Van without warning stopped moving and engine cut off. This is a follow up from our christmas adventure. Got it towed to dealer and after 2 days of "looking into the problem" told me that water leaked in from under dash(it had not rained or snowed for days- roads weren't even wet) and got the computer wet an caused it to malfunction. Sealed leak and $250 later sent us on our way. Fast forward 2weeks and our van is back in the shop again for the same problems. Come on now, enough is enough!!!!! Recall this problem before people get killed!!!!!
2004 Ford Freestar transmission complaints
Page 29 of 30: complaints 821 to 850 of 851, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Driving down the interstate, cruise control set at 74, and all at once the engine revs and all power is lost . Managed to get off to the side. 3 adults and a 4 year old. It took 2 hours for a tow truck to get there. Now I find out that the transmission will have to be replaced and that this is a big problem with this type of ford products.
2004 ford freestar van with 32,593 miles on odometer was being driven on a flat, straight, stretch of highway at a constant 60 MPH when driver experienced sudden loss of power. Driver dangerously maneuvered out of traffic on highway, but could only coast and soon discovered there were no gears working in the transmission, no drive, no reverse, no low gears....no ability to move van at all! Waited for two hours for a tow truck on a cold minnesota winter night in december. Car was towed to ford dealer. Was initially told by service advisor that our ford freestar with 32,593 miles (9 weeks out of warranty) needed an entire transmission replacement for $3700, they told us it was too extensive of damage to repair any parts individually (this recommendation came from them despite the fact that they admitted they had not even put the car up on a lift). We called ford directly to request assistance and plead our case for a vehicle that had extremely low mileage and was barely out of warranty. The ford representative told us they would call the dealership directly to discuss problem. A day later we received a call from the service advisor at the dealership and they told us they would be repairing the broken part, a torque converter. Ford offered $1000 towards the repair. It took 10 days for the dealership to repair the broken torque converter. Our cost was ultimately $1220.41. This was an outrageous balance due to repair a part that should not have broken at such low mileage! Ford didn't give us a loaner car during the repair time and then slapped us with an insult of a bill.
2004 ford freestar....driving 45 MPH in very heavy traffic...wife driving with a 5 year old, 2 year old, and 6 month old....transmission just disengaged....just went into non-operational mode even though you could shift from r to d to 1 to 2...van is at repair shop and they are indicating trans. Failure....ie torque converter.
Failure of the torque converter/automatic transmission in the 2004 ford freestar is a serious and widespread safety defect. The federal safety agency needs to wake up and issue a recall before someone gets killed driving one of these things. This is a family vehicle! Families deserve safe vehicles, especially when purchasing decisions are made based on safety claims!*cn duplicateto 10290338*smch
Vehicle lost power while moving. No forward or reverse. Problem diagnosed as a torque converter failure on transmission at 49,500 miles. Transmission rebuild necessary to correct problem.
Driving along at highway speed when I noticed my tachometer spike upward and the engine racing. I turned off the cruise control and gave the van gas only to hear the engine race and no pick up in speed. I was lucky enough to be able to get onto the shoulder safely. The ford dealer tells me that the "planetary shaft" has broken off inside the pump in my transmission and that my repair will cost me roughly $3000.00. This free star is only 3 years old. Why is this happening to these fairly new vehicles? I have notices over 1300 complaints on edmunds not to mention the one on this site. Why isn't ford doing a recall. Do they need the extra money to make their stock holder happy!
1. There was no prior warning 2. After normal highway driving, I came to a complete stop. I attempted to put the vehicle in reverse but the vehicle would not shift. 3. The mechanic said it was the torque convertor and the shaft were damaged, causing metal to entire the transmission, scoring in the valve compartment. The entire transmission and radiator are being replaced.
