2004 Ford Freestar Engine Problems

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

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 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

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. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND STALLED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF, AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES. ONCE RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE RAN FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

NHTSA ID

11243273

Incident

Jul 12, 2019

Mileage

118,000 mi

WAS DRIVING AND MY TACH METER WAS GOING ALL OVER 3 4 LOST ALL POWER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE RD. ALSO TRAC CONTROL IS ALWAYS OFF GOES ON AND OFF

NHTSA ID

11186807

Incident

Feb 28, 2019

Mileage

95,387 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT NEAR THE REAR WHEEL WELL BECAME DETACHED AND THE CONTACT SMELLED AN EXHAUST ODOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 168,867.

NHTSA ID

11142642

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

168,867 mi

MY 2004 FREESTAR OVERHEATS AFTER 70 MPH. REPLACED THERMOSTAT AND FANS. DOES THIS WITH AC TURNED OFF. I TURN TO HEAT ON TO COOL IT DONE. I DROVE 2100 MILES WITH WINDOWS DOWN. THIS HAPPENS ON THE HIGHWAY AND GOING UP LONG STEEP GRADE.

NHTSA ID

11128264

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

168,000 mi

THE INDIANA ALPR TRACKING SYSTEM CAUSES ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS INCLUDING THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND VARIOUS OTHER UNKNOWN MALFUNCTIONS. THE ABS MODULE HAS FAILED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLE AND THE ALPR ATTACKS CONTINUE. THESE ALPR ATTACKS ARE INITIATED BY ELECTRICAL APPARATUS ON TOP OF TELEPHNE POLES AND ON POLICE CARS. THESE ATTACKS CAN BE HEARD BY SUDDEN UNEXPECTED LOUD THUMPING ON MY DASHBOARD WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IN ADDITION TO THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE. THESE ATTACKS OCCUR BOTH IN MOTION AND WHEN STATIONARY. THE THUMPING IS EXPECIALLY SURPRISING IN TRAFFIC AND COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLUS, I DO NOT HAVE ABS PROTECTION ON SLICK ROADS

NHTSA ID

11081313

Incident

Mar 24, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY VAN HAS A PROBLEM WITH WATER, THAT IS WHEN IT RAINS THE VEHICLE STARTS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH SEVERAL COMPONENTS. (IE ENGINE MISFIRE, TRANSMISSION FAILS TO SHIFT PROPERLY, DOOR LOOKS REFUSE TO OPERATE PROPERLY, AMONG OTHER WEIRD THINGS) THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME IT RAINS. THE PROBLEM AS I HAVE BEING ABLE TO TRACE IT, IS THAT THE WATER THAT COMES OFF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD AND INTO THE PLASTIC THAT COVERS THE COWL AREA ( WHERE THE WIPERS ARE) DRIPS ON TO THE MAIN ELECTRIC WIRE HARNESS CONNECTION THAT COMES FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR AND CONNECTS TO THE ENGINE BAY WIRE HARNESS. AS THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR GETS WET, THE VEHICLE STARTS ACTING UP. I TOOK THE VAN TO MY MECHANIC BUT HE WAS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM, IT WAS DRY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER AND, TO MY SURPRISE, THEY KNEW ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY THE REPAIR BECAUSE ITS COVERED ON A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB 06-14-10) BUT ITS NOT A RECALL. HOW CAN THIS NOT BE A RECALL WHEN THE VAN IS GOING ALONG WELL AND AS SOON AS IT STARTS RAINING, I START HAVING DRIVE ABILITY ISSUES, TRANSMISSIONS STARTS ACTING UP, ENGINE STARTS ACTING UP, SOME TIMES STALLS, IN GENERAL I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT APPEARS TO BE "ALLERGIC TO WATER." THIS ISSUE HAPPENS ANY TIME IT STARS RAINING HEAVILY WHETHER ON THE HIGHWAY OR CITY STREET OR MY DRIVEWAY FOR THAT MATTER, IF ITS RAINING I HAVE TO TAKE MY WIFE'S CAR BECAUSE IF NOT I KNOW WILL HAVE TO BE DEALING WITH AN UNCOOPERATIVE VEHICLE. PS. I PUT A DATE ON THE "WHEN DID THIS HAPPEN" FIELD BUT THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11063264

Incident

Nov 6, 2017

Mileage

85,000 mi

EVERYTIME I STOP AT EITHER A STOPLIGHT OR STOP SIGN IT STALLS OUT. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GOES BACK OFF. I AM ABLE TO RESTART IT BACK UP AND CONTINUE IT ON. I HAVE HAD THE ELECTRICAL COMPUTER FIXED AND HAD A FULL TUNE UP DONE AND IT STILL STALLS OUT.

