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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#1564 of 1889 2005 Freestar Transmission failure by stachia4426

Dec 06, 2011 (11:29 am)

On my way home from work during rush hour stop and go traffic my (deathtrap of a van) decided to create a dangerous situation for me. Let me pain this pretty picture, Rt 42 South, through a construction zone (which is a deathtrap in and of itself) heading toward Rt 55 all the way in the right lane next to the cattle shoots. Stop and go, noticed the RPM shooting up and the car not really going anywhere. Let off the gas then proceeded with the same response. As the lanes started to move faster, I didn't. The speed limit is 65 (we all know that is not what people travel at) but me in my mom van was only able to do 35 - 40 with the engine screaming. I pulled over several times, tried the trick of shift down into 3rd, didn't work. I had first and second gear but no third. I had to travel on this god forsaken road with my hazard lights on and only doing 35 mph with people passing me and honking.
 
I make it to the daycare to pick up my one child and the car will not go into reverse. I had to put it in drive then in reverse.
 
Also, I have been having this issue where it seems to studder at 40-45MPH and the whole car shakes. I had to follow my husband with the hazard lights on when we took it to the transmission place. He had it for a week, said he hooked it up to the computer and there was an error that he cleared, drove the car for 3 days and couldn't get it to do what it did to me. He said I still have the studder, he has no idea what that is but to drive it until it happens again. He also mentioned that this is a known problem with these vehicles.
 
I will be getting in touch with the lawyers for the class action suit.
 
Doesn't FORD realize this is a minivan - families are in these every single day. Do they really want this on their hands if a family is seriously injured or worse? It amazes me that these huge companies don't really care about the little people, they just want there big fat bonuses at the end of the year.
 
When is enough, enough!? I don't know about all of you but I am sick and tired of being taken advantage of, taken for granted and lied to!
 
Fix the problem or the problem will fix you! You need to re-evaluate your best business practices and customer service policies and procedures.
 
Fords we have owned in the past:
Freestar - horrible
Focus - had a transmission problem
Bronco - 2
91 mustang
95 Cobra
F350
F250
F150 - 2
Ranger
Escort - caught fire
 
We have always been a ford family - this will be changing.

#1565 of 1889 Re: 04 Freestar transmission--more of the same [motheye] by xtremeandrew

Dec 09, 2011 (2:22 pm)

Replying to: motheye (Nov 15, 2011 12:28 pm)
2005 - 80K miles, all previous maintenance done by Ford. Shot Transmission just 3-4 weeks ago. 1st it all of a sudden started running terrible, then lost reverse by the time AAMCO started working on it. AAMCO came and got it for free. Ultimately had it rebuilt, running fine now with a 3yr warranty, $2200 later. AAMCO says water had leaked down into the computer area on the front passenger side (just under the rt. corner dash), and they had to re-harness the computer as part of the diag to rid the computer of check engine alerts.. whatever, they fixed it (it seems). Had it towed again a wk later due to failed TPS sensor. 1st FORD TPS sensor failed, 2nd FORD TPS Sensor working, so far.. Hopefully, it'll last me another year. Oh yeah, had the A/C replaced about 6 months ago. I'll be back to this forum later, when I have a chance to read through.....

#1566 of 1889 Re: 04 Freestar transmission--more of the same [xtremeandrew] by xtremeandrew

Dec 09, 2011 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: xtremeandrew (Dec 09, 2011 2:22 pm)
oh, and just took it to Ford for an 80K mile check up. All good they say. I asked about the transmission problems, the guys said "All Transmissions fail eventually". I said, "yeah, but at 80K miles?" He said, "yes, even so, and told me to go ask Toyota bout their trans problem experiences"...
 
I've owned many types of vehicles over 120K miles, including Toyotas, don't recall ever having such transmission problems with any of those, especially at 80K miles...

#1567 of 1889 05 Freestar transmission by im4luv

Dec 13, 2011 (6:01 am)

Just had my Freestar towed to the shop. I was on the interstate doing 70 when the motor started racing, but losing speed. Pulled over to the side as far as I could. I tried all gears, but none worked. Called AAA for a tow truck to take me back home. Tow bill was $90 and have not heard yet from the shop as to what the problem is, but guessing by posts here it is either the PCM or the transmission or both. If Ford does not take care of all these bad transmissions, its time to start a petition on www.change.org to if something can get done. I just paid my van off in August and cannot afford to replace it or even fix it at this time, first brand new Ford I have ever bought. My brother built Fords for the Claycomo plant in Missouri for many years. He is probably turning over in his grave to see how Ford treats its customers. I have had Fords all my life and it is time to buy something else.

