2005 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

WE WERE DRIVING THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN WE TURNED AROUND IN SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY AFTER PUTTING IT BACK IN DRIVE THE VAN LOST ALL TRANSMISSION POWER. THE VAN WOULD NOT GO IN FORWARD OR REVERSE IN ANY GEAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD PITCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKING COMPONENTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB); THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH DOWN A STEEP DECLINE, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE. THE CONTACT LOST SLIGHT STEERING CONTROL ON THE MOUNTAINOUS ROAD. AFTER REGAINING CONTROL, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ADDITIONALLY, WITHIN THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WITH MY FAMILY IN THE VEHICLE, THE TRANSMISSION JUST STOPPED WORKING, NO WARNING SIGNS WHATSOEVER, JUST LOST LOST POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. THE STREET HAD A SLIGHT INCLINE TO IT, SO WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN PARKED IT UP ON THE SIDEWALK, TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE MIDDLE OF THE TWO LANE STREET WE WERE DRIVING ON. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE AS OF YET, WE ARE BEING TOLD THE TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. *TR

TOOK MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN WITH ONLY 43,223 MILES INTO FORD DEALER FOR ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION. ADVISED BOTH REAR CALIPERS WERE BAD, CAUSED PREMATURE WEAR OF BREAK PADS AND ROTORS WHICH NEEDED TURNED. THE REPAIR COST ME $581.40. I HAVE OWNED MANY VEHICLES, AND NEVER HAVE I HAD CALIPERS FAIL AT 43K MILES. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT THAT I AS A CONSUMER HAD TO FOOT THE BILL FOR. I DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. IN THE SUMMER OF 2008 HE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SURGED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO PARK AT LOW SPEEDS. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AND DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED; HOWEVER, THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR CALIPERS WERE DEFECTED AND THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THEM. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

I OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR MODEL 'S'. COUPLE OF DAYS AGO SUDDENLY REAR LIFTGATE STRUT FAILED AND IT LED LIFTGATE TO FREE FALL ON ME WHEN I WAS REMOVING THE STUFF FROM THE VAN. I WAS ABLE TO HOLD THE LIFTGATE IN TIME BUT IT STILL HIT ME ON MY HEAD A LITTLE BIT. *TR

I DRIVING HOME FORM WORK, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPMS WHEN UP AND THE CAR SEEMED TO HAVE SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. I TRIED TO ACCELERATE BUT THE ENGINE JUST REVVED. I COASTED INTO A GAS STATION. NOW I HAVE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF REPAIRS THAT I CANNOT AFFORD. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS AND APPARENTLY THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED A NEW PUMP SHAFT, TORQUE CONVERTER AND AN OVERHAUL OF THE MANUAL CONTROL VALVE. *TR

SLOWED TO STOP AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, PRIOR TO COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE LIGHT CHANGED AND WHEN I ACCELERATED NOTHING HAPPEN. IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC I WAS ABLE TO GLIDE INTO A GAS STATION. LUCKILY TRAFFIC WAS JUST BEGINNING TO MOVE. COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS!! VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED. CAUSED THOUSANDS TO ONLY REPLACE SOME PARTS OF THE TRANSMISSION!! *TR DUPLICATE TO 10262197*SMCH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WOULD COST $99 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,600. UPDATED 06/17/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE STRUCK THE PASSENGER SEAT WITH HIS FIST AND WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT OUT. UPDATED

AT 66,000 MILES MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN DEVELOPED A HIGH-PITCHED WHINE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT STARTED ONLY WHEN VAN HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR SOME DISTANCE BUT INCREASED IN FREQUENCY. TOOK TO A SHOP AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS BEARING FAILURE IN BOTH FRONT HUBS SIMULTANEOUSLY. VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR ($775). *TR

MY TRANSMISSION ON MY 04 FORD FREESTAR QUIT WITH NO WARNING AND NO SIGNS OF DISTRESS. IT WILL COST ME $3,500 TO GET IT REPAIRED. *TR

