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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

1900 messages,  Last post on Jun 14, 2013 at 12:47 PM

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


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Messages Page 31 of 191

#298 of 1900 Re: Discouraging Information [3forme] by jgenovese

Jul 09, 2008 (7:39 am)

Replying to: 3forme (Jul 07, 2008 6:20 pm)
God bless you for making it happen with your limited resourses and 3 children. When I read a post like yours, it literally sends a shiver down my spine because I know that you and your children are in harms way and Ford put you there. I know this because we lived through this nightmare. My wife andf 5 of my 6 kids were in our Freestar, in an intersection with traffic when ours failed. we are just palin lucky that nobody was injured or killed. It has become my mission in life to try and inform as many people as I can of this defect so that they can try and avoid the inevitable failure and financial hardship that follows when your only means of transportation is suddenly a 4000 pound pile of worthless plastic, metal, and rubber that you still have to make payments on and insure. We may never fully recover from the financial harm this has caused our family. Because we were not in a good position financially, we had to initially borrrow money to have ours fixed at a rate so high that we are paying over $250.00 per month since December of 2007 and still havn't even put a dent in the principal. Yes, this happened right before Thanksgiving and ruined our Christmas as well. Christmas for 6 kids is a struggle as it is let alone when you have no money as you know. Anyway, please be ever mindful while you are driving that your van could suddenly become immobile and that it will happen without warning so you should always have a plan in case this happens. Try and travel in the lane closest to the shoulder so that you can pull off out of traffic with whatever momentum you may still have going. Also, if you can help it, try not to travel in front of a tractor trailer or somebody who will insist on tailgating you. If you can afford it, have a qualified TRANSMISSION mechanic look at your van for you. This will be costly so be prepared. Also, NHTSA stands for the NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION. They are the government agency that is supposed to be protecting people like us from comaanies like Ford and their defective product. It is critical that you go to their website and file your complaint. It will be helpful for you to review the complaints that are already on the site so that you can formulate your complaint. After we all report our complaints, NHTSA can't say that they didn't know about this problem when somebody gets killed and the finger pointing starts. I know that sounds grim but it is just a matter of time. This is a serious defect and a serious problem that Ford is attempting to deny knowledge of and NHTSA, so far, doesn't seem to want to do anything about. However; we still need to do oir part and keep the pressure on by being vocal and reporting these failures and the pattern of behavior of Ford.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#299 of 1900 Re: Let's be clever, FORD IS JUNK [skinny62] by jgenovese

Jul 09, 2008 (7:47 am)

Replying to: skinny62 (Jul 08, 2008 10:22 am)
Review all 298 of these posts to see what to do. Basically, report your problems to NHTSA and Ford, As of now, this seems to be a waste of time because Ford, UNBELIEVABLY, still denies that there is a problem at all and, for whatever reason, NHTSA doesn't seem to want to their job and force a recall of these defective transmissions. It leaves me with the impression that big business has some untoward, unethical influence on this federal agency. Absent any other logical explanation, this is the conclusion I have come to and I consider myself to be a reasonably intelligent and infromed consumer. I know why the media doesn't want to touch it because I pressed the issue and got an off-the -record expalnation - MONEY. Advertising dollars are apparently more importatnt than the lives of the tens of thousands of families who rely on these vans for their transportation every day. Stay vocal. stay active. Stay tuned. it will take some time but I believe that, at the end of the day, Ford will ultimately be held accountable. Unfortunately it will probably take a loss of life for this to happen, though.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis,MD

#300 of 1900 2004 Monterey transmission out at 34,000 by qfamily

Jul 09, 2008 (11:18 am)

I am in a state of disbelief reading all these messages. My 2004 Monterey has only 34,000 miles and just "went into neutral" going 45 mph. with my husband, myself and two small children in the car. My husband was able to pull into the middle turn lane and avoid an accident. Same story so far as most of you. I am waiting for the "2 day" call back from the Ford Reps to see if they will cover some or all of the new torque converter (same story, splines stripped).
This van was purchased new in June 2004, so the warranty expired on the 3 years last year. However, I am arguing that at 34,000 miles, it is still under the 36,000 miles. This van is top of the line Premier and has been babied from day 1. Until now, I was really in love with my Ford product. If they are not going to help, then I will change my mind. It's funny, my husband's family is GM all the way (Flint area and both worked there). I have bragged about how I love my Ford Monterry ......until this. I am dismayed and saddened to see all the people who have had this problem. I am AMAZED none of us has gotten seriously hurt by this. We were in busy traffic when this happened with NO WARNING whatsoever. We were planning on taking a 200 mile trip 4 days later and had to shell out $400 to rent a minivan. I am just sickened by the whole thing. My van is like new, now I am wondering about my kids safety in the future.
I really appreciate all the information everyone has written. I have my notes ready about the AX4N transmissions not Requiring a transmission flush at 30,000 miles in case they pull that one on me. I am NOT picking up my van until I hear back. So, I am home for the next 2 days (off work) with no car and 2 small kids.
I will let you know what transpires.

