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Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey

918 messages,  Last post on Nov 28, 2012 at 9:41 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Van

Messages Page 65 of 93

#635 of 918 New Recall by samnoe

Sep 11, 2004 (11:44 pm)

"Ford's revamped Freestar/Monterey minivans will be recalled because of issues with wheel hubs. Ford says the first recall will affect 35,401 Ford Freestar minivans and 4630 Mercury Montereys. The 2004 model year vehicles can suffer wheel hub cracks. The vehicles were recalled last November, Reuters reports, because power steering lines were found to be defective. Ford also announced a recall of about 1700 F-Series trucks from the 2004 model year; that recall involves the seams of the truck's fuel tanks."
 
http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7506

#636 of 918 More about the recall by samnoe

Sep 14, 2004 (9:42 pm)

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID- =6171964
 
http://www.blueovalnews.com/2004/recalls/recall.04s24.freestarhub- s.htm

#637 of 918 by Stever@Edmunds HOST

Sep 16, 2004 (8:29 pm)

NHTSA Demands New Window Switches
 
This story struck me as a bit odd since my Quest is a Ford assembled van and I always heard that the power window switches were sourced from Ford (and they look similar to my friend's F150). You have to pull up on mine to get the window to raise.
 
Steve, Host

#638 of 918 Freestar Fire!!! by susiehmkr

Sep 20, 2004 (7:49 am)

We owned a Windstar a few years ago and loved it. The Freestar we researched and compared with other similar models (Honda, Toyota) Decided Freestar was roomier and felt wonderful as far as ride. Brought in for first engine maintenance provided free by dealer as recommended between 3,000-5,000 miles. All systems checked and nothing noted as needing attention. Service department was informed by owner that a piece of the sliding door moulding was missing and needed to be replaced. When car was finished (the same day) the molding was not replaced. Sales person was called later that week to inform her it was not taken care of. Said piece was ordered and we were called when it arrived. Had to bring by for piece to be snapped into place at any time. It was and problem resolved. Not long after a section of the roof rack fell off into the street near our home. We retrieved it and brought to dealer. Had not been secured in place at time of manufacture and needed to be replaced and/or secured. Problem was taken care of.
 
Most recently on 8/20/04 on our return from a 2 day min-vacation the car suddenly lost power steering control and immediately heavy smoke billowed out from beneath. Owner (husband) got out to inspect after pulling over to side of road and found flames shooting from the under carriage. Immediately ordered wife to get out. Some belongings were removed from rear as 911 was being called. Emergency personnel arrived (police) and extinguished flames showing. Upon arrival of Fire Dept. and after they pulled away the dash cover in the engine compartment, it was found to still be on fire. A fire extinguisher was used once again putting the fire out. The battery was disconnected and towing to the closest Ford dealer was arranged.
 
The car was in the repair shop 22 days. I had to return to NJ from MD to drop off rental and pick up Freestar! Took an entire day!!!
 
Since this has occurred we have learned several things about this model. A recall for a possible defect in the axle/hub has been issued on it by Ford. Additionally a source from inside Ford (a friend) says he checked the VIN# on our van and the dealership knew it was defective and was advised to not sell until defect was remedied. This defect being a Technical Service Bulletin to all service departments regarding the power steering hose not being seated properly hence causing possible loss of power steering control, smoke or fire.
 
The vehicle should never have been sold to us as is. The vehicle was brought back to the dealer several times for service and replacement of molding. There have obviously been numerous opportunities for this known defect to be corrected and it was NEVER addressed.
 
We have filed a formal complaint (5 days ago) to the manufacturer in Detroit and have not received word yet as to the status. We feel this vehicle is a Lemon! It has been riddled with problems which were at first just annoyances and cosmetic. Now it is safety (steering and wheel could fall off). We don't want it back. We want to have them buy it back.
 
We hired a Lemon Law firm to handle this case since we feel we have a lemon. It seems there are other's out there as well.
 
We like the van for many reasons (comfort, safety, features) but feel there are serious safety issues. This is unacceptable since the main reason we chose it was the safety rating was high.
 
A vehicle as new as this one should not have one problem after the next regardless of the severity. Ford needs to take a harder look at this model!!

#639 of 918 Re: Gas Mileage [tjnb] by th35

Sep 20, 2004 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: tjnb (Sep 09, 2004 1:35 pm)
thanks for reply. How many miles did it take to get the above-mentioned mileage? It is what i got with my '01 windstar at those highway speeds, and what i was expecting from the freestar, except for 26 at 55-60 mph for last 100 miles to beach after filling up. my city windstar driving was better than your and my current 14-15.5 mpg.
 
thks again.

#640 of 918 Re: Freestar Fire!!! [susiehmkr] by th35

Sep 20, 2004 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: susiehmkr (Sep 20, 2004 7:49 am)
boy!!!!!! keep us posted on this. also how you fare with the lemon effort. although i've not experienced the safety problems you have, i don't want a minivan that gets 14-15.5 mpg in city and no more than 19 on the road.

#641 of 918 Re: Freestar Fire!!! [susiehmkr] by samnoe

Sep 20, 2004 (6:03 pm)

Replying to: susiehmkr (Sep 20, 2004 7:49 am)
Wow! Unbelievable.
 
But I think your dealer is the one to blame, not Ford, since they asked the dealers to take care on the recall.
 
It is also interesting to me that you never heard of the recall before. It was widely announced, and in many magazines (as well here on Edmunds) it was talked about it.

#642 of 918 Re: 2 Questions... [acenj] by th35

Sep 25, 2004 (9:41 pm)

Replying to: acenj (Aug 15, 2004 7:39 am)
i'm unhappy with gas mileage (see other postings herein)of 14-14.7 in suburban driving (not a lot of syop and go)and can't get more than 19 on the road at 65-75. sticker rating is 16-22.
 
i got 18-19 and 22 23 at 70-75 mph and up to 26 with '01 windstar(26 mph at 55-60 mph) on same course and for >40k miles.
 
i suspect you hv bought by now. what hv you found?

#643 of 918 Re: Freestar Fire!!! [susiehmkr] by dthomas

Oct 02, 2004 (11:30 am)

Replying to: susiehmkr (Sep 20, 2004 7:49 am)
Hi I have a lemon to and a lemon attorney also.
I have had massive problems and the dist rep engineer is lying and ford refuses to do anything. they are terrible to deal with. I am waiting to see what happens. I would like to talk to you my email sndthomas422cox.net if you can email me your phone number. thanks

#644 of 918 Freestars/Montereys gathering dust on the lot? by sterling22

Oct 19, 2004 (3:55 pm)

I've been to a few dealers (Ford and Mercury) and they all have a bunch in stock and they keep showing me vehicles manufactured in late 2003 (that have already been sitting on the lot for 10+ months). At least that's the way it seems in Massachusetts. I can imagine that a 2004 leftover can be had for a song come March 2005. But who wants one that has sat so long?

Messages Page 65 of 93

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