2004 Ford E-Series Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford E-Series, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Transmission218.2%
- Interior & seats218.2%
- Heating & air conditioning19.1%
- Electrical19.1%
- Steering19.1%
- Tires & wheels19.1%
- Body & structure19.1%
- Visibility19.1%
- Brakes19.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR STORIES LIKE OUR OWN. AT THIS TIME WHEN ENERGY COSTS ARE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND WE HAVE A SON ABOUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE THIS ADDITIONAL OUTLAY OF CONSIDERABLE MONETARY FUNDS SEEMS COMPLETELY ABOVE WHAT IS REASONABLE. WE ARE STILL AWAITING A FINAL COST REPORT FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REGISTERED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WILL BE RECALLED. IN ADDITION TO THIS CURRENT PROBLEM WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BREAKS AND ENCOUNTERED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR STORIES LIKE OUR OWN. AT THIS TIME WHEN ENERGY COSTS ARE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND WE HAVE A SON ABOUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE THIS ADDITIONAL OUTLAY OF CONSIDERABLE MONETARY FUNDS SEEMS COMPLETELY ABOVE WHAT IS REASONABLE. WE ARE STILL AWAITING A FINAL COST REPORT FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REGISTERED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WILL BE RECALLED. IN ADDITION TO THIS CURRENT PROBLEM WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BREAKS AND ENCOUNTERED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR STORIES LIKE OUR OWN. AT THIS TIME WHEN ENERGY COSTS ARE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND WE HAVE A SON ABOUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE THIS ADDITIONAL OUTLAY OF CONSIDERABLE MONETARY FUNDS SEEMS COMPLETELY ABOVE WHAT IS REASONABLE. WE ARE STILL AWAITING A FINAL COST REPORT FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REGISTERED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WILL BE RECALLED. IN ADDITION TO THIS CURRENT PROBLEM WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BREAKS AND ENCOUNTERED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR STORIES LIKE OUR OWN. AT THIS TIME WHEN ENERGY COSTS ARE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND WE HAVE A SON ABOUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE THIS ADDITIONAL OUTLAY OF CONSIDERABLE MONETARY FUNDS SEEMS COMPLETELY ABOVE WHAT IS REASONABLE. WE ARE STILL AWAITING A FINAL COST REPORT FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REGISTERED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WILL BE RECALLED. IN ADDITION TO THIS CURRENT PROBLEM WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BREAKS AND ENCOUNTERED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .