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Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

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

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


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Messages Page 55 of 190

#540 of 1891 Just Amazing! by tervmom

Mar 18, 2009 (8:59 pm)

I found this forum (unfortunately) AFTER my 2006 Freestar's transmission left me stranded in the middle of an unlit road on a rainy night on March 10th - thankfully not far from home or very heavily travelled.
 
Had it towed to the dealership we have been very loyal to - all of our oil changes, just bought 4 tires for the van last month, a set for our F150 King Ranch last year, etc. Thank goodness I became educated by this forum before they had a chance to look at it.
 
His argument was that this was mostly 2004 and 2005 vans with problems - not 2006's. We told him someone had to have the firsts. My van has 44,000 miles and has only been driven by two middle-aged adults and no kids. We're incredulous that it would go out so soon.
 
Although the Ford dealership didn't contribute it to this, we think the AdvanceTrak is part of the problem. We have experienced problems with it since almost the beginning with it being in the shop several times for it malfunctioning. It would engage for no reason leaving me with my foot all the way down on the gas to slowly reach the whopping speeds of 25-30 mph. I would have to pull off to the side of the road (most often a highway because of my commute) and turn off the vehicle. It would be usually be okay when I restarted it. The AdvanceTrak light would still stay on for a bit though. It did this numerous times and that just cannot be good for a transmission.
 
Our dealer had initially quoted around $3600 to repair. Because of our loyalty, brought it down to no more than $1800 and they put in a call to Ford to see what they would do. They threw in $500, making our total investment $1300. (But after reading the latest posts it sounds suspiciously like what was quoted to fix it.) We were told it was a problem with the converter.
 
We will be keeping an eye on this forum and posting with the NTSV(??) to keep them also aware.
 
Am also printing up business cards with this website and a bit of a warning to place on the windshields of other Freestars I see, as this is still just not right.

#541 of 1891 Re: transmission problems [lloydcyn] by ljacome

Mar 19, 2009 (4:48 pm)

Replying to: lloydcyn (Apr 11, 2006 4:16 pm)
So here I am again just about two years later and guess what the transmission has blown again. The ford dealer that replace it the first time is out of business. Ford Sucks.

#542 of 1891 Re: Just Amazing! [tervmom] by ljacome

Mar 19, 2009 (4:51 pm)

Replying to: tervmom (Mar 18, 2009 8:59 pm)
So here I am again just about two years later (If you go back to April of 06) My transmission went on the highway and I was almost rear ended by an 18 wheeler and guess what the transmission has blown again. The ford dealer that replaced it the first time is out of business. The first time they offered to give me 800. when I asked them to put it in writing they said they could not do that because it was an admission and the offer was pulled back.

#543 of 1891 Re: Ford Freestar Tranny Problems???? [jgenovese] by cowboys59

Mar 19, 2009 (10:27 pm)

Replying to: jgenovese (Mar 17, 2009 11:30 am)
Hey Jim,
I just sent the following message to the White House. It may or may not do any good but what the hell...
 
Dear Mr. President,
For some unknown reason there has been no media attention drawn to the fact that there is a life-threatening defect in the 2004-2005 Ford/Mercury minivans.
The problem with the transmission in the Ford & Mercury minivans is this... the transmission is too small for the Ford Factory installed engine. This causes the torque converter to come apart under stress (normal every day use). The impeller vanes sheer off and the transmission suddenly seizes and fails. If you do not replace the too-small transmission with a bigger one you will continue to have transmission failures. This can happen anytime the van is being driven. Believe me something horrible will happen. Who owns minivans? Moms with kids. Who rides in minvans? Moms with kids. Whose ultimate deaths will come back to haunt those in charge? Unfortunately, Moms with kids. And we have documented everything. Please don't let Ford get away with this.
Thanks so much,
Kelly L.
 
Everyone needs to follow up.
Thanks so much.
Kelly

#544 of 1891 Re: Ford Freestar Tranny Problems???? [cowboys59] by tervmom

Mar 20, 2009 (10:09 am)

Replying to: cowboys59 (Mar 19, 2009 10:27 pm)
Kelly,
 
Great idea getting this out in any way possible. Just...
 
....wish you had included the 2006's - I think they have the same problem as I just had my transmission replaced because of the torque converter. Believe we have just started the 2006 problems as they get a bit more mileage. Mine went at 44,000.
 
Brenda

#545 of 1891 Re: Ford Freestar Tranny Problems???? [tervmom] by cowboys59

Mar 20, 2009 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: tervmom (Mar 20, 2009 10:09 am)
Sorry Brenda. I should have included 2006. I didn't realize the problem was there too. Why don't you send Obama a separate email. At least he would know there are a lot of us out there.
Thanks.
Kelly

#546 of 1891 OBAMA? by shocked1

Mar 20, 2009 (4:37 pm)

Are you all serious about emailing Obama? If so, share addy, I'll do it also. Took my "FreeCrap" on a 200mile trip today to see 90 yr. old ill uncle. Scared all the way! Thank God we're baqck home. Suppose to go on another "little" trip sat. THANKS FORD FOR SELLING MECRAP THAT I CAN'T ENJOY DRIVING ANYMORE!!!!!! I told uncle.....NO MORE FORDS!!!!!!!

#547 of 1891 Re: Just Amazing! [tervmom] by jgenovese

Mar 20, 2009 (6:11 pm)

Replying to: tervmom (Mar 18, 2009 8:59 pm)
Excellent idea with the business cards! This is the kind of thing all of us need to be doing every day. Also, the federal agency that is supposed to be protecting us by investigating this defect is NHTSA. The website is very user friendly but you will need some information before you get started; VIN, mileage, etc.,
 
Great job. Keep up the good work. Every report helps and, in the end, just might save someone's life.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#548 of 1891 Email Obama!!!!! by cowboys59

Mar 20, 2009 (6:19 pm)

Hello One and All,
 
Here is the link to contact Obama. Please use it!
 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/
 
Let's inundate the White House. I think maybe Barack may really care. One thing that I neglected to do was give him the link to this Forum. Will someone please do that? Maybe something will get done. No harm in trying.
 
We may get through this after all. My replacement transmission has been bought and paid for. I really don't expect to ever see a reimbursement. Honestly, compared to saving lives, who cares!
 
Thanks so much.
Kelly L.

#549 of 1891 Re: Just Amazing! [ljacome] by jgenovese

Mar 20, 2009 (6:20 pm)

Replying to: ljacome (Mar 19, 2009 4:51 pm)
Does it get any sleazier than that? Guess what, Ford! We already know. God forbid you should "admit" to this defect. Your "admission" might actually save a life!
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

Messages Page 55 of 190

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