Owners have filed 14 complaints
about the 2004 Ford Freestyle with NHTSA between 2012 and 2017.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 4 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 1
Against the median year of the Ford Freestyle. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 0
0% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2004 Ford Freestyle
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Transmission & Drivetrain
642.9%
Median failure at 105,000 miles
Engine & Cooling
321.4%
Median failure at 187,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
17.1%
Median failure at 220,000 miles
Wheels
17.1%
Median failure at 88,000 miles
Body & Structure
17.1%
Steering
17.1%
Median failure at 96,000 miles
Electrical System
17.1%
Median failure at 113,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
50,000 – 74,999 miles
17.7%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
215.4%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
753.8%
150,000+ miles
323.1%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jun 2012peak 2Aug 2017
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 220,000 milesAkron, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY CAR SAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND WONT GO OVER 25 MPH. I ALSO HAVE AN AWD MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE CAN. I'M TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL TAX TIME TO TRADE IN BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B IN THE MEANTIME. MECHANIC TELLS ME TO GET IT SCANNED FOR $70. I CANT AFFORD THAT BS TRYING TO RAISE 3 KIDS WITH ANOTHER ON THE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11015745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 220,000 milesAkron, OH
ENGINE
MY CAR SAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND WONT GO OVER 25 MPH. I ALSO HAVE AN AWD MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE CAN. I'M TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL TAX TIME TO TRADE IN BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B IN THE MEANTIME. MECHANIC TELLS ME TO GET IT SCANNED FOR $70. I CANT AFFORD THAT BS TRYING TO RAISE 3 KIDS WITH ANOTHER ON THE WAY.
NHTSA complaint #11015745 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,000 milesAmelia, OH
STEERING
WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL FEELS VERY HEAVY, AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WON'T EASILY TURN BACK .LIKE ITS DRAGGING. WHEN I AM TURNING ON A CURVE IT FEELS LIKE IT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10947049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesAkron, OH
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
NHTSA complaint #10806591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesPeoria, IL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017
NHTSA complaint #10726288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesPeoria, IL
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017
NHTSA complaint #10726288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 101,674 milesCarver, MA
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE THE CHECK TRANSAXLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10 MPH. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE ). THE PCM WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,674.
NHTSA complaint #10577134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,000 milesLancing, IL
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
NHTSA complaint #10559693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 102,000 milesBuffalo, NY
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT BEGAN TO HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
NHTSA complaint #10551097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,824 milesOran, MO
POWER TRAIN
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON AUGUST, 22, 2012. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE BUT WHEN I BROUGHT IT HOME I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BUMP WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT SMOOTH OUT OVER TIME. THREE MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SHUDDER AT FIFTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR AND THE TACHOMETER WOULD RISE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED RPMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO WAS A FORD MECHANIC FOR ABOUT TWENTY YEARS BEFORE HE OPENED HIS OWN SHOP AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR THAT I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL PARTS AND LABOR. THE VAN HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT AND I'M HOPING IT WILL LAST ANOTHER SIX MONTHS SO I CAN TRADE IT IN. BUT IF THE DEALERS FIGURE OUT THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE GOING TO COST THEM MORE THAN THEY'RE WORTH I PROBABLY WONT GET MUCH OF A TRADE IN VALUE.
NHTSA complaint #10542747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chelmsford, MA
STRUCTURE:BODY
SLIDING SIDE DOORS AND REAR WHEEL WELLS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IN A SIDE-ON CRASH. THIS IS TRUE FOR THE WINDSTAR TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10536554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 126,000 milesEL Paso, TX
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR MAIN TRANSMISSION OIL SEAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
NHTSA complaint #10501415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 67,000 milesBaltimore, MD
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER) AND AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND MADE A BANGING SOUND AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE HAVING THE RECALL REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
NHTSA complaint #10492892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesNewark, DE
WHEELS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 7/12/12
NHTSA complaint #10460812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.