#1568 of 1889 Re: 05 Freestar transmission [im4luv] by alexg8

Dec 13, 2011 (8:02 pm)

Replying to: im4luv (Dec 13, 2011 6:01 am)
I have had this van 3 weeks , from a NY used car dealer, my first time with this transmission problem was on the thanksgiving weekend, I returned the van to the dealer because is covered for 60 days or 3000 miles warranty, they said is fixed. It was running perfect until yesterday the experience was worst than before, began taking the exit from the highway, I was lucky, blocking traffic and being insulted is not painful, could be worst. I want to Know is this temporary or persistent problem?
Thanks

#1569 of 1889 Re: 05 Freestar transmission [alexg8] by im4luv

Dec 14, 2011 (9:29 am)

Replying to: alexg8 (Dec 13, 2011 8:02 pm)
I got a call from my mechanic, he said it is my transmission and it will cost me $2800 for a Jasper rebuilt transmission with 100,000 mile warranty. I had no prior knowledge of the issues with the Freestar transmissions and mine gave me no warning, it just went out. It only had 63,000 miles on it and was well taken care of. I am keeping all my paperwork in regards to this incident in case Ford ever owns up to the problem and compensates its customers. I wish I had of sold my Freestar when I had the chance.

#1570 of 1889 Re: Freestar [jgenovese] by dxcboston

Dec 14, 2011 (9:58 am)

Replying to: jgenovese (Dec 17, 2007 8:45 pm)
ABout a month ago, I received a call from the NHTSA following up on my complaint. He essentially wanted to hear first hand what the issue was. I only needed to say "Without warning and while engine still running the transmission gave out." He said that's exactly what he's hearing from others and told me to keep our $1,700.00 receipt for transmission work in the event there is a recall.
 
I'm glad they followed up and feel good about the potential reimbursement.

#1571 of 1889 Re: rainwater in transmission fluid [drayke13] by memmad2

Dec 14, 2011 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: drayke13 (Nov 26, 2011 9:43 pm)
so sorry to hear of your problems as for the update on my ford freestar well I finally got it back on November 11 th after it had been in the shop since August 1st it cost me 3300.00 less than I had expected but I still say Ford was responsible for the repairs .... so...I was on the road to a friends house when the engine light went on and stayed on solid light so I called the service center at Ford dealership where I bought the car the next day and he said that if I had gotten gas the gas cap may have not been put back on all the way or twisted or something >? I should not worry as it might just be that the computer chip in the car thinks something is wrong with the engine and I should just check the gas cap and drive the car for a while and it should reset and the light will go off.... I did and I am driving the car and I am wondering when the engine will fall out .....................................I have a loan out to pay for having bought this headache in the first place and now I am paying for the repairs and I should not worry ????? I wish you well my fellow Ford van owners but more to the point I wish us all justice and the way to recoup our losses and feel safe on the road ahead I know for myself it will take me years to pay this van but when it is, I will dump this thing and never get a Ford again

#1572 of 1889 2006 Freestar Transmission Failure by gcarlson1

Dec 19, 2011 (8:56 pm)

The transmission on my 2006 Freestart just failed a few weeks ago. I only had 60K miles and was less than 1 month out of warranty. Now I'm on the hook for a new transmission for over $3,000. I had experienced twice in the past the van would randomly "lunge" forward out of nowhere. It only happened twice before and there were no warning signs leading up to or after. Of course bringing it in to have the technician look at it they couldn't reproduce the random symptoms and didn't even bother to check the transmission for issues. Then all of a sudden one day I'm at a stop light. I hit the gas and the engine revs (making a terrible noise) but the van doesn't move. Technician says there are metal shavings in the pan everywhere and it's not worth repairing. I only found this to be a widespread issue after it happened to me and I started searching and found I'm not the only one. Hopefully they get enough complaints for a recall. I know I'm not done complaining yet.

#1573 of 1889 Re: 2006 Freestar Transmission Failure [gcarlson1] by gattman1

Dec 19, 2011 (9:11 pm)

Replying to: gcarlson1 (Dec 19, 2011 8:56 pm)
Hate to be the bearer of bad news but compaints will go nowhere. I tried several times, dealer doesnt care, Class action suit was dismissed. I havent fixed mine yet, bought a Honda Accord instead. May fix it this spring and sell it privately. 2000 pund paperwieght in my driveway and Im pissed.
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