2004 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

ENGINE MISFIRES, WILL NOT GO INTO GEAR, NOR MOVE, SOMETIMES DRIVEING DOWN THE ROAD ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF, FORD DEALER TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD, I TOOK VAN TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP, THEY FOUND WATER IN THE PCM, REPLACED PCM, COST 1300 DOLLARS, AND STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM EVERY TIME IT RAINS. *TT

2004 FORD FREESTAR VAN WITH 32,593 MILES ON ODOMETER WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A FLAT, STRAIGHT, STRETCH OF HIGHWAY AT A CONSTANT 60 MPH WHEN DRIVER EXPERIENCED SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. DRIVER DANGEROUSLY MANEUVERED OUT OF TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY, BUT COULD ONLY COAST AND SOON DISCOVERED THERE WERE NO GEARS WORKING IN THE TRANSMISSION, NO DRIVE, NO REVERSE, NO LOW GEARS....NO ABILITY TO MOVE VAN AT ALL! WAITED FOR TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK ON A COLD MINNESOTA WINTER NIGHT IN DECEMBER. CAR WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. WAS INITIALLY TOLD BY SERVICE ADVISOR THAT OUR FORD FREESTAR WITH 32,593 MILES (9 WEEKS OUT OF WARRANTY) NEEDED AN ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT FOR $3700, THEY TOLD US IT WAS TOO EXTENSIVE OF DAMAGE TO REPAIR ANY PARTS INDIVIDUALLY (THIS RECOMMENDATION CAME FROM THEM DESPITE THE FACT THAT THEY ADMITTED THEY HAD NOT EVEN PUT THE CAR UP ON A LIFT). WE CALLED FORD DIRECTLY TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE AND PLEAD OUR CASE FOR A VEHICLE THAT HAD EXTREMELY LOW MILEAGE AND WAS BARELY OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE TOLD US THEY WOULD CALL THE DEALERSHIP DIRECTLY TO DISCUSS PROBLEM. A DAY LATER WE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD BE REPAIRING THE BROKEN PART, A TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD OFFERED $1000 TOWARDS THE REPAIR. IT TOOK 10 DAYS FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR THE BROKEN TORQUE CONVERTER. OUR COST WAS ULTIMATELY $1220.41. THIS WAS AN OUTRAGEOUS BALANCE DUE TO REPAIR A PART THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKEN AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE! FORD DIDN'T GIVE US A LOANER CAR DURING THE REPAIR TIME AND THEN SLAPPED US WITH AN INSULT OF A BILL.*CN

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 56,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN APPROXIMATELY TWO WEEKS AGO...SHE ACCELERATED ONTO THE FREEWAY AND PULLING IN FRONT OF AN 18 WHEELER WHEN THE VAN JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING AND SHE QUICKLY ACTIVATED HER HAZARD LIGHTS AND MERGED OFF OF THE FREEWAY. MY FOUR CHILDREN WHERE IN THE BACK SEATS AND THIS COULD HAVE TURN TRAGIC IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS. WE TOWED THE VAN TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY STATED IT WAS PROBABLY THE TRANSMISSION. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THE FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSIONS AND DID NOT FIND ANY. HOWEVER, I WAS ABLE TO READ OVER 1300 BLOGS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS AND VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMERS ON EDMUNDS.COM WEBSITE. THE HORRIBLE THING THAT RAISE THE RED FLAG IS THAT NO ONE SEEMS TO BE DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I JUST RECENTLY RETURNED FROM A ONE YEAR TOUR IRAQ, NOT THINKING MY FAMILY WOULD BE IN DANGER ON THE ROADS HERE IN THE GREAT U.S OF A. THIS IS A CRY FOR HELP / REQUEST THAT SOMEONE LOOKS INTO THE FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILURES BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED, I PRAY THAT NO ONE HAS ALREADY BEEN KILLED. SENIOR CHIEF TROY THIBEAUX U.S. NAVY *TR

AFTER LEAVING A FAMILY GATHERING ON THANKSGIVING DAY WE WERE DRIVING HOME (MY HUSBAND, 2 KIDS AND I) WHEN AFTER STOPPING AT A RED LIGHT THE CAR WOULDN'T ACCELERATE, MY HUSBAND TRIED TO PUT IT ON REVERSE AND AND OTHER GEARS BUT IT WOULD NOT MOVE, ALL OF THIS WAS HAPPENING IN THE MIDDLE OF A 3 LINES STREET WITH OTHER CARS HONKING AT US. BECAUSE IT WAS A HOLIDAY WE HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOUSE FIRST AND TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. TO PUT A NEW TRANSMISSION THE DEALER TOLD US THAT IT'LL COST US $4390. AFTER COMPLAINING TO FORD'S CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY AGREED TO LET US PAY $1293. *TR

