2004 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

TOOK VAN INTO DEALERSHIP PER RECALL FOR TORQUE CONVERTER. RECEIVED VEHICLE BACK 3 WEEKS LATER. HEARD A TICKING NOISE THAT PROGRESSIVELY GOT WORST. MADE A APPOINTMENT TO RETURN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY WENT OUT AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL. NO GEAR ENGAGEMENT IN ANY GEAR FORWARD OR REVERSE. OF COURSE THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NO RELATION TO THE RECALL AND THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. EVEN THE SYMPTOMS WERE EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL DESCRIPTION OF WHAT WOULD OCCUR IF THE RECALL WAS NOT PERFORMED. FORD DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED US A LABOR DISCOUNT IF WE PURCHASED A TRANSMISSION YET NO WARRANTY FOR THE WORK UNLESS IT WAS A FORD REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION AT 1800.00. *TR

AFTER DRIVING TO THE STORE WITH MY KIDS I OPENED THE DRIVERSIDE SLIDING DOOR TO GET MY KIDS OUT. THE REAR QUARTER WINDOW EXPLODED. I COULD NOT FIND ANYWHERE WHERE THAT IT MADE CONTACT. NOW THEIR IS GLASS EMBEDDED IN CARSEATS AND CHILD SAFETY SEATS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, SIX MONTHS AFTER THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,956 . ..UPDATED 01-10-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER INSTALLED A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER, OR DIDN'T INSTALL IT CORRECTLY, PER THE RECALL NOTICE. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED FIVE MONTHS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. UPDATED 01/15/14

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING START PROBLEMS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 10 MILES TO GET GAS. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF TO FUEL UP. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO TRY TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AND IT WORKED. DROVE THE CAR 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE BATTERY TESTED. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE REPAIRED AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 5 DAYS AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE AAA MECHANIC TRIED TO START IT BEFORE JUST TOWING IT. HE MOVED THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL AND BACK AND STARTED TO VEHICLE RIGHT UP. MAYBE I DID NOT HAVE THE SHIFTER IN THE PROPER POSITION? SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT STARTED UP QUITE A FEW TIMES....AT RANDOM TIMES, OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. I WAS STRANDED AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE WITH A NO START. CALLED AAA AGAIN FOR A TOW AGAIN. HOWEVER, RIGHT BEFORE AAA GOT TO ME....THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP. I CANCELLED THE AAA CALL AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT STARTS EVERY TIME FOR THEM. THE ALTERNATOR AND THE STARTER ARE FINE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE ARE NO TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES BEING EMITTED.I HAVE A HUNCH THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IT ISN'T ANYTHING ELSE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT THE PCM BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY WATER CORROSION. SO THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT. SO NOW, I AM FACED WITH PICKING UP THE VEHICLE AND NOT KNOWING WHEN I'LL BE STRANDED AGAIN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TR

I WAS LEAVING MY RESIDENCE IN MY 2004 FREESTAR WHEN IT ALL OF A SUDDEN JUST CUT OFF. IT STARTED RIGHT BACK UP AND SHUT OFF AGAIN, STARTED BACK UP DROVE ABOUT 100 YARDS SHUT OFF AGAIN. I DROVE IT BACK TO MY HOUSE AS I HAD BARELY GOTTEN OUT OF MY DRIVE. HOWEVER TO DRIVE IT BACK TO THE HOUSE I HAD TO CONTINUALLY RESTART THE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY GOT IN IT AND IT WOULD NOT GO IN REVERSE AND IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE IDLED UP VERY HIGH. I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT MOVED, PUT IT BACK IN REVERSE NOTHING REPEATED THIS ACTION, HEARD A LOUD CLICK AND VAN WENT IN REVERSE. AFTER A FEW MINUTES IT SEEMED TO CHANGE GEARS SITTING IN THE DRIVE. I HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT ANY WHERE, SCARED TO. ALSO WE JUST PURCHASED THIS VAN USED 10 DAYS AGO. DEALER SAID BRING IT IN HAS A 30 DAY WARRANTY. DID I MENTION IT RAINED SUNDAY AND I DIDN'T ATTEMPT TO DRIVE IT UNTIL WEDNESDAY AND ALL THIS STARTED. READ ON THIS SIGHT ABOUT ALL THE PCM PROBLEMS AFTER RAIN. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AFTER 2 HOURS BUT DID NOT OPERATE AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT A FAILED SEAL WAS ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE TRANS-AXLE VENT CAUSING A FAILURE TO THE PCM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

