RoadVitals

2004 Ford Freestar Fuel system Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the fuel system system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Fuel system reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Dec 20, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 1,227 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks. 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. 23 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.

Owner reports naming fuel system

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Fuel systemOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 20, 2019

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
Fuel system
Filed Feb 24, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK EXHIBITED RUST CORROSION AS A RESULT FUEL LEAKED FROM THE OUTER PART OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000.

NHTSA ID
10837905
Incident
Feb 24, 2016
Mileage
81,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 19, 2016

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
Fuel systemOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Apr 8, 2015

AS I PROCEEDED TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN,@ A PERMITTIBLE SPEED 25 M.P.H. I COULD HEAR NOISE EMANATING FROM THE RT. FRT. SIDE OF THE VEH. FUEL SYS. FURTHER CK'ING NEEDED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704529
Incident
Jan 19, 2015
Mileage
185,600 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 12, 2014

JUST PURCHASED THIS USED 2004 FREESTAR. WITHIN DAYS THE ENGINE WOULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING. TRANSMISSION SHIFTING ISSUES. NOT STARTING. ETC.. HAD TRANSMISSION REPLACED BEFORE KNOWING OF RECALL ON THAT ITEM. STILL HAD THE ISSUES. PULLED OUT PCM AND IT WAS FILLED WITH WATER. INSTALLED NEW ONE. I LIVE IN FLORIDA. RAINY SEASON. ISSUES HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN A WEEK. NEW PCM REMOVED AND WAS FILLED WITH WATER. I MYSELF FOUND THE SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE ISSUE AS WELL AS SEVERAL COMPLAINTS BY OWNERS ON THE INTERNET. MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP WALKER FORD SWEPT THE ISSUE UNDER THE RUG AND WANTED TO CHARGE $900 TO FIND THE LEAK. I SHOWED THEM THE BULLETIN THAT THEY WERE UN AWARE OF. THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE MY PCM WITHOUT CHARGING ME AGAIN. WENT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND PAID FOR NEW PCM AND TOLD THEM TO PERFORCE SERVICE BULLETIN. SEEMED FINE UNTIL LAST 6 MONTHS. STARTING TO STALL A LOT. HIGH HUM WHEN ACCELERATING AND TURNING. MORE RESEARCH ONLINE AND I FOUND 2 MORE RECALLS ON VEHICLE. THE PCM ISSUE SHOULD BE A RECALL. FIND OUT HOW TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE ISSUE AND PERFORM IT FOR FREE WITH A NEW PCM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10563998
Incident
Jun 8, 2012
Mileage
117,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 19, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

