10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 5
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 100,597 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I had the torque converter recall performed about 8 months ago. While driving today, the torque converter failed. Ford dealerships replaced torque converters with faulty torque converters.
- Durham, ME, USA
Accelerating at 35-45mph. Loss of power as engine starts a grinding noise and wont upshift to next gear. Indy mechanic had to replace/rebuild transmission.recall for torque converter was performed by Ford dealer prior to problem.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
When driving down the road as vehicle appears to shift from drive to over drive there is a shudder in the transmission. I have had vehicle check by a professional repair facility and been advised that the torque converter is bad. This vehicle does not fall under the recall, although I am having the same problem of the vehicles that were recalled. I am hoping that a revision can be done on this vehicle and all others like can be included in the recall.
- Lore City, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 30 mph, the accelerator pedal was applied and there was no engine power. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. In 2013, the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train), but the failure recurred recently because the remedy was insufficient. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 162,801.
- Wheatfield, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While shifting from reverse to drive, the vehicle suddenly would not accelerate forward. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who indicated that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact indicated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train) in 2012 for the same failure. The failure mileage was 135,928.
- Middletown, OH, USA
Transaxle broke while I was in a fastfood drive thru. Complete loss of drivability.
- Billings, MT, USA
Had the torque recall done last August by a local dealership, and while accelerating yesterday I lost all control of the vehicle and the engine stalled, transmission is now shot and the PCM is damaged from the moisture even though I had completed the tsb the dealership advised me of. Several sensors kept failing randomly, and would only last about a month.
- Tulsa, OK, USA
Stopped at a stop sign and the van would not move. No gears worked. Couple days later, it drove fine. Couple days later no gears again. (and the torque converter was replaced under recall in 2012) now won't start and dashboard goes crazy after the key is out. With all the transmission problems and the wet PCM problems, I can't believe Ford doesn't have to recall these van because of the PCM!! this vehicle is a hazard to drive.
- Waterford, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford freestyle. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 40 mph, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact shifted to park and the vehicle failed to shift gears. The contact mentioned there was an internal transmission leak. The failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
- Saint Pete, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 40 mph, the transmission began to hesitate and slip gears without warning. In addition, the transmission failed to function in reverse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Laredo, TX, USA
While driving on the freeway at 55 mph my vehicle lurched forward drastically and then stalled. I was able to get it to the side of the road coasting as I was in the outside lane. I could restart the car but only go 50-100 feet and it would stall again. I managed to get it off the road into a parking lot and found out the car wouldn't go into reverse. Although I could go forward. I am now being told that there was a torque converter recall for this year and make of car but not for my vehicle. I am being told the transmission will need rebuilt and be at a cost of 3000-3900 dollars. The car has approx. 102,000 miles on it. I was told by the transmission shop this is a common problem with this car even if they are repaired they tend to have problems again. It should be noted that it had snowed a large volume that day and there was a lot of water on the roadway.
- Mentor On The Lake, OH, USA
PCM gets wet and causes all kinds of problems! should be a recall! can cause vehicle to just stop while driving, shorts out things. Turns lights, radio, etc on even when van not on. Problems with starting when it rains. Cd player and cruise control no longer work, did the PCM fry them too?? dangerous accidents could happen and I am terrified to drive it but it is only vehicle I have. Please help get a recall!!
- Delmar, DE, USA
Turns out there was a recall on the 2004 Ford Freestar in 2012 regarding the torque converter. Here it is two years later and it goes out again. This should not happen. There needs to be another recall on the torque converter and it needs to be fixed properly this time before there is a death from the incident. I had two kids under the age of 3 with me at the time and sitting in the pouring rain, in chilly weather, waiting for a ride home was not fun. Fix it Ford!!!
- Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Transmission went out while coming home from christmas with family on rt I70 just before hagerstown md. Lost all fluid from transmission causing entire vehicle to fill with smoke. There is a recall for the torque converter I have since been informed that could cause the transmission itself to fail. However the dealer says only the torque converter is under recall and wants $3000 to replace entire transmission! they have not even looked at the transmission to see what is wrong. Their reasoning is that since the fluid came out and covered underside of van then it must be a completely bad transmission.
- Martinsburg, WV, USA
2004 Ford Freestar towed to the garage due to a transmission issue. The consumer stated he did not receive a recall letter, until after he had the repairs done on the vehicle. The consumer has full documentation that Ford agreed to pay for all expenses directly related to the recall even if the repairs were done by a private business. The vehicle had no forward or reverse movement. The torque converter was replaced.
- West Bend, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that transmission fluid spewed out of the vehicle and the vehicle failed to accelerate past 45 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 87,822. Updated 12/09/14 the consumer stated the transmission blew out of the dipstick all over the motor. Vehicle came to a stop on a busy interstate almost causing an accident. The dealer would not assist under recall. Updated 10/5/15
- Madison, OH, USA
. in addition to causing an engine to stall, which may or may not then restart, transmission shift poorly, the vehicle has had erratic power, almost every time there is an inability to shift the vehicle into either forward or reverse. On start up no matter the temp of vehicle the idle RPM is higher than normal in park ! it has been service many many times.. now our transmission fluid looks like pepto bismol !!
- Lima, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the transmission failed due to water intrusion. The dealer replaced the clutch and torque converter, but the failure was not corrected. The vehicle was taken back to a dealer who stated that the water penetrated due to a failed car seal. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000.
- Mansfield , OH, USA
Driving at highway speed to halfway [xxx] for a picnic. All of a sudden the van lost all power. Barely had enough speed to coast to a safe spot. Even then there wasn't enough room on the shoulder. Driver side was hugging the white line...... information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Mifflinburg, PA, USA
- Albion, IN, USA