Ford Freestar Complaints (2004)

1,227 consumer complaints on file.

#10508973April 21, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AS I SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALL MODEL YEAR FREESTAR VANS. WATER LEAKS ONTO THE PCM AND SHORTS OUT THEN YOUR VAN WON'T RUN OR IF IT DOES NOT VERY WELL. MINE WON'T START AND GIVES ALL KINDS OF RANDOM MIL CODES. WAS DIAGNOSED WITH WATER IN PCM. PLAIN AND SIMPLE FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS BECAUSE ALL THE VANS HAVE IT OR WILL GET IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508567April 17, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BECAME SEIZED IN NEUTRAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN CONFIRMED THAT THE FAILURE SPECIFIED ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) WAS NOT THE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AND WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 184,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10508342April 15, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
IN 2010 FOR NO REASON THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WAS COMING ON. AFTER 2 VISITS TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED THE ABS MODULE AND SWITCH ON THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE RESOLVED BUT ONCE IN A WHILE THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. NOW IT IS HAPPENING MORE FREQUENTLY AND THE ABS ACTIVATES FOR NO APPARENT REASON (DRY ROAD AND NORMAL BRAKING) WHICH I CONSIDER A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10507544April 8, 2013
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
HAD THE RECALL WORK DONE ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER END OF AUGUST BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER 2012, UPON RETURN OF VEHICLE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. LAST THURSDAY APRIL 4 THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. FRIDAY DID THE SAME THING 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 20 MINUTES OF DRIVING. REPLACED ALTERNATOR, BELT TENSIONER AND BELT. MECHANIC ASKED WHAT IT DID, THEN SAID IT MIGHT BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HE CHECKED POWER STEERING, AND WATER PUMP THEY ARE FINE. NOT SURE HOW A PART LESS THAN YEAR OLD COULD GO BAD. WHEN MY VEHICLE WENT IN FOR RECALL WAS PERFECTLY FINE, SINCE IT'S RETURN IS HAS BEEN RUNNING HORRIBLE AND NOTHING SEEMS TO REALLY FIX IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10505524April 3, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE LATCH ON THE REAR OF THE VAN HAS RUSTED CLOSED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. IT IS PRESENTLY RUSTED SHUT AND THE BACK HATCH DOESNT OPEN AS A RESULT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE THIRD ROW SEAT DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE FROM THE REAR TIRE WELL. THIS HAS TO BE RELATED AS THE CARPET THROUGHOUT THE VAN GETS WET. EVEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FLOOR IS SOAKED, POSIBLY LEAKING FROM FRONT TIRE WELL.AND ALL THE WAY DOWN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO THE THIRD ROW. THERE IS ALSO A SHORT IN THE DASH LIGHTS DUE TO WATER LEAKING INTO THE DASH AREA. THE CAR RADIO STAYS ON WHEN IT FEEL LIKE IT AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE DRIVERS WINDOW BUTTON FOR THE RADIO TO SHUT OFF OTHERWISE IT DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE CAR WAS AT THE ELECTRICAL SHOP A YEAR AGO AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504735March 27, 2013
ENGINE
I WAS SITTING AT MY SON'S BUS STOP THIS MORNING WAITING ON THE BUS. I HAD THE VAN RUNNING CAUSE IT WAS COLD...BUT I HAD IT PARK. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN...ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD CAME ON...THE ENGINE SHUT OFF AND THEN STARTED BACK UP. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WAS REALLY STRANGE. BACK IN AUG. OF 2011..MY TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT...THOUGHT IT WAS MY TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING AT ALL THAT ANYTHING WAS WRONG EXCEPT FOR IT MISSING A LITTLE. ENGINE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. GOT TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED DUE TO A RECALL IN JAN. OF 2012; ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER...IT STARTING MISSING ALITTLE AGAIN. WITHOUT THE ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON...NOBODY CAN TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS. ANY IDEAS WHAT THIS MAY BE??? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10504772March 27, 2013
TIRES, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, WHEELS, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
CHECK TIRES & TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COMES ON DAILY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503891March 21, 2013
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, STEERING
THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS GONE OUT DURING RAIN EVENT. THIS TIME WAS ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 45MPH WITH PASSENGERS. THE RESULT WAS INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUTDOWN, LOSS OF STEERING, AND FORWARD MOTION. THIS MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 OTHER TIMES. TWO TIMES IN 2011, AND TWO MONTHS AGO IN 2013. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503755March 20, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE COMPLETION OF RECALL REPAIRS. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND ADVISED THAT THE RECALLED COMPONENT HAD BEEN REPAIRED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE VEHICLE BECAME HESITATE BETWEEN SHIFTING GEARS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 194,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503673March 19, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I DROVE MY CAR TO WORK IN THE MORNING. AT 2PM, I TRIED TO DRIVE, BUT COULD NOT. THE CAR STARTED, BUT I COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I HAD NO SYMPTOMS THAT A PROBLEM WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN BEFORE THIS. WHEN THE TOW GUY CAME, HE MOVED THE CAR BY HAND WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING. HE WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT A TINY BIT SOMETIMES FORWARD AND SOMETIMES BACK, BUT SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL. WE TOWED IT TO MEDFORD FORD WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS NEEDING A WHOLE NEW COMPUTER BRAIN. THEY SAID THERE WAS "MOISTURE" ON THE COMPUTER. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $1,042 PLUS TAX. I TOLD THEM WE HAD THE BRAIN REPLACED 15 MONTHS AGO (ON 12/8/11); THEY SAID THERE IS ONLY A WARRANTY FOR 12 MONTHS. THEY SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE IS "NOTORIOUS" FOR THIS PROBLEM. SEE MY REGISTERED COMPLAINT ON THE 12/8/11 INCIDENT (SAFERCAR.GOV ODI NO.: 10503670). I HAVE TOTALLY BROKEN DOWN IN THIS VEHICLE 5 TIMES, EACH FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. (SEE ALSO, MY SAFERCAR.GOV ODI NO.: 10397445 FOR MY EXPERIENCE WITH TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE.) *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503670March 19, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I AM WRITING ABOUT THIS 12/8/11 INCIDENT TODAY, BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED TO ME AGAIN! ON 3/14/13 (I WILL ENTER A SEPARATE COMPLAINT THE 3/14/13 EVENT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THIS ONE IS REGISTERED). IN BOTH CASES, THE ENTIRE COMPUTER BRAIN HAD TO BE REPLACED, EACH TIME COSTING OVER $1,000. 12/8/11 INCIDENT: WHILE DRIVING, I FOUND THE GAS PEDAL WAS NOT RESPONDING TO ACCELERATION. A SYMBOL LIT UP ON THE DASHBOARD. HAVING EXPERIENCED A TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE 8 MONTHS BEFORE (SAFERCAR.GOV ODI NO.: 10397445), I WORRIED THAT THIS MIGHT BE TRANSMISSION RELATED AGAIN. I WAS LOSING MOVEMENT, BUT THE ENGINE STILL RAN, AND COASTED INTO A VACANT LOT. WHILE WAITING FOR A TOW, I FOUND THAT I COULD SOMETIMES DRIVE FORWARD OR REVERSE A BIT (A FEW FEET), BUT SOMETIMES I COULD NOT. THE MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER BRAIN. HE BOUGHT THE PART FROM MEDFORD FORD, IN NEW JERSEY. I CAN LOCATE THE EXACT COST OF THE REPAIR AT A LATER TIME, BUT IT WAS APPROXIMATELY $1,000. I HAD NO SIGNIFICANT SYMPTOMS AHEAD OF TIME, WHICH WOULD LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THAT I WAS ABOUT TO BREAK DOWN. I HAVE TOTALLY BROKEN DOWN 5 TIMES IN THIS VEHICLE, EACH FOR MAJOR REPAIRS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10503145March 15, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR STALLED, AND THEN SURGED AFTER ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. THE NEXT DAY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER, CAPITAL CITY FORD IN INDIANAPOLIS, WHO IN INDICATED THE CODE WAS FOR A FUEL PUMP PROBLEM. WE PAID OVER $800 TO HAVE THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED ON DECEMBER 27TH. IN LATE FEBRUARY THE VAN BEGAN TO STALL AND SURGE AGAIN. WE SUSPECTED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT CONTINUED TO DO THIS OFF AND ON FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS AND ON MARCH 8TH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE INITIAL CODE WAS FOR THE SAME ERROR, BUT WHEN ANOTHER MECHANIC/TECHNICIAN CHECKED THE CODE IT CAME UP WITH A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE THERE WAS "MOISTURE" GETTING INTO THE PCM CAUSING THE PROBLEM AND NOT ONLY WAS IT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL, BUT WAS GIVING WRONG ERROR CODES. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM WAS ESTIMATED TO BE A +$1,000 COST. WE WERE ADVISED THAT IT "SEEMED TO BE" A DESIGN FLAW IN THE LOCATION OF THE PCM IN THAT IT IS IN LINE WITH THE WATERFLOW FROM THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET ON THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS IT IS A LONG-STANDING ISSUE WITH MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND EVEN WITH REPLACEMENT OF THE PCM THE PROBLEM WILL HAPPEN AGAIN DUE TO THE DESIGN FLAW. THE SAFETY RISK RELATED TO ENGINE STALLS DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE PCM IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE FAILURE OF THE DEALERSHIP TO IDENTIFY THIS WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM AND CHARGE US FOR A REPAIR (FUEL PUMP) THAT WAS UNNECESSARY IS UNCONSCIONABLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502775March 14, 2013