PURCHASED USED VEHICLE FROM MARSHALL USED CARS IN SACRAMENTO, CA, WHERE RESIDE CURRENTLY. PURCHASED 05/2011, PAID FULL NO LOAN AT TIME OF PURCHASE. PURCHASED ADD. EXT. WARRANTY WHICH WAS 6MONTHS. FROM THE DOS TIL PRESENT DATE; I HAVE PAID, AND WAS MISLEAD IN ALL THE INSURANCE COVERING MAJOR DEFECTS, OWNER(ME) HAD CAME OUT OF POCKET PAYING FOR SERVICE TO FIX WARRANTY PARTS. NOW THIS IS THE CURRENT AND SERIOUS ISSUE. I AM DISABLED, I HAVE A DISABLE CHILD. MY VEHICLE WAS REPORTED UNDER VIN TO FORD CORPORATE TO NOTATE FOR SERVICE TO BE CHECK AND WORKED ON AT LOCAL FORD DEALER. COMPLAINED ABOUT MULTIPLE (4) ISSUES. DEALERSHIP MISLEAD ME, AND DID NOT PERFORM WORK. ONLY WORK THEY DID WAS REPLACE 1 RECALL 10/12. AFTER RECALL SERVICE I (OWNER) RECALL MANUFAC. MADE CLAIM, AGAIN AND THEN WENT TO DEALER. I WAS TURNED AWAY...AND TOLD TO DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE BEFORE PUTTING A SERVICE CLAIM IN. THIS IS A PROBLEM. I AM NOT IGNORANT TO THE ANATOMY OF A VEHICLE. I AM VERY LITERATE ON UNDERSTANDING VEHICLE OPERATIONS AS WELL AS MAINTAINING MAINTENANCE. I CAN SAY THIS BECAUSE I BELIEVE I SHOULD BE AWARE OF EVERY ISSUE SO I WONT HAVE A DISABLED VEHICLE. VEHICLE MILEAGE APPLIED FROM THE DATE RECALL REPLACED 5800 WITHIN THE TIME TIL I MADE ANOTHER CLAIM IN OCT 2013. TOOK VEHICLE IN, TOLD TO CHECK EVERYTHING. DID. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK AND VEHICLE WAS IN SERVICE DEPT FOR WEEK WHICH ROLLED OVER TO NOV 1, 2013. VEHICLE WAS DX AND FOUND TO BE THE SAME THING I MADE A CLAIM ABOUT. VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTED RECALL PART. PART WAS NOT REPLACED. AND OWNER IS NOW LEFT WITH A DEFECT RECALL PART, PLUS MORE DAMAGE ON OTHER PARTS RELATED TO TORQUE CONVERTER, FUEL LINE, 3RD BENCH, FRONT R-WHEEL HUB. I HAVE MULTIPLE HEALTH APPTS TO MAINTAIN FOR ME AND MY CHILD'S DISABILITY. MY CHILDREN NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL, AND I MISSED LEGAL APPT DATES FROM COURT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10556733
Incident
Dec 5, 2011
Mileage
15,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 11, 2013

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING START PROBLEMS FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS NOW. I DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 10 MILES TO GET GAS. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF TO FUEL UP. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WOULD NOT START. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO TRY TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE AND IT WORKED. DROVE THE CAR 1/4 MILE DOWN THE ROAD TO AUTOZONE TO HAVE THE BATTERY TESTED. THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE REPAIRED AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 5 DAYS AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. I CALLED AAA TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. THE AAA MECHANIC TRIED TO START IT BEFORE JUST TOWING IT. HE MOVED THE SHIFTER TO NEUTRAL AND BACK AND STARTED TO VEHICLE RIGHT UP. MAYBE I DID NOT HAVE THE SHIFTER IN THE PROPER POSITION? SINCE THEN, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT STARTED UP QUITE A FEW TIMES....AT RANDOM TIMES, OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS. I WAS STRANDED AT THE DOCTORS OFFICE WITH A NO START. CALLED AAA AGAIN FOR A TOW AGAIN. HOWEVER, RIGHT BEFORE AAA GOT TO ME....THE VEHICLE STARTED RIGHT UP. I CANCELLED THE AAA CALL AND DROVE STRAIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THE FORD DEALERSHIP CAN NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM AS TO WHY THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT STARTS EVERY TIME FOR THEM. THE ALTERNATOR AND THE STARTER ARE FINE. THE BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACED AND THERE ARE NO TRANSMISSION ERROR CODES BEING EMITTED.I HAVE A HUNCH THAT THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IT ISN'T ANYTHING ELSE. THE FORD DEALERSHIP EXPLAINED THAT THEY TOOK A LOOK AT THE PCM BUT COULD NOT SEE ANY WATER CORROSION. SO THEY DID NOT REPLACE IT. SO NOW, I AM FACED WITH PICKING UP THE VEHICLE AND NOT KNOWING WHEN I'LL BE STRANDED AGAIN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. *TR

NHTSA ID
10547607
Incident
Oct 1, 2013
Mileage
205,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Sep 5, 2013

INTERMITTENTLY, WHEN I AM IDLING IN DRIVE (LIKE AT A LIGHT) WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE VAN WILL BEGIN TO SURGE AND LURCH FORWARD, SOMETIMES VIOLENTLY. ONLY PRESSING HARD ON THE BRAKE WILL KEEP IT FROM MOVING FORWARD AND CAUSING A CRASH. SOMETIMES HAPPENS IN REVERSE ALSO. THE TACHOMETER WILL SURGE UP TO HIGHER RPMS AND BACK DOWN AS IT LURCHES. SOMETIMES, IF IT IS VIOLENT ENOUGH, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL FLASH OFF AND ON AS IF THE VEHICLE IS ABOUT TO STALL. SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT WITH A NEARBY VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10541999
Incident
Aug 1, 2013
Mileage
124,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Aug 24, 2013

