NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Freestar. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER, THE BANNER KIT, AND VARIOUS OTHER COMPONENTS. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE CONTACT INSTALLED AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 61000 MILES ON IT AND I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS NO SOUNDS NO NOTHING AND TODAY ON MY WAY HOME ON THE HIGHWAY IT JUST STOPPED MOVING LIKE I WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT I WAS IN DRIVE. I HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AS THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE TRUCKS COMING UP BEHIND ME. I BARELY GOT IT OUT OF THE WAY. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND A SPOT TO KIND OF GET OUT OF THE WAY THEN I WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY. *KB
WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC THE VAN JUST SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. HITTING THE GAS ONLY MADE THE ENGINE REV UP. I COASTED TO A STOP. THE VAN WOULD STILL START AND RUN BUT WOULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVES BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED WE REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION SENSOR BUT IT DID NOT FIX THE ISSUE. DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. *TR
HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 64000 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HIGHWAY WITH MY HUSBAND AND 5 CHILDREN IN THE CAR, IT JUST REVVED UP WITHOUT WARNING AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN. NO DRIVE, REVERSE, LOW... NOTHING. THE TRANSMISSION JUST TOOK A VACATION. LUCKY AAA WAS CLOSE BY AND GOT THE CAR TOWED TO OUR HOME AND OUR FAMILY HOME SAFE. THE NEXT MORNING WE DECIDED TO GO OUT AND TRY TO START IT AGAIN AND SEE IF ANYTHING CHANGED. NOW THE CAR NOT ONLY HAS NO TRANSMISSION BUT THE CAR WONT EVEN TURN OVER. EVERYTHING ELSE WORKS. ITS NOT THE BATTERY, WHICH IS NEW. HAVE HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON IT AND NOT HAD MANY PROBLEMS UNTIL NOW,. HAVE A CALL INTO FORD RIGHT NOW WAITING FOR A TECH TO CALL ME BACK WITH OPTIONS. SEEING SO MANY PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE , SEEMS TO ME FORD SHOULD BE TAKING CARE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC THAT LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION AND ADVISED THE TRANSMISSION BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT THE DEALER ON THE CONTACT'S BEHALF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000.
WHILE BEEN STOP WAITING IN A RED LIGHT THE MOTOR FEELS LIKE ACCELERATED (RPM INCREASE TOO HIGH BY ITSELF) THEN REDUCED TO NORMAL AND THEN (WHEN LIGHT TURNS GREEN) THE CAR DO NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. THE CAR DO NOT MOVE, DO NOT REACT TO THE PEDAL. YOU CAN SELECT REVERSE, DRIVE L1, L2 OR ANY OTHER OPTION, BUT IT DO NOT REACT TO ANYONE (JUST PARKING STATUS WAS ENABLE). THE CAR WAS STUCK SO WE NEED TO GET TOWED TO HOME. *JS
2005 FORD FREESTAR 36,000 MILES WAS DRIVING HOME ON SURFACE ROAD ALONG A 2 MILE STRAIGHT AWAY VEHICLE BUCKED, (SURGED AND SLOWED) WHILE DRIVING 40 MILES AN HOUR PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND REVVED THE ENGINE JUST FINE PUT IT BACK INTO GEAR AND IT DROVE ABOUT ANOTHER MILE DID IT AGAIN... SAME RESPONSE ON MY PART AND WAS ABLE TO LIMP IT BACK TO MY HOUSE WHICH WAS 3 MILES FROM ORIGINAL PLACE OF THE PROBLEM. I PARKED IT AND AFTER A SHORT GOOGLE OF THE PROBLEM FOUND HUNDREDS AFTER HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I'VE NOT REPAIRED IT YET.PENDING FINDING OUT WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WRINGING OR PRIOR INDICATION THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. MY WIFE BACKED OUT OF THE DRIVE AND THEN PUT THE VAN IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. ALSO TRIED REVERSE AND IT NO LONGER WORKS EITHER. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BASED ON WHAT I AM REVIEWING ON SEVERAL WEB SITES. THIS TYPE OF REPAIR (THAT COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED WITH A BETTER DESIGN) IS COSTING APPROXIMATELY $2500 FOR EACH VEHICLE - WITH SOME OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE MULTIPLE TIMES! *TR
