2005 Ford Freestar Complaint Log

FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN WITH 62,000 MILES ON IT LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 50 MPH. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. FORD DEALER SAYS TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. DEALER SAYS TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED BECAUSE OF OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINES STRIPPING CAUSING LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN. COST TO REPAIR $2,200! THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH POWER FAILING AT HIGH SPEED. THE FAILURE SEEMS SIMILAR TO NHTSA ACTION PE09033. *TR

ON DECEMBER 27, 2001, I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I LOST POWER. I COULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. MY HUSBAND CAME OUT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD DO THAT. WE CALLED FERRARIO FORD. NO ANSWER, JUST AN ANSWER MACHINE. I TOOK OUR TRUCK AND DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOLD ME TO CALL A TOW COMPANY, BUT THEY COULDN'T GET IT IN UNTIL THE NEXT WEEK. WELL, IT SAT THERE FOR A WEEK AND WHEN THE MACHANIC CALLED HE SAID IT WAS MOISTURE. HE DRIED IT OUT AND THEN CALLED AND SAID HE HAD TO DO A FLUSH. A FEW DAYS LATER HE CALLED AND SAID HE WOULD HAVE TO CHECK THE TORQUE BOX AND IT WOULD BE A SEVEN HOUR JOB. THE NEXT CALL WAS "IT WAS THE RADIATOR HAD A CRACK IN IT". THEN IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. HE ALREADY HAS US AT $1820. WE SAID NO. THEN I FIND OUT THAT THERE IS A RECALL. MY HUSBAND WHEN AND TALKED TO THEM. AT FIRST THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ANOTHER GUY SAID YES. MY HUSBAND TALKED TO FORD IN MICHIGAN. TURNS OUT TO NO AVAIL AS TO WHAT HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE. WHEN I BRING IT HOME TOMARROW IT WILL SIT IN THE DRIVE WAY WITH A SIGN THAT SAYS "LEMON" NO MORE FORDS FOR THIS FAMILY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

FIRST FAILURE WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER - I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN I PROCEEDED INTO THE INTERSECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE CLUNKED AND RESPONDED AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. I HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER. REPLACEMENT COST INCLUDING LABOR WAS $600 SECOND FAILURE IS THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INTERMITTENT. FAILURE OCCURS IN THE RAIN OF COURSE. WIPER WILL SPEED UP THEN SLOW DOWN THEN NOT WORK AT ALL. IT JUST HAPPENED TODAY SO I HAVE NOT HAD IT TROUBLESHOOT YET. 1/11/12 75,674 MILES. *TR

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 101 WHEN THE CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING. WE BARELY MADE IT OFF THE HIGHWAY BEFORE IT STOPPED. I AM NOW WAITING FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION TO BE PLACED IN MY VAN. THE VAN NEVER GAVE US ANY WARNING. IT JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 49,000. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT AND ABS MODULE. UPDATED 06/22/12*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY INSPECTED THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

MY ENGINE LOST POWER AS MY VAN WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. AFTER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, I COULD RESTART THE VAN, BUT EVERY TIME I REACHED THE SHIFTING POINT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD CUT COMPLETELY OUT, THEREBY LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. ALSO, THE REVERSE GEAR OPERATES ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE VAN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WITHIN FIVE MILES FROM MY HOME BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY OPERATE IN FIRST GEAR, AND WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $2,436.05. I AM ATTEMPTING TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM FORD, AS THE REPAIR WAS STARTED THE DAY THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. SO FAR, I DO NOT HAVE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM THEM THAT MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THEY HAVE NOT AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

THE VEHICLE FIRST LOST POWER AT 50 MPH BEGINNING 12/12/2011. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 50 MPH. TWO MECHANICS CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND SUSPECTED A TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM OR AN IGNITION SYSTEM COIL FIRING PROBLEM. THERE WAS NO OTHER INDICATION OF A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SO I HAD THE IGNITION COIL, WIRES AND PLUGS REPLACED AT A COST OF $780 ON 1/13/2012. THE VEHICLE REMAINED DRIVABLE WITH THAT SERVICE. ON 2/24/2012 I WAS DRIVING IN NORMAL IN-TOWN TRAFFIC. DURING A RIGHT HAND TURN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC I LOST ALL FORWARD AND REVERSE POWER IN THE TRANSMISSION. I COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE'S FORWARD OR REVERSE POWER. THIS OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO SHOULDER OR DRIVEWAY AVAILABLE. I WAS STRANDED IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE OF TRAFFIC. I FELT EXTREMELY UNSAFE, TURNED ON THE VEHICLE'S HAZARD FLASHERS AND LEFT THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I WAS CONCERNED IT WOULD BE HIT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, UNTIL THE TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE SHOP WHICH PERFORMED THE EARLIER IGNITION REPAIR WHO INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THEY COULD NOT SERVICE. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A HEAVY MECHANICAL SHOP WHICH RECOMMENDED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF $3,200. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP WHICH REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION ON 2/24-4/1/2012 AT A COST OF $2,142. I RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S25 / NHTSA RECALL 12V-006 FROM FORD DATED MARCH 2012 ON 4/2/2012, MAILED ON 3/29/2012. IN ADDITION TO THE DANGER AND COST THIS DEFECT CAUSED ME, I AM UNSURE IF THE REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER IS ANY BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER, SINCE FORD STATES IN THE SAFETY RECALL NOTICE THAT REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

