CarComplaints.com Notes: The Freestar was introduced in 2004, but it was essentially just a rebranded Windstar. While there was a redesign of the interior and exterior, the Freestar still inherited some of the design flaws of its predecessor.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
69,628 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Ford Freestar miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2004 Ford Freestar Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Aug 052022

Freestar

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I just purchased the vehicle used and recently discovered there was a recall on these vehicles. The vehicle I purchased keeps stalling and is not getting any power. I-??ve had the vehicle checked by the car lot and they say there is nothing wrong.. the vehicle died out on me already twice while I was driving.

- South Bend, IN, USA

problem #25

Mar 012020

Freestar

  • 20 miles
I just came across this website and wish I wrote this a year ago because I would have made a complaint then. I have had many issues with the lights flickering, coming on automatically when it rains, my interior lights staying on and actually catching fire because it had gotten so hot. My radio used to turn on by itself or not turn on at all, which has now been replaced. My van has literally died on me while driving more often at times when I'm making a turn or slightly moving my steering wheel. Has almost caused a few accidents because it shuts off without warning. My van will usually have a higher RPM when it's running in park or with foot on break(waiting at a red light). Then suddenly the rpms drop and fluctuate high and low and shut the engine off. My transmission is also starting to fail by not shifting properly. Usually into second gear. The indicator lamp light flashes with means error with the transmission. That is most likely due to the power train automatic transmission torque converter getting wet or it is powertrain automatic transmission. Also have issues with my my power steering the wheel knocks and sorta locks up at times, fluids have been checked and were perfect. I believe that it's associated with the steering hydraulic system failure.

- Fort Wayne, IN, USA

problem #24

Feb 162020

Freestar

  • 116,000 miles
Torque convertor defective in similar Ford Freestar models eddy's Ford dealership sold recall vehicle as is against state & federal laws and lied to disabled veterans about replacing the defective torque converter after discovery of recall caused piston hole engine block and transmission damage cutting out near dangerous bridge intersection.

- Wichita, KS, USA

problem #23

Feb 222019

Freestar

  • 138,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Takata recall: I had the torque converter replaced, per recall in 2013 or 2014, when I lost power in my van while driving on the highway in wa state. I believe my van had about 70,000 miles at that time. I have since moved to Tennessee. Yesterday, I while driving, van died at a stop sign, while moving on the street, turning a corner, and then while driving, lurching forward before dying. It would start, drive a while, then die again. I had it towed to a shop, where they say the new torque converter is "shot" and took out my transmission. It will cost me $2300-4000 to replace the transmission. Ford employee looked up my VIN # and said im not part of a "recall" for bad replacement torque converters, but how can a torque converter go bad....that bad!! in 5 years... and 59,000 miles? my van now has 138,000 miles on it.

- Crossville, TN, USA

problem #22

Nov 182017

Freestar

  • 139,000 miles
I just purchased this vehicle today. Once I drove on the highway to get home the transaxel warring light started flashing. As I looked that up I found that there was a recall for torque converter output. As I read things I seen others had same issue and it was this that caused the issue.

- Ravenna, OH, USA

problem #21

Aug 112017

Freestar

  • 130,000 miles
I was driving home from my work when my van surged forward and lost all power. I was able to start it right back up, but as soon as I gave it gas, it surged forward again and lost all power. It restarted again immediately, but in my parking lot it surged and died a 3rd time. When I attempted to put it in reverse, it would not immediately move in reverse. I had to hit the gas 3 times before it would go into reverse. This also happened three times.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #20