The first time we experienced problems with our 2004 ford freestar (approximately 38,000 miles)was in april of 2007. We were experiencing many problems related to the transmission. We took the vehicle in to our dealership and was told that a dead mouse was causing the problems. The next time the problems were the same, but they couldn't find anything wrong with the van when taken into the dealer. The third time, they said the torque converter needed replaced. At this time they kept our van for three days waiting for ford to get back to them because the local dealer didn't understand what was wrong with it. They fixed it by replacing the torque converter....$1109 later. The first two visits amounted to approximately $400.00 I should add the first time it stopped working, my wife and two young children were driving in a not so hot part of town and had to pull into a seedy area. Cars were honking their horns and yelling at my wife to move. Our littlest child was crying and extremely upset. I was able to get to them and we drove the sputtering van home where we had it towed. The second time we were lucky. My wife was in her work parking lot. The third time we were even luckier...we were home. The fourth time we were coming home (just to let you know...it was christmas) we had the same things happen..sputtering, jerking of the transmission, engine shut off. All times we had to have the van towed. My wife is terrified to drive it in fear that when we pull out of our driveway, she and the children may be hit and killed. We live in between two hills of a very busy road. This road is frequented by dump trucks and landfill trucks! Not only have we spent an extreme amount of money on the van, we read were many families have experienced the same thing. My wife had always felt safe in a ford....not any more. We need help from whoever can help us. Please, let's stop ford before someone gets killed.
This is a national issue of a defective and unsafe transmissions of a ford motor company product that ford refuses to accept or be held accountable for and issue a recall. This is not a warranty issue but a defective product and integrity issue.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While accelerating from a stop with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle would not shift properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they discovered a transmission torque converter slippage. The speed was unknown. The current mileage was 94,000 and failure mileage was 79,000. The consumer stated he didn't changed the transmission fluid, because the dealer told him it was not necessary.
Transmission failure on my2004 ford freestar with 56,000 miles. My wife was driving the van approximately two weeks ago...she accelerated onto the freeway and pulling in front of an 18 wheeler when the van just stopped accelerating and she quickly activated her hazard lights and merged off of the freeway. My four children where in the back seats and this could have turn tragic in the blink of an eye. There were no warning signs. We towed the van to the ford dealer and they stated it was probably the transmission. I explained to them that I looked on the internet to see if there were any recalls on the ford freestar transmissions and did not find any. However, I was able to read over 1300 blogs similar complaints and very dissatisfied customers on edmunds.com website. The horrible thing that raise the red flag is that no one seems to be doing anything about this. I just recently returned from a one year tour iraq, not thinking my family would be in danger on the roads here in the great u.s of a. This is a cry for help / request that someone looks into the ford freestar transmission failures before someone gets killed, I pray that no one has already been killed. Senior chief troy thibeaux u.s. Navy
After leaving a family gathering on thanksgiving day we were driving home (my husband, 2 kids and I) when after stopping at a red light the car wouldn't accelerate, my husband tried to put it on reverse and and other gears but it would not move, all of this was happening in the middle of a 3 lines street with other cars honking at us. Because it was a holiday we have the car towed to our house first and to the dealer the next morning. To put a new transmission the dealer told us that it'll cost us $4390. After complaining to ford's customer service they agreed to let us pay $1293.
On 11/15/07, my wife was driving our 2004 ford freestar with 45,000 miles near our home, (luckily), when, without warning of any kind, the transmission failed, rendering the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle simply would not move under it's own power and stopped in an intersection with traffic. I contacted the dealer I bought it from the next day and was told by the service writer that ford was unaware of any problems with this year and model. Obviously, this was a lie. I then had the vehicle towed to the local aamco dealer. The operator of the aamco dealer is a retired ford technician with over 20 years of experience. In fact, he maintains his ford certification. Not only did he inspect the transmission and find it to be defective, but he also advised me that ours is the third vehicle of this make and model with this same exact transmission failure in the last week or so. All 3 vehicles have around the same mileage as well. So far, fords customer satisfaction center in dearborn has been less than helpful and is stonewalling me on a resolution. I am awaiting a phone call from a supervisor at the call center but I am not holding my breath. I have contacted an attorney and meet with them this week. The vehicle needs a new transmission and we are without transportation until the issue is resolved. This is a serious defect that the public needs to be aware of. This is a family vehicle that was marketed for its safety. The vehicle is unsafe and the public needs to be aware and ford needs to take the lead and step up to the plate and do the right thing.
My wife was driving our 2004 ford freestar to work. She was stopped at a red light on a freeway overpass ready to enter the freeway. When the light turned green and she took her foot off the brake the van would not move. The vans transmission has been diagnosed be the dealer as the problem. There were no warning signs or warning lights to the failure. She was lucky that the van did not die on the freeway 20 feet away and that she did not roll into the car behind her. The van has 62,000 miles on it. After reviewing edmunds comment boards on the ford freestar it seems that this is a common occurrence. Apparently, others have had the same problem with the transmission failing without notice. One poster was going 40mph when his van died. This in my opinion is a severe safety hazard and ford should be recalling these vehicles and reimbursing people for new transmissions. A transmission should not fail at 60,000 miles and without any warning.