ON 11/15/07, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 45,000 MILES NEAR OUR HOME, (LUCKILY), WHEN, WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE SIMPLY WOULD NOT MOVE UNDER IT'S OWN POWER AND STOPPED IN AN INTERSECTION WITH TRAFFIC. I CONTACTED THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE WRITER THAT FORD WAS UNAWARE OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. OBVIOUSLY, THIS WAS A LIE. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL AAMCO DEALER. THE OPERATOR OF THE AAMCO DEALER IS A RETIRED FORD TECHNICIAN WITH OVER 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. IN FACT, HE MAINTAINS HIS FORD CERTIFICATION. NOT ONLY DID HE INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION AND FIND IT TO BE DEFECTIVE, BUT HE ALSO ADVISED ME THAT OURS IS THE THIRD VEHICLE OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL WITH THIS SAME EXACT TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE LAST WEEK OR SO. ALL 3 VEHICLES HAVE AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE AS WELL. SO FAR, FORDS CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CENTER IN DEARBORN HAS BEEN LESS THAN HELPFUL AND IS STONEWALLING ME ON A RESOLUTION. I AM AWAITING A PHONE CALL FROM A SUPERVISOR AT THE CALL CENTER BUT I AM NOT HOLDING MY BREATH. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND MEET WITH THEM THIS WEEK. THE VEHICLE NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND WE ARE WITHOUT TRANSPORTATION UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE THAT WAS MARKETED FOR ITS SAFETY. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE AND THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO BE AWARE AND FORD NEEDS TO TAKE THE LEAD AND STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND DO THE RIGHT THING. *TR

FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR IS A SERIOUS AND WIDESPREAD SAFETY DEFECT. NHTSA NEEDS TO WAKE UP AND ISSUE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED DRIVING ONE OF THESE THINGS. THIS IS A FAMILY VEHICLE! FAMILIES DESERVE SAFE VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY WHEN PURCHASING DECISIONS ARE MADE BASED ON SAFETY CLAIMS!*CN DUPLICATETO 10290338*SMCH

IN NOV, 2007 MY 7 YEAR OLD GRANDDAUGHTER STARTED TO EXIT THE BACK PASSENGER VAN DOOR. THE DOOR OPENED AND SHE WAS ABOUT HALF WAY OUT THE DOOR WHEN IT STARTED TO CLOSE ON HER. MY HUSBAND HAD ALREADY GOT OUT OF THE VAN AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING ON HER. IT DID NOT AUTOMATICALLY STOP AND GO BACK ON CONTACT. THEN IN DEC MY SISTER-IN-LAW WAS ALSO STARTING TO EXIT THE VAN FROM THE SAME DOOR AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED TO HER. THE DOOR OPENED, HESITATED AND THEN STARTED TO CLOSE ON HER. ON APRIL 6, 2008 MY 80+ MOTHER OPENED THE REAR PASSENGER VAN DOOR AND STARTED TO ENTER THE VAN. THE DOOR STARTED CLOSING ON HER. HER LEFT FOOT WAS ALREADY IN THE VAN AND THE DOOR CLOSURE CAUSED HER TO FALL BACKWARDS ONTO THE PAVEMENT. HER LEFT FOOT WAS TANGLED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT. HER COUSIN WAS ALREADY SEATED ON THE OTHER SIDE AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE DOOR STOPPED BEFORE IT HURT HER LEG ANY WORSE. SHE HAD LANDED ON HER LOWER BACK AND WAS SORE, STIFF AND UNABLE TO SIT COMFORTABLY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. I MADE AN APPT WITH THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIND A PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME I TOOK IT IN, THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM IT WAS INTERMITTENT,MOST OF THE TIME IT WORKED. WHEN I PICKED THE VAN UP I HAD THE SERVICE MANAGER WALK OUT WITH ME, AND I SHOWED HIM HOW WE OPENED THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND THE DOOR OPENED AND IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO CLOSE. THE SERVICE GROUP WAS TESTING IT BY USING THE BUTTONS ON THE REMOTE. THEY TESTED THE VAN AGAIN AND FOUND CODES OF B2589, B2592 AND B2594 IN THE COMPUTER FOR THE SLIDING DOORS. THEY THEN FOUND THE LATCH AND SENSOR ASSEMBLY WERE STICKING AND SHORTED OUT. THEY TOLD US THEY FOUND THE CODES IN BOTH DOORS, EVEN THOUGH WE HADN'T HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE ONLY WAY TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WAS TO REPLACE BOTH SIDES REAR SLIDING DOOR CABLES AND LATCH ASSEMBLIES. THIS IS FOR A 2004 FREESTAR VAN WITH ONLY 10,072 MILES! IT COST US $736.41 TO HAVE THIS FIXED. *TR

WE HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR (BOUGHT USED IN 2006 WITH 46,000 MILES ON IT) WITH 82,426 MILES ON IT. MY WIFE CAME HOME FROM WORK ON FRIDAY NOVEMBER 9, 2007, PARKED THE VAN. WHEN SHE WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK ON MONDAY THE 12TH THE VAN WOULDN'T MOVE. WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION POWER FLUSHED AND FLUID CHANGED AT THE DEALER AT 70,000 MILES. WE HAVEN'T HAD THE MONEY TO GET THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED SO WE HAVE A VERY EXPENSIVE, NICE LOOKING, DRIVEWAY ORNAMENT THAT WE'RE STILL MAKING PAYMENTS ON AND INSURING. FROM THE THOUSAND OF POST I'VE READ COMPLAINING ABOUT THESE TRANSMISSION FAILURES, I CAN ONLY BE THANKFUL THAT OURS FAILED IN THE DRIVEWAY AT HOME AND NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF DOWNTOWN TRAFFIC. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR TO WORK. SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A FREEWAY OVERPASS READY TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VANS TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED BE THE DEALER AS THE PROBLEM. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR WARNING LIGHTS TO THE FAILURE. SHE WAS LUCKY THAT THE VAN DID NOT DIE ON THE FREEWAY 20 FEET AWAY AND THAT SHE DID NOT ROLL INTO THE CAR BEHIND HER. THE VAN HAS 62,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER REVIEWING EDMUNDS COMMENT BOARDS ON THE FORD FREESTAR IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE. APPARENTLY, OTHERS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION FAILING WITHOUT NOTICE. ONE POSTER WAS GOING 40MPH WHEN HIS VAN DIED. THIS IN MY OPINION IS A SEVERE SAFETY HAZARD AND FORD SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE VEHICLES AND REIMBURSING PEOPLE FOR NEW TRANSMISSIONS. A TRANSMISSION SHOULD NOT FAIL AT 60,000 MILES AND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. *TR

'04 FORD FREESTAR QUICK CONNECT ON FUEL LINE WILL COME LOOSE, SPRAYING FUEL ON MUFFLER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM! NO REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE. HAVE TO BUY COMPLETE FUEL LINE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. I'M AN AUTO-TECH AND HAD TO REPAIR THIS SAME VEHICLE BEFORE FOR THE SAME THING.

BAD EGR VALVE. ORDERED PART 6 WEEKS AGO AND KEEP GETTING TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER, HAVE CALLED OTHER DEALERS, THEY HAVE SAID THEY WILL HAVE THE PART BUT NEVER GET IT. THIS VEHICLE IS A PRIMARY CAR AND IT HAS BEEN OUT FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE I CANT GET THE PART TO GET IT FIXED? I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, SIMILAR MILES BUT THEIR THE 05 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CANT GET THE PART EITHER. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH CRUISE CONTROL THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SYMPTOMS OF FORD'S "SPEED CONTROL DEACTIVATION SYSTEM" RECALL. CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY WORKS WHICH IS A SYMPTOM THAT LED TO FIRES IN FORD'S RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN INCREASE IN RPMS BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND LATER INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED YET THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

MYSELF, MY HUSBAND AND OUR TWO CHILDREN WERE LEAVING A RESTAURANT WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. MY HUSBAND STOPPED THE CAR AND TRIED SEVERAL GEARS AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN ANY DIRECTION. HE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT AND IT STILL WOULD NOT GO IN ANY GEAR. HE PUSHED IT BACK INTO THE PARKING LOT AND WE CALLED AAA FOR A TOW TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP. SEVERAL HOURS LATER THEY TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHOT AND IT WOULD COST ABOUT $3,000 TO REPLACE IT (WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD). THIS VAN HAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES ON IT. WE BOUGHT IT NEW AND STILL OWE OVER $13,000.00 ON IT. I RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH FREESTAR TRANSMISSIONS GOING OUT ANYWHERE FROM 30,000 MILES TO 70,000 MILES - WAY EARLIER THAN THEY SHOULD. JUST VISIT HTTP://TOWNHALL TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0FB94A/71 THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE FREESTAR, BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED MINE (BYERLY FORD IN LOUISVILLE, KY), THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS NO RECALL AND THEREFORE NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WE HAVE SINCE TOWED MY FREESTAR TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST NEAR US WHERE IT IS IN LINE TO BE WORKED ON. HE ISN'T YET SURE IF HE CAN REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION OR IF A NEW ONE WILL HAVE TO BE ORDERED. THIS IS NOW SEPTEMBER 11 AND I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY VAN FOR 8 DAYS. I'M ALREADY OUT OVER $300 JUST FOR CAR RENTAL AND NO END IS IN SIGHT. *TR UPDATED 01-16-08. *KB

