Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Ford Freestar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 94 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 94, in the owner's own words
THE PART THAT HAS THE CLIP FOR BACK SEAT FELL OUT AND NOW THERE IS A 5 BY 5 INCH HOLE GOING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE SEAT HAS NOTHING TO CLIP ONTO AND BE SECURE, THIS WAS RECALLED IN THIS MODEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE ELECTRIC SLIDING DOORS WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY AND WOULD RANDOMLY OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER (DICK SMITH FORD, 7201 GARNERS FERRY RD, COLUMBIA, SC) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR THE FAILURE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS PROTRUDING THROUGH THE FRAME AND CREATED A HOLE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 212,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION JUST STARTED TO SLIP AND MAKES A THUD SOMETIMES SLIPS BAD. CONSUMER HAS CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND FILTERS.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE REVERSING INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PILE OF RUST ON THE GROUND AND REALIZED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WAS ENTIRELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY FORD OF MAPLE HEIGHTS (5500 WARRENSVILLE CENTER RD, MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH 44137, (216) 662-3673) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKETS WERE CORRODED THROUGH AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE CLEANING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,019.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION, THE VEHICLE FAILED THE INSPECTION DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF THE FRONT FRAME. THE CONTACT CALLED L. B. SMITH FORD-LINCOLN, INC. AT 717-761-6700 (LOCATED AT 1100 MARKET ST, LEMOYNE, PA 17043) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS TO OBTAIN SOME ESTIMATES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 118,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET IN THE REAR ROWS OF THE VEHICLE BECOME WET AND SOAKED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT ANCHOR LATCH WAS LOOSE. MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER NOTICED A GRINDING TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SAME FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
WENT TO INVESTIGATE THE WATER LOGGED CARPET IN THE REAR OF THE VAN. REMOVED INTERIOR PLASTIC PANELS ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VAN. THE SEAT ANCHOR MECHANISM FELL OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL UNTO THE TIRE. VERY FORTUNATE I WAS IN THE GARAGE AND NOT TRAVELLING DOWN THE FREEWAY.
I JUST PAID OFF MY VEHICLE DID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIRS NOW MECHANIC TELLS ME HE WONT REPLACE MY STARTER BECAUSE SUB FRAME IS UNUSUALLY WORN AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE,SO NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE BECAUSE 2004 WAS NOT RECALLED YET,MOST OTHER YEARS WERE
THIS VEHICLE I RECEIVED NUMEROUS RECALLS AND HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN IT WOULD RAIN AND GET CAR WASH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE ENGINE NOT TO RUN PROPERLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IN APRIL OF 2016 ENGINE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED ME TO GET IN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN IMPOUNDED AND LOAN COMPANY SANTANDER TRYING TO BILL ME FOR REMAINDER OF LOAN AND NOW CAUSING MAJOR CREDIT ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE COVERED BY FORD/CARMAX FOR SELLING MY FAMILY AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRITICAL INJURY OR WORSE.
IM HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE WORST ONE IS THE PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM THAT HAS STRANDED ME IN MANY AREAS BECAUSE IT REFUSES TO START. I HAVE TRIED MANY THINGS INCLUDING REPLACING TRANSPONDER KEYS AND THE TRANSCEIVER BUT I STILL AM GETTING THE FLASHING RED SECURITY LIGHT. IM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS THING IN THE WINTER DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING STRANDED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. ALSO THIS VEHICLE LETS WATER LEAK IN EVERYWHERE CAUSING SEVERE RUST AND MOLD ISSUES. ONE OF THE FLOOR SUPPORTS OF THE DRIVERS SEAT IS CLOSE TO BEING RUSTED THROUGH AND THE OTHER ONES ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT. THE BODY IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND IM NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER THIS THING WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE.
