30 of the 3,223 complaints filed about the Ford Freestar are about the wheels — 1% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.
30
Complaints
1%
Share of all complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
WHEELS
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.
WHEELS
WAS DRIVING AND MY TACH METER WAS GOING ALL OVER 3 4 LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE RD. ALSO TRAC CONTROL IS ALWAYS OFF GOES ON AND OFF
NHTSA complaint #11186807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH TURNING INTO THE DRIVEWAY, THE TWO REAR WHEELS DETACHED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 210,000.
NHTSA complaint #10748736 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
I HAD RECEIVED A LETTER OF RECALL OF MY BACK ROW SEAT LATCH DO TO CORROSION. I HAD TAKEN MY VAN IN TO BE REPAIRED THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS WHICH TOOK 2 WEEKS UPON RETURNING THEY INFORMED ME THEY NEED ANOTHER PART THEY FORGOT TO ORDER SO I WAITED FOR MY CALL BACK AGAIN.. WITHIN 2 MONTHS TIME I RETURNED TO HAVE IT WORKED ON THAT IS WHEN THEY HAD TOLD ME IT HAD BEGUN TO CORRODE N THAT THEY COULDN'T INSTALL THE PARTS I ASKED THEM ABOUT THE SITUATION FURTHER & IF IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THEY HAD SAID YES & HANDED ME MY KEYS SO UPON LEAVING THE DEALERSHIP I HAD STOPPED FOR FOOD ON MY WAY HOME I SMELT BURNT RUBBER THEN A THUDDING NOISE I HAD PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT LUCKILY I WAS TO CLOSE TO A FAMILY MEMBERS HOUSE A PIECE HAD FALLEN OFF N WAS RUBBING ON MY TIRE MY TIRES HAD ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE WHEN LUCKILY I HAD GOTTEN THE BABY OUT BEFORE ANYTHING HAD HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY A MECHANIC HAD INFORMED ME A HOLE WAS BURNT THREW THE FLOOR WHERE THE WHEEL WELLS WERE N THE TIRES ALMOST CAUGHT FIRE HE SAID HE COULD WELD THE PARTS SO FRENCHIES FORD COULD FIX WHAT THEY HAD TO FIX .. THE NEXT DAY HE INFORMED ME HE HAD LOOKED UP THE PARTS N CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE STATING IT HAD BEEN RECALLED I HAD TOLD HIM WHAT HAPPENED & INFORMED ME TO TAKE LEGAL MATTERS DUE TO FAULTY PARTS . PLEASE DON'T ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN TO ANYONE ELTS THE THOUGHT OF MY BABY BEING IN THE BACK SEAT WHILE IT COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE IS TERRIFYING I WOULDN'T WANT TO HEAR OF IT HAPPENING TO ANOTHER UNDER THE SAME CIRCUMSTANCES ESPECIALLY A CHILD . & NOW THAT THERE'S A HOLE IN THE FLOOR I'M UNCERTAIN WHAT TO DO I HAVEN'T DROVE IT SINCE & QUITE HONESTLY I'M AFRAID TO .. P.S IS THIS COVERED? WHOSE @ FAULT? WHAT CAN BE DONE?
NHTSA complaint #10734670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
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.
WHEELS
RECALL #13S01, TOOK VAN IN FOR RECALL ITEM TO BE FIXED, FORD DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PARTS TO FIX UNDER RECALL. CALLED FORD AND THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. AFTER THEY SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD THE CORROSION WAS TOO SEVERE TO BE FIXED UNDER RECALL. I WAS GIVEN NO EXPLANATION AND WAS TOLD CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
NHTSA complaint #10684302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD BOOM FOLLOWED BY A BURNING RUBBER SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FRANTICLY PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FIRST THOUGHT SHE HAD A FLAT TIRE BUT UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION ON THE REAR WHEEL WELL WALL. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO LEAVE HER VEHICLE FOR 3 TO 5 DAYS HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10587819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WHEEL WELL RUSTING RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED RUST DEVELOPED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR IN 2010, AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONSUMER BOUGHT AMOR PROTECTION FOR RUST. THE CONSUMER PUT IN A CLAIM, AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, ONE YEAR LATER, THE RUST RETURNED, ONLY THIS TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED A SECOND CLAIM. A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER, THE THIRD SEAT BRACKET FELL APART. THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL ABOUT THE WHEEL WELL RUSTING. THE CONSUMER MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, AS THEY WERE CUTTING AWAY AT THE RUST. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE FRAME WAS ALSO RUSTING, AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, OR TO EVEN TRY AND FIX THE RUST PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10533563 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V446000 (WHEELS) WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
NHTSA complaint #10511761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
CHECK TIRES & TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COMES ON DAILY.
