I purchased a 2006 Ford Freestyle which currently has an open safety recall for 3rd Row Seat Latch Striker Corrosion Repair. I took the vehicle to a Ford dealership to have the recall repaired. The dealership confirmed the recall but days later informed me that the necessary parts are no longer available and that they are unable to complete the repair. This creates a serious safety concern because the recall involves corrosion of the 3rd row seat latch striker, which can affect proper seat latching and passenger safety in the event of a crash. I attempted to escalate this issue by contacting Ford corporate customer support. However, I have not received any resolution. I have been given the runaround between Ford corporate and the dealership. The dealership referred me to Ford customer support, and Ford customer support continues to refer me back to the dealership without providing any solution. I also have written communication from the dealership service department stating that their Special Service Support Center would not be able to assist and advising me to contact Ford customer support. Despite following these instructions, no assistance or remedy has been provided. As a result, the safety recall remains unresolved, and I am unable to complete required vehicle inspection/registration. I am left with a vehicle that has a known safety defect with no available repair and no clear resolution from the manufacturer. I am requesting immediate assistance and a definitive resolution to this safety issue.
NHTSA complaint #11724996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat attachments were rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 317,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11674191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unavailable.
NHTSA complaint #11616056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear wheel well has rusted on both sides and completely rusted out a large hole (approx. 1 ft diameter area visibly effected) in the the body of the van. The rusted out section is where the back seat is anchored to the frame, so the rust has cause the seat to no longer be securely anchored to the car. The hole has also caused electrical wires to get wet when water gets into the van and intermittently and unpredictably causing failure of electrical features, including headlights and blinkers, while driving.
NHTSA complaint #11511200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that he discovered two large holes located on both sides of the third-row seats. The contact stated that the holes were located at the seat anchors; the structural degradation at the seat anchor were mounted to the rear wheel wells. The contact then discovered that his vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats). The contact then notified the dealer and was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was not available and also that the corrosion on the vehicle was too severe to complete the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the Better Business Bureau for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
NHTSA complaint #11462138 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat floorboard was corroded with several holes. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V081000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined to repair the vehicle due to part availability issues. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect. (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS
NHTSA complaint #11422810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH RUSTED OFF AND COMPLETELY FELL OUT WHILE DRIVING. I HAD A BIG HOLE RIGHT BY THE DRIVER SIDE BACK TIRE. I HAD TO SCREWW A PIECE OF METEL OVER THE HOLE CAUSE WATER WOULD SPLASH IN. I CANNOT USE MY THIRD SEAT ANY LONGER.
NHTSA complaint #11394540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE THIRD-ROW SEAT LATCHED WHEEL WELL CORRODED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS RAIN WATER ENTERING THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR WHEEL WELL BY THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ROLLER OF THE SLIDING DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER NOR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THERE WAS NO ASSISTANCE PROVIDED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000.
NHTSA complaint #11387577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PART THAT HAS THE CLIP FOR BACK SEAT FELL OUT AND NOW THERE IS A 5 BY 5 INCH HOLE GOING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE SEAT HAS NOTHING TO CLIP ONTO AND BE SECURE, THIS WAS RECALLED IN THIS MODEL
NHTSA complaint #11377831 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE LATCH WAS RELEASED TO SECURE THE REAR SEAT, THE LATCH FAILED ALLOWING THE SEAT TO FALL. THE DEALER ANDERSON FORD OF GRAND ISLAND (120 N DIERS AVE, GRAND ISLAND, NE 68803, (308) 384-1700) WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 240,000.
NHTSA complaint #11325972 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WROTE ON THIS YESTERDAY BUT DID SOME MORE RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THESE TYPE OF VEHICLES. RECALL #12V006000 ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT. RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 9 2012. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO TAKE MY 8 GRANDCHILDREN AROUND. NOW I WON'T EVEN PUT THEM IN IT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK SEAT. RECALL # 13V081000. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WHEN YOUR HAULING AROUND CHILDREN. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS REALLY RUSTY. I WISH I WOULD OF NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. IT SURE IS GOING TO BE A MONEY PIT FOR SURE. IT ONLY HAS 141000 MILES ON IT. VERY SAD THAT FORD COULD MAKE SUCH A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMED FINE. 5 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP THE TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. DROVE IT BACK HOME AND STARTED READING ABOUT HOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THIS SITUATION ON THESE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TO COURT AND FORD LOST.
NHTSA complaint #11324406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY, 45-60 MPH THE THIRD ROW STOW-ABLE SEAT FRACTURED AND LEANED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SEAT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GREENWOOD FORD LINCOLN 3075 SCOTTSVILLE RD, BOWLING GREEN, KY 42104 (270) 843-9041, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 178,118.
NHTSA complaint #11299329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ADJUSTING THE THIRD ROW SEAT, IT DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. TRI COUNTY FORD (032 COMMERCE PKWY, LA GRANGE, KY 40031, (866) 417-0262) WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161,000.
NHTSA complaint #11278814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, AN UNUSUAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE THIRD ROW SEAT AREA. THE DRIVER CHECKED AND FOUND THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT ANCHOR ASSEMBLY WAS CORRODED AND FELL OUT, WHICH CREATED A HOLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO THE NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #11230410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE THIRD ROW SEATS FELL BACKWARDS WHILE OCCUPIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB SIGHT FORD (610 NW BLUE PKWY, LEE'S SUMMIT, MO 64063, (816) 524-6550) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR AND KEEP THE RECEIPT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,000.
NHTSA complaint #11172803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT NEAR THE REAR WHEEL WELL BECAME DETACHED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED AN EXHAUST ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,867.
NHTSA complaint #11142642 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE REVERSING INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PILE OF RUST ON THE GROUND AND REALIZED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENTIRELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY FORD OF MAPLE HEIGHTS (5500 WARRENSVILLE CENTER RD, MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH 44137, (216) 662-3673) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKETS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
NHTSA complaint #11129408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,019.
NHTSA complaint #11128758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.