I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT EVERYONE ELSE IS COMPLAINING ABOUT. DRIVING ALONG AT 30 MPH. ALL OF A SUDDEN COMPLETE POWER LOSS AND REVVING. TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC AND ALSO STATED I NEEDED A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER. MILEAGE ONLY 66,600. SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE! *TR
THE CAR LOST POWER AS I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE IT. IT TOOK SEVERAL SECONDS TO GO FROM 0 TO 20MPH. THIS IS EVERY DAY. ONCE IT GETS TO 20MPH THE CAR DRIVES NORMALLY. ALSO SOMETIMES THE CAR WONT MOVE WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAVE TO PUT IT BACK IN PARK, AND THEN IN DRIVE OR REVERSE FOR IT TO MOVE. ALSO, WHEN I STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT, THE CAR DRIVES VERY SLOW UNTIL IT REACHES 20MPH. MY CAR IS ON RECALL BUT I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT THE PART IS NOT YET IN STOCK. I HAVE BEEN WAITING AND HAVING PROBLEMS AND SPENDING MONEY ON THIS CAR SINCE I PURCHASED IT. I'VE BEEN WAITING MORE THAN 8 MONTHS FOR THE PART FROM FORD. THEY SAY THE CAR IS NOT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. I DISAGREE BUT I NEED MY CAR FOR WORK. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD GIVE ME A REPLACEMENT. I AM STILL MAKING PAYMENTS. *TR UPDATED 08-09-12 *BF THE CONSUMER NO LONGER OWNS THE VEHICLE. IT HAS BEEN TRADED IN. UPDATED 08/09/2012 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE AND SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND SLOWLY DECREASE. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE VEHICLE FAILURE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,300 UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THEN THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER TO GO FORWARD. THERE WAS NO WARNING OF ANY KIND THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. UPDATED 09/0/11
COMPLETE LOSS OF MOVEMENT POWER ON I-85 S ABOUT 20 MILES NORTH OF ATLANTA, GA. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO MALL OF GEORGIA FORD IN SUGAR HILL, GA. DIAGNOSED AS COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NO INJURY OR ACCIDENT CAUSED BY FAILURE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR FREESTARS IN MODEL YEARS 2004 AND 2005. *TR
LAST SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR (JUST OVER 86,000 MILES) IN REVERSE. HE STOPPED, PUT IT INTO DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. NOT REVERSE, NOT DRIVE, NOT FIRST OR THIRD--NOTHING. FORTUNATELY HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT PUSHED INTO A PARKING STALL AND OUT OF THE ROAD. UPON LOOKING ONLINE TO FIND OUT INFORMATION REGARDING A TRANSMISSION WARRANTY, HE DISCOVERED THAT MANY, MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH '04 AND '05 FREESTARS AND THAT FORD'S ONLY RESPONSE IS TO REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH ANOTHER SAME, DEFECTIVE PART. WE WERE NOT HURT IN ANY WAY, BUT IT WON'T BE LONG BEFORE SOMEONE IS ON A FREEWAY OR IN AN INTERSECTION AND IS INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS--MAYBE EVEN FATAL--ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEIR TRANSMISSION IS SUDDENLY NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL. FORD NEEDS TO RECOGNIZE THIS OVERSIGHT AND RECALL ALL '04 AND '05 FORD FREESTARS. WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AS OF YET, BUT WILL BE DOING SO THIS WEEK. COST OF REPAIR: UNKNOWN. *TR
MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR HAS STOP DRIVING.IT STARTS BUT WHEN I SHIFT INTO GEARS THE CAR DOES NOTHING. IT WON'T DRIVE OR GO IN REVERSE. I HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID WATER GOT INTO THE PCM. AND WOULD COST ABOUT $1200 TO FIX.I HAVE NOTICE MANY OTHER 2005 FORD FREESTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MANY HAVE REPAIRED THE PROBLEM OUT OF POCKET BECAUSE FORD WON'T PAY FOR THE PROBLEM.WE DIDN'T DESIGN THE VECHILE SO WHY IS IT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEM.I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS PULLING INTO MY HOUSE WHEN MY CAR CUT OFF.BUT MANY OTHER STORIES WITH THE SAME WATER ON THE PCM PROBLEM HAVE BEEN ON HIGHWAYS OR BUSY STREETS WHEN THEIR CAR DIES SO IS FORD WAITING FOR SOMEONE OR A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO DIE IN ORDER TO RECALL THIS PROBLEM AND TAKE RESPOSIBILITY AND REPAIR IT SO THE CONSUMER DON'T HAVE TO PAY WITH THIER MONEY OR THIER LIVES.I SWEAR HAD I KNOWN THAT FORD HAS IGNORED SERIOUS LIFETHREATING PROBLEM LIKE THE WATER ON THE PCM OR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I WOULD HAVE NEVER GOTTEN A VAN FROM FORD OR ANY VEHICLE FROM THEM. FORD CLEARLY STANDS FOR FOUND ON ROAD DEAD AND SOON ITS NOT GOING TO BE JUST THE VEHICLE BUT SOMEONE LIFE AS WELL IF THEY DRIVE A FORD.AND FORD DOESN'T GIVE A CRAP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO HESITATE IN A JERKING MOTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THERE WAS RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER). THE PART WAS CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE AND HAS BEEN FOR THREE MONTHS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A DATE WHEN THE PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY DECELERATED TO 30 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES FOR A TRAFFIC STOP BUT AS HE ACCELERATED FROM THE STOP, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO OPERATE WITH A RAPID INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT TRANSMISSION CENTER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY THE MECHANIC. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,780.
TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED ON 2005 FREESTAR. *KB
I HAVE A 05 FORD FREESTAR IN THE GARAGE WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS DESCRIBED BY MANY ON THE INTERNET. MY WIFE WAS GOING TO WORK AND THE VAN LOSS ALL POWER FROM THE TRANSMISSION. SHE WAS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND IT JUST QUIT. AFTER COASTING TO A STOP SHE CALLED ME. WE HAD TO CALL A WRECKER AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE CLOSE TO HOME. AFTER CALLING FORD, (THEIR PRICE OVER THREE THOUSAND) I HAD IT TOWED TO AAMCO FOR AN ESTIMATE, 2,500.00. I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, THIS IS DANGEROUS AND WE ARE BESIDE OURSELVES THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN. MY WIFE IS 70 YEARS OLD AND THE VAN ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES. P.S I'VE BEEN TOLD THIS COULD BE AN ELECTRONICS PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. [XXX]. IF THERE'S A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT OUTTHERE, I'M IN!!!!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MOVING ON INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH IN HIGH GEAR. TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILS WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN SUDDEN COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. TACHOMETER RISES TO 6000 RPM'S. ABLE TO PULL ONTO SHOULDER. TRANSMISSION REPAIRED AT FORD DEALER FOR $3400. *TR
