NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Freestar. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION DIED AT 48,100 MILES. I WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING WITH ABSOLUTELY NO ACCELERATION. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A CAR BECAUSE THE MINI VAN STOP MOVING AT AN INTERSECTION. HAD THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR CHECKED AND THERE WAS WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION. NO RAIN, NO FLOOD. ONLY VERY COLD WEATHER. $4000 TO FIX AND EXTENDED WARRANTY DON'T WANT TO COVER. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR ENGINE CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER DIE @ ABOUT 80000 MILES TRANMISSION FAIL AT ABOUT 65000 MILES DEFECTIVE OE CONFORMAL COATING IS REMOVED FROM THE ENTIRE ECM BOARD INCLUDING UNDERNEATH CHIPS AND REPLACED WITH UPGRADED CONFORMAL COATING; CORRECTS AN OE DESIGN FLAW AND ENSURE CHIPS WILL NOT LIFT FROM THE BOARD CAUSING THE UNIT TO FAIL. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 FREESTAR DOWN A BUSY ROAD AND SHE SAID IT MADE A REVVING NOISE AND THEN WOULD NOT MOVE. SHE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VAN WOULD RUN BUT NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED. SHE HAD KIDS IN THE CAR. *TR
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH A 4.2L MOTOR. THANK GOD WE BOUGHT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY WHEN WE BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN OCTOBER 2004. AT APPROXIMATELY 55,000 MILES THE VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN TRAFFIC AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. I HAD THE VAN TOWED TO RODMAN FORD IN FOXBORO MA WHERE I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS CONTAMINATED WITH WATER. THE WARRANTY COVERED THE ENTIRE REPAIR EXCEPT FOR A $50 DEDUCTIBLE, ALSO COVERED RENTAL AND THE TOW. GREAT, RIGHT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THAT AT 67,000 MILES THE SAME THING HAPPENED. SAME COVERAGE, PAID FOR THE WHOLE THING AGAIN. WELL HERE WE ARE AT 82,000 MILES (NO LONGER UNDER 75,000 COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) AND THE TRANNY GOES AGAIN. NOW THE LAST ONE WAS REPLACED LAST DECEMBER AT RODMAN FORD AGAIN. THEY ARE NOW TRYING TO TELL ME THAT THERE IS NO COVERAGE AND A NEW TRANNY IS GOING TO COST ME $3500 TO REPLACE. HUH? YOUR KIDDING RIGHT? THERE SEEMS TO BE ANOTHER ISSUE AT PLAY HERE. AFTER READING SOME INFO ON THE WEB, I SEE THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDRED REPORTS OF THIS SAME THING HAPPENING IN THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THERE IS AN E-MAIL ON LINE FROM STEPHEN MCHENRY OF THE NHTSA STATING THAT WATER HAS BEEN GETTING INTO THE PCM OR TRANSAXLE VENT. IF THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THEN WHY IS FORD NOT FOLLOWING THE DETAILED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS OUTLINED IN THIS E-MAIL. WHY DO THEY CONTINUE TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS SEVERAL TIME IN THESE VANS WHEN THEY KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. ARE THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS NOT BUSY ENOUGH AND ARE THEY TRYING TO CREATE REPEAT CUSTOMERS. I AM NOT GOING TO PAY A NICKEL TOWARD THIS REPAIR. I ALSO HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL ATTORNEYS SOLICITING CLIENTS ONLINE FOR CLASS ACTION SUITS TRYING TO GET THESE OTHER PEOPLE THEIR MONEY BACK FOR THE REPAIRS THAT FOR THEM WERE NOT COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
