Ford Freestar harsh shifting problems

Filed Oct 11, 2017 · Electrical, Transmission · NY

I have problems with transmission when shift, some times is really hard shifting and also I have problem with battery light in the cluster is always on but the charging system works normally, this happen all the times

Filed Jul 1, 2016 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · OH

Oct. 2015. Our 2006 ford freestar transmission and torque converter failed while in florida. A new, not rebuilt, transmission was installed by garret gordon ford in davenport, fl. The new transmission had a hard shift between first and second gear from day one. The reason given by the dealer was "new transmission/computer adjusting." nov. 2015. Hard shift continued intermittently so we took it to the sarchione ford garage in randolph ohio. They could not confirm the problem june 2015. Hard shift has continued intermittently and on occasion has failed to shift from first to second without letting off the accelerator completely. On more than 2 occasions the shift from first to second was so hard that the tires actually peeled on the road service. The sarchione ford garage in randolph is, at this time, trying to troubleshoot the problem. Sometimes weeks go by with no problem, yet accelerating into traffic on occasion is hampered by the problem. $4000.00 and 9 months later and the problem persists.

Filed Dec 13, 2015 · Transmission · 97,000 miles · CT

Replacement torque converters continued to fail after replacing original transmission and failed torque converter at 97k miles. Replaced torque converter four times in 37k miles under warranty for "shudder". Ford dealership refused to diagnose or determine the continued failures. Independent diagnosis stated failures were due to the introduction of debris from the original failure, during the installation of the replacement transmission, or the replacement was defective when installed. Ford dealer and company would not replace the transmission. Ford warranty ended on 12/12/15 and the situation remains unresolved. Fortunately shudder failures occurred on the road, but vehicle could be driven to dealership for repair. The first original failure occurred on a off ramp and other motorist's assisted in pushing it to the side, avoiding a possible rear end collision! The newest torque converter can fail at any time and could result in a serious accident. Vehicle is used only in local driving as safety considerations have to be considered first. Ford customer service in detroit refused any consideration of the situation. You cannot contact anyone with authority at ford as they are shielded by customer service. The consumer has to consider legal options at what cost to them? There is also a problem with hard shifts from into a drive gear(r,od,d, 1) from "n" or "p". This is an indication of failure of the internal neutral to drive accumulator. Resulting from a stuck piston or seals, or springs damaged or missing. When demonstrated to the dealership service manager and mechanic they ignored it and refused to accept it and properly diagnosis the situation. The independent diagnosis said the transmission had to be replaced and the installation done under proper clean conditions and flushing of the cooler and lines. If not done properly the the situation would reoccur .

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 18, 2015 · Electrical, Transmission · 101,000 miles · VA

In 06/2014 my van transmission light came on then went out. I thought it was nothing as time progress I notice that my van was slow and hard shifting. I took it to the nearest transmission auto shop and they told me it was my internal transmission failing. I put it in the shop and the repair cost 1200.00 to fix. It got it out worked fine for a few days then started back slow and hard shifting again. Took it back to mechanic they said they don't see anything wrong with it. I did this several and had no luck with it. 08/2014 I started having more noticeable electrical problems like dash board lights come on now and then radio resets it self sometimes it wont work at not even the dvd player. The doors wont lock alarm goes off when it wants to and power sliding wont close. So I only drove the van around time limiting my trips contacted ford no help there. Then winter comes in all of sudden my van works great dash board lights working dvd and radio working fine most importantly my van transmission was shifting properly but then on warmer days it starts to act up again.on 02/16/20015 my children and I was on our way to get groceries for the winter storm that was coming,the lost power and died luckily was close to home that I could pull over start it again and make it home safely. Then today it will not start up at all. Im a single mother of five young daughters and my oldest daughter and I are both disabled. We depend on this vehicle to get back and forth to our doctors appt. Im planning have a mechanic check my PCM and to see if its water damage. But I've notice several fellow ford owners are going through similar problems. I don't know why ford not willing to own up to their life threatening mistakes.

Filed Dec 1, 2014 · Transmission · 119,086 miles · NC

Power train just went out while driving on a major roadway. No warning lights on the dash, no indication of slipping, hard shifts, or skipping of gears. I just left a traffic light and it started to go in a forward motion, I came off the gas for a second or two pressed on the gas and the RPM's shot up and no power to the power train. I had to cross over three lanes of traffic to safety.

Filed Jul 16, 2014 · Acceleration, Engine · 172,000 miles · TX

Accelerated away from a stop sign within a walmart parking lot and after about fifteen feet the vehicle began to slow down while depressing the accelerator. Attempted to accelerate and the RPM's went up with no propulsion. Allowed vehicle to stop then pushed in a parking space. There was never any indication that the transmission would fail via warning light nor was there a noise/bang/clunk etc associated. Vehicle just stopped accelerating. Had vehicle towed to shop and they said there were no codes indicating the failure and a transmission rebuild would be in order for $2000.

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 Jul 18, 2013 · Transmission · 10,670 miles · PA

The same as everyone else. The van does not shift from first to second gear. If it does shift, it is a very hard shift. Some times need to back off on gas so it shifts. Once in second gear, van runs good. Reverse is sporadic as well. Some times it wants to. Sometimes not so much. Changed transmission filter. Did not correct the situation. Did some research to see if anyone else has had issues like I am having to find out that there are many people with the same issue. I have noticed that there was a recall for the same make and model but previous 2 years. Not sure why this year has not had a recall to fix the torque converter, but I am hoping that there will be a recall soon.... It is obvious that there is an issue that needs to be resolved....

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.