2004 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,452.

LETTER FROM SENATOR CORYNYN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING HER 2004 FORD FREESTAR THAT LOST POWER, AND RECEIVE AN ALERT REGARDING HER RECALL NOTICE 11525 (TORQUE CONVERTER), AND BELIEVES SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR HER PAYMENTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SUBMITTED HER ORIGINAL RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT SHE ONLY RECEIVED $50.00. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TOWING AND DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

SEVERE RUST ISSUES PLAGUE THE FRAME, JACK POINTS, AND REAR FRAME (SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA). THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL LOOKS AS IF IT HAS NEVER HAD PAINT ON IT THERE IS SO MUCH RUST. WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS AGO AND ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE FORD DEALER TO HOPEFULLY GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. WE DID NOT REALIZE THE SEVERE RUST ISSUES PRIOR TO PURCHASE. *TR

CPSC#I1320440. 2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER STATED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, A FEW DAYS AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE SPURTS AND SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *LN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND FLASH. THE VEHICLE ALSO JUMPED WHEN ACCELERATING AND VIBRATED WHILE AT A STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED AS SOON AS SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WHILE IN PARK.

AS STATED WITH OTHER 2004 FORD FREESTARS, REAR RUST ON DRIVERSIDE REAR, REAR SEAT WILL NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE SAFETY LOCK IS RUSTED AWAY, NOT SAFE TO ANY PASSENGER TO SIT THERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GAPING HOLE IN THE REAR WHEEL WELL, CAUSING THE THIRD ROAD STRIKER AND LATCH TO FRACTURE. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE THIRD ROW SEAT FROM LOCKING INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED MOLD AND CORROSION TO FORM IN THE QUARTER PANEL, SEAT BELTS, LEFT THIRD ROAD SEAT AND THE CARPET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

I HAVE HAD THIS VAN 1 MONTH AND PAID $8000,ITS MY FIRST CAR PAYMENT,86,000 MILES AND I AM LOSING POWER AND THE WATER LIGHT IS COMING ON THE VAN IS JERKING WHEN DRIVING THIS,,I WANT TO LEARN ABOUT THE LEMON LAW IN MICHIGAN. *TR

THE PANEL THAT THE LATCH IS BOLTED TO WAS CORRODED AND CAME OF LEAVING NO PLACE FOR THE LATCH ON THE DRIVE'S SIDE TO ATTACH TO. *TR

BASICALLY, WHEN IT'S WET OUTSIDE THE CAR DIES AFTER STARTING. THERE WILL BE A LOUD SCREECHING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THEN IT WILL JUST STUTTER AND STALL OUT. IT WILL START RIGHT BACK UP BUT THEN IT WILL DIE AGAIN. THIS WILL EVEN HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. IT SEEMS TO ONLY HAPPEN WHEN IT'S WET OUTSIDE SO FAR BUT WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IT CAUSING IT AND THE DEALER IS NO HELP AT ALL. *TR

THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN EA12003. THE ATTACHING BRACKET FOR THE REAR SEAT FELL OUT WHILE THE SEAT WAS FOLDED INTO THE FLOOR. IT BECAME LODGED IN THE INNER PORTION OF THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEEDS, SOMEBODY COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED, BY THE REAR WHEEL BECOMING RESTRICTED OR THIS HEAVY PLATE BOUNCING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRACKET IS A U BRACKET ATTACHED TO A PLATE THAT IS WELDED FLUSH TO COMPRISE PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. TO TEMPORARILY KEEP FROM LOSING THE BRACKET, I HELD THE BRACKET IN PLACE WHILE SETTING THE SEATS UPRIGHT AGAIN SO THAT THE SEAT ITSELF IS HOLDING THE BRACKET IN. THERE IS NOW WATER FROM THE ROAD GETTING UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT FORD ISSUES A RECALL OR OFFERS A BOLT ON REPLACEMENT SOON. I'VE BEEN MOSTLY HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE OTHERWISE. (THERE ARE NO OTHER PRICES RUSTING OR FALLING OFF OBVIOUSLY). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR TIRES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WHEEL MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL WERE RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE THIRD ROW LATCH FAILED AND THE SEATS WERE UNABLE TO STAY FOLDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL AND LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

