driving, shorts out things. Turns lights, radio, etc on even when van not on. Problems with starting when it rains. Cd player and cruise control no longer work, did the PCM fry them too?? dangerous accidents could happen and I am terrified to drive it but it is only vehicle I have. Please help get a recall!!

- Delmar, DE, USA

problem #215

Jan 162015

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 180,000 miles

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

Turns out there was a recall on the 2004 Ford Freestar in 2012 regarding the torque converter. Here it is two years later and it goes out again. This should not happen. There needs to be another recall on the torque converter and it needs to be fixed properly this time before there is a death from the incident. I had two kids under the age of 3 with me at the time and sitting in the pouring rain, in chilly weather, waiting for a ride home was not fun. Fix it Ford!!!

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

problem #214

Dec 252014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 144,500 miles
Transmission went out while coming home from christmas with family on rt I70 just before hagerstown md. Lost all fluid from transmission causing entire vehicle to fill with smoke. There is a recall for the torque converter I have since been informed that could cause the transmission itself to fail. However the dealer says only the torque converter is under recall and wants $3000 to replace entire transmission! they have not even looked at the transmission to see what is wrong. Their reasoning is that since the fluid came out and covered underside of van then it must be a completely bad transmission.

- Martinsburg, WV, USA

problem #213

Jul 212014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • miles
2004 Ford Freestar towed to the garage due to a transmission issue. The consumer stated he did not receive a recall letter, until after he had the repairs done on the vehicle. The consumer has full documentation that Ford agreed to pay for all expenses directly related to the recall even if the repairs were done by a private business. The vehicle had no forward or reverse movement. The torque converter was replaced.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #212

May 102014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,822 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that transmission fluid spewed out of the vehicle and the vehicle failed to accelerate past 45 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,822. Updated 12/09/14 the consumer stated the transmission blew out of the dipstick all over the motor. Vehicle came to a stop on a busy interstate almost causing an accident. The dealer would not assist under recall. Updated 10/5/15

- Madison, OH, USA

problem #211

Jan 012013

Freestar

  • 74,000 miles
. in addition to causing an engine to stall, which may or may not then restart, transmission shift poorly, the vehicle has had erratic power, almost every time there is an inability to shift the vehicle into either forward or reverse. On start up no matter the temp of vehicle the idle RPM is higher than normal in park ! it has been service many many times.. now our transmission fluid looks like pepto bismol !!

- Lima, OH, USA

problem #210

May 012013

Freestar

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the transmission failed due to water intrusion. The dealer replaced the clutch and torque converter, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer who stated that the water penetrated due to a failed car seal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Mansfield , OH, USA

problem #209

Aug 092014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
Driving at highway speed to halfway [xxx] for a picnic. All of a sudden the van lost all power. Barely had enough speed to coast to a safe spot. Even then there wasn't enough room on the shoulder. Driver side was hugging the white line...... information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Mifflinburg, PA, USA

problem #208

Jul 062014

Freestar

  • 115,000 miles
Once again, Ford refuses to acknowledge their vehicle defects. Our third row rear seat will not lock in place. The floor latch is corroded and broken and our children can no longer safely ride in our only vehicle. Ford recalled many other Freestars for this exact same problem but refuses to include our vehicle despite the similarities. Our vehicle has now broken down on us numerous times due to power train issues (later recalled), transmission issues (later recalled), and now this safety issue. I am extremely disappointed that they continue to disregard safety for their customers.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #207

Jul 182014

Freestar

  • 140,000 miles
The transmission went out all of a sudden and we could have had a accident and get hurt..there has been a recall for our 2004 Freestar and we never got it because no one sent it out..we need this van fixed as soon as possible..we are retired and live on a fixed income and we have no way to get or meds or food or doctors appt..we need your help asap.

- Christiana, PA, USA

problem #206

Jul 172014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the transmission failed without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the torque did not pump the fluid, which caused the transmission to fail. The contact was made aware of a recall notification of NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train) however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 08/28/14 the consumer stated he did not receive the recall until after the transmission failed. The dealer replaced the torque but not the damaged transmission. 20 miles after the torque was replaced the transmission failed completely. The consumer stated the bad converter which caused the transmission to fail. Updated 09/17/2014

- Christiana, PA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?