1889 messages,
Last post on May 07, 2013 at 10:10 AM
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Ford Freestar Forum.
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Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey, Transmission, Van
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
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Dec 31, 2010 (2:43 pm)
I am joining the club, my 2004 Freestar transmission died Sunday after Christmas while I was on my way to my mom's house with my daughter, my brother and his wife, and 4 dogs. It was about 15 degrees out. Called my brother and step dad to bring two vehicles to pick us up.
So, we got it towed to the Ford dealership where we bought it from a year ago. The van has 74,000 miles and when we bought it last August it had 54,000 miles, that gave me a whole 20,000 miles with the van. Ford looked at the van, diagnoses: bad transmission; for a new transmission it would cost $3,500 to fix if there are not additional complications while they're replacing it. They gave two other options; a transmission with 60,000 miles on it or a transmission with 120,000 miles. Though why would I trust a transmission that has close to the same or more miles than what mine has.
At this point we felt it may be a good idea to work a deal with the dealer. There best offer was to give us $2,500 trade-in on the van that we paid $9,500 for a year ago, and no deal on a new car, this was today on new year's eve when I thought they had year end sales. In other words they did not attempt to help us with anything so were having the van towed to Aamco to have the transmission rebuilt hoping it will be less than the quote ford gave me. And to get our van out of there they tried to charge us $200 for the diagnoses, until my wife threw the credit card on the table and complained about the price. The cashier asked if we would like to speak to the manager, she came back and our bill changed to $94.
So, I would like to be part of the law suit. I filled out a form at the website of Shepherd, Finkelman, Miller & Shah, LLP Is this the place to go?
Dec 31, 2010 (4:02 pm)
If you haven't done so already, it would be good to file a complaint with the NHTSA. They have an open investigation and more complaints may help them to force a recall. You can file a complaint on their website.
#1366 of 1889 2005 Freestar has all these problems
by transtroubled
Jan 02, 2011 (3:05 pm)
After reading ALL these posts I feel a bit better, but am now becoming angry.
Our 2005 Freestar has been towed three times. The first time in it was a TCM issue--yes water!
The dealership: " We found water in the connector--the module is OK."
The next time (about a month later), my wife pulled in to pick up our two daughters at day care and after a restart no movement. Engine ran fine but absolutely no transmission engagement. Torque converter failure--replaced under warranty--barely!
Third time: symptoms like all the rest--sputtering, failure to shift smooth, stall, wild tachometer....
Dealership: Failed TCM--water again. "We siliconed the housing to keep water out." Me: "Why is the water getting in?"
Today, after about 6 months of normal operation, the van stalled on highway with no warning. All the same symptoms are back--stalling, engine and trans lights on, sluggish shifting, wild tachometer.......
It is now out of warranty and I'm not sure what to expect. I'm faced with either limping in to the dealership AGAIN or towing it--probably will take both efforts! I'm VERY interested in a class action suit or anything I can do to get Ford to recall. Please advise.
#1367 of 1889 Re: 2005 Freestar has all these problems [transtroubled]
by shocked1
Jan 02, 2011 (3:20 pm)
Well, good luck along with the other hundreds of lemon owners.
I submitted my complaint 2 yrs ago....and NOTHING. Replaced 1 trans. 2 yrs ago... and will happen again soon , was told it would. F O R D sucks!!!!! W ILL NEVER EVEN CONSIDER A FORD NEXT YEAR WHEN WE PLAN ON A NEW TRUCK OR CAR!!!!!!!!!! FORD ======
&
#1370 of 1889 Re: Transmission [singlewkids]
by tyecherry
Jan 03, 2011 (10:54 am)
I totally understand where you are coming from!
My 3 kids and I were driving home to Ky from Ga when our 2006 Freestar gave out in Spartanburg SC. As with everyone else no forwarning!
Luckily I was able to get off the interstate and coast into a gas station parking lot! My kids were terrified (they're 12, 10 and 8)! We had to wait 4 hours for my brother and dad to get to us; by then I finally got a local wrecker/service company to get the van out of the parking lot!
Just spoke to mechanic: $1800 for rebuilt trans or $2100 for used!!!
Like everyone else I owe more than what it's worth! I have filed with Nhtsa
any other suggestions?
#1371 of 1889 Re: Transmission [tyecherry]
by nadineb
Jan 03, 2011 (3:54 pm)
File a small claims suit in you home state.
#1372 of 1889 Re: Protest [nadineb]
by wpongratz
Jan 08, 2011 (12:03 pm)
Same problem with our Freestar. Will take part in this complaint
#1373 of 1889 Re: 2004 Ford Freestar Automatic Transmission [remo2]
by herb1957ca
Jan 08, 2011 (3:31 pm)
Ditto for my 2005 Freestar with 100k miles. It was running fine and after pulling away from a stoplight; transmission just started slipping ( 100% slip ) and from there the story is the same. Haven't spent the $3500 yet - will probably scrap the car. My 2000 Windstar did similar at 30k+ miles. So I bought a new 2011 Sienna. I'm a Toyota man now.