ON 12/04/2011 DRIVING ON A BUSY 2 WAY HIGHWAY WITH NO PULL OFF AREAS. THE TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING AND LOSS OF POWER. AFTER GETTING THE VAN BACK TO THE HOUSE TO CHANGE THE FLUID AND FILTER, I FIND A CHUNK OF METAL ON THE MAGNET. ( WHICH I STILL HAVE ) WITH THIS VAN ONLY HAVING 110,883 THERE IS REASON FOR THIS VAN TO BE DOWN WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I HAVE A 2003 FORD CROWN VIC ( POLICE UNIT ) OVER 356,000 MILES ON IT- STILL GOING HAVE A 1999 FORD F250 WITH OVER 120,000 MILES ON IT - STILL GOING SO WHAT'S THE ISSUE WITH THE 2005 FORD FREE STAR? I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD UNLESS FORD STEPS UP AND FIXES THESE TRANSMISSION. *TR

I DO NOT WRITE IN UNLESS BUT MY PROBLEM IS FAILS WITH CODE P0715 TRANSMISSION AND REVERSE CAM SENSOR I CHANGE SPEED SENSOR TRANSMISSION AND THE PROBLEM REMAINS TO UNCOVER THE PCM CONTROL TO CHECK THE CONTINUITY I MET YOU, AS YOU HAVE WATER INTRUSION AS WELL AS GREEN PARTICLES AROUND A PIN INPUT .CHARACTERISTICS OF WATER IN COMBINATION WITH VOLTAGE,THERE ARE RESISTANCES UNDER 10000 HOMS ADDITION OF SEVERAL PINS THAT RELATION WITH SOLENOID OF TRANSXALE. *TR

TOTAL LOSS OF POWER OCCURRED, ENGINE KEPT RUNNING BUT TRANSMISSION DID NOT ENGAGE. MECHANIC FOUND BAD TRANSMISSION / TORQUE CONVERTER AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT ESTIMATE OF $2500.00. THIS OCCURRED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING AND CREATED A VERY UNSAFE CONDITION. IT JUST ROLLED TO A STOP. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS, LOUD SOUNDS OR OTHER SYMPTOMS. *TR

THIS VAN HAS A BAD COMPUTER BOARD (PCM) DUE TO RAINWATER THAT IS ALLOWED TO FUNNEL UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE HOOD. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING AFFECTED BY THIS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR, FOLLOWED BY ALL SORTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC SAID THE PCM WAS FULL OF WATER AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET DISCUSSING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH FORD FREESTARS RANGING FROM 2004-2007 MODEL YEARS. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE VANS AS THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL AND THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME - IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, ON THE HIGHWAY, ETC. THIS COULD HAVE DEVASTATING RESULTS IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME. ALSO, FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THESE MESSAGE BOARDS - THIS IS A REPEAT PROBLEM!!!! ONCE YOU FIX THIS YOU WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN A YEAR OR TWO. NHTSA SHOULD DO SOME RESEARCH OUTSIDE OF FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED AS I'M SURE MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE PROPER ROUTE TO GO. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH (THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO CONTACT OR RESPOND TO INDIVIDUAL REPORTS) WOULD DIRECT YOU TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE CONTACT TOWED THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,705.

WHILE TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MILES AN HOUR, I NOTICE THAT WHEN I PUT ON THE GAS THE ENGINE WOULD RACE BUT THERE WAS A LOSS OF FORWARD MOTION. SO I AM ON THE INTERSTATE AND LOSING SPEED RAPIDLY. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW DOWN AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD ON A BRIDGE. CARS, BUSES AND TRUCKS WERE FLYING BY AT 70+ MPH. THE BRIDGE WOULD SHAKE AND THERE WERE TIMES IT LOOKED LIKE WE WOULD BE HIT BY OTHER CARS. WE CALL AAA AND AFTER AN HOUR AND 30 MINUTES WERE RESCUED BY THE TOW TRUCK. OUR VAN WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSES FORD DEALER. THE NEXT DAY WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTED HAD FAILED AND THE REPAIR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $1,800. AT A 104,594 MILES AND NO WARNING THE TRANSMISSION WAS DONE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME IN 27 MONTHS THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAS FAILED. WHEN THE VAN HAD APPROXIMATELY 59,000 MILES ON IT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. IT WAS REPAIRED AT THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND HAS FAILED AGAIN. THIS TORQUE CONVERTER IS DEFECTED AND PLACES THE PASSENGER OF THE VAN IN GREAT DANGER WHEN IT FAILS. *TR