I LOST POWER ALL OF A SUDDEN THROUGH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THERE IS A RECALL ON SPECIFIC FREESTARS, BUT NOT MINE. I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS THE OTHERS. I ALMOST WAS HIT PULLING ONTO THE HIGHWAY BY A LARGER TRUCK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.

FIRST CRACK IN U SHAPED STEEL CHANNEL NOTICED WHEN I TOOK THIS VAN IN FOR OTHER RECALL REPAIRS AT YUCCA VALLEY FORD . THEY NOTIFIED ME AND I HAD IT WELDED . A FEW MONTHS LATER CRACK WAS BACK HAD IT REWELDED AND GUSSETS ADDED TO RESTRENGTHEN BOTH SIDES. LASTED SIX MONTHS TILL I TOOK TO TIRE SHOP TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED AND TWO NEW TIRES PUT ON. LEFT NEXT DAY FOR GIG BROKE ONE MILE FROM HOME JUST PAST THE WELD. THIS VAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CALIFORNIA CAR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. NO RUST. SAME REAR AXEL AS WINDSTAR. BAD DESIGN. VAN IS HEAVY LITTLE [XXX] STEEL CHANNEL TO HOLD ALL THAT WEIGHT IS STUPID. COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS BUILT THAT WAY. HOW COME NO RECALL FOR SAME AXEL DESIGN ON FREESTAR. PEOPLE APT TO DIE FROM THIS STUPID DESIGN. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND IN PARK, IT ERRONEOUSLY ROLLED AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A HOUSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,000.

WAS DRIVING WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING WHILE DRIVING. WHILE IN PARK RPMS GO UP AND DOWN. FEEL LIKE VEHICLE IS STRUGGLING. HAD RECALL ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF LAST MONTH. DOORS ALSO LOCK WHEN THEY WANT TO AND SOMETIMES WINDOWS DON'T WORK. ALWAYS HAPPENS AFTER RAIN. *TR

VAN STARTED RUNNING POORLY SUDDENLY, THEN WOULD NOT RUN AT ALL. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND ALLOWING COOL DOWN TIME, RESTARTED VAN AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. RAN WELL IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, BUT SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR WOULD "CLUNK" AND THE ENGINE WOULD IMMEDIATELY QUIT. AFTER 5 DAYS OF TROUBLESHOOTING, TRACED TROUBLE TO ENGINE PCM AFTER READING IN ON-LINE FORUMS ABOUT IT. FOUND PCM WET AND PINS ON PCM AND CONTACTS ON WIRE HARNESS CORRODED AND GREEN DUE TO WATER LEAKING PAST COWL-TO-BODY SEAL. THE PCM CONNECTOR IS NOT SEALED, SO IF WATER DOES DRIP ON IT, IT IS DRIPPING DIRECTLY ONTO BACK SIDE OF THE CONTACTS AND FORD DID RELEASE A TSB ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT NOT A RECALL. TSB SAYS TO REMOVE SOME PLUGS FROM BODY (MY VAN IS SEVERELY RUSTED IN ONE OF THOSE 2 SPOTS), SEAL AROUND CLIPS THAT HOLD PLASTIC COWL TO BODY WITH SILICONE SEALANT AND ADD ADDITIONAL WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE OUTER EDGES OF COWL TO TRY TO PREVENT WATER. I HAD TO REPLACE MY PCM. HAD MY WIFE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THERE WOULD HAVE MOST CERTAINLY BEEN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRST TIME THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED, IT WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE ALL HE HAD TO PAY WAS A $100 DEDUCTIBLE. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, AND THE LETTER STATED IF THE WORK HAD ALREADY BEEN PERFORMED, A REFUND WOULD BE ISSUED. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED HIS $100 BACK. HOWEVER, ON AUGUST 3, 2013, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AGAIN. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN CONTACTED FORD, TO SEE IF ANY ASSISTANCE WAS AVAILABLE. FORD DENIED ANY FINANCIAL HELP.

