2004 Ford Freestar: whining or grinding noise

Filed Mar 18, 2019 · Suspension, Transmission · 270,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. The contact stated that the transmission did not function properly. The lever was heavy and became stuck before switching into gear. Sometimes, the vehicle hesitated and made an abnormal whining sound. Also, the axles made a crunching and grinding sound whenever the vehicle made a turn. The transaxle warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the mechanic did not have the equipment to repair the transmission. The contact was informed that the cbs axles needed to be repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not made aware of the failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 270,000. ..*bf consumer took the vehicle to the transmission shop and was told the sudden power could be torque converter but needs to checked. Common failed transmission error.

Filed Mar 9, 2010 · Transmission · 76,000 miles · IL

8/09, 76000 miles-transmission temperature light came on and trans began making whining noise while towing a trailer (trailer weight under rated capacity). Ford dealer determined torque converter was bad and replaced transmission under warranty( transmission was provided by the aftermarket extended warrant company because they didn't want to pay for the transmission from ford). 3/10, 85000 miles- transmission began making a loud whining noise after an 800 mile trip (no towing). Today the ford dealer says the whining was the trans. Pump and the fluid is full of metal,indicating an internal failure, requiring transmission replacement. The dealer is hoping the warranty company will just send a new transmission, this work has not been completed yet.

Filed Nov 18, 2009 · Transmission · 57,690 miles · IN

I was leaving my work and pulled out onto a very busy highway. I or my passenger did not notice any strange noises or hesitation in the engine. Upon gradual acceleration to traffic speed; the vehicle began to move and then didn't. I managed to coast to the side of the road and put it in park and the engine began to whine. I then put the it back into drive and the transmission made no noise going into gear. I then tied each of the gears and again nothing. I then turned the vehicle off and waited and tried again with same results. I would think having only 57 thousand miles on a 2004 vehicle it would not be having transmission issues such as this. I have had a mechanic listen to the noises and give his best guess. He informed me that based on not going into gear and the noises that it is making and until a complete in-shop check can be made, we will have to replace the transmission. Estimated cost $2500 to $3500 dollars.

Filed Oct 22, 2009 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · TX

I have a 2004 freestar passenger van. I was driving down road at approximately 65-70 MPH. And van lost all forward momentum with no indication at all. No dashboard indication or vehicle showing irregular momentum or slippage. I have been unable to have vehicle repaired. I put sensor sw-6012 but that didn't fix problem..when car is running vehicle makes loud whining sound..not quite a I screech. I am glad when I lost power there were no cars behind me. Thank god I have been advised that it is the transmission.

Filed Aug 26, 2009 · Transmission · 79,090 miles · VA

Beginning at 55k miles, the transaxle has been slow shifting between reverse and drive with occasional shuttering, even jumping out of gear after stopping. Took it to a local transmission shop in march 2008 but "problem could not be duplicated" was their diagnosis. The vehicle would also "clunk" back into gear after stopping. After a local dealership completed the 60k mile transaxle service, the problem appeared to have been fixed. The slow shifting started again last week and the transaxle quit yesterday while in traffic (4k miles after the extended service plan expired). It won't move and loudly whines like a power steering pump low on fluid. This same dealership that serviced it says its too bad the warranty expired but they'll gladly diagnose the problem for $135. The team leader said it'll likely need to be replaced with a "remanufactured unit" (3 year, 100k mile warranty), but didn't know the cost, saying it needs to be diagnosed first. So, I have to pay first before they'll talk price?

Filed Dec 30, 2008 · Transmission · 66,000 miles · MA

While traveling in our 2004 ford freestar minivan at 70 MPH this past sunday on I-95 n in virginia, the transmission completely let go with no warning. Vehicle mileage is 66k. We were 1 hour into day 2 of our return home to boston after spending christmas week with relatives in florida. We were on fairly flat terrain when I heard a high pitched whine. I looked down at the tachometer and realized the engine was revving to 6,000+. I thought maybe it had simply slipped out of gear, so I let off the gas, slipped it into 3rd, then 2nd. Nothing. I coasted across 2 lanes to get to the breakdown lane. Myself, my wife and three children waited for 1 hour for a tow truck. The weather was clear but it was on a busy, curved section of the highway. We all rode in the tow truck and spent the night in fredericksburg waiting for a mechanic monday morning. We got home in a rental car last night . Repairs will be $2,500+ plus the cost of the rental car and extra hotel stay. The mechanic said it was the torque converter that failed, and that several fords have had that same problem.

Filed Feb 11, 2008 · Transmission · 48,095 miles · MS

Our 2004 ford freestar limited only has 48000 miles on it. This morning while moving slowly through our daughters school parking lot the van lost all power and she coasted into a parking place. The gear shift shifts into all gears but doesn't move. When you crank the vehicle in park it just whines and does the same thing no matter what gear you are in. I had the van towed to an independent garage and the mechanic said the splines on the torque converter were gone and due to the torque converter failing it has also lead to the transmission failure. I am being quoted repair prices between 1800 and 2200 to repair it. This vehicle is too new for this type of a problem on so many vehicles, the company should step up or the federal safety agency should require them to.

Filed Aug 31, 2007 · Suspension · 37,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. While driving 60 MPH, the contact heard a high pitched, whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The dealer replaced the front wheel bearings. The failure mileage was 37,000 and current mileage was 41,000. Updated 09/18/07