11/26/2010: FORD FREESTAR 2004 MINIVAN DRIVING CITY STREET AT ABOUT 30 MPH LOST POWER. PULLED OVER TO SIDE OF STREET. VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE, IF ATTEMPTED, ENGINE WOULD RACE. VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP - TORQUE CONVERTER IS SAID TO BE THE FAILURE. BILL EST TO BE $3,900 TO REPAIR TRANSMISSION. *TR UPDATED IVOQ 12/30/10
COMING INTO TOWN IN BUSY TRAFFIC, OUR VEHICLE SUDDENLY SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THEN WOULD NOT SWITCH BACK INTO GEAR ABOVE 20MPH. WE WERE 30 MILES OR SO FROM HOME, SO WE WENT AT LOW SPEED OUT OF TOWN AND DOWN HIGHWAY CONTINUING TO SEE IF IT WOULD KICK INTO GEAR. IT DID NOT GO OVER 20 TO 25 MPH UNTIL ABOUT 10 MILES FROM HOME, WE STOPPED FOR GAS AND THEN WHEN WE STARTED UP AGAIN IT SHIFTED AS NORMAL INTO GEARS AS NEEDED FOR HIGHWAY TRAVEL. TOOK IT TO MECHANIC AND ENDED UP NEEDING NEW TRANSMISSION. A REBUILT ONE COST US ALMOST $3000. WOULD LOVE TO KNOW IF THIS WILL BE A RECALL AND OUR MONEY REFUNDED FROM FORD? *LN
I REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AT 80,000 MILES IN JULY OF 2008. THE COST WAS $1,600. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN STREET IN OUR CITY AT AROUND 40 MPH WHEN THE CAR JUST ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. I HAD MY 7, 6 AND 3 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE VAN ALONG WITH MY NIECE AND NEPHEW AND MY MOTHER. WE WERE LUCKY TO COAST INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX DRIVE (BLOCKING IT) AND WAITED OVER AN HOUR ON THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR FOR A TOW. NOW, 2 YEARS AND ONLY 40,000 MILES LATER, WE ARE REPLACING IT AGAIN. WE YELLED AND SCREAMED AND GOT THE PRICE DOWN TO $1,200, BUT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY ONE CENT FOR THIS. FORD SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR RIPPING PEOPLE OFF. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR WAS ENGAGED, THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY BUT THE VEHICLE DID MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89000.
2004 FREESTAR LOST ALL POWER DRIVING HOME FROM ERRANDS IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANK GOD TRAFFIC WAS ONLY GOING 35MPH. MY VEHICLE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES. THE LOSS OF POWER CAME FROM TRANSMISSION FAILURE ACCORDING TO FORD DEALER SHIP. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES ON IT. LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS VEHICLE AND FORD KNOWS IT. *TR
2004 FORD WINDSTAR INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH DRIVER'S SIDE PASSENGER DOOR AUTOMATIC RETRACTION FEATURE. AUTOMATIC DOOR WILL START TO CLOSE OR OPEN WHEN PASSENGERS ARE ENTERING OR EXITING VEHICLE AND WILL NOT RETRACT. ONCE DOOR OPEN WITH-OUT WARNING WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR REMAINED STUCK. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY WITH OUT WARNING THE POWER TO THE WHEELS CEASED TO WORK. THE ENGINE WOULD REV UP BUT THERE WAS NO POWER GOING TO THE WHEELS. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE WHERE WE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A LARGE COST. THE FAILURE HAPPENED AT APPROX. 100,000 MILES. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR SEL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTING, NOT GOING INTO GEAR OR BANGING INTO GEAR, DARK FLUID(WHICH USUALLY MEANS BURNT OUT).SAME AS THE OTHER COMPLAINTS. DO NOT SEE A RECALL YET. *TR
