2004 Ford Freestar Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the torque converter and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11672730

Incident

Jun 26, 2025

Mileage

104,000 mi

Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.

NHTSA ID

11671789

Incident

Jul 2, 2025

I have a 2004 Ford freestar van and I was driving down the road and I went to pass another vehicle and I push the gas and I heard some crunchy noise is and then nothing no power at all no gears nothing I was dead in the water so I had to get out of the van and push it to the side of the road didn't have reverse didn't have drive didn't have third second or first no gears at all the transmission failed me I could have been in a very bad accident and hurt it just came out of nowhere there was no signs of anything wrong with the van and then this happens.

NHTSA ID

11611067

Incident

Aug 25, 2024

My son was driving down Rt 81 when the transmission stopped working Your vehicle was running fine but would not go had to drift off the highway she avoid getting hit I had to tow the van home we’re it’s still parked

NHTSA ID

11578163

Incident

Mar 18, 2024

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would not properly accelerate and would hesitate to accelerate and the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000(Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 250,000.

NHTSA ID

11548039

Incident

May 1, 2023

Mileage

250,000 mi

Conducía mi vehículo y la trasmisión quedó en neutro en una entrada y no pude estacionarme Y no volvió arrancar Solo coje la reversa I was driving my vehicle and the transmission was neutral in a driveway and I couldn't park And did not start again Just take the reverse

NHTSA ID

11507656

Incident

Dec 16, 2022

The transmission is grinding and popping when shifting gears.Also it has started not moving when I shift it into drive and 3rd and 1st.When I drive it I have to put it in 1st gear and change up to drive and it grinds and pops when giving it gas to go.It comes to a crawl going up hills.Has a big loss of power.The trackshion control light comes on saying it's not working.The electrical is messing up the doors are opening up when they are not supposed to going down road.It tells me that different doors are open when there not keeping the lights on in the van running down the battery.

NHTSA ID

11502520

Incident

Sep 9, 2022

I just purchased the vehicle used and recently discovered there was a recall on these vehicles. The vehicle I purchased keeps stalling and is not getting any power. I’ve had the vehicle checked by the car lot and they say there is nothing wrong.. the vehicle died out on me already twice while I was driving.

NHTSA ID

11478141

Incident

Aug 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle continued to slow as the RPM was rising. The contact did not notice any warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted however, failed to shift into higher gears while attempting to reach highway speeds. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

NHTSA ID

11459751

Incident

Feb 5, 2022

Mileage

158,000 mi

Transmission slip , leaks , loosing ofpower, shakes from 45 mph to 55 mph , mechanic shop says it is the Torque Converter that is malfunction.

NHTSA ID

11454728

Incident

Feb 15, 2022

the van has less than 49k miles on it and the reverse has not worked but it will drive forward. Others have had this issue as well.

NHTSA ID

11441788

Incident

May 13, 2021

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the computer needed to be dried off. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated he had experienced the failure several times. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

NHTSA ID

11440792

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

Mileage

38,000 mi

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat floorboard was corroded with several holes. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V081000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined to repair the vehicle due to part availability issues. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect. (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA ID

11422810

Incident

Jun 1, 2021

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED ALL AMERICAN FORD OF HACKENSACK (520 RIVER ST, HACKENSACK, NJ 07601) WHERE HE WAS GIVEN A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11405377

Incident

Mar 26, 2021

Mileage

100,000 mi

I READ THE RECALLS FOR 2004 FORD FREE STAR TRANSMISSIONS AND MY VAN WITHOUT WARNING JUST QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I COULD GET IT TO START BACK UP FOR A SECOND TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT IT WOULDN'T START AFTER THAT.

NHTSA ID

11402841

Incident

Mar 2, 2021

Mileage

160,000 mi

PCM HAS ISSUES DO TO MOISTURE WHICH AFFECTS ELECTRICAL SLIPPING GEARS ABS SENSOR PROBLEM POWER STEERING ISSUES AND TCM AND THIS VEHICLE HAS ALL SAFETY PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO RECALLS NONE OF IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE FORD SAYS YOUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON LIST.