NHTSA complaint #10504772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THE PROBLEM IS THE SAME THAT IS DESCRIBED IN EA12003. THE ATTACHING BRACKET FOR THE REAR SEAT FELL OUT WHILE THE SEAT WAS FOLDED INTO THE FLOOR. IT BECAME LODGED IN THE INNER PORTION OF THE REAR WHEEL ASSEMBLY. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED AT HIGH SPEEDS, SOMEBODY COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN KILLED, BY THE REAR WHEEL BECOMING RESTRICTED OR THIS HEAVY PLATE BOUNCING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE BRACKET IS A U BRACKET ATTACHED TO A PLATE THAT IS WELDED FLUSH TO COMPRISE PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. TO TEMPORARILY KEEP FROM LOSING THE BRACKET, I HELD THE BRACKET IN PLACE WHILE SETTING THE SEATS UPRIGHT AGAIN SO THAT THE SEAT ITSELF IS HOLDING THE BRACKET IN. THERE IS NOW WATER FROM THE ROAD GETTING UP INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT FORD ISSUES A RECALL OR OFFERS A BOLT ON REPLACEMENT SOON. I'VE BEEN MOSTLY HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE OTHERWISE. (THERE ARE NO OTHER PRICES RUSTING OR FALLING OFF OBVIOUSLY).
NHTSA complaint #10501208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH INTO A DRIVEWAY AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE THEN COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND, WHICH CAUSED THE TIRE TO BECOME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. IN 2004, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10487704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
NOTICED A PANEL LOOSE IN THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WHILE REMOVING THE WHEEL. THE PANEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL WELL, WITH ONLY SOMETHING ATTACHED TO IT ON THE INTERIOR KEEPING IT FROM FALLING OFF. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THIS PANEL IS THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR AND THE SEAT LATCH WAS THE ONLY THING KEEPING IT FROM FALLING OFF. THE ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR IS $906.99. THE REAR SEAT ANCHOR WAS REMOVED AND THE HOLE TEMPORARILY TAPED CLOSED, AND THE REAR SEAT IS NOT SAFE AND CANNOT BE USED. CONTACTED THE DEALER TO SEE IF ANY RECALLS EXIST FOR THIS CONDITION AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NONE. CURRENTLY TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS WELL MAINTAINED AND THE CONDITION OF THIS PANEL/ANCHOR IS UNUSUAL WHEN COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10482213 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT MOUNT ON THIRD ROW SEAT FAILED SIDE PANEL IN WHEEL WELL CORRODED AND FAILED DISPLACING PANEL INTO TIRE SIDEWALL. PASSENGER SIDE PANEL SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE. FORD DEALERSHIP BODYSHOP REFUSES TO WORK ON ISSUE FOR FEAR OF FUTURE LIABILITY. DEALERSHIP STATES THAT CORROSION ISSUES BEYOND NORMAL.
NHTSA complaint #10471520 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
THE REARMOST SEAT IN MY MINIVAN WILL NOT LATCH DOWN ON THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE. THE REAR AXLE 'MOANS' AT TIMES AND MAKES A ROTATIONAL SHIMMING SOUND. UPON INSPECTION, I AM TOLD THERE IS SEVERE RUST IN THE WHEEL WELL WHERE IT LOCATES TO THE SEAT ATTACHMENT. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS UNUSUAL, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND YOUR AGENCY IS INVESTIGATING JUST THIS THING IN 2004 FREESTARS.
NHTSA complaint #10471280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
ISSUES NOTICED WITH ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WITHIN A YEAR OF PURCHASING BRAND NEW VEHICLE. DEALERSHIPS NEVER FOUND ANYTHING WRONG. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER. RADIO WOULD GO OUT, ALL LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD WOULD GO OUT ETC. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'D ALL COME BACK ON AS IF NOTHING HAPPENED. NOTICED MOSTLY DURING RAINY AND HUMID DAYS. THEN ONCE IN A WHILE VAN WOULD CHUG AND ACT DOGGY. IN DECEMBER 2008, WHILE DRIVING DOWN A BUSY CITY STREET, VAN JUST STOPPED "DRIVING" AND WOULD REV. DIDN'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX UNTIL APRIL OF 2009 SO IT SAT IN OUR DRIVEWAY. HAD IT TOWED TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AFTER CALLING FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DOUBLE THE COST FOR THEM TO FIX. TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME THAT THE SPLINES STRIPPED OFF THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. REPAIR COST FOR TRANNY REBUILD #1: $1,830.97. SHORTLY AFTER, THE A/C STOPPED WORKING (SUMMER 2009). REPLACED CONDENSER FOR PRICE OF PARTS AS NEIGHBOR WHO'S A TECHNICIAN PROVIDED FREE LABOR. VAN RAN OKAY FOR ABOUT A YEAR. THEN IN SUMMER 2010, STARTED RUNNING SLUGGISHLY AGAIN AND STILL HAD ISSUES WITH POWER LOSS (AS STATED IN BEGINNING). FOUND INFO ONLINE ABOUT EVERYONE HAVING ISSUES WITH PCM SO REPLACED THAT AS WELL FOR $500. WORKED FOR A COUPLE MONTHS BUT THEN IN DECEMBER 2010 VAN STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH POWER LOSS AGAIN AND CHUGGING. LITTLE DID I KNOW, THIS WAS THE START OF THE TRANNY BEGINNING TO FAIL AGAIN! JULY 2, 2011 TRANNY FAILED AGAIN. DOING 50MPH IN ROAD CONSTRUCTION ZONE. AGAIN, TOLD BY TRANSMISSION SHOP (DIFFERENT SHOP AS WE WERE 9.5HRS FROM HOME), THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AGAIN AND TRANNY NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. COST TO REBUILD TRANNY #2: $1,850.00. STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH SLUGGISHNESS, THINKING WATER GETTING INTO PC STILL. TIRE PRESSURE LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON FOR YEARS, HAVING ISSUES WITH SLIDING DOORS, BACK UP SENSORS, A/C ETC. I'M TIRED OF THIS LEMON!!!!!
NHTSA complaint #10453712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
2005 FORD FREESTAR, 89,000 MILES. HIGH PITCH "WHISTLING" NOISE DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. BEARING SEAL WAS BAD. A BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY, COSTING $225, WAS NEEDED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10410384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS
VERY HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS. NOISE BEGINS APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER BEGINNING DRIVING. NOISE IS INTERMITTENT BUT VERY IRRITATING TO PASSERS BY AND OTHER DRIVERS. NOISE "LIGHTENS" OR LESSENS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND WHEN SLIGHTLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I BELIEVE IT TO BE WHEEL BEARINGS/HUB BEARINGS. VERY SIMILAR DESCRIPTION TO COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ AND I BELIEVE IT IS RELATED TO THE RECALL #04S24. MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED AT THE OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT, BUT WAS PRODUCED BEFORE THE DATES LISTED IN THE CURRENT FORM OF THE RECALL. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT AND IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I REQUEST THAT THIS RECALL BE EXPANDED IMMEDIATELY AND THAT REMEDY IS OFFERED SWIFTLY.
NHTSA complaint #10348383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHICH OCCURRED ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT IN ORDER TO STOP THE NOISE FROM OCCURRING. LAST SUMMER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR AND IT WAS SAFE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALSO CONFIRMED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 WHEELS, CAP/COVER/HUB; HOWEVER, HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WILL BE PERFORMED BY A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,027.
NHTSA complaint #10344481 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEELS:HUB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD PITCHING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON FIVE OCCASIONS AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKING COMPONENTS, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS MODEL YEAR WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V446000 (WHEELS:CAP/COVER/HUB); THEREFORE, HE WOULD NOT QUALIFY FOR THE FREE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 8/10/09 *CN UPDATED 08/13/09.
NHTSA complaint #10276999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.