02 06 2016 THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH SUBFRAM BREAKING , I WAS AT SAVEALOT 123 ST CLAIR AVENUE 44108, STARTED MY ENGINE AND SHIFTER GEARS THE ENGINE STARTED I SHIFTED GEARS AND IT LOTS POWER AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE JUMPED AND A LOUD GRINDING PARK FORD 400 WEST AVENUE TALLMAGE OHIO 44278 I PURCHASED TWO BOLTS W711082-S439 PURCHASED 2 BOLTS ONE BROKE AND I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER/ OWNER AND I WAS TOLD TO RETURN THE BOLT AND THE WOULD PROVIDE ME A NEW ONE. AT THE TIME THEY HAD A KIT THAT WAS $65.00 THE KIT HAD THE BOLT STEEL WASHER, RUBBER 2 BUSHING AND A ANCHOR ( WHAT THE BOLT SCREWS INTO. 2ND TIME I WAS IN EAST CLEVELAND SAME THING HAPPEN WITH A CHUCK- HOLE, I REPAIRED THE VAN AGAIN, THIRD TIME EAST 123 SUPERIOR BY DAY CAR VAN LOST POWER AND LOUD GRINDING, 3 TIME SAME BOLT SNAPPED IT WAS REPAIRED AGAIN, RALLYS E105 ST CLAIR AVENUE CHUCK HOLES BOTH THE RIGHT FRONT AND REAR SUBFRAME BOLTS SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF ST' CLAIR OFFICER YOUNG AND OFFICER KING PARKED BEHIND ME WHILE I FIXED THE VEHICLE SO I COULD GET IT HOME EAST 105 AND ELK AVENUE, REAR SPARE SUBFRAM INSTALLED, AND THE FRONT WAS CHAINED LOCKED AND SECURED WITH CABLE JUST INCASE THE LOCKED CHAINS FAILED, I CALLED FORD THE SAID TO SLOWLY DRIVE IT OUT TO THEM,TOWING, MY INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CALLED AND THEY ENSURED TOWING WAS ADDED BUT I'D HAVE TO PAY UP FRONT AND GET PAID BACK, IT THE END OF THE MONTH AND I'M A DISABLED USAF VETERAN ON A FIXED INCOME SO THIS WAS NOT GOING TO WORK. I WAS BLESSED TO GET THE VAN OUT TO FORD UNDER IT OWN POWER YES I PRAYED ALL THE WAY TEARS IN MY EYES. FORD WANT TO CHARGE 300 LABOR I PURCHASED 296.83 PARTS, 95.38 PARTS BECAUSE FORD FEARED THIS PARTS WOULD BREAK, NOW COME FORD WANTING TO CHARGE 4X @220. [3F2Z5C148 I BOLT I BUSHING 2 PIECES? ] =$880 +296.38+95.38+300 PREDICTED TOTAL 1,572.20 THIS RECALL IS NOT FREE OF CHARGE, SAW KIT FOR $65 ON 2/6/2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE THIRD ROW SEAT AREA RUSTED THROUGH TO THE TRUNK AREA NEAR THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND REPAIR. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,125.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER BEGAN THE RECALL REPAIR,BUT WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE IT DO TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL. *JS
THE 3RD SEAT HOOKS RUSTED OUT LEAVING AND UNSTABLE PASSENGER SEAT AND BODY STRUCTURE ISSUES THAT ARE IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL #13S01BUT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING IN A "SALTBELT" STATE, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT KANSAS AND NEBRASKA USE SALE ABUNDANTLY ON THE ROADS. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY SPECIFIC CAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IS WAS MANUFACTURED DIFFERENTLY THAN THE 100,000 THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IT NOW HAS. I PUT MY FOUR KIDS IN THIS VAN AND NOW IT IS NOT STRUCTURAL STABLE FOR THEM.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ONCE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). WHILE OBSERVING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKET WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS ROTTED ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR. I FOUND OUT WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION. THEY CALLED THE FORD DEALER THEY SAID FORD WAS NO LONGER MAKING THE PARTS. THE DEALER SAID FORD USED TO HAVE RECALLS. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS ON THE WINDSTARS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID ALL THE RECALL ON MY CAR WERE FIXED. THEY SAID I SHOULD CALL THE FORD DEALER.
FORD IS NOT HONORING 13V081000 FOR THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER PROBLEMS. OUR VAN WHICH IS OPERATED IN THE KANSAS CITY METROPOLITAN AREA, WHICH HEAVILY SALTS THE ROADS IS HAVING THE CORROSION PROBLEM. JUST THIS WEEKEND WE WERE TRAVELING WITH ALL SEATS OCCUPIED WHEN THE INNER FENDER WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE THROUGH WITH THE SEAT STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKET HITTING THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR TIRE. FORTUNATELY AT THE TIME WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE SEAT OCCUPANTS AND RETURN HOME SAFELY. THE DESIGN OF THIS SEAT STRIKER PLATE IS FLAWED AS THERE IS A REINFORCING PLATE ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE FENDER WELL THAT RESULTS IN ENTRAPMENT OF MOISTURE AND DIRT. THIS BAD DESIGN COMBINED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THREE PEOPLE OCCUPYING THE SEAT RESULTS IN STRESSING OF THE FENDER WELL MATERIAL. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER ON MONDAY AND GAVE THEM MY VIN THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY HINT OF A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE ON MY VEHICLE.
FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2015. RECEIVED NOTICE FROM FORD OF SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING 3RD ROW SEATING. FORD WANTS $2100 FOR REPAIR OF THE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELLS. THE ROW SEATING IS USELESS DOESN'T LOCK IN OPEN POSITION.
FIRST CRACK IN U SHAPED STEEL CHANNEL NOTICED WHEN I TOOK THIS VAN IN FOR OTHER RECALL REPAIRS AT YUCCA VALLEY FORD . THEY NOTIFIED ME AND I HAD IT WELDED . A FEW MONTHS LATER CRACK WAS BACK HAD IT REWELDED AND GUSSETS ADDED TO RESTRENGTHEN BOTH SIDES. LASTED SIX MONTHS TILL I TOOK TO TIRE SHOP TO HAVE FRONT END ALIGNED AND TWO NEW TIRES PUT ON. LEFT NEXT DAY FOR GIG BROKE ONE MILE FROM HOME JUST PAST THE WELD. THIS VAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN A CALIFORNIA CAR TO MY KNOWLEDGE. NO RUST. SAME REAR AXEL AS WINDSTAR. BAD DESIGN. VAN IS HEAVY LITTLE [XXX] STEEL CHANNEL TO HOLD ALL THAT WEIGHT IS STUPID. COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WAS BUILT THAT WAY. HOW COME NO RECALL FOR SAME AXEL DESIGN ON FREESTAR. PEOPLE APT TO DIE FROM THIS STUPID DESIGN. *TR INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ONCE AGAIN, FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR VEHICLE DEFECTS. OUR THIRD ROW REAR SEAT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE. THE FLOOR LATCH IS CORRODED AND BROKEN AND OUR CHILDREN CAN NO LONGER SAFELY RIDE IN OUR ONLY VEHICLE. FORD RECALLED MANY OTHER FREESTARS FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO INCLUDE OUR VEHICLE DESPITE THE SIMILARITIES. OUR VEHICLE HAS NOW BROKEN DOWN ON US NUMEROUS TIMES DUE TO POWER TRAIN ISSUES (LATER RECALLED), TRANSMISSION ISSUES (LATER RECALLED), AND NOW THIS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY CONTINUE TO DISREGARD SAFETY FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR
CAR HISTORY: THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT HAS GONE BEFORE WHEN WE TRAVEL THROUGH VT MOUNTAINS, BUT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND LETTING IT SIT, AND RESTARTING IT, THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. UPON GETTING HOME SAFETY, OUR MECHANICS DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING TO REPAIR AND SO LEFT IT BE, AND WOULD ONLY SOMETIMES SEE IT WHEN WE TRAVELED THROUGH THE VT MOUNTAINS, A FEW TIMES A YEAR. ALL RECALL REPAIRS WERE UP TO DATE. THERE WERE NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. INCIDENT: AS WE NEARING THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON. UNLIKE THE OTHER TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO BE IN THE CORRECT GEAR, SO UNLIKE THE OTHER TIMES, WE WERE VERY CONCERNED. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND AS WE REACHED THE SHOULDER SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. WE QUICKLY EVACUATED OUR KIDS, AND AS WE WERE GETTING THEM OUT WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ALREADY FIRE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, NEAR THE WINDSHIELD, ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WE ARE SO GLAD OUR KIDS WERE AWAKE, AND ABLE TO UNLATCH THEIR OWN CHILD CARSEATS, AND ABLE TO GET OUT QUICKLY. THE FIRE SPREAD TO THE ENTIRE VAN, CONSUMING EVERYTHING, AT A GREAT EXPENSE TO US. (AND OTHERS; OUR ACCIDENT BLOCKED A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS.) *TR
THE BACK LIFT GATE ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR WILL NOT LATCH. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT INDICATES A DOOR IS OPEN. IT APPEARS THERE IS SOME RUST ETC IN BOTH THE MECHANISM AND THE BOTTOM STATIONARY LATCH PIECE. *TR
BACKDOOR WON'T UNLOCK AND NOW DOOR WON'T CLOSE OR LOCK. *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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