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 light for the powertrain malfunction started flashing after we had the alternator changed. Do not know if it was just a coincidence but the speedometer also stopped working.
Driving home van starting shuttering violently then shut off while still rolling lost all power, was safely able to get to side of road. Told issue cost 1500 to fix seen Ford service bulletin on defect of water getting to PCM on internet.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the sliding door lock failed and could not be unlocked electronically or manually. The local mechanic stated that the power control module was defective. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
Heavy rain all day and the water was leaking on the main computer board. Causing the van to stall out and resulting in a $100 tow bill. The shop told me it is leaking and needs to be replaced and sealed.
Coming into my parking lot, I lost power steering. It appears that I have a leak. But before this happened, I had some odd sounds happening and some other minor issues with the vehicle that at the time seemed unrelated. Then I lost my steering. I bought this vehicle used in '09, so I expected a few issues along the way. This is not the first major issue I have had, as I had to have the tranny recall issue repaired about a year or two ago. (what is it with Ford thinking it is more cost efficient to allow people to get harmed than to fix a problem?!!! unfortunately I have not had the income to buy a non-Ford vehicle, but mark my words, when I do have the income, I will no longer be a Ford driver.) not the first time that I have had to get recall work done either, I now have to get the rear seat fixed yet, but cannot drive it to the dealer to get it fixed because I don't have power steering! ironic? hhmmmm...I wonder. My car has been sitting since Jan 6 2014. No money to fix it until now. Thanks Ford -please note: Said with sarcasm.
- Painesville, OH, USA
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I would like to report the failure of a company and a van. I recently purchased a 2005 Ford Freestar for my family of five that has been the worst decision of my life. A month after I experienced what too many other owner have also experienced. Water in the PCM, this almost resulted in a crash and injury to me and my family. Stalling out without warning at any speed. This known issue has gone on too long without any response from Ford company. I am not a believer in someone has to die for there to be change. Also don't appreciate the cost of this job over $1000. I was fortunate to not be on the highway and crash. Although then we might get our money back. This has also led to other issues that has become a chain reaction of failure. I will keep my receipt for as long as I have to.
I bought my 2005 Ford Freestar in 2005. Almost immediately after buying it we had instances of the power locks not working. The driver door will unlock but the rest will not. We have even had to climb in through the driver door to unlock the back doors by hand then try to get groceries out of the way back through the middle doors. This is also a huge safety concern for me. If I were to get into an accident and be incapacitated and my kids were in the car, they wouldn't be able to open those doors because it keeps them locked even if you push the buttons to open them automatically. I am sick of dealing with this issue. There are so many forums on line where other people have the same problem. This needs to be fixed!
I have had an issue with it dying and stalling out and not wanting to move.... after 3 trips in a month to the dealership they finally found the problem, it was the PCM module..... I called Ford Motor Company and informed them that after doing research online that I have noticed that this is a major issue with many owners..... they said that if enough people call in and inform it will get addressed by NHTSA...so if you are having this problem or have had it please call in. Keep your receipts for any repairs done due to this and if there is a recall and hopefully it will be before someone dies due to it. We will be reimbursed for our repair costs.
Driving at approximately 35mph the vehicle started stalling out and would not shift properly. Fortunately was able to safely coast to side of road. Had vehicle towed to conway Ford in conway, SC. Needed new power control modular (PCM) due to water leaking through windshield cowling and shorting out connections to PCM. Created a potentially dangerous situation with vehicle stalling out while in motion. Research has revealed this to be a very common problem with this vehicle that is a safety hazard that needs to be addressed by Ford Motor Company with a recall.
When is the NHTSA going to get serious with Ford on forcing them to issue a recall on the PCM that shuts down the engine and puts the driver and passengers in a death vehicle. This is a known issue all over the internet as well as any master certified Ford technician.the PCM is under the cowling where the water settlers and get electrically wicked into the PCM shutting it down at any time under load in traffic freeway speeds.just want to know if people have to die before something happens with a wildly known defect we bought this vehicle brand new because of the safety rating at the time for transportations our special needs son, I sure hope this issue doesn't end up with a death of my wife and children due to, the lack of concern from the NHTSA. Waiting for a timely response and resolve.
