2004 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

I PURCHASED MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN NEW AND HAD EXPERIENCED NO PROBLEMS OR SYMPTOMS WHATSOEVER LEADING UP TO THE DATE OF MY RECENT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 11/11. RECENTLY, WHILE MERGING ONTO A MAJOR HIGHWAY (WIFE, TWO CHILDREN, GRANDMOTHER IN CAR WITH ME), MY TRANSMISSION SIMPLY FAILED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE AND WE WERE STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT. WE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THE RESULT WAS A NEW TRANSMISSION FOR NEARLY $3000. I HAD BEEN READING FOR YEARS ABOUT IDENTICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE 04-05 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION AND HAD TAKEN EXTRA PRECAUTIONS HOPING TO PREVENT IT. MY VEHICLE IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND I HAD ABSOLUTELY NO SYMPTOMS OR INDICATIONS OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP GAVE ME NO REASON FOR THE FAILURE OTHER THAN TO GIVE ME OPTIONS FOR REPAIRING IT AND TO SAY THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR THESE VEHICLES. *TR

WE WERE LEAVING FOR A SHORT TRIP. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE ENGINE RPM'S INCREASE AND THE VAN WAS HARDLY MOVING. NO ADVANCE NOTICE AT ALL. WE TURNED AROUND AND MADE IT BACK TO THE HOUSE. JUST CREEPING ALONG. IT WAS JUST PURE LUCK, EARLY MORNING WITH HARDLY ANY TRAFFIC. FROM READING OTHER COMPLAINT ON THE INTERNET, IT COULD BE A COSTLY REPAIR. AS OF TODAY, I HAVEN'T HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT. WITH ONLY 60K MILES I WOULD THINK A TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER. TOO MANY OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS. FORD MUST OF HAD IT DESIGNED WITH "COSTING CUTTING" IN MIND. MY OPINION FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD OFFER SOME TYPE OF ALLOWANCE FOR SHODDY DESIGN. THERE SEEMS TO BE A GREAT NUMBER OF FAILURES NOT JUST ONE OR TWO. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT LOWERED THE THIRD ROW SEATING TO THE FLOOR WHEN HE NOTICED THE SAFETY LATCH ATTACHED TO THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WAS CORRODED FROM THE INSIDE OUT AND WERE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THE THIRD ROW SEAT COULD NOT BE USED BECAUSE IT WOULD BE UNSAFE IN THE EVENT OF A REAR END COLLISION. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFUSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,300. UPDATED 12/20/11*LJ UPDATED 01/19/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE A TIRE USING THE MANUFACTURERS JACK, THE JACK FAILED. THE VEHICLE BARELY MISSED LANDING ON THE CONTACTS FOOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* 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 TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REBUILT TWICE. BOTH TIMES THE MECHANIC FOUND WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE'S RADIATOR HAS BEEN CHANGED AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS CHANGED, AS POSSIBLE CULPRITS, BUT THAT DID NOT ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE AT HAND, AS THE WATER RETURNED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE MECHANIC FOR THE THIRD TIME WITHIN THE YEAR, WITH WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC IS STUMPED AS TO WHAT THE CAUSE OF THE WATER MAY BE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED AND REMAINED IN THE REAR CARGO AREA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND CORROSION IN THE REAR FENDER WELL AND THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH. THE REAR PANEL WAS NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AND CAUSED WATER TO PENETRATE THE CARGO AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 11/25/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT IT BECAME EVIDENT, WHILE TROUBLESHOOTING, THE FAILURE OF THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE VENT WINDOW MOTOR. THE WATER LEAKS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE FENDER AND SEAT LATCH HAS BEEN RESTORED. UPDATED 06/06/12 *JS THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT WAS ENTERING THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE IN THREE SEPARATE AREAS. INSIDE THE REAR WHEEL WELL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, IN WHICH A RE-ENFORCING PLAT WAS IMPROPERLY INSTALLED. GASP ACROSS THE TOP TRAILING EDGE ALLOWED WATER TO GET IN BEHIND THE PANEL. WATER WAS ALSO ENTERING THE VEHICLE ALONG THE REAR SEAM WHERE THE INNER FENDER ATTACHED TO THE FLOOR PAN. THE FACTORY INSTALLED SEAM SEALER HAD FAILED. WATER WAS PENETRATING THROUGH CRACKS IN THE REAR ROOF SEAM LOCATED AT THE OUTSIDE TRAILING EDGE OF THE ROOF SEAM THAT SERVED AS THE RAIN GUTTER.

