RoadVitals

2004 Ford Freestar Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
1,227
Latest Jul 11, 2025
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
18
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
30

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Freestar, 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

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.

543
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE DEALER (WITT FAMILY FORD, W1367 WI-160, PULASKI, WI 54162) STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID 11072523 · filed Feb 13, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE ASSOCIATED WITH THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *BF UPDATE 8/23/18*JB

NHTSA ID 11055913 · filed Dec 21, 2017
All 543 reports naming transmission

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

319
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jul 11, 2025

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 · filed Jul 7, 2025
All 319 reports naming powertrain (other)

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

121
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 18, 2023

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 · filed Mar 14, 2021
All 121 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

118
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 27, 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 · filed Feb 16, 2023
All 118 reports naming engine

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

98
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jun 29, 2021

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 · filed Dec 3, 2020
All 98 reports naming interior & seats

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

94
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 3, 2020

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.

NHTSA ID 11234763 · filed Jul 25, 2019
All 94 reports naming body & structure

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

59
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Aug 8, 2020

ALPR SYSTEM ON TELEPHONE POLES AND POLICE CARS ARE ATTACKING MY VEHICLE. ALREADY DESTROYED MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE AND NOW WORKING ON MY STARTER MOTOR, BLOWER MOTOR, SPEED CONTROL AND ETC. SOME ATTACKS CAUSE LOUD BASE DRUM LIKE THUMPING ON MY DASHBOARD. OTHER ATTACKS LOCK MY GEARSHIFT LEVER IN PARK, UNLOCK MY DOORS. STOP MY SPEED CONTROL FROM WORKING, AND ETC. THESE ATTACKS HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS. ALONG WITH THESE ATTACKS, POLICE CARS FREQUENTLY THREATEN ME WITH HEAD-ON COLLISIONS. THE THUMPING SCARES ME WHEN IT OCCURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THESE ATTACKS OCCUR IN ALL MODES OF VEHICLE OPERATION AND WHEN PASSING ALPR TELEPHONE POLES AND POLICE CARS.

NHTSA ID 11084941 · filed Apr 13, 2018
All 59 reports naming brakes

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

41
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Jan 18, 2023

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 · filed Aug 8, 2020
All 41 reports naming driver assistance

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

27
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 20, 2019

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 · filed Mar 14, 2019
All 27 reports naming other / unspecified

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

27
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 18, 2021

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 · filed Mar 4, 2020
All 27 reports naming steering

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

25
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 11220567 · filed Jun 17, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE LEVER WAS HEAVY AND BECAME STUCK BEFORE SWITCHING INTO GEAR. SOMETIMES, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND MADE AN ABNORMAL WHINING SOUND. ALSO, THE AXLES MADE A CRUNCHING AND GRINDING SOUND WHENEVER THE VEHICLE MADE A TURN. THE TRANSAXLE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE MECHANIC DID NOT HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CBS AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 270,000. ..*BF CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE SUDDEN POWER COULD BE TORQUE CONVERTER BUT NEEDS TO CHECKED. COMMON FAILED TRANSMISSION ERROR.*JB

NHTSA ID 11189792 · filed Mar 18, 2019
All 25 reports naming suspension

Fuel system

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

23
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Dec 20, 2019

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 · filed Feb 24, 2016
All 23 reports naming fuel system

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

16
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH WAS LOOSE. THE LATCH REQUIRED READJUSTMENT IN ORDER TO CONNECT THE LATCH. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE ON THE REAR SEAT LEVER FRACTURED AND THE BOTTOM LATCH WAS USED AS A TEMPORARY OPTION TO LIFT THE SEAT UP AND DOWN. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW ALSO FAILED TO OPEN AND CLOSE. THE MOTOR FOR THE WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE WINDOW ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE STILL WOULD NOT OPEN AND CLOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 10763618 · filed Sep 14, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED TO WORK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED FOUR TIMES OVER A PERIOD OF TWO MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SMART JUNCTION BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID 10593631 · filed May 23, 2014
All 16 reports naming visibility

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREE STAR EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE BRIDGESTONE FR380 TIRES, TIRE SIZE: P225/60/R16. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN VIBRATING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD HAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000 AND TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000.

NHTSA ID 10653834 · filed Nov 10, 2014

CHECK TIRES & TRACTION CONTROL OFF LIGHT COMES ON DAILY. *TR

NHTSA ID 10504772 · filed Mar 27, 2013
All 14 reports naming tires & wheels

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ALPR SYSTEM ON TELEPHONE POLES AND POLICE CARS ARE ATTACKING MY VEHICLE. ALREADY DESTROYED MY ABS BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE AND NOW WORKING ON MY STARTER MOTOR, BLOWER MOTOR, SPEED CONTROL AND ETC. SOME ATTACKS CAUSE LOUD BASE DRUM LIKE THUMPING ON MY DASHBOARD. OTHER ATTACKS LOCK MY GEARSHIFT LEVER IN PARK, UNLOCK MY DOORS. STOP MY SPEED CONTROL FROM WORKING, AND ETC. THESE ATTACKS HAVE BEEN ONGOING FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS. ALONG WITH THESE ATTACKS, POLICE CARS FREQUENTLY THREATEN ME WITH HEAD-ON COLLISIONS. THE THUMPING SCARES ME WHEN IT OCCURS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THESE ATTACKS OCCUR IN ALL MODES OF VEHICLE OPERATION AND WHEN PASSING ALPR TELEPHONE POLES AND POLICE CARS.

