10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
74,695 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.

2005 Ford Freestar transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Ford Freestar Owner Comments (Page 17 of 19)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #56

Jun 062009

Freestar

  • 68,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 55 mph, the vehicle did not respond when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The engine revved excessively high. The driver managed to pull the vehicle over and called roadside assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for inspection and the technician stated that the automatic transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle is currently being repaired. The failure and current mileages were 68,000.

- New Lenox, IL, USA

problem #55

May 252009

Freestar

  • 100,000 miles
My complaint is regarding the transmission in my Ford Freestar. I commute to work daily, and one morning while on the highway my vehicle stalled. Luckily, the traffic was not heavy at the time but I was still upset about this incident. My transmission is gone. I am a single mother making payments on a vehicle that is currently sitting in my driveway because I can not afford to repair the transmission. I am grateful my children were not in the vehicle with me at the time my vehicle decided to die in the middle of the highway. I have researched this issue online and have found that I am one of many who have difficulties with their vehicle giving out on them while driving due to the transmission and PCM. The main reason I am lodging this complaint is in hopes that maybe if enough people complain about this issue, then maybe a recall would be issued. I am sure I am not the first and nor will I be the last to complain about Ford's Freestar.

- Gastonia, NC, USA

problem #54

May 262009

Freestar

  • 35,850 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving 67 mph with the cruise control activated, the amp displayed 6,000. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and had it towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the input shaft failed and caused the torque converter to fail as well. The dealer replaced the transmission with a rebuilt transmission at the cost of $3,609.14. The manufacturer stated that the warranty expired in November of 2007; therefore, they would not assist. The failure and current mileages were 35,850.

- Sturtevant, WI, USA

problem #53

Mar 082008

Freestar

  • 66,000 miles

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

Twice our 2005 Ford Freestar experienced water leakage through the cowl grill on the hood. After heavy rain in March 2008, the first of several breakdowns and fix attempts occurred, resulting in 3 months out of service, and replacements of the wiring harness, the PCM computer, several other computers and sensors, and the entire transmission, equaling nearly $5,000 in tow, rental car, and repair bills--some of which the dealership talked my insurance to pay for as a "water damage claim." In between, we've had multiple electrical system problems and breakdowns, and then this past March 2009, also during heavy rain, the car experienced the water damage breakdown. This time the water only ruined the PCM computer, but the dealership refused to honor the repairs that were less than 12 months old and we took it to a private licensed repair technician. He found the technical service bulletin online that described the known water leakage problem in some 2005 Freestar models and did the recommended fix twice. In his opinion and in the geico insurance adjusters opinion, this is a serious problem that Ford needs to address. This time we had no coverage for the damage and were out of a vehicle for two months and out of pocket over $3,000. I've begged Ford's corporate offices to take the vehicle back and just let me out of the financing but they refuse due to the number of miles. Also, the attorney general's lemon law office said there were too many miles. In addition to these problems, in 90,000 miles, I've had to replace the rotors now four times because they are warping dangerously. The pads are ok, but the rotors are continually warping and it costs $800 each time to have the brakes fixed.

- Roxbury, NY, USA

problem #52

Apr 252004

Freestar

  • 53,000 miles
Was driving down the street in my 2005 Ford Freestar van when I had to stop and put the vehicle in park to get out and check on something in the back. When I attempted to put the van back in drive, the only gear that was working was neutral. With no warning the transmission went out. We were fortunate we were not driving down the road at the time.

- Nixa, MO, USA

problem #51

Mar 192009

Freestar

  • 120,000 miles
Transmission failure with no notice. Highway speeds on I-65 RPM's go up speed goes down. Coast on I 65 to a stop and call tow truck. Vehicle does not go F or rev and gears. Transmission is dead. Transmission gives no warning prior to total failure.

- North Liberty, IN, USA

problem #50

Apr 092009

Freestar

  • 77,798 miles

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

We were driving home from vacation with family in our 2005 Ford Freestar when the transmission failed. Fortunately we were not on the interstate when it happened because we were driving down the highway when, all of a sudden, it was like the gas peddle was unplugged. We had to push it out of the road. Drive nor reverse worked. Had to have towed. The torque converter was replaced at a large cost after the large cost to get home in a cab and then a rental car.

- Thomasville, GA, USA

problem #49

Apr 132009

Freestar

  • 97,000 miles
Transmission just dropped out of gear while driving down the road. This is the second time in 15 months. This will cost another $1500. Please help.

- Lagrange, GA, USA

problem #48

Apr 082009

Freestar

  • 71,817 miles
Transmission failure at 71,817 miles. Transmission has no forward or reverse. Complete transmission failure after great service and maintenance.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #47

Apr 092009

Freestar

  • 53,000 miles
As with alot of Freestar 2005 owners...the transmission failed at 50,000 miles. No hint of failure...just pulled up to stop sign and would not move when traffic was clear. My wife and another couple had to push the car across the intersection too reach a safe haven. Lucky that other cars traveling on that road gave the pushers the right of way and nobody was injured. It was a very bad situation to be in. Ford needs to address this as my cost is over $3500 to replace the transmission that should have lasted much, much longer.

