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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

1889 messages,  Last post on May 07, 2013 at 10:10 AM

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

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


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Messages Page 122 of 190

#1208 of 1889 I have just became part of the club. by christ3347

May 06, 2010 (6:52 am)

I have a 2006 Ford Freestar it has 78,000 miles on it I bought it from a used car lot and on my way to pick my kids up from school as I was stopped at the stop sign, there was no problems, than as I was driving through the four way stop sign it quit on me, You could hear the engine but it was not getting any type of speed to shift it never shifted I was very lucky to make it through the stop sign it happen to be the busiest time of the day and everyone was getting their children from school. I am a low income family and can not afford to fix a problem like this so now I have been without a way of going and will be out of one for a while, yes I do work and support my family and now I have a very nice neighbor that takes my kids back and forth to school. If it wasn't for her my kids would not be at school and I try and some how make it to work when I ride with some of my co-workers. When I discovered that everyone else has had the same problem I felt I understood exactly the problems that everyone else is going through. I did not buy a the van for it to sit in the driveway and make payments on it when it is no use to me it is no longer supporting my family. I understand fully the anger that everyone is feeling. The Ford company should be held accountable. You can not address to everyone that this is a " Good Family" vehicle, a good family vehicle should be dependable and when you state this that is what people want to pay for because we have to carry our family around in some thing that "IS DEPENDABLE."

#1210 of 1889 Re: I have just became part of the club. [christ3347] by jgenovese

May 07, 2010 (6:49 am)

Replying to: christ3347 (May 06, 2010 6:52 am)
Thank God, yet another miracle, that nobody got hurt. Please report your incident to NHTSA via their website and also to the Center for Auto Safety. NHTSA is the federal agency whose job it is to investigate these types of safety defects and the Center for Auto Safety is a private sector watchdog group that is highly repected and credible on auto safety issues. Each report is CRITICAL toward getting these dangerous vehicles recalled before someone gets killed, (if it hasn't happened already and we just don't know about it).
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#1211 of 1889 Re: I have just became part of the club. [jgenovese] by anabel

May 07, 2010 (8:52 am)

Replying to: jgenovese (May 07, 2010 6:49 am)
Jim,
 
Can I ask you if you would know what year models of Freestar and Montereys this is affecting? I am writing up a one page note to put on cars that I see when I am parked someplace. Like Grocery, Bank, Malls, etc, that way they can found out about the issue if they haven't already had problems and if they have, information so they can officially list their problems. What are your thoughts?

#1212 of 1889 Not sure if its the trans or not by laurel28

May 10, 2010 (5:23 am)

I have a 2004 Ford Freestar. A couple days ago I noticed that my car seemed to shake when it was idle. Then the check engine light came on. Now whenever I stop and the RPMs go below 1000 my car will shake and then stall unless I keep my foot on the gas while stopped. I went to get the check engine light check and all they came back with was something about an air sensor and said if I change the air filter and put some fuel injector cleaner in that will help. So I did all that, but it seems to have gotten worse because now it rides kinda of rough too. Any ideas what it might be?

#1213 of 1889 Re: transmission problem (2005 freestar.48000 miles [malon] by bonnie30

May 10, 2010 (9:15 am)

Replying to: malon (Apr 05, 2008 10:27 pm)
yes we all need together and call the ford company direct that what i just did this afternoon every since i bought my 2005 ford freestar had nothing but trouble with the engine and the transmission she said if we get alot of people complain they should have a recall on all our vehicles let stick together and callif u no any1else having the same prolblem tell them to call 1-800-392-3673

#1214 of 1889 transmission and engine by bonnie30

May 10, 2010 (9:21 am)

hello every1 i just call the ford company this afternoon and told them problem with my 2005 freestar i told them i had nothing but problem with it i told them they need to put a recall on this vehicles befor some1 get hurt or kill please everyone with problems please call 1-800-392-3673 im getting tired having to put my van n the shop every couple of month i have change all the spark plug every 3000 i have the oil change and transmission evry 60000 i have complete update my vechles and maintance when needed but still haveing problem let all get together and start calling thanks every1 let fight back please tell them shirley sent u all there to call

