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 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
77,610 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.
My wife was driving our 2004 Ford Freestar to work. She was stopped at a red light on a freeway overpass ready to enter the freeway. When the light turned green and she took her foot off the brake the van would not move. The vans transmission has been diagnosed be the dealer as the problem. There were no warning signs or warning lights to the failure. She was lucky that the van did not die on the freeway 20 feet away and that she did not roll into the car behind her. The van has 62,000 miles on it. After reviewing edmunds comment boards on the Ford Freestar it seems that this is a common occurrence. Apparently, others have had the same problem with the transmission failing without notice. One poster was going 40mph when his van died. This in my opinion is a severe safety hazard and Ford should be recalling these vehicles and reimbursing people for new transmissions. A transmission should not fail at 60,000 miles and without any warning.
I bought my 2004 Ford Freestar used in February of 2006 from eastern motors and had nothing but problems with it. First it needed a tune-up then the coil pack went bad and now needs brakes and tires. But my main concern is my trans-axle light coming on. I am a mechanic so I scanned it on obd-II scanner, it told me that my torque-converter was stuck in the open position. So it needed to be replaced. I called Ford because I cant get it aftermarket and they said it would cost me $300 for it. But the problem is I can't afford it and its on back order for who knows how long.Ford cant get until they get some in. Its 2007 and the problem is still there it bucks around while driving and it doesn't go into gear right away. Also when you turn the wheel while driving it makes a squeaking noise at the front wheels and the whole front end shakes wile driving 45 + mph. According to my VIN there is nothing wrong (yeah right bs) if I didn't owe so much on this van I would get rid of it or better yet( set it on fire my self) so I wouldn't have to deal with it any more. I have seen the other complaints that people wrote and I agree this is (bs )and Ford sucks because they don't want to take care of their customer.
Myself, my husband and our two children were leaving a restaurant when without any warning my 2004 Ford Freestar would not accelerate. My husband stopped the car and tried several gears and it would not go in any direction. He turned the car off and then restarted it and it still would not go in any gear. He pushed it back into the parking lot and we called aaa for a tow to the nearest Ford dealership. Several hours later they told us that the transmission was shot and it would cost about $3,000 to replace it (which I can't afford). This van has approximately 60,000 miles on it. We bought it new and still owe over $13,000 on it. I researched the internet and found many other people have had the same problem with Freestar transmissions going out anywhere from 30,000 miles to 70,000 miles - way earlier than they should. Just visit townhall talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F0fb94A/71 this is an obvious problem with the Freestar, but when I contacted the dealership where I purchased mine (byerly Ford in louisville, ky), they told me there was no recall and therefore nothing they could do. We have since towed my Freestar to a transmission specialist near us where it is in line to be worked on. He isn't yet sure if he can rebuild the transmission or if a new one will have to be ordered. This is now September 11 and I have been without my van for 8 days. I'm already out over $300 just for car rental and no end is in sight. Updated 01-16-08.
While driving my 2004 Ford Freestar with 44,800 miles, it caught on fire. The fire was put out by a passing truck driver with his fire extinguisher. The car was towed to a local garage, then it was moved to a Ford dealership close to my home. The van needs a new transmission and an oxygen sensor that was damaged in the fire. Ford will not cover any of this, and my insurance is only willing to pay for the oxygen sensor. The car has not been repaired yet, because the dealer is waiting for the rebuilt transmission to arrive.
- the contact stated that the 2004 Ford Freestar's transmission failed at 79,000 miles while driving at 40 mph and going up a hill, the engine revved, and the vehicle wouldn't accelerate at the normal speed, but she did get to the top of the hill. The contact stated that the engine continued to run, but once she got to the top of the hill the vehicle wouldn't accelerate. The contact stated that some men pushed her to side the side of the road. The contact stated she had the vehicle towed to the dealership, and they informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced or reworked on. She was still under the 3 year warranty but had exceeded the miles under the warranty. The contact stated that the dealership replaced the transmission. She contacted the manufacturer, filed a complaint and was given case# 0417400577. The failure mileage was 78830, and the current mileage was 79000. The front and rear brake lining and circuit breaker were replaced, the rear wiper was loose. Updated 04/12/07.
