2004 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE ENGINE WORKED OK BUT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER APPEARED TO HAVE NO EFFECT. HAD THIS HAPPENED OTHER THAN ON A RURAL ROAD AS IT DID, ALL VEHICLES IN PROXIMITY WOULD HAVE BEEN ENDANGERED BY THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER IN THIS VEHICLE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY PRECEDING INDICATION THAT ANYTHING WAS AMISS. *TR

ON SEPT 18, 2009 MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANY PROBLEM. OUR MECHANIC HAS INDICATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND WOULD REQUIRE A COMPLETE REBUILD, REPLACING THE TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION PUMP ASSEMBLY AND VARIOUS ITEMS IN THE OVERHAUL KIT. COST $1807.92. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE RPM INCREASED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DID NOT INCREASE IN SPEED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A MECHANIC. A MECHANIC STATED THE THE SHAFT OR THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,269.

THE VEHICLE (2004 FORD FREESTAR) IN TRAFFIC WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED, LEAVING US WITH NO OPTION BUT TO COAST OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I HAD MY WIFE AN TEENAGE SON IN THE CAR WITH ME, AND WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. IF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED A FEW MINUTES EARLIER, WE COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN REAR-ENDED ON THE INTERSTATE. WE HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED AT A COST OF $3400. *TR

WHILE I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, DRIVING ABOUT 65MPH, WITH 4 KIDS IN THE VAN, MY RPMS SPIKED, A LOUD MOANING SOUND STARTED AND I COMPLETELY LOST ACCELERATION, I WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF AN EXIT AND PULL OVER. MY OLDER BOYS WERE ABLE TO PUSH THE VAN INTO A PARKING LOT OF A NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY. THE GUYS THERE TOLD ME THAT MORE THAN LIKELY THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE OF THE HOLIDAY WEEKEND, SO I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY FOR ANY KIND OF QUOTE TO BEGIN REPAIRS. I HAD TO CALL FAMILY 50 MILES AWAY TO COME PICK US UP, MY VEHICLE IS STRANDED IN ANOTHER TOWN 40 MILES AWAY, AND I AM TOLD THE REPAIRS COULD COST AT LEAST $2000.00 AND COULD TAKE A WEEK! THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

MY FORD FREESTAR 2004 HAD COMPLETE MOBILITY FAILURE IN INTERSECTION,WAS SAID TO HAVE BAD TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED PROBLEMS OF MOTOR FAILURE CONTINUED HAD TOWED 10 X'S WITH MY INVESTIGATIONS WE FOUND WATER IN THE PCM REPLACED COMPUTER PROBLEM OF WATER REGAINED MANY ATTEMPTS TO RESEAL WHILE TRANSMISSION REAFFECTED THEN REPLACED THROTTLE SENSOR HAVE SPENT OVER $4000.00 WHILE FORD OFFERS NO COMPENSATION OR HELP EVEN THOU THE PROBLEMS ARE UNDER INVESTIGATION. INEED MY VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK TO MAINTAIN PAYING MY BILLS FORD SHOULD HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FOR ALL OF US AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MY NEXT STEPS ARE I CANT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY FOR THIS.THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS BUT TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM.WHEN MY CAR FAILS IT GIVES GREAT DIFFICULTY STEERING AND BRAKING AS IT SHUTS OFF I AM IN FEAR OF MY CHILDREN'S LIVES AND OTHERS DRIVERS WHILE I CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE AND AN ACCIDENT SHOULD NOT BE THE FORCING HAND FOR FORD MOTOR CORP TO HAVE TO STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT! *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR *TGW CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION IN MARCH 2012. THREE YEARS AFTER THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. RECALL# 12V006000. *JB UPDATED 05/24/12 THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 06/19/12 UPDATED 07/03/12.*JB UPDATED 10/04/12.*JB

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 140 BETWEEN CANTON & WALESKA, GA MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY WENT TO NEUTRAL FORCING ME TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY TWO LANE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. LUCKY FOR ME THIS WAS COVERED BY MY CARMAX EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM, BUT IT COST ME 200 FOR A TOW AND PUT MY LIFE AND OTHERS AT RISK. I WAS ALMOST REARENDED AS THE PERSON BEHIND ME DIDN'T KNOW I WAS SLOWING DOWN UNTIL I PRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MAKE OTHERS AWARE I WAS STOPPING. MY TORQUE CONVERTER WAS STRIPPED AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM ON THIS VAN. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC SEVERAL TIMES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE GAS FILTER, AND CAM SENSOR TWICE, BUT FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER CONTROL MODULE. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $940.00. REPORT 1898911628 WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RELATED COMPLAINTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,800.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED EIGHT TIMES AFTER REPAIRS. AT EACH FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COMPUTER WOULD BE RESET. AFTER THE 4TH FAILURE, THE MECHANIC FOUND WATER IN THE PCM AND IT WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000. UPDATED 12/02/10 *BF UPDATED 12/08/10