FIRST WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT WAS UNSAFE AND HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OURSELVES THEN FINALLY FORD ISSUED A TSB TO REPAIR AND RECOVERED OUR MONEY. ALONG WITH THAT IS THE MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION OF THE VAN STOPPING JERKING SPEEDING UP THE DRIVING ON THE ROAD ESPECIALLY WHEN IT RAINS OR EVEN A SLIGHT MIST. THIS NEED TO ADDRESSED BY THE NHTSA AND PRESSURE FORD TO REPAIR THIS BEFORE THEY ARE SUED FOR A DEATH CAUSED BY THE LACK OF ATTENTION TO THIS HIGHLY SAFETY RELATED FAILURE. *TR

AFTER SEVERAL O2 SENSORS AND PCM'S ON OUR 2005 FREESTAR, THE TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH SCHOOL CHILDREN IN THE VAN. *TR

MY FORD FREESTAR 05 TRANSMISSION WENT AT 75K, NO WARNING , NO LIGHT ON, COST ME $2700 TO REPAIR, FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE AT 70K ,WHEN I TRIED TO PUMP GAS IT WAS LIKE IT WAS FULL ALL THE TIME, FUMES COULD NOT GET OUT THE TANK, FUEL SPILLED, IT CUSTOM ABOUT $400 TO CHANGE SOLENOID. *TR

I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH MY FORD FREE STAR 2005 VAN IT HAS 50,600 MILES ON IT. IT ALL STARTED WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER STOPPED WORKING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THEN A FEW SECONDS LATTER THE VAN JUST DIED WHILE DRIVING WITH MY TWO YEAR OLD TWINS IN THE CAR. I WAS ABLE TO START IT UP AGAIN AND IT STARTED TO SPUTTER AND STALL AGAIN. I AM A MECHANIC AND I WAS GOING TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE MYSELF UNTIL I WENT ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT THE PCM GETTING WET AND I FOUND OUT MINE WAS WET AND CORRODED. THE PCM WAS GETTING WET BY WATER GETTING THROUGH THE CROWL GASKET. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A TSB OUT ON THIS DIRECTING DEALERS HOW TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM AT COST TO THE CUSTOMER. THE PCM WAS REPLACED NOW THE VEHICLE SHIFTS FUNNY AND GOES IN AND OUT OF GEAR AND I WAS TOLD I HAVE TRANSMISSION DAMAGE NOW. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME OH WELL, NOT OUR PROBLEM. BUT HOW IS THIS MY PROBLEM FOR A VEHICLE I DID NOT DESIGN. WATER SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET TO THE PCM. NOW MY VEHICLE SITS AT A DEALER AND THE DEALER SAID THAT ALL PLUG IN CONNECTORS TO SENSORS. AND VITAL COMPUTER COMPONENTS ARE WET AN CORRODED. BUT IF FUNNY HOW THERE IS A TSB OUT ON THIS PROBLEM AND FORD IS DOING NOTHING TO HELP THE CUSTOMER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY. PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRANSMISSION NEVER ENGAGED IN ANY GEAR AGAIN. IN REPAIR SHOP. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. MY ENGINE FAILED IN JAN08 AT ABOUT 47,000 MILES. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED($5100). WITHIN A DAY AFTER I PICKED IT UP AFTER THE ENGINE REPAIRS I NOTICED JERKING WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS SLIPPING ON ICE, BUT THEN I FELT THE JERK WHEN I WAS ON DRY ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO WORTHINGTON FORD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOOK IT HOME AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE ...FAST. I WENT AGAIN TO WORTHINGTON'S AND FINALLY AFTER A JOINT TEST RIDE THE PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND SAID TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THE THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR WORK ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR AT THE TIME OF TURN IN WOULD JERK SEVERELY AND/OR SOMES COMPLETELY STOP OR NOT TAKE OFF WHEN GAS PETAL PRESSED. THE CAR WOULD EVEN JERK AT A STOP SIGN WHILE AT A COMPLETE HALT. THE FLUID LEVELS WERE CHECKED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND WERE GOOD. THE FLUID LEVEL WAS CHECKED WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE JERKING. FLUID WAS CLEAN AND FULL. TRANSMISSION FAILED ................WHY? *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR JUST DIES. FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED FEBRUARY 28, 2008. WAS STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN AND MADE IT ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH INTERSECTION WHEN EVERYTHING SHUT OFF. COASTED TO THE OTHER SIDE AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. RESTARTED THE VAN AND MADE IT ANOTHER 50 FEET BEFORE IT DIED AGAIN. TRIED A THIRD TIME AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEAR. LUCKILY WAS IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD. CALLED TOW TRUCK AND LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP (MCKIE FORD, RAPID CITY, SD). SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, PARTS WOULD BE IN SOMETIME ON MONDAY (3/3/2008). THEY COMPLETED THE REPAIR ON TUESDAY AFTERNOON. TODAY (3/10/2008), THE SAME EXACT ISSUE OCCURRED. CALLED TOW AND LOCAL FORD DEALER. WAITING TO HEAR WHAT FORD HAS TO SAY THIS TIME. DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE WEB, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH FREESTARS THAT HAVE HAD TO SAME ISSUE. EACH HAS A SIMILAR STORY OF HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION (USUALLY AT THEIR COST). MANY OF WHOM ARE LOOKING AT HAVING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT CREATED AGAINST FORD FOR A KNOWN DEFECT THAT HAS GONE UNRESOLVED (TO THE POINT WHERE THEY OUTRIGHT LIE ABOUT KNOWING THE PARTS ARE FAULTY). I KNOW I'M NOT THE FIRST TO COMPLAIN HERE, AND I KNOW I WILL NOT BE THE LAST. *TR

TWICE OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR EXPERIENCED WATER LEAKAGE THROUGH THE COWL GRILL ON THE HOOD. AFTER HEAVY RAIN IN MARCH 2008, THE FIRST OF SEVERAL BREAKDOWNS AND FIX ATTEMPTS OCCURRED, RESULTING IN 3 MONTHS OUT OF SERVICE, AND REPLACEMENTS OF THE WIRING HARNESS, THE PCM COMPUTER, SEVERAL OTHER COMPUTERS AND SENSORS, AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION, EQUALING NEARLY $5,000 IN TOW, RENTAL CAR, AND REPAIR BILLS--SOME OF WHICH THE DEALERSHIP TALKED MY INSURANCE TO PAY FOR AS A "WATER DAMAGE CLAIM." IN BETWEEN, WE'VE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEMS AND BREAKDOWNS, AND THEN THIS PAST MARCH 2009, ALSO DURING HEAVY RAIN, THE CAR EXPERIENCED THE WATER DAMAGE BREAKDOWN. THIS TIME THE WATER ONLY RUINED THE PCM COMPUTER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE REPAIRS THAT WERE LESS THAN 12 MONTHS OLD AND WE TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE LICENSED REPAIR TECHNICIAN. HE FOUND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ONLINE THAT DESCRIBED THE KNOWN WATER LEAKAGE PROBLEM IN SOME 2005 FREESTAR MODELS AND DID THE RECOMMENDED FIX TWICE. IN HIS OPINION AND IN THE GEICO INSURANCE ADJUSTERS OPINION, THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS. THIS TIME WE HAD NO COVERAGE FOR THE DAMAGE AND WERE OUT OF A VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTHS AND OUT OF POCKET OVER $3,000. I'VE BEGGED FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICES TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK AND JUST LET ME OUT OF THE FINANCING BUT THEY REFUSE DUE TO THE NUMBER OF MILES. ALSO, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S LEMON LAW OFFICE SAID THERE WERE TOO MANY MILES. IN ADDITION TO THESE PROBLEMS, IN 90,000 MILES, I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THE ROTORS NOW FOUR TIMES BECAUSE THEY ARE WARPING DANGEROUSLY. THE PADS ARE OK, BUT THE ROTORS ARE CONTINUALLY WARPING AND IT COSTS $800 EACH TIME TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED. *TR

I WAS ACCELERATING AFTER BEING STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT. SUDDENLY MY VAN BEGIN TO REV UP OVER 500 RPMS AND HAD LOST ALL POWER. THANKFULLY I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER EASILY. THE TRANSMISSION WAS COMPLETELY DEAD- IT WOULD NOT KICK INTO ANY GEARS AND I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 42, 500 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE BACKING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY AND ATTEMPTING TO PULL FORWARD, THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE SNAPPED AND THE TIRE CAME OFF. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL NHTSA. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 61,000.

MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR'S TRANSMISSION FAILED ON 09 FEB 2008. I WAS DRIVING 55MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY RPMS SPIKED WITH NO LOAD ON THE ENGINE. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WENT INTO A NEUTRAL STATE AND I STEERED THE VAN AND COASTED OFF THE ROAD, THERE WERE NO SIGNS THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS HAVING ANY PROBLEMS. I HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP, 50 MILES AWAY. THE VAN HAS 66K MILES. IF THIS INCIDENT HAD OF HAPPENED ON THE INTERSTATE, BRIDGE OR IN SOME OTHER BUSY LOCATION, I'M SURE THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED SOME INJURIES. *TR

I HAVE HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH MY AUTOMATIC REAR DOORS. THE DOOR ON THE DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT ALWAYS CLOSE PROPERLY AND WHEN I BACK UP THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT COMES ON. THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN WITH THE OVERHEAD BUTTON ALL THE TIME, IT DOES NOT SEEM TO UNLOCK. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP SEVERAL TIMES (AT LEAST 6 OR MORE) AND MOST OF THE TIME THEY SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE SEEN THE DOOR NOT CLOSE PROPERLY BEFORE. THEY ORDERED PARTS AND SAID IT WAS "FIXED" BUT I'M STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM AND AGAIN THEY SAY THEY CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT MY TODDLER SITS IN THE SEAT BEHIND ME AND IT IS DANGEROUS WHEN I'M BACKING OUT AND THE DOOR OPENS!!!! THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPORTS OF THIS KIND OF PROBLEM, HOWEVER I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS OVER THE INTERNET. MY OTHER PROBLEM, THAT THEY ALSO SAY THEY CAN'T DUPLICATE, IS THAT WHEN I'M DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH ON A DRY SURFACE THAT THE VAN STARTS JERKING. THEY TOLD ME MY TIRES NEED ROTATING, I TOLD THEM I KNEW THAT WAS NOT THE CAUSE AND NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES. ABOUT 1 MONTH LATER I REPLACED 2 OF THE TIRES AND HAD THE FRONT TIRES ROTATED TO THE BACK AND THE NEW TIRES PUT ON THE FRONT AND AGAIN, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 45 MPH AND THE VAN STARTED JERKING AGAIN. MY SON WAS IN THE CAR AND THOUGHT THE VAN WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART. *TR

TURNED OFF OF HIGHWAY TRIED TO ACCELERATE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING IN ANY GEAR. NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS CAME ON, JUST STOPPED. HAD IT TOWED TURNED OUT TO BE TORQUE CONVERTER COST US $1100 TO FIX. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 11S25/12V006000 *TGW THE CONSUMER IS SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE FAILURE OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER THAT FAILED PRIOR TO A RECALL BEING ISSUED.

PURCHASED VEHICLE IN USED CONDITION LIC. AUTO DEALER 06/07. 10/07 VEHICLE BEGAN TO "DRINK" POWER STEERING FLUID; RESEVOIR DRY/ REFILL/ DRY ETC.., 12/07 VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD POP DURING TURNING; MOVING IN BOTH FORWARD & REVERSE DIRECTIONS AND ALSO SIMILAR NOISE WHEN BREAKS WERE APPLIED ABOVE 20 MPH. TROUBLE SHOOTING AND PHYSICAL INVESTIGATION OF LOGICAL CAUSES REVEALED PROBABLE CRACK IN "RACK" PORTION OF RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. REPAIR IS SCHEDULED FOR 02/01 ABSOLUTE FAILURE MAY RESULT IN CRASH DUE TO WHEEL SEPARATION WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. NATURE OF SEPARATION MIGHT RESULT IN VEHICLE FLIPPING. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 60K MILES NO WARNING JUST QUIT. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY HE HEARD A SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT. WHEN HE LOOKED UNDER THE SEAT HE FOUND A LOOSE METAL BRACKET. THE WARRANTY COMPANY WAS CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE WARRANTY DOESN'T COVER MANUFACTURER DEFECTS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT PRESENTLY THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE SEAT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,000 THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000. UPDATED 4/16/08 *CN UPDATED