WE PURCHASED A 2004 FORD FREESTAR LIMITED MINI-VAN WITH 36,000 MILES IN JUNE 2007 FROM THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THREE MONTHS LATER WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE HEADED FOR VACATION, THE VAN LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND WE COASTED TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. FORTUNATELY, WE HAD ONLY GOTTEN ABOUT 15 MILES OUTSIDE OF OUR HOME CITY. UNFORTUNATELY, AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VAN, WE LEARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. OWNED FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS, JUST OVER 36,000 MILES, TWO SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VAN TRAVELING AT CLOSE TO 70MPH AND PACKED WITH LUGGAGE FOR A FAMILY VACATION...ALL I CAN SAY IS I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED. FORD DID PAY FOR HALF THE COST, HOWEVER, I STILL PAID $1,500 OUT OF POCKET TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION, $ FOR TOWING, AND $ TO RENT ANOTHER VAN WHILE THIS ONE WAS BEING FIXED. FORD TOLD ME THAT THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY HAD ALREADY EXPIRED. WE STILL OWN THE VAN AND HAVE HAD MANY OTHER PROBLEMS, OF WHICH SOME ARE STILL NOT FIXED. WE ARE NOW CLOSING IN ON 70,000 MILES AND I'M VERY CONCERNED THAT WE WILL SOON EXPERIENCE ANOTHER TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. I WOULD GET RID OF THIS VEHICLE IN A HEARTBEAT, BUT I'M STILL UPSIDE DOWN AS THIS PURCHASE WILL EASILY GO DOWN AS THE WORST DECISION I WILL MAKE WHEN IT COMES TO BUYING A VEHICLE IN MY LIFETIME. *TR

COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER ON 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THIS OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE 81 JUST BEFORE CROSSING THE SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BRIDGE IN HARRISBURG, PA. MY WIFE AND INFANT DAUGHTER WERE IN THE FREESTAR. THEY COASTED DOWN AN EXIT RAMP TO A STOP. HAD THE EXIT RAMP NOT BEEN THERE, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN STALLED IN 3 LANES OF TRAFFIC ON THE BRIDGE. THE FREESTAR WAS FINE UP UNTIL THIS SUDDEN FAILURE. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP IN HARRISBURG AND REPAIRED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH I HAD PURCHASED WITH THE NEW VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS A FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FREESTAR HAD 78360 MILES AT THE TIME OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE VEHICLE HAS BRIDGESTONE STEEL BELTED, SIZE P225/60R16 TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 44,800 MILES, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS PUT OUT BY A PASSING TRUCK DRIVER WITH HIS FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE, THEN IT WAS MOVED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP CLOSE TO MY HOME. THE VAN NEEDS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND AN OXYGEN SENSOR THAT WAS DAMAGED IN THE FIRE. FORD WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THIS, AND MY INSURANCE IS ONLY WILLING TO PAY FOR THE OXYGEN SENSOR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED YET, BECAUSE THE DEALER IS WAITING FOR THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION TO ARRIVE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER SLIPPAGE. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE CONSUMER STATED HE DIDN'T CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, BECAUSE THE DEALER TOLD HIM IT WAS NOT NECESSARY.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN 2004, WHICH STATED THAT TWO ROTORS AND THE FRONT HUBS OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TWO ROTORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE FRONT HUBS WERE NOT. THE CONTACT BEGAN EXPERIENCING FAILURES WITH THE FRONT HUBS AND CONTACTED BOTH THE SERVICE DEALER AND FORD. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 3 MPH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THE HUBS WERE NOT REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL. THE RECALL # WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 45,574 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,400.