- Argos , IN, USA
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Wife's van. Reported that in cold weather it would start hard. Recently while driving to work it bucked several times. Was able to get to work. Informed me of the problem where I went to check van. It wouldn't start after 5 attempts, then it started up but was a hard start. At the same time check engine light came on. Decided to tow it to dealer. Flat bed came but couldn't get to van. To assist in positioning van for flatbed; van started on first try but now when it was put into gear, it didn't move. Either forward or reverse. We pushed it into position. Took to dealer where now it went into gear to offload it from flat bed. Dealer stated when they depressed the brake, all dash lights lit up. Stated it was a dead short they had to trace the wiring. Received call 2 days later, dealer telling me they have to drop the transmission. Which they did, I saw it on a stand, stripped of all inner components. Was told since it's under warranty (26,000 miles), they are going to replace everything that looks remotely wrong. Been a week and still waiting for answers.
Drove the vehicle 100 miles, got gas, started the car, would not shift into any gears. You can move the gear in to gear but the transmission will not shift into gear. I was left stranded with 3 kids 100 miles from home, this happened without warning.
When putting the vehicle into drive from reverse it rolls quite a bit. It happens often. I have taken it to the dealership and they say it's normal and they have received no other complaints like this. I almost hit another car that was behind me in a bank line due to this.
2004 Freestar will not shift out of park and cruise control is hard to disengage. Initially this was an intermittent problem but recently it had been more frequent. This problem only occurred during very damp and/or cool weather. The dealer was unable to determine if this was an electrical or brake problem.
2004 Ford Freestar developed a problem with the automatic transmission; when in drive the vehicle rolls backwards. Also while in reverse the vehicle will roll forward. Service dealer stated that the sealed gear box did not have enough fluid to keep the van idled at 800 rpms and that there was nothing further they could do about the problem.
2004 Ford Freestar van developed a problem with the automatic transmission. When the vehicle is in drive it rolls back and in reverse it rolls forward.** answer required***. the dealer told the consumer there is a sealed gear box in the vehicle which doesn't have enough fluid to keep the vehicle idle at 800 rpms.
We were travelling from pigeon forge, tn to greensboro, nc through ashville, nc on I-40. When we reached the vicinity of greensboro we noticed while trying to pass a truck on a slight upgrade the transmission failed to get power to the road. The engine would eventually "catch" and we were able to make it another 8 miles to our destination. After sitting for several hours we started the car again and the same problems occured (engine revving but transmission would not catch). We managed to drive the van to bob dunn Ford in greensboro where it was diagnosed as an internal transmission failure and parts had to be ordered. On the work order it stated: Transmission is slipping. Verified complaint. Removed transmission and disassemble, found forward clutchs burnt. Overhaul transmission. Replace clutches, seals, filter and fluid. Parts listed: 3F2Z-7902-acrm converter asy 4F1Z-7A100-aa control asy F5dz-7A098-aa screen asy xt-5-qm fluid transm 4F1Z-7153-aa kit gasket xf2Z-7B164-ca plate asy dr 4F1Z-7B164-ca plate 4F1Z-7B164-aa plate asy dr xf2Z-75164-ca plate asy dr 4F1Z-7B164-ba plate asy dr xf2Z-75442-ba driven plate xf1Z-7B442-ea driven plate xf1Z-7B442-ba driven plate xf2Z-7B442-aa driven plate all was covered under warrenty. I would like to commend both dealerships involved in the incident: Bob dunn Ford, greensboro, nc and jack kain Ford in versailles, ky for their help in reclaiming money on transportation due to loss of family member while car was down. Ford should be aware of this issue but we are also going write a written complaint directly to them to let them know our dissatisfaction with their product.
Bought 2004 Ford Freestar van, everytime puts van in drive it will roll backwards if it is an on the slightest grade and it is an automatic. If put in reveres it rolls forward. Have notified dealer and Ford, stated this is a liquid problem and what you see is what you get-you have to live with it. There is no way to repair this, nothing they could do. Have driven 2005 and noted this did the same thing.
After shifting the gear into reverse vehicle accelerated and lurched backwards. Consumer was able to slam on brake, and switch off the ignition switch to stop the vehicle. After the vehicle was restarted it worked fine.
While driving on a slight incline vehicle rolled backwards when brakes were applied. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic claimed that the vehicle was operating as designed.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Forest Lake, MN, USA