NHTSA ID 11084941 · filed Apr 13, 2018

WHEN I TURN STEERING WHEEL I HEAR A NOISE LIKE SOMETHING IS LOOSE AND ROLLING AROUND IN THE AIR BAG HOUSING. IS THERE A DANGER OF SOMETHING LOOSE IN THERE ACTING AS A PROJECTILE SHOULD THE AIR BAG DEPLOY? I DON'T WANT TO MESS WITH THIS MYSELF, WHAT SHOULD I DO? *TT

NHTSA ID 10445736 · filed Jan 29, 2012
All 9 reports naming airbags

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AFTER A RAIN VAN STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF HEAVY TRAFFIC AND WOULD NOT RESTART.AFTER SEVERAL HOURS VAN WOULD NOT START.I HAD VAN TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP, PCM WAS REPLACED.@PRESENT HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING PROPERLY,AIR CONDITIONING,HORN,SEAT BELT CHIMES NOT WORKING AT ALL.LOCAL DEALERSHIP UNABLE TO REPAIR.VAN CONTINUES TO RUN ROUGH. *TR

NHTSA ID 10641413 · filed Oct 4, 2014

THE 3RD ROW REAR SEAT ON MY 2004 FREESTAR DOES NOT LATCH INTO SEATED POSITION PROPERLY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUPPORT RING WHICH THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCHES INTO WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE TRIM. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT A STEEL PLATE WHICH THE SUPPORT RING IS MOUNTED HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN IT IS NOT LATCHED IT HAS A TENDENCY TO INTERFERE WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF METAL HOLDING THE MOUNTING PLATE IN PLACE, IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE TO LATCH THE SEAT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE METAL PLATE FROM SCORING THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOUNTING PLATE CONTINUES TO BE SECURE, YET THERE IS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. IF SOMEONE STOWS THE 3RD ROW SEAT AND TRIES TO FLIP IT BACK INTO SEATING POSITION WITHOUT KNOWING THAT THE SUPPORT RING IS LOOSE, THEY COULD END UP SCORING THE SIDEWALL ON THE REAR TIRE AND CAUSING A COMPLETE FAILURE. FURTHER, THE PROPER FUNCTION OF THE SEAT BELT IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT COULD BE COMPROMISED DURING AN ACCIDENT; THE SEAT COULD PITCH FORWARD OR FLIP BACK BECAUSE IT IS NOT SOLIDLY SECURED TO THE VAN'S STRUCTURE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10481412 · filed Oct 22, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2004 FORD FREESTAR NOW.MILES 59000 PROBLEMS STARTED AROUND 45.000 MILES STARTED IN 2007 WITH BATTERY DEAD IF CAR STAT A MONTH STARTTED IN 2008 RIGHT AND LEFT LOW AND HIGH BEAM. HEAD LAMP CONNECTOR KEEP MELTING/ BURNING UP THE GROUND WIRE TRANSMISSION MAKING CLICKING NOISE IN FORWARD AND REVERSE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS DARK BROWN DOOR LOCK DONT ALWAYS UNLOCK OR LOCK ON SIDE DOOR LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WING WINDOWS IN BACK OPEN. BUT DONT CLOSE ON LEFT AND RIGHT PROBLEMS ALL HAPPEN. IF STSTIONARY OR IN MOTION CITY STREET OR HIGHWAY I HAVE. TAKE PICKS LATER .NOT BY THE CAR AT THE MOMENT .

NHTSA ID 11270352 · filed Oct 23, 2019

LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON THE FORD FREESTAR, I HAVE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT REGARDING MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR. FIRST OF ALL, WHEN I BOUGHT MY VAN USED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO, I DID RESEARCH ON IT, AND LEARNED ABOUT THE ISSUE OF WATER GETTING INTO THE PCM. SO I TOOK THE VAN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP - CAMPBELL FORD IN NILES MICHIGAN - AND ONE OF THEIR MECHANICS DRIED AND SEALED THE PCM, ALONG WITH THE AREA AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD THAT IS PRONE TO LEAK. THAT WAS TWO YEARS AGO (THIS VAN ALSO HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER WORK DONE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER). SO HERE'S THE PROBLEM I'M HAVING NOW: WHEN DRIVING, OCCASIONALLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON, MY RADIO GOES DEAD, NO TIME, NO DISPLAY, NO MUSIC, AND THEN THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT APPEAR ON THE DASH, ALONG WITH THE BATTERY LIGHT AND AIRBAG LIGHT. THIS LASTS FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN EVERYTHING RETURNS TO NORMAL (SOMETIMES THE BATTERY LIGHT STAYS ON PERMANENTLY). WHEN THIS HAPPENS I LOSE NO POWER AND THE VAN DRIVES LIKE NORMAL. THAT MIGHT OCCUR 4 - 5 TIMES / OUTING. I REPLACED THE BATTERY A FEW DAYS AGO AND THIS HAS MADE NO DIFFERENCE.

NHTSA ID 11032715 · filed Oct 10, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

2004 FORD FREESTAR. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLES DRIVES ROUGH, STATING VEHICLE ACCELERATES AND DECELERATES ON ITS OWN *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN AND THEN SPEED UP WITH RAPID JERKING. THE CONSUMER HAD THE EGR REPLACED AT A COST OF $289.97. ALSO, THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR, IGNITION COIL AND MAIN COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID 10448728 · filed Feb 23, 2012

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

Data on this page last refreshed .