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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 100 of 189

#991 of 1889 CONTACT NHTSA RE:2005 MERCURY MONTEREY TRANSMISSION by drhmth

Dec 27, 2009 (11:21 am)

The time has come for anyone that owns or has owned a Mercury Monterey/Ford Freestar and has suffered the scare of their lives when the car just stops and then you find out your transmission has failed to please, please file a report at "http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/. They have opened at least two investigations into this dangerous and expensive defect and the more reports they receive hopefully will lead to some action. We filed approx. 2 weeks ago and recently received a response asking for more details.
Our experience was that my wife was driving along a major arteriel in N. Scottsdale very early on Dec. 1st, and the car just stopped. She struggled to get the vehicle (in the dark) to a safe location and contacted AAA who moved the car to a very reputable repair shop where we were initially told repairs to replace the entire transmission would come in at just under $3000. DID I MENTION THE 2005 VEHICLE HAS ONLY 40,292 MILES ON IT?? Not having the money for the repairs and after having it towed do the dealer to see how they could help, they came back with a slightly lower figure, at the same time the General Manager acknowledged that, yes, there is a known problem but since there has been no recall issued, he can't/won't do anymore to help.
I can tell you that contacting Ford/Mercury Corporate will not help as they have a standing rule that they will never overrule the decision of a dealership General Manager as all dealerships are owned and operated by the dealer. The owner of the dealership will not accept calls on this issue
Please file your issue with the NHTSA for any hope of resolution of this issue.
Yes, our car has become a lawn ornament, too.

#992 of 1889 Re: CONTACT NHTSA RE:2005 MERCURY MONTEREY TRANSMISSION [drhmth] by jgenovese

Dec 27, 2009 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: drhmth (Dec 27, 2009 11:21 am)
drhmth,
 
Welcome to the club. We have been at this for over 2 years now. So far, Ford has dissavowed knowledge/responsibility for the defect and NHTSA took 2 years to get off their butts and open an investigation, only after Nadine forced the issue. Bottom line is this, don't be discouraged, follow up on all of your complaints, and DEMAND action. Do not give up the fight. We will prevail eventually. Ford can't keep up the charade much longer. Unfortunatey, it may take a fatality to get this thing into the national media spotlight. In the meantime, let's all pray that doesn't happen and that either Ford will voluntarily do the right thing or that NHTSA will force a recall. As for Ford, I doubt they will ever step up and take care of their customers and rsponsibilities. (Remember the Pinto?) I guess they think that customers like us grow on trees. (I was a 25 year Ford loyalist.)
 
Don't forget to register a complaint with the Center for Auto Safety! They are on our side.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#993 of 1889 Ford Freestar Transmission Problems by oilandwater

Dec 28, 2009 (7:44 am)

This blog needs to stay on task...it is a forum for Ford Freestar Transmission Problems, not asking for money and so on, this is the wrong place for that...this site gets visited by thousands at no charge...remember the NHTSA, is looking at this problem as a safety issue....and since it is not a black and white issue wrt safety, the government will study it until something bad happens. If it was a brake issue it would be fixed immediately. The only people that are affected are the van owners, so the rest of the world really doesn't care. Ford will start caring when the NHTSA makes them start ponying up some money, but Ford will fight it with their lawyers.....so let the blog live on for what its originally intended for, Ford Freestar/Monterey Transmission Problems.....Happy New Year!!!!!!!

#994 of 1889 Ford Freestar Transmission Problem by freestar

Dec 28, 2009 (11:59 am)

Glad to find this forum. When I had my windshield replaced two years ago, the technician complimented my 2006 Freestar and then told me that around 80,000 miles my transmission would go, and I should just hope I was not on the highway when it happened (like he was). The car died on a municipal street Saturday and is in the shop for a transmission repair now. I just called Ford customer service and was told they have nothing to say on the matter and there is no one to whom I can appeal. After reviewing this forum, I logged a complaint at NHTSA, printed off the BBB info, and printed off the NY Times article. I feel better but my wallet will still be mighty light shortly. Hope all this attention encourages Ford to make us whole.

