48 of the
3,223 complaints filed about the Ford Freestar
are about the fuel system —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
During rush hour I was pulling out of a Walgreens parking lot to take a left hand turn. As soon as I gave it gas it went forward about 7 feet and then it seemed as though my van went into neutral on its own. I looked on the dash and saw it was still in drive. I was stuck in the middle of traffic in the middle of my left turn. My car was sideways with traffic coming toward me from both sides I tried to put it in 3rd ,1nd, reverse. The shifter moved to those gears but all that happened when I gave it gas was revve up the rpm. I'm EXTREMELY lucky that the on coming traffic didn't side swipe me. I was able to get help pushing it to a side street. Where I turned it off for 30 min and tried again, still no vehicle movement, checked transmission fluid... It was good. I was not getting any transmission engagement. There was no warning lights illuminated prior to this incident and there is currently no warning lights illuminated now. I would absolutely LOVE if someone could inspect my vehicle and I'm available anytime for someone to do so. My safety and the safety of others was put at risk because I was unable to complete my left turn my vehicle was stuck sideways during rush hour with on coming traffic coming from both ways. I haven't taken the vehicle to the ford dealer or any other independent service center. Thankfully there was no accident, so I didn't have the need to call the police.
NHTSA complaint #11435165 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
3 WEEKS AGO MY FAMILY AND I WAS ALMOST KILLED BY A SEMI-TRUCK ON THE HIGHWAY OUR VEHICLE JUST GAVE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY I THEN STARTED DOING RESEARCH ON MY VEHICLE I THEN REPORTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SAFETY VEHICLE COMPLAINT AND WAS CONTACTED BY A STAFFING TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE SAID PLACE IN EL PASO TX CASE FORD MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN DETAINED FOR OVER 2WEEKS THE GENTLE MEN [XXX] A WORKER OF CASA FORD HAS BEEN VERY RUDE AND RELUCTANT TO ACTUALLY SERVICE MY VEHICLE HE SAID THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T FAIL AT SOME POINT IT FINALLY FAILED I ALSO JUST PURCHASED A NEW BATTERY I JUST BOUGHT A WEEK PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT AND [XXX] SAID THE BATTERY I HAD WAS NO GOOD WHICH IS NOT TRUE AND CHARGED ME 200 FOR A NEW BATTERY I FEEL THAT CASA FORD IS NOT TRYING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE I'M DISABLED AND MY CHILDREN AS WELL THE SAID HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG THAT IT MAY BE THE TRANSMISSION BUT SOMETHING IS BROKEN AND NOT SHOWING UP WHAT CAN OUR FAMILY LEGALLY DO WE HAVE NO VEHICLE 7000 DOWN THE DRAIN PL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11329840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS VAN THAT I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THESE ISSUES TO YOU FIRST IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER AND NOW IT'S THE TRANSMISSION I KEEP THE MAINTENANCE UP AND THINGS STILL GO WRONG
NHTSA complaint #11290411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHERE TO START.... EVERY TIME ITS RAINING MY VAN STARTS TO PUTT AND STALL OUT I HAVE ALMOST HAD 3 ACCIDENTS DUE TO MY VAN STALLING ON A MAIN ROAD TRYING TO GET HOME...ISSUE #2. I USE MY KEY PAD TO UNLOCK MY VEHICLE ON NIGHTS THAT IM WORKING AND LATELY IT WILL UNLOCK THEN RE LOCK N UNLOCK OVER AND OVER WITH OUT BEING TOUCHED. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AND IT WOULD UNLOCK AND LOCK.. ITS NOT SAFE IF ITS UNLOCKING ITS SELF AND MY 2 YEAR OLD REACHS HE COULD OPEN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING... ISSUE #3.. MY VAN SAYS I HAVE 1/2 A TANK OF GAS YET MY DIGITAL GAS READER CONTINUES TO SAY 0 MILES..
NHTSA complaint #11033842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2005 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP AND UNRESOLVED VEHICLE PROBLEMS. *SMD CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON AFTER MULTIPLE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO STALL. THE TORQUE CONVERTER WENT OUT AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. *JS
NHTSA complaint #10720930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRANSMISSION FAILS WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE. DRIVING AT 70 MPH IN TRAFFIC ON INTERSTATE, ENGINE REVVED TO 5000 RPM'S AND WE HAD TO COAST THROUGH TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER AND COAST TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. HAD TO BE TOWED. LUCKY TO GET TO THE SHOULDER ALIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10927323 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2006 FORD FREE STAR STOPPED ON THE ROAD YESTERDAY MORNING. THE ENGINE REMAINED RUNNING BUT THE VAN WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL. NO WAY TO CHANGE GEARS.FORD REFUSES TO DO A RECALL ON 2006 YEAR MODELS BUT DID SO FOR 2004-2005 MODELS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10919296 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION AS A RESULT FUEL LEAKED FROM THE OUTER PART OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.