2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN - SAME FAILURE - ABOUT 2 YEARS APART - TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER AND SHAFT FAILURE. DECEMBER 2007, JUST CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN AND LOST POWER. WE DID NOT HAVE ANY WARNING. AFTER STOPPING, THE ENGINE STILL RAN BUT THE FORWARD OR REVERSE GEARS WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE ENGINE WOULD JUST REV UP. LUCKILY IT WAS UNDER 75,000 MILES AND OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED THIS REPAIR. ON APRIL 27, 2010, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VAN AND AGAIN COMING TO A STOP SIGN, WENT TO PROCEED, AFTER STOPPING AND NO POWER. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED BUT KNOW OUR WARRANTY IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 85,000 MILES ON IT. PLUS, DUE TO THE ECONOMIC TIMES IN OUR SMALL TOWN, OUR FORD DEALER IS OUT OF BUSINESS. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT IT'S OUR TORQUE CONVERTER ONCE AGAIN. THIS DEFECT HAPPENS WITHOUT WARNING AND LUCKILY WE DIDN'T HAVE ANY ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF THE LOSS OF POWER. *TR

OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR HAS ONLY 46,000 MILES ON IT. DECEMBER 23, 2007, TWO DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THE TRANSMISSION/TRANSAXLE INDICATOR LIGHT COME ON AS THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED SUDDENLY AT 55MPH. WE TOOK TO THE THRELKELD FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE SHIFTING SOLENOIDS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR $1,012.00. *TR

MY CAR SHOWED NO SIGNS OF ANYTHING WRONG..NOT EVEN A LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD CAME ON. I WAS DOING ABOUT 40MPH AND IT WAS AS IF SOMEONE THREW ME INTO NEUTRAL AND THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE IN EITHER DIRECTION AT ALL. *TR

ON DEC 15,2007 MY PREGNANT WIFE AND 3 CHILDREN WERE GOING SHOPPING. AS THEY WERE DRIVING UP A INCLINE THE VEHICLE JUST STARTED RACING AS IN NEUTRAL. MY WIFE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AS BEST SHE COULD DUE TO A LOW SHOULDER,STILL IN THE ROAD. SHE REMOVED THE KIDS AND BROUGHT THEM UP AN EMBANKMENT SO IF THE VEHICLE WAS HIT THEY WOULD BE SAFE. A FRIEND TOWED US TO A LEVEL SPOT AND I CHECKED THE LINKAGE AND FLUID LEVELS. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO PROBLEM WITH EITHER AND THERE WAS NO SIGN THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. THE TRANSMISSION JUST QUIT AND UPON RESEARCHING I FOUND OUT THAT THIS ISN'T AN ISOLATED PROBLEM AND THAT I'M NOT ALONE. IF THIS HAPPENED AT A BUSIER TIME I THINK IT COULD HAVE BEEN FATAL BECAUSE OF THE LARGER INCREASED TRAFFIC. PLEASE HELP AS THIS IS ARE PRIMARY VEHICLE AND MY WIFE IS DUE IN MARCH. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN WENT INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55MPH ONCE IT STOPPED IT WOULD NOT MOVE. ONLY HAS 38500 MI. DEALER SAYS IT NEEDS NEW TORQUE CONVERTER FOR ONLY $1200-$1500 AND IT'S OUT OF WARR. I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND OUT I WAS NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH PROBLEMS. IT'S LESS THAN 3YR OLD BUT 2500MI OVER WARR. NOW I KNOW WHY EVERYBODY IS BUYING FOREIGN CARS. *TR

WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AND PRECEDING UP A HILL WHEN THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY DISENGAGED. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND GET STOPPED. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE NO MATTER WHAT I TRIED. EVERY TIME I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE WE WOULD START ROLLING DOWN HILL. HAD PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH FORD. CALLED THE FORD HOT LINE THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK AND I GOT A RENTAL. FORD COVERED THE REPAIR AND THE RENTAL. NO WARNING JUST DISENGAGED OR BROKE, RESULTING IN ENGINE REVIVING AND VAN SLOWING. DANGEROUS BUSINESS ON A BUSY INTERSTATE. 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 38,483 TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT HANDLED BY FORD. INCIDENT DATE 12/07. HAVE OVER 63000 MILES ON THE VAN NOW WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. *TR