#1215 of 1889 Re: transmission and engine [bonnie30] by jgenovese

May 10, 2010 (7:01 pm)

Replying to: bonnie30 (May 10, 2010 9:21 am)
Bonnie,
Calling Ford is like spitting into the wind. I have been at it for 2 and 1/2 years trying to get them to do the right thing or be held accountable. You need to report your situation to NHTSA and also to the Center for Auto Safety, both via their websites. These are the organizations that can do the most for us. NHTSA is the goverment agency that is SUPPOSED to be looking out for us and the Center for Auto Safety is a reputable and credible private sector organization that can be very influential in these matters. Also, you could and should contact your local media outlets, print, radio, and television, as well as the Attorney General for your state. Finally, spread the word to EVERYONE you know or meet that drives a Freestar or a Mercury Monteray which is the sister vehicle to the Freestar and is marketed by Mercury.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#1216 of 1889 Well, this is no fun... by occupant1

May 17, 2010 (5:04 am)

I was hoping the 95-98 Windstar and 99-03 Windstar transmission problems had been licked by the time the Freestar came out. I just looked at a nice one, too, 2005 model, 132K on it, $3200 cash. Maybe I should avoid the Ford vans altogether, which is not what I was hoping to do...
 
I could always take a page from my own vehicle history. I had a 1991 Aerostar in which I replaced every single major mechanical component except for the 3.0L engine. First was a transmission. Then a radiator. Then the battery/starter. Then I tried to fix the fuel mileage problem. I changed the cap/rotor/plugs/wires/O2 sensors/filters/valve cover gaskets, retorqued the rockers, replaced every inch of vacuum hose, swapped ignition modules, and "seafoamed" it with B-12. I did the most complete tuneup I could ever imagine and still could't do over 15-16mpg in highway driving. Then the heater core failed. Then the steering rack began dumping fluid out a crack in the case. Then the driveshaft flew off at city speeds and I had to replace both U-joints to put it back in. Then the exhaust fell off. And I'm in Texas, exhaust doesn't rust here, this broke off from the age of the rubber hangers! Finally when the AC stopped blowing cold up front did I sell the van. The whole time I owned it I had to start it from under the hood with a screwdriver. The ignition switch was replaced twice, it would work for a week or so, then it wouldn't. The subsequent owner installed a big red START button on the dash. And yes, he had to replace the starter again because his kids kept hitting the button. Even his wife said, "what's this, honey?" and hit it while driving down the highway.
 
I think I spent about $4400 over 18 months on that van PLUS the value of the 270K mile 1995 Century I even traded for it (the dealer's asking price on the van was $1100, so we'll go with that and call it $5500 total). Sold it for a mere $750 after advertising it for six months straight on CL at varying prices as high as $1800 and as low as $900.
 
I have a feeling buying another Ford minivan would cause the same money pit syndrome as my Aerostar, nicknamed "The Van Of Questionable Mechanical Integrity", gave me back then. Which is sad. I've ridden in some Freestars as taxicabs. They were very comfortable. I drove a 1999 Windstar as a taxi in Dallas in 2002. I loved it! But evidently they don't hold up.
 
Has anyone been able to go 200K in a Freestar in normal/severe driving without a major transmission failure?

#1217 of 1889 Re: Well, this is no fun... [occupant1] by kkalbfleisch

May 17, 2010 (5:11 am)

Replying to: occupant1 (May 17, 2010 5:04 am)
There is a reason why your able to buy a 2005 with 132K for only $3200. The person just wants to get rid of it. The transmission problems with these Freestars is completely unacceptable!! If I were you, I wouldn't buy it.

Messages Page 122 of 190

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