TRANSMISSION FAILURE OF 2004 FORD FREESTAR THAT MATCHES CURRENT INVESTIGATION NUMBER PE09-033. *TR

2004 FORD FREE STAR TRANSMISSION QUIT WITHOUT WARNING WHILE RIDING ON MAIN STREET IN NICHOLASVILLE, KY. THE VAN STAYS IN NEUTRAL EVEN THOUGH THE GEAR IS IN THE DRIVE OR REVERSE POSITION. HAD THE VAN TOWED TO OUR HOUSE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ABLE TO DRIVE. *TR

ON MY WAY TO WORK , I WAS DRIVING 55MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE VAN THREW ME BACK AS IF THE VAN WAS THROWN INTO PARK. I HAD NO ACCELERATION AND THE VAN SHUT OFF AND COASTED TO A STOP. AFTER STARTING THE VAN AGAIN, WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE, THE RPM'S WOULD RISE VERY HIGH, HOWEVER THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS WAS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED BACK HOME. I AM CURRENTLY REVIEWING MY OPTIONS AS I AM STILL PAYING ON THIS VAN AND CAN NOT AFFORD AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THIS OCCURRED IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS WHERE THERE WAS NOT MUCH TRAFFIC ON THE EXPRESS WAY. HAD THIS HAPPENED A COUPLE HOURS LATER DURING RUSH HOUR, THIS COULD HAVE TURNED OUT TO BE A FATAL INCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE RPMS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK FOR VEHICLE CRASH AND SERIOUS INJURY WERE INCREASED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP, THEREFORE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH SHE LOST COMPLETE POWER ACCOMPANIED BY GEAR FAILURE WITHOUT ANY PRIOR WARNINGS. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER HOUSE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER IN WHICH A TECHNICIAN SPECULATED THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AT AN EXPENSE OF $4500.00. AS OF CURRENT DATE THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,000. (CC)

BEGINNING AT 55K MILES, THE TRANSAXLE HAS BEEN SLOW SHIFTING BETWEEN REVERSE AND DRIVE WITH OCCASIONAL SHUTTERING, EVEN JUMPING OUT OF GEAR AFTER STOPPING. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP IN MARCH 2008 BUT "PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED" WAS THEIR DIAGNOSIS. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO "CLUNK" BACK INTO GEAR AFTER STOPPING. AFTER A LOCAL DEALERSHIP COMPLETED THE 60K MILE TRANSAXLE SERVICE, THE PROBLEM APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. THE SLOW SHIFTING STARTED AGAIN LAST WEEK AND THE TRANSAXLE QUIT YESTERDAY WHILE IN TRAFFIC (4K MILES AFTER THE EXTENDED SERVICE PLAN EXPIRED). IT WON'T MOVE AND LOUDLY WHINES LIKE A POWER STEERING PUMP LOW ON FLUID. THIS SAME DEALERSHIP THAT SERVICED IT SAYS ITS TOO BAD THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT THEY'LL GLADLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM FOR $135. THE TEAM LEADER SAID IT'LL LIKELY NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A "REMANUFACTURED UNIT" (3 YEAR, 100K MILE WARRANTY), BUT DIDN'T KNOW THE COST, SAYING IT NEEDS TO BE DIAGNOSED FIRST. SO, I HAVE TO PAY FIRST BEFORE THEY'LL TALK PRICE? *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR LOST POWER FROM THE ENGINE TO THE WHEELS. DRIVING ALONG A STATE ROAD AND WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING FINE, LOST POWER AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. TRANSMISSION HAS NO MOTION IN ANY GEAR. FLUID LEVEL IS OVERFULL WHILE RUNNING INDICATING A CONVERTER FAILURE. *TR