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATION. (WHICH I DO EVERY 5K, THIS WAS AT ABOUT 40K). REAR DRIVER BRAKE PADS WERE DOWN TO 10%, ALL OTHERS WERE FINE. WHEN REPLACING PADS, THE MECHANIC FOUND BRAKE FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE CALIPER, CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THE CALIPER FAILURE CAUSED OVERHEATING AND DRAGGING OF THE CERAMIC BRAKE PAD ON THE ROTOR, CUTTING A HUGE GROOVE INTO ROTOR, WHICH NEGATED ANY CHANCE OF MACHINING. THE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ALL REQUIRED REPLACEMENT WITH LESS THAN 40K MILES ON THE CAR... BIG $$$$. THIS FAILURE SEEMED PRE-MATURE, AND WAS UNUSUAL EVEN TO A SERVICE MANAGER WITH MANY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. (HE SUGGESTED THAT FORD SHOULD BE NOTIFIED, WHICH THEY WERE, TODAY, 11/26/2007). *TR

TRANSMISSION BROKE @ 50,000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS VAN 8 MONTHS AGO, AND NOW IM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A VAN I CANNOT DRIVE. *TR

WIFE WAS TAKING KIDS TO KARATE, WENT TO PULL OUT FROM INTERSECTION AND ALL OF SUDDEN VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE, IT WOULD ROLL BUT HAD NO POWER IN ANY GEAR. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT BUT LUCKILY DID NOT. HAD VAN TOWED TO CARSON FORD WHO REPLACED TORQUE CONVERTER FOR $1200. *TR

FREESTAR PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING DOWN SEAWALL BOULEVARD IN GALVESTON, TX LATE ON THE NIGHT OF 11/5/2007 MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR SIMPLY LOST THE POWER TO MOVE FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE AND YET THE CAR BEHAVED AS IF IT HAD BEEN PLACED IN NEUTRAL. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ALONGSIDE A BUSINESS DRIVEWAY AND CALL FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO SAND DOLLAR FORD IN GALVESTON, TEXAS FOR REPAIR. ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR BILL, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND GUARANTEED FOR 12 MONTHS OR 12,000 MILES. IT HAS SINCE FAILED AGAIN (07/31/09). *TR

I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK IN ORDER TO DROP OFF A FEW THINGS BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO DO SOME SHOPPING. I PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND EXITED THE VAN LEAVING THE IGNITION ON WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. AFTER UNLOADING MY ITEMS I DECIDED NOT TO GO SHOPPING AND WENT OUT TO TURN OFF THE VAN. WHILE STANDING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE I OPENED THE DRIVER'S DOOR AND REACHED INTO THE VAN TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. IN THE PROCESS OF REACHING FOR THE IGNITION SWITCH I NUDGED THE SHIFT LEAVER AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO REVERSE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING BACKWARD DOWN MY DRIVEWAY TRAPPING ME IN BETWEEN THE OPEN DOOR AND THE VAN. I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE ANY ATTEMPTS TO STOP THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WAS MOVING TOO QUICKLY. I HELD ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE BEING DRAGGED DOWN MY DRIVEWAY, ACROSS THE GRASS AND INTO SOME TREES AND BUSHES. THE VAN DOOR STRUCK A TREE BENDING THE DOOR BACK. AT THAT TIME I FELL UNDER THE VAN AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE RAN OVER MY LEGS, UP MY TORSO AND ACROSS MY CHEST. THE VAN CONTINUED ON AND CAME TO A REST AT THE BOTTOM OF MY NEIGHBOR'S YARD. I WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. I SUFFERED CONTUSIONS TO THE ABDOMINAL WALL, LEGS AND CHEST IN ADDITION TO A CUT TO MY LEFT ANKLE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED MY HUSBAND HAD THE VAN CHECK BY A FORD DEALER. THEY DETERMINED THERE WAS NOTHING FAULTY WITH THE SAFETY MECHANISM, WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE GEAR SHIFTER UNLESS THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PRESSED. HOWEVER, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE OUT OF PARK INTO REVERSE WITHOUT PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES SINCE THE INITIAL FAILURE. *TR