2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL WELL RUSTING RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED RUST DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IN 2010, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER BOUGHT AMOR PROTECTION FOR RUST. THE CONSUMER PUT IN A CLAIM, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, ONE YEAR LATER, THE RUST RETURNED, ONLY THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED A SECOND CLAIM. A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER, THE THIRD SEAT BRACKET FELL APART. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ABOUT THE WHEEL WELL RUSTING. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, AS THEY WERE CUTTING AWAY AT THE RUST. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRAME WAS ALSO RUSTING, AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, OR TO EVEN TRY AND FIX THE RUST PROBLEM.

INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I AM IDLING IN DRIVE (LIKE AT A LIGHT) WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VAN WILL BEGIN TO SURGE AND LURCH FORWARD, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY. ONLY PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKE WILL KEEP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD AND CAUSING A CRASH. SOMETIMES HAPPENS IN REVERSE ALSO. THE TACHOMETER WILL SURGE UP TO HIGHER RPMS AND BACK DOWN AS IT LURCHES. SOMETIMES, IF IT IS VIOLENT ENOUGH, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL FLASH OFF AND ON AS IF THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO STALL. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH A NEARBY VEHICLE. *JB

IN SEPTEMBER 2012 I TOOK MY 2004 FREE STAR INTO FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL. NOW I GET A TRANSMISSION CHATTER. I TOOK IT ONCE AGAIN INTO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A RECALL ON THE 3RD ROW SEAT AND ASKED THEM AFTER COMPLETING THE RECALL IF THEY WOULD CHECK OUT THE CHATTER. THEY AT FIRST TOLD ME IT WAS A MISFIRE...THAT POSSIBLY THE PLUGS AND/OR WIRES NEEDED REPLACED. I OBTAINED A COST FOR THAT AND THEN ASKED THEM TO COMPLETE THE JOB. THEY CALLED ME BACK IN AN HOUR OR SO AND TOLD ME THAT MY PROBLEM WAS A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM. THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION HAD WATER IN IT. MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE FLUID AND YES IT HAS A MILKY APPEARANCE. THE DEALERSHIP IS THE ONLY ONES WHO HAVE REMOVED MY TRANSMISSION WHEN THEY DONE THE TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL THE PREVIOUS FALL. NOW I LEARN THAT THERE IS SOME SORT OF SEAL IN WHICH WATER CAN SEEP INTO THE TRANSMISSION. WHAT'S UP WITH THAT AND WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS SEAL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES AND HOUR WHEN I TURNED AND WENT UP A SLIGHT INCLINE...ENGINE SPUTTERED A BIT THEN I TURNED INTO PARKING LOT, HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE ENGINE REVVING UP AND THEN IT JUST DIED. LOST ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND LUCKILY COASTED TO A SPOT WHERE NO CARS WERE. I LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT, STARTED BACK UP AND IT WAS REVVING UP AGAIN AND RPM'S WERE GOING UP DRASTICALLY. TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT GO, SHIFTED TO PARK AGAIN AND IT REVVED BACK UP. TURNED OFF LET SIT AGAIN...THEN STARTED, WAS ABLE TO REVERSE BUT WITH LOUD NOISE AND REVVING OF RPM'S. DRIVE A SMALL AMOUNT AND IT DIED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT START BACK. HAD PCM REPLACED ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. NOT SURE OF PROBLEM. STILL WAITING TO GET IT TOWED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND DIED SCARING MY WIFE AND I TREMENDOUSLY. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID BRING IN THE VEHICLE SO THEY COULD LOOK IT OVER. 3 DAYS LATER THEY CALLED TO SAY COME IN FOR THE VEHICLE AND TOLD ME THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND HE CHANGED THE COMPUTER MOD THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. WE ASSUMED IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE NO TROUBLE FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS. THEN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AGAIN IT SPUTTERED AND DIED. THIS HAS HAPPENED 10-15 TIMES SINCE AND IF I WASN'T A PROFESSIONAL DRIVER A COUPLE OF TIMES WE COULD HAVE BEEN IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. I AGAIN WENT TO A FAMILY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME ABOUT THE TORQUE CONVERTER BEING ON A RECALL FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL,THEN LOOKING IT UP BY MY VIN IT SHOWS ITS NOT INVOLVED BUT HOW CAN IT NOT BE IF THE DESCRIBED PROBLEM IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS? TELL ME WHERE I SHOULD GO TO GET THIS REPLACED. GOD HELP FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD ANYTHING HORRIFIC SHOULD HAPPEN TO MY FAMILY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STOPPED AT A SIDE AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) FOR WHICH THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER IN 2012. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP AND WAIT SOME TIME BEFORE BEING ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. UPDATED 8/26/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE DEALER WORKED ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/05/13

