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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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Messages Page 58 of 190

#567 of 1889 Do all Freestars have the same tranny? by momtobclt

Apr 23, 2009 (4:53 am)

Title says it all.
 
I have a 2006 Freestar Limited and have already had the PCM issue fixed. Now I am just hoping I don't end up with a tranny issue.
 
My van is in the shop right now getting its second warranty paint job done on cracking paint.
 
We are buying a new car next year and you can bet it won't be a Ford. In 20 years my husband and I have only had Ford, but now we are done.

#568 of 1889 Ethics 101 by nadineb

Apr 23, 2009 (7:53 am)

I am having an ethical dilemma with this vehicle. Being too afraid to drive it after stalling and lurching in traffic, having to drive on high speed roadways, bridges without shoulders to be able to pull off the road safety, and the fear of being rear ended, what are we to do with these vehicles.
 
Trading the car into a dealer will just put it back on the road only with another person who may have a family with children. If I sold it myself, I would have to disclose the issues, and I can not afford to donate it. I need the funds to purchase a replacement.
 
Disappointed with Ford is an understatement.
 
I would like to know what you are planning to do with your vans. Is there a solution to all of this?

#569 of 1889 Re: My Ford [djfinehart9] by jgenovese

Apr 23, 2009 (8:07 am)

Replying to: djfinehart9 (Apr 21, 2009 3:23 pm)
dj,
 
Ford lost me after 25 years of undying loyalty, 9 new Ford purchases, many used, and countless referrals. They obviously do not care and have demonstrated that quite well. What bothers me the most is that they, apparently, knowingly put my family in harms way by selling us this van. The irony of it is that the centerpiece of their advertising campaign for this vehicle was its safety rating. Go figure.....
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#570 of 1889 Re: nadineb [nadineb] by jgenovese

Apr 23, 2009 (8:16 am)

Replying to: nadineb (Apr 22, 2009 9:02 pm)
nadineb,
Apparently, they bury their heads in the sand and do absolutely nothing. I have asked them many times what the criteria to open an investigation is and they have no direct answer. I asked them how many people have to die before they open an investigation and got the same reply - the standard line. I can't help but think that there is some sort of deal with Ford not to open this can of worms because of the economic crisis. Is it a coincidence that Ford hasn't taken any bailout money? I know that, on the surface, that sounds like a conspiracy theory however; are we to believe that Ford is doing any better than Chrysler or GM or, better yet, that they didn't take the money based on some moral or ethical basis? Based on their handling of the Freestar issue, we all know that this is not the case. Until they come out and address this issue head on, it is only natural that the speculation will continue and we cannot let this issue go away.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#571 of 1889 Re: Ethics 101 [nadineb] by jgenovese

Apr 23, 2009 (8:25 am)

Replying to: nadineb (Apr 23, 2009 7:53 am)
nadineb,
 
We have the very same ethical dilema. When you distill it all down, however, the only real choice is to either by a replacement, which we cannot afford right now, mainly because we are still paying down the loan we took over a year ago to get our van fixed, or, have faith in the transmission tech that did the work to have done a good job and that God will watch over us until we get out of the financial mess Ford has gotten us into. My wife knows that the danger is always there and that she needs to drive accordingly, always aware, always planning an escape route, etc., That is one heck of a way to live, isn't it? Ford, are reading this? (I know your lawyers are). This is the situation you have put my family in. You must be so proud!
 
Jim Genovese,
Annapolis, MD

#572 of 1889 Step up to the plate by nadineb

Apr 23, 2009 (9:56 am)

The way I see it, Ford needs to step up to the plate and take responsibility before someone is seriously injured. There is power in numbers, and I know that if we make a strong attempt that we can get them to hear us.
 
Like you, Jim, I may not have a choice about replacing the vehicle, but I do have the will to keep pursuing what I know to be the right thing. I have to believe that Ford will also do what is ethically moral. Justice will prevail, but I hope it is before a child is injured or killed. To me, it appears that they have all the proof they should need to see that this situation is a disaster waiting to happen. I did email my local television station, but since they do not make this vehicle anymore, I don't know how much concern it will generate.
 
Does anyone know the amount of these vehicles that Ford produced?

#573 of 1889 Ford Fiasco by nadineb

Apr 24, 2009 (6:58 pm)

I received a response from my Senator today and the paperwork to fill out for the NHTSA. My Senator asked for a detailed letter to be sent so I would encourage everyone to do the same.
 
Wikipedia has an interesting description of the Freestar and Monterey. The paragraph about Reliability Issues quotes "The main weak point of the Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey is the poorly designed transmission system. Many have had or will have transmissions problems, requiring towing. There is a problem with the power train control module (PCM) as it can easily get wet and malfunction. Limp mode is not automatically engaged on the vehicle, the driver must disconnect the computer manually, allowing the vehicle to move without the computers faulty control. There is also a problem with the clutch, as it will wear out and not engage. The brakes wear out quickly, and problems with the design create a squealing noise." These problems can get you killed!

#574 of 1889 Re: Ford Fiasco [nadineb] by jgenovese

Apr 25, 2009 (9:03 am)

Replying to: nadineb (Apr 24, 2009 6:58 pm)
Nadineb,
 
Amen. Further proof of what we have been saying all along. Ford has been aware of this problem far longer than you would think, however. Why do you think they rebadged this van from the Windstar to the Freestar? Instead of fixing this dangerous defect, they just gave it a different name and then marketed it to families based on its safety rating! In my mind, this is criminal behavior and should be treated as such. Please keep up the good work and communication with your senator and keep us in the loop. Also, if you could provide a name and the mailing address, I and I'm sure all of the others on this site, would be happy to send a letter as well.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#575 of 1889 2004 Freestar....Nightmare...? by 5thaveman

Apr 26, 2009 (7:31 am)

I have 142K miles on my van.The engine light came on. The van revs real high when moving. It sounds like a NASCAR engine whe just tyrying to get to second gear. Took in to dealer, only codes that came up where for the wires,plugs and coil pak. IT STILL REVS HIGH, sparingly. Keep in mind, I just finished paying off the last TRANNY I had replaced in there 2 years ago($3400). Any thoughts or comments would be helpful.

#576 of 1889 Re: Do all Freestars have the same tranny? [momtobclt] by momtobclt

Apr 26, 2009 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: momtobclt (Apr 23, 2009 4:53 am)
Do all of the Freestars have the same transmission?

Messages Page 58 of 190

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