THE LEFT REAR CALIPER FROZE AND WORE OUT THE BRAKE AND ROTOR. THEN IN 2012 THE LEFT REAR CALIPER FROZE AND WORE OUT BRAKE AND ROTOR. AS WELL AS THE RIGHT REAR CALIPER. *TR

2005 FORD FREESTAR GRINDING BEGAN BACK BRAKES HAVE HAD VAN MAINTAIN AT DEALERSHIP SINCE GOT NEVER HAD REPORT BRAKES NEED REPLACED AS NOISE INCREASED AT 42,068 MILES TOOK BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOUND BACK BRAKE AND ROTORS NEED REPLACED BUT NOT FRONT BRAKE THIS GOOD THIS IS A FWD VEHICLE FRONT BRAKES SHOULD GO FIRST FORD REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS WANTED 475.00 BUT AFTER POINTING OUT NEVER ADV ANY PROBLEM FINAL PRICE PAID 332.01 AFTER CHECKING MAINTENANCE HISTORY IN COMPUTER CHECKING INTERNET MULTI PROBLEM BACK BRAKES HAVE CONTACT CORP FORD WILL NOT ASSIST OR RECALL ISSUE AT MOMENT THIS IS HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM ORIGINAL BACK BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. *JB

FORD FREESTAR 2005. THE RADIO FLASHES PHONE AND RUNS DOWN THE BATTERY. IT WAS REPLACED BY FORD, STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING THIS. NEXT, TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 71,000. THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAME APART INTERNALLY AND SENT METAL THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION DESTROYING IT. WHEN HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BY FORD, THEY FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS CV JOINT WAS BAD. WE CHANGED THE CV JOINT/ TRANS AXLE COMBO, IT IS NOW BAD AGAIN. *LN

9/2007 MY HUSBAND, MYSELF, AND OUR 5 CHILDREN WERE DRIVING TO MY MOTHERS HOUSE AND OUT OF THE BLUE THE VAN JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT WE BOUGHT IT. THEY TOLD US THAT WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION AT 41,000 MILES (JUST OUT OF WARRANTY) $2000 OOP!! WE HAD THE TRANS REPLACED AND ARE NOW 12/2011 HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AGAIN. (JUST OVER 90,00 MILES) WE OWE 2000$ ON THE VAN AND THE COST OF REPAIRS ARE OVER THAT. THIS HAS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE..CHILDREN IN CAR + CAR RANDOMLY STOPPING!! I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW A VAN BOUGHT NEW OFF THE LOT CAN BE ON ITS 3RD TRANSMISSION ON LESS THEN 100,000 MILES. WE WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN AND AFTER DOING A LOT OF RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND 1000"S OF OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUES...ITS A SHAME FORD WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOW CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THEIR FAULTY PRODUCTS! *TR

WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS IM THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET WHEN THIS HAPPENED, LUCKY IT WASN'T A BUSY STREET. *TR

I BACKED MY FORD 2005 FREESTAR VAN OUT OF MY DRIVE WHICH IS ON AN INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION WENT WITHOUT WARNING AS I WAS BACKING UP. BARELY GOT THE VAN STOPPED BEFORE CASCADING DOWN THE HILL AT THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE. THE FORD FREESTAR WAS BOUGHT NEW IN 2005 AND HAD LESS THAN 45000 MILES ON IT. PUT IN NEW TORQUE CONVERTER AND FIXED TRANSMISSION AT AN EXPENSE OF APP. $1000.00. NOW NEW CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. THIS MAKES TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN THE LIFE OF THIS CAR WHICH IS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. THIS TIME I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE AND WAS HARD TO CONTROL. SHOP TELLS ME ITS THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN. AFTER RESEARCH I FIND THAT HUNDREDS OF THESE VANS HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED. FORD KNOWS OF THESE PROBLEMS YET PEOPLE CONTINUE TO BE PUT AT RISK AND ARE ENCOUNTERING GREAT EXPENSES TO FIX THESE PIECES OF JUNK. *TR

AFTER READING A COMPLAINT ON YOUR SITE FROM ANOTHER CONCERNED CONSUMER, I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THE ISSUES THAT ARE RECURRING WITH OUR MINIVAN. OUR AUTOMATIC DOORS DO NOT STOP CLOSING ONCE AN OBJECT IS PLACED IN THEIR WAY. THIS HAS RESULTED IN A NUMBER OF BUMPS, BRUISES, AND SCARES. WE ARE FORCED TO PUSH OUR CHILDREN OUT OF THE WAY IF THEY ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE "DOOR CLOSE" BUTTON ON THE DOOR, BECAUSE I AM PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO STOP THE DOOR FROM CLOSING, AND MY HUSBAND, WHO IS A 230 LBS. FORMER BODY BUILDER HAS TO PHYSICALLY JAM THE DOOR BACK OPEN TO PREVENT IT FROM CLOSING. I HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE ORIGINAL DEALER ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THERE IS A SAFETY FEATURE IN PLACE TO PREVENT IT FROM CLOSING ON SOMEONE AND CAUSING INJURY. EVEN THE SALESPERSON WAS UNABLE TO GET THE DOOR TO STOP CLOSING ON HIM. WE SENT THE CAR TO THE SERVICE CENTER FOR FIXING AND WE WERE TOLD THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DOOR. AGAIN, I READ THIS SAME COMPLAINT FROM ANOTHER CONCERNED MOTHER AND CONSUMER ON YOUR SITE, AND I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO IMMEDIATELY. I AM CERTAIN THIS ISSUE COULD INJURE SOMEONE SIGNIFICANTLY, IF IT HASN'T ALREADY. *TR

WE PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW FROM THE DEALER IN SEPTEMBER 2005. IN THE WINTER OF 05-06, THE DOORS MALFUNCTIONED ON REPEATED OCCASIONS. WE HAD OVER 3 INSTANCES WHERE THE EXTREME COLD WOULD CAUSE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR FEATURE TO OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOORS RANDOMLY, EVEN WHILE THE CAR WAS IN TRANSIT. THERE WAS ONE INSTANCE IN WHERE BOTH SIDE PASSENGER DOORS OPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT, EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS HAD BEEN LOCKED WHEN WE CHECKED THEM. WE ALSO HAD AN INSTANCE IN WHERE THE REAR DOOR OPENED IN OUR FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY AT NIGHT, WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WENT BELOW 0. WE FOUND THE ONLY WAY TO GUARANTEE THE DOORS STAY CLOSED IN THE WINTER IS TO DISENGAGE THE AUTOMATIC DOOR OPENER FEATURE. WE BROUGHT THE CAR TO OUR DEALER AND WE WERE TOLD THEY COULD FIND NO ISSUE WITH THE CAR. IN EARLY 2007, NEW JERSEY EXPERIENCED A COLD SPELL WHICH RESULTED IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. IT WAS AT THIS TIME THAT WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE VAN, THE HYDRAULIC FEATURE FAILED AND SLAMMED THE DOOR ON HIS HEAD. HE DID NOT SUFFER LIFE-THREATENING INJURIES, BUT DID GET BUMPED AND BRUISED. WE CONTACTED THE DEALER, BECAUSE IN 2006 THE HYDRAULICS HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL AND WE DID SO, AND THE DEALER HAD US BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICING AGAIN. ONCE THE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME, WE WERE TOLD BY FORD THAT WITH EXTREME TEMPERATURE CHANGE, THIS ISSUE CAN OCCUR YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. I FIND THIS TERRIBLE CONSIDERING I ONLY LIVE IN NEW JERSEY, NOT ALASKA. MY CAR'S HYDRAULIC SYSTEM SHOULD NOT FAIL EVERY TIME IT GETS COLD, AND EVEN WORSE, I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE MY WARRANTY EXPIRES, IT WILL BE ON ME TO KEEP REPLACING THE PARTS THAT FREEZE. I AM LUCKY MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN HARMS WAY WHEN MY HUSBAND WAS KNOCKED IN THE HEAD BY THE FALLING DOOR, BUT NOW I AM NERVOUS ABOUT USING THIS CAR IN THE WINTER MONTHS BECAUSE FORD HAS GUARANTEED THIS PROBLEM WILL BE A RECURRING ISSUE. *TR

WHEN ACCELERATING AT ABOUT 1800-2000 RPM, THE TACHOMETER MAKES A NOISE SINCE DAY ONE. *NM