ABS WARNING LAMP COMES ON, AS WELL AS THE POWERTRAIN MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP, SPEEDOMETER FAILS TO REGISTER.......WAS TOLD AT LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP THAT PCM/ CLUSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $800-$1200... *TR ..WHEN PROBLEM BEGAN WOULD DO THIS UPON CRANKING, AND HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT THAT VEHICLE NOW HAS THIS HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING. TRANSAXLE LIGHT IS ALSO ILLUMINATING.....WHICH JUST DISCOVERED MAY BE DUE TO PROBLEMS THAT ARE ALREADY COVERED IN ANOTHER RECALL.......VERY DISAPPOINTED IN OUR CHOICE IN THIS VEHICLE. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS PROBLEM SEE THAT THE DESIGN FLAWS IN THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE IGNORED, THESE SYSTEM FAILURES ARE OF NO FAULT OF THE OWNERS AND CAUSE GREAT SAFETY CONCERNS TO THE OWNERS AND PASSENGERS WHO HAVE TO DEPEND ON THESE VEHICLES ON A DAILY BASIS.

I WAS DRIVE MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN AND AS STARTING TO GO UP OVERPASS LOSS ALL DRIVE POWER, ENGINE WAS RUNNING OK BUT TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. LUCKILY THIS WAS A NEW BRIDGE WHICH HAD A PLACE TO PULL OVER. I MADE TO THE TOP OVER THE OVER PASS BECAUSE OF SPEED BEFORE TRANSMISSION QUIT. I HAD NO WARNING JUST AN ALL THE SUDDEN LOSS OF THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I STOPPED ON TOP OF BRIDGE I TRIED ALL GEARS INCLUDING REVERSE AND NOTHING . THIS IS DANGEROUS ME AND MY WIFE COULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED AND KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS, BETWEEN LOSS OF DRIVE TRAIN AND CRAZY DRIVERS WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE US HOME. FORD NEED TO FIX CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM AND FIX EVERY FORD FREESTAR EVER SOLD. *TR

OUR 2005 FREESTAR MINIVAN WOULD STALL AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE WITH NO WARNING. WE PURCHASED THIS VAN IN 2005 FROM OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND HAD PULLED INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN IT STALLED, SHE WAS FORTUNATE THAT SHE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. THE VAN WOULD NOT STAY RUNNING WHEN YOU PUT INTO GEAR AND HAD NO REVERSE GEAR. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL GARAGE AND FOUND OUT THE PCM HAD GOTTEN WET AND THAT THERE WAS A TSB ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE AS IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE IN THIS MODEL. THE MECHANIC DRIED OUT THE PCM, RE-SEALED THE AREA PER THE TSB AND WE WERE BACK ON THE ROAD. THIS WAS IN AUGUST 2010 SO THE VAN WAS ONLY 5 YEARS OLD. FOUR MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN THAT THE VAN SHUT DOWN FOR THE SAME REASON. THE GARAGE RE-DID THE WORK AND VERIFIED THE AREA WAS SEALED OFF. FIVE MONTHS LATER, IT HAPPENED AGAIN SO WATER HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN ABLE TO GET BACK IN THERE. WE TOOK IT BACK TO OUR LOCAL FORD MECHANIC AND THEY RE-SEALED THE AREA AFTER DRYING OUT THE PCM, AND 3 MONTHS LATER WE WERE IN THE SAME SITUATION. WE HAVE NOW REPLACED THE PCM WITH A NEW ONE, BUT I HAVE NO FAITH THAT THE WATER PROBLEM IS GONE. EACH TIME THE PCM FAILS, THE VAN WILL SHUT DOWN LEAVING YOU WITHOUT POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. EACH TIME WE HAVE GOTTEN LUCKY THAT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT AND THAT WE WERE WITHIN OUR HOMETOWN SO WE COULD HAVE THE VAN TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THIS IS A FAMILY VAN THAT AT ANY TIME ONE OF OUR CHILDREN COULD BE DRIVING WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS, AND WITH THEM NOT HAVING AS MUCH DRIVING EXPERIENCE AS MY WIFE AND MYSELF, THE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT IS GREATLY INCREASED. WE HAVE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS SO FAR, ONLY THE EXPENSES, BUT I DON'T WANT TO KEEP SAYING "I'M GLAD WE WEREN'T PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC WHEN THAT HAPPENED." IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT IT COULD HAPPEN THE NEXT TIME.