IT STARTED WITH MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WORKING ERRATICALLY. SIMULTANEOUSLY, THE BUTTONS ON MY RADIO QUIT WORKING, ALTHOUGH IT RANDOMLY KEPT TRYING TO REPROGRAM "PRESET 2". WITHOUT WARNING, AT 65MPH ON A BUSY ROAD, I ABRUPTLY LOST POWER AND COULD NOT MAINTAIN SPEED OR ACCELERATE. I ALSO EXPERIENCED ERRATIC RPM. CURRENTLY VEHICLE WILL CHRONICALLY NOT START DUE TO POWER FAILURE, EVEN THOUGH BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF ACCELERATION AND ERRATIC RPM IS DANGEROUS. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,146 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN: NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, NOTHING WORKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER INDICATION OF FAILURE. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP VEHICLE USING EMERGENCY BRAKES. *TT

WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN WITH A FULL LOAD (MY WIFE, 2 KIDS, MY PARENTS AND I) A VIBRATION OCCURRED IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. I COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM MYSELF SO I TOOK THE VAN TO THE FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS RUSTING IN THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH CAUSED FRICTION AGAINST THE TIRE WHEN TURNING RIGHT WITH A FULL LOAD. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT I DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND REPLACE THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I WAS NOT PLANNING TO SELL THE VAN FOR SCRAP AFTER 5.5 YEARS AND I COULDN'T MORALLY SELL A CAR THAT I WOULDN'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH MY OWN FAMILY. I TOOK THE VAN TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY RECOMMENDED A SPECIALTY SHOP. THE SPECIALTY SHOP IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A PANEL THAT WAS NOT SEALED WELL WHICH CAUSED PREMATURE RUSTING. THEY WERE ABLE TO CUT OUT THE AREA AND REPLACE THAT PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. I SEE THIS AS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD THAT I HOPE OTHERS DON'T ENCOUNTER. IF I HAD NOT TAKEN CARE OF THIS PROBLEM IMMEDIATELY THE TIRE COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED WHILE TURNING RIGHT WITH A FULL LOAD AND CAUSED A SERIOUS ROLLOVER ACCIDENT. I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THE FORD SERVICE MANAGER'S ADVICE OF BUYING A NEW CAR VERSUS HELPING ME FIX THE PROBLEM. I FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT AS THE RESULT OF THIS TYPE OF PREMATURE WEAR ON A VEHICLE COULD TURN OUT TO BE TRAGIC FOR SOMEONE. *KB

GOING TO WORK WITH MY KIDS IN THE CAR 2004 FREESTAR. GOING TO DROP THEM OFF AT FAMILY'S HOUSE WENT TO GIVE GAS LOST ALL POWER NO WARNING NO INDICATION THERE WAS A PROBLEM COASTING IN MIDDLE OF MAIN ROAD VERY LUCKY ITS A BUSY ROAD COULD HAVE BEEN BAD. NEEDS TO BE SOLVED BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY. NO MONEY TO GET IT FIXED RIGHT NOW WITH 3 KIDS AND CHRISTMAS ROUND THE CORNER. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION AND STOPPED ON MAJOR ROADWAY. NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF TROUBLE FROM TRANSMISSION. CLASS ACTION FILED IN US DISTRICT COURT AUGUST 2010 DECLARING FAULTY MANUFACTURING. FORD REFUSING TO REPAIR WITHOUT FULL PAYMENT OF $3200. CURRENT MILEAGE 94,000. HOW MANY MUST GET ROBBED BEFORE THIS IS ADDRESSED? *KB

WHEN DRIVING MY CAR, IT WAS HARD TO SHIFT AND WHEN I CAME TO A STOP, IT HAD A HARD TIME SHIFTING GEARS. I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD GONE BAD. HE REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND I HAD THE CAR BACK FOR A WEEK AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR IS NOW DIAGNOSED WITH A BAD PCM AND THAT WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