DRIVING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR AND IT SUDDENLY LOST DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE TO DRIVE FORWARD NOR IN REVERSE. WAS TRAVELING AT 40 MPH AND THE VEHICLE QUICKLY STARTED DECELERATING AND HAD TO PULL OVER TO SIDE OF ROAD DUE TO NO ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION GOING FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING IN THE OUTSKIRTS OF TOWN AT ABOUT 40 MPH OR SO, GETTING READY TO SLOW DOWN WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT I COULDN'T. AT FIRST, I THOUGHT I HAD NOT BRAKES BUT I WAS ABLE TO BRAKE. I PARKED THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO SHIFT THE GEAR IN REVERSE TO SEE IF IT WOULD WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING BUT I COULD NOT DRIVE OR REVERSE. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND I RESTARTED IT BUT IT WOULDN'T BUDGE. MY HUSBAND & I HAD TO PUSH THE CAR TO THE SIDE AND WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO TOW US BACK TO TOWN. THE ENGINE WAS STILL WORKING AS WE LEFT THE AIR CONDITIONER ON DUE TO THE HEAT OUTSIDE. WE HAD RECENTLY HAD THE ALTERNATOR REPAIRED, NOW THE MECHANIC WE HAD LOOK AT OUR VEHICLE STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NO LONGER WORKING. THIS VEHICLE HAS 77769 MILES. THERE WAS NO WARNING THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD GIVEN OUT. NO NOISE OR WARNING TO LET US KNOW THAT IT WOULD LEAVE US STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ ONLINE, WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. OUR VEHICLE IS NOW NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE THE VEHICLE PARKED AND IT WILL PROBABLY REMAINED PARKED UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO PURCHASE A NEW TRANSMISSION. I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS VEHICLE. *TR

I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD FREESTAR FROM ROSEN NISSAN KIAN IN MILWAUKEE, WI IN MARCH OF 2008 WITH 15,000 MILES ON IT. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 14TH,2009 I RECEIVED A WARNING LIGHT THAT FLASHED INDICATING A TRANSAXEL PROBLEM. MY OWNERS MANUAL STATED THAT IF THIS LIGHT REMAINS ON TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE IMMEDIATELY. BECAUSE IT DID NOT REMAIN ON, I WAS GOING TO TAKE MY VEHICLE IN ON MONDAY. HOWEVER, ON SUNDAY, AUGUST 16TH 2008 MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GONE AND THE REPAIR WOULD RUN $3,500.00. *TR

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

WE LOST POWER TO OUR FREESTAR AS WE ENTERED A MAJOR HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE WAS ON, BUT THERE WAS NO POWER. MY WIFE AND DAUGHTERS WERE TERRIFIED AS THE TRAFFIC WAS COMING UPON ON US AND WE COULD NOT MOVE QUICKLY OUT OF THE WAY. FORTUNATELY THEY WERE ABLE STEER OUT OUR WAY. THE TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT AND COST ME OVER $1400.00 TO REPAIR. *TR

WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING ON AN AVERAGE DRIVE TO WAL-MART. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED AND ENGINE SEEMED SEPARATED FROM TRANSMISSION (NO POWER TO WHEELS). THE VAN COASTED INTO NEAREST PARKING LOT AND WAS TOWED TO SANDERS FORD IN JACKSONVILLE NC. THE DEALERSHIP IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE TRANSMISSION, BUT DOESN'T KNOW IF OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL COVER IT! THIS FAILURE CAME WITH NO WARNING DURING GOOD WEATHER ON A SHORT DRIVE. 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 62000 MILES. THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY RELIABILITY AND IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. SHE ROLLED TO A STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD AND LUCKILY SOME PEOPLE PUSHED HER VAN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VAN RUNS BUT WILL NOT ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. SUDDENLY, THERE WAS NO POWER RESPONSE WITH THE REAR TIRES. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH CAUTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,836.

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN 55MPH ON BUSY HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN TRANSMISSION GEARS APPARENTLY DISENGAGED--MY FOOT WAS ON GAS PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THOUGH ENGINE REVVED. AFTER COASTING A MILE OR SO, I WAS ABLE TO PULL SAFELY OFF THE ROAD (I HAD MY YOUNG DAUGHTER IN VAN WITH ME). I PHONED A FRIEND WHO CONTACTED MECHANIC SHOP AND DISPATCHED TOW TRUCK. UPON INVESTIGATION BY MECHANIC, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD VANS AND TRUCKS, AND PROCEEDED TO INVESTIGATE MYSELF AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET BY CONSUMERS WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM, SOME OF WHOM WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE IN THAT THEY WERE NOT INVOLVED IN WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WHICH DEMANDS IMMEDIATE ACTION TO ENSURE THAT OTHER FORD VAN/TRUCK OWNERS ARE INFORMED OF POTENTIAL PROBLEM WITH TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION AND DANGEROUS OUTCOME. THANK YOU. *TR