NHTSA complaint #10837905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY ON AN ELEVATION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, DECELERATED, AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA complaint #10821058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAD JUST TURNED ONTO MEBANE STREET WHEN THE CAR JUST STOPPED DEAD. I STEERED IT OFF OF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I WAITED A WHILE AND TRIED TO START IT AGAIN. IT STARTED AND THEN SPUTTERED AND DIED. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND THE DRIVER TRIED TO START IT AND IT DID THE SAME THING FOR HIM. HE STATED IT WAS EITHER THE FUEL PUMP OR FUEL FILTER.
NHTSA complaint #10807672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK, IT WILL BLOW THE GAS BACK OUT THE FILLER HOLE - SPRAYING GAS A GOOD 3 FT. IN ORDER TO GET GAS INTO THE TANK YOU HAVE TO FILL VERY SLOW. AFTER MANY TRIES AND NOZZLE SHUT OFFS YOU CAN FILL THE TANK.
NHTSA complaint #10789958 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE FUELING UP THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL TANK OVERFLOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS SOMETHING CLOGGING THE TANK. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000. UPDATED 02/23/16
NHTSA complaint #10783612 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK, IT WILL KICK THE GAS BACK OUT THE FILLER HOLE - SPRAYING GAS A GOOD 3 FT. IN ORDER TO GET GAS INTO THE TANK YOU HAVE TO FILL VERY SLOW AND SHOVE PAPER TOWELS AROUND IT AND AFTER MANY TRIES AND NOZZLE SHUT OFFS YOU CAN FILL THE TANK. THERE ARE NO CODES SHOWING. WHEN LOOKING AT OTHER SITES IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG ISSUE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN TO THE SHOP BEFORE AND NO ISSUES FOUND.. FORD COMPLAINT..10537058, 10255491 HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2004/FORD/FREESTAR/FUEL+SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10783083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, FUEL EJECTED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
NHTSA complaint #10712292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN,@ A PERMITTIBLE SPEED 25 M.P.H. I COULD HEAR NOISE EMANATING FROM THE RT. FRT. SIDE OF THE VEH. FUEL SYS. FURTHER CK'ING NEEDED.
NHTSA complaint #10704529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2014 I GOT INTO MY RECENTLY PURCHASED 2005 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN TO RUN A SHORT ERRAND. AFTER STARTING MY FREESTAR I PUT IT IN REVERSE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I TRIED ALL THE FORWARD GEARS WITH THE SAME RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE ENGINE RPM'S WOULD GO UP BUT NO MOVEMENT. I TURNED THE VEHICLE ENGINE OFF AND ON SEVERAL TIME WITH THE SAME RESULTS EACH TIME. I HAD TO WAIT TILL THE DAY AFTER CHRISTMAS TO CONTACT MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND DESCRIBE MY PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED UP MY VIN NUMBER AND SAID THAT ALL RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN DONE INCLUDING THE TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL. I THEN HAD MY FREESTAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE THE PROBLEM. UPON INVESTIGATION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO MY POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND THAT IS WHAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THEY REMOVED THE MODULE AND DRIED IT AND THE CONNECTOR OUT THEN REINSTALLED IT AND SEALED IT. AFTER REINSTALLING THE MODULE THEY THEN STARTED THE VEHICLE AND WERE ABLE TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO ALL THE GEARS AND GET THE TRANSMISSION TO FULLY FUNCTION, BUT NOW THERE WAS A SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE VEHICLE NOW WOULD NOT IDLE PROPERLY AND HAD A HESITATION WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. IT WAS DETERMINED AFTER FURTHER CHECKS THAT THERE WERE FUEL CODES COMING UP AND THAT THEY WERE RELATED TO THE PCM GETTING WET. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (WHICH FORD NO LONGER MANUFACTURES) WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. TO FIX THE PROBLEM IT WOULD BE A COST OF $1000.00 FOR A RE-MANUFACTURED MODULE AND REPROGRAMMING IN ADDITION TO THE $650.00 THAT HAD ALREADY BEEN INCURRED FOR THE WORK THAT HAD BEEN DONE SO FAR. NOTE THERE HAD BEEN NO PROBLEMS OR ISSUES OR ENGINE CODES ON THIS VEHICLE TILL THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED OTHER THAN A PROBLEM ONE NIGHT WITH THE POWER DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING, WHICH CORRECTED ITSELF AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10669650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THE FAILURE OF A COMPANY AND A VAN. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTAR FOR MY FAMILY OF FIVE THAT HAS BEEN THE WORST DECISION OF MY LIFE. A MONTH AFTER I EXPERIENCED WHAT TOO MANY OTHER OWNER HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED. WATER IN THE PCM, THIS ALMOST RESULTED IN A CRASH AND INJURY TO ME AND MY FAMILY. STALLING OUT WITHOUT WARNING AT ANY SPEED. THIS KNOWN ISSUE HAS GONE ON TOO LONG WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE FROM FORD COMPANY. I AM NOT A BELIEVER IN SOMEONE HAS TO DIE FOR THERE TO BE CHANGE. ALSO DON'T APPRECIATE THE COST OF THIS JOB OVER $1000. I WAS FORTUNATE TO NOT BE ON THE HIGHWAY AND CRASH. ALTHOUGH THEN WE MIGHT GET OUR MONEY BACK. THIS HAS ALSO LED TO OTHER ISSUES THAT HAS BECOME A CHAIN REACTION OF FAILURE. I WILL KEEP MY RECEIPT FOR AS LONG AS I HAVE TO.
NHTSA complaint #10605368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
JUST PURCHASED THIS USED 2004 FREESTAR. WITHIN DAYS THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES. NOT STARTING. ETC.. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED BEFORE KNOWING OF RECALL ON THAT ITEM. STILL HAD THE ISSUES. PULLED OUT PCM AND IT WAS FILLED WITH WATER. INSTALLED NEW ONE. I LIVE IN FLORIDA. RAINY SEASON. ISSUES HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK. NEW PCM REMOVED AND WAS FILLED WITH WATER. I MYSELF FOUND THE SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE ISSUE AS WELL AS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WALKER FORD SWEPT THE ISSUE UNDER THE RUG AND WANTED TO CHARGE $900 TO FIND THE LEAK. I SHOWED THEM THE BULLETIN THAT THEY WERE UN AWARE OF. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE MY PCM WITHOUT CHARGING ME AGAIN. WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND PAID FOR NEW PCM AND TOLD THEM TO PERFORCE SERVICE BULLETIN. SEEMED FINE UNTIL LAST 6 MONTHS. STARTING TO STALL A LOT. HIGH HUM WHEN ACCELERATING AND TURNING. MORE RESEARCH ONLINE AND I FOUND 2 MORE RECALLS ON VEHICLE. THE PCM ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. FIND OUT HOW TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE ISSUE AND PERFORM IT FOR FREE WITH A NEW PCM.
NHTSA complaint #10563998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED USED VEHICLE FROM MARSHALL USED CARS IN SACRAMENTO, CA, WHERE RESIDE CURRENTLY. PURCHASED 05/2011, PAID FULL NO LOAN AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PURCHASED ADD. EXT. WARRANTY WHICH WAS 6MONTHS. FROM THE DOS TIL PRESENT DATE; I HAVE PAID, AND WAS MISLEAD IN ALL THE INSURANCE COVERING MAJOR DEFECTS, OWNER(ME) HAD CAME OUT OF POCKET PAYING FOR SERVICE TO FIX WARRANTY PARTS. NOW THIS IS THE CURRENT AND SERIOUS ISSUE. I AM DISABLED, I HAVE A DISABLE CHILD. MY VEHICLE WAS REPORTED UNDER VIN TO FORD CORPORATE TO NOTATE FOR SERVICE TO BE CHECK AND WORKED ON AT LOCAL FORD DEALER. COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE (4) ISSUES. DEALERSHIP MISLEAD ME, AND DID NOT PERFORM WORK. ONLY WORK THEY DID WAS REPLACE 1 RECALL 10/12. AFTER RECALL SERVICE I (OWNER) RECALL MANUFAC. MADE CLAIM, AGAIN AND THEN WENT TO DEALER. I WAS TURNED AWAY...AND TOLD TO DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE BEFORE PUTTING A SERVICE CLAIM IN. THIS IS A PROBLEM. I AM NOT IGNORANT TO THE ANATOMY OF A VEHICLE. I AM VERY LITERATE ON UNDERSTANDING VEHICLE OPERATIONS AS WELL AS MAINTAINING MAINTENANCE. I CAN SAY THIS BECAUSE I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE AWARE OF EVERY ISSUE SO I WONT HAVE A DISABLED VEHICLE. VEHICLE MILEAGE APPLIED FROM THE DATE RECALL REPLACED 5800 WITHIN THE TIME TIL I MADE ANOTHER CLAIM IN OCT 2013. TOOK VEHICLE IN, TOLD TO CHECK EVERYTHING. DID. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK AND VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE DEPT FOR WEEK WHICH ROLLED OVER TO NOV 1, 2013. VEHICLE WAS DX AND FOUND TO BE THE SAME THING I MADE A CLAIM ABOUT. VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTED RECALL PART. PART WAS NOT REPLACED. AND OWNER IS NOW LEFT WITH A DEFECT RECALL PART, PLUS MORE DAMAGE ON OTHER PARTS RELATED TO TORQUE CONVERTER, FUEL LINE, 3RD BENCH, FRONT R-WHEEL HUB. I HAVE MULTIPLE HEALTH APPTS TO MAINTAIN FOR ME AND MY CHILD'S DISABILITY. MY CHILDREN NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL, AND I MISSED LEGAL APPT DATES FROM COURT.
NHTSA complaint #10556733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS DRIVING THE CAR WHEN IT SUDDENLY STOPPED RESPONDING WHEN PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY ROLLED TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE TORQUE CONVERTER (TRANSMISSION). IT COST $1200 TO REPAIR. VERY UNUSUAL FOR THIS TO HAPPEN TO A CAR WITH ONLY 49000 MILES. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND GOT MANY HITS. FORD HAD RECALLED THE 2004 AND 2005 MODELS FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHY NOT THE 2006?
NHTSA complaint #10553336 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.