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Vans & Minivans Ford Freestar Ford Freestar Transmission Problems
949 messages, Last post on Dec 04, 2009 at 12:50 PM
You are in the Ford Freestar Forum. Your Host is Karens
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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. |
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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.
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Replying to: lhatchel (Jul 06, 2009 8:30 am) |
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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.
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We are another unfortunate family who was stuck on the side of the highway because our 2005 Ford Freestar transmission went out. We were traveling home to St. Louis from our vacation in Florida when our transmission just went out. Luckily we were going downhill in Chattanooga when it just went into neutral and was gone. I can't imagine my fear if we would have been headed uphill in the mountains. We had 85,000 miles on it and of course the warrantee was expired. It cost us a hotel night stay and $375 in U-Haul rental to tow it back to St. Louis. I really believe this transmission issue needs to be addressed by Ford because if someone hasn't died yet due to this dangerous safety issue someone may soon. After reading some of your posts I feel horrible for some of you who only got 40,000 miles out of your transmission, at least I got 85,000 miles and a rebuilt tranny for $2100.00. I'm very frustrated because I liked my freestar but now I don't know what to expect and still owe on it for another year.  
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Replying to: paintman1 (Jul 07, 2009 6:52 am) |
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Well my Ford dealership called me today and told me that it was more than the Torque control and that I would need a Remanufactured Transmission. Of course I called Ford with a glimmer of hope that they may do something. Their scripted answer was "Since your 3 year/36000 mile warranty is expired I am sorry but there is nothing we can do for you". Now I am frantically trying to find $3000 to get the reman trans. I owe $378 on this vehicle. Now I will be paying for it for another 6 months. I was so looking forward to no car payment. I guess 6 months is better than 6 years. The reman trans comes with a 3 year/100,000 mile warranty. Why can they do that for a reman trans but not the trans that comes with the new vehicle. I guess because they know something will go wrong and they are going to get another $3000 out of us. NHTSA has asked me to send them my tranny parts and I am going to do that. Anything can help. However, until they get 10,000's of complaints there is probably nothing they can do. There is only hope.
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Replying to: lhatchel (Jul 07, 2009 10:08 am)
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Replying to: mercurystinks (Jul 07, 2009 12:52 pm) |
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Replying to: nadineb (Jul 06, 2009 6:40 pm)
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