Stop running sometime would start, then wouldn't start, took to a shop they said look at it been submerged or under water, at eclt plug where, wet with water, said it wood need new wiring harness, possible computer box..at cost of $1200-1500 part and then there labor..here in kenai Alaska..got to fixer if I want to do this...I bought this used here came up from the South, Arizona, done car fax all good.

- Kenai, AK, USA

While my husband was on his way home from work he came upon a red light. When the light turned green again he attempted to accelerate but the van would not move. He turned the ignition off and then on again and the van still would not move. All of this occurred without any warning, no lights flashing or any kind of unusual sounds. After having it towed to the dealer we purchased the vehicle from we were told that the van had an electrical problem that needed to be handled at the Ford dealer. Now what I have been told is that the electronic computer module was the problem and needed to be replaced. This repair cost us $1200 dollars after having the van for just under five months. We are paying close to $13,000 for this van and were not able to drive it safely for at least six months without repair. Someone should protect the consumer a little better than they are. This is devastating for my family considering this is our first vehicle and we are still inexperienced with the was dealers prey on their potential customers, Ford should be ashamed of how they treat the people who are the one's who keep them in business. I think people should take a stand to refrain from purchasing Ford vehicles until they take consumer safety seriously. There should also be a law which states that any used car dealer disclose recall information to the potential buyer before a contract is entered into. The type of problem that we have could have ended in serious injury or death had this happened on the highway.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

Recently had the transmission torque converter changed under recall. Today it was running rough, and would stall out. It was a dangerous situation as I was in heavy traffic at the time. It seems that this problem. Has happened to many other owners of the same car.

- Plattsburgh, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the air conditioning would not cool the inside of the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the dealer added freon, but it did not correct the problem. The dealer also stated that the compressor was operating properly. The contact stated that the air conditioning did not seem to truly start working until the vehicle speed was at 40 mph and above. The vehicle was not further repaired.the VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown, but the current mileage was 140,000.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

While driving my son to school, vehicle stalled at 45 mph and engine died. Got vehicle started again, died again, managed to get vehicle back home. This issue has been happening intermittently ever since with no warning engine will die while driving vehicle. I have been advised by a mechanic that this is due to the PCM getting wet repeatedly. After researching issue on-line, this appears to be a design issue that Ford should address immediately before it results in a fatality.

- Mundelein, IL, USA

Hi I am [xxx] was out Friday at about 5.30 when my 2004 free star van started acting up it cut off 3 time right at a light this is [xxx] just got the van 6 mos ago for 9,300 at a Ford dealer in lexington nc.maybe going to quit buying Ford ect car van what ever had to call my dad to come help me the van would not run or start because of the PCM box had water on in it.now Ford don't want to do a [xxx] thing but make me pay more money just got the van for 9,300 now got to pay 1,2600 at a Ford dealer in whiteville nc I don't have the money but my dad and bother is going to pay for it to get fix this time maybe sale the [xxx] 2004 free star van soon I don't want to but if I don't sale it may happen again to me.Ford need to recall this [xxx]now before someone get killed I when down the road and could not control my van and now I have brakes went out to "???"look Ford send me my money back 1,12200 to me in whiteville nc 2872 to [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Whiteville , NC, USA

My van would not go in reverse, when it finally did it kept dying. Took to Ford dealership the problem was the computer brain cost 1100. 2days later the exact same thing. The problem is sudden leaving U stranded with no warnings.

- Sheridan, IN, USA

While driving to take my husband to work in the rain my wipers began to slowly lose power and slow down, then my radio shut off, my head lights began to turn off then off then they loss power, finally my dashboard began to have the oil light and ABS light and emergency brake light come on, then the battery light turned on I took it to a mechanic and they said it something electric and maybe the PCM I contacted Ford and they said they have no recall for that and can't help me unless I want to pay out of pocket. My mechanic also said they have seen many other Ford Freestars with this problem as the van was made that the PCM is locatedwhere water comes in with rain and ruins them. We are afraid that an electric problem may cause a misfire and even a fire to the vehicle.this is my only vehicle I have and strongly depend on it since I am 6.5 months pregnant and have a 2 year old and am afraid of being stranded somewhere with him. Had I known that this car was so unreliable and irresponsible for their mistakes and un willing to help, I would of purchased a foreign car with better warranty and quality as well as better service.

