2004 Ford Freestar: stuck in gear or won't shift

Filed Jul 2, 2017 · Engine, Transmission · 92,500 miles · MA

Transmission won't go into reverse and sometimes not in any gear. Engine stops running on highway with no warning. Nearly had an accident, had to be towed.

Filed Jul 11, 2015 · 50,000 miles · DC

Van will not go into reverse, power windows wont work door locks work strange. Pcm module has mosture also hard shifting while in traffic

Filed Feb 5, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 102,000 miles · OH

While driving on the freeway at 55 MPH my vehicle lurched forward drastically and then stalled. I was able to get it to the side of the road coasting as I was in the outside lane. I could restart the car but only go 50-100 feet and it would stall again. I managed to get it off the road into a parking lot and found out the car wouldn't go into reverse. Although I could go forward. I am now being told that there was a torque converter recall for this year and make of car but not for my vehicle. I am being told the transmission will need rebuilt and be at a cost of 3000-3900 dollars. The car has approx. 102,000 miles on it. I was told by the transmission shop this is a common problem with this car even if they are repaired they tend to have problems again. It should be noted that it had snowed a large volume that day and there was a lot of water on the roadway.

Filed Jul 17, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 110,000 miles · NJ

We replaced the torque converter about a year ago, on our own; we were not familiar with the recall on that part. The van started to exhibit same issues a few weeks later. We went to the dealer where we learned of the torque converter recall. Dealer stated that this time, it was a bad transmission, he informed us that due to us paying out of our own pocket for the torque converter, he would take that money off of the price of replacement transmission; we had issues with that deal. Now, about a year later, the van would not go into gear. We took it to a dealer who gave us a hard time with the three year warranty which came along with the replacement transmission; the van was at the dealer for over two weeks. Once we agreed to pay out of our own pocket, we were told that the wiring between computer and transmission was dirty; they stated that it was now fixed. Now three weeks later, same issue; we took it to a mechanic who found water in the computer.

Filed Jun 4, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 180,000 miles · MI

In good weather without warning the engine stalled in traffic. Restarted, but the engine ran extremely rough. Also the transmission would not go into reverse. Managed to get to a independent service shop. There the technician found water in the PCM. Dried out PCM and car ran fine. Then the transmission light came on. Now they found water in the transmission connector. Two weeks later the car would often not start, and when it did the transmission would not shift out of first gear. On our third visit they replaced the throttle position sensor (tps). One week later same symptoms, this time tps and mass airflow sensors have failed. The problems are all related to the wet PCM! Recall this car, now!!!!!

Filed Apr 13, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · WA

In november of 2013, our 2004 ford freestar quit working. Yes, we had the torque converter recalled and put on back when they had that recall. November was the first time we had this happen to our car. It was raining, and our car would not go into gear, it quit working. What made this bad is that it was on the freeway! My husband put it into neutral, but we still did not have steering capabilities and managed to get us over to the shoulder. We had to be towed to a dealership. The dealership then stated that many people were having the same issue with the electronics getting wet, so he dried it, then let it set for a couple days and caulked it. We thought that would end those problems. Not. (note: this had cost us 450.00) then less than 2 months, the same exact thing happens, only this time we are stuck in a shopping center and could not get our car into gear again. We took it back to the dealership to which they replied that we needed a new electric module. How much? $1500.00!!! In less than 2 months, we spent almost 2,000.00! This was done in february. Here it is now april and guess what? The same exact problem is taking place again!! We are not alone, there are many people facing the same problems we have had, look around at the boards online and you will see that everyone has the same issues!! Some investigations need to be opened or reopened as this is not resolved and lawsuits will be filed if someone gets hurt.

Filed Aug 18, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 52,490 miles · NJ

Van started running poorly suddenly, then would not run at all. After shutting down and allowing cool down time, restarted van and it would not go into gear. Ran well in park or neutral, but shifting into any gear would "clunk" and the engine would immediately quit. After 5 days of troubleshooting, traced trouble to engine PCM after reading in on-line forums about it. Found PCM wet and pins on PCM and contacts on wire harness corroded and green due to water leaking past cowl-to-body seal. The PCM connector is not sealed, so if water does drip on it, it is dripping directly onto back side of the contacts and ford did release a tsb about this issue but not a recall. Tsb says to remove some plugs from body (my van is severely rusted in one of those 2 spots), seal around clips that hold plastic cowl to body with silicone sealant and add additional weather stripping on the outer edges of cowl to try to prevent water. I had to replace my PCM. Had my wife been on the highway when this happened, there would have most certainly been an accident or injury.

Filed Apr 26, 2013 · Transmission · 139,369 miles · LA

Traveling at 55 MPH, vehicle suddenly lost forward motive power in traffic. Vehicle would not shift into reverse or drive. Vehicle was stalled in neutral. Had to shut off the vehicle and restart after several minutes. Drive engaged for two minutes, then lost power again. Vehicle had to be towed to ford motor company where the torque converter was replaced per recall. Vehicle will still not engage in forward or reverse. Ford technicians said they are unsure of the problem, that the recalled part should have fixed the issue.

Filed May 16, 2012 · Transmission · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stopped accelerating and would not shift gears. The check engine warning light also illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer and the dealer stated that the wiring system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure continued. The contact also received the recall notice associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 12v006000 (power train:automatic transmission:torque converter), but the dealer would not repair the recall, stating that it was not related to the failure. The failure and current mileages were unavailable. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Apr 1, 2012 · Transmission · 99,500 miles · IL

Transmission power failure- since it will not shift. I contacted ford-was told to take it to dealer for recall repair.. They said converter replacement. But no parts- don't know when? Bring 4-1-12 and leave it. I asked ,what will you do? I said was running fine till this- what if converter doesn't fix? Sorry; that's all we can do. I asked; w/ the trans out why wouldn't you fix it? Well we don't have the trans out -our mech knows how to make the change w/o removing it! If it is not right -then what? Then it might cost you 2,000.00 or more for a transmission! We are 80 plus years old- we live on little social security and public aid.. I am disabled with problems - our only means of transportation to doctors ,ect frequently.. I can't pay for this faulty trans and can't be w/o car, waiting till ???? The local trans shops seem to have no trouble getting these parts at all. I just have no money to pay them!!please help if you can.

Filed Sep 27, 2011 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · FL

Engine misfires, will not go into gear, nor move, sometimes driveing down the road engine will shut off, ford dealer told us the transmission was bad, I took van to another repair shop, they found water in the PCM, replaced PCM, cost 1300 dollars, and still have same problem every time it rains.

Filed Aug 8, 2011 · Transmission · 86,000 miles · CO

Without warning or noticeable symptoms our 2004 ford freestar minivan lost forward power while driving in traffic. The van would not go into gear, engine was still running but only revved when pushing accelerator luckily we were able to coast into a parking lot and park the car.