The torque converter in our 2005 Ford Freestar has gone out at 43,000 miles and now at 86,000 miles.

- Napoleon, MI, USA

I have a 2005 Ford freestart. At 50000 miles, the torque converter failed causing the van to not move when the shifter was taken to drive or reverse. The van would not go, but the engine was running. At the time of failure, the van had been driven approx 1 hr earlier to a store, then attempted to drive home and would not move. There was no problem with the transmission prior, just sudden failure.

- Davenport, IA, USA

Car is only 3 years old with 39K miles on it. The transmission failed while driving on a city street. Car would no longer drive. Completely lost the ability to shift or do anything. Brought car to a stop at a light and it would no longer operate. I took it to Ford dealer and they said it was a serious transmission failure. Ford says warranty ran out at 36K miles and cost to repair is estimated at over $3,000. Searched on the internet and found numerous other complaints by Ford Freestar owners. My research shows a clear pattern of consistent transmission failure at relatively low mileage. This points to a defect by the manufacturer and flies in the face of normal consumer expectations that when you buy a brand new car, its transmission should last longer than 30 or 40 thousand miles! I was also shocked to find that NHTSA has not yet initiated an investigation despite numerous complaints filed with the Agency itself. I then called NHTSA to ask what it takes to start an investigation. I assume that the Agency has a typical standard or set of guidelines that it follows to determine whether an investigation is called for, but no one at NHTSA would give me that information or would direct me to anyone else at the Agency who could provide that information. Essentially, I was told "just file a complaint" and go away. No other help was available to me as a consumer and a taxpayer. I'm deeply disappointed with the process and I hope that the step of filing the complaint makes the Agency more responsive than it has been so far.

- Folsom, CA, USA

Traveling North on I-75 in Michigan, our van lost all gears at 50-60 mph with no warning or noise. By the grace of god, the van was in the right lane on a downhill stretch of road and we coasted to the shoulder. The engine would rev and there was power, but no gears. We were going skiing for the weekend and were about 2 1/2 hours away from home. We were able to get a wrecker (after sitting in the van for 1 1/2 hours with 2 younger children) and towed to the nearest dealership. After looking at the car, the service rep said the torque converter shaft was stripped and would be about $1700 to repair. We were fortunate that no one was hurt and other family members were traveling with us to take the children while we rode in the wrecker. This is defect is definitely a safety hazard!

- South Lyon, MI, USA

2005 Ford Freestar van. 95K miles. Transmission went out with no warning traveling at 50 mph on the freeway. Up until this point, everything was fine except we'd have to wait for the tranny to engage longer than normal before applying gas: Forward or reverse. If we didn't, there'd be a surge accompanied by a loud clunk.

- Joshua, TX, USA

Yesterday, 12/7/08, I pulled out of a parking space, switched gear from reverse to forward and applied gas. Other than revving of engine, nothing happened. It would not engage any gears. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop today and they referred me to a transmission shop. I contacted the Ford dealership where I purchased the vehicle and they were unable to help as the vehicle was out of warranty. 2005 Ford Freestar transmission failure at 51,000 miles (December 7, 2008) should be recognized as failure of reasonable assurance of functionality of vehicle.

- Charleston, SC, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled, but the engine continued to run. The vehicle was towed to an auto repair shop and they stated that the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and the transmission has failed completely. The vehicle has not been repaired. The failure and current mileages were 58,000.

- North Eastham, MA, USA

Transmission has malfunctioned leading to complete vehicle immobility. Vehicle has developed a reputation for this failure.

- Lebanon, KY, USA

On Tuesday Nov. 11th at 5:21pm my wife and 3 of my 4 children were driving down a busy 4 lane highway in murfreesboro, tn when without any warning or strange sound the 2005 Ford Freestar van we own failed to propel itself forward. The engine was still running but the car acted as though it was in neutral. My wife coasted to a stop and placed van in park and killed the engine. She restarted and placed in drive position but van would not move. Other drivers were swerving to miss her as no shoulder to pull onto. Reverse gear non responsive as well. Had van towed to transmission repair shop. Total torque converter failure at 55, 500 miles. Paid $751 dollars for torque converter replacement.

