The front end of the car was welded improperly and the weather stripping was faulty allowing water to pour down into the car and onto the powertrain control module (PCM) at any time after it rains causing the car to lose power and the transmission to fail. This is a known and common problem among '04 Monterey and Ford freestars. When the PCM is wet it shorts out all transmission shifting and engine regulation. The first time this happened the car would not start or run properly, had irregular engine power, and the transmission would not shift. The engine was trying accelerate even in park. The car had been parked overnight and ran fine the day before, but caused trouble the next day. It had rained during the night. When the PCM dried out the car ran normally again. The second time however, the PCM completely shorted out and is irreparable. The engine runs sporadically and the transmission will not shift out of first gear creating a driving hazard. The car seemed alright until I was on the road test driving and the car would not accelerate, causing me to be stuck going a max of 15 mph in traffic. The car then lost power, forcing me to pull of to the side.

- Orange, MA, USA

While driving I noticed my third row seat was bouncing some, when I stopped I found that the latch holding the seat down was unattached. When I took it into the dealer he said that it is rusted through. I had my special needs son in that seat, hit his head but nothing major. Unfortunately I now am unable to Transport my special needs son because he has to be in the third row seat. My drivers side wheel well is also totally rusted through and water is getting into the car. I am not sure if it is related but my traction control light is always off and on along with the tire pressure indicator. I already replaced the PCM last year when my car became un-drivable due to major electrical issues.

- Commerce Twp., MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. The contact stated while driving 60 mph the rear wheel well that secured the rear seat was covered with rust and broke away. The vehicle will be taken to the dealer to be repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and a claim was filed. They offered no additional assistance. The failure mileage was 123,000. Updated 09/02/11 updated 10/31/11

- Taylor, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Mercury Monterey. While driving between 3-5 mph out of the driveway, the vehicle just stopped moving. The vehicle would drive in reverse, but would not go forward. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic and the contact was informed that a new transmission was needed. In addition, both sliding doors on the vehicle failed to close properly. The doors would pin an adult or bounce back open instead of closing as they should. The doors were repaired. The VIN was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 52,000.

- Camden, NY, USA