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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 151 of 190

#1498 of 1891 problems continue by klp470

Jun 18, 2011 (8:26 pm)

I have had so many issues with this van. It is a 2005 freestar. I noticed that the transmission was slipping - had the garage look at it. oh and ever since the dealer tried to rip me off with my rotors I have used a different garage. Then the issue stopped until recently when it started again but this time the check engine light blinks at you and the van seems to slip constantly and does not want to seem to go - this happened in the rain storms. The garage and this time the ford dealer said the check engine code wasn't written to the system for them to see what the problem was. Today was a beautiful day. My husband told me that the transaxle light came on, the rpms went real high and then it was slipping a lot, wouldn't shift and didn't want to seem to go. When I drove it later, it seems to slip a lot but now the light isn't on. I am going to try to get it fixed this week if possible. I leave for vacation soon. How can you take such a vehicle on any kind of road trip? I wouldn't trust it today to take it on a 1 hour trip for fear of it letting us sit on the highway with a family of 5. My tire rims are an issue also. I pump so much air into those tires on a weekly basis. That is one issue that I took back to the dealer (different from the one I bought the car from) - so far knock on wood it seems to be fixed. I truely hate this van and all of the problems. I have had Ford/Mercury vans since 1994 - this is the worst of all of them!

#1499 of 1891 Re: problems continue [klp470] by carranoa

Jun 19, 2011 (3:25 am)

Replying to: klp470 (Jun 18, 2011 8:26 pm)
My engine light started flashing during a rain storm. I had a cracked ignition coil that was causing water to leak in and causing cylinder #3 to foul within 5 mind of a new plug being put in. The dealer didn't believe that I just put new plugs in recently. They told me they couldn't believe how fast they fouled. Replaced the transmission 2 uses ago. Now my engine lights on again with a code for a pressure problem in my gas tank. It's driving fine and my gas mileage is still a crappy 18 mpg, so I'm not worrying about it now. Fan blower in the middle/back doesn't blow and drivers side slide door doesn't always unlock when I try.

#1500 of 1891 Re: problems continue [klp470] by klp470

Jun 20, 2011 (9:14 am)

Replying to: klp470 (Jun 18, 2011 8:26 pm)
please call ford at 1800-392-3673 to register all of your compaints about these freestars that is the only way that they will do something for all of us according to them. it is worth a try.

#1501 of 1891 2004 Ford Freestar Transmission-Water in the transmission by dejacrew423

Jun 22, 2011 (1:24 pm)

Has anyone had their transmission brake because of water in the transmission? In 2008 I had to have my transmission replaced because I couldn't switch my van into gear and the transmission was broke. In Nov. 2009 I had to bring my 2004 Freestar back into the shop to fixed my transmission and I had to get another new transmission put in because of the same issue. They also stated that there was water in my transmission fluid and that is why the transmission went out. I came back to their shop in Jan. 2010 because of my car having a hard time shifting into gear which had happened prior to the two previous transmissions going out. They decided that since there was again water in my transmission that it was a radiator malfunction and that they needed to replace my radiator. Just Monday, (June 20 2011) I had to bring my van back into the shop because it is having a hard time shifting into Drive, Reverse, etc. AGAIN. This time I was told of a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) issued by Ford stating that some 1999-2003 Windstars and 2004-2007 Freestar/Monterey vehicles built prior to 6/22/2006 may exhibit some engine/transmission driveability issues due to water entering the powertrain control module or transaxle vent. So Ford not only knows about the problem but has issued instructions on how to fix the problem on their online publication website. This isn't a recall because they have not had enough people with the problem bring attention to the problem. If this is a problem you've had please please please post about your problem so we can get Ford to see that this is not a minor issue but one that has effected numerous vans and needs to be recalled. I have had to pay for 3 transmissions, 1 radiator, and numerous fluid flushes, diagnostic testing, etc. for a MANUFACTING problem that Ford knows about, knows how to fix, but yet leaves the consumer in charge of getting it fixed. This is a preexisting problem and when you're a stay at home mother of 3 with only one income the financial and mental headache from this problem is devastating!! This is unacceptable.

#1502 of 1891 Re: 2004 Ford Freestar Transmission-Water in the transmission [dejacrew423] by nadineb

Jun 22, 2011 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: dejacrew423 (Jun 22, 2011 1:24 pm)
My 2004 Freestar went into the dealer for water in the power control module, and they could not adjust the vehicle enough to stop the issue with the water. Even stated that fact on the receipts I received from them.
 