TRAVELING EAST ON INTERSTATE 80 TOWARD LAKE TAHOE, ABOUT 70 MILES FROM HOME. RPMS SUDDENLY INCREASED WHILE LOSING FORWARD PROPULSION AND SPEED. PULLED OVER AND MUCH SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER ENGINE. MYSELF, WIFE & 2 CHILDREN IN VEHICLE. LUCKILY WE HAVE AAA AND WERE RESCUED. WE ARE ORIGINAL OWNERS ON THIS REGULARLY, AND WELL MAINTAINED 2004 FREESTAR - AND IT HAS ONLY 61,000 MILES! EXPECT $3,000+ BILL TO FIX TRANSMISSION. *TR
HAD TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED IN 2010 BEFORE THE RECALL FOR ALMOST $2000.00 FROM A FORD DEALER. THEY REPLACED IT WITH ANOTHER DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER. NOW FORD WILL NOT GIVE MY MONEY BACK AND THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CONVERTER. IT'S EITHER $1450 OR A NEW CONVERTER, NOT BOTH. FORD HAS NOW SOLD ME TWO RECALLED TORQUE CONVERTERS AND WILL NOT GIVE ME WHAT I PAID AND FIX THE PROBLEM. IT'S NO WONDER THEY DIDN'T NEED A BAILOUT WITH THEIR SHADY BUSINESS PRACTICES. THEY ARE STEALING FROM THEIR CONSUMERS. OUTRAGED AND SEEKING LEGAL ADVICE. I URGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME. *TR
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING! LESS THAN 70,000 MILES. *TR
TRANSMISSION IN 2004 FORD FREESTAR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC ENDANGERING MY SELF AND MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN. FORD IS AWARE OF TRANSMISSION DEFECTS AND IS CHOOSING NOT TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THIS IS PRESENTING A DANGER TO THE DRIVER/PASSENGERS OF SAID VEHICLE AND THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR LTD, TOOK POSSESSION ON 7/6/2004 AND NOW HAVE 70K MILES. ITS USED FOR MY THREE MILE COMMUTE TO/FROM WORK, SOME LONGER DRIVES TO RELATIVES EVERY OTHER MONTH. ON 10/30/2010 EXPERIENCED TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. $1200 TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR $2500 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION. *TR
NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILING AT ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON THE HIGHWAY. $3500. REPAIR FOR RADIATOR AND FULL RE-BUILD OF TRANS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, AND CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO THE SPLINES TRUCK CONVERTER BEING STRIPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT QUALIFIED, FOR ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,640. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
TRANSMISSION WENT 82,000 MILES FOR FREESTAR 2004 COST FOR NEW TRANSMISSION $2400 WHICH I PAID. *TR
OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR'S TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND WE LOST FORWARD ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS 100,213 MILES ON IT. *TR
VAN SUDDENLY LOST TRANSMISSION POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO NOTHING. TURNED A CORNER ACCELERATED AND THEN SLOWLY SLOWED TO COMPLETE STOP. NO GEARS NOT EVEN REVERSE. VAN HAS RUN ROUGH IN RAIN FOR A WHILE. HAVE HAD IT TUNED UP TO NO AVAIL. NARROWLY AVOIDED BEING REAR ENDED WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR
AS WE WERE ON A FAMILY VACATION CROSSING WISCONSIN ON INTERSTATE 94 GOING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET, THE CAR STARTED T REV VERY HIGH AND WE LOST ALL POWER. THE ENGINE RAN FINE AND WE WERE ABLE TO BRAKE AND STEER, BUT HAD NO FORWARD OR BACKWARD GEARS. WE HAD TO INTERRUPT OUR TRIP, HAVE THE STATE TROOPER GIVE MY WIFE AND KIDS A RIDE TO THE NEXT TOWN, AND HAVE THE CARE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. IT COST $1250 AND TOOK TEN DAYS TO FIX THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH HAD ALSO DAMAGED THE ROD THAT GOES TO IT. FORTUNATELY IT DID NOT MELT THE TRANSMISSION )OR SO THEY TOLD ME).
