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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

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

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


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Messages Page 151 of 189

#1501 of 1889 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 1889 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 1889 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 1889 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 1889 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 1889 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 1889 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.

#1508 of 1889 NHSTA and Class Action Law Suit by creasemonkey

Jul 06, 2011 (5:47 pm)

I have filed a complaint with the NHSTA and sent emails to the two law offices representing the law suit.

#1509 of 1889 Re: NHSTA and Class Action Law Suit [creasemonkey] by mfynavy

Jul 09, 2011 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: creasemonkey (Jul 06, 2011 5:47 pm)
I guess I will do the same thing. My wife had the same problem comming home from Vacation today.

#1510 of 1889 stranded on interstate by rar6

Jul 10, 2011 (7:46 am)

This happened to me last night on the interstate. I was going 70/mph down the interstate then all of a sudden it just wouldn't go. I managed to pull over with my 15yr old and 5 yr old and had to sit there about 45 minutes before we could get someone to come make sure we were safe. Another 15 mins waiting on the tow truck (only to find out that my AAA only covers 3 miles of free tow) but thankful we were not hurt and we broke down 1 mile from our machanic. I did have something strange happen about an hour before we broke down. My clock radio reset to 12:00 and my cd popped out and the radio switched to am. Which has only happened before when my battery went dead. Last week I also noticed that my cruise control was no longer working. The tow truck guy did have me do some stuff while he looked under the hood and said that my gears would move but it wouldn't engage. At least I think that is how he described it but being that it was almost 11:00pm I could have mixed the words up.

Messages Page 151 of 189

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