Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

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

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

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


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#1293 of 1891 PCM, Water, Transmission! by farmtech31

Jul 24, 2010 (9:14 am)

Where do I start...purchased a 2004 Freestar privately and after a week the transmission and computer went out. My wife turned it on one day and it wouldn't go anywhere. Had it towed to Ford dealer and they replaced both items. Brought it home and after a week or two the van stalled and coasted to the side of a gravel road. Again would not go into drive or reverse and it happened after a heavy rain which I thought was interesting. Had it towed back to Ford dealer and after a month or so of troubleshooting they thought it was a bad PCM from Ford and they replaced it. (Ford covered it apparently) I expressed from the get go that I thought water was getting into the PCM due to forums like these and they disagreed with me. So I took the van home after the different PCM was installed and the next morning the battery was dead. After troubleshooting, I found out that the van was turning on the radio and listening to 590 AM w/out the keys in the ignition. Again this confirmed my idea about water getting into the PCM. Took it back to dealer and they again disagreed with me and after a couple months of troubleshooting on their part finally found water in the PCM. Except this time they want me to cover the new PCM!! Unbelieveable. They will not back down from this and I even called Ford and complained to them about this whole situation and engineering problem on their end. Nothing...and let it be known that i am a FORD guy! This has really left me wondering if I will purchase another Ford. Very upset. I have spent 3500 on it already and if i have to pay for the PCM it will be another 700. I found a post about a guy finding a firewall support column full of water and drilling a hole in it but the dealer won't even try to find this column. Have tried to pick it up twice and both times the service engine light comes on before going more than 10 miles. This time it is saying the cam sensor. I think water is still getting into the computer even though they claim to have siliconed the heck out of it. The TSB 6-10-14 has already been done apparently.

#1294 of 1891 Re: PCM, Water, Transmission! [farmtech31] by nadineb

Jul 25, 2010 (10:46 am)

Replying to: farmtech31 (Jul 24, 2010 9:14 am)
Make sure that they change the part that has the pins where the PCM attaches to the main engine part. We has similar issues with our van, and they changed all that except they mechanics could not the get body parts to close the gap in the vehicle where the cowl meets.
 
I believe that most of the design flaws with this vehicle should be recalled. Please write to the attorney general, NHTSA, and file a complaint with the Center for Auto Safety.
 
Best wishes.

#1295 of 1891 smell of model airplane glue by eploetz

Jul 26, 2010 (2:29 pm)

I just had a situation where when I started the car, I felt a burst of dampness on my foot (which was on the brake). Then came a smell like model airplane glue or the smell that comes with spray paint.
 
Has anybody else had this? It doesn't seem to affect the car's operation, although it's rather unpleasant.
 
Thanks,
EP

#1296 of 1891 Re: smell of model airplane glue [eploetz] by eploetz

Jul 26, 2010 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: eploetz (Jul 26, 2010 2:29 pm)
Clarification ... It's a 2004 Monterey. It's already had the transmission (twice, we think --- once before we bought it) and computer problems.

#1297 of 1891 ford freestar 2004 by elvis1919

Aug 23, 2010 (4:17 pm)

It's incredible how many people have the same problem( transmission or convector whatever is going to cost me $1,650.00) with this van. Mine broke in the Florida turnpike with my 2 yr old son and wife inside and a big thunderstorm that lasted more than 45 minutes baby crying and scare. Same as everybody wont change gear and the engine running like there was no problem, not even a sound of braking or a sing days before IT JUST STOP.......
please if anybody needs me to cooperate with singing a letter to file a complain to Ford i will do it .....It's unsafe for a family to have a minivan like this....

#1298 of 1891 same story? by hohmanvan

Aug 23, 2010 (9:36 pm)

I am looking at all of these and it seems we share the same story!
 
We were on family vacation with our very nice '04 Freestar, 83,000 miles on it. Purchased June 10. battery went on the way OUT for vacation... (the original factory battery was still in it!), and then on the way back home the transmission just SHUT OFF. We live in northern Ohio, but our van is stuck in Augusta, Maine. We are now without a vehicle, and as long as we don't have over 3,000 bucks, the van stays there.
 
I need info on this class action lawsuit. Where can I go to get this info? When did it start? When was it filed? I am at my wits end, because I am concerned that this local dealership won't help me.

#1299 of 1891 Preliminary Evaluation (PE) by nadineb

Aug 28, 2010 (9:22 am)

NHTSA just moved the Defect Petition on the 2004 model year to a Preliminary Evaluation on August 23. It is just for the 2004 models.

#1300 of 1891 Re: Preliminary Evaluation (PE) [nadineb] by lmcallery

Aug 28, 2010 (5:37 pm)

Replying to: nadineb (Aug 28, 2010 9:22 am)
It is obvious that it does include years beyond that. It's too bad they are only starting with the 2004 models and not including the other years that have the very same issue.

#1301 of 1891 Transmission by singlewkids

Aug 29, 2010 (2:10 pm)

What a weekend from hell. I am a single parent with three children and my transmission died. Can't get a new car because I owe to much money and have no way to work. Can't afford to fix it.
 
The car gave me no problems before that and it just would not go forward. I have read all of your posts and it would seem that Ford would have done a recall on the vans. Wonder if someone should call a news station an report it. Ford does not seem to want to help. If I new how and who to contact I would do it.
 
I have always like Fords and have nerver had a problem until this one. I really need some help. Any suggestions.

#1302 of 1891 Re: Transmission [singlewkids] by lmcallery

Aug 29, 2010 (6:05 pm)

Replying to: singlewkids (Aug 29, 2010 2:10 pm)
Start with your local dealer and the Ford Motor Company, and your state's attorney general's office. File a complaint with the National Highway Safety Administration, the more they get the more Ford will have to answer for.
The dealership has ways of helping. Ford didn't like it, but they helped me the first time mine went. Mine has now gone twice, so get it fixed if you can get their help, and get out of that van as quickly as you can. I am in the same boat with owing more on it than it will ever be worth, and now have much more cash into it than I should. Ford needs to face this problem head on, but they are not. It doesn't say much for the American auto industry. My next car will be foreign engineered and produced, I am that disgusted with the issue.
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