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 2 CHILDREN WHEN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR JUST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THANK GOD IT WAS DAYTIME, AND NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THIS ROAD AT THE TIME. MY CAR HAS ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD AFTERWARD THAT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAD TO WAIT STANDING WITH MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 20 MINUTES FOR A TOW TRUCK. THIS WAS VERY UNSAFE! THEIR IS NO REASON THIS SHOULD BE. IT IS GOING TO COST ME $2000.00 TO FIX WHICH I DO NOT HAVE. OF COURSE MY WARRANTY ONLY COVERED UP UNTIL 50,000 MILES. FORD SAID THAT'S TO BAD. THIS IS TERRIBLE SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE IMMEDIATELY! THIS IS NO WAY TO DO BUSINESS OR TO TREAT PEOPLE. SOMEONE NEEDS TO FIX THIS... *TR

MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER WERE TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN WITHOUT ANY WARNING THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING FINE, BUT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT TRANSFERRING ANY POWER TO THE WHEELS. STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY FOR THREE HOURS AWAITING A TOW, MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER TRIED IN VAIN TO GET THE VEHICLE TO MOVE OFF OF THE ROADWAY WHILE CARS RACED AROUND THEM. THE TRANSMISSION GAVE NO PRIOR INDICATION OF IMPENDING MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND WAS ALWAYS PROPERLY SERVICED. IN MY OPINION A VEHICLE WITH ONLY 56,000 MILES SHOWING NO INDICATIONS OR WARNING SIGNS SHOULD NOT HAVE SUCH A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. FROM MY LIMITED RESEARCH IT WOULD APPEAR THAT THIS IS NOT ONE ISOLATED INCIDENT OF THIS EXACT CIRCUMSTANCE. IT SEEMS LIKELY THAT A DEFECT IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED THE SPLINES TO SHEAR OFF RESULTING IN COMPLETE AND SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVE WHEELS WHICH RENDERS THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THIS CAN BE PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS IF IT HAPPENS WHILE MERGING, CROSSING AN INTERSECTION OR BEING STRANDED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. FORD SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT WHAT SEEMS LIKE A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW BEFORE SOMEONE HAS TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. *TR

SUPPORT BARS IN DRIVER'S SEAT STARTED COMING THROUGH CUSHION & JABBING DRIVER IN THE BACK. VEHICLE HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE VEHICLE FOR APPROX. 15 MINUTES AT A TIME DUE TO THE DISCOMFORT FROM THE SUPPORT BARS. *TR

MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE VAN AND BACKED UP FOR BETTER ACCESS TO THE PARKING SPACE. WHEN SHE SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. SHE CALLED ME AND I WENT TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO TRANSMISSION ENGAGEMENT IN ANY GEAR. I CHECKED THE MANUAL LINKAGE AND IT WAS CONNECTED AND TIGHT. I CHECKED THE OIL AND NOTED THE OIL WAS QUITE A BIT ABOVE THE FULL LEVEL LIKE THE TRANSMISSION PUMP HAD QUIT WORKING. WE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP WHERE I WORK AND REMOVED THE TRANSMISSION PAN. WE FOUND THE TRANSMISSION PAN CLEAN WITH ONLY NORMAL AMOUNTS OF METAL ON THE MAGNET AND NO INDICATION OF BURNED CLUTCHES. AFTER READING THE DESCRIPTIONS OF MANY SIMILAR FAILURES ON THE VARIOUS BOARDS I AM FAIRLY CERTAIN WE WILL FIND TORQUE CONVERTER/INPUT SHAFT FAILURE WHEN WE REMOVE AND DISASSEMBLE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING FROM FLORIDA TO VIRGINIA ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2011 AT DUSK WE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO FAILURE OF MY 2005 FREESTAR'S TORQUE CONVERTER AS DIAGNOSED BY THE MECHANICS AT JIM BILTON FORD. WE WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON I-95 IN THE LEFT LANE WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. FORTUNATELY, IN SPITE OF TRAFFIC, WE WERE ABLE TO GET INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND OVER INTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE DIAGNOSES WAS MADE. WE WERE TOLD THE PART WAS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER BUT THEY WERE ABLE TO GET ONE IN ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. WHEN THEY INSTALLED IT THAT PART PROVED TO BE DEFECTIVE AS WELL. THEY HAVE ORDERED ANOTHER PART AND IT SHOULD BE IN FRIDAY. I AM, HOWEVER, VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS REPAIR. WILL THERE BE YET ANOTHER FAILURE AND WILL WE BE AS LUCKY NEXT TIME. IN THE MEANTIME WE ARE STRANDED IN SOUTH CAROLINA EACH DAY THINKING WE WILL BE GETTING OUR VAN BACK TOMORROW. *TR