2004 FORD FREESTAR SES I CHANGED THE REAR BRAKES ON 1/20/2013 NOTICED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTING OUT. TODAY 2/24/2013 WENT TO INSTALL A CAR SEAR & NOTICED THE BENCH SEAT IN THE BACK WAS ROCKING SLIGHTLY. THE ANCHOR POINT ON THE LEFT REAR IS RUSTED OUT AND MOVING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT I CAN SEE DOWN TO THE GROUND WHERE THE ANCHOR POINT HAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS PARTS ON THIS VAN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACED: 3 IGNITION COILS, (THIS IS THE MAIN PROBLEM WHENEVER HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW HAS HAPPENED AND I START TO THROW MISFIRE CODES), 3 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS, 2 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONTROLS & MOTORS, (THE WINDOW DOESN'T WANT TO WORK HALF THE TIME SO WE LEAVE IT CRACKED OPEN WITH THE RAIN GUARDS), AN EGR VALVE, AND A CLOCKSPRING. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. *TR

THE LEFT REAR 3RD ROW SEAT ANCHOR PLATE, MOUNTED NORMALLY TO THE LEFT REAR INNER WHEELHOUSE AS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE WHEELHOUSE, HAS RUSTED AROUND THE PLATE EDGES AND THE ENTIRE PLATE IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEELHOUSE ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY IT IS RUSTED THRU ON THE LEFT , RIGHT, AND BOTTOM EDGES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, REMAINING ATTACHED ONLY ALONG ITS TOP EDGE. THIS IS LETTING ROAD MOISTURE INTO THE INTERIOR REGIONS OF THE VAN, SOILING CARPET AND JUTE, CAUSING ODOR AND POSSIBLE MOLD DEVELOPMENT. THE 3RD ROW SEAT CAN NO LONGER BE SAFELY ATTACHED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS BUILDING UP IN THE WHEEL WELL BRACKETS FOR THE THIRD ROW SEATS. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT EXHIBITED RUST AND CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR PLATE WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

BACK SEAT WOULDN'T LATCH. FOUND ROTTEN WHEEL WELL DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION AND LATCH FELL OUT ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE WHEEL WELL. NOW, THERE IS A HOLE WHERE THE LATCH WAS AND THE REAR SEAT IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO LATCH TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. I HAVE THREE KIDS SO NOW THEIR LIFE IS IN JEOPARDY AND THE VAN ISN'T EVEN 10 YEARS OLD. WE'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VAN. ALSO, THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. WE WERE TOLD CHEVY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF WATER COMING RIGHT DOWN ONTO THE COMPUTER AND THEY DESIGNED A PART FOR IT, BUT NOT FORD. *TR

AFTE RPARKING VAN NOSE IN,ATTEMPTED TO REVERSE WITH NO RESPONSE FROM VEHICLE AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BACK UP WAS FINALLY ABLE TO REVERSE VERY SLOWLY WITH MINIMAL POWER. WHEN PLACED IN DRIVE TOOK SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AT ACCELERATION TO MOVE FORWARD. TRANSMISSION FLUID CHECKED BY MYSELF AND ADVANCE AUTO PARTS EMPLOYEE AND FOUND TO BE AT PROPER FLUID LEVEL.DROVE VEHICLE 30 MILES WHEN IT CUT OFF COMPLETELY,WAS ABLE TO GET VEHICLE TO SIDE OF ROAD(IT WAS RAINING HEAVILY AND FOGGY AS WELL). WAS AGAIN ABLE TO GET VAN GOING AND MADE IT ANOTHER 15 MILES BEFORE IT CUT OFF ON ME AGAIN AND WAS AGAIN DIFFICULT TO TAKE OFF AND REQUIRED ONCE AGAIN MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO GET IT MOVING. FINALLY MADE IT ANOTHER 5 MILES HOME AND PARKED VEHICLE. HAD RECEIVED NOTICE 2 MONTHS EARLIER FROM FORD RE A RECALL RELATED TO TORQUE CONVERTER. MECHANIC AT MAGIC CITY FORD IN ROANOKE,VA. SAID PROBLEM WITH MY TRANSMISSION HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH TORQUE CONVERTER WITHOUT DRIVING OR WORKING ON VEHICLE. *TR

CAR LURCHED FORWARD AT A STOP. AFTER THAT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FURTHER DIAGNOSES BY FORD INDICATED TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED. THIS IS 5 MONTHS AFTER TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AS PART OF A RECALL. OBVIOUSLY TRANSMISSION WAS DAMAGED DUE TO FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. LOTS OF PEOPLE ON-LINE REPORTING SIMILAR INCIDENTS. *TR