DRIVING OUT OF TOWN YESTERDAY AND 4 MILES FROM HOME WITH YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN IN CAR I ACCELERATED SLIGHTLY AFTER EXITING A CURVE AND THE ENGINE JUST REVVED UP LIKE I PUT THE TRANS IN NEUTRAL. WE COASTED TO A STOP, UNABLE TO MOVE FRONTWARDS OR BACKWARDS AND HAD TO SIT IN THE SUN AND WAIT FOR THE TOW TRUCK IN 95 DEGREE HEAT. I DRIVE LIKE A GRANDPA, NEVER ACCELERATING HARD, NEVER BRAKING HARD UNLESS ITS AN EMERGENCY. I'VE NEVER EVEN HAD THE ACCELERATOR TO THE FLOOR, EVER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT PART FAILED YET AS IT IS IN THE SHOP BEING TORE DOWN BUT THE WAY IT ACTED I WOULD HAVE TO GUESS THE INPUT SHAFT, ESPECIALLY AFTER READING MANY OF THE FREESTAR FORUMS WITH PEOPLE DESCRIBING THE SAME INSTANT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM SOUNDS LIKE AN UNDERENGINERED PART, NOT HARD ENOUGH MATERIAL TO HANDLE THE TORQUE OF THE MOTOR BUT IT IS BEING REPAIRED WITH THE SAME WEAK LINK WHICH IS JUST GOING TO FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN. I WILL KNOW SOON WHEN AN ADJUSTOR LOOKS AT THE PROBLEM TO SEE IF IT QUALIFIES FOR ESP WARRANTY. THE VAN HAS 78000 MILES WITH COVERAGE UNTIL 2012, 106000 MILES. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR ON I-90 OUTSIDE ELGIN, IL ON AUGUST 10, 2009. I THOUGHT I HEARD A POP OR ENGINE NOISE AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STARTED LOSING ACCELERATION AND STARTED COASTING. WE PULLED THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF AND CHECKED THE ENGINE. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE WHEN YOU PRESSED THE GAS. WE TOWED THE CAR TO ARLINGTON HEIGHTS FORD IN ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL. THEY CHECKED AND TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND IT WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. WE NEEDED THE CAR SO WE PAID $3158.43 FOR THE REPAIR ($2119.29 FOR PARTS AND $1039.14 FOR LABOR). WE DID NOT RECEIVE THE OLD PART. *TR

LATE LAST NIGHT, MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING HOME WHEN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WENT FROM 45 MPH TO 0 MPH. IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. MY HUSBAND AND I SAT ON THE SIDE OF ROAD AT 1 A.M. WITH OUR THREE SMALL CHILDREN WAITING FOR A CAB. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ, THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I CAN ONLY THANK GOD MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON. HAD IT BEEN ME, I MAY HAVE PANICKED CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

VEHICLE STOPPED MOVING IN LEFT LANE OF INTERSTATE I270 S ON UPWARD INCLINE TOWARD RT85 WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY ABLE TO COAST OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ROAD BY ABOUT 1 FOOT. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING FOR ABOUT 400 MILES FROM BOSTON THAT DAY. THE DEALER SAID THE SPLINES FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER SHAFT SHEARED OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STOP MOVING. AUTO TRANS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THIS AT 50770 MILES ON 8/10/2009. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WATER WAS GETTING INTO THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. UPON RECEIVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, THE CONTACT ALSO REPLACED THE WIRING HARNESS THAT CONNECTED THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AND WATER CONSTANTLY ENTERED THE CHAMBERS OF THE MODULE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES ADDRESSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TRANSMISSION 2ND AND 3RD GEAR SLIPPING. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR, 70,983 MILES, REGULARLY SERVICED. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, WENT TO ACCELERATE AND THE VAN WENT ABOUT 30 FEET AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, THEN ENGINE REVVED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THERE WAS NO POWER OR ENGAGEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION IN EITHER FORWARD GEARS OR REVERSE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING/SIGNS OF POTENTIAL ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR DRIVE TRAIN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A SIDESTREET AND PUT MY FAMILY OUT OF HARMS WAY. *TR