Feb 242017

Freestar

  • 185,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

02 06 2016 the first problem with subfram breaking, I was at savealot 123 St clair avenue 44108, started my engine and shifter gears the engine started I shifted gears and it lots power and restarted, the vehicle jumped and a loud grinding park Ford 400 West avenue tallmage Ohio 44278 I purchased two bolts W711082-S439 purchased 2 bolts one broke and I spoke to the manager/ owner and I was told to return the bolt and the would provide me a new one. At the time they had a kit that was $65 the kit had the bolt steel washer, rubber 2 bushing and a anchor ( what the bolt screws into. 2nd time I was in East cleveland same thing happen with a chuck- hole, I repaired the van again, third time East 123 superior by day car van lost power and loud grinding, 3 time same bolt snapped it was repaired again, rallys E105 St clair avenue chuck holes both the right front and rear subframe bolts snapped in the middle of St' clair officer young and officer king parked behind me while I fixed the vehicle so I could get it home East 105 and elk avenue, rear spare subfram installed, and the front was chained locked and secured with cable just incase the locked chains failed, I called Ford the said to slowly drive it out to them, towing, my insurance company was called and they ensured towing was added but I'd have to pay up front and get paid back, it the end of the month and I'm a disabled usaf veteran on a fixed income so this was not going to work. I was blessed to get the van out to Ford under it own power yes I prayed all the way tears in my eyes. Ford want to charge 300 labor I purchased $296.83 parts, $95.38 parts because Ford feared this parts would break, now come Ford wanting to charge 4X @220. [3F2Z5C148 I bolt I bushing 2 pieces? ] =$880 +296.38+95.38+300 predicted total $1,572.20 this recall is not free of charge, saw kit for $65 on 2/6/2016

- Cleveland,, OH, USA

problem #19

Feb 242017

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 174,000 miles
2004 Ford Freestar [xxx]Ford is charging me for the repair for the torque converter subframe 3-4 $600~$800 bushing kits ($200 each) they want to charge me. I informed them that only do the factory recall repairs the pulled my van out and told me the cant do the repairs, because they are scared of the ball joints and tie rods might break, then complained about the subframe my have to be cut to install new subframe bolts bushings etc. Just to they can continue to take the apart to replace the torque converter. The agreed to charge me 300 labor and told me to pick up the parts needed so I purchased 2 tie-rods. 2 transaxles L-R, 2 lower control arms which included ball joints. They took the subframe apart then told me I need to pay and additional $500 for a used subframe from the salvage yard. Instead of Ford just preplacing the subframe 4 bushings and bolts kits $67 at park Ford 400 West avenue tallmadge Ohio 44278, they want to charge me I needed to get a new subframe bolts and that the subframe is not made anymore and 3-4 $600~$800 each. Then they want to charge me $300 extra labor for cutting the frame/ and welding it back shut to install washer(bolt anchors ) then reseal it, and to uninstall the old parts and install the new parts which they have to remove to perform the factory recall repairs. So this repair is going to cost me $392.20 for parts 300 labor, 800 subframe bushings $1492.2 if purchase elsewhere around $26 each I am a usa disable veteran studying form cisco ccna 200-105 exam and so I can better support my adult special need daughter [xxx],I am [xxx] Ford had my van Friday 24th 2017 its March 1st 2017 and they are searching for ways to charge me more money. While I have to walk to my destinations. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #18

Aug 192015

Freestar

  • 170,000 miles
My van suddenly went out of gear and the van lurched forward, while driving at about 35 mph. Thankfully we were in town, and not going a faster speed or on a major hwy! after coasting to a safe place, we finally managed to get it to go back into gear for a short time. After several attempts, we managed to get it home. It refuses to go into gear now and has been parked since then. I know there has been a recall on the torque converter for this make and model, and those customers have experianced the exact same symptoms as my van. This is obviously a problem with a lot more vans than originally thought and the recall needs to be extended to other VIN #S, including mine.

- Craig, CO, USA

problem #17

Jul 052015

Freestar

  • 50,000 miles
Van will not go into reverse, power windows wont work door locks work strange. PCM module has mosture also hard shifting while in traffic

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #16

Apr 072014

Freestar 6-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The van won't start in the morning when left overnight. I have brought a new battery and alternator still won't start. Have to jump start the van in the morning.

- Watervliet, NY, USA

problem #15

Jul 012013

Freestar 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2004 Ford Freestar. Consumer wants to know if there is any information of defects on vehicle.

- Indianapolis, IN, USA

problem #14

Jan 272012

Freestar 6-cyl

  • miles
I bought this vehicle 03/28/2011 and at the time it recorded a mileage of approximately 107,000 miles. Today I checked and my miles is reporting over 195,000. This is impossible for a jump of over 80,000 miles in less than a year and I hardly drive the vehicle.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

problem #13

Sep 022011

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 86,211 miles
Transmission went out while driving. Thankfully we were not on the highway. No grinding or slipping, the engine just revved and would vehicle would not move. Had 3 children in the car at the time. Very dangerous to trust this car. Got the car to a parking lot, now it has been towed to a mechanic to be checked out. We previously had problems with something in the ignition or something where the car would just sputter and die while driving. Replaced driver side window motor, but passenger side does not work either. Please get these off the road!

- Tulsa, OK, USA

problem #12

May 272011

Freestar 6-cyl

  • 78,500 miles
A few months ago my check engine light came on and vehicle felt like it wanted to stall out, the computer at the shop said that there was a misfire, replaced spark plugs and wires, light went out, 2 days later light back on same thing, shop could find nothing else wrong with the van, we then went to another shop who after having it for a week and not being able to figure out the problem said it was an oxygen sensor, paid $460 to have this replaced, van ran great for 3 days then lght back on and same thing, within 2 days the light went back off, this happened on and off for months then finally 3 weeks ago while turning a corner, the van just died and lost power in the middle of an intersection, unable to go into reverse or anything was able to restart the van long enough to get out of intersection then it died again and was able to coast to side of road but was unable to put van in reverse, my normal mechanic could not figure out the problem the computer kept reading different error codes, he then took it to the local dealer, where they have now had it for 3 weeks and are unable to find anything wrong with it, they did admit that they have been having problems with the PCM getting wet but they cannot find anything wrong with it, it is now running, going into reverse and no check engine light (at this time). I was also told that this could lead to eventual transmission problems as well, so now I have to worry about driving it at all, because noone can fix it, so it will eventually do it again"?"

- West Chester, OH, USA

problem #11

May 062011

Freestar

  • 98,400 miles
Driving down rural highway, sudden loss of drive ability to vehicle, vehicle coasted to stop on shoulder of highway. Engine still had power. Towed van to Ford dealership, result of diagnosis and repair: Torque converter failed causing severe damage to transmission and radiator. Damage required new components to be installed.

- Madisonville, TX, USA

problem #10

Apr 162011

Freestar

  • 113,210 miles
The vehicle experienced sudden loss of acceleration. The engine would rev when gas pedal pushed, but would not gain momentum. There were no warning signs, no check engine light, and no noises. None of the gears would work. The dealership said the bands inside the torque converter had shredded.

- Galloway, OH, USA

problem #9

Oct 182010

Freestar

  • 94,500 miles
As we were on a family vacation crossing Wisconsin on interstate 94 going 65 mph with the cruise control set, the car started T rev very high and we lost all power. The engine ran fine and we were able to brake and steer, but had no forward or backward gears. We had to interrupt our trip, have the state trooper give my wife and kids a ride to the next town, and have the care towed to the nearest Ford dealership. It cost $1250 and took ten days to fix the torque converter which had also damaged the rod that goes to it. Fortunately it did not melt the transmission )or so they told me).

- Shoreview, MN, USA

problem #8

Jan 152011

Freestar

  • 85,000 miles
While driving at 35 mph on a 4 lane road vehicle suddenly lost ability to accelerate vehicle gave no warning just stopped acceleration. Was able to coast off roadway into parking lot. Mechanic stated the torque converter was the cause

- Hillsborough, NJ, USA

problem #7

Jan 132010

Freestar

  • miles
About 6 mo. Ago I saw a defect relative to my vehicle, however, the Ford co. Never sent me anything to bring my car in to correct the defect. Why are they not required to inform the car owners of these defects and have them require owners to bring them in so the Ford co. Can do the repairs no charge?

- Roseville, CA, USA

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