SEATS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS BUILDING UP IN THE WHEEL WELL BRACKETS FOR THE THIRD ROW SEATS. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT EXHIBITED RUST AND CORROSION. IN ADDITION, THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR PLATE WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502881March 7, 2013
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
LETTER FROM SENATOR CORYNYN ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING HER 2004 FORD FREESTAR THAT LOST POWER, AND RECEIVE AN ALERT REGARDING HER RECALL NOTICE 11525 (TORQUE CONVERTER), AND BELIEVES SHE SHOULD BE REIMBURSE FOR HER PAYMENTS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE SUBMITTED HER ORIGINAL RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT, BUT SHE ONLY RECEIVED $50.00. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE TOWING AND DIAGNOSTIC CHARGES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10502020March 7, 2013
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL THE PCM SHORTED OUT BECAUSE IT GOT WET THROUGH THE COVER OF THE HOOD. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RELATIVELY WIDE-SPREAD PROBLEM AND IF NOT ADDRESSED AND REPAIRED CORRECTLY, IT COULD HAPPEN AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501541March 5, 2013
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED HE RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALER INFORMING HIM, HE COULD BRING THE VEHICLE IN, TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED IN JUNE OF 2008, A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE THREE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. HE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD FAILED. THE CONSUMER PAID $ 2761.17 TO HAVE THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501430March 5, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER HAD CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,452.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10501208March 4, 2013
STRUCTURE, WHEELS, SEATS, SUSPENSION
THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN EA12003. THE ATTACHING BRACKET FOR THE REAR SEAT FELL OUT WHILE THE SEAT WAS FOLDED INTO THE FLOOR. IT BECAME LODGED IN THE INNER PORTION OF THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEEDS, SOMEBODY COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED, BY THE REAR WHEEL BECOMING RESTRICTED OR THIS HEAVY PLATE BOUNCING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRACKET IS A U BRACKET ATTACHED TO A PLATE THAT IS WELDED FLUSH TO COMPRISE PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. TO TEMPORARILY KEEP FROM LOSING THE BRACKET, I HELD THE BRACKET IN PLACE WHILE SETTING THE SEATS UPRIGHT AGAIN SO THAT THE SEAT ITSELF IS HOLDING THE BRACKET IN. THERE IS NOW WATER FROM THE ROAD GETTING UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT FORD ISSUES A RECALL OR OFFERS A BOLT ON REPLACEMENT SOON. I'VE BEEN MOSTLY HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE OTHERWISE. (THERE ARE NO OTHER PRICES RUSTING OR FALLING OFF OBVIOUSLY). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10500461February 26, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
CPSC#I1320440. 2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER STATED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR IN THE RAIN, A FEW DAYS AFTERWARDS THE VEHICLE SPURTS AND SHAKES VIOLENTLY. *LN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND FLASH. THE VEHICLE ALSO JUMPED WHEN ACCELERATING AND VIBRATED WHILE AT A STOP. THE CONSUMER STATED AS SOON AS SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN, THE PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WHILE IN PARK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10499861February 24, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2004 FORD FREESTAR SES I CHANGED THE REAR BRAKES ON 1/20/2013 NOTICED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTING OUT. TODAY 2/24/2013 WENT TO INSTALL A CAR SEAR & NOTICED THE BENCH SEAT IN THE BACK WAS ROCKING SLIGHTLY. THE ANCHOR POINT ON THE LEFT REAR IS RUSTED OUT AND MOVING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT I CAN SEE DOWN TO THE GROUND WHERE THE ANCHOR POINT HAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS PARTS ON THIS VAN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACED: 3 IGNITION COILS, (THIS IS THE MAIN PROBLEM WHENEVER HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW HAS HAPPENED AND I START TO THROW MISFIRE CODES), 3 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS, 2 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONTROLS & MOTORS, (THE WINDOW DOESN'T WANT TO WORK HALF THE TIME SO WE LEAVE IT CRACKED OPEN WITH THE RAIN GUARDS), AN EGR VALVE, AND A CLOCKSPRING. I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE IN SUCH A SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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