NOVEMBER OF 2010 WE WERE COMING OFF OF AN EXIT RAMP AND THE VAN DIED. NO WARNING, NO LIGHTS, NOT A THING. THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN A LITTLE SLUGGISH COMING FROM 2ND TO 3RD GEAR THE DAY BEFORE BUT FINE THAT DAY. HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. JULY 2012. TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WHEN GOING INTO OR OUT OF ANY GEAR. POWER TRAIN LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. 3600 AND SOME CHANGE LATER, IT STILL JERKS COMING OUT OF 1ST TO 2ND. WE NOW KNOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT. *TT
I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR IN THE PAST. I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON AN INTERSTATE AND EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ANYMORE. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION JUST FAILED. LUCKILY MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET AND WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL INTO A BUS STOP. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED AND JUST FOUND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS TO BE REBUILT. WE STILL HAVE PAYMENTS LEFT AND WE ONLY ONE VEHICLE. IT COULD TAKE UPTO A WEEK TO FIX. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE FORWARD WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NO VALID WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
VAN STARTED ACTING LIKE THE KEY WAS BEING TURNED OFF AND ON. MISFIRE WAS SO BAD THAT VAN WAS LIKE RIDING A BUCKING BRONCO. PULLED TO THE SIDE SEVERAL TIMES AS I THOUGHT WE WOULD NOT MAKE IT HOME. GOT HOME FROM SUNDAY DINER AND TOOK TO LOCAL DEALER THE NEXT DAY ON 6/20/11. INSTALLED 1F1Z 6B288 BA SENSOR. BACK TO DEALER ON 6/28/11. INSTALLED 164R4901 FOAM STRIP ALONG WITH SEALANT. BACK TO DEALER ON 7/5/11. INSTALLED. INSTALLED XL3Z 9F472 AA SENSOR. TO INDEPENDANT REPAIR SHOP ON 12/2/11. INSTALLED YFIZ-7H103AA SENSOR. BACK TO SAME REPAIR SHOP. INSTALLED 5F2Z12A650 BC PCM MODULE. THAT SEEMED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM AS VAN IS RUNNING BETTER THAN FOR THE LAST 2 YEARS. *TR
DRIVING FROM ABILENE, TX TO PADRE ISLAND, ON IH-10 BETWEEN JUNCTION AND KERRVILLE, TX. CRUISE SET FOR 70-71. TOPED A GRADE IN ROAD, INSTEAD OF RETURNING TO REGUALR GEAR TRANSMISSION QUIT, SPEEDOMETER STARTED DROPING AND TACHOMETER REVED UP TO 6,000 RPM. ENGINE RAN NORMALLY BEFORE INCIDENT AND RUNS NORMALLY AFTER INCIDENT; WHEN TRANSMISSION PUT IN ANY GEAR VEHICLE ACTS LIKE THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION IN IT. THERE WAS NO NOISE, NO FLUID LEAKS SPOTED, NO WARNING INDICATORS ON INSTRUMENT PANEL. PARK POSITION DOES WORK WILL HOLD VEHICLE AS DESIGNED. COST (SO FAR) $640.00 FOR TOWING FROM IH-10 TO ABILENE, TX. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR $750 - $1600. REFER TO NHTSA CASE NO.'S PE09033 AND EA09016 FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEB-SITE. SUSPECT EITHER TORQUE CONVERTOR FAILURE OR SPLINES ON SHAFT STRIPED. TOWED IN TODAY JUNE 20, 2100 FOR REPAIRS, SO ACTUAL CAUSE NOT KNOWN AT THIS TIME. *TT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN STALLED. THE FUEL GAUGE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETECTED THAT THE COMPUTER MAIN BRAIN EXHIBITED WATER DAMAGE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
ON INTERSTATE GOING 70MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON WHEN INSTANTLY ENGINE STARTED RACING THEN IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE. WE HAD TO PUSH IT OUT OF THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE WOULD START, BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR. IT WENT FROM CRUISING AT 70MPH TO A DEAD STOP, WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WITHIN SECONDS. WE HAD FIVE CHILDREN IN A VAN WITH US.....WE COULD HAVE ALL BEEN KILLED. WE HAVE SINCE FOUND OUT THAT MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, HOWEVER, FORD HAS NOT WARNED ANYONE.