I bought my 2004 ford freestar used in february of 2006 from eastern motors and had nothing but problems with it. First it needed a tune-up then the coil pack went bad and now needs brakes and tires. But my main concern is my trans-axle light coming on. I am a mechanic so I scanned it on obd-ii scanner,it told me that my torque-converter was stuck in the open position. So it needed to be replaced. I called ford because I cant get it aftermarket and they said it would cost me 300.00 for it. But the problem is I can't afford it and its on back order for who knows how long .ford cant get until they get some in. Its 2007 and the problem is still there it bucks around while driving and it doesn't go into gear right away. Also when you turn the wheel while driving it makes a squeaking noise at the front wheels and the whole front end shakes wile driving 45 + MPH. According to my VIN there is nothing wrong (yeah right bs) if I didn't owe so much on this van I would get rid of it or better yet( set it on fire my self) so I wouldn't have to deal with it any more. I have seen the other complaints that people wrote and I agree this is (bs )and ford sucks because they don't want to take care of their customer.
Myself, my husband and our two children were leaving a restaurant when without any warning my 2004 ford freestar would not accelerate. My husband stopped the car and tried several gears and it would not go in any direction. He turned the car off and then restarted it and it still would not go in any gear. He pushed it back into the parking lot and we called aaa for a tow to the nearest ford dealership. Several hours later they told us that the transmission was shot and it would cost about $3,000 to replace it (which I can't afford). This van has approximately 60,000 miles on it. We bought it new and still owe over $13,000.00 on it. I researched the internet and found many other people have had the same problem with freestar transmissions going out anywhere from 30,000 miles to 70,000 miles - way earlier than they should. Just visit http://townhall talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f0fb94a/71 this is an obvious problem with the freestar, but when I contacted the dealership where I purchased mine (byerly ford in louisville, ky), they told me there was no recall and therefore nothing they could do. We have since towed my freestar to a transmission specialist near us where it is in line to be worked on. He isn't yet sure if he can rebuild the transmission or if a new one will have to be ordered. This is now september 11 and I have been without my van for 8 days. I'm already out over $300 just for car rental and no end is in sight. *tr updated 01-16-08.
While driving my 2004 ford freestar with 44,800 miles, it caught on fire. The fire was put out by a passing truck driver with his fire extinguisher. The car was towed to a local garage, then it was moved to a ford dealership close to my home. The van needs a new transmission and an oxygen sensor that was damaged in the fire. Ford will not cover any of this, and my insurance is only willing to pay for the oxygen sensor. The car has not been repaired yet, because the dealer is waiting for the rebuilt transmission to arrive.
2004 ford freestar. Backing out of the drive-way I put the van in park and left it idle in the street to see if I accidently ran over a gabage can. While standing outside of the van talking to my husband I notice the van was in reverse. I tried to get back into the van and I fell out of the van trapped between the frame and the door of the van. While still rolling I could hear my bones breaking. I suffered 2 broken ribs and nerve and muscle damage - to this day I am still not totally healed and I have been in the emergency room twice. I have notified ford. They will not call me only have written me a letter. When I call the customer service they will not release any phone numbers to me. I have have responded and had not return reply. Luckly my husband was able to stop the vehicle before it hit a neighbors house. In addition the van turned before running me over. When you take you foot off the brake while in reverse the van immediately roll backwards. There is no way I could gotten out of the van while in reverse. I feel there was either a false park or the van gear was stuck between park and reverse and the slightest movement cause the van to slip back to reverse. The vehicle has been inspected by the ford dealership.
Tl*- the contact stated that the 2004 ford freestar's transmission failed at 79,000 miles while driving at 40 MPH and going up a hill, the engine revved, and the vehicle wouldn't accelerate at the normal speed, but she did get to the top of the hill. The contact stated that the engine continued to run ,but once she got to the top of the hill the vehicle wouldn't accelerate. The contact stated that some men pushed her to side the side of the road. The contact stated she had the vehicle towed to the dealership, and they informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced or reworked on. She was still under the 3 year warranty but had exceeded the miles under the warranty. The contact stated that the dealership replaced the transmission. She contacted the manufacturer, filed a complaint and was given case# 0417400577. The failure mileage was 78830 ,and the current mileage was 79000.*ak the front and rear brake lining and circuit breaker were replaced, the rear wiper was loose. Updated 04/12/07.