2004 FORD FREESTAR. ATTORNEY REPRESENTING CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN MARCH 2012. THE NOTICE STATED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, BUT WOULD BE AVAILABLE IN THE SECOND QUARTER OF 2012. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED ANOTHER LETTER IN OCTOBER 2012, STATING THE PARTS WERE AVAILABLE. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE FOR DECEMBER 26, 2012, EVEN THOUGH THE CONSUMER DID NOT EXPERIENCE ANY TYPE OF FAILURE, HE STILL COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL. TWO DAYS LATER, THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER, STATING THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED. HOWEVER, ON JANUARY 4, 2013 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER WITH NO WARNING. HE SOON DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE WOULD ONLY GO FORWARD, AS THERE WAS NO ABILITY TO GO IN REVERSE. HE IMMEDIATELY DROVE TO THE DEALER, WHERE AN INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEYOND REPAIR AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. FORD STATED THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE RECALL WAS A COINCIDENCE AND THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE.

I HAD MY VAN IN PARK WHILE I DROPPED MY KIDS OFF TO THE SITTER..CAME BACK OUT THE VAN HAD DIED..I TRIED TO START AND IT WOULD NOT EVEN TURN. THOUGH MAYBE BATTERY..PUT A KNEW ONE IN AND STILL NOTHING. HAD TO HAVE TOWED TO A SHOP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE PCM WHERE IT WAS CORRODED DUE TO WATER LEAKING IN. A TOTAL OF A LITTLE OVER $1200 FOR PART AND LABOR. VERY LUCKY I WAS PARKED AND NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME WHEN THE VEHICLE DIED. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. THERE IS A FLAW IN THE DESIGN THAT IS ALLOWING WATER TO GET INTO THE PCM AND CAUSING IT TO GO BAD. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PART WITH OTHER OWNERS. *TR

. IN ADDITION TO CAUSING AN ENGINE TO STALL, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT THEN RESTART, TRANSMISSION SHIFT POORLY, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD ERRATIC POWER, ALMOST EVERY TIME THERE IS AN INABILITY TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE. ON START UP NO MATTER THE TEMP OF VEHICLE THE IDLE RPM IS HIGHER THAN NORMAL IN PARK ! IT HAS BEEN SERVICE MANY MANY TIMES.. NOW OUR TRANSMISSION FLUID LOOKS LIKE PEPTO BISMOL !! *TR

RETURNING FROM A 'DUMP RUN', I NOTICED THE PLASTIC COVER FOR THE 3RD ROW PASSENGER SEAT, DRIVER SIDE, HAD BEEN DISLODGED AND WAS LYING ON THE FLOOR. I WENT TO RECONNECT IT AND I FOUND THE LATCH 'FLOATING'. IT WAS NO LONGER PART OF THE VEHICLE. I COULD SEE OUT THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE WELDED PLATE, THAT SHOULD BE PART OF THE VAN WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE TIRE FOR DAMAGE, YET. THIS IS A DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING ERROR, AS THE LATCH BRACKET USED TO SECURE THE PASSENGER SEAT IN PLACE, NEEDS TO BE A PERMANENT PART OF THE VEHICLE. THE VAN ISN'T TOO OLD, AND SHOULD LAST MANY MORE YEARS/MILES AND FOR THIS PIECE TO COME LOOSE, IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS WELL AS A QUALITY ISSUE. I'M AFRAID TO TAKE IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR FEAR OF BEING GOUGED ON THE COST TO REPAIR, WHICH SHOULD BE AT FORD'S COST. IF THIS WAS A PICK UP TRUCK WITH EXPOSURE TO THE ELEMENTS ALL THE TIME, I COULD SEE A RUST ISSUE. THIS VEHICLE IS LIGHTLY USED AND GARAGED NIGHTLY, SO IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN - EVER. THE OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS PAGE ARE ALL SIMILAR TO MY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS PART. RIGHT NOW, I'M USING A STRAP TO HOLD THE PIECE IN PLACE, STRETCHING TO THE LATCH ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. COMMENT: THIS VAN HAS HAD TOO MANY QUALITY ISSUES SINCE WE PURCHASED IT IN 2006 - TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED, DRIVER SEAT HEATER REPLACED, TRANSMISSION REPLACED, CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH MECH. REPLACED, IGNITION REPLACED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEFT SIDE OF THE REAR SEAT WAS NOT BOLTED TO THE FLOOR. THE PLATE THAT WAS HOLDING THE SEAT IN PLACE WAS COVERED WITH RUST AND DISCONNECTED LEAVING A HOLE NEAR THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH CAUSED THE SEAT TO MOVE. THE PLATE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SEAT WAS ALSO COVERED WITH RUST, BUT HAD NOT BROKEN AWAY FROM THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,300. UPDATED 02/26/13*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT, OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEYOND ITS 5YRS CORROSION WARRANTY.UPDATED 03/1/2013 *JS

OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR STALLED, AND THEN SURGED AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER, CAPITAL CITY FORD IN INDIANAPOLIS, WHO IN INDICATED THE CODE WAS FOR A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. WE PAID OVER $800 TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON DECEMBER 27TH. IN LATE FEBRUARY THE VAN BEGAN TO STALL AND SURGE AGAIN. WE SUSPECTED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS OFF AND ON FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND ON MARCH 8TH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE INITIAL CODE WAS FOR THE SAME ERROR, BUT WHEN ANOTHER MECHANIC/TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE CODE IT CAME UP WITH A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE THERE WAS "MOISTURE" GETTING INTO THE PCM CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND NOT ONLY WAS IT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL, BUT WAS GIVING WRONG ERROR CODES. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM WAS ESTIMATED TO BE A +$1,000 COST. WE WERE ADVISED THAT IT "SEEMED TO BE" A DESIGN FLAW IN THE LOCATION OF THE PCM IN THAT IT IS IN LINE WITH THE WATERFLOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS IT IS A LONG-STANDING ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM THE PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW. THE SAFETY RISK RELATED TO ENGINE STALLS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PCM IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY THIS WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM AND CHARGE US FOR A REPAIR (FUEL PUMP) THAT WAS UNNECESSARY IS UNCONSCIONABLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS), IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED DUE TO WATER PENETRATION AND WERE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR LATCH 3RD ROW SEAT FELL OFF, DUE TO IT RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR TIRE.

FORD ISSUED A RECALL FOR LOSS OF FORWARD POWER DUE TO A TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. MY VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT THE SYMPTOMS BUT I DECIDED IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE IT DONE, I WAS PLANNING TO KEEP THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD TAKE 2 DAYS. THEY HAD VEHICLE OVER A WEEK. THAT WAS DECEMBER 2012. THEY HAD A PROBLEM; THEY DID NOT TELL ME. NOT LONG AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK, I KNEW SOMETHING WAS DIFFERENT, I COULD NOT PUT MY FINGER ON IT. SOMETIME IN APRIL/MAY 2013 TIME FRAME, I HAD A COUPLE OF INCIDENTS WHERE THE CAR WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I STOPPED, PUT THE CAR IN PARK, THEN DRIVE AND I WAS OK. I THOUGHT IT WAS A LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT ISSUE. THEN IN JUNE, IT FAILED WHILE GOING UP A HILL ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. I TURNED INTO A DRIVEWAY, BACK OUT, AND WENT DOWN THE HILL AND LIMPED TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY CAR WAS EXHIBITING THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL. THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS DUE TO A ROTTED DIPSTICK HOUSING ASSEMBLY AND THAT MY REPAIR BILL WAS OVER $3500. I LET CAR SIT BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE MONEY. AFTER STEWING ABOUT THIS FOR MANY WEEKS, I CONTACTED FORD TO COMPLAIN. IN DECEMBER, THE MECHANICS WHO WORKED ON THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE HAD TO DISCONNECT THE DIP STICK HOUSING. THEY HAD TO KNOW IT WAS RUSTY AND MAY HAVE EVEN DAMAGED IT TO THE POINT OF ALLOWING WATER IN. THEY IGNORED THAT DANGER. SINCE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE ISSUE ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL, THERE IS THE POSSIBILITY THAT FORD IS NOT BEING HONEST ABOUT THE REAL SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. ADDITIONALLY, HOW MANY OF THEIR MODEL LINES USE THE SAME MATERIAL FOR THEIR DIP STICK HOUSING. IF THIS HAPPENS ON A HEAVY INTERSTATE, THIS COULD RESULT IN A MULTI CAR PILEUP AND DEATH.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT A LARGE SQUARE BOLT NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THIS BOLT HELD THE REAR SEAT IN PLACE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET WAS FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WAS UNABLE TO LATCH AND REMAIN IN PLACE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

