Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

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

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

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


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#364 of 1889 Re: Another transmission problem [charmin67] by momtobclt

Oct 22, 2008 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: charmin67 (Aug 15, 2006 2:03 pm)
Today my van completely lost power while I was driving 45 mph. There were no warming, shaking, or anything, it just died. Luckily I was able to pull over safely. It would not start back up. I had no steering, brakes, nothing at all. It was towed. The Ford mechanics said it later started right up and they can't find anything wrong. In fact the internal computer doesn't show any sign of losing power. They said Ford has nothing issued on their website of this happening. My BIL is a Ford mechanic and he checked the Ford website they can access and said they were telling the truth, there is nothing listed on Ford. He is currently calling other mechanics for me. Does anything know what this problem would be caused from? Is it a transmission issue? Electrical? It is a 2006 Freestar Limited with 24,000 miles and is still under warranty.

#365 of 1889 Re: another complaint filed [jgenovese] by momtobclt

Oct 22, 2008 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: jgenovese (Jul 30, 2008 10:03 pm)
I sent a complaint tonight to the NHTSA. I hope I get some answers tomorrow when I ask them to check the torque converter. I am so frustrated right now.

#366 of 1889 Tie rod end danger-Please spread the word by coneflower

Oct 28, 2008 (10:25 pm)

I am posting this here because some of you may have a vehicle with this problem: Tie rod ends on many Ford vehicles are coming apart ( this means you can no longer steer this wheel). Ford of Canada has sent a letter to 1997-2002 F150 , 1998&1999 light duty F250 , 1997-2002 Expedition , and 1998-2002 Navigator owners stating that every 20,000 kilometers they should inspect the tie rod ends. I have also had this problem with my 2000 Ford Windstar and have changed several tie rod ends. The problem appears to be that the design of the tie rod end is up side down ,the boot and catches water and salt like a funnel when it should be inverted to shed water. Please go to http://www.cbc.ca/consumers/market/files/cars/tierods/mechanics.html

#368 of 1889 Now I am scared by jerrypaul

Nov 11, 2008 (8:38 pm)

I was all proud of my 2004 Mercury Monterey that I purchased used with 50K on it this past weekend. It is super clean and seems very well taken care of. Fresh transmission fluid and all. But now, upon just doing some casual research on my new vehicle, I find this thread and am ready to cry. There's nothing wrong with my new van ... yet, but it sure sounds like if I make it to 100K without almost getting killed by a dead transmission, I'll be lucky. Any suggestions what I should do? I can't go in to the dealer and say "I changed my mind about this car because I read bad stuff about the transmission on the internet." LOL But should I be scared or do I at least have odds in my favor that this won't happen to me? I'm assuming most of the people that are on this thread are on here because it happened to them. I've counted about 25 to 50 complaints in this thread. I'm hoping (maybe wishful thinking) that there's lots of people with no problems with their Freestars/Montereys. What do you guys think? Is it just a matter of time before I'm hitch hiking for a ride along the side of the highway?

#369 of 1889 Not all Freestar/Montereys are lemons by byteman

Nov 12, 2008 (7:05 am)

I have a 05 Freestar with 90270 miles original engine and trany and it has never given me a drop of trouble. This van is the best vehicle I have ever owned. I drive it for my business and it has always performed. I have all the maintenance done on time and never miss fluid changes. From reading the posts in this forum, obviously there are some troubles with these transmissions but I'm here to say not all of them. My advice to JerryPaul would be to make sure you have the maintenance done on time and have it done at a reputable car care place.

#370 of 1889 Re: Not all Freestar/Montereys are lemons [byteman] by coneflower

Nov 12, 2008 (1:10 pm)

Replying to: byteman (Nov 12, 2008 7:05 am)
The people posting in this forum are complaining about a certain problem that their vehicles have ( faulty torque converters ) . I believe that there are many Freestar/Montereys that do not have these faulty converters and are not lemons. The problem is Ford will not make good on the faulty ones. Please let me know of any reputable car care places that have transmission fluid that can harden the butter soft splines ( or correct design flaws) in these converters.

#371 of 1889 Re: Now I am scared [jerrypaul] by dtownfb

Nov 15, 2008 (5:55 pm)

Replying to: jerrypaul (Nov 11, 2008 8:38 pm)
As you mentioned, not much you can do about returning it. Remember, not all Freestars will suffer a transmission failure. The fresh fluid will help. If you can, try and save up the money to cover a transmission repair.
 
Of course, I'm wondering if your Freestar already had the tranny replaced before you bought it.

#372 of 1889 Re: Now I am scared [dtownfb] by jerrypaul

Nov 16, 2008 (5:32 pm)

Replying to: dtownfb (Nov 15, 2008 5:55 pm)
>> Of course, I'm wondering if your Freestar already had the tranny replaced before you bought it.
 
I thought of that. But have no real way of knowing. The car dealer says they don't have any service records on the vehicle other than the 150 point inspection and fluid/filter changes they did before they sold it. They also warrant the power train for 4,000 miles so I hope that if the tranny's gonna go, it does it within 4,000 miles. LOL But so far, no problems. The car is crystal clean and immaculate. Looks brand new inside and out. New tires. Wipers. Etc. The only thing that doesn't work is the cruise control (which seems to be a common Freestar/Monterey problem). They said they'd fix that for me if I bring it in within 30 days.
 
But that's a good question about if the tranny is original or replaced. Any way a novice like me could tell by looking under the hood?

#373 of 1889 Re: Another transmission problem [momtobclt] by aggieme

Nov 17, 2008 (6:39 am)

Replying to: momtobclt (Oct 22, 2008 3:34 pm)
I just bought a used 2005 Freestart a week ago. Yesterday as I was slowing down at a stop sign, my van died with no warning. The engine check light and oil pressure light were the only two lights on. I cranked on it for a minute, and the van finally started. No more problems that day. This morning, I started the van to let it warm up before I ran some errands, and about 30 seconds later it died....same warning lights. After about 5 minutes, I went back out and cranked it up...no problem....and no problems since then. I do not know if having both the front and back heaters on is causing a problem or not......I have called my delearship to see what I can do....I am not to happy!!!! This vehicle did have some electrical work done 8/03 and 3/07, but has no issues since then.....I am wondering if they just quit driving it??? ANYONE HAVE ANY IDEAS???
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