POWER CONTROL MODUAL (PCM) GETS WET DUE TO POOR DESIGN AND TRANSMISSION FAILS TO WORK. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION QUIT FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING , JUST CUT OUT WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH UP A HILL IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. *TT

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. *TT

I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I THEN PROCEEDED TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND MY VAN JUST STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HAD IT TOWED AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN WHEN THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT, NO PROPULSION BUT MOTOR STILL RUNNING, AND IT COASTED TO A STOP. ONLY SHE AND I (DRIVING INSTRUCTOR AND SAFETY OFFICER) HAVE CAREFULLY DRIVEN AND MAINTAINED THIS VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS FACTORY ORDERED AND DELIVERED FROM THE DEALER IN 2004. MAJORITY OF MILEAGE WAS ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY. TODAY WE PICKED IT UP FROM THE SHOP IT WAS TOWED TO AND WHERE IT UNDERWENT MAJOR REPAIR FOR FOUR DAYS. THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND REPLACED THE VALVE BODY AND TORQUE CONVERTER. THE TOTAL COST OF THIS REPAIR INCLUDING TOWING AND TAX WAS $3499. *TR

PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP SIGN ON A BUSY TWO LANE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE STOP ACCELERATING AND ENGINE REVVED FREELY. NO SHOULDER AND VEHICLE COULD NOT MOVE UNDER OWN POWER. PULLED OVER A LITTLE BUT VEHICLE WAS STILL IN LANE OF TRAVEL, AT NIGHT, WITH NO STREET LIGHTS AND SMALL CHILDREN IN CAR! *TR

THE VAN BEGAN TO JERK AND LOSE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PCM WAS WET. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VAN AND LEARNED ABOUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN. I EMAILED FORD AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL AND I WOULD NEED TO FIX THIS ISSUE MYSELF. *TR

THE MAIN ENGINE COMPUTER (ECM, PCM, AKA EEC) CONSTANTLY GETS WET DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW. WATER DRIPS DOWN ON THE COMPUTER AND WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE JUST TO DIE WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS CAUSES A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-60 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ABNORMALLY DEPRESSED INTO THE FLOORBOARD. THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT COMPLETELY REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 77,566 WAS AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

WE BOUGHT OUR 2004 FREESTAR NEW. WIFE NOW IS UNABLE TO DRIVE IT DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS. IT STALLS, MISSES, AND BUCKS WHILE DRIVING. IT IS MUCH WORSE AFTER RAIN. WE HAVE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WANT TO DO A TUNE-UP. TOOK TO LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE SAYS THAT THERE IS WATER IN PCM. HAVE LOCATED HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS IN FORUMS. VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AND IT LOOKS AS THOUGH MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD FIXED SEVERAL TIMES. *TR

TRANSMISSION ISSUES HAD TO BE REPLACE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WILL NOT TURN OFF. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR, SENSOR LIGHT ISSUES, TRACKING LIGHT ISSUES. NO WARNING TRANSMISSION JUST DIED 200 MILES FROM HOME. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH MY VAN'S TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING AS IF IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, BUT IT WAS IN DRIVE. WHILE HITTING THE GAS THE RPM'S INCREASE BUT THE VAN DOES NOT MOVE. THE ROAD WAS CROWDED AND I WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED DUE TO THE LOSS OF POWER. SEVERAL CARS HAD TO HONK AND SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. LUCKILY MY 3 KIDS AND I WERE NOT INJURED DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE IS THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT THE RESULTS WOULD BE IF I WERE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ OF HUNDREDS OF OTHER FAILURES ON THE INTERNET USING A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH. PLEASE HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE AND RECALL THIS FAILURE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT DUE TO THIS FAILURE. IT IS A SAFETY RECALL AND THERE ARE ALREADY CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS PENDING. *TR

DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED (65MPH) THE TRANSMISSION LOST POWER. VEHICLE WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. COASTED TO SHOULDER OF THE FREEWAY AND HAD TO GET A TOW TRUCK. TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER 3,000.00 DOLLARS. NHTSA INVESTIGATION NUMBER EA09016. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND SLOWLY DECELERATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER AND ADVISED HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,381.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING. THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. NO GRINDING OR SLIPPING, THE ENGINE JUST REVVED AND WOULD VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. HAD 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. VERY DANGEROUS TO TRUST THIS CAR. GOT THE CAR TO A PARKING LOT, NOW IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC TO BE CHECKED OUT. WE PREVIOUSLY HAD PROBLEMS WITH SOMETHING IN THE IGNITION OR SOMETHING WHERE THE CAR WOULD JUST SPUTTER AND DIE WHILE DRIVING. REPLACED DRIVER SIDE WINDOW MOTOR, BUT PASSENGER SIDE DOES NOT WORK EITHER. PLEASE GET THESE OFF THE ROAD! *TR

LETTER FROM SENATOR GRASSLEY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT PROBLEM WITH THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR REAR SEAT OF HIS 2004 FORD FREESTAR *TGW THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE REAR SEAT RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE.*JB

AS I STARTED CROSSING A 5 LANE INTERSECTION TO TURN ON A SIDE STREET, THE VAN LOST ALL DRIVE POWER. MOTOR WAS STILL RUNNING. HAD TO AVOID CROSS TRAFFIC COMING AT ME AS I SLOWLY GLIDED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION TO FIND A SAFE PLACE TO STOP. HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AND IT WAS A BAD TORQUE CONVERTER AND WAS TOLD A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. VERY UPSET ABOUT THE COST AS WELL AS MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR WHEN IT LOST POWER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ENGAGED, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE RMPS BEGAN TO INCREASE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. AFTER RESTARTING THE ENGINE THERE WAS AN ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS AND EMERGENCY WARNING INDICATORS. ALSO, THE ODOMETER BECAME INOPERABLE; UNABLE TO DISPLAY A READING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. CURRENTLY, THERE IS AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER EA09016 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: TORQUE CONVERTER). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT IN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WE WHERE DRIVING ON FREEWAY AT 65 MPH AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT TO 6000 RPMS THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE TORQUE CONVERTER BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT HAPPENED. PLEASE HELP WE DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF MONEY. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. I WAS ON MY WAY TO THE STORE WITH MY 2 YOUNG SONS. I STOPPED AT THE STOP SIGN AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN, I LOST ANY POWER THAT I HAD, WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY TRANSMISSION WENT. I DIDN'T HAVE 1ST, 3RD OR REVERSE, I HAD TO GET MY VAN TOWED HOME ARRANGE FOR A RIDE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. NOW MY VAN IS IN THE SHOP AND $2000.00 LATER HOPEFULLY I CAN GET A YEAR OUT OF THIS. *TR

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HWY IN PENSACOLA, FL WHEN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY STOPPED PULLING. NO FORWARD, NO BACKWARDS, NEUTRAL, NOTHING AND THE RPMS WENT EXTREMELY HIGH. ZERO WARNINGS, AND IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IT IS ONLY DUE TO MY HUSBANDS RACE CAR DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND QUICK REACTION TIME THAT HE WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO GET THE VAN ON THE SIDE OF THE HWY. MY HUSBAND AND OUR TWO BOYS THANKFULLY WERE SAFE BUT THEY WERE STRANDED IN INTENSE FLORIDA HEAT. I HAVE HAD A LEAN FUEL, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL, COIL PACK AND PCM ISSUES SINCE I GOT THE VAN JUNE 2007. THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THE EASTERNS DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VAN FROM, COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEMS. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, EASTERNS WORKED ON IT BUT NONE OF THE ISSUES WERE EVER ABLE TO BE FIXED. I CHOOSE THE FREESTAR FOR ITS SAFETY FEATURES SO I KNEW I HAD A SAFE WAY TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN. THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE, I DO NOT TRUST FORD TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. *KB

TRANMISSION GRINDING AND LOSS OF POWER... *TR

TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE IN FAR LEFT LANE AND THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED LEAVING US WITHOUT ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. ONLY BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC AT THE TIME, WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE.

TODAY (8-9-11) WHILE ENTERING I-95 SB AT GA EXIT 107, I WAS IN THE ACCELERATION LANE TO BLEND WITH TRAFFIC WHEN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR COMPLETELY LOST ALL FORWARD POWER AND SPEED. THE ENGINE RUNS FINE AND WENT TO IDOL. I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY A TRACTOR TRAILER, TRYING TO COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER. I/VE BEEN ADVISED THAT FORD'S 2004 FREESTAR HAS A 'TORQUE CONVERTER' PROBLEM (BY THE TOW DRIVER) AND IT SIMPLY STOPS PROVIDING FORWARD MOVEMENT WITHOUT WARNING. ADDITIONALLY THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE ANY POWER-DOOR 'AUTO-STOP' WHEN AN OBSTRUCTION IN THE OPEN DOOR. (IT BRUISED MY ARM TRYING TO CLOSE AND THE PASSENGER HAD TO HELP PULL THE DOOR BACK). *TR

WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VAN SUDDENLY LOST POWER. I FOUND MYSELF STUCK IN THE INTERSECTION FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS AS I ATTEMPTED SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND BACK BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. I NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING HIT BY TRAFFIC COMING FROM THE OTHER DIRECTION AND WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO THE PARKING LOT NEXT TO MY OFFICE BUILDING. I CONTACTED MY FORD DEALER AND HAD THE VAN TOWED THERE FOR REPAIR. THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED AND I HAD IT REPLACED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MERGED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE PUMP SHAFT AND SEAL AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,600. UPDAETD 12/06/11*LJ UPDATED 12/14/11

WITHOUT WARNING OR NOTICEABLE SYMPTOMS OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN LOST FORWARD POWER WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. THE VAN WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT ONLY REVVED WHEN PUSHING ACCELERATOR LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO COAST INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK THE CAR. *TR

DRIVERS SIDE FRONT DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE. EXERCISED ALL LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT DOOR WILL NOT LATCH CLOSED. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. LAST NIGHT, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING WHILE MY TWO CHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. THE CAR HAD NO POWER, AS THOUGH IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. THANKFULLY, IT WAS GOING DOWNHILL SO IT WAS SAFELY ROLLED TO A SIDE STREET. HOWEVER, UNDER OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, IT COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE SEEN MANY POSTINGS ON LINE ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR AND HOPE THAT THE NHTSA FORCES FORD TO RECALL AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN TOWED AND I EXPECT IT WILL COST ME $1,000 - $3,000 TO REPAIR, NOT WITHSTANDING THE DANGER THAT FORD HAS CREATED BY PUTTING A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT ON THE ROAD WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A WARNING TO THE VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 50 MILES PER HOUR IN MY FORD FREESTAR VAN AND I LOST ALL POWER FOR A SECOND AND THE MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. I BARELY GOT IT TO THE SHOULDER ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. I HAD TO WALK BACK (ON THE BUSY HIGHWAY) TO MY RESIDENCE AND CALL A TOW TRUCK. I WAS LUCKY TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT CAUSING A WRECK. FORD HAS A PROBLEM AND THEY KNOW IT AND WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM THEY KNOW ABOUT. *TT

TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT APPEARED WHILE ON VACATION. STOPPED AT A DEALER SAID WE WERE OK TO CONTINUE. CAR HAS FELT WEIRD SINCE. AUTO SHOP JUST TOLD US WE NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

I PASSED A VEHICLE GOING HOME FROM WORK7/20/2011,I JUST GOT BACK ON MY SIDE OF ROAD, WHEN I LOST ALL POWER, LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLAMMED INTO NEUTRAL.THE VEHICLE I JUST PASSED AL MOST HIT ME IN THE BACK INN,BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET OFF THE ROAD. *TR

