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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 67 of 190

#653 of 1889 Add Me to the List! by mercurystinks

Jun 30, 2009 (4:35 pm)

Add me to the list of tranny failures and to the list of almost being killed because of it. Driving up a four lane highway on a long hill tonight, 2004 Mercury Monterey with only 68,000 K on it pops into neutral and barely got off the road onto a small shoulder with 18 wheelers whizzing by me. Spent a half hour on the side of the road standing in the woods on the other side of a guardrail where it was safe. Called the Ford dealer I bought it from. "Can't do anything for me." Towed to a local trusted tranny shop. Waiting for him to call me tomorrow with the verdict. Thanks Ford. And by the way, before the defenders of Ford start yelling at me, the van has had all the fluid changes, even ahead of time, like about every 20,000 K instead of 30,000. Attention Freestar and Monterey owners! Throw this piece of crap in the junk yard before it gets you killed!
 
Very Disappointed in Pennsylvania

#654 of 1889 Re: 2004 Ford Freestar Transmission just failed [lhatchel] by lhatchel

Jul 01, 2009 (10:05 am)

Replying to: lhatchel (Jun 29, 2009 7:36 am)
I have filed a complaint with the NHTSA and actually got a response from them today asking for more information. I have emailed Ford with my disgust with their product and also emailed my local TV station "Action 9" where they help consumers with issues.
 
If there is a hearing please let me know and I will be glad to take the time off of work if it will get my van repaired.
 
Lisa Hatchel

#655 of 1889 Re: 2004 Ford Freestar Transmission just failed [lhatchel] by mercurystinks

Jul 01, 2009 (1:40 pm)

Replying to: lhatchel (Jul 01, 2009 10:05 am)
This is almost epidemic proportion and nothing is being done. Where is the media on this? Yours went a day or two before mine it looks like. And there's a guy on another Ford Forum whose tranny just went. Not to mention everyone else on this forum. These things are hitting the magic point where they're all going at one time. This is weird and just plain sad that Ford is doing this to us. Please, anyone reading this, if you're driving an '04 or an '05, please stay off interstates and be prepared for your van to just stop! I'm serious. This is scary and dangerous. I just e-mailed the NHTSA and just got a response from them too. I'll be responding later. I'll try e-mailing my local TV station too, but I have a feeling nothing will be reported. Look who's sponsoring some of your local newscasts. FORD. Stations don't want to risk losing a sponsor for a report. Sounds horrible but I have a feeling it's true. Money talks! In the meantime, if anyone has a Monterey or Freestar and you're financially able, put the thing in the junk yard today before someone gets hurt! The '06's and '07's are running ok now but I'm sure they'll hit their magic point in another year or so. Unfortunately, I'm not financially able to put mine in the junk yard yet, but when I can, it's Toyota forever for me. My van was maintained and I even took the effort to change the fluid EARLIER than I was supposed to AND FILTER since that's what everyone on those other boards say to do to prolong the life. Did nothing for me. Why did I waste $200 just the other month to have my tranny fluid changed? I could have used that $200 to help pay for the total fix about now. Ugh, I am so upset.

#656 of 1889 Re: 2004 Ford Freestar Transmission just failed [lhatchel] by lhatchel

Jul 02, 2009 (5:51 am)

Replying to: lhatchel (Jul 01, 2009 10:05 am)
I received another email from the NHTSA and they want me to send the parts to my transmission to them when I get it rebuilt. They even sent a shipping label. At least we are getting some attention from them.
 
Ford Motor Company called me yesterday after I emailed them and asked me what I wanted them to do. I told them that I wanted them to admit that they had a problem with the Freestar. I asked them if it was my transmission what would they be willing to do. They gave me a scripted answer of "Until it is diagnosed by a Ford Dealership we cannot give you any information". She was very offended when I asked if she could go beyond her scripted message.
 
So I guess I will have the van towed to the nearest Ford Dealership, have it diagnosed and then call Ford back to see what they are going to do about it.
 
I will keep you posted.

#657 of 1889 Re: Decisions, Decisions [jgenovese] by dgrinde

Jul 03, 2009 (8:37 am)

Replying to: jgenovese (Jun 23, 2009 1:19 pm)
Please post link to NHTSA?
 
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/

#658 of 1889 2004 Ford Freestar by dgrinde

Jul 03, 2009 (8:39 am)

Where is the best place to buy another tranny or buy good parts? The tranny just blew leaving my daughter stranded in the middle of a four lane intersection. I hear torque converters blow on these? Any suggesitons? Help.

#659 of 1889 Freedom of information by nadineb

Jul 04, 2009 (8:30 am)

I received a response from NHTSA about my request for Freedom of Information (FOIA) about the Freestar. Here is their response:
 
All of the information we have that is responsive to your request is available on the agency's website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov as follows: For consumer complaints, go to the website given above. At the top of the page, click on "Vehicle/Equipment" and proceed as follows: Under "Quick Clicks," click on "Recalls, Defects and Complaints Databases." Click on the radio knob to the left of the word "Vehicle." Click on "Search Selected Type," to get to the next screen. Use the "drill down" search method in the middle of the screen, to select the year vehicle to be searched. Follow the directions to obtain the information you seek.
 
For recall information, go to the website given above. At the top of the page, click on "Vehicle/Equipment" and proceed as follows: Under "Browse Topics, click on "Recalls/Defects," Under "Related Links" on the right, click on "View All Equipment Recalls,"Under "Recalls, "click on "Search for a Recall." Click on the radio knob to the left of the word "Vehicle." Click on "Search Selected Type," to get the next screen. Use the "drill down" search method in the middle of the screen, to select the year vehicle to be searched. Follow the directions to obtain the information you seek.
 
I am sending an appeal because this does not provide any information in regards to NHTSA's responsibility or Ford's to report defects in motor vehicles.
 
With so many complaints, you would think that NHTSA would have done something a long time ago.

#660 of 1889 Torque Converter bad on my Freestar by lhatchel

Jul 06, 2009 (9:30 am)

I had my 2004 Freestar towed from my regular mechanic who says the transmission needs to be rebuilt to my local Ford Dealer who says that it is the Torque Converter and they have seen it before. When I said something to the Ford mechanic about the Freestar having alot of problems he did not confirm it either way but had no answer. It was interesting. My Ford Dealership, Dale Jarrett Ford, is working with me to help cut the costs. They had the part overnighted at their cost and my van should be repaired tomorrow at a small fee of $1300+. I guess this is better than the $3000 to rebuild the trans.
 
I cannot send the parts to the torque converter to NHTSA because they need it for a core but I am going to take a picture of the part and send that to them. Hopefully we can get some action from the NHTSA. The more complaints filed the better we will be.

#661 of 1889 Re: Torque Converter bad on my Freestar [lhatchel] by misty10

Jul 06, 2009 (9:44 am)

Replying to: lhatchel (Jul 06, 2009 9:30 am)
We also have a 2004 and it was the torque converter. It was mostly labor cost to replace it. Ours happened at 79,000 miles. I send these posts to Ford everytime I receive one...they know but just won't own up to it. Good luck!

#662 of 1889 Defect Investigations Summary by nadineb

Jul 06, 2009 (7:40 pm)

I have posted a copy of the Defect Investigations Summary that NHTSA opened in regards to my Freestar. When I search the 2004 model, it only shows there is one complaint.
 
In my opinion, you need to demand a hearing for them to open an investigation. I know that someone else on the list has received an email from NHTSA, please keep us posted as to what they are doing. Also, please ask for the hearing.
--------------------------------------------
Defect Investigations Summary
Make: FORD
Model: FREESTAR CONVERSION
Year: 2004
NHTSA Action Number: DP09004
Summary:
ON MAY 6, 2009, NHTSA RECEIVED A REQUEST FOR "A HEARING THROUGH TITLE 49 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE, CHAPTER 301, MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, PART 557." THE REQUEST WAS IN REFERENCE TO VEHICLE OWNER COMPLAINT, 10266067, FILED WITH NHTSA ON APRIL 20, 2009, WHICH DESCRIBED A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALL IN A MODEL YEAR (MY) 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN DUE TO WATER ENTERING THE PCM. PART 557 OF TITLE 49 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, ESTABLISHES PROCEDURES FOR HOLDING A HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER A MANUFACTURER HAS REASONABLY MET ITS OBLIGATION TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT. BECAUSE A SAFETY RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED REGARDING THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR VEHICLES, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION IS INTERPRETING THE REQUEST AS A DEFECT PETITION UNDER PART 552 OF TITLE 49 OF THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. A DEFECT PETITION HAS BEEN OPENED TO ASSESS WHETHER THERE IS EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT OPENING A SAFETY DEFECT INVESTIGATION CONCERNING THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

Messages Page 67 of 190

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