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.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a loss of power. Prior to the failure, the vehicle hesitated. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 151,206. Updated 04/07/16 updated 04/26/16
In 2014 we bought a Ford Freestar, found out later the torque conv. Was recalled and replaced. I took the van to Ford in our area and they flushed out the converter $185+ and that worked for a month or so and it did it again. Took it back to Ford and they kept it a week before they told me I needed a new transmission. I reported about this van before to steve kenner nvs-215kjs 12V-006 I believe that it is not just the torque converter that should have been recall but the transmission too.I had to pay alan jay Ford of wauchula, fl $40.00 for that transmission. This is just not right.! Ford said pay us the money here is a 3 year warranty and good bye. My van cost me $5300 and now I have $10,000. Into this vehicle which is not acceptable!!! my tele is [xxx] I have an invoice/request #15-6151 tis@NHTSA.gov letter by email came back. Can you help me. I really think people are in danger with this type of van. Ford needs to take a look at these transmissions because they would not even rebuild that particular one so I had to get another new/rebuilt one. That's not right. [xxx] [xxx] bowling green, fl. 33834 information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
On freeway, car lost all forward power. Motor running. Made it to shoulder. Shut all down. Started motor..put in gear.. managed to get home please see. Carcomplaints.com
My van won't go into reverse and sometimes won't even go into drive. The torque converter was flushed out again after it was supposedly replaced due to recall and is still sputtering and stalling out. They tell me now I need a new transmission at 50K miles another $4K. The van was in the driveway with the health dept. Here to do work and I couldn't get it in reverse to move it for them to put in my septic. After pushing it backward I was able to put it in drive to get around the house' it has not wanted to get out of park at the doctor's office and finally worked with the shifter until it finally went to reverse-backed out-then drive. I was sitting in the middle of a busy lot when it wouldn't go into gear. Took it to Ford and they say I either needed a tcm or a new transmission. Had my van for 2 days before telling me I needed a new transmission. I only paid $5300. For it and they want $4K for a transmission. The van is a 2 owner vehicle and I bought it with 41K miles. Then Ford says that they don't rebuild that transmission-because it is crap and I need a new one. This is not right. Other people have complained of this same thing happening to them. They need to recall this transmission before someone really gets hurt. In driving the van stalls for no reason going 30 to 40mph. People will run you over. My husband is disabled and we can't be worried all the time if the van will get us to the doctor or any place else safely. Now, while the van is in the shop again for another transmission I have no way to Transport my husbands scooter to take him to the doctor. The van was bought to Transport him and the scooter. Without a reliable van I am screwed! I will never buy a Ford ever again. You need to get on this recall for the tranny. Please help these people like me. Another death trap just like the pinto..we should be reimbursed for our time and money. It isn't right.
My Freestar was recalled for trans problem, it broke down while I was driving about 3 yrs ago, Ford in watkins glen NY fixed it, it ran sluggish like it did before it broke down, I just thought "oh well I guess that's how they ran", now three yrs. Later I'm having the same problem its trans is not working again, could they have possibly repaired it with another faulty trans (torque converter) it broke down just like it did before it was repaired. Iv'E spoken to other Freestar owners that have told me there Freestar ran much better after there trans was fixed, ...both times my vehicle was in motion when the trans stopped moving, on a city street. I do believe my problem is do to another faulty torque converter. I live in N.J. now, so what can I do? thank you!
- Voorhees, NJ, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle failed to shift into gear. The contact mentioned when the vehicle shifted into gear, it made a humming noise and stalled. After waiting for a moment, the vehicle was restart but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the torque converter failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 142,000. The VIN was not provided.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving at various speeds, the vehicle vibrated and stuttered without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the torque converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000. Updated 02/12/16 the consumer stated the T-converter was replaced in August 2014, due to a recall. The problem occurred again and the torque converter was replaced again in June 2015. In September the problem was diagnosed again as the torque converter.
Drove the vehicle 1 mile to kids school on the way back it lost power, wouldn't accelerate.. the #40 fuse was blown and every time I replace it as soon as I turn the key on it blows again. Can't drive it and just seems like electrical problems keep occurring with it last time was water in the PCM causing other issues, may be the PCM again I don't know but these free stars are bad for this evidently.. bad design and definitely bad for business..
My trans is not working I only have 58000 mile want to be replace thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'
Transmission problems again. There was a torque converter replace on it in 2011 and then a transmission and converter again in 2012. All under a previous owner. I bought it from that owner and now its doing the same stuff again. My local Ford dealership said there is nothing that they can do. If it still has the same problem, why wont the fix it again because it was not fixed right like it should be. They just put a bad converter in it twice and said forget it. Not fair to us that they wont fix it. This will be the third time.
I am currently dealing with an issue that I find many posts and complaints about on my 2005 Ford Freestar. I was driving around a corner and the car just shut down completely. I got the car pulled over safely thankfully because I had my three children in the vehicle with me at the time. I can start the car and put it into drive and reverse. The car goes into gear but when I hit the accelerator pedal it has no power. The engine revs and rpms go up but no movement. The transaxle light is flashing and the check engine light is now on as well. From all of the research I find this is a problem with the PCM getting wet. It was raining today with around an inch of rain today alone. There was no warning when this happened. The van was running just fine and then it just shut down and started malfunctioning. This is a widely known problem. There are complaints about this all over the internet. Why is Ford able to get away with this even after the service bulletin about it years ago. Does somebody have to die before you will step in and make Ford do something about this? this is the second major problem I have had with Ford vehicles. Now I know why my father used to call them "freaking old rebuilt Dodge" Ford is a terrible company that makes crap vehicles and does not stand behind them when serious safety issues arise. They sure can take the tax payer money when they need help though. What a joke!!!! for once please step in and make this right before somebody does get killed. There are many worse stories out there than mine!
My van had a recall 11S25 for a faulty torque converter. I had it replaced 8/7/2013 with 72690 miles at huff Ford in wytheville, va. It started having the same symptoms last Tuesday. I had it checked at huff Ford in wytheville, va, they could not duplicate the problem, but it continues to "shudder" at different times. When I asked about the torque converter being covered because of the recall I was told there was only a 12 mo 12000 mile warranty. Is that all Ford is required to do for this continuing torque converter/transmission problem? any help would be appreciated. Thanks, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle jerked and a loud noise was heard near the front of the vehicle. In addition, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to accelerate as the rpms reduced. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V006000 (power train). The failure mileage was 102,000.
Vehicle loses power, erratically shifts gears, RPM gauge bounces around and check engine light comes on. I later find that the error code is P1740 (torque converter clutch inductive signature malfunction) after further research I see that there was a recall for this model and year of vehicle for this exact problem yet my specific vehicle is not covered under the recall. I bought this vehicle from a used car dealership and I believe they knew about this problem beforehand and kept it from me, telling me how good and reliable this vehicle is. The vehicle still drives for now but who knows how long and whether any additional damage may be done just by continuing driving it. I bought this because we needed a safe family vehicle and now I'm out all the money I spent on it without enough left to fix it. I obviously can't drive my family around in it and risk it just shutting off in the middle of driving down the road.
In 06/2014 my van transmission light came on then went out. I thought it was nothing as time progress I notice that my van was slow and hard shifting. I took it to the nearest transmission auto shop and they told me it was my internal transmission failing. I put it in the shop and the repair cost $1200 to fix. It got it out worked fine for a few days then started back slow and hard shifting again. Took it back to mechanic they said they don't see anything wrong with it. I did this several and had no luck with it. 08/2014 I started having more noticeable electrical problems like dash board lights come on now and then radio resets it self sometimes it wont work at not even the dvd player. The doors wont lock alarm goes off when it wants to and power sliding wont close. So I only drove the van around time limiting my trips contacted Ford no help there. Then winter comes in all of sudden my van works great dash board lights working dvd and radio working fine most importantly my van transmission was shifting properly but then on warmer days it starts to act up again.on 02/16/20015 my children and I was on our way to get groceries for the winter storm that was coming, the lost power and died luckily was close to home that I could pull over start it again and make it home safely. Then today it will not start up at all. Im a single mother of five young daughters and my oldest daughter and I are both disabled. We depend on this vehicle to get back and forth to our doctors appt. Im planning have a mechanic check my PCM and to see if its water damage. But I've notice several fellow Ford owners are going through similar problems. I don't know why Ford not willing to own up to their life threatening mistakes.
