Ford Freestar brake failure problems

Filed Jul 24, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 131,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford freestar. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle accelerated. The contact stated that the brakes did not work and the rpms increased to 3,000. The contact shifted the gear shifter into neutral and stopped the vehicle. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 131,000.

Filed Dec 17, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 81,417 miles · IL

When I was driving a hill down, suddenly the engine and all electronic equipment stopped, warning lamp engine and battery flashes, steering wheel and brakes did not work correctly. I need about 1 mile to stop the car. After that the car could not be reactivated/started again. - cause for incident (ford service): the motor control unit was filled with water after a rain.

Filed Jul 9, 2013 · Acceleration, Body · 82,049 miles · MD

While merging onto route 50 off 628 the car died. I drifted onto side of road, but in park and restarted it. Took exit off 50 at 450 and car stopped again. Put in park at red light, started up again and drove down riva road. Car stopped 4 more times before getting to my residence, each time engine stopping, no power steering and no brakes. Called koons ford annapolis and had the car towed there the next day (since the incident occurred on a sunday). They kept the car for 1 week and could not confirm or duplicate any of the conditions. Possibly PCM but not sure.they found one error while driving it , but the computer could not find it. Paid for diagnostic test. Car has been running fine until 7/6/13 when exactly the same thing happened. Took back to ford and 2 days later was told it was the PCM. Could not say how long it would take to get a new one as ford does not have them it stock, but for $1300.00 could place the order. Found a ford tech blog that describes exactly what every one is going through and how to fix it. Water is leaking under the cowl and shorting out the PCM. There needs to be a recall on this before some one dies.

Filed May 23, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 62,000 miles · NC · crash

Hi I am [xxx] was out friday at about 5.30 when my 2004 free star van started acting up it cut off 3 time right at a light this is [xxx] just got the van 6 mos ago for 9,300 at a ford dealer in lexington nc .maybe going to quit buying ford ect car van what ever had to call my dad to come help me the van would not run or start because of the PCM box had water on in it .now ford don't want to do a [xxx] thing but make me pay more money just got the van for 9,300 now got to pay 1,2600 at a ford dealer in whiteville nc I don't have the money but my dad and bother is going to pay for it to get fix this time maybe sale the [xxx] 2004 free star van soon I don't want to but if I don't sale it may happen again to me .ford need to recall this [xxx]now before someone get killed I when down the road and could not control my van and now I have brakes went out to ?????look ford send me my money back 1,12200 to me in whiteville nc 2872 to [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · NJ

Don't have my VIN on me to share at this time. Also, the specific electrical problem is the PCM. On 4/4/2013, I was driving down the highway at about 45-50 MPH when my car 'died'. I lost all power - no brakes, steering, etc. Fortunately, none of my kids were in the car. The car was towed to the dealership that night. They said it was my cam sensor. Less than 5 days after picking up the car on 4/9 th car acted up again. (they kept the car for a recall unrelated to this). On 4/14 I was driving down the highway at about 70 MPH when the car started to jerk. Luckily I was close to home this time and after stopping several times was able to get the car in the driveway. My youngest daughter was in the car with me who is now afraid to get back in the car. The next morning I had it towed back to the dealership. A few days later they said it was my alternator. I was told they would credit me back the money I put out for the cam sensor. They put in the new alternator and test drove the car. Guess what - the car still jerked. The shop manager took it home with a computer hooked up to it. They could not find anything. They then put a call into the ford hotline. A week later they tell me it is the PCM. It got wet. Over $400 to fix and that is with a used part. Over $1200 if it is new. A quick internet search finds the PCM is a common issue with the freestar. Not sure when it will be recalled. I hope no one gets seriously injured before these complaints are taken seriously. I will say this is the last ford I will buy. I am not sure how to explain to my kids that the car is safe to drive when I don't believe it myself. I guess I will keep my receipt for when this is recalled so I can be reimbursed.

Filed May 5, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 98,000 miles · OK

Was on a very busy highway. The freestars dash lights lite up and went back off. Ac cut off then everything started working again. About 30 seconds later the freestar died at 65. I was able to coast to a stop on the shoulder. Again on may 5 2012 the lights started flickering and the AC started to blow hard and it would slow back down then the dash lights ABS,brake,battery lights would blink on and off then the freestar died again at 70 MPH. Brakes didn't work I was going through a intersection and had to use the e brake. Freestar has done this several times over the last month I just hit the high spots. It has had test after test and I'm always told a different story! I just want my van fixed before someone gets hurt or killed.

Filed May 5, 2011 · Brakes, Steering · 25,437 miles · NY

Per ford service: water in PCM 5/03/11 similar problem 7/15/10 although at the time ford service was unable to find the cause. At about 20 miles per hour while making a right hand turn the engine stalled, the power steering and power brakes failed causing me to temporarily lose control and swerve into the on-coming lane. Luckily there was no traffic or pedestrians there at the time. Ford service found the cause to be water in the powertrain control module (PCM).

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Brakes · 158,000 miles · KS

My car is a ford 2005 freestar. It is experiencing intermittent brake failure. The pedal goes to the floor and does not respond even if I pump the brakes, then, goes back to normal. I have had it looked at by ford 2 times, goodyear one time and meineke once as well. Ford could not duplicate and sent the car and us home. They said the do not "want to throw parts at it". They said they checked the master cylinder, the booster and also for air in the line, but all checked out okay. I called the executive offices of ford. They said they would call the dealer, that we should "leave it with the dealer" but they cannot help us with transportation. I have a son with a brain injury. This car is our only form of transportation. Please help.

Filed Feb 19, 2010 · Brakes · 15,000 miles · GA

The brake proportioning system (front/rear) does not function properly causing premature failure of the rear brakes. This allows the calipers to overextend and freeze causing rear brake failure and hydraulic fluid loss. This requires the replacement of the rear calipers every 15k miles this has occurred several times at approximately 15k intervals. This is the reverse of most vehicles that do the majority of their stopping with the front brakes.

Filed Jan 25, 2007 · Brakes · 27,673 miles · CO

I returned from a cross country trip and heard a grinding noise coming from the rear of my 2005 ford freestar. To investigate I removed the wheels and found the passenger rear rotor and disc pad were metal to metal. I checked the other wheels, they showed no signs of damage, pads still had a lot of material remaining. I took the vehicle to craig ford, in craig, colorado for repairs. At first I was told that it was a defective brake caliper and that warranty would cover the caliper, rotor and pads. However I was told later that the caliper was not defective and that I would be responsible for the total repair costs. Note, I had less than 30,000 miles on the vehicle at the time of the brake failure. I had to pay for the new rotor for the passenger rear, rear pads and turning the driver rear rotor which I was told is a normal procedure for e rear break job; I was not charged for a caliper so I presume craig ford reused the caliper. Since work was being done on the rear, and I was having to pay for the repairs, I instructed craig ford to do a complete brake job replacing pads and turning rotors on the front as well so that I would be starting again with 100% new brakes on all 4 wheels. When I picked the vehicle up, I was advised by the service manager, rob sovine, that he checked and there appeared to be a number of incidents of 2005 ford freestar passenger rear brakes wearing prematurely, with no know reason for this problem; and that there was no recall or service bulletin regarding this problem. I had no choice but to pay for the repairs as the vehicle was inoperable, but since I was not the only owner experiencing this problem, according to mr. Sovine, I felt and still do feel that ford should do something about this problem.