2005 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

2005 FORD FREESTAR, WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. ONCE IT DID, AND I BEGAN DRIVING, CAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF INTERSECTION. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART AND PULL OVER TO SAFER AREA. NO PREVIOUS SIGNS OF A PROBLEM.

2005 FORD FREESTAR. 67066 MILES LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. ENGINE STARTS NONE OF THE GEARS WORK. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE *CN

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPROX 25 MPH, VEHICLE HAD SLIGHT SURGE THEN CAME TO A STOP. WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ACTED AS IF IT WAS ALWAYS IN NEUTRAL. OCCURRED ONLY ONCE, CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP. INDICATING FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. NEED TO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER AND OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION FOR $2500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. HE STATED THAT HE BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 54,000. UPDATED 05/11/10. *LJ

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE APPROX 25 MPH, VEHICLE HAD SLIGHT SURGE THEN CAME TO A STOP. WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. ACTED AS IF IT WAS ALWAYS IN NEUTRAL. OCCURRED ONLY ONCE, CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP. INDICATING FAILED TORQUE CONVERTER. NEED TO REPLACE TORQUE CONVERTER AND OVERHAUL TRANSMISSION FOR $2500.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT SPEEDS OF 25 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE CONTACT?S ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTY'S FOR THE FAILURE. REPAIRS WILL BE MADE AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

VEHICLE LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A RESIDENTIAL AREA GOING UP A HILL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST BACKWARDS INTO A PARKING POSITION -- VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED. *TR

DRIVING AT 65 MPH UNDER CRUISE CONTROL RPM SURGED UP. TAPPED BRAKES AND ENGINE APPEARED DISCONNECT FROM DRIVE WHEELS. COASTED TO THE SHOULDER AND STOPPED. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. COULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR INCLUDING REVERSE. TRANSMISSION FLUID MARK WAS ABOVE FULL MARK. RESULT WAS FAILURE IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINE.

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN I-77 IN ROCK HILL SC WHEN WITH NO WARNING THE VAN FELT LIKE IT POPPED OUT OF GEAR. LUCKILY I WAS BEGINNING TO EXIT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED OR ME AND MY 3 CHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. TURNS OUT THE TRANSMISSION BLEW! NO WARNING,NOTHING. $2200.00 LATER I HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION. AFTER RESEARCHING I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH FORD FREESTARS. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FILED WITH YOUR AGENCY. THERE NEEDS TO BE AN INVESTIGATION. BY THE WAY, MY VAN ONLY HAD 71,000 MILES. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY WENT DOWN TO 20 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INSIDE LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AND I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING OVER TO THE RIGHT. THE LEFT SIDE WAS A MEDIAN. I FINALLY MANAGED TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT AND PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY. ONCE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANY MORE. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO THIS. I HAD JUST TRAVELED TO THIS TOWN 30 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. NO NOISES, NO DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS - NOTHING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP IT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY TODAY IS SUNDAY AND I WON'T HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE MECHANIC UNTIL MONDAY. THE REASON I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IS - I TRAVEL TO HOUSTON ON A REGULAR BASIS IN THIS VEHICLE. I CRINGE WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US WHILE WE WERE IN HOUSTON'S TRAFFIC. THE NORMAL SPEED ON A HIGHWAY IN HOUSTON IS 80MPH. IF NOTHING IS DONE -DEATH IS ULTIMATE. *TR

ON MARCH 19TH, I TRAVELED TO PORT LAVACA (30 MILES) TO SEE MY AUNT AND TAKE HER OUT TO EAT. AFTER PICKING HER UP AT HER HOME WE WERE ON HWY. 35 TRAVELLING ABOUT 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO 20 MPH AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT ENOUGH TO MOVE RIGHT INTO A DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS ON, BUT WOULD NOT DRIVE. I SAT IN SHOCK WITH MY MOTHER, MY DAUGHTER, AND MY AUNT. I NEVER HAD ANY WARNING THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT. NO NOISE, NO TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS, NOTHING. I HAD THE VAN PICKED UP AND TAKEN BACK TO VICTORIA AND IT IS NOW AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR US TO GATHER THE MONEY FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION (A LITTLE OVER $3000).

NO SIGN OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE ACTUAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WIFE WAS DRIVING HERSELF AND KIDS TO SCHOOL WHILE I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS TRAVEL AND AS SHE WAS DRIVING IN A 40MPH ZONE, SHE SUDDENLY NOTICED THAT THE VAN WAS SLOWING DOWN EVEN THOUGH THE ENGINE WAS REVVING HIGH. SINCE SHE WAS DRIVING ON A 2-LANE ROAD THAT HAD NO SHOULDERS, SHE PULLED THE VAN AS CLOSE TO THE CURB AS SHE COULD EVEN THOUGH THE VAN WAS STILL CAUSING TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. WIFE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, RESTARTED THE ENGINE, TRIED TO PUT THE VAN IN DRIVE, REVERSE, 1ST AND 2ND BUT ALL OF THESE ATTEMPTS FAILED TO MAKE THE VAN MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION. AFTER THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST MY WIFE, WHO WAS ALONE WITH THE KIDS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED, SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTACT A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT ASSISTED WITH TOWING THE DISABLED VAN TO HIS SHOP. UPON ANALYZING THE PROBLEM, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THERE WERE PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION LAYING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION AND REPLACE IT WITH A REMANUFACTURED, FORD UNIT. OTHER WORK PERFORMED BY THE MECHANIC INCLUDED FLUSHING ALL COOLER LINES AND COOLER PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. THE FINAL COST FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR THE RE-MANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WAS $2990.23. *TR

WE EXPERIENCED 3 FAILURES OF THE POWER TRAIN MODULE OF OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN FROM OCTOBER 2009 TO MARCH 2010. THE 1ST AND 3RD FAILURES OCCURRED AFTER RAIN. FORTUNATELY, ALL THREE TIMES WE WERE TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS, AT TIMES OF DAY WITH LIGHT TRAFFIC AND DID NOT HAVE CHILDREN IN THE VAN. ON THE OCTOBER 9 THE FAILURE RESULTED IN THE VAN BUCKING THEN SHUTTING OFF WITHOUT WARNING WITH VERY LIMITED ABILITY TO STEER THE VAN. WE WERE TOLD THAT MOISTURE HAD ENTERED THE POWER TRAIN MODULE. THE MODULE WAS DRIED AND PASSED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. ON OCTOBER 22 THE VAN WOULD NOT REVERSE AND JERKED GOING INTO GEAR. THE MODULE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT. WHEN ASKED, FORD DENIED THIS WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. ON MARCH 15, 2010 THE VAN AGAIN BUCKED THEN SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THIS TIME I NARROWLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT ON A RURAL ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER AND TREES CLOSE ON EITHER SIDE. THE POLICE PARKED BEHIND THE VAN BLOCKING THE LANE OF TRAVEL UNTIL AAA ARRIVED. I WAS TOLD THE NEW MODULE FAILED DUE TO MOISTURE. THE MODULE WAS DRIED AND PASSED DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. AGAIN FORD DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF A PROBLEM WITH THE PART AND EVEN PUT THEIR 'TRANSMISSION EXPERT' ON THE PHONE TO TELL ME SO. UPON CHECKING THE INTERNET, WE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WITH THIS PART IS, IN FACT, KNOWN. WE INFORMED FORD WHO AGAIN DENIED THE PROBLEM UNTIL WE POINTED OUT THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FILED WITH NHTSA. THEN FORD DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY HAD A BULLETIN ON THE PART BUT, AS WE KNEW, THERE WAS NO RECALL. FORD TOLD US THAT A WARPED PLASTIC COWL AND SEAL CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEM. BOTH WERE REPLACED AT OUR EXPENSE. TO DATE THIS PART FAILURE HAS COST US $1,600. THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND HAS TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. TO THEIR CREDIT, A FORD DEALER IS COVERING THE COST OF THE SECOND MODULE SINCE THE FAILURE OCCURRED SO SOON AFTER THE PART WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, IF THIS PART FAILS AGAIN, WE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PERMANENT FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM. *CN

2005 FORD FREESTAR. TRANSMISION JUST STOPPED WITH NO WARNING. APROX 80,000 MILES. ALMOST HAD A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. COST ME 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX.WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY HAVE NOT RECALLED THEM.I GUESS THEY ONLY RECALL FOREIGN MADE CARS. *TR

SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. *TR

MY CAR IS A FORD 2005 FREESTAR. IT IS EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT BRAKE FAILURE. THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR AND DOES NOT RESPOND EVEN IF I PUMP THE BRAKES, THEN, GOES BACK TO NORMAL. I HAVE HAD IT LOOKED AT BY FORD 2 TIMES, GOODYEAR ONE TIME AND MEINEKE ONCE AS WELL. FORD COULD NOT DUPLICATE AND SENT THE CAR AND US HOME. THEY SAID THE DO NOT "WANT TO THROW PARTS AT IT". THEY SAID THEY CHECKED THE MASTER CYLINDER, THE BOOSTER AND ALSO FOR AIR IN THE LINE, BUT ALL CHECKED OUT OKAY. I CALLED THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES OF FORD. THEY SAID THEY WOULD CALL THE DEALER, THAT WE SHOULD "LEAVE IT WITH THE DEALER" BUT THEY CANNOT HELP US WITH TRANSPORTATION. I HAVE A SON WITH A BRAIN INJURY. THIS CAR IS OUR ONLY FORM OF TRANSPORTATION. PLEASE HELP. *TR

INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN, [XXX] . I WAS DRIVING IT TONIGHT AT 75 MPH ON INTERSTATE 75 IN EIGHT LANES OF TRAFFIC IN ATLANTA, GA AND THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT COMPLETELY AND SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WITH NO WARNING. I WAS FORCED TO TRY AND GET OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND COULD NOT. I CALLED 911 AND HAD TO BLOCK THE INTERSTATE TO MOVE MY VEHICLE OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF IT. I HAD MY SIX YEAR OLD CHILD IN THE CAR AND WE COULD HAVE BEEN BADLY INJURED OR KILLED. I READ ON POSTING BOARDS ON THE INTERNET THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR FORD FREESTAR. I PLAN ON CALLING FORD ALSO. I AM VERY ANGRY. *TR

I BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT TROUBLE STARTING THE VAN IN FEB. 2010 DURING A RECORD SNOW WEEK. I CONTRIBUTED IT TO THE COLD WEATHER AND BAD CONDITIONS. IN MARCH THE PROBLEM CONTINUED VERY SPORADICALLY WITH NOT STARTING ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. ON MARCH 5TH THE VAN ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ON MARCH 7TH, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR THE VAN CUT OUT 4 TIMES IN A 2 BLOCK PERIOD. WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF IT WOULD BE WITHOUT WARNING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 121 MILES. FORD IS CURRENTLY REFUSING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUES ON THE MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR, WHILE DRIVING ON THE ON A BUSY ROAD I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVVED. IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR REVERSE.THIS WAS AN ABRUPT LOSS OF POWER WITH NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THIS DESTABILIZING EVENT THE SMALL CHILDREN I HAD IN THE CAR WERE IN DANGER. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO COAST DOWN DUE TO AN INCLINE IN THE ROAD. A TOW TRUCK COMPANY WAS CALLED AND TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP SERVICE MECHANIC. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO PAY AROUND $3000 FOR NEW TRANSMISSION. *TR

FEBRUARY 2010- VAN LURCHED FORWARD THEN FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. LESS THAN 65000 MILES ON VEHICLE. TURNED OUT TO BE TRANSMISSION FAILURE- FORD STATED IT WOULD COST $3100 TO FIX. GOT IT FIXED AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR $1800. MECHANIC STATED HE SEES THIS OFTEN WITH THIS YEAR OF FREESTARS. IN FEBRUARY 2011, CAR STARTED HAVING POWERTRAIN ISSUES, SKIPPING AND SLIPPING GEAR. DIAGNOSED AS CAM SHAFT SENSOR FAILURE. COST WAS OVER $400 TO FIX. STATED WATER WAS GETTING INTO THE CAM SHAFT. IN JULY 2011, CAR HAD ISSUES IN RAIN- AGAIN, WATER IN CAM SHAFT. MECHANIC DRAINED IT AND IT APPEARED TO BE BETTER. DECEMBER 29TH, 2011 VAN LURCHED FORWARD AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. WAS TRAVELING 65MPH AND HAD NO WARNING. WAS STUCK ON BUSY HIGHWAY IN THE MIDDLE OF CROSSLANE. MECHANIC STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD AT 130,000 MILES- AFTER ONLY HAVING HAD THE LAST ONE FOR LESS THAN TWO YEARS. WE CONSUMERS BOUGHT THESE FREESTARS IN GOOD FAITH THAT WE WOULD HAVE A SAFE, RELIABLE VEHICLE. FORD HAS FAILED TO DELIVER. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL OTHER FREESTAR CONSUMERS STATING THE SAME COMPLAINTS ON WEBSITES NATIONWIDE. FORD CLAIMS "NO RECORD OF FAILURE" BECAUSE THEY OVERCHARGE ON THEIR REPAIRS SO WE END UP GOING TO LOCAL SHOPS FOR FIXES- I DOUBT THEY BOTHER LOGGING IT SINCE WE WON'T PAY THEM TO FIX IT! AFTER COASTING THE CAR INTO AN ABANDONED LOT, I WAS STUCK. THERE WAS A SHED THAT WAS CLEARLY USED BY DRUG ADDICTS (CLOTHES, TRASH, NEEDLES, ETC INSIDE.) THE COMPANY SHOULD STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES- I BELIEVE IF THEY DROVE THESE VANS THEY WOULD KNOW HOW TERRIFIED I AND OTHER FREESTAR DRIVERS ARE TO EVEN THINK ABOUT THE "WHAT-IF'S" THAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANSMISSION FAILURES. I AM STUCK BECAUSE I WOULD NEVER RISK DRIVING THE VEHICLE AGAIN BUT CANNOT SELL IT BECAUSE IT COULD PUT SOMEONE ELSE IN DANGER. MY CHILDRENS' LIVES FAR OUTWEIGH THE DOLLAR AMOUNT LEFT ON THE LOAN OF THIS JUNK! *TR

ON 2/20/2010 I WENT TO BACK OUT OF A DRIVEWAY. I PUT MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR INTO REVERSE AND IT DID NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, THE GEAR SHIFTER WENT INTO REVERSE, BUT MY VAN DIDN'T MOVE. WHEN I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL, MY TIRES DIDN'T SPIN TO MOVE. I HAD TO HAVE VAN TOWED BACK TO MY HOME THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS OR SIGNS OF PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE EVENT, OR PRIOR TO THE DAY THIS HAPPENED. THERE WERE NO SOUNDS, MISSES, DASH WARNING LIGHTS, OR ANY OTHER CLUE THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. MY CAR WAS DRIVING FINE PRIOR TO AND UP TO THE POINT THAT I TURNED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. I AM NOW OUT OF A CAR FOR ABOUT A MONTH AS OF 3/8/2010. I HAD ANOTHER ADULT IN MY VAN, AND SHE ALSO DID NOT HEAR OR FEEL ANYTHING THAT SUGGESTED THERE WAS A PROBLEM. MY VAN JUST STOPPED, NO WARNINGS OF ANY KIND. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC.

WE WERE MERGING ONTO THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY WORK TRAFFIC WHEN ALL TRANSMISSION POWER WAS LOST. NO PRIOR PROBLEMS. WE WERE ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES TRYING TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE HAVE NOT HAD THE VAN LOOKED AT AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TO 2-19-2010. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STARTED TO SURGE AND THE RPMS WERE RAPIDLY INCREASING BUT THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWING DOWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT ON THE DAY THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED THAT THE REPAIR COST WAS $1,800. THE CURRENT FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,200.

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. ON 19 FEBRUARY 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR FREESTAR WHEN IT HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. SHE WAS ABLE TO STEER IT SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. MY MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES THAT WERE STRIPPED WHICH ALSO CAUSED THE PUMP TO FAIL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK TODAY, MY WIFE HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A HIGHWAY, TRAVELED ABOUT 1/4 MILE AND THE VAN LOST ALL MOTIVE POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT NO ACCELERATION. SHE WAS ABLE TO SAFELY NAVIGATE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED AND NEEDS TO BE REBUILT. THE VAN IS ONLY 4 1/2 YEARS OLD WITH 58K MILES. *TR

WHILE COMPLETING A RIGHT HAND TURN THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC LOSS OF ALL MOTIVE POWER. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY COAST INTO THE WIDE CENTRE MEDIAN, AVOIDING ANY COLLISIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES. NO GEAR FUNCTIONED INCLUDING REVERSE. THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR INDICATION OF ANY IMPENDING ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. A COMPLETE SAFETY WAS COMPLETED ONLY SIX WEEKS EARLIER. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD WAS REQUIRED, INCLUSIVE OF TORQUE CONVERTER, SHAFT , BEARING, SCREEN ASSEMBLY. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS TYPE OF REBUILD HAD BEEN COMMON ON THE 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE DEALERSHIP USED AFTERMARKET PARTS THAT WERE HARDENED AND CHOSE NOT TO SOURCE THE PARTS FROM FORD. *TR

WE HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR VIN #[XXX] WITH 89,000 MILES ON IT, IT HAS BEEN SERVICED ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE ARE THE THIRD OWNERS. THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A TWO LANE ROAD WITH NO SHOULDERS WHEN THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING WITH OUT WARNING. IT IS GOING TO COST $2700 TO REPAIR. THIS IS NOT A SAFE THING TO HAPPEN AND FROM WHAT I HAVE GATHERED THIS HAPPENS A LOT. WHY HAVE WE NOT HAD A RECALL OF THIS OR AT LEAST A SAFETY NOTICE. FORD KNOWS IT HAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MINIVAN. I HOPE YOU ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTAR MARCH 2009. HAS SUFFERED FROM REPEATED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH THE COMPUTER OFTEN RECORDING "NO CODES" PER THE DEALER. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ATMULTIPLE TIMES FOR VARIOUS SUPPOSED REPAIRS INCLUDING NEW COMPUTER, ALTERNATOR, ETC., BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND WE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FROM 9/10/09 THROUGH 11/12/09 AND AGAIN FROM 11/15/09(?) THROUGH 2/5/2010 DUE TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY. ON 2/10/2010 AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHERE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE ROAD TURNED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN OR BRAKE ADEQUATELY AND HENCE RAN OFF THE ROAD SUSTAINING NECK INJURIES. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT REQUIRED. CONVERTER FAILED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT AN INTERSECTION. LUCKILY IT WAS LATE EVENING AN NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR MY ENTIRE FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN HIT. *TR

ON FEB. 8, 2010 ABOUT 9:30 PM I WAS RETURNING HOME. WITHOUT WARNING, THE FORWARD MOTION OF MY VEHICLE STOPPED, THO' THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE 2-WAY ROAD AND CALLED FOR HELP. THE NEXT DAY, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT PROBABLY THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AGREED AND REPLACED THE CONVERTER IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR SE VEHICLE. *TR

DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN LOST POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS LEADING UP TO THIS LOSS. THE VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND NOW WILL NOT MOVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND NOW CANNOT MOVE IT. *CN

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH SIX KIDS IN THE VAN TO SCHOOL THIS MORNING, ALL OF SUDDEN, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEAD ON I-95 OF JACKSONVILLE, FL, THE LOST OF TRANSMISSION CAME SO SUDDENLY IN I-95 WITHOUT ANY EARLIER INDICATIONS, SHE FINALLY CRUISE IT TO THE LEFT SHOULD OF I-95 AND WITH THE HELP OF TWO POLICE OFFICERS AND ONE ROAD RANGER, ALL THE PASSENGERS GOT TRANSFERRED TO A SAFE PLACE. THE VAN WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE WE WERE TOLD THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE CHANGED AT COST OF AT LEAST MORE THAN $2000.00. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN FELT LIKE IT HAD SLID INTO NEUTRAL. IN FACT THE CAR WAS STILL IN DRIVE BUT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR REVERSE. IT FELT LIKE IT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. THERE WAS NO PREVIOUS "SLIPPING, OR LURCHING". I HAD TO PAY TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I WILL NEED ANOTHER TRANSMISSION AND THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS STRIPPED. THE VAN ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. THE MECHANIC IS TRYING TO FIND A REBUILT TRANSMISSION WITH LOW MILES, BUT LOW MILES IS WHAT MINE HAD. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGNS, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY WIFE AND FIVE KIDS ON BOARD. *TR

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE ON I95 APROX. 17 MILES FROM SAVANNAH GA. SUDDENLY THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING AND I COULD NO LONGER GET ANY POWER. BEING ALL THE WAY IN THE LEFT LANE I HAD TO PASS OVER 2 LANES OF TRAFFIC TO GET SAFELY ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER OVER AN HOUR WE WERE PICKED UP BY A TOWING COMPANY. THE TRANSMISSION NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. FAILED WITH NO WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. FAILED ON MAJOR HIGHWAY WITH LIMITED SHOULDER, HAD TO HAVE POLICE SHOW UP DUE TO LANE BLOCKAGE. *TR

THE POWER STEERING HIGH PRESSURE HOSE FAILS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON STATE HIGHWAY IN LEFT LANE DOING 55 MILES PER HOUR, LOST ALL ABILITY TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE MOVED OUT OF THE LEFT LANE AND OFF THE HIGHWAY PUTTING MYSELF AND MY SON IN DANGER. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TOWED. *TR

ENGINE STUTTERS, WON'T RUN STEADY, IDLES OVER 2000RPM IN NEUTRAL, CONTINUALLY DIES, WHEN ENGINE DIES STEERING HARD(NATURALLY), WON'T GO IN REVERSE, THIS PROBLEM CAUSES NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT ARE NOT SAFE WHEN IT DOES IT ON THE ROAD. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY IN MOISTURE IN THE PCM. TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED IN 2012. HAS NOT DONE THE PROBLEM FOR A YEAR AND DID IT AGAIN TODAY( HAS NOT RAINED IN MORE THAN A WEEK) JUST GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND STARTS CUTTING OUT AND DIES! HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES SINCE 2010. FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON I-70, SLOWED DOWN TO GO THROUGH AUTOMATIC TOLL BOTH ON THE TURNPIKE. WHEN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR TO RESUME SPEED, THE TRANSMISSION WAS DISENGAGED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF OF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN TIME TO AVOID BEING REAR ENDED BY THE CARS BEHIND ME IN THE TOLL BOOTH LINE. THE CAR IS NOW AT THE DEALER BEING FIXED. THEY SUSPECT BROKEN OUTPUT SHAFT, ESTIMATED $1800 TO FIX. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN JUST STOPPED. THANKFULLY THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC, BUT WITH NO WARNING, THE VAN JUST STOPPED. WE TOOK THE VAN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. "YEPPERS", THE GUY SAID, "SOMETHING BROKE" HE GAVE US A PRICE ON A USED TRANSMISSION WITH LABOR AND THE PRICE FOR REBUILDING OURS. VERY SCARY INCIDENT. *TR

PE09033 & EA09-016, A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AROUND 50,000 MILES FOR THIS SAME REASON AND NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN WITH 60,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH OUT ANY WARNING, LEAVING OUR FAMILY STRANDED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. THE TRANSMISSION NEVER SLIPPED OR SHIFTED HARD, IT JUST STOPPED TRANSFERRING POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE VAN IS AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP NOW, THE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS IS THE SPLINES ARE STRIPPED OUT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE SHOP IS REMOVING THE TRANSMISSION TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND INSPECT THE REST OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR 55K MILES ON ODOMETER: WATER/MOISTURE IN POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE CAUSES TRANSMISSION TO QUIT, VEHICLE TO STALL, TRANSMISSION TO LURCH DANGEROUSLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY. OUR VAN HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. SINCE IT WAS BOUGHT USED FROM THE DEALER, IT IS NOT UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. WE HAVE PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS AND, AFTER EACH REPAIR AND AFTER A FIX DETAILED BY A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BY OUR MECHANIC TO TRY AND AVOID WATER GETTING INTO VITAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS, OUR VEHICLE HAS HAD TO BE RETURNED FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICE. THE LAST TIME, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING 60MPH ON A HIGHWAY WITH OUR TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHEN THE VAN'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SUDDENLY QUIT AND SHE NEARLY GOT CLIPPED BY A TRUCK AS SHE TRIED TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE, THE HYDRAULIC LOCK FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,765.

