Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

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

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

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


Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 41 of 191

#395 of 1900 Re: Freestar [Zeb2121] by jerrypaul

Nov 26, 2008 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: Zeb2121 (Nov 26, 2008 11:48 am)
I can certainly sympathize with you. I purchased a beautifully maintained (looks like it was hardly ever used it was so well taken care of) 2004 Monterey (the twin of the Freestar) and was so excited. The day later I found this forum. LOL So I'm in the same boat. No problems yet but I am waiting to be hitch hiking. One question I do have ... a former poster said only Ford knows what vehicles were affected. So my question, does that mean some 2004/2005/2006 Freestars/Montereys have fine transmissions and other ones have faulty ones waiting to go or were they all sub-par and it's just one of those things that certain conditions make it happen faster than others. Know what I mean? I'm hoping the former and I'm hoping I have a non-affected vehicle, but if that poster could clarify, it'd be great. I too am looking forward to Jim's possible good news (maybe a recall soon?) so that we folks with OK vehicles (so far) can put our minds at ease. I too am interested in if there is ANYTHING that can be done to prevent it from happening. Weird little side question. I notice the gear shift on the steering column is a bit sloppy. Like it doesn't always want to lock in neatly onto "Drive." Know what I mean? I've been very careful to make sure the vehicle is fully stopped before flipping from "Reverse" to "Drive," or vice versa, and making sure it snaps cleanly into the proper gear. Could that have anything to do with anything?

#396 of 1900 Re: Another transmission problem [jgenovese] by jipster

Nov 26, 2008 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: jgenovese (Nov 19, 2008 10:00 pm)
I know how they operate)
 
How?

#397 of 1900 75,000 miles and $3000 later...... by Hagsfive0

Nov 27, 2008 (1:24 pm)

Looks like I am the latest consumer to fall victim to the Freestar transmission problem. Mine too is a 2004 model. I was pulling into a parking space at Big Lots, and wasnt quite lined up in the space. I attempted to back up and found that I didnt have reverse. Tried the forward gears with the same results. There was no prior indication that the transmission was failing. No idiot lights, slipping, noises, etc. Had it towed to my local shop thinking it has to be something as simple as the linkage or the shifter cable (since it happened so quickly). Not that lucky. My shop called and said the transmission was shot. Has anyone had any luck with Ford as far as some kind of compensation goes? Of course, my warranty ran out about 1000 miles ago. I guess it's would be worth a shot to contact them.

#398 of 1900 Re: 75,000 miles and $3000 later...... [Hagsfive0] by jgenovese

Nov 28, 2008 (9:17 am)

Replying to: Hagsfive0 (Nov 27, 2008 1:24 pm)
Thank goodness nobody got hurt. You can start the long process with Ford as far as trying to get compensated however; since you didn't have the work done at a dealership, the chances of this happening are about zero. That said, what you can do that will help our cause is to report this incident to the NHTSA website. They are the government entity whose sole purpose in life is to protect consumers like you and me from defective and dangerous vehicles like the Ford Freestar. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, they are sitting on this one. If, however; the reports of failures keeep piling up, eventually, something will have to be done. Also, spread the word locally. You would be surprised how prevalent this problem is and how many people have had the same thing happen to them. Also, stay tuned to this forum in the coming weeks....
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#399 of 1900 Re: Freestar [Zeb2121] by jgenovese

Nov 28, 2008 (9:22 am)

Replying to: Zeb2121 (Nov 26, 2008 11:48 am)
With regard to the fluid, it is CRITICAL that you use only that which the manufacturer recommends. Transmission fluid, unlike motor oil, is not a "universal, one size fits all" kind of thing. Also, have it done at a shop that has the capability of COMPLETELY flushing out the old before the new goes in. As for the rest, stay tuned...
JimGenovese
Annapolis, MD

#400 of 1900 Re: Freestar [jerrypaul] by jgenovese

Nov 28, 2008 (9:27 am)

Replying to: jerrypaul (Nov 26, 2008 2:55 pm)
Good luck with that. The only way Ford will come off of this information is if they are forced to have a recall. In the meantime, assume yours will fail and plan accordingly. Unfortunately, you won't know until it actually happens so, be prepared to take evasive action.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#401 of 1900 Another transmission uh? by Bluerose09

Dec 02, 2008 (6:28 pm)

Hey ya'll , This is my first post...Just want to say that I have a 2004 Ford Freestar and the transmission went out without warning on I -26 Going to Charlotte for Thanksgiving.Does anyone know of a recall on the transmisssion? I think it's pretty pathetic that a car that is four years old would have this type of problem..I also had to replace an egr valve, an intake manifold runner...and now possibly a mas [mass airflow sensor],has anyone else out there gone through these type of problems literally days apart? Thanks in advance.

#402 of 1900 Re: Another transmission uh? [Bluerose09] by susanhai

Dec 02, 2008 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: Bluerose09 (Dec 02, 2008 6:28 pm)
Welcome to the unfortunate club of miserable freestar/monterey owners...No, there is no recall as you have probably figured out from this board. Our 04 transmission went out at 59000 miles w/o warning also. Your dealer and sevice people will tell you that you are the first person with this problem that they have seen. Sorry...

#403 of 1900 Re: 75,000 miles and $3000 later...... [jgenovese] by Hagsfive0

Dec 02, 2008 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: jgenovese (Nov 28, 2008 9:17 am)
Thanks for the info, Jim. I avoided the Ford dealer since my warranty was up. I will report this to the NHTSA website as you suggested.
 
Dave Hagerman
Bear, DE

#404 of 1900 2004 monterey torque converter issue? by mercmonty

Dec 02, 2008 (8:46 pm)

my 2004 monty has 60000 miles on it. I bought it used with 58k. Over the Thanksgiving weekend the van would all of the sudden jerk while travelling at highway speeds. This happened probably 6 times in approximately 100 miles during our trip home from our family gathering. The jerk felt like it would be if your tires were spinning on a patch of ice and then you hit dry pavement. It is sudden but lasts less than a second then back to smooth sailing. The transmission shifts ok but softer than i would like. I do not detect any excess slippage, but with my mpg average being around 16 i wonder if it could be and i just dont notive. If anyone knows weather this jerking is related to or a symptom of a failing torque converter please let me know. Also is there a replacement torque converter on the market that is not prone to the failure that has been reported on this forum. Sadly i think i soon will be a victim of a failed tranny.

Messages Page 41 of 191

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement