2004 Ford Freestar seats problems

86 complaints (7% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 116,542. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints: 86
of this car's complaints: 7%
typical mileage: 116,542
crashes: 1
recalls: 1

Which part fails

Mid/rear assembly
2
Front assembly: recliner
1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k

25k-50k

50k-75k

75k-100k

100k-125k

125k-150k

150k-175k

175k-200k

200k+

Ford Freestar seats problems in other years

Related recalls

SeatsReported March 7, 2013 · 196,667 vehicles affected

What is wrong: Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.
Risk: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1‑866‑436‑7332.

Recall number 13V081000 · Recall details

Related investigations

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat AttachmentOpened April 23, 2012, closed May 2, 2013

Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see the federal safety agency recall 13V‑081 for more details).The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the salt belt states or high corrosion areas of the United States: Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.Approximately 100,000 remaining MY 2004-2007 Freestar and Monterey vehicles--those vehicles that were not originally sold, or are not currently registered, in salt belt states--are not included in the recall action. Although these vehicles are the same as the ones described above, they experience significantly lower failure rates because of reduced road salt exposure.ODI is currently aware of only one complaint on vehicle outside of the recall scope.ODI will monitor complaints and take further action if warranted by the circumstances.For owners of vehicles that are outside of the recall scope but exhibit the defect condition, owners (and affected Ford dealers) can contact Ford to request the recall repair.This Engineering Analysis is closed.See attached report and associated recall file for additional information.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.the federal safety agency.dot.gov/owners/Searchreference under the following identification numbers: 10399896, 10410491, 10420028, 10424850, 10433928, 10436592, 10438529, 10440616, 10441489, 10441641, 10442809, 10446564, 10450295, 10450559, 10450587, 10452933, 10453826, 10454977, 10455545, 10456985, 10457423, 10457910, 10458738, 10459042, 10460511, 10461074, 10462910, 10463126, 10463262, 10463366, 10463600, 10464243, 10467003, 10467680, 10468429, 10469188, 10469200, 10470216, 10470510, 10471280, 10471520, 10471813, 10471978, 10472514, 10473087, 10473159, 10477025, 10477387, 10477954, 10478449, 10479247, 10479758, 10480611, 10480665, 10481054, 10481412, 10482213, 10482236, 10482613, 10482620, 10487872, 10489445, 10490515, 10490641, 10490663, 10490744, 10491495, 10492220, 10493470, 10493572, 10496348, 10497631, 10497976, 10498310, 10498433, 10499681, 10499861, 10500495.

EA12003

What 2004 Ford Freestar owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jun 29, 2021 · Seats · 150,000 miles · OH

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat floorboard was corroded with several holes. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 13V081000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined to repair the vehicle due to part availability issues. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect. (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS

Filed Dec 3, 2020 · Body, Seats · 180,000 miles · OH

The part that has the clip for back seat fell out and now there is a 5 by 5 inch hole going into the wheel well and the seat has nothing to clip onto and be secure, this was recalled in this model

Filed Nov 8, 2019 · Seats · 161,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While adjusting the third row seat, it detached due to corrosion. There were no warning indicators illuminated. Tri county ford (032 commerce pkwy, la grange, ky 40031, (866) 417-0262) was informed of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted. The contact stated that the failure was similar to the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v081000 (seats). The failure mileage was 161,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2018 · Engine, Seats · 168,867 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. The contact stated that the back seat near the rear wheel well became detached and the contact smelled an exhaust odor. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited the same symptoms as listed in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v081000 (seats). The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,867.

Filed Sep 13, 2018 · Body, Seats · 75,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While reversing into the garage, the vehicle failed to go forward or backward. The contact noticed a pile of rust on the ground and realized that the rear of the vehicle was entirely corroded. The vehicle was taken to liberty ford of maple heights (5500 warrensville center rd, maple heights, oh 44137, (216) 662-3673) where it was diagnosed that the third row seat latch striker mounting brackets were corroded through and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v081000 (seats). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.

Filed Sep 11, 2018 · Body, Seats · 142,019 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While cleaning the vehicle, the contact found that the rear wheel well and the third row seat latch that was attached to the vehicle's subframe were corroded. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 13v081000 (seats). The failure mileage was 142,019.

Filed Feb 8, 2018 · Body, Seats · 135,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the carpet in the rear rows of the vehicle become wet and soaked. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear passenger seat anchor latch was loose. Months later, the driver noticed a grinding type noise when turning the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the same failure had occurred on the driver's side. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Dec 4, 2017 · Body, Seats · 155,000 miles · IA

Went to investigate the water logged carpet in the rear of the van. Removed interior plastic panels on drivers side of van. The seat anchor mechanism fell out of the wheel well unto the tire. Very fortunate I was in the garage and not travelling down the freeway.

Filed Jun 13, 2017 · Engine, Seats · 81,000 miles · PA

The third row seating latch has rusted out on the driver side. The vehicle I believe has issues that other 2004 ford freestar vehicles have the same issues and were recalled. I have contacted ford, and they refuse to help. I have 4 children and I fear to take them anywhere in this vehicle. Please help. The vehicle jerks and stutters when in drive whether I'm moving or at a stop light as long as I am in any gear. It only has 85,000 miles and I've purchased it in february.

Filed May 4, 2017 · Body, Seats · IN

Im having many issues with my vehicle. The worst one is the passive security system that has stranded me in many areas because it refuses to start. I have tried many things including replacing transponder keys and the transceiver but I still am getting the flashing red security light. Im scared to drive this thing in the winter due to the possibility of getting stranded in cold temperatures. Also this vehicle lets water leak in everywhere causing severe rust and mold issues. One of the floor supports of the drivers seat is close to being rusted through and the other ones are on their way out. The body is severely rusted and im not sure how much longer this thing will be safe to drive.

Questions about the 2004 Ford Freestar seats

Does the 2004 Ford Freestar have seats problems?

Owners have filed 86 complaints about the seats of the 2004 Ford Freestar, 7% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Ford Freestar seats problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 116,542 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Ford Freestar seats?

Yes, 1 recall: 13V081000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Ford Freestar have bad seats?

The Ford Freestar model years with the most seats complaints are 2004 (86 complaints), 2005 (20 complaints) and 2006 (12 complaints).