You need to write to your Senators, Congressperson, and everyone else! I agree that this is unacceptable, but I believe that Ford could care less. They do have a crash and burn policy!

#1503 of 1891 Re: Transmission...I don't know [philvid] by iely

Jun 30, 2011 (6:49 pm)

Replying to: philvid (Aug 24, 2011 12:35 pm)
Phil..did yo have that repaired in the dealer? My ford freestar 2004's transmission just gave up and brought it to an auto shop in my area (hoping its cheaper than the dealer service shop)..They told me labor and parts would cost me $3900!

#1504 of 1891 Re: problems continue [klp470] by klp470

Jun 30, 2011 (7:52 pm)

Replying to: klp470 (Jun 20, 2011 9:14 am)
My transmission is now replaced ($2700 later). The transmission shop told me that the 2nd gear was burned out. A Ford supervisor finally called me back. She asked if I took the van to a ford dealer. I told her no because I couldn't afford their labor charges and I had already had it into them to be checked and they couldn't find the problem. Mine only really acted up after the transmission shop let it run for while then when they rehooked it up to the computer codes started coming forth. Apparently Ford didn't want to take the time with it. She acted dissappointed when I told her all of the problems with the van but since I didn't take it to a ford dealer they wouldn't help. I wonder how they would have really helped if they would have called me back before I decided to take it to the transmission place. The transmission place said that this is common from what he has seen in this make and model. Call and ask for a supervisor and tell them everything about these vans. They need to know. good luck everyone. Now lets pray that this is it for a while with this van.

#1505 of 1891 Re: Pissed off! [madman77] by sacleone

Jul 05, 2011 (10:18 am)

Replying to: madman77 (Jun 06, 2011 6:11 pm)
I am sitting here reading these posts and I cannot believe it! The EXACT thing happened to me several days ago, driving home from vacation with 4 children in the van...Vehicle started loosing power, and there was massive smoke...I was able to coast into the roadside plaza along the Mass Pike...only to have people start screaming to get out of van because it was on fire! Everyone was terrified, and a rest stop employee was able to extinguish flames We were stranded for hours...What prompted me to check it out online? Almost the same thing happened in 2009 and I had to have a new transmission put in the van...yes, a 2004 Freestar! My car is still in Massachusetts at a dealer, and I am told it may be at least a week before they can even look at it....I cannot afford another transmission, nor do I think I should have to...I WILL be checking into the class action suit mentioned in another post...

#1506 of 1891 Re: Pissed off! [sacleone] by nadineb

Jul 06, 2011 (8:28 am)

Replying to: sacleone (Jul 05, 2011 10:18 am)
Please file a complaint with NHTSA. Remember that Ford does have secret warranties so it could help with cost.

#1507 of 1891 Adding to the list by creasemonkey

Jul 06, 2011 (4:59 pm)

About six months ago our 2004 Ford Freestar had the water getting into the PCM. My mechanic said they new about a service notice/alert, whatever you might call it, stating that Ford knew this was and issue and that it was not a recall.
 
They actually poured water out of the module. He stated that it did not drip out, it "poured out". He explained to me that the water was getting in between the windshield and hood. He showed me the spot. It took them 5 days to dry out the PCM and they sealed it, the best they could.
 
Sunday, July 3rd, the "Sprocket with an Exclamation Point" light came on in the bottom left corner of the dash as I was driving home from church with my wife and four children...12, 8, 6, and 1. Then the transmission just disengaged. We were stranded on one of the busier roads in Buffalo, New York. We called a friend to take my wife and family home. My wife got our 1998 pickup and brought it back and we towed the van to our shop.
 
I called today, and they have not started working on it yet, but NOW I KNOW WHAT IT IS!!! We were supposed to leave for vacation from July 8th through July 17th in Virginia. My kids were looking forward to spending the week with their grandmother for the week. I can take a broken down car, but not my family being put in danger and my children being crushed for the loss of a vacation to their grandmothers. I will file a complaint with the NHTSA, as you suggest. I doubt Ford will do anything. Unfortunately our 1998 pickup is a Ford with a leaking break line in the right rear. I was just about to put it in the shop.
 
NO MORE FORDS FOR ME. "FOUND ON ROAD DEAD" truly fits my opinion of Ford now.

Messages Page 151 of 190

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