2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WANTS TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANY INFORMATION OF DEFECTS ON VEHICLE. *SMD

RECENTLY HAD THE TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER CHANGED UNDER RECALL. TODAY IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH, AND WOULD STALL OUT. IT WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS I WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AT THE TIME. IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM. HAS HAPPENED TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS RACED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY BEFORE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED AND THE VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 127,857.

HAVE CHATTER COMING FROM TRANSMISSION AYEAR AGO THE INPUT SHAFT FAILED AND WE HAD A RECALL REPAIR MADE IT IS DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN THERE NEEDS TOO BE A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION S IN THESE VEHICLES IMMEDIATELY . *TR

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING IN AND OUT AND VERY SLUGGISH AND NO POWER, BACKFIRING AND SMELLS VERY STRONG OF GAS FUMES. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A FEW WEEKS. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE AND LOST POWER. I HAD TO SLOW MYSELF DOWN AT A PACE TO TURN THE VAN INTO A SAFE AREA OFF THE HIGHWAY I WAS TRAVELING AT THE SPEED OF 60..VERY SCARY ...THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. I HAD THE VAN TOWED BY A FRIEND AT THE COST OF $65.00 (HE SAVED ME A LOT OF MONEY ) WHICH WAS NOT OFFERED BACK TO ME FROM THE DEALERSHIP.... I DIDN'T KNOW ABT THE RECALL OR THE PCM PROBLEM UNTIL I WAS LOOKING FOR INFO ON YTUBE..I CALLED MY DEALER WHERE I HAD BOUGHT THE VAN( AND IT IS PAID FOR) WHEN I TALKED WITH AN ADVISOR HE SAID FOR ME TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE TOW (THEY DID DO THAT AT LEAST) HE CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS UNDER A RECALL AND THEY WOULD REPLACE THAT PART...3 DAYS LATER I WENT TO PICK THE VAN UP AND IT STILL WASN'T DRIVING RIGHT. STILL LOOSING POWER AND GAS SMELL AND IT FELT AS IF THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING STILL. IT WAS A SATURDAY AND THE LADY HELPING ME KNEW NOTHING COULDN'T EVEN FIND MY PAPERWORK AND HAD TO CALL THE ADVISOR. SHE SAID TO CALL HIM BACK ON MONDAY SO NEEDLESS TO SAY I TRIED TO DRIVE THE VAN AND IT JUST WASN'T DRIVABLE SO I PARKED IT.. WAS AFRAID IT MIGHT DO MORE DAMAGE IF I DIDN'T. ON MONDAY I CALLED AND SPOKE TO THE ADVISOR AND HE INFORMED ME THAT THEY ONLY DID THE RECALL PART AS I HAD REQUESTED TO BE DONE. HE ALSO SAID THE TECH TOLD HIM THAT THE VAN NEEDED A LOT OF WORK. I IN RETURN ASK WHY THEY DIDN'T CHECK OUT ALL OF THE PROBLEMS AND HIS ANSWER WAS WE DID THE RECALL AND THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO UNLESS I WANTED TO PAY $100.00 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC .SO NEEDLESS TO SAY MY VAN SITS UNTIL I CAN PAY OR FORD DOES SOMETHING TO MAKE THIS RIGHT. THE BALL IS N YOUR PARK FORD. *TR