HAVING THIS PROBLEM 4 DAYS IN A ROW, ENGINE QUITS AT ANY SPEED LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES, CAR WILL SPEED UP WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR BEING MOVED, FORD SAID WATER IN THE COMPUTER COULD COST 1,000 TO 1,500. CHECKED ON MY COMPUTER FOUND PAGE AFTER PAGE OF THE SAME COMPLAINT AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM!! HAS ANYBODY BEEN KILLED YET? WHEN IS THE N.T.S.B GOING TO ACT. *TR

THE PCM INTERNAL COMPUTER IS CRASHED AND CAUSE THE VEH TO RUN POORLY AND NOT START, DRAINED BATTER, ETC - THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH A LOT OF 2004 FREESTARS AS I READ ONLINE AND WAS TOLD TO SUBMIT THE INFO SO THAT MAYBE THEY WILL DO A RECALL AND GET THIS FIXED. THANK GOD IT DID NOT HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. *TR

I OWN 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LATCH THE THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, THE LATCH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FLOOR PANEL ,SIDE PANEL AND ATTACHMENTS WHICH HOLDS THE THIRD SEAT LATCH BRACKET THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH BRACKET SLIDES OUT AND EXTRUDES TO REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURST THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHILE RUNNING CAR. I AM ENTERING THIS COMPLAINT IN RELATION TO OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TAKING PLACE (EA12003 AND PE11039) FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY 3RD ROW SEAT BACK UP AND LOCK IT INTO PLACE. ON THE DRIVE SIDE I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, I KNOW NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE LATCH HAD BROKEN OFF BECAUSE OF RUSTED PANEL. THE WHOLE PLATE RUSTED THRU . *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS SEEPING INTO THE CONNECTOR AND CAUSING A SHORTAGE HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THEN COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. IN 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE DRIVER-SIDE WALL BRACKET THAT LOCKS THE THIRD ROW SEAT INTO THE UPRIGHT (USABLE) POSITION IS LOOSE. IT APPEARS THAT IT IS WELDED TO THE INNER SHELL SHEET METAL OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THE INNER SHELL AROUND THE BRACKET HAS RUSTED SUFFICIENTLY TO CAUSE THE BRACKET TO BE LOOSE. WE HAVE DISCONTINUED USE OF THE BACK SEAT, FEARING INSUFFICIENT PROTECTION DURING A POTENTIAL CRASH. *TR

ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2012 WE DROVE TO OUR PARENTS HOUSE WE HEARD SOMETHING RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. WHEN WE INVESTIGATED WHAT WAS GOING ON WE FOUND THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH HAD ALMOST DETACHED BUT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE IT EVENTUALLY FELL OFF AS WE TRIED TO GET IT TO RECONNECT. WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN APRIL BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER THAT DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR 3 MONTHS HAD CAUSED . AT REPAIR SHOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSP DUE TO ROTTED WHEEL WELL AND SPRINGS ALSO ROTTED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER FOR APPT ON RECALL. TO MY DISMAY A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNING TO ME OCCURRED I RECEIVED A CALL LATER THAT DAY FROM THE DEALER STATING THAT THEY WHERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FORD COMPANY ITSELF THE LATCH HAD FALLEN OFF AND THEY HAD THE PARTS TO REPLACE IT BUT THEY COULD NOT ATTACH IT TO THE REAR WELL BECAUSE IT WAS ROTTED AND NOT ONLY THAT THEY ALSO TOLD US THE SPRINGS COULD FALL OUT AND COLLAPSE THE REAR SUSPENSION IF IT WAS DRIVEN AGAIN WHEN THEY TOLD THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE THIS THEY SAID JUST WELD A METAL PIECE OVER THE WELL WHEEL AND JUST ATTACH IT ON THEIR DEALER DECLINED BECAUSE THIS WOULD STILL BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE REAR SPRINGS IF DRIVEN COULD DROP THE WHOLE REAR SUSPENSION WHILE DRIVING FORD REP SAID NOT OUR PROBLEM YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE RECALL AND THE CUSTOMER HAS TO PAY FOR THE SPRINGS TO BE REPAIRED . THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE TO ME IT OBVIOUS THAT THE LATCH SITUATION AND CORROSION HAS CAUSED THIS WHOLE PROBLEM TO HAVE THEM TRY TO HAVE THE DEALER PUT IN EFFECT A BANDAGE ON THE SITUATION AND LET MY FAMILY RISK THERE LIFE DRIVING THIS VAN IS CORRUPT TO THE CORE. THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO GET THE AREA FORD REP TO COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE VEHICLE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. BUT I CANNOT EMPHASIS MORE WHAT THEY TRIED TO DO TODAY WAS WITHOUT QUESTION UNETHICAL . *TR