STARTING ABOUT A YEAR AGO THIS VEHICLE SHOOTS GAS OUT WHILE TRYING TO FILL UP. GAS WILL SHOOT OUT ALL OVER WHOMEVER IS PUTTING IT IN. IT ALSO SHUTS THE PUMP OFF WITHOUT BEING FULL.THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10537058
Incident
Aug 1, 2012
Mileage
125,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2013

VAN STARTED RUNNING POORLY SUDDENLY, THEN WOULD NOT RUN AT ALL. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND ALLOWING COOL DOWN TIME, RESTARTED VAN AND IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. RAN WELL IN PARK OR NEUTRAL, BUT SHIFTING INTO ANY GEAR WOULD "CLUNK" AND THE ENGINE WOULD IMMEDIATELY QUIT. AFTER 5 DAYS OF TROUBLESHOOTING, TRACED TROUBLE TO ENGINE PCM AFTER READING IN ON-LINE FORUMS ABOUT IT. FOUND PCM WET AND PINS ON PCM AND CONTACTS ON WIRE HARNESS CORRODED AND GREEN DUE TO WATER LEAKING PAST COWL-TO-BODY SEAL. THE PCM CONNECTOR IS NOT SEALED, SO IF WATER DOES DRIP ON IT, IT IS DRIPPING DIRECTLY ONTO BACK SIDE OF THE CONTACTS AND FORD DID RELEASE A TSB ABOUT THIS ISSUE BUT NOT A RECALL. TSB SAYS TO REMOVE SOME PLUGS FROM BODY (MY VAN IS SEVERELY RUSTED IN ONE OF THOSE 2 SPOTS), SEAL AROUND CLIPS THAT HOLD PLASTIC COWL TO BODY WITH SILICONE SEALANT AND ADD ADDITIONAL WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE OUTER EDGES OF COWL TO TRY TO PREVENT WATER. I HAD TO REPLACE MY PCM. HAD MY WIFE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, THERE WOULD HAVE MOST CERTAINLY BEEN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10535957
Incident
Aug 11, 2013
Mileage
52,490 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2012
2 injuries reported

EVERY SINGLE TIME GAS IS BEING PUMPED INTO THE CAR THE PUMP STOPS SEVERAL TIMES. IT CAN TAKE UP TO 20 MINUTES TO COMPLETELY FILL THE GAS TANK. NOT ONLY DOES IT JUST STOP, IT FREQUENTLY SPITS GAS BACK OUT. THE GAS, WHICH IS A CHEMICAL, HAS GIVEN AT LEAST 2 PEOPLE CHEMICAL BURNS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND WHILE THIS IS A "KNOWN ISSUE", THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE AND/OR REPAIR UNLESS I PAY FOR IT OUT OF MY POCKET. THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IT HAPPENS OFTEN ENOUGH TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE, IT IS DANGEROUS IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS SHOULD MOST DEFINITELY BE A RECALL DUE TO THE CHEMICAL BURNS THAT HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED. ALSO THE POTENTIAL DEVASTATION THAT COULD HAPPEN IF SOMEONE AT A GAS STATION THROWS A STILL BURNING CIGARETTE BUTT DOWN AND IT LANDS IN THE REMAINS OF THE GAS THAT HAS BEEN SPIT BACK OUT AND ONTO THE GROUND. ALTHOUGH NO SMOKING SIGNS ARE POSTED, I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE STILL SMOKING WHILE PUMPING GAS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10480864
Incident
Oct 1, 2008
Mileage
50,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Sep 18, 2012