NHTSA ID

11055991

Incident

Dec 21, 2017

Mileage

134,000 mi

ENGINE SURGES IN REVERSE AND DRIVE VIOLENTLY ALMOST HITTING VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME AT STOP LIGHT NO ENGINE LIGHT OR VEHICLE CODES FOUND

NHTSA ID

11012963

Incident

Jul 24, 2017

TRANSMISSION WON'T GO INTO REVERSE AND SOMETIMES NOT IN ANY GEAR. ENGINE STOPS RUNNING ON HIGHWAY WITH NO WARNING. NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT, HAD TO BE TOWED.

NHTSA ID

11002710

Incident

Jun 30, 2017

Mileage

92,500 mi

THE THIRD ROW SEATING LATCH HAS RUSTED OUT ON THE DRIVER SIDE. THE VEHICLE I BELIEVE HAS ISSUES THAT OTHER 2004 FORD FREESTAR VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ISSUES AND WERE RECALLED. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD, AND THEY REFUSE TO HELP. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN AND I FEAR TO TAKE THEM ANYWHERE IN THIS VEHICLE. PLEASE HELP. THE VEHICLE JERKS AND STUTTERS WHEN IN DRIVE WHETHER I'M MOVING OR AT A STOP LIGHT AS LONG AS I AM IN ANY GEAR. IT ONLY HAS 85,000 MILES AND I'VE PURCHASED IT IN FEBRUARY.

NHTSA ID

10994575

Incident

Feb 28, 2017

Mileage

81,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10983603

Incident

Apr 20, 2016

Mileage

123,137 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL, AND FILED CASE NUMBER: CAS-11839376. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

NHTSA ID

10980373

Incident

Jan 6, 2017

Mileage

116,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10957961

Incident

Feb 24, 2017

Mileage

185,000 mi

HAD THE RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER DONE AND NOW MY VEHICLE SHAKES, SPUTTERS. WON'T ACCELERATE, THE RPMS JUMP UP HIGH, VERY LOUD NOISES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. SOMETIMES IT WILL STALL OUT. CAN'T GO PAST 25-30 MPH IF IT EVEN GETS UP TO THAT! MY VEHICLE RAN PERFECT BEFORE TAKING IT INTO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND EVER SINCE I GOT IT BACK WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. TOOK IT BACK TO FORD AND THEY TRIED TO SAY IT WAS THROTTLE CABLE SO HAD THAT FIXED AND IT STILL IS DOING THE SAME THINGS AS IT DID AFTER THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. CAN'T DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE WHEN I GO TO ACCELERATE IT DOESN'T GO OR GET UP TO THE CORRECT MPH. THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHAKES REALLY BAD AND THE NOISES IT MAKES ARE VERY LOUD AND SOUND LIKE SOMETHING IS GOING TO BLOW UP. I THINK THE TORQUE CONVERTER THEY REPLACED IT WITH IS BAD AND THEY NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND MAN UP AND QUIT TRYING TO BLAME IT ON OTHER THINGS. THEY MESSED UP AND NEED TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID

10914972

Incident

Jun 10, 2016

Mileage

153,599 mi

WHENEVER IT RAINS OR IS HUMID THE VAN SPUTTERS, DIES, STRUGGLES TO SPEED UP AND SHIFT. MY FAMILY WAS NEARLY HIT WHEN OUR VAN DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION DURING A RAIN STORM.