- Lancaster, PA, USA

problem #46

Mar 202009

Freestar

  • 94,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle changed gears and automatically shifted into neutral without the gears being moved. The contact attempted to place the vehicle into drive, but was unsuccessful. She then placed the vehicle into reverse and was able to move the vehicle to a secure location away from the road. The vehicle failed completely and lost total power. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop and the technician stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired at the cost of $3,600. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 94,000.

- Marysville, CA, USA

problem #45

Mar 232009

Freestar

  • 127,333 miles
The transmission on this vehicle has given out twice. From information posted by other owners, this is a common problem with this vehicle. I was in the middle of traffic when the gears disengaged and the transmission failed. I had to maneuver the car out of the way of traffic. I nearly got into an accident, because I was not able to accelerate properly.

- North Miami Beach, FL, USA

problem #44

May 222008

Freestar

  • 80,478 miles
Slowed to stop at traffic light, prior to coming to a complete stop, the light changed and when I accelerated nothing happen. In the middle of traffic I was able to glide into a gas station. Luckily traffic was just beginning to move. Could have been very dangerous!! vehicle was towed to dealership where we purchased. Caused thousands to only replace some parts of the transmission!! duplicate to 10262197*smch

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #43

Mar 172009

Freestar

  • 93,000 miles
On my way to work the transaxle light began blinking. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where purchased. Was told that a part having to do with the transmission and torque converter was bad. At first was told if we could we should get out of the vehicle now. We can not afford another vehicle!! this vehicle is only 4 years old. We are the only owners. Prior to purchase the vehicle was a rental vehicle for a dealership (we presume it was the dealership we purchased it from) while it has 93000 miles we take care of our vehicles! the transmission was repaired less than 10 months ago, now we are experiencing problems with the same thing. Ford needs to do something to make it right for their customers and take care of these problems. We have had older vehicles with less problems. We have experienced: Liftgate problems, coil problems and transmission problems X2.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #42

Mar 122009

Freestar

  • 63,146 miles
With no warning our 2005 Ford Freestar van transmission failed (mileage 63,146). Car was driven ~25 miles to workplace. Started car to return home and nothing happened when car was put in gear. Received quote stating transmission has internal problems and must be replaced. Price of quote was $3506 - repairs have not been made at this time. Found local garage that rebuilds transmissions. Currently, in the process of towing to local garage. Waiting for 2nd quote on rebuild. After searching forums / websites I have found an alarming number of identical incidents with the Freestar minivan. I am hoping NHTSA will take action against Ford motors as soon as possible before someone is seriously injured because of this design failure.

- Germantown, OH, USA

problem #41

Mar 142009

Freestar

  • 92,331 miles
I was simply driving down the road slowed down to enter the town when to put foot back on the gas pedal and nothing but the engine revving up, transmission went out. There was nothing that happened before it happened. The transmission oil looks fine and it is not locked up it is just like every gear other than park is neutral. There are several people that is having the same problem.

- Moran, KS, USA

problem #40

Feb 242009

Freestar

  • 90,000 miles
2005 Ford Freestar sel - 90,000 miles - transmission stopped working with no warning. No prior problems whatsoever. Parked car, ran errand, came back & cranked - would go into gear but not move. Had towed to Ford dealership who says it needs a new torque converter, for $2100 - which I don't have! apparently this is a problem with the Ford Freestar and Ford refuses to acknowledge it. Browsing the numerous complaints listed on this site alone, I cannot believe that the NHTSA is also not investigating.

- Lagrange, GA, USA

problem #39

Feb 232009

Freestar

  • 54,200 miles
Purchased a 2005 Freestar new from a local dealer and has been driven approximately 54,200 miles to date. All maintenance performed was by the dealer with whom we purchased the vehicle. My wife garaged the van as usual. The next morning the transmission would not engage. I contacted the dealer to have the vehicle towed and have the problem diagnosed. I was informed that a transmission fluid pump shaft broke apart requiring the transmission to be pulled for major repairs. We are extremely upset that a vehicle only 3.5 years old with less than 55,000 miles would require such major drive train repairs. We believe that there must have been an issue with this part at the time of installation. Either the part had some type of defect or was installed improperly to cause this type of damage to a transmission with such low mileage.

- Greenville, WI, USA

problem #38

Feb 192009

Freestar

  • miles
I own a 2005 Ford Freestar with just over 60,000 miles on it. I was driving home from work one evening when all the sudden the transmission went out with no warning at all. I have read on numerous sites that I am by far not the only Ford owner this has happened to.

- Waterville, KS, USA

problem #37

Feb 062009

Freestar

  • 86,871 miles
Transmission stop working on I75 in rush hour traffic almost hit by large truck this is was a defect with transmission on a 2005 Ford Freestar vehicle no. I called Ford they will not admit there is a problem with this vehicle the service manager said they have over 200 of these problems.

- Houghton Lake, MI, USA

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