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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

1891 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 1:13 PM

You are in the Ford Freestar Forum.

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


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Messages Page 47 of 190

#458 of 1891 Freestar Transmission woes by why_me

Jan 04, 2009 (2:16 pm)

I too have reluctantly joined this club of 2004 Freestar owners whose transmission has failed suddenly and totally while driving. I bought it in March of 2007 and the transmission failed at 79,975 miles. Of course this was 255 miles past the extended warranty, and of course Ford is so sorry they can't do anything about it. The dealer I bought it from, Koons Ford in Rockville, Maryland, has since gone out of business. Other Ford dealers say, sorry, you didn't buy it here -- we can't help. I have written to the head of Koons Automotive (Dec. 18, 2008) and have not yet received a reply. I have gotten 3 estimates for replacement -- $3750 and $3250 from Ford dealers and $3000 from a local general repair shop. I also registered a complaint with the NHTSA, not that it will do any good, they already have a bunch of complaints. I have appreciated reading the posts on this forum, I only wish I had read them before I bought this van!

#459 of 1891 whyme by shocked1

Jan 05, 2009 (2:51 pm)

I know the feeling, "why me". Ford is sooooo unfair on this issue. We had tranny rebuilt in Nov. And our van is not the same. We're unable to go 110 miles to friend's music show in fear tranny going out again. Garage says it could. Im so dissapointed in Ford. Ive told family, & friends & people EVERYWHERE I DO GO, the story & BOUT THIS WEB SITE, and never buy a FORD!!!!!!!!!!!
 
                       F- O- R- D- S =========

#460 of 1891 Re: RESEARCH [tdegrado] by angelsr615

Jan 05, 2009 (10:35 pm)

Replying to: tdegrado (Dec 30, 2008 8:57 pm)
I talked to the mechanic today and the news wasn't good , he says that there is metal fragments in the internal part of the transmission. I asked if this was common, and he said "no, but it happens". So we are getting a refurbished tranny, its costing $2528 and from some of the quotes i've seen people getting on here im guessing thats not a bad price?? It also will come with a 5 yr/75,000 mile warranty on parts and labor.... so my husband and I have agreed that we will trade it in at about 50,000 since apparantly these things are rigged to crap out when the warranty is up! Won't be trading it in for a ford though!!

#461 of 1891 Re: Freestar Transmission woes [why_me] by jgenovese

Jan 06, 2009 (11:53 am)

Replying to: why_me (Jan 04, 2009 2:16 pm)
Thank you for reporting your failure to NHTSA. This is a very important step! Also, I found it interesting that Koons Ford in Rockville has gone out of business. My troubles were with Koons Ford in Annapolis. I wonder if they are next? It would be a shame because when Joe Koons SR operated that store, this type of thing would never have happened. I knew him and worked for him. He was a good man. I guess this is yet another example of why the "Big 3" are on the verge of collapse. I know that my next vehicles will NOT BE from Ford. Shame too, I had been loyal to Ford for over 20 years and bought 9 new Fords in that period of time. Seven from the same dealership! The treatment I received, at every level of the organization, from the dealer to the "Customer Relationship Center, to Ford HQ in Detroit has sealed that fate, however. NEVER AGAIN! In the meantime, everybody hang in there. Keep spreading the word. Remember, our MAIN GOAL is an informed public with safety in mind. Our secondary goal is for NHTSA to do their job and force a recall. Our third goal is for Ford to step up and do the right thing and repay those of us that it turned its back on. I have still not even put a dent in the loan I had to take out to have our transmission replaced. Our family will be hurting for years to come because of this situation.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#462 of 1891 Re: Freestar Transmission woes [why_me] by myvan5

Jan 08, 2009 (8:28 am)

Replying to: why_me (Jan 04, 2009 2:16 pm)
I have been reading these forums for about a year - just to get an idea of what problems people are having. I was hoping that our van would make it until we could trade it in or pay it off. Think again!!! Our van also broke down on the highway coming back from the Christmas holiday. I had cruise on and going 70 mph for about two and half hours when with no warning at all the rpms pegged out. We almost had a semi on top of us. Luckily, we were not hit, and were able to coast to the side of the road and down the exit ramp. We had it towed to Ford. Big mistake! They want $3600 for a rebuilt transmission. Granted it would have a 3 year/100,000 mile warranty, but our van isn't even going to last that long!!! Does anyone know what this transmission failure does to an engine? Does a 2004 Freestar have a rev limiter to protect it from such things? The dealer says the noise we hear is from the transmission not the engine. Any ideas?

#463 of 1891 Re: Freestar Transmission woes [myvan5] by msq1224

Jan 08, 2009 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: myvan5 (Jan 08, 2009 8:28 am)
I'm sorry that I don't know the answers to any of your mechanical questions, but I had to reply since your incident was so similar to mine! (I'm back around entry~#185 in this very sad list of stories.) Ours was last Christmas, and we spent 3 hours on the side of I-65 in central Indiana. I paid for the Ford repair, and while I continue to drive the vehicle (who wants to buy one????), I'm still ANGRY.

#464 of 1891 Ford Freekstar owner by scummins

Jan 08, 2009 (1:20 pm)

I just got my van back from the shop & plan to trade this piece of junk as soon as I'm even on the payoff: about 6 months. There should be a recall for these vans as there are too many doing the same thing and its Ford's responsibility. I've reported mine but I'd like to know of any other agencies that might take up our cause for recourse. I've never had a drive train issue on a vehicle under 100,000 miles.

#465 of 1891 Re: Freestar Transmission woes [myvan5] by jgenovese

Jan 08, 2009 (6:24 pm)

Replying to: myvan5 (Jan 08, 2009 8:28 am)
First things first; report your incident to NHTSA via their website. They are the federal agency that is SUPPOSED to be looking out for us unsuspecting consumers but thay aren't. One of my main goals of staying so engaged with this cause is to get these vans recalled before someone gets killed. Your scenario is exactly the kind of scenario where someone will get killed. Unfortunately, unless Ford does this voluntarily, which doubt they will, only NHTSA can force a recall. Why they havn't so far is anybody's guess. They have enough information to go on.
The only other way to force this issue is a class action lawsuit. More on that later...
In the meantime, tell everyone you know. Tell people that you don't know who are driving their family around in one of these things. You just might save someone's life!
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#466 of 1891 2004 Mercury Monterey by bgant

Jan 09, 2009 (10:04 am)

Well, I am joining the club. I bought my van Oct of 2005. New Year's Eve the torque converter went out and had to be replaced. Fortunately, I was covered under the warranty. I was assured by the dealership that I would not have any more issues with that. Well, 3 yrs later (to the date) it went out again. I am in Kansas City, MO. I took it back to dealership that I bought it from. (the same place that fixed it 3 yrs prior.) They are now telling me that I need to replace the torque converter AGAIN. They say they can not find anything else wrong with vehicle. Of course, they are going to knock of 10% because they such givers.
 
So, I have called some local transmission shops and they are telling me that torque converters don't just "go out". I am also going to go the NHTSA website. I would be more than happy to talk to an attorney if this group ends up going that route.

#467 of 1891 Re: 2004 Mercury Monterey [bgant] by bgant

Jan 09, 2009 (2:07 pm)

Replying to: bgant (Jan 09, 2009 10:04 am)
I went back through and read all 47 pages of posts. We are all extremely fortunate that we have not been physically hurt. I am going to see about contacting a local class-action law suit attorney.
 
Brandi
Kansas City, MO

Messages Page 47 of 190

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