8/09, 76000 MILES-TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE LIGHT CAME ON AND TRANS BEGAN MAKING WHINING NOISE WHILE TOWING A TRAILER (TRAILER WEIGHT UNDER RATED CAPACITY). FORD DEALER DETERMINED TORQUE CONVERTER WAS BAD AND REPLACED TRANSMISSION UNDER WARRANTY( TRANSMISSION WAS PROVIDED BY THE AFTERMARKET EXTENDED WARRANT COMPANY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION FROM FORD). 3/10, 85000 MILES- TRANSMISSION BEGAN MAKING A LOUD WHINING NOISE AFTER AN 800 MILE TRIP (NO TOWING). TODAY THE FORD DEALER SAYS THE WHINING WAS THE TRANS. PUMP AND THE FLUID IS FULL OF METAL,INDICATING AN INTERNAL FAILURE, REQUIRING TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE DEALER IS HOPING THE WARRANTY COMPANY WILL JUST SEND A NEW TRANSMISSION, THIS WORK HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED YET. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 69,000 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING WITH NO WARNING. WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 35MPH AND THEN THE MOTOR STARTED TO REV HI. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED ALL THE GEARS AND THERE WAS NOTHING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT MANAGED TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE ESTIMATED COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1,800. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 60,500.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. AFTER I HAD COMPLETED A U TURN I PUT THE VAN GEAR BACK INTO DRIVE AND THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. I MADE SURE THAT I HAD IT IN THE RIGHT GEAR AND IT WAS BUT STILL NO MOVEMENT. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH ME (9MTHS PREGNANT) AND MY SON. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP TO FIND OUT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IS STRIPPED IN THE TRANSMISSION AND MUST BE REPLACED. *TR

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH ONLY 91,000 MILES ON IT LEAVING MY WIFE AND THREE KIDS STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BUSY INTERSTATE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHICH OCCURRED ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT IN ORDER TO STOP THE NOISE FROM OCCURRING. LAST SUMMER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR AND IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 WHEELS, CAP/COVER/HUB; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WILL BE PERFORMED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,027.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN BETWEEN 30-35 MPH, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV EXCESSIVELY HIGH FOLLOWED BY AN EXTREMELY LOW POWER RESPONSE. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE PART WAS ORDERED FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED ONCE THE PART ARRIVES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 55,000. UPDATED 9/23/09 *CN UPDATED 09/28/09.*JB

TRANSMISSION ON 2004 FORD FREESTAR FAILED DURING NORMAL DRIVING, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. MILEAGE WAS JUST OVER 70000. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $2500. OIL AND FLUIDS HAD BEEN CHANGED REGULARLY. *TR

WE WERE 500 FROM HOME WHEN OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF OF A HIGHWAY. WITH NO WARNING, IT WOULD NOT MOVE..RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY IT WAS LIKE WE SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL FOREVER ...HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM THE ROADSIDE.. AFTER TWO WEEKS WE'RE STILL WAITING TO HEAR HOW MUCH THE TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION REPAIR WILL COST. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN AND THIS VEHICLE CONTINUES TO STALL UNEXPECTEDLY EVEN AFTER A CERTIFIED REBUILT TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED BY A FORD DEALER 2 1/2 MONTHS AGO. IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND THE DEALER SAID THEY CAN NOT FIND THE PROBLEM AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER A WEEK. THIS VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES I.E., FROM A START TO A GO AND/OR JUST IN A CRUISE MODE GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. IT IS CERTAINLY A SAFETY RISK BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL OCCUR AGAIN AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU CAN GET IT TO A SHOULDER OF THE ROAD TO EXIT TRAFFIC. I HAVE BEEN ON SEVERAL WEBSITES AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS KIND OF FORD FREESTAR MODEL DEFECT I.E., UNEXPECTEDLY STALLING OUT. THE VEHICLE DID IT AGAIN TODAY AND IT IS UNSAFE. I RECOMMEND A RECALL FOR THIS DEFECT. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN. I WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS, THE VAN WENT APPROX. 30 FEET BEFORE THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VAN WOULDN'T GO ANY FURTHER. I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF OF THE FREEWAY RIGHT BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY. IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR AT ALL. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. I ONLY HAD 65,200 MILES ON IT AND I JUST HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGED AT 62,000 MILES. I LOOKED ON-LINE ABOUT THIS AND I FOUND ALOT OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON THESE VANS. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS DO YOU GUYS HAVE TO RECEIVE BEFORE YOU REALIZE THIS VAN IS A LEMON AND A DANGER TO IT'S OWNERS? FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO PUT OUT A RECALL ON THESE VANS. FORD IS RIPPING PEOPLE OFF RIGHT AND LEFT AND THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR DEFECTIVE VEHICLES. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR IN VIRGINIA. LAST WEEK I TOOK IT IN FOR THE ANNUAL STATE INSPECTION TO FIND THAT THE CONTROL ARM/BALL JOINT ASSEMBLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS PENDING FAILURE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL LIFE-THREATENING ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 36,000 MILES. THE FORD SERVICE CONSULTANT TOLD ME THAT IT SHOULD HAVE LASTED ABOUT 80,000 MILES ON AVERAGE. ALTHOUGH MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY I EXPECTED THAT SINCE THIS PART WAS MOST LIKELY DEFECTIVE THAT FORD WOULD HAVE REPLACED IT FOR FREE. NOT ONLY DID THEY REFUSE TO DO SO BUT OFFERED TO FIX IT OF $660. THE PART CAN ONLY BE PURCHASE AS A UNIT, IN OTHER WORDS, YOU CANNOT GET JUST THE BALL JOINT, YOU HAVE TO BUY THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY WHICH FORD SELLS FOR ABOUT $487.. I MUST GET THIS DONE, NOT ONLY FOR SAFETY BUT IN ORDER TO PASS MY STATE INSPECTION. I BELIEVE THAT FORD IS LIABLE FOR THE FAILURE OF THIS PART AND SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT BY REPLACING IT AT THEIR EXPENSE. I BELIEVE THE PART MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE FROM THE TIME IT WAS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. *TR