THIS IS A NATIONAL ISSUE OF A DEFECTIVE AND UNSAFE TRANSMISSIONS OF A FORD MOTOR COMPANY PRODUCT THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACCEPT OR BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND ISSUE A RECALL. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE BUT A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND INTEGRITY ISSUE. *TR

WHILE ON VACATION, GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE LEFT REAR BRAKES, BROUGHT VAN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INNER BRAKE PADS WORE UNEVEN AND WERE METAL TO METAL ON THE ROTORS. NEW PADS WERE INSTALLED AND ROTORS TURNED AT A COST OF $215 AND LOSS OF A VACATION DAY WITH FAMILY. *TR

WHILE APPLYING BRAKES,A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON GETTING THE VEHICLE CHECKED IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER BRAKE PADS WERE WORN DOWN TO THE BARE METAL, WHILE THE OUTSIDE BRAKE PADS WERE IN NEW CONDITION. THE FRONT BRAKES WERE ASSESSED AT 80% REMAINING LIFE. NEW PADS, CALIPERS, AND ROTORS WERE REQUIRED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM: THE BRAKE CALIPER BRACKET (CALIPER SLIDE) SEIZED UP, CAUSING THE CALIPER TO SIT OFFSET, AND THUS WEAR THE BRAKE PADS PREMATURELY AND UNEVENLY. THE VAN HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT, AND WAS JUST OFF OF BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY. FORD WAS NOT WILLING TO COVER ANY COST OF REPAIRS.*AK

WHILE DRIVING MY FORD FREESTAR THE ENGINE STARTED TO MISS. AFTER A SHORT DISTANCE IT DIED COMPLETELY. LUCKILY, I WAS ON A SIDE ROAD AND ABLE TO PULL TO THE SIDE OUT OF THE TRAFFIC. THE PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THEN INTO THE PCM DESTROYING IT. AT 29,000 MILES THE PCM HAD TO BE REPLACED WITHOUT ANY PAYMENT BY FORD. *TR

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. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR (MINIVAN). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED TWICE. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION SHAVING SHAFT. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO STALL SPORADICALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,369 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000.

UNKNOWN, PROBLEM JUST OCCURREDS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKE PEDAL, WHEN DEPRESSED FOR BRAKING, DROPPED GIVING THE DRIVER THE INPRESSION THAT THE BRAKES MIGHT HAVE TOTALLY GIVEN OUT. MYSELF DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE PEDAL SEEMED TO DROP APROXIMATELY ONE INCH PRIOR TO BRAKING NORMALLY SEVARAL TIMES IN A TWO MILE TEST DRIVE. OTHERS DRIVING WITH THE FULL COMPLIMENT OF PASSENGERS STATED THAT THE BRAKES WENT ENTIRELY TO THE FLOOR AND ONLY THEN ENGAGED IN A TOTALY LOCKED PANIC STOP , NO SIGN OF ANTI-LOCK PUMPING, AND PULLED VIOLENTLY TO THE SIDE. HAVING EXPERIENCED SIMILAR SYPTOMS I MADE THE ASSUMTION THAT THE PASSENGER LOAD EFFECTED THE DEGREE OF SEVERITY. ANOTHER FACTOR APPEARED TO BE RAIN, NO SUCH SYMPTOMS WERE REPORTED UNTIL THE DAY OF, OR THE DAY IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING RAIN. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM OR DUPLICATE BRAKE PEDAL DROP. SECOND DEALER HELD VEHICLE FOR EVALUATION FOR CLOSE TO A MONTH, BUT VERY LITTLE RAIN HAS FALLEN DURING THAT TIME. SINCE THIS VEHICLE SERVICES HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS I COULD NOT PLACE BACK IN SERVICE WITH THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM, AND THREE REPORTS OF FAILURE. *AK

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THERE IS A RESTRICTION THAT PREVENTS THE STEERING WHEEL FROM TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT PROPERLY. ON AUGUST 31, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL; HOWEVER, THE WHEEL HAS BECOME EVEN HARDER TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING OVER 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. THE NOISE STOPPED WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL # 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB). THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 29,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.

ON 4/11/07 AS MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR CHILDREN TO SCHOOL, THE REAR WINDOW OF OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR BURST, SHATTERING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THERE WERE NO CHIPS OR CRACKS PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS IN THE LAST ROW, OTHERWISE, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. ALTHOUGH THE DEALERSHIP ADMITS TO OTHER OWNERS OF FORD VEHICLES HAVING SIMILAR SITUATIONS, WE WERE TOLD THEY WOULD DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT IF THE ENTIRE REAR END OF THE VAN EXPLODED BECAUSE OF DEFECTIVE MATERIAL, THEY WOULD ALSO GIVE US THE UNACCEPTABLE ANSWER, "YOUR WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED!" THE ENTIRE WINDOW WAS GONE. WE HAD TO PAY $250 AND OUR INSURANCE PAID THE REMAINING BALANCE TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN A VEHICLE WHERE WINDOWS CAN "OUT OF THE BLUE" EXPLODE. WHICH ONE WILL BE NEXT? *TR