- Murfreesboro, TN, USA

Transmission failed in 2005 Ford Freestar minivan while 375 miles away from home on vacation. Had to leave it at Ford dealership while being repaired.

- Athens, AL, USA

Transmission completely fails with now warning.

- Millstadt, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 20 mph and after making a right turn, the vehicle would not move forward or backwards. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The following day, the vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer stated that they would pay for half of the repair costs. The current and failure mileages were 47,000.

- Detroit, MI, USA

Major transmission and electrical system failures at 50K. Wiring harness/computer not housed right; open to water. 3rd time stranded by this car in 5 months.

- Snoqualmie, WA, USA

I was driving my (2005 Ford Freestar 61,300 ml.) van for about 10 min. On the freeway driving at about 60 mph. I approached my exit and I drove on the city street for another 10 minutes I stopped at an intersection waiting for the light the street wasn't at a slope or a slant as far as I know it is a level highway as soon as the street light turned green I attempted to accelerate and it felt like it was in neutral the RPM's revved high I knew it was the transmission it took a few seconds for the gear to catch and I was able to drive to my destination and leave the van there.

- Carson , CA, USA

In September of 2005 we purchased a used 05 Ford Freestar by that October it was in the garage the PCM without. The dealer had the van for 3 weeks went to pull out at the dealer the PCM was still not fixed after 2 or three more weeks got van back. Then June of 06 went pull out of the driveway the PCM without again. Ford pick the van up said they had to problem fixed. They did for a little while but now two years later the PCM is out once again. It keeps going out due to water getting the PCM. Ford knows there is design problem with this model of van but refuses to recall and fix the problem.

- Sumerton, SC, USA

While driving at 55 mph in rush hour traffic on way home from hospital with my four year old son and wife vehicle started bucking and jerking no power. Tachometer was fluctuating back and forth got vehicle back home and called Ford roadside assistance to come tow it. Dealer replaced sensor part # 1F1Z-7M101-aa told us all okay. Vehicle had 35,760 miles on it on 6/18/08. Vehicle again on 6/23/08 started with same problem towed back to dealer could not duplicate problem told again all okay 35,784 miles on it. Vehicle transmission again would not go into gear dealer had it for 19 days and replaced the transmission told all is okay 35,853. Vehicle picked up on 7/17/08 back in shop on 7/20/2008 problem still is not fixed vehicle only has 40 miles on new transmission still will not stay in gear or drive at all as of 723/08 dealer has no answer on how to fix problem or reason for it. Vehicle is very unreliable to drive don't no when transmission is going to act up or stop.

- Woodbridge, VA, USA

Transmission went out while backing out of driveway. Major slippage. Seem stuck in neutral.

- Bedford Heights, OH, USA

We have not had any prior problems with our minivan. We were driving with our 2 small children on a major highway doing at least 60 mph when our van would not go when my husband put his foot on the gas. He was able to get the van to the side of the road without any incident. The engine was running (air conditioning, radio, dvd player all working)but when he put his foot on the gas the vehicle did not move. We now have to have a rebuilt transmission put in the vehicle.

- Beaver, PA, USA

After driving up to the upper peninsula, my fiance was driving our 2005 Ford Freestar limited back to her parent's house. She driving up the hill on the highway when suddenly, the engine's rpms increased dramatically and the vehicle began to role down the hill. She was not towing anything with the vehicle. After the vehicle came to rest, she was not able to put the vehicle into gear and drive. The vehicle was first towed to rahilly Ford dealership in newberry, mi. They were unable to diagnose the problem because they do not have a transmission technician, so they outsourced the job to a company in Canada called Mr. Transmission. After Mr. Transmission removed the transmission and disassembled it, they discovered the front pump and torque converter failed. Mr. Transmission ordered a new torque converter, pump, and seals to repair the transmission. Total bill comes out to be $2600 dollars. So far, Ford has been no help in the repair of the vehicle.

- Dundee, MI, USA

We were driving through a neighborhood when we turned around in someone's driveway after putting it back in drive the van lost all transmission power. The van would not go in forward or reverse in any gear.

- Kankakee, IL, USA