I HAD TAKEN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN TO BE CHECKED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY. THEN LATER I HAD TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE DIAGNOSED - THEY CLAIMED THAT IT COULDN'T BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WRITE THE CODE PROPERLY. TRANSMISSION STILL NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. A MONTH LATER THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE WASN'T RUNNING PROPERLY AND IN THE RAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO ACTUALLY TOOK THE TIME WITH THE VAN TO DIAGNOSE IT. HE HAD TO LET THE ENGINE WARM UP LONG ENOUGH FOR THE LIGHTS TO START COMING ON. THEN HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE 2ND GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REMOVED HE SAID THAT IT COULDN'T BE FIXED SO I HAD TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION - $2700 LATER AND HAD TO BORROW A VEHICLE FROM FAMILY TO GO ON VACATION. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER - $500 LATER BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE GIVING ME PROBLEMS AGAIN. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE TIRES - THEY DON'T HOLD AIR BECAUSE OF THE RIMS THAT DON'T ALLOW THEM TO PROPERLY SEAL. I HAD THE DEALER PUT ON THE LAST SET OF TIRES AND TOLD THEM TO FIX THE ISSUE - SO FAR I HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE. BUT FOR 60000 MILES I HAVE HAD ISSUES. *KB
PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE) HAS GOTTEN WET AND CAUSES CAR TO NOT DRIVE. LOSE POWER. NOT START. LUNGE, LURCH FORWARD. WON'T ENGAGE IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. I HAVE REPLACED PCM 6 TIMES. BROKE DOWN 5 TIMES. HAD VAN TOWED 5 TIMES. LEFT VAN AT REPAIR SHOP FOR MONTHS AT A TIME TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. FINALLY MOVED THE PCM TO THE INSIDE OF VAN SO THAT IT WON'T BE EFFECTED BY WATER. FORD HAS REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE PROBLEM DESPITE A TSB BEING ISSUED. FURTHERMORE, I REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND A RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED BUT FORD WILL NOT REVIEW MY RECEIPTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION UNTIL LETTERS GO OUT. TOTAL STONEWALLING BY FORD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED AS SHE WAS DRIVING AWAY FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT 5 MPH THE TORQUE CONVERTED FAILED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO A MECHANIC. AFTER INSPECTION THEY REPLACED THE TORQUE CONVERTER FOR $1459 AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,912.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 50 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DROVE IN NEUTRAL TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL FILTER WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK FOR INSPECTION AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BU THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. IT WAS THEN FOUND THAT WASTER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND CONTACTING THE WIRING FOR THE POWER CONTROL. THE MECHANIC REMOVED THE WATER FROM THE TUBES OF THE POWER CONTROL MODULE AND ADDED CAULK TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE10033 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) THAT COULD POSSIBLY HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,950.
2005 FORD FREESTAR. DRIVING NORMALLY, STOPPED AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, WHEN LIGHT CHANGED TO PROCEED VAN STALLED. STARTED VEHICLE BUT WOULD STALL ONCE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. MANAGED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE INTO A PARKING LOT UNTIL TOW TRUCK ARRIVED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS STOPPED IN A PARKING LOT WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, ALMOST HITTING A PEDESTRIAN. THE CONTACT HAD TO QUICKLY APPLY THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE. DURING THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO SAFE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE COULD PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC, BUT COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE FAILURE COULD BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,234.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE OTHER LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THEN BACK ON; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT APPROXIMATELY 68,000 MILES THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE RPMS STARTED TO INCREASE. THE CONTACT DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SPLINES WERE STRIPPING ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 07/18/11
DRIVING IN THE FAR LEFT LANE OF I-75 AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE RPM'S ROSE AND I HAD TO COAST ACROSS TWO LANES OF TRAFFIC TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF I-L75. MY TRANSMISSION HAD WENT OUT. I COULD PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR BUT IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR COULD HAVE INJURED SOMEONE ELSE. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WITHOUT ANY KIND OF WARNING. AT THIS TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT I NEED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE FROM THE FORD DEALER BECAUSE MY MECHANIC SAID THAT YOU CANNOT REBUILD IT BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET PARTS FOR IT. *TR
2005 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF TORQUE CONVERTER IN COMPLIANCE WITH SAFETY RECALL *TGW