ON 4/11/07 FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. INFORMED ME THE REAR BRAKES & ROTORS ON THE 04 FREESTAR WERE SHOT AND NEEDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT AT A COST OF $575.00.I THOUGHT THEY WERE LYING TO ME BECAUSE I HAD MORE THAN 20 DIFFERENT CARS,TRUCKS,& VANS, BUT NEVER HAD FACTORY INSTALLED BRAKE PADS WEAR OUT AT 20000 MILES ,AND ESPECIALLY ROTOR DAMAGE SO BAD THAT THEY HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALSO THERE WAS NO WARNING SIGNS LIKE A GRINDING NOISE OR A PULSATING BRAKE PEDAL. NOTHING. SO I MENTIONED THE 3/36 BUMPER 2 BUMPER WARRANTY ,AND THE 6/75000 ESP PLUS DELUXE EXTENDED WARRANTY W/$0 DEDUCTIBLE , AND I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A WEAR ITEM , AND WAS NOT COVERED. THEY SAID I PROBABLY RODE THE BRAKE PEDAL OR DROVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. I DIDN'T DRIVE WITH 2 FEET AND NEVER USED THE PARKING BRAKE. I ASKED HOW LONG WERE THE BRAKES DESIGNED TO LAST UNDER NORMAL USE, .THEY DIDN'T KNOW. SO I LEFT THE DEALER, AND WENT TO AN INDEPENDANT EX FORD MECHANIC , WHO DETERMINED TO FIND A FROZEN CALIPER OR SOMETHING ELSE DEFECTIVE.WHAT WE FOUND WAS NOT WHAT I WAS EXPECTING.THE CALIPERS WERE NOT FROZEN, AND THE PADS WERE NOT COMPLETELY WORN DOWN ALTHOUGH THE OUTER PADS WERE TWICE AS WORN AS THE INNER PADS,THERE WAS NO METAL TO METAL CONTACT(RIVETS OR PAD BACKING).IT SEEMS THAT THE METALLIC OR SEMI-METALLIC PADS THEMSELVES WOULD RUST A BIT AND SINCE THE FRONT BRAKES DO MOST OF THE STOPPING,T HE RUST ON THE REAR PADS NEVER COMPLETELY WORE OFF EACH DAY AND THE PADS AND ROTORS NEVER HEATED UP ENOUGH TO BUILT UP THE GLAZE LIKE THE FRONT PADS.SO THE ROTORS WERE GOUGED BY THE RUST BUILD UP ON THE PADS. WHEN EXAMINED CLOSELY,THE DEEP GOUGES ON THE ROTORS LINED UP WITH THE RUST BUILD UP ON THE PADS. *AK

DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON IN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. TAP BRAKE TO RELEASE CRUISE CONTROL. ONCE I WAS READY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN, I TRIED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL. HOWEVER THE GAS PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD A LOSS OF ACCELERATION POWER. I COULD NOT ACCELERATE AND HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. ONCE THE CAR WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS FOUND THAT A PLASTIC CLIP CAME OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS. AN ENTIRE THROTTLE PANEL WAS ORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING SPEEDS RANGING FROM 50 TO 60MPH, THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL IS EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK LATER SHE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON 4 OCCASIONS AND IT IS WORSE WHEN IT IS RAINING. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 9,558. THE CONSUMER HAS PROVIDED A COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 06/07/07 *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A HIGH PITCHED, WHINING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 09/18/07 *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST 3 YEARS OLD, 70,000 MILES. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AFTER JUST ANOTHER 13,000 MILES, LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER. *TR

VAN HAD 38,000 MILES AT TIME OF INCIDENT. TRAVELING ON VACATION WITH FAMILY AND HAD BEEN DRIVING NON-STOP FOR ABOUT FIVE HOURS. WEATHER WAS COOL AND DRY, NIGHT TIME, AND CRUISE SET ON 65 MPH. DROPPED OUT OF OVERDRIVE TO PASS A VEHICLE AND TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. COASTED TO STOP AND COULD NOT SHIFT INTO ANY FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. TOWED VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER AND REPLACED (WHAT I WAS TOLD) ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD ME THAT TRANSMISSION PAN WAS FULL OF METAL SHAVINGS AND TORQUE CONVERTER HAD SHEERED ALL THE BLADES. PROBLEM RECURRED ALMOST TWO YEARS LATER AT 70,000 MILES WHEN SHIFTING TO REVERSE WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY... BUT THAT'S ANOTHER COMPLAINT. *TR DUPLIATE TO 10262072*SMCH

