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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

1891 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 1:13 PM

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


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Messages Page 112 of 190

#1107 of 1891 Re: Correlating Dealership visits with Transmission Problems [smtmuny] by er1457

Feb 03, 2010 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: smtmuny (Feb 02, 2010 5:55 pm)
Wow, aren't you a trusting soul.
 
I never took my 2005 ford freestar to a ford dealership for any kind of work. All my work was done by 3 or 4 different shops or stations.
 
Never the less, my transmission failed one bright sunny 100+ degree August day, during a slight drought period, at about 75K miles, on the entrance ramp for the 70 MPH Dallas Tollway.
 
Have a little more faith in your fellow man. I don't think a dealer wants to go to jail, and ruin sales for the ford products he sells, just to make a few hundred bucks. Why should he take the risk... the transmission's will fail anyway, without his taking any risk!

#1108 of 1891 Re: Correlating Dealership visits with Transmission Problems [er1457] by smtmuny

Feb 03, 2010 (3:40 pm)

Replying to: er1457 (Feb 03, 2010 12:35 pm)
"ER1457",
 In my opinion, unless you have a close friend at a dealership or auto repair shop,
there will be times when SOMEONE there will lie to you about what was wrong with your car JUST TO MAKE THEIR MORTGAGE/RENT MONEY FOR THE WEEK.
60 minutes has ,on record, lots of investigative reports that show how their hidden cameras have caught mechanics "TWEAKING" cars to make the customers think something is really wrong with their car. IT'S CALLED THE SURVIAL GAME OR GREED, and it happens even more during rough economic times.
Again, in my opinion, IF YOU TAKE YOUR CAR ANYWHERE, and that mechanic has not made enough money to pay the mortgage or the utility bill due the next day then I bet you over 50% of them would NOT TELL YOU YOUR FUEL PUMP FUSE WAS BLOWN. 50% of them would tell you they had to replace your fuel pump for a total cost $450.00.
Do you own test. Take your good car WITH NO PROBLEMS to several shops and tell them it over-heated three times last week and now it won't start after you drive it for a while and it gets hot. See how many check it out and tell you nothing is wrong. If none of them are your close friends, I'll bet you more than 50% of them will tell you "It's a Blown Head Gasket, which is MAJOR MAINTENANCE, and will cost you anywhere between $1000 and $2000 depending on they type of vehicle and what they think you can afford.
This same principle drives this country to lead the world in unnecessary surgeries. A surgeon can NOT make his money to support the lifestyle he/she is used to if they always tell you what pill or natural herb to take to cure the problem. In their biased opinion, surgery will always be the recommendation in most cases.
So, in summary, it is my opinion, that all the FREESTAR transmission failures ARE NOT ALWAYS A MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURE. I'll bet most of them are simple things like broken linkages, clogged filters, blown fuses, bad PCMS. But to demand $3000 to $4000 they will most likely tell you it was a MAJOR FAILURE!

#1109 of 1891 Re: Correlating Dealership visits with Transmission Problems [smtmuny] by sunburn

Feb 03, 2010 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: smtmuny (Feb 03, 2010 3:40 pm)
My Freestar was only in for service at the dealer at 22K miles and 35K miles. The torque converter failed at 49K miles, 13 months after the last visit to the dealer. So, no correlation.
 
The dealer service department is where the real money is made at a dealership. It's not on the sale of vehicles. As a business, the service manager has financial goals that they need to meet. There are unscrupulous ones out there that will try to sell you items and service you don't really need. Unfortunately, these people survive because most people are ignorant when it comes to their vehicles.
 
Last fall I had my truck in to the dealer for a whining sound from the rear end. They could have stuck me with a $2K-$3K bill for a new rear axle. However, they said it was most likely the tires. I replaced the tires about a month later, and the noise was gone. A couple of weeks ago I had the same vehicle into the dealer for what I thought was a squeaky serpentine belt, but could have been the belt tensioner as well. So, I had them take a look. I told them that if was the belt, not to do anything, since that was something I could easily do on my own. They said the tensioner was fine and that it was just the belt. Again, they could have nailed me for a $200-$300 repair, but didn't.
 
So, they aren't all crooks.

#1110 of 1891 Dealerships [sunburn] by nadineb

Feb 03, 2010 (10:40 pm)

Replying to: sunburn (Feb 03, 2010 8:24 pm)
I believe that the barriers here belong to Ford Motor Company and not the dealerships. The corporation is being lead by a weak and sick management team that is attempting to deny the message the customers are sending. Instead of looking for the opportunity to correct the situation and produce a stronger product, Ford's denial will lead them to their demise taking the dealerships with them.
 
When you start losing your customer base, you will lose the company. Strong product, strong company.

