We bought a 2004 Ford Freestar with 68,000 miles on it 3 years ago, 1 month after purchasing the transmission failed with no warning going 75 down the interstate. Had transmission repaired after an expensive tow and rental cars got the vehicle back. 1 1/2 years later I am having the same trouble again. Can't afford to keep fixing an obvious defect.

- Mcpherson, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle would not shift gears. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the contact was awaiting a diagnostic of the failure. Neither the dealer nor manufacturer was contacted in regards to the failure. The failure and current mileage was 76,185.

- Harrodsburg, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving at approximately 35 mph, the contact attempted to depress the accelerator pedal when the vehicle stalled; however, the engine was still on. The vehicle was taken to a local service station where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired at the time of the complaint. The current and failure mileages were approximately 72,000.

- Blue Island, IL, USA

Pulling into parking lot and transmission went out. Only has 89,000 miles on it. Had to be rebuilt. Cost $1897.70 to fix. 2004 Ford Freestar.

- Elyria, OH, USA

2004 Ford Freestar minivan - drove minivan to a relatives house, was running fine, no noises or slipping of the transmission at all, got in to leave and had no power in the transmission. Transmission arms will engage but appears torque converter is not operable. The vehicle still won't run and it's going to cost me $3000 to fix!! there are many many complaints of this type and also an open investigation. Many many complaints.

- Hertford, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the transmission failed. The contact was able to maneuver to the side of the road and have the vehicle towed to a local repair shop. The mechanic confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired when the complaint was filed. The current and failure mileages were approximately 60,000.

- Leavittsville, OH, USA

In October of 2009, while traveling I65 with my 7 year old to his fall cub scout camp out, my 2004 Ford Freestar dropped out of gear. After cautiously steering to the emergency lane and getting the van towed to my mechanic, it was determined that the torque converted needed replacing. Ok, so bad luck, I don't like it, but I'll pay it. I was then told that the steel Ford used in that years transmission was a soft metal and I will eventually more than likely have to replace it. Now, approximately 6 months later, my family and I are traveling I75 and my trans axle light starts to flash. We have the van home and I am scared to know how much this is going to cost. The reason for my complaint is that after looking on the internet and seeing all of the issues reported about the '04 Freestar, I am shocked that the NHTSA nor Ford has done anything to remedy the matter. With transmissions and torque converters going out with no warning signs, especially on highways, I find it very dangerous and disheartening that it is still a matter that is lingering. Can I have the information that the NHTSA has accumulated over time concerning the Freestar and what the department of transportation uses a "measuring stick" when determining something is unsafe and should be remedied?

- Shelbyville, KY, USA

I noticed the NHTSA may have opened a probe on the 2004 Ford Freestar transmission issue. The transmission has failed twice at 65,000 miles, once with my wife driving alone at night at highway speed, and the second time with my 17 year old daughter driving at night with friends. Both times created extremely dangerous situations to the occupants and fellow drivers on the road around them. The first the transmission failed at 65 mph, lost power completely. At the time I had the van towed to lindsay Ford in wheaton, md and the torque converter replaced for $2,200. Two months later the incident occurred again with my daughter driving and we had it towed to the dealer again and they "could not duplicate the problem and saw no codes"- paid another $300 for "camshaft sensor replacement" this is an extremely dangerous situation. I have heard this issue has occurred repeatedly and numerous times.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

We lost power to our Freestar as we entered a major highway. The engine was on, but there was no power. My wife and daughters were terrified as the traffic was coming upon on us and we could not move quickly out of the way. Fortunately they were able steer out our way. The transmission had went out and cost me over $1400 to repair.

- Norwalk, WI, USA

I was driving my 2004 Freestar van down a main highway when all at once it would no longer go. I pulled off the road to see if I could see was wrong that when I found out that it would not got into any gears at all. I called the dealer where I bought the van and they took it in just to call me and tell me it was the tranny. I bought this va with 73000 miles on it just to have it a half a month and the tranny to go out on it. To this day they still have the van and can not get another tranny for it. I think you really need to get this fix cause somebody could rally get hurt or killed one day. Just thank god that this highway I was on the was no trucks coming at that time cause this is there one main road they use. I also hate to be still paying on a van that I cant even drive.

- Coalgate, OK, USA

Vehicle stalled, would not stay running, bucked violently. After taking to my mechanic, diagnosed it to be water entering the PCM module. Ford has a tsb for the issue, tsb 06-14-10. Ford would not stand behind vehicle as it was out of warranty. Only has 48,500 miles. This incident could kill someone if the the right driving conditions are met when the failure happens. Only a matter of time, if it has not already happened and it is undetected. Still at the shop to be repaired at this time with the mechanics I trust, not Ford.

- Ocean View, DE, USA

I own a 2004 Ford Freestar sel 4.2L. In Oct 2009, when I was driving in my van with my entire family, I totally lost all the transmission all of a sudden. It was a busy intersection and luckily the cars behind us were able to navigate away. With all the momentum gone, I had a tough time to even pulling over to safety. This was a nerve-wrecking experience given that I had my whole family inside the van. After multiple consultations and diagnosis by repair shops, I found that my transmission was broken. I was so stunned. The mileage on my van is just 55K miles. I spent $3100 to repair and replace the transmission. I paid a lot to get the minivan and such a huge expense for such relatively new van is not in the right consumer interest. Adding to this misery is that when I searched on the internet about Freestar transmission problems, there are lot of incidents (way too many) same as mine. Almost all of them occurring in the similar model and year and in similar fashion. Even at high speeds the transmission just gave away. Not at any point, Ford has come back with any information or any recalls to fix this problem. This is a totally reckless act from a company who claims safety is their primary concern. I had taken this issue with Ford with no resolution. I tried with BBB auto line but with no resolution. Please address the same and provide me an amicable solution. Updated 06/28/10

- Troy, MI, USA

I have a 2004 Ford Freestar. We keep it up properly with all the oil changes and such. On March the 3rd I went to pull away as the light turned green, I barely got into the middle of the road when the van suddenly lost all power. The motor was running but the van would not move. Thank god I did not get hit. We had it taken to the repair shop. They don't know whats wrong with it, no lights or warnings came on but it had to have a new transmission.

- Monticello, MS, USA

I was driving my 2004 Ford Freestar when it stopped accelerating. I was on the highway and it just reved. When I pulled over the car would not go into gear. I had to have the transmission replaced which cost me $2500. This seems to be a trend with this year and model.

- Severna Park, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact was driving at approximately 5 mph when he noticed that the transmission felt as if it were slipping. The contact then took the vehicle to a local mechanic who test drove the vehicle and experienced no problems. The next day when attempting to pull out of his driveway, the vehicle would not shift into drive or reverse. The contact called the dealership and the dealer informed him that the PCM had gotten wet and was the cause for the failure. The dealer instructed him on how to perform the repair for the vehicle and the contact noticed no more problems after the repair. The contact had not spoken with the manufacturer at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 65,100. The failure mileage was approximately 64,800.

- Cranford, NJ, USA

Bought van in June 2007 nothing but problems since. Replaced battery within 2 months of purchase. Replace O2 sensors 3 times and need done again. Replaced transmission, radiator, egr valve, brakes 4 times, tie rod 2 times, calibers 2 times, rotors 3 times, fuel line, you name it, we have had to fix it. Nothing but problems. We have spent close to 8K since Feb 2008 on this vehicle and we can not get Ford to help us at all. Now the axles need replaced as well as sensors again. The dvd player quit working after 4 months, driver side heated seats quit working after 4 months. Back passenger door sometimes won't open or unlock and sometimes it won't close when you try to close it. This vehicle has put my family in serious harm and we almost got into major accident do to most of the issues ie transmission stalled on interstate and had no warning at all. Worst vehicle of all times. I can not trade in becasue I owe over 11K on this piece of crap. Ford needs to refund me all of my money and suffering as well. I have thought about suing them for damages and selling this crap to us especially with 3 small children and having to travel to see family due to husband being a marine and always being deployed. Almost missed seeing my grandpa for the last time before he did back in Sept because of the transmission. This vehicle needs to be off of the roads forever. All of them. Everyone that we know that has these vehicles have the same problems as us.

- Ft. Meade, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph. The accelerator pedal was engaged, followed by a delay in the response time. The vehicle has not been diagnosed at this time. The current and failure mileages were 105,000.

- Churchton, MD, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the vehicle began to lunge forward and the transmission would not shift gears. The vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contacts home where the dealer was contacted. He stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle and any repairs would be at the owners expense. The contact was concerned with the numerous complaints related to the transmission failures in his model vehicle. The failure mileage was 159,966.

- Tomsriver, NJ, USA

I experienced a sudden loss of power after accelerating from a stop light on the morning. I coasted to the side of the road, called my husband, did I mention it was 445 am, he came and towed me out of the way of traffic and had it towed to lithia Ford dealership when they opened. We were told by the service adviser that a new transmission is needed, but they couldn't take it apart because to warranty company would not allow it.

- Fresno, CA, USA

Driving our van on the highway, it suddenly made a revving noise but did not accelerate. This happened again, and then when my husband pushed the gas pedal, the van did not respond. Luckily he was able to steer it to the side of the highway. No warning, no engine light, and the transmission was suddenly not working at all. Very scary and we feel lucky it didn't cause an accident, with our two children in the van. This very thing has happened to hundreds of other people according to internet reports. Ford dealership estimates repair at $2500-3000 to repair or replace the transmission. For a van with only 64,000 miles on it? this puts us in financial hardship and I am scared it will happen again.

- Lewiston, ME, USA