- Pleasantville, NJ, USA

As I see this is a very common problem with all model year Freestar vans. Water leaks onto the PCM and shorts out then your van won't run or if it does not very well. Mine won't start and gives all kinds of random mil codes. Was diagnosed with water in PCM. Plain and simple Ford needs to issue a recall for this because all the vans have it or will get it.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

Had the recall work done on the torque converter end of August beginning of September 2012, upon return of vehicle have had nothing but problems. Last Thursday April 4 the vehicle suddenly lost power while going through an intersection. Friday did the same thing 3 times in less than 20 minutes of driving. Replaced alternator, belt tensioner and belt. Mechanic asked what it did, then said it might be the torque converter. He checked power steering, and water pump they are fine. Not sure how a part less than year old could go bad. When my vehicle went in for recall was perfectly fine, since it's return is has been running horrible and nothing seems to really fix it.

- Aurora, IL, USA

The latch on the rear of the van has rusted closed on three separate occassions. It is presently rusted shut and the back hatch doesnt open as a result. There is a recall on the third row seat due to water leakage from the rear tire well. This has to be related as the carpet throughout the van gets wet. Even the front drivers seat where it attaches to the floor is soaked, posibly leaking from front tire well.and all the way down the interior of the car to the third row. There is also a short in the dash lights due to water leaking into the dash area. The car radio stays on when it feel like it and you have to hit the drivers window button for the radio to shut off otherwise it drains the battery and the car will not start. The car was at the electrical shop a year ago and could not find the problem.

- Wyandotte, MI, USA

I am writing about this 12/8/11 incident today, because this happened to me again! on 3/14/13 (I will enter a separate complaint the 3/14/13 event immediately after this one is registered). In both cases, the entire computer brain had to be replaced, each time costing over $1,000. 12/8/11 incident: While driving, I found the gas pedal was not responding to acceleration. A symbol lit up on the dashboard. Having experienced a torque converter failure 8 months before (safercar.gov ODI no.: 10397445), I worried that this might be transmission related again. I was losing movement, but the engine still ran, and coasted into a vacant lot. While waiting for a tow, I found that I could sometimes drive forward or reverse a bit (a few feet), but sometimes I could not. The mechanic had to replace the computer brain. He bought the part from medford Ford, in New Jersey. I can locate the exact cost of the repair at a later time, but it was approximately $1,000. I had no significant symptoms ahead of time, which would lead me to believe that I was about to break down. I have totally broken down 5 times in this vehicle, each for major repairs.

- Medford, NJ, USA

I drove my car to work in the morning. At 2pm, I tried to drive, but could not. The car started, but I could not move forward or backward. I had no symptoms that a problem was about to happen before this. When the tow guy came, he moved the car by hand with the engine running. He was able to drive it a tiny bit sometimes forward and sometimes back, but sometimes not at all. We towed it to medford Ford where it was diagnosed as needing a whole new computer brain. They said there was "moisture" on the computer. The estimate for repair is $1,042 plus tax. I told them we had the brain replaced 15 months ago (on 12/8/11); they said there is only a warranty for 12 months. They said that this vehicle is "notorious" for this problem. See my registered complaint on the 12/8/11 incident (safercar.gov ODI no.: 10503670). I have totally broken down in this vehicle 5 times, each for major repairs. (see also, my safercar.gov ODI no.: 10397445 for my experience with torque converter failure.)