My wife had just left work. On a very busy street the van up and died. Restarted it and had no power to get up to speed. Kept shutting down. Managed to get in to a parking lot. Had it towed to the dealership. At first was told it was the transmission. Now, they say it is the PCM. PCM has been on back order for some time. Ford said it was shipped on Nov. 13 2013. Called the dealership on the following Friday and no part. No was told that there is an even longer wait time for the PCM. Having a aftermarket PCM installed. Two weeks without our van is long enough. Hope to have it back on Friday the 22nd of 2013. Have talked to Ford customer care, they know there is a problem. Have read that the seal under the cowling lets go and water will drip down onto the PCM connection and mess up the PCM.
The situation is very danger, the problem with the PCM issues, that share bad information with any other component in use, engine, transmission, lights, ac system, low battery or not turn on even with new battery, and the wires and connectors clean. The most dangerous is just stop running in middle of traffic, or some mechanic did not have idea about the problem, even the sarasota Ford mechanics. A few weeks a go I left the car for 2 days, present in my opinion transmission mal-function, after they charge me $140, no problems solved, and they say the technician report : needs engine work before transmission diagnostics. Needs cam syncro assy.(fix whinning noise) I agree ok. Need a sensor asy "?????? connect a little metal wire on top engine (they call bush.....??") after that all the problems still happening all the time. If you have any answer about all this, or place to go and get a real inspection and report. From now and forever, thank you very much.
In the morning the vehicle battery had been drained and we had it towed to the dealer. They replaced the alternator. We picked it up and the check engine light came on. They said it was the mass air flow sensor and replaced it. Two weeks went by and one day the vehicle wouldn't start. We had it towed to the dealer and they said it was the mass air flow connector and replaced it. The next day the vehicle wouldn't start. We had it towed to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong. The engine always idles very rough and no one can correct it. It has stalled in traffic. I have done research and have been made aware of a problem with the PCM module on these vehicles. Apparently rain gets it and soaks the module causing all sorts of electrical and transmission problems. Ford is aware of the issue and has issued a service bulletin and repair kit for this problem, but no recall.
I was driving on a city street when my engine light began flashing/blinking. I was having trouble with van making weird sounds and vibrations. I immediately pulled over. Just had tranny recall work done, same light on. I called Ford-they said it was a miss and I should bring it in. I was too afraid to drive that far, and I have no $ for a tow or fix. Was told by mech friend that it could be any of many sensors and I'd have to trial and error to find it. This is not the first time this has happened to me, and it seems to be worse when it has rained or is very damp out. It vibrates, shakes, and sounds like the engine is not right. Also I have no get up and go, it wants to stall out every time I try to accelerate, and I had a near accident once. Seems to be worse on hills or any inclines. Not a happy Ford customer-again. These problems have been on-going for the last six months or so. Anything over 25mph and the van "shimmies" really bad.
After rain all night on wed.6/4/2013 went to take van to pittsburgh started hesitating and vibrating while on highway could not speed up and tried to get in slow lane lot of traffic almost collision. Tried to go up small hill no power vibrating trying to stall, turned off wouldn't startfor 15 minutes very scary. Looked online bulletin for PCM gets wet and causes this, someone could have been killed.