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL THE PCM SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT GOT WET THROUGH THE COVER OF THE HOOD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RELATIVELY WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM AND IF NOT ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED CORRECTLY, IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR

BOUGHT CAR NOV 2012 FROM TRUCK JUNCTION AND FROM THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT THE CAR STALLED RAN RUFF WOULDN'T START. GAVE US THE RUN AROUND WHILE UNDER WARRANTY NOW FORD SAYS PCM WET N RUINED FROM DAY ONE. I'VE HAD A BROKEN VAN IN MY DRIVE FOR 8 MONTHS WHAT THE [XXX]HOW CAN FORD MAKE A PRODUCT THAT IS THIS BAD WITH NO RECALL [XXX] AMERICAN PRODUCTS THIS IS [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PCM MODULE GOT WATER IN IT. HAD IT REPLACED BY DEALER, CHARGED 765.02. NOW 14 MONTHS LATER CAR BACK IN DEALER FOR SAME ISSUE AND THEIR ONE YEAR SERVICE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. ABOUT READY TO SPEND ANOTHER 800.00 TO FIX. OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. *TR

DURING STS TIRE SERVICING, MECHANIC SHOWED ME A LARGE SECTION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL HANGING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND A MICHELIN TIRE THAT CONTAINED ABRASIVE RIPPING CAUSED BY THE SECTION OF STEEL THAT HAD BEEN DANGLING AND RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THE LARGE SECTION OF STEEL CONTAINED AN ANCHOR AT THE CENTER WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED TO HOLD THE THIRD ROW ROW IN PLACE. THIS STEEL PLATE WITH THE ANCHOR FOR HOLDING THE THIRD ROW SEAT IN PLACE IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH ALLOWED THE WELDS HOLDING IT IN PLACE TO FAIL CREATING DANGERS OF: UNSECURED SEATING, HOLE EXPOSING PASSENGERS TO EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE AND MOVING PARTS, OPENING FOR RODENTS OR OTHER DANGERS TO ENTER VEHICLE, KNOWLEDGE OF PRIOR MAY CAUSE FEAR AND PANIC OF DRIVER OR PASSENGERS WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR MENTAL ANGUISE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO SMITH FORD DEALERSHIP IN WASHINGTON, N.J. REQUESTING AN INSPECTION AND WARRANTY REPAIR OF THE ABOVE STATED STRUCTURAL STEEL. SMITH FORD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED BY FORD AND THAT FORD DOES NOT ACCEPT FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY EVEN THOUGH THE PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. REPORTED THIS TO FORD HEADQUARTERS ON NOVEMBER 30, 2012 AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALERSHIP WAS CORRECT IN STATING THAT FORD WILL NOT REPAIR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. MY WIFE IS INCREASINGLY HAVING TERRIFYING VISIONS OF MICE JUMPING ON HER WHILE DRIVING, HAVING SNAKES CRAWLING INTO THE CAR, RAIN SNOW MUD ETC ENTERING VEHICLE, OR HAVING THE CHILDREN PUT THEIR HANDS OR OTHER THINGS INTO THE HOLE IN THE VEHICLE. *TR

AFTER A MAJOR RAIN STORM, TRIED TO START MY CAR AND IT WOULD START, BUT WOULD QUICKLY STALL. HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED. DID NOT HAVE REVERSE GEAR. GARAGE TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. DID HAVE A RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT DIED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO GET SCHEDULED. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE PCM BOARD GETTING WET. TOWED TO A FORD GARAGE FOR REPAIRS. HOPING THAT I GET TREATED FAIRLY. I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD PAY FOR ENTIRE REPAIR BILL - NEW TRANSMISSION AND NEW PCM BOARD - AFTER ALL THEIR FAULTY PARTS WERE THE REASON FOR THE FAILURE! NOT ABLE TO 'POPULATE' ABOVE "AFFECTED PARTS". *TR