VAN WON'T START THOUGHT IT WAS FUEL PUMP HAD IT TOWED & REPLACED COST $500 VAN STARTS THEN SHUTS OFF MECHANIC SAID PCM MALFUNCTION DEALER SHOULD FIX IT! HELP FORD STAND BY THERE VEHICLE! COMPLAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10475837
Incident
Sep 8, 2012
Mileage
107,812 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Aug 31, 2012

MANY ISSUES WITH THE VAN & THEY CONTINUE. PURCHASED FROM 1 PREVIOUS OWNER, JAN '09 AROUND 60K MAY 2010, 74K MILES- REPLACED SPARK PLUGS & WIRES, FUEL SYSTEM CLEANER: ROUGH IDLE $432.23 DEC 2010, 83K MILES - REPLACED FRONT AXLE & SWAY BAR LINKS: $822.89 APRIL 2011, ? MILES, - REPLACED PLUGS & WIRES, COIL PACK: ROUGH IDLE $700.85 JAN 2012, 100K MILES - REPLACED PVC EVAP HOSE, R&R FUEL FILTER, FUEL INJECTOR CLEANER: ROUGH IDLE $228.40 AUG 15 2012, 106K MILES - RECALL, TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED: COSTING ME $162.14 TO REPLACE SEALS & TRANSMISSION FILTER AUG 16 2012, 106K MILES - REPLACED EGR VALVE: ROUGH IDLE & ENGINE LIGHT ON AFTER RECALL FIX $135.95 (DEALERSHIP WAS KIND ENOUGH TO ONLY CHARGE FOR LABOR) AUG 31, 2012, 107K MILES - ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING ROUGH, PIERCING NOISE WHILE DRIVING, SOMETIMES IT GOES AWAY WHEN I AM TURNING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10473157
Incident
May 12, 2010
Mileage
74,212 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 12, 2012

WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK IT WILL KICK THE GAS BACK OUT THE FILLER HOLE - SPRAYING GAS A GOOD 3 FT. IN ORDER TO GET GAS INTO THE TANK YOU HAVE TO FILL VERY SLOW AND AFTER MANY TRIES AND NOZZLE SHUT OFFS YOU CAN FILL THE TANK. WHEN THIS SYMPTOM STARTED IT HAS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SPUTTER GOING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE PRESSURE BUILDS SO BAD IN THE TANK, IT IS SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE THE GAS CAP DUE TO EXCESS PRESSURE BUILD UP. NOW WE HAVE TO LEAVE THE CAP ON LOOSELY SO PRESSURE WON'T BUILD UP, IRONICALLY THE GAS CAP INSTRUMENT LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10443527
Incident
Jun 12, 2011
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 19, 2011

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING ON A 4 LANE HWY IN PENSACOLA, FL WHEN MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR SUDDENLY STOPPED PULLING. NO FORWARD, NO BACKWARDS, NEUTRAL, NOTHING AND THE RPMS WENT EXTREMELY HIGH. ZERO WARNINGS, AND IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. IT IS ONLY DUE TO MY HUSBANDS RACE CAR DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND QUICK REACTION TIME THAT HE WAS IMMEDIATELY ABLE TO GET THE VAN ON THE SIDE OF THE HWY. MY HUSBAND AND OUR TWO BOYS THANKFULLY WERE SAFE BUT THEY WERE STRANDED IN INTENSE FLORIDA HEAT. I HAVE HAD A LEAN FUEL, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL, COIL PACK AND PCM ISSUES SINCE I GOT THE VAN JUNE 2007. THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THE EASTERNS DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VAN FROM, COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEMS. WHILE UNDER WARRANTY, EASTERNS WORKED ON IT BUT NONE OF THE ISSUES WERE EVER ABLE TO BE FIXED. I CHOOSE THE FREESTAR FOR ITS SAFETY FEATURES SO I KNEW I HAD A SAFE WAY TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN. THIS IS NO LONGER THE CASE, I DO NOT TRUST FORD TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS AND I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD. *KB

NHTSA ID
10426322
Incident
Aug 18, 2011
Mileage
78,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 22, 2011