The car would start then stall. I would be driving and it would just slow down like no gas getting into engine and stall out. I took it to Ford dealer (crest Ford centerline Michigan) they ran it on a scope. Told me I needed turbine shaft speed sensor. They replaced it and called to say my vehicle was fine and ready to go. I picked up car on Monday evening and on Wednesday car had to be towed back to the dealer. Car would start but would not drive. Ford could not find problem and finally I called a friend to ask for a solution. Because of all the issues with the PCM and his expertise I called my Ford advisor [xxx] and told him to check the PCM for water damage. He called me back shortly and said they found the water damage. This is a van made very wrong with a design so that your windshield lets water flow onto the cowl and then damages the brain for the car. I now have to pay $1000 to fix a mistake Ford motor created. This is a problem for everyone who owns this vehicle. I hope Ford fixes it on a recall before someone dies. I feel as a consumer I should not have had to go figure out whats wrong with my car on my own. Ford mechanics should know and be experienced. This will be my last Ford with the way they handle their cars. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Don't have my VIN on me to share at this time. Also, the specific electrical problem is the PCM. On 4/4/2013, I was driving down the highway at about 45-50 mph when my car 'died'. I lost all power - no brakes, steering, etc. Fortunately, none of my kids were in the car. The car was towed to the dealership that night. They said it was my cam sensor. Less than 5 days after picking up the car on 4/9 th car acted up again. (they kept the car for a recall unrelated to this). On 4/14 I was driving down the highway at about 70 mph when the car started to jerk. Luckily I was close to home this time and after stopping several times was able to get the car in the driveway. My youngest daughter was in the car with me who is now afraid to get back in the car. The next morning I had it towed back to the dealership. A few days later they said it was my alternator. I was told they would credit me back the money I put out for the cam sensor. They put in the new alternator and test drove the car. Guess what - the car still jerked. The shop manager took it home with a computer hooked up to it. They could not find anything. They then put a call into the Ford hotline. A week later they tell me it is the PCM. It got wet. Over $400 to fix and that is with a used part. Over $1200 if it is new. A quick internet search finds the PCM is a common issue with the Freestar. Not sure when it will be recalled. I hope no one gets seriously injured before these complaints are taken seriously. I will say this is the last Ford I will buy. I am not sure how to explain to my kids that the car is safe to drive when I don't believe it myself. I guess I will keep my receipt for when this is recalled so I can be reimbursed.
First we had the transmission failure that was unsafe and had to pay for the repair ourselves then finally Ford issued a tsb to repair and recovered our money. Along with that is the more dangerous situation of the van stopping jerking speeding up the driving on the road especially when it rains or even a slight mist. This need to addressed by the NHTSA and pressure Ford to repair this before they are sued for a death caused by the lack of attention to this highly safety related failure.
Took van in to transmission repair shop because even though Ford replaced the torque converter on the recall the transmission still slipped. When repair was completed we went and picked up our van on the way home it died and all the lights were going crazy. Shop towed back to their shop. They went through van and found the computer was saturated with water. We were told need a new computer and new wiring harness and this has been a known issue with Ford with their computers getting wet. Now we are out 2600 and still don't have a car. If this is a known issue why isn't Ford doing anything to fix the issue?
The vehicle stalled in the middle of the road with my wife driving and two children in the car. Luckily no one was injured, my wife was able to coast the vehicle out of harms way. This could have been so much worse had she been pulling out into traffic or merging on to the interstate. The problem is the PCM module has been getting wet, Ford knows of this problem and even created a service bulletin about it. At the very, very least I would have thought Ford would have contacted the vehicle owners to make them aware that a serious issue like this existed. This has the potential to have grave consequences for innocent families owning these vehicles. It is my opinion that vans in particular should be scrutinized a little more closely due to their intended audience, soccer moms hauling around the most valuable possession of that family, their children. It is beyond me how automakers can put unsafe vehicles like this on the road and they are not forced to repair issues like these when the owners and their families are at risk. This is my second but separate complaint I lodged against Ford about this vehicle. The first one was in 2008 or 2009 when the torque converter failed without warning, leaving the vehicle lifeless in the middle of the road. This vehicle should be deemed unsafe for the roads and Ford should be forced to have a fair buy back program for these vehicles.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pleasantville, IA, USA