Received 3 vehicle service bulletins mfgr campaign #: 11S25. Made appointment for 07/08/14 @ 10:00am with duval Ford 32210 and drove my van there. Duval Ford rented me a hertz vehicle because they could not finish the recall repair. On 07/11/14 duval Ford called me to say my van is ready. Mileage on my van in on 07/08 was 47322, mileage out on 07/11 was 47324. 08/25/14 mileage 47597 called duval Ford my van keeps stalling and shuts off in drive also chugs up on inclines. I had aaa tow in. Duval Ford did in place next morning start up, no road test did say 1 code in system P21 07 rev limiter. I drove home approximately 15 miles no stalling. 09/05/14 mileage 47598 ? as written on service order called duval Ford my complaint upon accelerating van shudders called aaa towed in to duval Ford roadtested found bad shutter, no acceleration, found #3 cyl not firing #5 misfiring, replaced coil pack, spark plugs and wires removed upper intake to service. Charge $780.25 09/25/14 mileage 47834 called duval Ford, aaa towed in, check engine light on and not driving right diagnosis water in the PCM connector resealed top engine cowl, numerous transmission and engine codes on. 10/21/14 mileage 47968 called duval Ford aaa towed in van stalling and won't move when in reverse gear. Diagnosis trans codes in memory U1039, PO713, P1502 voltage spikes when trans upshifts. Etc.. 01/21/15 mileage48536 called duval Ford aaa towed in van stalling shuts off won't move when in reverse. Diagnosis cannot find any problem. Driver returned van to my driveway. No work service order. 01/23/15 mileage 48549 started van would not move when in reverse played with shifter, did go in reverse backed into street shifted into drive, engine lt on, shudders. Drove 50 ft turned around parked it in driveway. Same original problem after recall fix. Time line 197 days and 1225 miles no previous problems.
I was driving on I 95 South in North Carolina over 2 hours from home when the transmission disengaged with no warning. I had to coast to the shoulder and cross one lane of traffic in the process. I am very upset about this because I had 5 children in the van with me at the time. I had to have the vehicle towed to the closest dealership and find my own way home. I researched and found that there is a recall for the torque converter. I called the dealership today and asked if this would be a covered repair because F the recall and they suggested that it would more than likely not be, although they need to diagnose the problem first. The symptoms are consistent with what I have read online for this recall.
After having the torque converter recall repair done, the vehicle started having minor transmission problems (though I did not recognize them as that at the time). It would be sluggish in shifting, for example. However, eventually this reached the point that at times I could not place the transmission in reverse. I would be stuck until after going back and forth through the transmission, or turning off and restarting the vehicle, it would eventually engage in reverse. Then this started happening in forward gears also. I assumed it was part of the same transmission issues as in the recall (NHTSA engineering analysis #EA09016), but the dealer said no, it was water in the transmission and a separate issue altogether. No-one can explain why this should happen at 70,000 miles. I think this is related to the original issue or the recall repair and should be covered. It seems NHTSA has two other investigations going on this: NHTSA preliminary evaluation #PE09033 and NHTSA preliminary evaluation #PE10033. I want to add this to the data collection, since I think Ford is responsible.
Water gets into the transmission fluid and the transmission went out - had to be rebuilt for $2656.76. My mechanic and his tranny repairman found the cause of the water entering the fluid and has now fixed the problem. Ford needs to recall these vehicles and have this issue fixed. I was lucky not to have been in an accident when the transmission failed. This is a definite safety issue and Ford needs to stand behind of their product and the safety of all occupants in the 2005 Ford Freestar sel.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Moraine, OH, USA