WHILE DRIVING THE TRACTION CONTROL DISINGAGES FOR NO APPARANT REASON. ALSO THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL BE WORKING FINE AND AFTER THE TRACTION CONTROL DISINAGES THE CRUISE CONTROL ALSO STOPS THEN SOMETIMES AFTER YOU PRESS RESUME IT REINGAGES AND SOMETIMES IN DOESEN'T IF YOU SHUT OFF THE CAR AND RESTART IT THE TRACTION CONTROL LIIGHT GOES OFF AGAIN. IT MAY COME ON AGAIN A FEW MILES LATER OR IT MAY NOT PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE INTERMITTTENT SAME WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL. THERE ARE ALSO TIMES THAT THE RADIO CONTROLS IN THE STEERING WHEEL WORK FINE OTHER TIMES IF YOU PRESS THE VOLUME CONTROL IT WILL CHANGE THE STATIONS. VAN PURCHASED IN JULY OF 2010 PROBLEM BAGAN SOMETIME IN OCTOBER OF 2010. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PUMP FAILURE. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE TRANSMISSION AND A TRANSMISSION SWITCH RANGE WAS REPLACED. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP SIGN BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY BEFORE ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED TO APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WHEN AND BEGAN TO LUNGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/11/11*LJ
BOUGHT NEW, 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN. AT 60,000 MILES, MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND COASTED TO A STOP INTO A PARKING LOT. NO POWER IN ANY OF THE GEARS INCLUDING REVERSE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT TORQUE CONVERTER PUMP SHAFT BROKE. HAD TO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER, PUMP AND PUMP SHAFT. COST OF $2125.00 TO REPAIR. THANKFULLY IT DID NOT HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF REPORTED OCCURRENCES AT SUCH LOWER MILEAGE AND NATURE OF FAILURE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A REFUND OF THE REPAIR COSTS FROM FORD. THIS TYPE OF FAILURE SHOULD NOT BE THE BURDEN OF THE CONSUMER. *TR
VAN STOPPED DEAD IN TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT MOVE. WAS TOWED INTO FORD DEALERSHIP. TORQUE CONVERTOR REPLACED, ON 10/13/2010. NOW TRANSMISSION AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP WAS DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE, ON 07/11/2011. REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. THE ORIGINAL REPAIR COST WAS $2264.14, AND THIS TIME THE REPAIR WILL BE AT LEAST $3100. THE MILEAGE ON THE VAN ON THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS 117,230 MILES AND NOW ABOUT 127,000 MILES.
MY VAN WHILE GOING UP AN INCLINE WOULD NOT MOVE. I PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN PARK. FROM THERE IT WOULD NOT MOVE. I COULD GO INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE,BUT IT DID NOTHING. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SHOP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC TOOK IT APART AND FOUND A PROBLEM WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IT WAS SHATTERED. I HAD TO PAY AROUND 1850 WITH TOW. THANK GOD THAT NO ONE WAS HURT,BUT THEY COULD HAVE BEEN. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE RECALL, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $1,180.83. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CONSUMER ASKED THE DEALER WAS THE PART INSTALLED DEFECTIVE, AND HE STATED IT PROBABLY WAS. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A REFUND CHECK. HOWEVER, HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE PART BEING DEFECTIVE. *JB
WHILE DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL DRIVER POWER. I HAD TO COAST TO A SAFE SPOT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PUT INTO ANY GEAR AND HAD TO BE TOWED. WE ARE FACING A $3200.00 REPAIR BILL TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND HAD LESS THAN 80,000 MILES LOGGED. THE VEHICLE HAD RECENTLY BEEN IN FOR THE 70,000 MILE CHECK-UP, AT WHICH NO PROBLEMS WERE DETECTED. *TR
I DROVE MY FORD 2004 FREESTAR TO CHURCH ON SATURDAY ABOUT 15 MILES FROM HOME. AFTER FINISHING SERVICES, I COULD NOT TAKE THE FAMILY HOME BECAUSE THE VAN REFUSE TO MOVE WITHOUT ANY WARNING, AND NONE OF THE GEAR SELECTION ENGAGED. I CALLED TECHNICIAN TO CHECK, AND I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 83,000 MILE JUST LIKE THAT. I CHECKED THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WAS ASTRONOMICALLY STONING. MY EXPENSES FOR REPAIRING THIS IS ESTIMATED @ $2,250.00. I THANK GOD IT HAPPENED IN THE CHURCH PREMISES. FORD AUTHORITIES ARE NOT GOING TO HELP EITHER, AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. IT IS ABSURD FOR ALL THIS PROBLEM IN A VAN THAT CONVEYS THE WHOLE FAMILY. WHAT A SHAME! *TR
