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.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that he received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 (power train:automatic transmission:torque converter) and an authorized dealer was contacted. The contact was informed that the necessary parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was also contacted and was unable to provide a time frame as to when the parts would become available. The contact stated that the vehicle had begun to experience a failure in which the transmission would occasionally hesitate to change gears. The failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving 70 mph, she felt the transmission slip while attempting to accelerate. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they did not have the necessary parts to perform service on the vehicle. In addition, the contact was advised that the recall had not yet begun and was advised that recall repairs would begin in the near future (NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 -power train:automatic transmission:torque converter). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 30,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 45 mph, the transmission began to jerk and suddenly the engine stalled with an illumination of the entire instrument panel. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was awaiting diagnosis. The failure recurred numerous times and had been previously taken to the dealer ten times within a two year period. There were numerous repairs made to the vehicle in an attempt to correct the failure however, the problem persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle stopped accelerating and would not shift gears. The check engine warning light also illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and the dealer stated that the wiring system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The contact also received the recall notice associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V006000 (power train:automatic transmission:torque converter), but the dealer would not repair the recall, stating that it was not related to the failure. The failure and current mileages were unavailable. The VIN was unavailable.
The van would start and die - when it did stay running you could put it in drive or reverse and it wouldn't move - took it to sanders Ford in jacksonville, North Carolina. - their inspection found water in the PCM connector - they cleaned the PCM connector and applied dielectric grease - the service manager also said Ford advised them to apply a bead of chauking to divert the water away from the PCM connector - is this been a problem with other Freestar owners. [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- Newport, NC, USA
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Vehicle just stopped moving. Engine running but no engagement. No drive or reverse. Steering and brakes not affected. Eec test no codes. Replaced transmission.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 30 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop and the transmission was rebuilt. The failure recurred approximately two years later. The vehicle was taken back to the independent repair shop and the contact was informed that water was leaking into the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 64,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the torque converter failed and the vehicle could not be moved. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 (power train:automatic transmission:torque converter) and had the vehicle towed to the dealer for repairs. The dealer advised the contact that because the component was not the original manufacturing equipment, then he would not be able to have the vehicle serviced under the recall. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage and VIN was unavailable.
Was driving kids to basketball and before getting out of apartment complex (thank goodness not on highway!) the car stopped moving. Fortunately I was able to maneuver it to a parking area. It would not go forward or backward but the engine was still running. Had it towed to afford dealership with my recall letter regarding torque converter but of course after telling me they first had to do a diagnostic test (for $250) eventually, they determine that "it was not the torque converter (T/C) but internal problems within the transmission!?" (appears this is what they tell everyone!) I had brought the car there earlier in March when I received the recall letter and was told that the parts for the recall were not available until 2nd quarter of 2012. I went back in early April and again was told the same thing. Then on or around April 10th guess what" my car broke down. I towed it to Ford and asked that the torque converter be replaced. That was when I was told about the charge for the "diagnostic test". at first I refused and just asked that they replace the T/C. they said they could not because "what if they replaced it and the car still did not work"" I said I'll take that chance. They said no, and we do not have the parts available. Eventually I had to get the trans rebuilt for $3400! what a racket they have! an american company whom I was trying to be loyal to taking advantage of their consumers!! we have to fight back, don't let Ford get away with this!!!!!!
Re: recall 11S25 a transmission failure just happened to my wife today on the long island expressway at exit 43 area. She was passing a car in the passing lane doing 60 and suddenly lost power, she was lucky she was able to get over the 3 required lanes to safety. I had received a letter a few months ago about the transmission torque converter failing recall and that parts were not available till June in the meantime I have to pay for a tow now and told it would be 2-4 weeks before the van is repaired if that is the problem. It seems to me they are trying to weasel out already and any google search about this brings up pages of hits on this issue with the same symptoms.. this means I may be without a car for the next 4 weeks?? this is unacceptable.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle was performing as normal until the vehicle was service under NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 (power train:automatic transmission:torque converter). After the repairs, the vehicle had become resistant to acceleration attempts and could not be driven. The dealer was contacted and advised that debris from the torque converter could have traveled into the transmission, causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 52,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact was driving 65 mph when the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was merged on to the shoulder and then towed to the dealer. The dealer inspected the vehicle and advised the contact that the torque converter needed replacing. In addition, the dealer advised that the parts needed to make the repair would not become available until the middle of June. The manufacturer was notified who confirmed that the parts would become available in June and offered no further assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 160,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle would sporadically become resistant to acceleration. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer replaced the transmission fluid but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle continued to lose acceleration power while driving. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised the contact that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 (power train: Automatic transmission: Torque converter) but the parts needed for the recall repairs were not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 165,000 and the current mileage was 180,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While traveling 25 mph, the contact noticed that the vehicle would no longer accelrate, but it did not stall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileeages were 120,000.
Without any warning transmission fails. I take it to a Ford dealer, of course it is not under the recall. So I had to replace transmission out of pocket to a cost of $3327.
While driving my 2004 Ford Freestar 4.2 litre, at speed of 60mph on highway suddenly vehicle stalled, and I had to act fast and coasted vehicle 2 lanes over to hug shoulder of highway. Put vehicle in park turn ignition off turn the key over vehicle starts fine I drive back on the highway vehicle drives good like nothing occurred, my thought was fuel line problem, so had mechanic look at it he changed my fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel pressure sensor, so back on the road with vehicle, vehicle keeps stalling at 50-60mph and also stalls at traffic stop light while idling. Having done some research online my problem seems like Ford Motor Company has a defect problem in the PCM (powertrain control module)with the Ford Freestars/Mercury monterey models it sold. I believe now my vehicle is not safe to drive and endangers other drivers on the road. Please look into this systematic problem with Ford Freestars/monterey minivans.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled numerous times. The transmission was replaced several times but the failure would recur. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V006000 (power train:automatic transmission), but was advised that the parts needed for the repair were not available. The manufacturer was notified, but denied any assistance with repair to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 75,000 and the current mileage was 179,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Bala Cynwyd, PA, USA