Ford Freestar Complaints

2,533 consumer complaints on file.

#10294586December 5, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE OWN A 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 53,000 MILES ON IT THIS MORNING, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5TH I WENT TO START THE CAR AND IT MADE A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE. I SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES TO SEE IF IT WOULD GO AWAY AS THE ENGINE WARMED UP AND WHILE IT BECAME SOFTER THE SCREECH WAS STILL THERE. TRIED TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND SLOWLY ROLLED DOWN MY DRIVE WAY BUT WAS UNABLE TO EVER ENGAGE THE GEARS AND GET IT BACK INTO DRIVE. AFTER A COUPLE MINUTES OF BEING FRUSTRATED AND ROLLING FARTHER DOWN MY DRIVE WAY I PUT IT IN PARK AND HAD MY HUSBAND HELP ME PUSH THE VAN BACK INTO OUR DRIVEWAY. BEING A SATURDAY, WE CAN'T GET A HOLD OF ANY OF OUR LOCAL SHOPS BUT LOOKING ONLINE WE WERE ABLE TO FIND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE AND WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO LOOK INTO IT. MY CAR IS 4 YEARS OLD AND HAS 53K ON IT, IT SHOULDN'T BE HAVING ISSUES LIKE THIS YET. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294345December 3, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO FAIRBORN OHIO FROM CINCINNATI IN OUR 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THIS WAS PURCHASED NEW BY US. WARRANTY WAS 3 YEAR/36,000 MILES. THE VAN HAS 54,000 MILES & WHILE TRAVELING ON OCTOBER 24TH, 2009 OHIO, THE VAN WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON & STARTED FLASHING. WE ENDED UP GETTING THE VAN TOWED FROM FAIRBORN TO OUR HOME. THE TECHNICIAN THAT TESTED THE VAN FOR CODES & SAID THE "TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH WAS STUCK IN THE SHUT POSITION & CAUSED THE FLUID TO OVERHEAT". LONG STORY SHORT, WE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS SERVICED AT 30,000 MILES PER THE MAINTENANCE LOG AT OUR DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD OF CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AT THAT SLOW SPEED. A VEHICLE REGARDLESS OF MAKE SHOULD NOT HAVE A MAJOR MECHANICAL FAILURE OF THIS WITH ONLY 54,000 MILES ON IT. THE THING THAT RATTLES MY CAGE IS THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE OUR "RELIABLE" VEHICLE. I'M THANKFUL MY KIDS WERE NOT IN THE VAN. SO $2300 LATER WE HAVE A TRANSMISSION & OUR HOLIDAY GOALS ARE SHOT TO '!@#$%. THIS TRANSMISSION STYLE NEEDS A RECALL !!! PLAIN AND SIMPLE. AFTER THIS HAPPENED TO US, I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE & I AM NOT ALONE. MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE THE SAME MAKE, MODEL YEAR & TRANSMISSION ISSUES THAT I HAVE. SO THANKS TO THIS ISSUE OUR "HOLIDAY SPIRIT" IS GONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294420December 3, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ON WED, DEC 2, 2009, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR DURING RUSH HOUR. SHE TURNED A CORNER, ONTO A BUSY BLVD, AND CONTINUED TO GO UP THE HILL, SUDDENLY THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT HAD BEEN SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THERE WAS NO PRIOR VIBRATION, NOISE, STALL, STUTTER, SMELL, ENGINE LIGHT OR OTHER OCCURRENCE TO ALERT US THAT THE VEHICLE HAD ANY ISSUES AT ALL. THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION, MID-HILL, IN VERY BUSY TRAFFIC. SHE WAS ABLE TO DODGE TRAFFIC AND COAST TO A SHOULDER. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED 30-60 SECONDS EARLIER, SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN T-BONED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC AS SHE TURNED ONTO THE BLVD. AFTER READING THE ONLINE FORUMS AND NHTSA SITE, I AM SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT THE 2004/2005 FREESTARS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR TRANSMISSIONS GOING OUT WITH NO PRIOR SYMPTOMS OR NOTICE OF ANY KIND. I AM EQUALLY SHOCKED TO LEARN THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS, AND THE NHTSA IS SUPPOSEDLY INVESTIGATING THE MANY MANY COMPLAINTS OF SAME ISSUE, AND YET NEITHER FORD NOR THE NHTSA HAVE CHOSEN TO NOTIFY CURRENT OWNERS OF THE IMPENDING DANGER. A RECALL IS CERTAINLY IN ORDER. AND AT THE VERY LEAST, ALL CURRENT FORD 2004/2005 FREESTAR OWNERS SHOULD BE MADE AWARE OF THIS DANGER. THE QUOTE WE RECEIVED TODAY, FOR A REFURBISHED TRANSMISSION, WAS $2,800. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR OUR FAMILY IN A HORRIBLE ECONOMY WHERE OUR HOUSEHOLD INCOME HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY AND IT'S 3 WEEKS TILL CHRISTMAS. THANK YOU FORD AND NHTSA FOR LEAVING CUSTOMERS AND CITIZENS IN THE DARK, AND IN DANGER! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294425December 3, 2009
STEERING
LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE CREATES FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294455December 3, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
12/03/09 TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON 101 FREEWAY 5:30 PM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN L.A. CITY WAS TOWED TO AAMCO REPAIR SHOP REPAIR COAST $1,700 TO $2,000 LESS THEN 85K MILES ON FORD VAN 2004 FREESTAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294333December 2, 2009
POWER TRAIN