Wife's van. Reported that in cold weather it would start hard. Recently while driving to work it bucked several times. Was able to get to work. Informed me of the problem where I went to check van. It wouldn't start after 5 attempts, then it started up but was a hard start. At the same time check engine light came on. Decided to tow it to dealer. Flat bed came but couldn't get to van. To assist in positioning van for flatbed; van started on first try but now when it was put into gear, it didn't move. Either forward or reverse. We pushed it into position. Took to dealer where now it went into gear to offload it from flat bed. Dealer stated when they depressed the brake, all dash lights lit up. Stated it was a dead short they had to trace the wiring. Received call 2 days later, dealer telling me they have to drop the transmission. Which they did, I saw it on a stand, stripped of all inner components. Was told since it's under warranty (26,000 miles), they are going to replace everything that looks remotely wrong. Been a week and still waiting for answers.
Drove the vehicle 100 miles, got gas, started the car, would not shift into any gears. You can move the gear in to gear but the transmission will not shift into gear. I was left stranded with 3 kids 100 miles from home, this happened without warning.
When putting the vehicle into drive from reverse it rolls quite a bit. It happens often. I have taken it to the dealership and they say it's normal and they have received no other complaints like this. I almost hit another car that was behind me in a bank line due to this.
2004 freestar will not shift out of park and cruise control is hard to disengage. *ts initially this was an intermittent problem but recently it had been more frequent. This problem only occurred during very damp and/or cool weather. The dealer was unable to determine if this was an electrical or brake problem.
2004 ford freestar developed a problem with the automatic transmission; when in drive the vehicle rolls backwards. *mr *sc also while in reverse the vehicle will roll forward. Service dealer stated that the sealed gear box did not have enough fluid to keep the van idled at 800 rpms and that there was nothing further they could do about the problem.
2004 ford freestar van developed a problem with the automatic transmission. When the vehicle is in drive it rolls back and in reverse it rolls forward.***no answer required***. *mr the dealer told the consumer there is a sealed gear box in the vehicle which doesn't have enough fluid to keep the vehicle idle at 800 rpms.
We were travelling from pigeon forge, tn to greensboro, nc through ashville, nc on I-40. When we reached the vicinity of greensboro we noticed while trying to pass a truck on a slight upgrade the transmission failed to get power to the road. The engine would eventually "catch" and we were able to make it another 8 miles to our destination. After sitting for several hours we started the car again and the same problems occured (engine revving but transmission would not catch). We managed to drive the van to bob dunn ford in greensboro where it was diagnosed as an internal transmission failure and parts had to be ordered. On the work order it stated: transmission is slipping. Verified complaint. Removed transmission and disassemble, found forward clutchs burnt. Overhaul transmission. Replace clutches, seals, filter and fluid. Parts listed: 3f2z-7902-acrm converter asy 4f1z-7a100-aa control asy f5dz-7a098-aa screen asy xt-5-qm fluid transm 4f1z-7153-aa kit gasket xf2z-7b164-ca plate asy dr 4f1z-7b164-ca plate 4f1z-7b164-aa plate asy dr xf2z-75164-ca plate asy dr 4f1z-7b164-ba plate asy dr xf2z-75442-ba driven plate xf1z-7b442-ea driven plate xf1z-7b442-ba driven plate xf2z-7b442-aa driven plate all was covered under warrenty. I would like to commend both dealerships involved in the incident: bob dunn ford, greensboro, nc and jack kain ford in versailles, ky for their help in reclaiming money on transportation due to loss of family member while car was down. Ford should be aware of this issue but we are also going write a written complaint directly to them to let them know our dissatisfaction with their product.
Dt: bought 2004 ford freestar van, everytime puts van in drive it will roll backwards if it is an on the slightest grade and it is an automatic. If put in reveres it rolls forward. Have notified dealer and ford, stated this is a liquid problem and what you see is what you get-you have to live with it. There is no way to repair this, nothing they could do. Have driven 2005 and noted this did the same thing.
After shifting the gear into reverse vehicle accelerated and lurched backwards. Consumer was able to slam on brake, and switch off the ignition switch to stop the vehicle. *ak after the vehicle was restarted it worked fine.
While driving on a slight incline vehicle rolled backwards when brakes were applied. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic claimed that the vehicle was operating as designed.
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