- Medford, NJ, USA

Our 2004 Ford Freestar stalled, and then surged after accelerating from a stop. The next day the check engine light came on. We took it to a local Ford dealer, capital city Ford in indianapolis, who in indicated the code was for a fuel pump problem. We paid over $800 to have the fuel pump replaced on December 27th. In late February the van began to stall and surge again. We suspected the same problem. It continued to do this off and on for the next two weeks and on March 8th the check engine light came on again. We took it back to the same Ford dealer and they said the initial code was for the same error, but when another mechanic/technician checked the code it came up with a different problem. We were advised that the there was "moisture" getting into the PCM causing the problem and not only was it causing the engine to stall, but was giving wrong error codes. The replacement of the PCM was estimated to be a +$1,000 cost. We were advised that it "seemed to be" a design flaw in the location of the PCM in that it is in line with the waterflow from the windshield. After much research on the internet on this issue, it appears it is a long-standing issue with many owners of this vehicle and even with replacement of the PCM the problem will happen again due to the design flaw. The safety risk related to engine stalls due to the failure of the PCM is unacceptable. The failure of the dealership to identify this well-known problem and charge us for a repair (fuel pump) that was unnecessary is unconscionable.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm, PCM) vehicle speed control the PCM shorted out because it got wet through the cover of the hood. This appears to be a relatively wide-spread problem and if not addressed and repaired correctly, it could happen again.

- Hurricane, WV, USA

Cpsc#I1320440. 2004 Ford Freestar. Consumer stated after driving the car in the rain, a few days afterwards the vehicle spurts and shakes violently. The consumer also stated the check engine light would come on and flash. The vehicle also jumped when accelerating and vibrated while at a stop. The consumer stated as soon as she drove the vehicle in the rain, the problem started again. The vehicle then stalled while in park.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

2004 Ford Freestar ses I changed the rear brakes on 1/20/2013 noticed the left rear wheel was rusting out. Today 2/24/2013 went to install a car sear & noticed the bench seat in the back was rocking slightly. The anchor point on the left rear is rusted out and moving. Upon inspection I noticed that I can see down to the ground where the anchor point has rusted out. I have had to replace numerous parts on this van over the last two years. To date I have replaced: 3 ignition coils, (this is the main problem whenever heavy rain or snow has happened and I start to throw misfire codes), 3 camshaft position sensors, 2 driver side window controls & motors, (the window doesn't want to work half the time so we leave it cracked open with the rain guards), an egr valve, and a clockspring. I have never had so many problems with this vehicle in such a short amount of time.

- Prairie Village, KS, USA

The PCM internal computer is crashed and cause the veh to run poorly and not start, drained batter, etc - this is an issue with a lot of 2004 Freestars as I read online and was told to submit the info so that maybe they will do a recall and get this fixed. Thank god it did not happen while driving.

- Houston, TX, USA

Returning from a 'dump run', I noticed the plastic cover for the 3rd row passenger seat, driver side, had been dislodged and was lying on the floor. I went to reconnect it and I found the latch 'floating'. it was no longer part of the vehicle. I could see out through the wheel well. After further inspection, I saw that the welded plate, that should be part of the van was no longer attached. I haven't looked at the tire for damage, yet. This is a design and manufacturing error, as the latch bracket used to secure the passenger seat in place, needs to be a permanent part of the vehicle. The van isn't too old, and should last many more years/miles and for this piece to come loose, is a safety issue as well as a quality issue. I'm afraid to take it to the local Ford dealer for fear of being gouged on the cost to repair, which should be at Ford's cost. If this was a pick up truck with exposure to the elements all the time, I could see a rust issue. This vehicle is lightly used and garaged nightly, so it shouldn't happen - ever. The other comments on this page are all similar to my experience with this part. Right now, I'm using a strap to hold the piece in place, stretching to the latch on the passenger side. Comment: This van has had too many quality issues since we purchased it in 2006 - torque converter replaced, driver seat heater replaced, transmission replaced, cruise control switch mech. Replaced, ignition replaced.

- West Hartford, CT, USA

Having this problem 4 days in a row, engine quits at any speed loss of steering and brakes, car will speed up without the accelerator being moved, Ford said water in the computer could cost 1,000 to 1,500. Checked on my computer found page after page of the same complaint and Ford Motor Company refuses to fix the problem!! has anybody been killed yet? when is the N.T.S.B going to act.

- Baden, PA, USA