WE WERE DRIVING ALONG 1-70 WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE RPM'S GOT REAL HIGH AND LOST POWER. WE WERE VERY LUCKY IT WAS RIGHT NEXT TO AN EXIT WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OFF AND CALL AAA. THEY CAME TO TOW US TO A LOCAL SHOP (WE WERE 1500 MILES AWAY FROM HOME WITH 500 MORE MILES TO GO ON OUR TRIP) WHERE THEY TOLD US THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACING. 3000 DOLLARS LATER PLUS THE COST OF HOTELS, AND CAR RENTALS WE HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION. NOT TO MENTION THE 4 PLUS HOURS I HAD TO WAIT WITH 4 KIDS WHILE HUBBY WENT WITH TOW TRUCK TO GET THE RENTAL AS WE WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. UPON DOING RESEARCH ONLINE, THIS SEEMS TO BE A CONSISTENT PROBLEM WITH THE FORD FREESTAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294105December 1, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
DECEMBER 2008, FELT THE TRANSMISSION SLIP WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW, HAD MECHANIC LOOK AT THE VAN, COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. VEHICLE DRIVES FINE UNTIL 11-19-09 DRIVING UP A HILL, SPEED LIMIT 45, AROUND A CORNER, 2005 FORD FREESTAR WITH 63457 MILES, TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY GOES INTO NEUTRAL. PULL OVER, WON'T GO INTO ANY GEAR, AAA TOWED THE VAN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP. SHOP RE-BUILT TRANSMISSION, $2557.37. BASAL'S TRANSMISSIONS, JIM BASAL 860 633 9111 NOT SURE IF PART IS AVAILABLE. HE INDICATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10294199December 1, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 95 WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON AT 79MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AS WAS END OF THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY AND ENGINE REVVED AND COULD NOT CONTROL SPEED-NO FORWARD MOTION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND COASTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. NO WARNING OR LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD TO INDICATE ANY TROUBLE JUST UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. TOWED AND INFORMED THAT TORQUE CONVERTER THE ISSUE AND MAY BE ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS-AT THIS TIME ATTEMPTING TO FIND PARTS(NEW OR REFURBISHED). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293903November 29, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I WAS TAKING MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN TO MASSACHUSSETTES FOR THANKSGIVING. WE WERE ON THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE TRAVELING AT 70MPH WHEN THE ENGINE REVS INCREASED DRAMATICALLY AND MY VEHICLE LOST POWER. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE OVER TO THE SHOULDER BUT ONLY AFTER ALMOST BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC...THIS WAS THANKSGIVING BREAK. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO ANY GEARS. I HAD TO WAIT 1.5 HOURS FOR HELP, THEN HAD TO HAVE THE VAN TOWED BACK TO DELAWARE. I WAS RESEARCHING WHAT IT COULD BE AND WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WERE BEING FILED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I CAN NOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED AND HAD TO BORROW MONEY TO GET IT TOWED. I HOPE SOMEONE FORCES FORD TO MAN UP AND TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293907November 29, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2004 FORD FREESTAR THE TRANSMISSION WORKED FINE AND THEN WITHOUT ANY NOTICE IT DOES NOT WORK (11-27-09). I MOVE THE SHIFTER TO REVERSE OR DRIVE AND NOTHING HAPPENS, I GIVE IT GAS AND THE ENGINE JUST REVS. I AM TAKING IT IN TO A MECHANIC THIS COMING WEEK. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293755November 28, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AIR BAGS, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER TO THE ENGINE ON 2004 FREESTAR WHILE DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COST $4000. FREESTAR HAS 48,589 MILES. EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED IN AUGUST. HAD CAR IN TO DEALER 4 TIMES DURING THE SUMMER FOR TRACTION CONTROL ISSUES AND FAILURE OF BACKUP SENSORS. 2006 HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER DUE TO ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING 3 TIMES IN LESS THAN 2 MILES. TRADE IN VALUE $5700(MINUS $4000 IN TRANSMISSION AND AIRBAG MODULE REPLACEMENT) *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293697November 27, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
NO ONE RETURNED MY CALL FROM SAFERCAR.GOV. I HAVE A 2004 FREESTAR 4.2 LITER V-6 WITH 61,000 MILES AND HAD A COMPLETE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE PRESCRIBED MAINTENANCE AND THIS FAILURE WAS INEXPLICABLE. I SAW ON YOUR WEBSITE REFERENCE # PE 09033 AND IT DESCRIBES OUR PROBLEM COMPLETELY. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AND REPAIRED BY A HIGHLY REPUTABLE SERVICE PROVIDER. OUR REPAIR BILL WAS $1700 PLUS DOLLARS AND WE FEEL FORD AND/OR ITS SUPPLIERS SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. *TR ALSO 10295342 SMCH