THE MIRRORS WILL ONLY MOVE DOWN AND IN (TOWARD THE VEHICLE). NOW THE ALARM STARTS BLARING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. CD PLAYER COMES ON AT WILL. AFTER READING THROUGH THE FORUMS, APPEARS MY A/C THAT QUIT IN APRIL 2011 COULD BE CONNECTED TO THE OTHER ISSUES AND THE FACT THAT THE SIDE DOORS CONTINUALLY OPEN AT WILL EVEN WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY FIXED THE DOORS AND CAN NO LONGER FIND AN ISSUE SINCE THEY CAN NOT RECREATE THE ISSUES WITH THE DOORS OR CD PLAYER. THESE ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE A POTENTIAL HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. WHEN FORD SAYS THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THEN THEY KNOW THERE IS AN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE TO PROVIDE ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION. EVEN THE MEASLY REFUND/RECALL REPAIR WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER DOES NOT FIX THE ENTIRE ISSUE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND FUNCTIONED NORMALLY HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V006000 ( POWER TRAIN) BUT THE REMEDY DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN), THE VEHICLE LEAKED TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID AFTER THE SECOND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

THE 3RD ROW REAR SEAT ON MY 2004 FREESTAR DOES NOT LATCH INTO SEATED POSITION PROPERLY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUPPORT RING WHICH THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCHES INTO WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE TRIM. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT A STEEL PLATE WHICH THE SUPPORT RING IS MOUNTED HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN IT IS NOT LATCHED IT HAS A TENDENCY TO INTERFERE WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF METAL HOLDING THE MOUNTING PLATE IN PLACE, IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE TO LATCH THE SEAT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE METAL PLATE FROM SCORING THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOUNTING PLATE CONTINUES TO BE SECURE, YET THERE IS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. IF SOMEONE STOWS THE 3RD ROW SEAT AND TRIES TO FLIP IT BACK INTO SEATING POSITION WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THE SUPPORT RING IS LOOSE, THEY COULD END UP SCORING THE SIDEWALL ON THE REAR TIRE AND CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE. FURTHER, THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE SEAT BELT IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT COULD BE COMPROMISED DURING AN ACCIDENT; THE SEAT COULD PITCH FORWARD OR FLIP BACK BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOLIDLY SECURED TO THE VAN'S STRUCTURE. *TR

NOTICED A PANEL LOOSE IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WHILE REMOVING THE WHEEL. THE PANEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL WELL, WITH ONLY SOMETHING ATTACHED TO IT ON THE INTERIOR KEEPING IT FROM FALLING OFF. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS PANEL IS THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR AND THE SEAT LATCH WAS THE ONLY THING KEEPING IT FROM FALLING OFF. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $906.99. THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR WAS REMOVED AND THE HOLE TEMPORARILY TAPED CLOSED, AND THE REAR SEAT IS NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE USED. CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS EXIST FOR THIS CONDITION AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NONE. CURRENTLY TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE CONDITION OF THIS PANEL/ANCHOR IS UNUSUAL WHEN COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 19 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IMMEDIATELLY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR HAD BEEN COMPLETED THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE AND ON THE WAY HOME THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE BACK IN ORDER FOR THEM TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

THE LEFT REAR SEAT ANCHOR HAS DETACHED FROM THE BODY DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL BY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE THIRD SEAT IS NO LONGER USABLE AND THERE IS A HOLE THROUGH THE BODY THAT LETS AIR AND WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA SHOWS RUST AS WELL BUT THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS NOT YET DETACHED FROM THE QUARTER PANEL. TWO FORD DEALERS HAVE SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT CAN BE FIXED. MY CONCERN IS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOISE AND WATER ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND THE LOSS OF USE OF THE THIRD SEAT. THIS VEHICLE IS TOO YOUNG AND USEFUL TO BE SCRAPPED. *TR

THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FREESTAR LOST POWER, I WAS DOING T MOST 40 MPH BECAUSE IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR ON THE I15 HWY BY HESPERIA EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOOSING POWER AND THEN I SAW IT GO FROM FORTY TO SLOWER MPG AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND THEN THERE WAS FIRE MY 1CAR WAS BURNT A TOTAL LOSS MY DAUGHTER AND I BARELY ESCAPED WITH OUR LIVES MINUTES BEFORE THE VAN EXPLODED SOMEONE HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US FORWARD SAVING OUR LIVES WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED I WALKED BACK TO MY CAR AND THE FIRE HAD EXPANDED FAR PAST WHERE ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE STANDING. MY DAUGHTER IS STILL TRAUMATIZED BY THE EXPERIENCE AND SO AM I. WE WOULD OF BEEN SEVERELY BURNT OR DIED WHEN THE CAR EXPLODED AND EVERYTHING CAUGHT ON FIRE PAST THE SPOT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING THE FIREMEN COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE HAD BEEN SO EXTENSIVE. WE LOST EVERYTHING MY DAUGHTER LOVED, ALL HER MOST PRECIOUS MATERIAL THINGS WE WENT FROM DRIVING ON A HAPPY TRIP TO THE REALIZATION WE COULD OF DIED BY THE FIRE. IF THE PASSERBY WOULD NOT HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US TO SAFETY. *TR

THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE ALL OF A SUDDEN THE FREESTAR LOST POWER, I WAS DOING T MOST 40 MPH BECAUSE IT WAS DURING RUSH HOUR ON THE I15 HWY BY HESPERIA EVERYTHING WAS FINE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR LOST POWER AND BEGAN TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS LOOSING POWER AND THEN I SAW IT GO FROM FORTY TO SLOWER MPG AND I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AS SOON AS I COULD AND THERE WAS SMOKE AND THEN THERE WAS FIRE MY 1CAR WAS BURNT A TOTAL LOSS MY DAUGHTER AND I BARELY ESCAPED WITH OUR LIVES MINUTES BEFORE THE VAN EXPLODED SOMEONE HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US FORWARD SAVING OUR LIVES WHEN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED I WALKED BACK TO MY CAR AND THE FIRE HAD EXPANDED FAR PAST WHERE ME AND MY DAUGHTER WERE STANDING. MY DAUGHTER IS STILL TRAUMATIZED BY THE EXPERIENCE AND SO AM I. WE WOULD OF BEEN SEVERELY BURNT OR DIED WHEN THE CAR EXPLODED AND EVERYTHING CAUGHT ON FIRE PAST THE SPOT MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE STANDING THE FIREMEN COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT THE FIRE HAD BEEN SO EXTENSIVE. WE LOST EVERYTHING MY DAUGHTER LOVED, ALL HER MOST PRECIOUS MATERIAL THINGS WE WENT FROM DRIVING ON A HAPPY TRIP TO THE REALIZATION WE COULD OF DIED BY THE FIRE. IF THE PASSERBY WOULD NOT HAD PUT US IN HER CAR AND DROVE US TO SAFETY. *TR

ON 7 OCT. 2012, SUNDAY WHILE DRIVING TO KLEBER KASERNE U.S. ARMY BASE IN KAISERSLAUTERN, GERMANY WITH MY WIFE MY 2004 FORD, FREESTAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THE ROAD WAS WET FROM RAIN. I WAS IN LIGHT TRAFFIC IN THE SLOW LANE AND THIS PROVED TO BE FORTUNATE. I PUSHED THE HAZARD LIGHTS AS SOON AS I REALIZED I HAD LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AND WAS SLOWING DOWN IN A COAST ON THE HIGHWAY. I STEERED THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. MY CAR WAS STILL RUNNING AND THE BRAKES WORKED. THE ENGINE WOULD SHOW AN INCREASE IN RPM ON THE DISPLAY WHEN I TOUCHED THE GAS AFTER I STOPPED BUT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. I CALLED MY ADAC AUTO CLUB, GERMANY FOR A TOW TRUCK AND THEY ARRIVED SOON AFTER. THE DAY BEFORE THIS I HAD DRIVING TO FRANKFURT, GERMANY AND WIESBADEN, GERMANY ON A RAINY DAY AND RETURNED THAT EVENING. THIS IS A ROUND TRIP OF ABOUT 200 MILES ON THE AUTOBAHN. THE AUTOBAHN I TAKE TO FRANKFURT HAS SECTIONS WITH NO SPEED LIMITS AND THE TRAFFIC IS VERY FAST. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS DIDN'T OCCUR ON THE AUTOBAHN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. FOR ANYONE ELSE THIS HAPPENS TOO, STAY CALM AND LOOK FOR A PLACE TO GET OFF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY. IF A PERSON IS IN FAST TRAFFIC SUCH AS THE FAST LANES HERE IN GERMANY THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT IS COMMON TO PASS CARS HERE IN THE AUTOBAHN IN THE SLOW LANE AT 70 TO 80 MILES PER HOUR WHILE WATCHING THE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR CARS IN THE FAST LANE THAT OFTEN ARE TRAVELING IN THE 90 TO 110MPH SPEED. IN MY FORD FREESTAR I OFTEN WATCH OUT FOR THE HIGH SPEED GERMAN CAR TRAFFIC. END. *TR