BOUGHT A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH 25,000 MILES ON IT. DROVE FINE UNTIL 86,000 MILES WHEN WITHOUT WARNING AND AT 55 MPH THE TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT AND HAD TO COAST TO THE EDGE OF THE HIGHWAY. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND PAID 1,800.00 TO HAVE IT OVERHAULED. THEN 70,000 MILES LATER IT WENT OUT AGAIN, ONLY THIS TIME IT WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND 600.00 LATER IT WAS REPLACED. THEN ABOUT 3000 MILES LATER THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN WENT OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND I COASTED TO A STOP AND HAD IT TOWED AND AGAIN WAS TOLD IT WAS A COMPLETE OVERHAUL NEEDED. TOLD THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION. PAID 1,800.00 AGAIN AND ABOUT 1500 MILES LATER HAVING HARD SHIFTING ISSUES AND THE MECHANIC CANNOT FIGURE IT OUT. SAYS THAT HE HAS GONE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND IT IS GOOD. BUT STILL HARD SHIFTS AND TRANSAXLE LIGHT FLASHES. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREE STAR WITH A CURRENT AND FAILURE ODOMETER READING OF 64000 MILES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE TORQUE ARM CAME APART ON MARCH 9, 2007 WHILE DRIVING AT 2 MPH AND AFTER DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED FORD MOTORS, WHO CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIRS. *AK

2004 FORD FREESTAR, BACK LIFTGATE. A DESIGN FLAW ALLOWS RAINWATER OR WATER FROM A CAR WASHING) TO SEEP IN, ACCUMULATE, AND PUDDLE ALL AROUND THE LATCH MECHANISM OF THE BACK LIFT GATE. THIS CAUSES IT TO FREEZE ON ICY DAYS WHICH CAUSES DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING THE BACK LIFTGATE. EVENTUALLY, THE LATCH MECHANISM RUSTS OUT COMPLETELY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD VIOLENTLY JERK WHEN ATTEMPTING TO UP SHIFT OR DOWNSHIFT BETWEEN GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A GRINDING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN EVER THE BRAKE WERE DEPRESSED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE GRINDING NOISE WAS DUE TO THE REAR BRAKES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND CALIPERS. THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY OCCURRENCES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. *AK UPDATED 05/04/07. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THE RPM'S CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED TO 2,000. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS GEARS AND THE RPM FLUCTUATES BETWEEN 25,000-35,000. THERE IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF POWER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE; HOWEVER, THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WHEEL HUBS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL APRIL OF 2008, BUT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE IN THE INTERIM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,550 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 47,600.

FAILURE OF REAR BRAKE ROTORS. *NM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR'S TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 79,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH AND GOING UP A HILL, THE ENGINE REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AT THE NORMAL SPEED, BUT SHE DID GET TO THE TOP OF THE HILL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RUN ,BUT ONCE SHE GOT TO THE TOP OF THE HILL THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOME MEN PUSHED HER TO SIDE THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR REWORKED ON. SHE WAS STILL UNDER THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY BUT HAD EXCEEDED THE MILES UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, FILED A COMPLAINT AND WAS GIVEN CASE# 0417400577. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78830 ,AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79000.*AK THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKE LINING AND CIRCUIT BREAKER WERE REPLACED, THE REAR WIPER WAS LOOSE. UPDATED 04/12/07. *JB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACE, FORD SAID IT WAS A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

04 FORD FREESTAR TRANNY WENT OUT AT 32000 MILES. THEN AGAIN AT 69000 MILES. THERE ARE ALMOST 400 PEOPLE WITH THE SAME MINI VAN THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. SEE LINK BELOW: HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0FB94A/267. *TR

WIFE'S VAN. REPORTED THAT IN COLD WEATHER IT WOULD START HARD. RECENTLY WHILE DRIVING TO WORK IT BUCKED SEVERAL TIMES. WAS ABLE TO GET TO WORK. INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM WHERE I WENT TO CHECK VAN. IT WOULDN'T START AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS, THEN IT STARTED UP BUT WAS A HARD START. AT THE SAME TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DECIDED TO TOW IT TO DEALER. FLAT BED CAME BUT COULDN'T GET TO VAN. TO ASSIST IN POSITIONING VAN FOR FLATBED; VAN STARTED ON FIRST TRY BUT NOW WHEN IT WAS PUT INTO GEAR, IT DIDN'T MOVE. EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. WE PUSHED IT INTO POSITION. TOOK TO DEALER WHERE NOW IT WENT INTO GEAR TO OFFLOAD IT FROM FLAT BED. DEALER STATED WHEN THEY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE, ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP. STATED IT WAS A DEAD SHORT THEY HAD TO TRACE THE WIRING. RECEIVED CALL 2 DAYS LATER, DEALER TELLING ME THEY HAVE TO DROP THE TRANSMISSION. WHICH THEY DID, I SAW IT ON A STAND, STRIPPED OF ALL INNER COMPONENTS. WAS TOLD SINCE IT'S UNDER WARRANTY (26,000 MILES), THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE EVERYTHING THAT LOOKS REMOTELY WRONG. BEEN A WEEK AND STILL WAITING FOR ANSWERS. *JB