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS ON HIS WAY HOME FROM WORK HE CAME UPON A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AGAIN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. HE TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THEN ON AGAIN AND THE VAN STILL WOULD NOT MOVE. ALL OF THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, NO LIGHTS FLASHING OR ANY KIND OF UNUSUAL SOUNDS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM WE WERE TOLD THAT THE VAN HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT NEEDED TO BE HANDLED AT THE FORD DEALER. NOW WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS THAT THE ELECTRONIC COMPUTER MODULE WAS THE PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS REPAIR COST US $1200 DOLLARS AFTER HAVING THE VAN FOR JUST UNDER FIVE MONTHS. WE ARE PAYING CLOSE TO $13,000 FOR THIS VAN AND WERE NOT ABLE TO DRIVE IT SAFELY FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS WITHOUT REPAIR. SOMEONE SHOULD PROTECT THE CONSUMER A LITTLE BETTER THAN THEY ARE. THIS IS DEVASTATING FOR MY FAMILY CONSIDERING THIS IS OUR FIRST VEHICLE AND WE ARE STILL INEXPERIENCED WITH THE WAS DEALERS PREY ON THEIR POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS, FORD SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF HOW THEY TREAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE ONE'S WHO KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS. I THINK PEOPLE SHOULD TAKE A STAND TO REFRAIN FROM PURCHASING FORD VEHICLES UNTIL THEY TAKE CONSUMER SAFETY SERIOUSLY. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A LAW WHICH STATES THAT ANY USED CAR DEALER DISCLOSE RECALL INFORMATION TO THE POTENTIAL BUYER BEFORE A CONTRACT IS ENTERED INTO. THE TYPE OF PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE COULD HAVE ENDED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH HAD THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE MOTOR STALLS, TWICE IS CUT OFF, THE OTHER 2 TIMES IS SPUTTERED AND JERKED BUT FINALLY STARTED BACK TO NORMAL. ALMOST GOT HIT TWICE BECAUSE OF MOTOR STALLING. OUR CHARITY (WWW.DONATECCA.ORG) BOUGHT THE CAR IN FEB 2014, SINCE THEN THERE HAS BEEN A LOUD GURGLING SOUND COMING FROM THE DASH BOARD, NEVER STOPS. CAR DOES NOT OVERHEAT AT ALL. *TR