#996 of 1889 freestar crap by shocked1

Dec 28, 2009 (3:33 pm)

I totally agree with you, oil & water. It's not a place to ask for $$$$$! I for one has spent enough on my 2004 piece of steel crap!!!! FORD'S the ones who need to hear us, and we need to "BLAB" to everyone we can about the unfairness of FORD....AND, I DO! I don't need a newspaper, news, etc. I tell all. AND WILL NEVER BUY A FORD.

#997 of 1889 Re: Ford Freestar Transmission Problem [freestar] by jgenovese

Dec 28, 2009 (4:41 pm)

Replying to: freestar (Dec 28, 2009 11:59 am)
freestar,
How interesting that, a day after my post, yet another example of Ford stonewalling on the issue. What was their exact response? They told me that I was the first customer to ever experience this problem and that they had never heard of it happening before! We all know that was not the truth. Funny how everyone else knew about it but Ford and the dealer.
 
In addition to NHTSA, register a complaint with the Cenetr for Auto Safety as well. They are on our side.
 
The BBB is pretty much worthless. Like all other businesses that belong to it, Ford pays to be a member. See if you can guess where that one is going.
 
In the meantime, stay engaged in the issue and stay tuned.
 
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD

#998 of 1889 Re: Ford Freestar Transmission Problem [freestar] by nadineb

Dec 28, 2009 (7:32 pm)

Replying to: freestar (Dec 28, 2009 11:59 am)
You may be able to file using the Lemon Law depending on what state you live in. In my state, my vehicle was one year too old to qualify. Check out the laws in your state.

#999 of 1889 Double edged sword [oilandwater] by nadineb

Dec 28, 2009 (8:20 pm)

Replying to: oilandwater (Dec 28, 2009 7:44 am)
All of this really concerns me.
 
We all know that "Engine/Transmission Driveability Issues" with these vehicles pose a real SAFETY situation which many of us have experienced. It's just a matter of time until someone is killed so I do not think that NHTSA will wait until something happens since they did open investigations. I am sure that Ford will attempt to make a case for not issuing a recall due to the cost factor, but the question I see is if NHTSA will let that stand.
 
I am grateful that Edmunds provides a place where we can all find each other and work as one large group, but does anyone know how this forum (blog) functions? Who pays to maintain this site and why? Edmunds benefits from the forum - how?
 
I would suggest that you read the The VoxBuffalo site before making a decision. It is a project that states : Anyone can create a news “tip” about an important topic you think should be reported on. This is often related to the question “what are you passionate about?” You can pledge to this tip, but no money is taken – it’s just a way to show how much interest you have in this possibly becoming a pitch. Creating a tip could be the spark that starts an investigation.
 
The news media is so different today than it was just two years ago. My personal feelings about paying for news coverage is that I think it really has taken a turn for the worst, but it's not much different than buying a newspaper. I am not going to give up until something is done to correct this outrageous miscarriage of justice so if I can help to educate just one person about these issues then I think that I might just be willing to contribute a little (not quite sure yet). I have put so many hours into educating myself about the NHTSA, TSBs, PCMs, transmissions, lemon laws, class action suits, looking for a lawyer, writing letters to everyone under the sun, and waiting in line at the post office to send the certified letter that a buck or two will not add up to much. The only issue I see is how long would it take to gather the amount to write an article. By the time the goal is met, it may be long settled so end of story!

#1000 of 1889 2004 freestar Transmission failed last night by jrodimon

Dec 29, 2009 (7:59 am)

I have a 2004 Freestar with over 100,000 miles. Last night while driving home in a pretty heavey snow storm my Transmission failed (i will know for sure after Ford calls me). The odd thing is it went out completely no gears worked at all. I have had transmissions fail in the past but I always had a gear or two I could use, not this time the car just stopped. I was lucky along with my children that there was no traffic so we did not get hit.
 
Is this the issue being discussed? Or is this different?

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