Ford Freestar misfire problems

Filed Jan 17, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · GA

My van has a problem with water, that is when it rains the vehicle starts having problems with several components. (ie engine misfire, transmission fails to shift properly, door looks refuse to operate properly, among other weird things) this happens every time it rains. The problem as I have being able to trace it, is that the water that comes off the front windshield and into the plastic that covers the cowl area ( where the wipers are) drips on to the main electric wire harness connection that comes from the inside of the car and connects to the engine bay wire harness. As the wire harness connector gets wet, the vehicle starts acting up. I took the van to my mechanic but he was unable to find a problem, it was dry. I took the vehicle to a ford dealer and, to my surprise, they knew about the problem but told me I had to pay the repair because its covered on a technical service bulletin (tsb 06-14-10) but its not a recall. How can this not be a recall when the van is going along well and as soon as it starts raining, I start having drive ability issues, transmissions starts acting up, engine starts acting up, some times stalls, in general I have a vehicle that appears to be "allergic to water." this issue happens any time it stars raining heavily whether on the highway or city street or my driveway for that matter, if its raining I have to take my wife's car because if not I know will have to be dealing with an uncooperative vehicle. Ps. I put a date on the "when did this happen" field but this is an ongoing issue.

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · IL

Vehicle was making a sound kind of like a misfire in the air intake or back fire in the exhaust. Listened several times and sounded like the noise was actually coming from under the vehicle. Took it for a diagnosis to j&a transmission in morris, il their diagnosis was it's the torque converter which is a recall for this year make and model but ford is unwilling to help us be safe and repair the issue since our VIN isn't listed in their system for the recall. The federal safety agency issued the recall for all 2004-05 models. See pe09-033

Filed Feb 15, 2015 · Transmission · 47,322 miles · FL

Received 3 vehicle service bulletins mfgr campaign #: 11s25 . Made appointment for 07/08/14 @ 10:00am with duval ford 32210 and drove my van there. Duval ford rented me a hertz vehicle because they could not finish the recall repair. On 07/11/14 duval ford called me to say my van is ready. Mileage on my van in on 07/08 was 47322, mileage out on 07/11 was 47324 . 08/25/14 mileage 47597 called duval ford my van keeps stalling and shuts off in drive also chugs up on inclines. I had aaa tow in. Duval ford did in place next morning start up, no road test did say 1 code in system p21 07 rev limiter. I drove home approximately 15 miles no stalling. 09/05/14 mileage 47598 ? As written on service order called duval ford my complaint upon accelerating van shudders called aaa towed in to duval ford roadtested found bad shutter, no acceleration, found #3 cyl not firing #5 misfiring, replaced coil pack, spark plugs and wires removed upper intake to service. Charge $780.25 09/25/14 mileage 47834 called duval ford, aaa towed in,check engine light on and not driving right diagnosis water in the PCM connector resealed top engine cowl, numerous transmission and engine codes on. 10/21/14 mileage 47968 called duval ford aaa towed in van stalling and won't move when in reverse gear. Diagnosis trans codes in memory u1039,po713,p1502 voltage spikes when trans upshifts. Etc.. 01/21/15 mileage48536 called duval ford aaa towed in van stalling shuts off won't move when in reverse. Diagnosis cannot find any problem. Driver returned van to my driveway. No work service order. 01/23/15 mileage 48549 started van would not move when in reverse played with shifter, did go in reverse backed into street shifted into drive, engine lt on, shudders. Drove 50 ft turned around parked it in driveway. Same original problem after recall fix. Time line 197 days and 1225 miles no previous problems.

Filed Oct 4, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 95,000 miles · AL

After a rain van stalled in the middle of heavy traffic and would not restart.after several hours van would not start.I had van towed to a repair shop, PCM was replaced.@present headlights not working properly,air conditioning,horn,seat belt chimes not working at all.local dealership unable to repair.van continues to run rough.

Filed Aug 5, 2013 · Transmission · IN

In september 2012 I took my 2004 free star into ford dealership to have the torque converter replaced due to a recall. Now I get a transmission chatter. I took it once again into the dealership for a recall on the 3rd row seat and asked them after completing the recall if they would check out the chatter. They at first told me it was a misfire...that possibly the plugs and/or wires needed replaced. I obtained a cost for that and then asked them to complete the job. They called me back in an hour or so and told me that my problem was a much bigger problem. They said my transmission had water in it. My husband checked the fluid and yes it has a milky appearance. The dealership is the only ones who have removed my transmission when they done the torque converter recall the previous fall. Now I learn that there is some sort of seal in which water can seep into the transmission. What's up with that and why hasn't there been a recall on this seal.

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 32,000 miles · PA

After heavy rain the van began to misfire and shake. Check engine light came on. 2 days later it went out after drying off.

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Electrical · 187,000 miles · NJ

While driving to take my husband to work in the rain my wipers began to slowly lose power and slow down, then my radio shut off, my head lights began to turn off then off then they loss power, finally my dashboard began to have the oil light and ABS light and emergency brake light come on, then the battery light turned on I took it to a mechanic and they said it something electric and maybe the PCM I contacted ford and they said they have no recall for that and can't help me unless I want to pay out of pocket. My mechanic also said they have seen many other ford freestars with this problem as the van was made that the PCM is locatedwhere water comes in with rain and ruins them. We are afraid that an electric problem may cause a misfire and even a fire to the vehicle.this is my only vehicle I have and strongly depend on it since I am 6.5 months pregnant and have a 2 year old and am afraid of being stranded somewhere with him. Had I known that this car was so unreliable and irresponsible for their mistakes and un willing to help, I would of purchased a foreign car with better warranty and quality as well as better service.

Filed Feb 24, 2013 · Body, Electrical · 154,000 miles · KS

2004 ford freestar ses I changed the rear brakes on 1/20/2013 noticed the left rear wheel was rusting out. Today 2/24/2013 went to install a car sear & noticed the bench seat in the back was rocking slightly. The anchor point on the left rear is rusted out and moving. Upon inspection I noticed that I can see down to the ground where the anchor point has rusted out. I have had to replace numerous parts on this van over the last two years. To date I have replaced: 3 ignition coils, (this is the main problem whenever heavy rain or snow has happened and I start to throw misfire codes), 3 camshaft position sensors, 2 driver side window controls & motors, (the window doesn't want to work half the time so we leave it cracked open with the rain guards), an egr valve, and a clockspring. I have never had so many problems with this vehicle in such a short amount of time.

Filed Jan 25, 2013 · Transmission · 130,000 miles · GA

Difficult to diagnose! Symptoms of a wet PCM module manifests itself in many forms. We've experienced most of them by this point in our ~3 year battle with our freestar. Randomly, our van would not: start, go into reverse, give warning lights, drive forward without stalling, allow certain systems to function properly. In other situations, it would: run roughly, break down, rev up unexpectedly, create transmission issues, etc. Seals wear down and allows water to enter into the computer, due to its location under the windshield. One of the greatest problems of all is the lack of diagnostics for this issue. We've had our vehicle towed in, only to find diagnostic codes did not show up when the van was checked out. Surprisingly, the car would usually start up and drive without a problem after being towed into the mechanic. After several towing experiences, we simply decided to leave our car stranded for a day or two if possible and return later to drive it away without a problem. We've replaced pumps, coils, transmission components, plugs, wires.. In an effort to get the van to work properly. Finally, one mechanic did on-line research and found the PCM problem with the 2005 freestar. After finding water in the computer housing, he suggested that we buy a rebuilt one (ford does not supply PCM's for this van anymore) to see if that would solve the problems. However, the ford dealership had to install the computer so that the programming could be completed. Otherwise, the original keys would not work. In summary, the PCM did solve the problems, until the next weather event. Then, the problems started all over again. We have now had the computer replaced, dried, and/or sealed several times, but water keeps getting inside. The local ford dealership and other mechanics have been working diligently in an effort to seal the PCM. Recall and class action needed!

Filed Oct 24, 2012 · Acceleration, Engine · NJ

I bought the vehicle in jan. 06, starter went 11 months later. Van has never started up correctly. It doesn't run smoothly. Runs rough when it rains. Found info online regarding water leaking into the PCM which can create misfires, shift late, engine can run rough. I have taken it back to echelon ford several times. They still won't admit to it being a problem. Couldn't find a code. However, now that I am out of warranty, they were able to find a code. Ford are not backing up there product! There hundreds of complaints about these vehicles and nothing is being done! I have 1 year left to pay, and can't afford to make repairs that ford should be fixing since it started when I had the original warranty...why will ford not do something..? I have a wife who drives it with 4 kids. What are they waiting for, an accident...? What has to happen to get them to fix this problem on there vehicles. Ford is saying it's miss firing in cylinder 3. Probably because of all the water that has effected the PCM, and the ignition coil pack & ignition wires needs to be replaced, why would need to be replaced in a 5 year old vehicle... Is that getting wet too...? I am extremely tired of dealing with this van. It's not fair to have a company not stand behind there product. I have had it!