THIS IS THE SECOND ISSUE I HAVE HAD WITH WATER GETTING INTO THE PCM(COMPUTER). THE FIRST OCCURRENCE (03/10) I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS ADVISES PER THE OBDB SCAN CODES THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED AN OVERHAUL. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD JUST PULLED THE CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND HAD NO REVERSE AND HAD SLIPPAGE IN OTHER GEARS, IT WAS RAINING VERY HEAVILY THAT DAY- I ASKED THE DEALERSHIP IF IT COULD BE AN ISSUE OF MOISTURE GETTING INTO PCM(COMPUTER), THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THAT WAS NOT THE ISSUE. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A REPUTABLE TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP, THERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR WAS THE THIRD TO FREESTAR TO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN WITH AN ISSUE OF WATER GETTING INTO THE PCM(COMPUTER). THE OWNER OF THE TRANSMISSION SHOP WAS ABLE TO LET THE PCM DRY OUT FOR THREE DAYS AND REINSTALL WITH NO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE SECOND EVENT (04/11) HAPPENED AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF RAIN; WHILE DRIVING TO WORK THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THE FOLLOWING LIGHTS: CHECK ENGINE, BRAKES, ABS, FUEL, BATTERY, AND TRANS AXLE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL PUMP MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE TRANS AXLE LIGHT WAS STILL APPEARING INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP FOR SECOND TIME, AND THROUGH CAREFUL TROUBLE ISOLATION, THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PCU WAS TELLING THE TORQUE CONVERTER TO SHIFT INTO FOURTH GEAR WHILE COMING TO A STOP. THEY ALLOWED THE PCU TO DRY OUT, BUT THEN DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION MODULE HAD SHORTED OUT AND THAT IT NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO DEALERSHIP TO REPROGRAM PCU. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY MOISTURE/WATER ISSUES WITH FREESTARS AND I ADVISED THEM THAT I AM FILING A COMPLAINT NHTSA AND WILL ALSO FORWARD LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY.

NHTSA ID
10397763
Incident
Apr 4, 2011
Mileage
88,842 mi
Fuel system
Filed Mar 23, 2011

2004 FORD FREESTAR, WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. PULLED INTO DRIVEWAY AND OBSERVED SMOKE FROM UNDER VEHICLE. FURTHER OBSERVED THAT UNDERCARRIAGE WAS SATURATED WITH A LIQUID. OBSERVED GASOLINE FLOWING FROM VEHICLE TANK AREA AND BELOW DRIVERS AREA AT UNDERCARRIAGE FROM GASOLINE LINES. VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO FORD DEALER. FILED REPORT WITH FMC. *TR

NHTSA ID
10392695
Incident
Mar 22, 2011
Mileage
63,000 mi
BrakesEngineFuel system+2 more
Filed Mar 25, 2010

BOUGHT VAN IN JUNE 2007 NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE. REPLACED BATTERY WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASE. REPLACE O2 SENSORS 3 TIMES AND NEED DONE AGAIN. REPLACED TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, EGR VALVE, BRAKES 4 TIMES, TIE ROD 2 TIMES, CALIBERS 2 TIMES, ROTORS 3 TIMES, FUEL LINE, YOU NAME IT, WE HAVE HAD TO FIX IT. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WE HAVE SPENT CLOSE TO 8K SINCE FEB 2008 ON THIS VEHICLE AND WE CAN NOT GET FORD TO HELP US AT ALL. NOW THE AXLES NEED REPLACED AS WELL AS SENSORS AGAIN. THE DVD PLAYER QUIT WORKING AFTER 4 MONTHS, DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEATS QUIT WORKING AFTER 4 MONTHS. BACK PASSENGER DOOR SOMETIMES WON'T OPEN OR UNLOCK AND SOMETIMES IT WON'T CLOSE WHEN YOU TRY TO CLOSE IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS PUT MY FAMILY IN SERIOUS HARM AND WE ALMOST GOT INTO MAJOR ACCIDENT DO TO MOST OF THE ISSUES IE TRANSMISSION STALLED ON INTERSTATE AND HAD NO WARNING AT ALL. WORST VEHICLE OF ALL TIMES. I CAN NOT TRADE IN BECASUE I OWE OVER 11K ON THIS PIECE OF CRAP. FORD NEEDS TO REFUND ME ALL OF MY MONEY AND SUFFERING AS WELL. I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT SUING THEM FOR DAMAGES AND SELLING THIS CRAP TO US ESPECIALLY WITH 3 SMALL CHILDREN AND HAVING TO TRAVEL TO SEE FAMILY DUE TO HUSBAND BEING A MARINE AND ALWAYS BEING DEPLOYED. ALMOST MISSED SEEING MY GRANDPA FOR THE LAST TIME BEFORE HE DID BACK IN SEPT BECAUSE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE OFF OF THE ROADS FOREVER. ALL OF THEM. EVERYONE THAT WE KNOW THAT HAS THESE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS AS US.