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293474November 25, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED WHEN ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE DRIVEWAY IN THE MORNING. CAR: 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THERE IS NO DRIVE NO REVERSE GEAR NOTHING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293478November 25, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE EXITING THE PEARLRIDGE SHOPPING MALL PARKING GARAGE IN PEARL CITY, HAWAII, MY VAN COMPLETELY LOST POWER. AS I DRIFTED TO THE STOP LIGHT I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO ANOTHER GEAR TO SEE IF I POSSIBLY HAD SOME OTHER GEAR TO GO INTO SO THAT I MAY PULL OUT OF TRAFFIC. AFTER TRYING FOR A FEW SECONDS I REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT MOVE THE VAN AND HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH. I HAD TO ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE VAN WHILE TRAFFIC WAS PASSING ON BOTH SIDES OF ME. LUCKILY, A MOTORIST STOPPED AND HE AND ANOTHER GUY ASSISTED ME IN GETTING MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE PARKING STRUCTURE SAFELY. WITH A VEHICLE JUST QUITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD LIKE THIS ONE I WAS AT RISK OF BEING REAR ENDED WHICH WOULD HAVE LEAD TO A SEVER ACCIDENT THAT WOULD HAVE INVOLVED MYSELF, MY AUNT AND MY TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS ALONG WITH THE OCCUPANTS OF THE STRIKING CAR. I WAS ALSO AT RISK WHILE TRYING TO CLEAR THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY BEFORE AN ACCIDENT COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR. I BOUGHT THE VAN USED IN 2007 AND RECEIVED A FULL TRANSMISSION SERVICE BEFORE I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME. THIS WAS DONE AT 46000 MILES AND NOW THAT I AM AT 84K THIS MAJOR PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED. I BELIEVE I AM SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION SERVICED EVERY 50K MILES SO I AM STILL GOOD WITH THE FLUID. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WOULD COST ME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $4700 TO GET THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY USING A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION WHICH WAS POSSIBLY FIXED FROM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I HAVE. WITH ALL OF THE POSTED COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WHO HAS AND ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS I AM, I FIND IT HARD JUST TO SIT BACK AND SHELL OUT THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY WHEN IT SEEMS TO BE A MUCH LARGER PROBLEM THAN JUST THAT OF ONE VAN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293496November 25, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HAVE OWNED THIS 2006 FREESTAR SINCE NEW. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL ISSUES. STEREO SYSTEM - INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS WITH THE PRESETS RESETTING AND THE CLOCK SETTING BACK TO 12:00. ALSO THE VOLUME FLUCTUATING UP AND DOWN ON ITS OWN WHEN USING THE REAR CONTROLS. THE STEREO HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. REAR DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL LAMP - HAS BURNED OUT AND BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE PROBE - IS NOT READING PROPERLY. STARTER - HAVE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE. HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESOLUTION FROM SEVERAL DEALERS. THE PCM WAS NOT FOUND TO BE WET OR DAMAGED. ARE CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS MAJOR WIRING ISSUES AND IS A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. ALSO, THE REAR AC BLOWER SQUEALS INTERMITTENTLY AND HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE AS WELL. STILL DOING IT. THERE IS A MUFFLED THUMP SOUND COMING FROM THE AIR CLEANER BOX AREA. THE LAST DEALER WHO LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE STATED THAT THIS IS NORMAL. WE DON'T AGREE. SEVERAL, UNRESOLVED, REPETITIVE ISSUES WITH THIS VEHICLE. VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH FORD AND WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293505November 25, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, WITH NO WARNING OR ANY PRECURSOR PROBLEM OF ANY KIND. FORTUNATELY THIS OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS HAD IT OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEED AND HEAVY TRAFFIC. TORQUE CONVERTER STRIPPED, HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293398November 24, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 35MPH, MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITHOUT WARNING SUDDENLY LOST POWER AS THE RPMS WENT WAY UP. WAS ON AN INCLINE AND ABLE TO COAST TO A PARKING LOT. CAR IS AWAITING REPLACEMENT OF TORQUE CONVERTER / TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293460November 24, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293294November 23, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 35 TO 40 MPH THE SPLINE FELL OFF OF THE SHAFT WHICH IS CONNECTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK SINCE THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A CRASH TO OCCUR. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 133,654.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293310November 23, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
MY 2004 FORD FREE STAR VAN QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION. WITH NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER IT WAS LIKE THE VAN WAS IN NEUTRAL. MY WIFE AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC. THE LOCAL POLICE WERE CONTACTED DUE TO THE HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE AREA. WE ARE NOW TOLD OF THE ISSUES WITH FORD FREE STAR AND IT'S TRANSMISSIONS. THE REPAIR WE WERE TOLD WILL BE UPWARD OF $3000.00. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SEEMS TO KNOW OF THE ISSUES WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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