NHTSA ID

11396766

Incident

Feb 12, 2019

I JUST CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE AND WISH I WROTE THIS A YEAR AGO BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT THEN. I HAVE HAD MANY ISSUES WITH THE LIGHTS FLICKERING, COMING ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN IT RAINS, MY INTERIOR LIGHTS STAYING ON AND ACTUALLY CATCHING FIRE BECAUSE IT HAD GOTTEN SO HOT. MY RADIO USED TO TURN ON BY ITSELF OR NOT TURN ON AT ALL, WHICH HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED. MY VAN HAS LITERALLY DIED ON ME WHILE DRIVING MORE OFTEN AT TIMES WHEN I'M MAKING A TURN OR SLIGHTLY MOVING MY STEERING WHEEL. HAS ALMOST CAUSED A FEW ACCIDENTS BECAUSE IT SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. MY VAN WILL USUALLY HAVE A HIGHER RPM WHEN IT'S RUNNING IN PARK OR WITH FOOT ON BREAK(WAITING AT A RED LIGHT). THEN SUDDENLY THE RPMS DROP AND FLUCTUATE HIGH AND LOW AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. MY TRANSMISSION IS ALSO STARTING TO FAIL BY NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. USUALLY INTO SECOND GEAR. THE INDICATOR LAMP LIGHT FLASHES WITH MEANS ERROR WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE POWER TRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER GETTING WET OR IT IS POWERTRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH MY MY POWER STEERING THE WHEEL KNOCKS AND SORTA LOCKS UP AT TIMES , FLUIDS HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND WERE PERFECT. I BELIEVE THAT IT'S ASSOCIATED WITH THE STEERING HYDRAULIC SYSTEM FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

11389530

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

20 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11377831

Incident

Nov 12, 2020

Mileage

180,000 mi

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY AT A SPEED OF 55 MPH WHEN IT HAD INSTANT TRANSMISSION FAILURE. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VEHICLE WOULDN/T MOVE IN ANY DIRECTION OR GEAR. TRANSMISSION WAS IN PROPER FLUID LEVEL RANGE.

NHTSA ID

11361786

Incident

Sep 29, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

DRIVING DOWN RD N IT FELT AS IF SOMEONE WAS PUSHING BREAK WHILE I WAS SMASHING GAS PEDAL . LOST ALL FIRE TO CAR WOULDN'T GO NO WHERE. I WAS ON A COUNTRY RD GOING UPHILL. IT SPOTS N SPUTTER N JERKS REAL HARD GOING UP HILL LIKE MY TRANSMISSION GOING BAD BUT MOTOR SOUNDS GOOD SO I HAVE NO CLUE..

NHTSA ID

11344013

Incident

Aug 7, 2020

Mileage

230,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY RPMS SHOT UP BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION IT DID THIS WITHOUT WARNING I MANAGED TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND I WAS GOING TO CHECK TRANSMISSION FLUID BUT WHEN I PULLED THE DIPSTICK OUT FLUID SHOT OUT THE DIPSTICK HOLE. I WAS ABLE TO WALK TO A STORE & BUY TRANSMISSION FLUID THAT I ADDED. I WAITED A BIT THEN TRIED DRIVE, REVERSE, LOW GEAR, BUT NOTHING. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK

NHTSA ID

11343396

Incident

Jul 9, 2020

Mileage

100,000 mi

TORQUE CONVERTOR DEFECTIVE IN SIMILAR FORD FREESTAR MODELS EDDY'S FORD DEALERSHIP SOLD RECALL VEHICLE AS IS AGAINST STATE & FEDERAL LAWS AND LIED TO DISABLED VETERANS ABOUT REPLACING THE DEFECTIVE TORQUE CONVERTER AFTER DISCOVERY OF RECALL CAUSED PISTON HOLE ENGINE BLOCK AND TRANSMISSION DAMAGE CUTTING OUT NEAR DANGEROUS BRIDGE INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ID

11322910

Incident

Feb 16, 2020

Mileage

116,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED AND STARTED PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE SUBFRAME OF THE FRONT END WAS FRACTURED AND THAT AN ALIGNMENT COULD NOT BE PERFORMED. RAY PRICE MT. POCONO FORD LOCATED AT (2971 PA-940, MT POCONO, PA 18344), WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

NHTSA ID

11316147

Incident

Feb 1, 2020

Mileage

127,000 mi

MY FIANCE WAS DRIVING TO WORK WHEN SHE HEARD A CLICKING NOISE THEN A LOUD BANG COME FROM THE TRANSMISSION, SHE LOST ALL POWER, IF SHE HADN'T RESPONDED TO THE SITUATION AND TURN IMMEDIATELY INTO A CHURCH DRIVEWAY SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN REAR ENDED! THE VAN WAS IN MOTION DRIVING SOUTHBOUND ON 257TH ST IN THE CITY OF GRESHAM. I WAS JUST NOW RESEARCHING THE VAN AND SAW FORD RECALLED 200,000 OF THIS YEAR'S VAN DEW TO A FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER AND OTHER ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ID

11299179

Incident

Jan 13, 2020

Mileage

200,566 mi

I HAVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY IN THIS VAN THAT I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THESE ISSUES TO YOU FIRST IT WAS THE FUEL FILTER AND NOW IT'S THE TRANSMISSION I KEEP THE MAINTENANCE UP AND THINGS STILL GO WRONG

NHTSA ID

11290411

Incident

Dec 17, 2019