#301 of 1900 Bit by Ford Freestar Tranny Bug by teber

Jul 10, 2008 (11:03 am)

The Ford Freestar bug bit me last week, after 68,000 miles. The usual problem of losing forward and reverse mobility. All most rear-ended by the car behind me. Repair cost was $2400, which included towing and a 12 Month/12,000 Mile warranty. Warranty can be upgraded to 36/36000. I am going to file complaints with NHTSA, State Attorney's General Office for Ohio and West Virginia, Ford Motor Company, and a courtesy letter (?) to the dealer. I would consider joining a class action law suit. Keep me posted

#302 of 1900 Re: 2004 Monterey transmission out at 34,000 [qfamily] by jgenovese

Jul 10, 2008 (7:03 pm)

Replying to: qfamily (Jul 09, 2008 11:18 am)
Once again, a family is needlessly placed in harms way because of the criminals at Ford. These cowards probably won't do the right thing even if, God forbid, somebody does get seriously hurt or killed. Just to give you a heads-up; unless they cover you under the "36K" which I doubt, especially if you didn't have the USELESS WASTE OF TIME AND MONEY 30K flush, in the "2 day" callback, you will be told that they have never heard of this problem and that, unfortunately, your vehicle doesn't qualify for coverage under your original warranty and it is your fault because you didn't have the 30K flush done. In case you havn't figured it out by now, the "2 day call back" period is designed to get you that much more desperate to get your car back so that you just cave in and pay for the repair. these crooks have all the angles figured out, believe me. They have hundreds of crooked lawyers on the payroll teaching them all of the dirty little tricks to save them money. It will be those same crooked lawyers that will defend Ford when somebody gets killed or we finally get it together and get a class action going. In the meantime, register a complaint with NHTSA and write to the CEO of Ford, contact your loacl media outlet and your local representative, as well as your local Office of the Attorney General for your state. Based on the information contained on this website alone, I know there is ample evidence of a criminal conspiracy. EVERY SINGLE ONE OF US HAS THE SAME STORY AND HAS HAD THE SAME EXPERIENCE WITH FORD. You seem like the kind of person we can count on to roll up your sleeves and join us in our fight. By the way, tell everyone you know that drives a Freestar or a Monterayto beware of this problem. A minute of your time just might save someone's life. Please let us know what the outcome is for you.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#303 of 1900 Re: Bit by Ford Freestar Tranny Bug [teber] by jgenovese

Jul 10, 2008 (7:05 pm)

Replying to: teber (Jul 10, 2008 11:03 am)
Yet another close call! NHTSA, are you paying attention?!?!? Thank goodness no one got hurt. Stay tuned. This thing is gaining more momentum every day. It is just a matter of time before some sharp attorney gets ahold of this and unites us in a class action.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#304 of 1900 Here's my update by heatherd7476

Jul 11, 2008 (7:31 am)

Well, let's see.. In about 2 weeks $3,300.00 later I will have a new transmission. I sent a letter to NHTSA and have not heard from them since. So now all I need to do is figure out how to come up with $3,300.00 to pay for it. Being a single mother of 3 does not help either. So needless to say I am like many other's on here who have personal issues also and are tring to figure out how they are going to get the money. Please keep me inform with any updates
 
 Heather J.
Frederick, MD

#305 of 1900 2005 Mercury Monterey by kennedyzdad

Jul 11, 2008 (8:02 am)

Well, my Monterey that I posted about a few days ago, has now been fixed by the dealer, it's costing me $3,800 and has a 3 year 100,000 mile warranty. I won't be able to pick it up until I'm back from vacation. I had to borrow my parents vehicle which actually saved me more money because if not, I would be renting something for a week.
 
I'm debating on trading it in for a Honda Odyssey that has the touring package. If any of you haven't looked at these, they are very nice. I did love my Monterey but now I can't say that.
 
I'm very angered by this and would like Ford to be held accountable. I wonder if Dateline would be willing to address this issue with FORD. Just a thought!!!

#306 of 1900 Another one bites the dust..... by mbcorbin

Jul 11, 2008 (9:05 am)

I have known for about a year that my van wasn't acting right. I have a 2004 Mercury Monterey with 68,000 miles on it. I know nothing about cars, but could tell that something was wrong. The light for the transaxle has been flashing for years off and on. Was told by Ford that it was nothing....just to ignore it. The automatic doors work sometimes, not others. If someone pulls on the door of the van while it is locked, the alarm goes off, but the door opens. The heated seats haven't worked in years. The problem is that every time we have had it looked at, no one can figure out what the problem is.
 
Yesterday we were driving back from a trip and decided to stop for a meal. As we pulled off of the interstate, the van started going into neutral and slipping when my husband tried to accelerate. We did make it home, but as we drove into the driveway it would not make it up a small hill. This morning I tried to leave and it starts and the RPMs rev up, but it won't move. I'm so frustrated since I have wanted to trade it for so long. The problem is that since it's a Ford, it isn't worth very much. Now I regret not trading it sooner!!!

#307 of 1900 Re: Here's my update [heatherd7476] by jgenovese

Jul 11, 2008 (12:12 pm)

Replying to: heatherd7476 (Jul 11, 2008 7:31 am)
Heather,
If it is any consolation; You are not alone. We were struggling financially even before our van quit working and we are struggling even more now. We still have not recovered from it financially and it will be a year in December! On the bright side, I really believe that this thing is about to take off. The more people that post their story, the more people will know about it. At the very least, other families will be forwarned of the danger. Also, at some point, some media outlet, news magazine or news organization will take an interest and take it to the next level. In the meantime, you can post your complaint on the NHTSA website rather than via a letter. They will at least have to acknowledge that they received it and there will be an electronic record of it. More mportantly, it will be one more bit of proof that they knew that this problem existed and took no action. They need to be held accountable as well as Ford because it is their job to protect families like ours from companies like this! I hope that you have the resources to pay for your repair and get you van back on the road soon. Hopefully, someday we will all be reimbursed by Ford for this disaster that they KNOWINGLY perpetrated on us all.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

Messages Page 31 of 191

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