ABRUPT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

WE WERE IN MY WIFE'S 2005 FORD FREESTAR DRIVING HOME FROM MY FAMILY FOR THE HOLIDAYS WHEN WE IN A SNOWSTORM. THE CAR VIOLENTLY JERKED DURING DRIVING SEVERAL TIMES, DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND ONCE PUT US IN A SPIN INTO THE DITCH!!!!! THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE!!!!! IT IS CRIMINAL. MY 9 YEAR OLD CHILD WAS IN THE CAR ALSO AND THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 55,000 MILES ON IT. WE ARE SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE IT AND AFRAID IT WILL GET US KILLED. WHAT CAN YOU HELP US WITH? IS FORD GOING TO HAVE TO ANSWER AT ALL FOR THIS FAILURE OF ENGINEERING AND WHO IS GOING TO PAY THE $3000 TO GET THIS SUICIDE VEHICLE REPAIRED CORRECTLY TO FIX FORD'S FAILURE? PLEASE HELP US! *TR

PURCHASED OUR 2005 FREESTAR IN JUNE 09 69,000 MILES ON IT. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED FOR THE SOLE REASON TO USE TO COMMUTE OR 7 CHILDREN TO AND FROM WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND TO GET TO WORK EVERYDAY. WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS A RELIABLE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP GAVE US SUCH A "GOOD DEAL" WE COULD NOT PASS IT UP. (THIS DEALERSHIP IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS TO EVEN TALK WITH THEM), WE WERE JUST GETTING BACK TO WORK WITH BEING LAID OFF LAST YEAR AT CHRISTMAS TIME. TRYING TO CATCH UP WITH ALL THE BILLS THAT WERE COLLECTED WITH LIMITED INCOME. WITH NO OTHER VEHICLE WE PURCHASED THIS WITH 3 YEAR LOAN LEFT ON IT. BESIDES HAVING TO REPLACING ALL 4 TIRES, WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEMS UNTIL JANUARY 1 2010. WE LIVE IN MN AND WERE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVE WAY TO GO TO WORK AT 14 BELOW, ONLY FOR THE VAN TO GO IN D OR R OR ANY OF THE GEARS WITH WARNING AT ALL. LUCKILY WE WERE ONLY IN THE MIDDLE OF OUR ICY CULDESAC WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NOT ON THE ICY HIGHWAY WE WERE ABOUT TO GET ON. THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY WENT OUT ON US LEAVING US WITH NO VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE FIRST FORD I PURCHASED AND AS IT APPEARS WITH THE OTHER CASES I AM READING ABOUT WILL BE OUR LAST. IF FORD IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS AND DOING NOTHING TO FIX THEM, IT IS GOING TO COST PEOPLE LOSS OF INCOME OR MAYBE EVEN A LIFE AT SOME POINT IN TIME. WITH THE ECONOMY AS IT IS AND EVERYONE TRYING TO MAKE ENDS MEET THIS IS TERRIBLE FOR FORD TO DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. WE CANNOT PAY TO GET THIS FIXED FOR AWHILE, AND WE WILL STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE MONTHLY PAYMENTS BESIDES. NOT A WAY TO START THE 2010 YEAR. *TR

1. DRIVING DOWN THE STREET, SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONG BEING POWERED, BUT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING. TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REGULARLY SERVICED AND HAS HAD NO PRIOR INDICATIONS OF TRANSMISSION TROUBLE (I.E. SLIPPING, SKIPPING, GRINDING OR USING TRANSMISSION FLUID) 2. ACCORDING TO THE TRANSMISSION MECHANIC, THE SPLINES ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER SHEERED OFF, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE STOP WORKING. THIS HAS OCCURRED 1 TIME. METAL SHAVINGS FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THE TRANSMISSION. LUCKILY WE WERE ONLY DOING 30 MPH WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND WERE CLOSE TO HOME. 3. THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING REBUILT W/ A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. ACCORDING TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP, THE 2004-2007 FORD FREESTARS HAVE AN INHERENT DEFECT IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. IN ORDER TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, A RE-MANUFACTURED TORQUE CONVERTER WITH REINFORCED SPLINES MUST BE INSTALLED AS THE FORD REPLACEMENT PART SUFFERS FROM THE SAME DESIGN FLAW. APPROXIMATELY $2,200.00 TO RESOLVE THIS MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AND AT THIS TIME, FORD'S FIX INSTALLS THE SAME FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE TO BEGIN WITH. *TR