I BOUGHT MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR USED IN FEBRUARY OF 2006 FROM EASTERN MOTORS AND HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH IT. FIRST IT NEEDED A TUNE-UP THEN THE COIL PACK WENT BAD AND NOW NEEDS BRAKES AND TIRES. BUT MY MAIN CONCERN IS MY TRANS-AXLE LIGHT COMING ON. I AM A MECHANIC SO I SCANNED IT ON OBD-II SCANNER,IT TOLD ME THAT MY TORQUE-CONVERTER WAS STUCK IN THE OPEN POSITION. SO IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD BECAUSE I CANT GET IT AFTERMARKET AND THEY SAID IT WOULD COST ME 300.00 FOR IT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS I CAN'T AFFORD IT AND ITS ON BACK ORDER FOR WHO KNOWS HOW LONG .FORD CANT GET UNTIL THEY GET SOME IN. ITS 2007 AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE IT BUCKS AROUND WHILE DRIVING AND IT DOESN'T GO INTO GEAR RIGHT AWAY. ALSO WHEN YOU TURN THE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING IT MAKES A SQUEAKING NOISE AT THE FRONT WHEELS AND THE WHOLE FRONT END SHAKES WILE DRIVING 45 + MPH. ACCORDING TO MY VIN THERE IS NOTHING WRONG (YEAH RIGHT BS) IF I DIDN'T OWE SO MUCH ON THIS VAN I WOULD GET RID OF IT OR BETTER YET( SET IT ON FIRE MY SELF) SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT ANY MORE. I HAVE SEEN THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE WROTE AND I AGREE THIS IS (BS )AND FORD SUCKS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR CUSTOMER. *JB

DOES ANYONE READ THESE? MY DAUGHTER POSTED A COMPLAINT OVER A YEAR AGO. I JUST READ THROUGH A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR'S TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. MY SON-IN-LAW PURCHASED THIS VAN FOR MY DAUGHTER FOR MOTHER'S DAY OF 2006 BECAUSE THEY WERE EXPECTING ANOTHER SON AND OUTGROWING THEIR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. IN THE WINTER OF 2006 IT STARTED ACTING UP. WE HAD TO GO GET THEM ON CHRISTMAS EVE AS THEY WERE BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF A COUNTRY ROAD ON THEIR WAY TO OUR HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS. IT WAS DIAGNOSED A CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. AFTER COMING UP WITH THE MONEY TO REPLACE THAT, IT WORKED FINE FOR A WHILE. STARTED AGAIN. THEY WERE TOLD THEY MOST HAVE GOT A FAULTY CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND REPLACED IT AGAIN. SOME TIME LATER, IT STARTED AGAIN. THEY TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST THAT REPLACED SOME MORE SENSORS. IT RAN FINE ALL SUMMER. WINTER OF 2007 STARTED AGAIN. REPLACING MORE SENSORS. AGAIN THIS WINTER, IT IS DOING THE SAME THING. THIS TIME IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ABS BOX ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VAN. $400 FOR THE PART ALONE. MY DAUGHTER WAS SO EXCITED BECAUSE IT RAN BETTER THAN IT EVER HAD AND THEY THOUGHT THEY FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. NOW IT IS DOING IT AGAIN. IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE. ACTS LIKE IT IS TAKING OFF IN 3RD GEAR. STALLS OUT. THIS IS THEIR ONLY VEHICLE. HE IS LAID OFF. SHE IS ON THE VERGE OF LOSING HER JOB DUE TO ATTENDANCE AS A RESULT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUES. THEY ARE STRUGGLING LIKE THE REST OF US TO KEEP THEIR HOME OUR FORECLOSURE AND THEIR UTILITIES ON. THE SAD THING, THEY ARE STILL PAYING PAYMENTS ON THIS VAN! SOMEONE HAVE A HEART HERE! DO SOMETHING! IT IS THE FIRST FORD THEY HAVE EVER OWNED. MY SON-IN-LAW SAYS HE WILL BUY FOREIGN FROM NOW ON. I OWN A FORD ALSO, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER ONE EITHER. THEY HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE MANUFACTURER AND GOT NO RESPONSE. THIS IS HOW THEY TREAT THEIR CUSTOMERS. I GUESS THEY DESERVE TO GO IN BANKRUPT IN THIS ECONOMY! *TR