DURING NORMAL OPERATION OF OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR, THE VEHICLE CEASED MOVEMENT DUE TO A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, REQUIRING REMOVAL AND REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION AT APPROXIMATELY 75,000 MILES. THE MAINTENANCE GARAGE (A FORD DEALER) COULD NOT DETERMINE THE EXACT CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT NOTED THE PRESENCE OF A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF METAL SHAVINGS WITHIN THE FLUID EVACUATED FROM THE FAILED TRANSMISSION. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. FLUID LEVELS WERE OK BUT OVERHEATED AND STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. COST $3800 TO REPAIR AT A DISHONEST SHOP IN POUGHKEEPSIE, NEW YORK. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR 87K. JUST HAD EGR VALVE REPLACED DUE TO A CODE THAT SAID IT WAS BAD. TOOK VAN FOR A TEST DRIVE AFTER REPLACING VALVE. PROCEEDING DOWN THE ROAD, CAR WAS RUNNING LIKE IT WAS BRAND NEW AGAIN, ACCELERATED AND THEN THE RPM WENT HIGH LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL AND THE VAN QUIT PULLING. HAD TO COAST OFF THE ROAD, AND WALK IN THE DARK CALL FOR HELP. VERY DANGEROUS, MINIVANS ARE FOR WOMEN WHO CARRY CHILDREN!!!. FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE. THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENED TO MY FRIENDS 2004 FREESTAR AND IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. MANY PEOPLE HAVE ALSO WRITTEN REVIEWS ONLINE ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. I WILL FIND OUT IF IT IS THE TORQUE CONVERTER TOMORROW. *TR

HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VAN AND HAD NO WARNINGS. THE VAN WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 25 MINUTES ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE DRIVER TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND NOTHING HAPPENED. THE CAR STAYED RUNNING HOWEVER IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VAN NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A GARAGE WHERE IT WAS DISCOVERED THE TRANSMISSION WENT. THE VAN WAS UNDER 100,000 MI AND IT WAS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. IF YOU DO SOME GOOGLING YOU WILL FIND MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH FREESTARS FROM 30,000 TO 100,000 MI THAT HAD THE EXACT SAME THING HAPPEN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN, I HAVE TO PAY CLOSE TO 3,000 TO HAVE A NEW ONE, I HAVE TO PAY FOR TOWING, AND ON TOP OF THIS I AM A TEACHER WHO DOESN'T GET PAID DURING THE SUMMER SO NOW I NEED TO FIND SOMEONE WILLING TO GIVE ME MONEY I DON'T HAVE TO FIX THIS. FORD SAYS THEY ARE SORRY IT HAPPENED BUT CANT HELP ME. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED WAY BEFORE THIS HAPPENED TO ME. *TR