#1111 of 1891 Transmission Failure by lora_c

Feb 04, 2010 (7:38 pm)

Our Monterey's transmission failed a few months ago. Our dealer suggested a rebuilt transmission, rather than a repair, as the cost could end up the same, and the rebuilt comes with a full warranty. So I shelled out the 3K and had it done. I then made a report to DOT, and got an inquiry back from them asking about how/when/where it happened, and the cost of repair. I also reported it to Ford. With all the problems there have been, I'm sure it will eventually be recalled. SO...keep your receipts, as you would get reimbursed for the work, or the transmission repaired if it has not failed.
 
(Especially for Ted) I know it is frustrating (and at times dangerous) when these things happen. But everytime you get in your car you take on some risk. I think you can't dwell on it, and you can't avoid it. If you dump the van, you may get something that has another problem....like the toyota that keeps going! Every car has it's issues, but most of the time it is the driver that causes the worst accidents. We were lucky, ours failed on a city street, coasted to the side and towed it to the dealer.
 
I realize that Ford is a business, and they didn't do this to us on purpose. Things have to run their course, and go through the proper investigations and decisions. I used to work at the highway department, and guard rails wer not placed until the 3rd fatality. I know that sounds harsh, but they can't afford to place them everywhere, so depending on the traffic, etc., there are "standards". My brother died in an accident, and after his, a guard rail appeared. The accident had nothing to do with vehicle failure. It can happen. If you worried about everything, you'd never leave your home......and then a plane can land on your home. Just be aware if you loose the transmission, instead of breaking, coast to a safe spot. Once it happens, you have no power. And then, make the report, repair your car, and keep the receipt!
 
I hope all failures are like ours, flat land and not much traffic!

#1112 of 1891 Re: Transmission Failure [lora_c] by drhmth

Feb 04, 2010 (7:54 pm)

Replying to: lora_c (Feb 04, 2010 7:38 pm)
please also go to the NHSTA site and file a complaint with them. There has been a very active investigation going that I am hoping will lead to a recall. Ford has been of absolutely no help other than to admit there is a problem. I expect they will have to act when a recall is issued.

#1113 of 1891 The Sun is Shinning,Time to Make Hay!!!! by oilandwater

Feb 04, 2010 (11:07 pm)

There is a lot of sensitivity with recalls (Toyota) in congress right now and the spot light is on the NHTSA, so now is the time to write your congress man/woman via internet or mail make sure you ask for a response from your congress man/woman, not one of their support staff even a phone call might work, just google their name. Tell them that they a being put on report and they will have blood on their hands if they don't do anything. This is a "family" vechile not a sports car....and people have already been injured and luckily no family has been killed.....we need you to push this issue to a head now, its time to pile on!

#1114 of 1891 Edit..... by oilandwater

Feb 05, 2010 (8:16 am)

Tell them that they are being put on report and they will have blood on their hands if they don't do anything.

#1115 of 1891 Re: Another one bites the dust. [espader] by slavestar

Feb 05, 2010 (9:12 am)

Replying to: espader (Feb 03, 2010 11:40 am)
YOU CAN ADD MY FAMILY TO THE LIST!! Driving my kids to school in our 2005 Freestar, going uphill and no forward drive. I pulled over to the side of the road and tried every gear, nothing engaged. No check engine light or anything. I called the local shop where my vehicles are maintained and they towed it in and inspected it, needs a new transmission or rebuild. The van has 63K miles on it! I filed the complaint with NHTSA and called Ford. I explained that I am a loyal Ford owner and currently own SIX Fords, (we have 10 kids). They said there is nothing they can do! I was just seeking some help with the $2500 repair bill, they are willing to lose a loyal customer like myself and not admit that there are serious issues with this van. I will be selling my Fords and will never buy another! Unfortunately, I will have to fix my SLAVE-star to trade it in.

#1116 of 1891 Re: Another one bites the dust. [espader] by slavestar

Feb 05, 2010 (9:10 am)

Replying to: espader (Feb 03, 2010 11:40 am)
YOU CAN ADD MY FAMILY TO THE LIST!! Driving my kids to school in our 2005 Freestar, going uphill and no forward drive. I pulled over to the side of the road and tried every gear, nothing engaged. No check engine light or anything. I called the local shop where my vehicles are maintained and they towed it in and inspected it, needs a new transmission or rebuild. The van has 63K miles on it! I filed the complaint with NHTSA and called Ford. I explained that I am a loyal Ford owner and currently own SIX Fords, (we have 10 kids). They said there is nothing they can do! I was just seeking some help with the $2500 repair bill, they are willing to lose a loyal customer like myself and not admit that there are serious issues with this van. I will be selling my Fords and will never buy another! Unfortunately, I will have to fix my SLAVE-star to trade it in.

Messages Page 112 of 190

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