HI I AM [XXX] WAS OUT FRIDAY AT ABOUT 5.30 WHEN MY 2004 FREE STAR VAN STARTED ACTING UP IT CUT OFF 3 TIME RIGHT AT A LIGHT THIS IS [XXX] JUST GOT THE VAN 6 MOS AGO FOR 9,300 AT A FORD DEALER IN LEXINGTON NC .MAYBE GOING TO QUIT BUYING FORD ECT CAR VAN WHAT EVER HAD TO CALL MY DAD TO COME HELP ME THE VAN WOULD NOT RUN OR START BECAUSE OF THE PCM BOX HAD WATER ON IN IT .NOW FORD DON'T WANT TO DO A [XXX] THING BUT MAKE ME PAY MORE MONEY JUST GOT THE VAN FOR 9,300 NOW GOT TO PAY 1,2600 AT A FORD DEALER IN WHITEVILLE NC I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY BUT MY DAD AND BOTHER IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT TO GET FIX THIS TIME MAYBE SALE THE [XXX] 2004 FREE STAR VAN SOON I DON'T WANT TO BUT IF I DON'T SALE IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN TO ME .FORD NEED TO RECALL THIS [XXX]NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED I WHEN DOWN THE ROAD AND COULD NOT CONTROL MY VAN AND NOW I HAVE BRAKES WENT OUT TO ?????LOOK FORD SEND ME MY MONEY BACK 1,12200 TO ME IN WHITEVILLE NC 2872 TO [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WAS GOING TO ACCELERATE AND WHEN I DID THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED GOING, THE VEHICLE DID STAY ON NO LIGHTS NO WARNING I COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. STOPPED THEN TRIED TO GO AGAIN AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRIED ALL THE GEARS AND NOTHING WOULD ENGAGE HAD TO CALL TOW TRUCK TO COME GET IT NOW WAITING ON MECHANIC TO TELL ME WHAT IS GOING ON! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN MANUALLY. THE HATCH BUTTON THAT OPENED THE DOOR WOULD ONLY OPERATE INTERMITTENTLY. A PRIVATE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE DOOR LOCKING DEVICES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO REPAIRS COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR THE DOOR TO BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 13V081000 (SEATS) BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REMEDIED PER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,430.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SPORADICALLY SLIP AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL SPORADICALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF THE RECALL SERVICE. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS BURNED AND THE GEARS WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED A SECOND TIME TO CORRECT THE INITIAL FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 170,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WATER PENETRATED DUE TO A FAILED CAR SEAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

WHILE DRIVING TO TAKE MY HUSBAND TO WORK IN THE RAIN MY WIPERS BEGAN TO SLOWLY LOSE POWER AND SLOW DOWN, THEN MY RADIO SHUT OFF, MY HEAD LIGHTS BEGAN TO TURN OFF THEN OFF THEN THEY LOSS POWER, FINALLY MY DASHBOARD BEGAN TO HAVE THE OIL LIGHT AND ABS LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT COME ON, THEN THE BATTERY LIGHT TURNED ON I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT SOMETHING ELECTRIC AND MAYBE THE PCM I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RECALL FOR THAT AND CAN'T HELP ME UNLESS I WANT TO PAY OUT OF POCKET. MY MECHANIC ALSO SAID THEY HAVE SEEN MANY OTHER FORD FREESTARS WITH THIS PROBLEM AS THE VAN WAS MADE THAT THE PCM IS LOCATEDWHERE WATER COMES IN WITH RAIN AND RUINS THEM. WE ARE AFRAID THAT AN ELECTRIC PROBLEM MAY CAUSE A MISFIRE AND EVEN A FIRE TO THE VEHICLE.THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND STRONGLY DEPEND ON IT SINCE I AM 6.5 MONTHS PREGNANT AND HAVE A 2 YEAR OLD AND AM AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE WITH HIM. HAD I KNOWN THAT THIS CAR WAS SO UNRELIABLE AND IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR MISTAKES AND UN WILLING TO HELP, I WOULD OF PURCHASED A FOREIGN CAR WITH BETTER WARRANTY AND QUALITY AS WELL AS BETTER SERVICE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V446000 (WHEELS) WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND THE TRANSMISSION PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) BUT THE REPAIRS DID NOT INCLUDE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 126,000. *TR

