2005 Ford Freestar Body & Structure Problems

REAR HATCH DOOR WHEN OPENED IMMEDIATELY CLOSES, WIFE WAS TRAPPED IN THE DOOR AND HAD TO BE HELPED TO REOPEN THE DOOR BY A PASSING MAN. STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STOPPED AT A GROCERY STORE, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS LOCKED AND FAILED TO UNLOCK BOTH FROM THE INTERIOR AND FROM EXTERIOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER SHERWOOD OF SALISBURY LOCATED AT 1902 N SALISBURY BLVD, SALISBURY, MD 21801; 866-341-4841 WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-392-3673. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE TWO RECALLS BUT NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. A CASE NUMBER WAS PROVIDED: CAS-12779247-C5Y2K4. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH REAR SLIDING DOORS DID NOT WORK AND FAILED TO OPEN MANUALLY. THE FAILURE MADE IT A SAFETY HAZARD FOR REAR PASSENGERS IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 199,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MOVE THE THIRD ROW SEAT BACK INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, THE SEAT FAILED TO LATCH. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE METAL AROUND THE SEAT LATCH WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT THEN NOTED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ALSO SHOWED SEVERE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,015.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. UPON PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR WHEEL. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE METAL PART OF THE SEAT BRACKET FROM THE WHEEL WELL AND CONTINUED DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. RECENTLY, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL OF MY BACK ROW SEAT LATCH DO TO CORROSION. I HAD TAKEN MY VAN IN TO BE REPAIRED THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS UPON RETURNING THEY INFORMED ME THEY NEED ANOTHER PART THEY FORGOT TO ORDER SO I WAITED FOR MY CALL BACK AGAIN.. WITHIN 2 MONTHS TIME I RETURNED TO HAVE IT WORKED ON THAT IS WHEN THEY HAD TOLD ME IT HAD BEGUN TO CORRODE N THAT THEY COULDN'T INSTALL THE PARTS I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE SITUATION FURTHER & IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THEY HAD SAID YES & HANDED ME MY KEYS SO UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I HAD STOPPED FOR FOOD ON MY WAY HOME I SMELT BURNT RUBBER THEN A THUDDING NOISE I HAD PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT LUCKILY I WAS TO CLOSE TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE A PIECE HAD FALLEN OFF N WAS RUBBING ON MY TIRE MY TIRES HAD ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE WHEN LUCKILY I HAD GOTTEN THE BABY OUT BEFORE ANYTHING HAD HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY A MECHANIC HAD INFORMED ME A HOLE WAS BURNT THREW THE FLOOR WHERE THE WHEEL WELLS WERE N THE TIRES ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE HE SAID HE COULD WELD THE PARTS SO FRENCHIES FORD COULD FIX WHAT THEY HAD TO FIX .. THE NEXT DAY HE INFORMED ME HE HAD LOOKED UP THE PARTS N CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE STATING IT HAD BEEN RECALLED I HAD TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED & INFORMED ME TO TAKE LEGAL MATTERS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS . PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELTS THE THOUGHT OF MY BABY BEING IN THE BACK SEAT WHILE IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IS TERRIFYING I WOULDN'T WANT TO HEAR OF IT HAPPENING TO ANOTHER UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES ESPECIALLY A CHILD . & NOW THAT THERE'S A HOLE IN THE FLOOR I'M UNCERTAIN WHAT TO DO I HAVEN'T DROVE IT SINCE & QUITE HONESTLY I'M AFRAID TO .. P.S IS THIS COVERED? WHOSE @ FAULT? WHAT CAN BE DONE?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