ON SEPTEMBER 29, 2010, I WAS DRIVING WITH MY WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN ON I-75 AT 70 MPH (SPEED LIMIT). THERE WAS A SLIGHT REV IN THE ENGINE AND THEN ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS WAS GONE, LEAVING ME IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF VERY HEAVY AND FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. WE BARELY AVOIDED GETTING REAR ENDED BY A LARGE SEMI AND FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BOTH MYSELF AND MY WIFE WERE TERRIFIED FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN. BEING FAR AWAY FROM HOME, STRANDED IN UNFAMILIAR TERRITORY WE WERE AT THE MERCY OF THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE LOCAL MECHANIC. UPON INSPECTING THE VEHICLE THE MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND THAT THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IT WOULD COST $3,000 TO FIX. MANY HOURS LATER, AFTER FINALLY GETTING MY TIRED AND WEARY FAMILY HOME, I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON LINE AND WAS ABSOLUTELY APPALLED TO SEE SO MANY COMPLAINTS AND THE FACT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY FORD OR THE NHTSA TO CORRECT OR EVEN COMMUNICATE THIS PROBLEM TO THE CONSUMERS UNLUCKY ENOUGH TO OWN THIS VEHICLE. I SERIOUSLY CAN NOT BELIEVE THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PUT IN THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NOTHING IN BEING DONE, HAS THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN LIFE BECOME THAT INSIGNIFICANT? *TR
ON SEPT 28, 2010 MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY AND WITH ZERO WARNING STOPPED 'PULLING'. WAS IN PASSING LANE OF 4 LANE HIGHWAY GOING 60MPH AND WE BARELY AVOIDED BEING RUN OVER AND KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED ( A LESS EXPERIENCED DRIVER WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED I AM SURE). FORD CERTIFIED GARAGE LATER TOLD US THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD BASICALLY 'EXPLODED' AND TRANSMISSION WAS RUINED. REPAIR QUOTED AT $3961.82 CENTS. FORCED TO PURCHASE NEW VEHICLE AS WE WERE STRANDED 2 HOURS FROM HOME AND COULD NOT JUSTIFY SPENDING THAT MUCH FOR A $6,000. BOOK VALUE VEHICLE, PLUS WOULD NEVER TRUST REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION WITH SAME FAULTY SYSTEM. RECEIVED ZERO HELP FROM FORD, AND RECEIVED ZERO TRADE IN VALUE ON FREESTAR. 89,030 MILES ON FREESTAR PLUS I HAD INSTALLED ALL NEW BRAKE SYSTEM, NEW BATTERY, 4 NEW TIRES, NEW FUEL FILTER, NEW POINTS, AND A CERTIFIED FORD GARAGE TUNE UP IN SUMMER OF 2010. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITHOUT ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS, GOING ABOUT 40 MPH AND IT JUST STARTED REVVING UP AND LOST POWER. I WAS LUCKY IT WASN'T HIT FROM BEHIND AND WAS ABLE TO TURN INTO A PARKING LOT AND PARK. IT HASN'T MOVED SINCE. WAITING FOR TRANSMISSION BUSINESS TO OPEN TO GET QUOTES. I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THOUGH, THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD EXHIBIT A LOUD, ABNORMAL NOISE. THE NOISE WAS MOST PROMINENT WHEN THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROTORS AND HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
VEHICLE JUST STOPPED MOVING. ENGINE RUNNING BUT NO ENGAGEMENT. NO DRIVE OR REVERSE. STEERING AND BRAKES NOT AFFECTED. EEC TEST NO CODES. REPLACED TRANSMISSION. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR PUT IT IN DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE DEALER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT OWNERS EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,516. UPDATED 12/29/10 *BF UPDATED 01/04/11*JB
WHILE 2000 MILES FROM HOME, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING ,(52,000 ORIGINAL ML.)IN OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN WHILE SITTING @A BUSY CALIFORNIA 4 LANE INTERSECTION. AS CARS SPED BY ON ALL SIDES, WE HAD TO MANUALLY PUSH VEHICLE THROUGH THE INTERSECTION PUTTING OURSELVES IN DANGEROUS,SCARY SITUATION. THE RESULTS ARE A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE REQUIRING NEW REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $3500.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. 7 DAY DELAY TO RETURNING HOME AS VEHICLE SITS IN THE SHOP WAITING FOR PARTS ORDERED. STRANDED 2000 MLS FR HOME WITH NO VEHICLE. *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN I-85 IN ATLANTA. *TR