TRAVELING AT 55 MPH, VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST FORWARD MOTIVE POWER IN TRAFFIC. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. VEHICLE WAS STALLED IN NEUTRAL. HAD TO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTART AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES. DRIVE ENGAGED FOR TWO MINUTES, THEN LOST POWER AGAIN. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHERE THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED PER RECALL. VEHICLE WILL STILL NOT ENGAGE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. FORD TECHNICIANS SAID THEY ARE UNSURE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT THE RECALLED PART SHOULD HAVE FIXED THE ISSUE. *TR

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING KIDS TO SCHOOL ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR VIBRATED EXCESSIVELY AND DIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES ALTHOUGH ALL WERE VERY SHAKEN. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO JACKSON FORD WHERE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. JACKSON REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE. THEY CONTACTED ME TO TELL ME THAT THE RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETE AND THAT THEY HAD ANOTHER REPAIR FOR A CAM POSITIONER TO DO BUT THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. THE NEXT DAY I WAS INFORMED THE PART HAD CAME IN BUT AS THEY WERE PULLING THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP IT LOST FORWARD MOVEMENT AGAIN. I ASKED THEM IF THEY WERE GOING TO REPAIR THIS AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AN INTERNAL ISSUE AND IT WAS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. IF I WANTED IT REPAIRED IT WOULD COST $3800.00. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR REPRESENTATIVE ALSO SAID THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS WHAT WAS RECALLED NOT ANY INTERNAL ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY ALSO TOLD ME THAT ANY FURTHER REPAIR WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. MY ARGUMENT WAS THAT THE VEHICLE LOOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND VIBRATING AGGRESSIVELY IS WHAT MOST LIKELY CAUSED ANY OTHER DAMAGE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE JACKSON FORD DEALERSHIP DISAGREE. *TR

BOUGHT THIS VAN AT 37106 MILES. VAN SERVICED FOR STEERING RACK, STRUTS, SWAYBAR LINKS AND SPRINGS AT APPROX 68000 MILES. THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE. SPENT OVER $2000. MILES NOW ARE 70015 AND STEERING PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFACED. I HAD A DODGE CARAVAN THAT GAVE ME OVER 86000 MILES WITH MINIMAL REPAIRS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

AS I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MODEL YEAR FREESTAR VANS. WATER LEAKS ONTO THE PCM AND SHORTS OUT THEN YOUR VAN WON'T RUN OR IF IT DOES NOT VERY WELL. MINE WON'T START AND GIVES ALL KINDS OF RANDOM MIL CODES. WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WATER IN PCM. PLAIN AND SIMPLE FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE ALL THE VANS HAVE IT OR WILL GET IT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL, VEHICLE STALLED AT 45 MPH AND ENGINE DIED. GOT VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN, DIED AGAIN, MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE BACK HOME. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY EVER SINCE WITH NO WARNING ENGINE WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE PCM GETTING WET REPEATEDLY. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE ON-LINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A FATALITY. *TR

ON THE WAY HOME FROM A DAY TRIP ABOUT 20 MILES FROM HOME WE GO THRU A BUSY INTERSECTION, ABOUT HALFWAY THRU WE LOSE ALL POWER LIKE IT HAS COME OUT OF GEAR. WE ARE LUCKILY ABLE TO COAST THRU. WHEN WE STOP ENGINE RUNS BUT HAVE NO FORWARD OR REVERSE GEAR. WE TAKE IT FOR THE RECALL AND THEY HAPHAZARDLY FIX TRANSMISSION, NOW LESS THAN 1500 MILES LATER THERE IS ALL KINDS OF NOISE AND HIGHWAY VIBRATION FROM DRIVETRAIN. FORD SAYS ITS NOT RELATED, BUT HOW CAN THAT BE. I FEEL ITS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION FALLS OUT AGAIN. ITS NOT RIGHT THAT FORD HAS A KNOWN TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES BUT ARE NOT FIXING THEM PROPERLY. IT FEELS LIKE A SCAM, THEY DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE ON THEIR RECALL FIX SO THEY CAN SOAK YOU WHEN YOU HAVE TO BRING IT BACK.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME SEIZED IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE SPECIFIED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000. *TR

MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE APRIL 2013 THIS VEHICLE HAS STARTED STALLING AT STOP SIGNS AND TRAFFIC LIGHTS, WHEN SHIFTING GEARS THE VEHICLE'S GAS WOULD HAVE TO BE SLIGHTLY ACCELERATED FIRST AND THEN IT WOULD MOVE IN ITS GEAR WITH FORCE. STARTING IN JULY ALL THE VEHICLE'S POWER WOULD CUT OFF AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND STOP SIGNS AND WOULD HAVE TO BE RESTARTED. AFTER RECEIVING NOTICE OF THE 2013 RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, IT WAS THEN TOLD BY A DEALERSHIP SERVICE REP THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE FLUIDS FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION AND DAMAGING IT. THIS HAS TAKEN PLACE SEPT. 2013. *TR

I WAS SITTING AT MY SON'S BUS STOP THIS MORNING WAITING ON THE BUS. I HAD THE VAN RUNNING CAUSE IT WAS COLD...BUT I HAD IT PARK. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN...ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON...THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THEN STARTED BACK UP. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS REALLY STRANGE. BACK IN AUG. OF 2011..MY TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT...THOUGHT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING AT ALL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG EXCEPT FOR IT MISSING A LITTLE. ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. GOT TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL IN JAN. OF 2012; ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER...IT STARTING MISSING ALITTLE AGAIN. WITHOUT THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON...NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS. ANY IDEAS WHAT THIS MAY BE??? *TR

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS GONE OUT DURING RAIN EVENT. THIS TIME WAS ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 45MPH WITH PASSENGERS. THE RESULT WAS INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUTDOWN, LOSS OF STEERING, AND FORWARD MOTION. THIS MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 OTHER TIMES. TWO TIMES IN 2011, AND TWO MONTHS AGO IN 2013. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT BRACKETS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BRACKETS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) BUT THE DEALER DECLINED TO PERFORM THE REPAIR DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK IN THE MORNING. AT 2PM, I TRIED TO DRIVE, BUT COULD NOT. THE CAR STARTED, BUT I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I HAD NO SYMPTOMS THAT A PROBLEM WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS. WHEN THE TOW GUY CAME, HE MOVED THE CAR BY HAND WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT A TINY BIT SOMETIMES FORWARD AND SOMETIMES BACK, BUT SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. WE TOWED IT TO MEDFORD FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A WHOLE NEW COMPUTER BRAIN. THEY SAID THERE WAS "MOISTURE" ON THE COMPUTER. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $1,042 PLUS TAX. I TOLD THEM WE HAD THE BRAIN REPLACED 15 MONTHS AGO (ON 12/8/11); THEY SAID THERE IS ONLY A WARRANTY FOR 12 MONTHS. THEY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE IS "NOTORIOUS" FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEE MY REGISTERED COMPLAINT ON THE 12/8/11 INCIDENT (SAFERCAR.GOV ODI NO.: 10503670). I HAVE TOTALLY BROKEN DOWN IN THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES, EACH FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. (SEE ALSO, MY SAFERCAR.GOV ODI NO.: 10397445 FOR MY EXPERIENCE WITH TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE.) *TR

CAR DIED IN HEAVER RAIN ON MAJOR ROAD. ALL LIGHTS LITE ON DASHBOARD. PROBLEM WAS WATER INTRUSION ON ECM. REPAIR COST $957.26. FORD DEALER IN LEVITTOWN CLAIM THE FOLLOWED TSP ON PROBLEM 18 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM WATER DAMAGE ON ECM. REPAIR COST THIS TIME $2695.97. CLAIM THERE WAS NO TSP ON PROBLEM. HAD TO SHOW THEM THE TSP AND THEY STILL ARE NOT FOLLOWING IT. *TR