MY WIFE AND I OWN A 2005 FORD WINDSTAR. ON OCT. 21 2011 MY WIFE ARRIVED HOME FROM WORK AND I TOOK THE VAN TO PICK UP MY SON FROM HIS SCHOOL. WITHOUT WARNING THE VANS RPMS WENT UP AND THEN THE VAN STALLED. I RESTARTED THE VAN BUT THE VAN ACTED LIKE IT DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE VAN STALLED AGAIN. I WAS ONLY 1BLOCK FROM HOME AND WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT HOME WHILE HAVING TO RESTART THE VAN SEVERAL TIMES. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD SERVICE CENTER AND THEY SAID TO TOW IT THERE AND IT WOULD COST $100 TO HOOK IT UP TO THEIR COMPUTER. I LOVE HOW IT COST ME $100 TO HAVE FORD TELL ME WHATS WRONG THEN WANTS ME TO PAY THEM TO FIX IT. IT ONLY TAKES 5 MINUTES TO HOOK UP THE COMPUTER WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN YOU WOULD THINK THEY SHOULD KNOW. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE A FRIEND WHO WORKS AT FORD AND HE HAD TO REPLACE THE PCM DUE TO WATER COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE PCM. WE GOT OUR VAN BACK ON THURSDAY NOV. 3RD 2011. THEN ON NOV. 7TH 2011(4 DAYS LATER) MY WIFE WAS ON A BUSY INTERSTATE RAMP GETTING READY TO MERGE ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 45MPH WHEN THE RPM'S SHOT UP THE VAN HESITATED AND LOST POWER SHE STARTED COASTING TO THE SHOULDER WHILE TRAFFIC WAS SPEEDING AROUND HER. IT WAS ALSO ON A CURVE SO TRAFFIC COULD NOT SEE HER UNTIL THEY WERE RIGHT ON TOP OF HER. EVEN ON THE SHOULDER WHEN SHE CALLED ME SHE WAS TERRIFIED THAT SOMEONE WAS GOING TO HIT HER BECAUSE THE SHOULDER WAS VERY NARROW AND TRAFFIC WAS WITHIN INCHES OF THE VAN. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO FORD AND THEY ARE GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT THIS MONDAY (NOV. 14, 2011) WE ARE DUE TO GO OUT OF TOWN FRIDAY NOV. 18TH AND WE DO NOT KNOW IF WE WILL HAVE A VAN TO GO ON A VACATION THAT HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR A YEAR. MY WIFE AND I DO NOT EVEN KNOW IF WE CAN TRUST OUR FORD FREESTAR TO MAKE THE TRIP SO WE OUR GOING TO HAVE THE EXTRA EXPENSE OF RENTING A CAR. WE ARE OUT $750 SO FAR AND ANOTHER $400 TO RENT A CAR. WE HAVE 83,000 MI.

DRIVING IN PARKING AREA AT 25 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD TO TOW VAN TO TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST GARAGE AS THERE WERE NO APPARENT REASONS FOR THE FAILURE. WAITING FOR DIAGNOSIS AT THIS TIME. NO PREVIOUS NOTICE OR INDICATIONS OF PENDING FAILURE WERE PRESENT. *TR

DRIVING TO FLORIDA ON I-75, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO BE TOWED AND IT COST ME 1200.00 TO GET FIXED. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR WORK DONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND INDEPENDENTLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THAT TORQUE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE DEALER ALSO DISCOVERED SHAVINGS IN THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER AT THEIR EXPENSE BUT WOULD NOT COVER ANY OF THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE TECHNICIAN INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY OTHER RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

DRIVING AT 65 MPH AND AUTO STARTS COASTING. ENGINE WILL REV, TRANSMISSION HAS DIS-ENGAGED AND WILL NOT RE-ENGAGE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON FAILURE WITH THIS MODEL. TRANSMISSION IS OUT, NO WARNING OR NOISE; JUST GONE. SO MANY REPORTED TRANSMISSION FAILURES, ONE HAS TO WONDER WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS ISSUED. *KB

CAS ASKS THIS LETTER AND THE 92 COMPLAINTS ATTACHED HERETO BE PLACED IN THE DOCKET OF EA09-016 AND THAT FORD BE ORDERED TO RECALL ALL 2004-05 FORD FREESTAR, AND MERCURY MONTEREY VANS FOR DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS.

THE MINIVAN HAS BEEN DESCRIBED BY THE DEALERSHIP WITH TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE PROPOSED REMEDY IS TO COMPLETELY REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WE WERE RETURNING HOME AFTER DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 1/2 HOUR AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. AFTER EXITING THE FREEWAY WE PROCEEDED TO AN INTERSECTION AND STOPPED AT A RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND THE BRAKE WAS RELEASED AND GAS PEDAL PRESSED, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR DID NOT MOVE. WE TRIED ALL THE GEARS AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE APPEARED TO BE RUNNING NORMALLY. WE FEEL FORTUNATE THAT THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AT A STOP AND NOT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS AND THAT THE VEHICLES BEHIND US AT THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL DID NOT PLOW INTO OUR REAR END. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT OCCURRING WE HAD INTERMITTENT OCCASIONS WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT COMING ON, AND THEN GOING OFF. WE OFTEN WERE ALWAYS ABLE TO CLEAR THE PROBLEM BY TIGHTENING THE GAS CAP WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING, WHICH IS A COMMON CAUSE FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN ON. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED USED FROM A FORD DEALER ABOUT 17 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. DURING THAT TIME WE NOTICED OCCASIONS OF BURSTS OF ACCELERATION WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER WHO ASSURED US THIS WAS NORMAL. SINCE THE INCIDENT, I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF POSTS ON THE INTERNET REGARDING IDENTICAL PROBLEMS ON THE 2005 FORD FREESTAR, YET NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN. WHILE WE CAME OUT OF THIS INCIDENT SAFELY, I CAN SEE HOW IT WOULD CAUSE TRAGIC ACCIDENTS TO OCCUR. IN THE END, WE HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF $4000 FOR THE REPAIR (1/3 OF THE PRICE WE PAID FOR THE VEHICLE AFTER DRIVING THE CAR LESS THAN 6000 MILES AND HAVING IT SERVICED METICULOUSLY IN THE INTERIM). OUR HOUSEHOLD IS STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY, AND WE DO NOT HAVE RESOURCES FOR THIS KIND OF REPAIR. WHILE WE ARE HAPPY TO BE UNINJURED, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT OF THE FLAWED TRANSMISSION IS DEVASTATING. *TR

