2005 Ford Freestar: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jun 15, 2020 · Acceleration, Electrical · 135,000 miles · MI

Cruise control doesn't work, transaxle issue-light flashing.

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Electrical · 180,000 miles · MA

For a few years now various electrical thing have been going on my mini van. The screen that shows mileage, etc. Has a short and can only be seen when it's really dark out at night. Awhile later, as I was driving, my cruise control gave out and no longer works. Now the light for my clock and the screen that tells cardinal directions and the temp outside is dead. I am concerned that this electrical issue could be dangerous. I didn't know about this website to report it till now.

Filed Sep 1, 2014 · Acceleration, Brakes · 72,000 miles · AL

Vehicle control center states ABS is not functioning. Traction control not functioning. Cruise control works intermittently. Alarm system triggers intermittently. Abs and traction control failure causes vehicle to be difficult to drive. Dealership states is common issue and there is a tsb on the issue. Requires ABS module and hcu module.

Filed May 21, 2013 · Transmission · 100,050 miles · NY

I became aware of other customer complaints about the transmission/PCM related concerns in 2011 when experiencing a vibration when shifting from 2nd to 3rd (it seemed) and researched my vehicle and possible related concerns. I also discussed with a local dealer and I followed a dealers recommendation by having my transmission fluid changed as recommended to ford specs. The vibration seemed to calm somewhat. Around this same time I noticed my cruise control would work only off and on at different speeds and times. No check engine light ever came on. I sent my an email to ford of canada at which time I was advised that a torque converter recall was coming and that I should contact the dealer. I was advised to wait for the formal recall which I received and booked my recall and it was completed in approximately late 2012. I also had another recall done for a seat concern just in may 2013. While driving to the us may 19th 2013 at 100km/hr my vehicles cruise was acting suspicious (hard shift up) and I disengaged it for this reason. I then noticed my vehicle was at 3000rpms so seemed to be stuck in 3rd gear or something. It then failed (was like I was in neutral) and I was barely able to get off at an exit and had to push my vehicle into a spot at a service station. I was very concerned for my safety and my family at this time. I was in total shock that there was no real warning and if I know if I was in the fast lane I hate to think of the end result. I checked the dipstick for the tranny and there seemed to be enough fluid however slight amounts of smoke came from the dipstick reservoir. No signs of leaking below the vehicle whatsoever. It was towed to a ford dealer and I was left with no real option other than replace the tranny for $3200. My home dealer in canada was closed for the holiday.

Filed Oct 9, 2011 · Transmission · 112,900 miles · MO

As we drove at the 60 MPH speed limit on I-64 in st. Charles county, mo, in the middle of five lanes, our torque converter failed. The engine raced, as the cruise control attempted to control the speed as we drove up a hill. We coasted through traffic to the side of the road. At this point, there is virtually no shoulder in the interstate highway, so we were barely out of the way of traffic. We were on the downside of a hill, and on a curve, so there was no way oncoming traffic could slow to avoid us. We were extremely fortunate not to be hit as we coasted through the traffic lanes to the right side of the highway, and moreso that traffic approaching us from behind was able to avoid us. We had the van towed to a ford dealership, and they replaced the torque converter, at a cost of more than $1,500. Though the van is repaired and back in working order, it was repaired with a torque converter, that. To my understanding, has the same defect that the original had. Therefore, I am uneasy at the thought that the same thing could happen again at any time.

Filed Jun 18, 2011 · Transmission · 62,383 miles · TX

On interstate going 70mph with cruise control on when instantly engine started racing then immediately stopped. The engine was still on but the van would not move. We had to push it out of the highway. The engine would start, but it would not engage into any gear. It went from cruising at 70mph to a dead stop, without any warning, within seconds. We had five children in a van with us.....we could have all been killed. We have since found out that many similar complaints have been made on this type of vehicle, however, ford has not warned anyone.