I HAD DRIVEN 20 MILES TO DO SOME SHOPPING WITH MY HUSBAND AND FATHER. WHEN WE GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND STARTED IT EVERYTHING WORKED UNTIL I TOOK IT OUT OF PARK AND INTO REVERSE. IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I TRIED DRIVE AND IT WOULDN'T MOVE. I CALLED AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD GARAGE. THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID IT WAS THE SPLINES IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE NEXT DAY THEY SAID THE OIL PUMP HAD FROZEN UP. WHEN THEY CALLED TO SAY IT WAS READY THEY SAID THE ABS INDICATOR WAS ON...HAD IT DONE IT BEFORE? NO..JUST THE TIRE RESET INDICATOR. I PICKED UP THE CAR AND THE ABS LIGHT WAS STILL ON AND BRAKES FELT STRANGE. INFORMED THEM THAT IT HAD NEVER COME ON SO MUST HAVE HAPPENED THERE. THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK MONDAY. WHEN I RETURNED HOME I PUT THE VAN IN PARK AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS AGAIN AND THE BRAKE WOULDN'T HOLD. I GOT IT STOPPED AND PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND CALLED THEM. THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE CHECKED ON MONDAY. ON THE WAY BACK TO THE DEALER I STOPPED FOR GAS AND I HAD ACTUALLY GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR AND IT ROLLED AWAY ON ITS OWN. A WITNESS WATCHED ME CHASE IT. I TOLD THE DEALER. WHEN THEY CALLED THEY SAID IT WAS THE PARKING PAWLS AND WAS OK NOW, BUT THE SENSOR IN THE HUB OF THE RIGHT WHEEL WAS MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN I PICKED IT UP TODAY WITH MY NEIGHBOR AND GOT TO HER DRIVEWAY IT ROLLED BACKWARDS WHEN I PUT IT IN PARK AND SHE WAS ALMOST KNOCKED OVER BY THE DOOR. IT DID THE SAME IN MY DRIVE AGAIN SO I CALLED AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT BACK. WE TESTED IT BOTH BACK AND FORWARD ON INCLINES AND IT ROLLED AND EVEN IN THE DEALER'S PARKING LOT. THE MANAGER WITNESSED IT AND JUMPED IN AND IT DID IT FOR HIM. HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE UP A HILL AND IT WOULDN'T DO IT BUT BACK IN THE LOT HE GOT IT TO ROLL AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THEY REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER, VALVE BODY, SHAFT AND TEFLON SEALS. THEY ADJUSTED SHIFT CABLE. THIS IS COMMON FOR THIS VEHICLE AND A RECALL IS IN ORDER. LIVES COULD HAVE BEEN LOST AND PROPERTY DAMAGED. *TR

ON SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2011, I HAD JUST DRIVEN ONTO THE FREEWAY, AND WAS GETTING UP TO FREEWAY SPEEDS OF ABOUT 50, WHEN I NOTICED THAT THE VAN FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT WANTING TO ACCELERATE AND THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CONTROL PANEL. THE VAN FELT LIKE IT WAS STUCK IN MUD AND DIDN'T WANT TO PICK UP SPEED, AND WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, EVEN THE SLIGHTEST BIT, TO MAINTAIN MY SPEED ON THE BUSY FREEWAY, THE RPMS WENT WAY UP AND IT MADE A SQUEALING SOUND, SO I DIDN'T WANT TO PUSH IT. I LET THE VAN COAST AND GOT OFF THE FREEWAY AT THE NEXT EXIT. ONCE I WAS OFF THE FREEWAY, THE VAN WOULD DRIVE WITHOUT THE RPMS GOING UP, AS LONG AS I KEPT IT UNDER 35 MILES AN HOUR, AND DIDN'T HAVE TO ACCELERATE TO GO UP A HILL, SO I DROPPED OFF MY SON'S GIRLFRIEND AT HER HOUSE AND SLOWLY DROVE THE VAN BACK TO MY HOUSE AND PARKED IT. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET PRODUCED DOZENS IF NOT HUNDREDS OF STORIES JUST LIKE THIS. THE COST TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION IS LIKELY TO BE AS MUCH AS THE TRADE-IN VALUE ON THE CAR SO I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'LL DO WITH THE VAN NOW. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE PANEL THAT HELD THE BACK SEAT BRACKET WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,600.

VEHICLE LOST TRANSMISSION POWER IN THE WHILE TRAVELING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS. ABLE TO MOVE IT OUT THE ROAD BEFORE CAUSING A CRASH. CURRENTLY AT SHOP WAITING TO BE REPAIRED. *TT