WE WERE IN TRAFFIC TO THE BROWNS FOOTBALL GAME GETTING READY TO EXIT AND THE VAN JUST LOST MOBILITY, IT WOULDN'T MOVE,, I PRESSED ON THE GAS AND THE ENGINE REVVED BUT THE VAN SAT STILL , I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE TRAFFIC WAS SO BAD EVERYONE WAS TRYING TO GET TO THE GAME, WE WERE SO SCARED AND ALMOST HIT SEVERAL TIMES. WE CALLED POLICE FOR ASSISTANCE BUT THEY NEVER CAME, I FINALLY FOUND A NUMBER TO FORD ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE,, THEY WERE GOOD, AND THEY GOT A GOOD TOW COMPANY, WE SAT AND WAITED ABOUT AN HOUR FOR HELP, BUT THEY CAME AND TOWED IT ON A FLAT BED, WE HAD IT TOWED TO SPITZER FORD IN CUYAHGOA FALLS, THEY SAID IT WOULD BE 2400.00 TO REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER, THEY DENIED ANY ONGOING PROBLEMS ,, BUT I HAD ALREADY SEARCHED IT ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THERE IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM WITH THIS TORQUE CONVERTERS JUST STOPPING,, I TOLD SPITZER SERVICE MANAGER MIKE, WE COULD NOT AFFORD 2400.00 HE SAID HE COULD PUT A USED REBUILT TRANSMISSION IN IT FOR 500.00 .. WE TOOK IT TO FALLS TRANSMISSION FOR 915.00 AND HAD THE TORQUE REPLACED, THE OWNER SAID HE IS DOING APPROXIMATELY 3 A WEEK. THEY ARE COMING IN A LOT..SINCE THEN HOWEVER, THE VAN IS SHAKING.. SO I HAD TO TAKE IT TO BE CHECKED AT G & R, THEY DID A DIAGNOSTIC AND FOUND NOTHING, SO IT HAS HAD TO GO BACK TO THE FALLS TRANS 3 TIMES.. IT SHAKES BUT HE IS NOT SURE IF IT'S THE NEW TORQUE, OR SOMETHING ELSE. IT IS ALSO OUT OF ALIGN NOW.. TOW BILL FROM CLEVE 122.00 TOW BILL FROM FORD 50.00 TORQUE CONVERTER 915.90 G & R DIAGNOSTIC 69.23 TOTAL $1,157.13 AND IT STILL ISN'T RUNNING PROPERLY,, I HAD NO CAR FROM OCTOBER 2ND TO OCTOBER 6TH, THEN I HAD TO BORROW A CAR AGAIN FOR THE G&R CHECK,, AND 2 TIMES AFTER THAT WHEN IT HAD TO GO BACK TO FALLS TRANS,, I AM TAKING IT BACK AGAIN 10/31/11 AND LEAVING IT AT NIGHT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT ALL DAY TUES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND DECELERATE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING (35 MPH) OUR 3 KIDS TO THE DOCTOR'S OFFICE AND THE FREESTAR SUDDENLY HAD THE ENGINE REV AND LOSE ALL POWER TO THE DRIVE TRAIN. SHE WAS VERY LUCKY TO COAST TO THE SHOULDER WITH THE ROAD BEING NARROW, WINDING AND RELATIVELY BUSY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER IF SHE HAD STILL BEEN ON THE NEARBY 3 LANE HIGHWAY AT RUSH HOUR. TOWED TO HERB CHAMBER FORD DEALER AND SHOWED THEM THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER FOR THIS INVESTIGATION, THEY ACTED AS IF THE PRINTOUT WAS INVISIBLE. CHARGED ME $209 TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM WITHOUT EVEN PULLING THE PAN OFF, TWO OPTIONS WERE TO PUT IN A REBUILT TRANSMISSION FOR $3400, OR REBUILD FOR ~$2800. WENT TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST, CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND FIXED FOR $2000. VERY DISTURBED THAT SUCH A MAJOR MALFUNCTION COULD HAPPEN AT 67,319 MILES, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT HAD IT HAPPENED ON ONE OF OUR LOCAL HIGHWAYS. *TR

THE VAN WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEARS. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE CENTER. THEY SAID TRANSMISSION IS BURNT (THEY COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT CAUSED IT) AND NEED TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION WHICH WOULD COST $3300. THE VAN HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY AT LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP OIL CHANGES, CHECK UPS ETC.. AND IT HAS LESS THAN 60K MILES. AND NOW THEY ARE TELLING ME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY? I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND THERE ARE COUNTLESS PEOPLE FILING COMPLAINTS AND CLAIMS AND LAW SUITS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION ISSUE. I CAN'T BELIEVE FORD MAKES TRANSMISSION THAT DOESN'T EVEN LAST 60K MILES AND THEY WANT CUSTOMERS TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT? THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL OR SOME KIND OF WARRANTY COVER FOR THIS. IT'S A NONSENSE! NEVER BUYING FORD EVER AGAIN. *TT

DRIVING MY FREESTAR AND IT SUDDENLY LOST POWER. ENGINE STILL RUNNING, WILL NOT GO IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. ONLY NEUTRAL OR PARK. THIS HAPPENED IN A RURAL 2-LANE ROAD IN KENTUCKY. NO WAY TO GET ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. AFTER GETTING IT TOWED TO A DEALER AFTER THEY HAD CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND. HAD TO GET A RENTAL CAR. TO GET BACK HOME TO MICHIGAN. MONDAY THE DEALER CALLED THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD STRIPPED IT'S SPLINES COST 1379.85 FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER, TWO SEALS, FLUID, A SCREEN AND A TRANS INSULATOR WITH LABOR. RENTAL CAR FROM ENTERPRISE 420.76 TOWING 95.00 GAS FOR THE EXTRA TRIP TO KENTUCKY AND BACK $70.00 NOT ONLY WERE WE LUCKY WE DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BY THIS FAILURE. BUT WE WERE ABLE TO GET A TOW TRUCK WITHIN AN HOUR. THE VEHICLE HAD 85,625 MILES ON IT. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH I HAD PURCHASED AND EXTENDED WARRANTY. IT ONLY WENT TO 72,000 MILES. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AT 11:00PM AND TURNED THE CORNER. LOST POWER , THE RPM'S WENT UP AND THE VAN WENT NOWHERE. NO WARNING IT JUST WENT OUT. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED THE NEXT MORNING TO A DEALER, SAID MY TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COSTING $3500 . SAID NOTHING ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE FREESTAR TORQUE CONVERTER . READ ALL THE PAGES ON COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VAN, AND HAD IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST. NOW WAITING FOR PARTS ON BACKORDER. *TT

THE TRANSMISSION FIALED WITHOUT WARNING ON THE HIGHWAY AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VAN. *TR

ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2011 I NOTICED THAT MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR WAS HESITATING WHEN I PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF MY HOME. I WAS ABLE TO GET TO MY FINAL DESTINATION, A LOCAL SUPERMARKET, WITHOUT INCIDENT BUT COULD TELL THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS AS SMOOTHLY AS I WAS ACCUSTOMED TO. ON THE RETURN TRIP HOME, UPON MERGING ONTO THE EXPRESSWAY I TYPICALLY TAKE, MY FREESTAR'S ENGINE BEGAN TO SPUTTER THEN IMMEDIATELY SHUT DOWN. ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE WAS LOST. POWER STEERING WAS LOST AS WELL MAKING THE CAR IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER. THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I WAS FORCED TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, SHIFT INTO PARK AND REENGAGE THE IGNITION. FROM THAT POINT ON, UNTIL I ARRIVED HOME, THE FREESTAR WOULD NOT SHIFT BEYOND SECOND GEAR. IF I MADE AN ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE, AGAIN THE ENGINE WOULD SPUTTER AND ALL POWER TO THE ENGINE, POWER STEERING AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WOULD SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. I MANAGED TO GET HOME THAT DAY BY STOPPING AND RESTARTING MY FREESTAR WHAT I CAN ONLY ESTIMATE TO BE 50 TO 75 TIMES. THE MOST HARROWING PART OF THIS EXPERIENCE WAS THE LOST OF POWER AND CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING. PRIOR TO THIS DAY, I HAD NEVER EXPERIENCED ANYTHING REMOTELY LIKE THIS WITH THE FREESTAR, AND THEN FROM ONE DAY TO THE NEXT, I WAS HELPLESS ON THE EXPRESSWAY EXPECTING A FATAL COLLISION WITH AN UNSUSPECTING DRIVER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND EXHIBIT A SEVERE JERKING MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WITHIN TWO DAYS WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN THE IDENTICAL FAILURE RECURRED; AS A RESULT WATER LEAKED INTO THE PCM. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAIN HIGHWAY, WHEN HER FORD FREESTAR LOST ALL POWER FROM THE TRANSMISSION. SHE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. SHE TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN ANY GEAR AND ALL THAT WOULD MOVE WAS THE RPM GAUGE. HER AND MY SON WERE LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP, WHO TOLD US THAT THE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THAT IT WOULD COST US ABOUT $3000. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF SINCE WE BOUGHT IT NEW. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 70,000 MILES ON IT AND SHOULD NOT BE HAVING THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. IT APPEARS FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR MODEL. MY QUESTION IS, WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED ON THIS PROBLEM? NOT ONLY AM I OUT A TOW BILL AND THE COST OF A TRANSMISSION, MY FAMILY WAS LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED.