Filed Jun 6, 2011 · Transmission · 68,000 miles · MN

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. The contact stated that at approximately 68,000 miles the vehicle had problems with the transmission. The contact was traveling 60 MPH on the highway when the rpms started to increase. The contact disengaged the cruise control when the vehicle came to a stop. The contact spoke to the dealer and was told that the splines were stripping on the torque converter. The failure and current mileage was 68,000. Updated 07/08/11 *bf updated 07/18/11

Filed Mar 4, 2011 · Transmission · 77,069 miles · WV

Driving on interstate at 75 MPH with cruise control on, engine RPM rapidly increased and vehicle slowed in speed. Cruise control was disengaged, depressing the accelerator caused an increase in RPM, but vehicle had no motive power. Pulledto shoulder of interstate, vehicle would not move in any gear. Towed for repairs-cause of failure attributed to torque converter current mileage-77069. Parts required to effect repairs-torque converter overhaul kit, bushing kit, outside diameter band, pump rotor kit, clutch completer.

Filed Dec 5, 2010 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · TX

Driving on busy freeway in the fast lane at 75mph with cruise control engaged. Suddenly a loud revving sound and dash gauge showed rpms at well above 5,000. Tapped the brake to turn off cruise control, and felt confused because pressing gas pedal resulted in no acceleration but rpms would go through the roof. I was traveling in the fast lane, so I put my right blinker on and thank god was able to safely maneuver over two lanes in heavy and fast-moving traffic and semi-trucks to the right lane. Was also blessed to be on a fairly steeply inclined portion of the freeway, so that I was able to continue coasting enough to take the next freeway exit and turn into a gas station instead of being stranded on freeway shoulder or in the road blocking traffic. Called the nearest ford dealership, who sent a tow truck to pick up van. I told the service tech what happened and he said that they would examine the car and call me with their diagnosis. Later, they called and said that the transmission was shot, and that they would have no way of knowing what specific part of the transmission failed unless they did more extensive dismantling of the transmission, which would end up costing more money in labor. He said we should just buy a brand new transmission, which would be $3,100. I got online and did a bing search for '2005 ford freestar transmission' to maybe find the repair cheaper, but instead I found all of these complaints from other freestar owners. Now, I don't even want another defective transmission put into that van because I will never drive it again, especially with my two young sons in the car. I could have been killed had the car stopped in a hairier traffic situation, like on a railroad track or as I was turning in front of oncoming traffic. I want the blue book trade-in value for this vehicle so that I can buy another vehicle not a ford. This is a travesty of justice that ford has been able to get away with letting these defective cars stay out on the road.

Filed Oct 12, 2010 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. The contact was driving approximately between 65-70 MPH with the cruise control activated when the transmission suddenly failed. The contact was able to drive to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where they replaced the torque converter. The identical failure occurred two years later. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician informed that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 97,000.

Filed Jul 9, 2010 · Transmission · 109,000 miles · IA

Transmission failure on highway during july 4th holiday weekend. On our way out of st. Louis, we were on a slight incline doing 65 when the rpms ramped up. Cruise control was engaged at the time until my husband taped the brake. Once the cruise was disabled, my husband tried to accelerate, we just continued to slow down. My husband immediately put the hazard lights on and proceeded to coast to an off ramp from highway 61 which in fact turned out to be the on ramp for I-70. We parked on the side of the onramp, turned the van off and started looking for answers. Van runs but it just was not going anywhere. No warning, due to the commotion we lost our bearings so we didn't know for sure where we were to tell the towing company. We ended up being towed to wentzville missouri, dumped off at a super 8 and had to wait til the following day to rent a car. The van was taken to a transmission shop in town. They didn't look at the van until july 6th, they stated the transmission had internal issues. Only option was to replace with refurbished for $2600. Now it's july 9th, had the van towed to our house for $500. Looking for a cheaper transmission since we don't have that kind of money laying around. Not sure yet how we'll proceed.

Filed Apr 1, 2010 · Transmission · 58,600 miles · IL

Driving at 65 MPH under cruise control RPM surged up. Tapped brakes and engine appeared disconnect from drive wheels. Coasted to the shoulder and stopped. Complete transmission failure. Could not move in any gear including reverse. Transmission fluid mark was above full mark. Result was failure in the torque converter spline.