2006 Ford Freestar: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX · fire

The alternator caught on fire and burned alternator wring harness.

Filed Aug 9, 2013 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · PA · fire

I was driving on a highway in my ford freestar 2006 and the minivan seized, I lost control of the vehicle. The brakes were not working properly and I had drifted off onto the side of the highway were the grass and a few turns helped slow down my vehicle. I had to immediately jump out of the vehicle because there was smoke coming from the engine, but the vehicle would not stop. When the vehicle finally stopped, I jumped out and an ambulance assisted putting out the fire. The engine light went on about 2 minutes before this occurred, giving me no warning signs. I found out it was the transmission. It was replaced under warranty. In 2011, the same thing occurred, engine and car completely failed. When I took it in - it was the transmission again. I had to buy another transmission in less than a year. Ford was not willing to assist me or talk to me about it. I called several times complaining about safety and the possible accidents it could have caused. None the less, in 2012, the transmission went again. Thank goodness it was covered under warranty. Same thing, car completely seized while driving again. It was the transmission again!! Three years of getting a transmission - something is wrong and noone is doing anything about it. My transmission light went off again - I am afraid to even drive it to the dealer. This is ridiculous - who is helping the consumer and protecting them against this? My kids are not allowed in the vehicle now in case the car seizes on the way to the dealer.

Filed Nov 13, 2012 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 ford freestar. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH the vehicle stopped accelerating however the engine was still running. The contact smelled burning fluids. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the transmission, torque converter and shaft had failed and would need to be rebuilt. The vehicle was repaired. Afterward he was informed of a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 12v006000 (power train:automatic transmission). The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 85,000 and the current mileage was 106,000. ..updated 01/30/13 *bf the consumer stated the vehicle ws repaired. The consumer was advised the defective transmission is the same as those included in the recall. Updated 2/1/2013

Filed Aug 29, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 85,000 miles · PA · fire

I was driving approximately 45 MPH on busy highway, my ford freestar would no longer accelerate. Looking in the rear view mirror, there was smoke coming from my vehicle. The engine light came on after I noticed the smoke, then my thermostat went all the way from c to hot in a split second. No warning, car smoking and my brakes and gas was not working. I tried to pull over safely and get out of the vehicle quickly. My van was engulfed with smoke, an ambulance pulled over to assist me. The car fire was put out and towed to a ford dealer. It was my transmission that blew. It was covered by warranty and fixed. I was told it was a bad transmission. One year and two weeks later, my ford freestar was not shifting gears, I was getting stuck, in reverse. When I shift to drive, it does not go forward. My car had to be towed again to the same ford dealer. I was told my transmission was filled with water and the 1 year warranty I purchased the year before was shorted by two weeks. Ford would not honor my warranty due to it being over by 2 weeks time frame. So, I then purchased another transmission with another warranty. Now in 2012, a year later, my transmission that I purchased last year is doing the same thing, getting stuck in gears, when I accelerate, my freestar jumps. Every time it rains, this car stalls. When I took to my mechanic, he says this is a horrible car. Poorly made and it should have been recalled. Apparently it stalls in the rain due to the sealing from ford? Why and how is this possible? This vehicle is a horrible safety problem. I am fortunate my children were not with me in the first car fire. When is ford or the safety council going to investigate this car? So in my vehicle, ford thinks there is nothing wrong with their customer having to replace a transmission 3 years in a row. No safety warnings or engine light warnings at all.

Filed Mar 3, 2011 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · AL

I had just gotten of the interstate when my 2006 ford freestar would not drive. I coasted in a parking lot. This is a very busy street. The would not drive without any warning or any lights on the dash. The check engine light is still not on. I called a mechanic and he said that they just fix a van like mine and it was the torque converter and it will cost 975.00 to fix if this is the problem. This is the second ford mini van I have had the first one I had it for 3 days and it caught fire 3am this was a ford windstar. I had no compensation for it I even had to come up with an additional down payment because the insurance company only covered the value of the car not what I bought it for. Ford will never get my business.

Filed Nov 13, 2009 · Engine · 205,000 miles · ME · fire

While driving on the interstate my ford free star caught fire under the hood. I was unable to open the hood and put the fire out. The van totally burned.