NHTSA ID

10888022

Incident

Jul 12, 2016

Mileage

130,000 mi

THE 2004 FREESTAR IS SHORTING OUT ALL THE SENSORS ARE SHORTING OUT U TOOK IT TO BE PUT ON MACHINE AND IT CANE BACK WITH 17 SENSORS MALFUNCTION GOING ON AND IT'S THE ONLY VECHELE I OWN AND I'VE GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND I SEE 100000 OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WHAT SHOULD I DO I MIGHT BE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VRAJE SENSOR IS GOING AND I CAN'T STOP I'M NOT RICH I CANTVGO BUY ANOTHER VAN PLEASE HELP ME

NHTSA ID

10849857

Incident

Mar 8, 2016

Mileage

260,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND SUDDENLY ON AN ELEVATION, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, DECELERATED, AND LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC'S SHOP WHERE THE TECHNICIAN CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED A FEW DAYS LATER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

NHTSA ID

10821058

Incident

Jan 12, 2016

Mileage

87,000 mi

MY CAR HAS SPENT 10 DAYS AT FORD TO BE SERVICED AFTER HAVING THE SAFETY RECALL SERVICE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEHAVING UNPREDICTABLY, SOMETIMES STALLING OUT WHILE IDLED, STALLING OUT WHILE IN MOTION, SOMETIMES IDLING WITH HIGH OR LOW RPMS. THE DEALERSHIP TOOK IT BACK IN TO CHECK THE TORQUE CONVERTER, THEY THEN SAID IT WASN'T THE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT THE THROTTLE BODY, THEY THEN CLEANED THAT AND SAID IT'S NOT THE THROTTLE BODY, IT'S THE PCM. THE PCM IS TAKING ON WATER FROM A FLAWED DESIGN OF THE ABOVE PCM WHERE WATER IS RETAINED AND EVENTUALLY LEAKS ON TO THE CONNECTOR. THIS OF COURSE IS NOT COVERED BY FORD, AND CAN COST UP TO $1200 TO REPLACE. THIS ISSUE CREATES A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT SYMPTOMS MAKING IT HARD TO IDENTIFY THE ORIGIN OF THE PROBLEM. CAUSING EXTENDED STAYS FOR MAINTENANCE. THIS SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY FORD AND NOT IT'S CUSTOMERS AS THERE'S NO WAY THIS FLAW CAN BE CAUSED BY USER ERROR, IT'S A DESIGN FLAW THAT SHOULD NOT EXIST.

NHTSA ID

10747205

Incident

Aug 8, 2015

Mileage

83,000 mi

2ND TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED. WAS DRIVING WHEN THE VAN STARTED BUCKING/SPUTTERING/SURGING. IT WOULD DIE AND THEN FIRE RIGHT BACK UP JUST TO DO IT ONCE AGAIN. SOAKED PCM CONNECTOR WAS TO BLAME BOTH TIMES. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW BY FORD AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. I'M GLAD I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE OR IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ID

10747028

Incident

Aug 7, 2015

Mileage

154,970 mi

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS RAINING OUTSIDE AND AS I WAS DRIVING ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY NO WARNING ,NO NOTHING JUST DIED I ALMOST WAS REAR ENDED, I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SAID THE PCM IS NOT SEALED PROPERLY AND GOT WET AND FRIED OUT THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT FORD WOULD SEE TONS OF THESE COMPLAINTS LIKE I HAVE SEEN ONLINE SAME PROBLEMS AND PUT PEOPLE LIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES IN DANGER WITH THIS POOR MANUFACTURING. WHAT CAN I DO ??? THANK YOU [XXX] VIN UNAVAILABLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR*JB

NHTSA ID

10745406

Incident

Jul 30, 2015

Mileage

62 mi

STARTED SPUTTERING, JERKING, AND STALLING PCM WAS WET CAUSING ALL KINDS OF HAVIC LOST POWER GOING INTO A TURN AND ALMOST WENT INTO A DITCH FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THIS ONGOING PROBLEM AND GET IT FIXED BEFORE SOMETHING MAJOR HAPPENS ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND FORD KNOWS IT IS THERE FAULT AND THEY HAVE A PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO TAKE CARE OF IT.

NHTSA ID

10743457

Incident

Jul 10, 2015

Mileage

156,000 mi