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR LIMITED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY THE VAN STALLED WHEN PASSING 2000 RPM(S) WITH NO WARNING. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND LOSS ALL POWER TO THE CAR. WITH THE STEERING LOCKED PULLING OFF TO THE SHOULDER WAS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. THE VEHICLES BEHIND HAD TO GO AROUND ME DRIVING CLOSE TO 65-70 MPH IN SPEED OR SLAM ON THEIR BRAKES TO MISS ME. A VERY FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR. UNABLE TO AFFORD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SHOP FOR REPAIRS DUE JUST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN APRIL OF 2011 FROM TOM BUSH MAZDA DEALERSHIP IN JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING HOWEVER, WITH CONSISTENT STALLING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO WATER LEAKING INTO THE PCM WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,781.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 75 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE GRADUALLY DECELERATED AND WOULD NOT LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE INVERTER AND TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
I WAS ALONG THE EXPRESSWAY ABOUT 55MPH ,THEN ALL UNSUDDEN THE VAN MADE A JERK AND BEGIN TO LOSE POWER AND SLOWED PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND IT WOULD NOT PICK UP SPEED SO I MANAGED TO LET IT ROLL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOPPED CUT THE MOTOR OFF ,AND THEN CRANKED IT BACK UP PUT IT INTO DRIVE WOULD NOT MOVE THEN REVERSE WOULD NOT MOVE SO CUT IT OFF AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. *TT
ON SAT. MAY 7, 2011 MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR QUIT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON AN OPEN HIGHWAY. I LOST SPEED WHILE MOTOR CONTINUED RUNNING.I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TURNED OFF ENGINE RESTARTED FINE, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE IN EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE. I WAS STRANDED GOING TO WORK. WE THINK IT MIGHT BE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ONLINE THERE ARE HUNDREDS I WANT FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. SOMEONE PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX OR EVEN BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. NOW HOW DO I GET TO WORK? SUPPORT A FAMILY? AFTER ALL THE COMPLAINTS WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL YET? *TR
2005 FORD FREESTAR 3.9L 130,000 MILE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN MAJOR STATE ROUTE WITH MY 6 YEAR OLD IN THE CAR MY ENGINE JUST STOPPED, LOST POWER STEERING, BRAKES BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER ON SIDE OF ROAD. HAD TO WAIT TWO HOURS FOR A TOW TRUCK TO COME. AFTER SHOP INSPECTED, THEY FOUND THE PCM WAS FULL OF WATER AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. DUE TO THE COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A TRAGIC ACCIDENT IF MY SON AND I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. *TR
PER FORD SERVICE: WATER IN PCM 5/03/11 SIMILAR PROBLEM 7/15/10 ALTHOUGH AT THE TIME FORD SERVICE WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE. AT ABOUT 20 MILES PER HOUR WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN THE ENGINE STALLED, THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAILED CAUSING ME TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL AND SWERVE INTO THE ON-COMING LANE. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC OR PEDESTRIANS THERE AT THE TIME. FORD SERVICE FOUND THE CAUSE TO BE WATER IN THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM).
2005 FORD FREESTAR, 94,000 MILES. TRANSMISSION SLIPS SLIGHTLY AND ENGAGES HARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO REVERSE AND ALSO FROM NEUTRAL INTO DRIVE. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. OCCURS MOSTLY WHEN BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND THEN PULLING FORWARD ONTO STREET. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ENGINE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN RPMS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT THE GEAR INTO DRIVE BUT GEAR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
2005 FORD FREESTAR REQUIRED TRANSMISSION REBUILD DUE TO TORQUE CONVERTER SPLINES DAMAGING CLUTCHES AND GEARS. *TR
I, ALONG WITH MY DISABLED FATHER AND 3 YR OLD DAUGHTER, WERE TRAVELING ON HWY 41 TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN I TRIED TO PASS SOMEONE AND MY VAN LOST COMPLETE ACCELERATION POWER. I HAD TO GET BACK INTO THE LANE AND COAST TO A SAFE AREA TO STOP AND LEAVE MY VAN. WE WERE SURROUNDED BY CARS TRAVELING IN SPEEDS OF 60MPH + AND COULD OF EASILY BEEN INJURED! THERE WERE ABSOLUTELY NO WARNINGS OF ANY PROBLEMS. THE VAN JUST SIMPLY LOST COMPLETE POWER. NOW I AM LEFT WITH GETTING MY VAN TOWED AND HAVING REPAIRS MADE WHICH ARE LIKELY TO COST SEVERAL THOUSAND DOLLARS! WHY IS THIS NOT ON RECALL YET??
THE BRUNSWICK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN. ON APRIL 20, 2011 FIVE AGENCY STAFF TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH TO A MEETING TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 75MPH EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN FAILURE OF POWER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN EVENTUALLY STOPPING. THE DRIVER IMMEDIATELY MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AT WHICH THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TRANSPORTED VIA TOW TRUCK TO A LOCAL AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP FOR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RECALL RELATED AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. UPDATED 06/01/11*LJ UPDATED 07/08/11
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Sep 14, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.