MOISTURE DAMAGE TO POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (COMPUTER SYSTEM). VEHICLE WOULD NOT IDLE, TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT, AND ERRATIC ELECTRONICS RESULTING IN MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS TO GO ON AND OFF. FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT, HOWEVER, THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IF I WAS DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE. REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TO HAVE A NEW COMPUTER INSTALLED AND THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. *KB

ON 9/8/11 I WENT TO GET IN MY CAR TO LEAVE FROM WORK AND MY CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. IT WOULD CRANK BUT WHEN I PUT IT INTO GEAR IT WOULD NOT MOVE. AFTER TWO DAYS OF TRYING TO GET A TOW TRUCK SMALL ENOUGH TO GET INTO THE PARKING GARAGE AT WORK, MY CAR WAS TOWED TO A CAR SHOP. THE CAR SHOP TOLD ME THER WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY COULDN'T FIX IT. THEY HAD TRANSMISSION SHOP COME PICK UP THE CAR BY TOW TRUCK ON 9/12/11 AND I WAS TOLD BY THE TRANMISSION SHOP IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I NOTICED THAT THIS IS HAPPENING TO A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE THIS SAME MODEL CAR. FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. THIS CAR NEED TO BE RECALL AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT IT WOULD BE $1500.00 TO REPAIR THIS ISSUE. THERE ARE PEOPLE ALL OVER THE U.S. THAT ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE 2005 FORD FREESTAR. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. WHY ISN'T FORD TAKING RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE DEFECTIVE PARTS (TORQUE CONVERTERS) THEY ARE PUTTING IN THESE VECHLES. DO SOMEONE HAVE TO GET SERIOUSLY HURT BEFORE THEY DECIDE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. I NOTICED THAT THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT PENDING FOR THIS TORQUE CONVERTER ISSUE. I ADVISE YOU ALL IF YOU HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM TO COMPLAIN AND JOIN SUIT. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND SOME OF THEM AFTER ALREADY HAVING IT REPLACED BEFORE. FORD SHOULD BE FORCED TO ISSUE A RECALL!!! *TR

AS WE DROVE AT THE 60 MPH SPEED LIMIT ON I-64 IN ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO, IN THE MIDDLE OF FIVE LANES, OUR TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE ENGINE RACED, AS THE CRUISE CONTROL ATTEMPTED TO CONTROL THE SPEED AS WE DROVE UP A HILL. WE COASTED THROUGH TRAFFIC TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT THIS POINT, THERE IS VIRTUALLY NO SHOULDER IN THE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SO WE WERE BARELY OUT OF THE WAY OF TRAFFIC. WE WERE ON THE DOWNSIDE OF A HILL, AND ON A CURVE, SO THERE WAS NO WAY ONCOMING TRAFFIC COULD SLOW TO AVOID US. WE WERE EXTREMELY FORTUNATE NOT TO BE HIT AS WE COASTED THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LANES TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, AND MORESO THAT TRAFFIC APPROACHING US FROM BEHIND WAS ABLE TO AVOID US. WE HAD THE VAN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, AT A COST OF MORE THAN $1,500. THOUGH THE VAN IS REPAIRED AND BACK IN WORKING ORDER, IT WAS REPAIRED WITH A TORQUE CONVERTER, THAT. TO MY UNDERSTANDING, HAS THE SAME DEFECT THAT THE ORIGINAL HAD. THEREFORE, I AM UNEASY AT THE THOUGHT THAT THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN AGAIN AT ANY TIME. *TR

VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST FORWARD MOTION ON A BUSY STREET WITH NO SHOULDER. COASTED TO STOP WITH ENGINE RUNNING. PUT ON FLASHERS, BUT VEHICLES HAD TO SWERVE TO GO AROUND THE VAN. VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE SHOULDER AND WAS TOWED TO HER HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WAS TRAVELING FROM CALIFORNIA TO WASHINGTON. STOPPED ON REST AREA.MY FREE* DID HAVE ONLY REAR GEAR ON. COULDN'T MOVE FOR SEVERAL HOURS UNTIL TRANSMISSION COOLED DOWN. DROVE VERY CAREFULLY, TRYING NOT HIT THE BRAKES, BECAUSE AS SOON AS I PUSH BRAKE PEDAL TRANNY STOPS WORKING UNTIL COMPLETELY COOLED DOWN. (HAD TO SPEND MANY HOURS ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO CROSS 2 STATES AND NOT HIT THE BRAKES) FORD ISSUED RECALL IN MARCH 2012, BUT DEALERS DOES NOT HAVE PARTS TILL NOW. *TR

CPSC# I1180537A. 2005 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER STATED HE HAD A FLAT TIRE. WHEN TRYING TO CHANGE HIS TIRE THE JACK CAME APART AND THE CAR CAME DOWN ON HIS ARM. HE BELIEVE THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGER. *LN... UPDATED 09/15/11 *BF UPDATED 2/28/12 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.