WHEN GOING TO PUT ITEMS IN THE BACK OF THE VAN, THE HATCH DOOR SUDDENLY CAME DOWN AND HIT ME IN THE BACK/SHOULDER LEAVING A BRUISE AND SOME SWELLING. WHEN TRYING TO GET OUT FROM UNDER THE DOOR I BUMPED MY HEAD A LITTLE AS IT WAS VERY HEAVY! SO, WE WERE PROPPING THE HATCH WITH A TWO-BY-FOUR WHILE WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX IT. THEN ONLY A FEW DAYS LATER, THE HANDLE TO THE HATCH JUST CAME OFF INTO MY HAND WHEN TRYING TO OPEN UP THE HATCH! THERE HAD BEEN NO PRIOR WARNING TO EITHER INCIDENT. TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER TODAY AND IT COST $53.99 JUST TO LOOK AT IT TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND THEY SAID IT WILL BE ANOTHER $440 + TAX TO REPAIR!!!!! THIS IS ONLY TO REPAIR THE HANDLE BACK ONTO THE HATCH JUST SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY OPEN IT AGAIN AND START USING IT AGAIN!!!!! WE HAVEN'T EVEN TALKED ABOUT THE COST OF REPAIRING THE SHOCKS TO THE HATCH, OR WHATEVER THAT ISSUE IS!!! THE FORD DEALER SAYS THE ROD AND CABLE HAS FAILED AND NEEDS REPLACED, BUT CAN'T EXPLAIN TO ME HOW THIS CAN HAPPEN WITH NO PRIOR WARNING, OR WHY EITHER INCIDENT HAPPENED AT ALL. WHEN LOOKING ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THE FREESTAR, SO WHY ISN'T THERE A RECALL ON IT???? AT THE VERY LEAST, WHY IS IT SO EXPENSIVE JUST TO REPLACE A HANDLE????? FORD SHOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH A RECALL, OR OFFER TO RE-PAY CUSTOMERS!!!!!! I HAD A WINDSTAR ('99) THAT WE WERE CONSTANTLY PUTTING MONEY INTO, INCLUDING A COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALMOST CRACKED IN HALF REAR AXLE, BUT I WAS RAISED BY A FORD FAMILY, SO I BOUGHT THIS FREESTAR (2005), HOPING FOR BETTER RESULTS! WHAT A JOKE!!!!! FROM THE BAD BRAKES THAT NEED REPLACED EVERY 1 1/2 - 2 YEARS, TO THE HORRIBLE RUSTING OUT OF THE BODY CAUSING MY 3RD ROW SEATS TO DETACH, ETC. ETC.ETC....NEVER AGAIN!!!!! FORD, PLEASE MAKE IT RIGHT!!!!!! I DON'T HAVE OVER $500 SITTING AROUND TO REPLACE A DOOR HANDLE THAT DEFINITELY SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE!! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER PENETRATED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD AND THE ENGINE COVERING. THE ENGINE COVERING CLIPS FAILED TO SUSTAIN AND THE WATER PENETRATE THE POWER CONTROL MODULE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE RIGHT SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR FAILED TO STOP WHEN CONTACT WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF DOORWAY. THE VEHICLE HAD POWER SLIDING DOORS WHICH ARE SUPPOSED TO STOP IF PERSON WAS ON THE WAY. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LEFT SIDE DOOR FAILED TOO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND SUGGESTED THAT THE AUTOMATIC DOORS SHOULD BE DISCONNECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,900 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 109,500.

THE ANCHOR PLATE THAT HOUSES THE LATCH FOR THE THIRD ROW SEATS RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE PLATE IS HOUSED IN THE REAR LEFT TIRE HUB. THERE IS SUBSEQUENTLY NO WAY TO USE THE THIRD ROW SEATS AND A LARGE HOLE IN THE WALL OF THE VEHICLE THAT IS OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE. IT IS EXACTLY THE ISSUE DESCRIBED IN THIS NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE: HTTP://WHEELS.BLOGS.NYTIMES.COM/2012/04/27/AGENCY-UPGRADES-INVESTIGATION-OF-63000-FORD-FREESTAR-MINIVANS-FOR-RUST-CONDITION/ *TR

THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTING OUT AND THE FRONT MOUNT OF THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS DETACHING FROM THE BODY. *JS

I OPENED THE POWER LIFTGATE WITH KEY FOB AND AS I WAS UNLOADING GROCERIES THE DOOR STARTED COMING DOWN ON ME AND WOULD NOT STOP, HITTING ME HARD IN THE HEAD AS I TRY TO GET OUT FROM UNDER IT.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE LEFT AND RIGHT SLIDING DOORS WHEN CLOSING DO NOT STOP OR OPEN WHEN AN OBJECT WAS BLOCKING IT. IF SOMEONE WAS IN THE PATH OF THE DOOR WHILE IT WAS CLOSING IT CONTINUED TO CLOSE, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DOORS AFTER THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,491.

WATER LEAKING IN FROM THE WINDSHIELD MESSING UP THE PCM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE AND THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE OUTSIDE HANDLE COMING OFF. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW HOW TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE AND COULD NOT ASSIST HIM WITH THIS ISSUE. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 115000. UPDATED 12/21/10*BF UPDATED 12/29/10

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT WAS GETTING SOMETHING OUT OF THE TRUNK AND THE LIFT GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE WOULD NOT CLOSE WITH THE KEY. THE LIFT GATE COULD ONLY BE CLOSED MANUALLY. TWO DAYS LATER THE LIFT GATE POWERED UP AND STARTED CLOSING WITH THE CONTACT IN BETWEEN IT. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE LIFT GATE WITH HIS SHOULDER AND HEAD. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES. THE LIFGATE NOW HAS TO BE HELD SO THAT IT WILL NOT FALL ON THE CONTACT AND INJURE HIM. HE REFERENCED RECALL 06V069000, STRUCTURE BODY HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK IN AUGUST 2007. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED SINCE THE DEALER HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 74,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE REAR POWER LIFTGATE, FOLLOWED BY A FORCEFUL CLOSURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. RECALL 06V069000, STRUCTURE BODY HATCHBACK/ LIFTGATE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT AND FAILED TO ADDRESS THE RECALL DEFECT. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AT THIS TIME. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 77,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE LIFT GATE OPENED A WHEN A PASSENGER WAS BENEATH CAUSING INJURY TO HER HEAD AND NECK. THE DEALER REPAIRED LIFT GATE AT NO COST; HOWEVER, HE STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE MODULE WASN'T REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 06V069000 STRUCTURE: BODY: HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT RELEASED THE HATCHBACK MECHANISM WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. THE HATCHBACK IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED DOWN ON THE CONTACT AND INJURED HIS SHOULDER. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE HATCHBACK SUPPORT DEVICE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO DEFECTIVE SHOCKS IN THE HATCHBACK. AS OF AUGUST 5, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 61,063.