BOUGHT 2004 FREESTAR USED AND HAVE HAD IT FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHILE TRAVELING, I STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. UPON ACCELERATION, THE VAN WENT ABOUT 10 YARDS AND FAILED TO GO ANY FURTHER. I HAD TO COAST ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC INTO THE CONVENIENCE STORE PARKING LOT WHERE THE VAN HAS SAT OVERNIGHT. THE VAN WILL HAVE TO BE TOWED TO MY MECHANIC'S SHOP. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTS REGARDING THIS SAME COMPLAINT. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO DO A RECALL!!!! THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. IT IS TIME FOR FORD TO STEP UP AND CORRECT THIS BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS KILLED AND THEY REALLY HAVE A LAWSUIT ON THEIR HANDS! *TR
SLOWED DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, WENT TO ACCELERATE OFF OF INTERSTATE, AND NOTHING. NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS, AND I ROLLED OUT INTO THE ROAD WITH NO WAY TO PICK UP SPEED. HAD TRANSMISSION LOOKED AT, AND TORQUE CONVERTER WAS BAD. SEARCHED THE INTERNET, AND FOUND OUT THAT NO ONE SHOULD OWN ONE OF THESE VEHICLES, AS ITS A COMMON, AND DANGEROUS SITUATION, NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE OUT OF A SITUATION. *TR
WE WERE ON A HIGHWAY AND IT JUST LOST ALL ACCELERATION. HAD IT TOWED ($300) TO SHOP. NEEDED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION ($2440). HAD THAT DONE. NOW, 15 MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING! *TR
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING CONSUMERS WHO HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, WOULD RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND QUARTER HAS PASSED AND HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 AS HE ACCELERATED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. AFTER COASTING ABOUT 2000 FEET, HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AT THE EXIT RAMP AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK.
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE REIMBURSEMENT FOR TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE RECALL. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE STATING CONSUMERS WHO HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, WOULD RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND QUARTER HAS PASSED AND HE STILL HAS NOT RECEIVED REIMBURSEMENT. ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2010 AS HE ACCELERATED TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE STARTED SLOWING DOWN. AFTER COASTING ABOUT 2000 FEET, HE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF AT THE EXIT RAMP AND WAS ABLE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE DENIAL LETTER STATED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY SHOULD HAVE COVERED THE REPAIR. THE CONSUMER STATED THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON AUGUST 3, 2009 AND THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2010. UPDATED 11/28/12 THE CONSUMER STATED THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AGAIN IN JANUARY 2012. THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER USED THE SAME FLAWED PARTS TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. UPDATED 02/28/13
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO PASS A VEHICLE AND HIS VEHICLE DIDNT MOVED FORWARD, INSTEAD IT REVERSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER.THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ADVISED THEY COULD REPLACE SOME PARTS ON THE TRANSMISSION, THE VALVE BODY, THE PUMP SHAFT,AND THE CONVERTER, OR REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION.THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT HE WILL RECEIVED A CALL BACK FROM AN ENGINEER. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 76,634.
WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR DIED. FORTUNATLEY WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BEFORE THE CAR STOPPED COASTING, BUT MY WIFE AND I AND OU4 4 YOUNG CHILDREN WERE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY FOR 45 MINUTES. I WAS TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND IT WOULD COST 3,000 TO REPAIR. MYU BROTHER-IN-LAW IS A MECAHNIC AND SAID THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTAR FOR SOME TIME. WHY NO RECALL THEN?TRANSMISSION. *TR
PUT VAN INTO REVERSE AND BACKED UP BUT THEN WHEN I PUT INTO DRIVE, IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TOOK VAN IN FOR REPAIR - REQUIRED TRANSMISSION REBUILDING. *TR
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Sep 14, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.