NHTSA ID
10322154
Incident
Feb 26, 2008
Mileage
102,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Nov 2, 2009

I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS FUELING MY 2004 FREESTAR AFTER I BEGAN DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROADS HERE IN CENTRAL MISSOURI. THE TANK VENT KEPT GETTING CLOGGED UP AND WHEN I TRIED TO FILL FUEL TANK, PRESSURE WOULD BUILD IN TANK CAUSING FUEL TO COME SPRAYING OUT OF FILL SPOUT. I HAD GAS SPRAYED ON HANDS AND CLOTHING REPEATEDLY. I FINALLY HAD A MECHANIC REROUTE FUEL VENT LINE TO AIR INTAKE IN MOTOR COMPARTMENT. NOW I NO LONGER HAVE TROUBLE. IT COST ME ABOUT $ 250 TO HAVE THIS DONE. I BELIEVE THE PROBLEM IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. MY MECHANICS INLAWS HAVE THE EXACT MODEL AS MINE AND HAVE SAME PROBLEMS. PLEASE ADVISE ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR. THANKS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10290550
Incident
Jun 1, 2009
Mileage
62,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jan 18, 2009

WHEN FILLING VAN WITH GASOLINE, GAS SHOT BACK OUT, HITTING PERSON IN FACE AND ARMS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10255491
Incident
Jan 16, 2009
Fuel system
Filed Dec 4, 2007

BAD EGR VALVE. ORDERED PART 6 WEEKS AGO AND KEEP GETTING TOLD THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER, HAVE CALLED OTHER DEALERS, THEY HAVE SAID THEY WILL HAVE THE PART BUT NEVER GET IT. THIS VEHICLE IS A PRIMARY CAR AND IT HAS BEEN OUT FOR 2 MONTHS NOW. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO WITH A VEHICLE THAT I CAN'T DRIVE BECAUSE I CANT GET THE PART TO GET IT FIXED? I HAVE TWO FRIENDS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, SIMILAR MILES BUT THEIR THE 05 MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, CANT GET THE PART EITHER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10210744
Incident
Oct 11, 2007
Mileage
84,100 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 19, 2007

'04 FORD FREESTAR QUICK CONNECT ON FUEL LINE WILL COME LOOSE, SPRAYING FUEL ON MUFFLER AND EXHAUST SYSTEM! NO REPAIR KIT AVAILABLE. HAVE TO BUY COMPLETE FUEL LINE. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME ON THIS SAME VEHICLE. I'M AN AUTO-TECH AND HAD TO REPAIR THIS SAME VEHICLE BEFORE FOR THE SAME THING.

NHTSA ID
10206319
Incident
Oct 18, 2007
Fuel system
Filed Aug 14, 2005

THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THAT THIS HAS HAPPEN. I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN ON MY 2004 FREESTAR 3.9L OHV EFI ENGINE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO WEBBFORD DEALER IN HIGHLAND IN FOR THE SAME THING AND THEY SAID THAT THEY HAD FORDMOTOR TECHS LOOK AT IT AND THEY THINK THEY HAD FIX IT. THE FIRST TWO TIMES IT HAPPEN I ALMOST GOT HIT BY A SEMI TRUCK BECAUSE CAUSE THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. I HOPE NO ONE EVER GET KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT IN THIS VAN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10132781
Incident
Aug 14, 2005

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .