RoadVitals

2004 Ford Freestar Steering Problems

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

Data refreshed

Steering 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.
27
Latest Feb 18, 2021
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.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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. 27 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 steering

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Feb 18, 2021

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
Steering
Filed Mar 4, 2020

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
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 26, 2015

TURNS OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR IN 2012 REGARDING THE TORQUE CONVERTER. HERE IT IS TWO YEARS LATER AND IT GOES OUT AGAIN. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THERE NEEDS TO BE ANOTHER RECALL ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED PROPERLY THIS TIME BEFORE THERE IS A DEATH FROM THE INCIDENT. I HAD TWO KIDS UNDER THE AGE OF 3 WITH ME AT THE TIME AND SITTING IN THE POURING RAIN, IN CHILLY WEATHER, WAITING FOR A RIDE HOME WAS NOT FUN. FIX IT FORD!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10678856
Incident
Jan 16, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 15, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOMENTARILY BECOME VERY DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10672761
Incident
Jul 2, 2014
Steering
Filed Aug 28, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE LOWER STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,238.

NHTSA ID
10629230
Incident
Aug 7, 2014
Mileage
92,238 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed May 28, 2014

FIRST TIME;WHILE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE GOING APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND LOST POWER, AND STEERING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2ND TIME; ENGINE BUCKED AT ABOUT 40 MILES TO 50 MILES PER HOUR, THEN THE ENGINE SHUT OFF, AND LOST POWER AND STEERING. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 3RD TIME; SAME AS THE SECOND TIME, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WENT TO A MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RAN THE ENGINE ON COMPUTER, AND THE CODE:PO741 CAME UP, TCC CLUTCH PERFORMANCE. WAS TOLD TO GO TO FORD FOR THIS BECAUSE OF CURRENT RECALL. WENT ONLINE TO FORD, AND OUR VIN CAME UP FOR TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. AWAITING APPOINTMENT ON TUESDAY, JUNE 3RD. AT FORD DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10594465
Incident
May 15, 2014
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jul 24, 2013

WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MILES AND HOUR WHEN I TURNED AND WENT UP A SLIGHT INCLINE...ENGINE SPUTTERED A BIT THEN I TURNED INTO PARKING LOT, HEARD A LOUD NOISE LIKE ENGINE REVVING UP AND THEN IT JUST DIED. LOST ALL CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND LUCKILY COASTED TO A SPOT WHERE NO CARS WERE. I LET IT SIT FOR A MOMENT, STARTED BACK UP AND IT WAS REVVING UP AGAIN AND RPM'S WERE GOING UP DRASTICALLY. TRIED TO PUT IN REVERSE AND IT WOULD NOT GO, SHIFTED TO PARK AGAIN AND IT REVVED BACK UP. TURNED OFF LET SIT AGAIN...THEN STARTED, WAS ABLE TO REVERSE BUT WITH LOUD NOISE AND REVVING OF RPM'S. DRIVE A SMALL AMOUNT AND IT DIED AGAIN AND WOULD NOT START BACK. HAD PCM REPLACED ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO. NOT SURE OF PROBLEM. STILL WAITING TO GET IT TOWED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10531673
Incident
Jul 24, 2013
Mileage
125,600 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Jun 16, 2013

BOUGHT THIS VAN AT 37106 MILES. VAN SERVICED FOR STEERING RACK, STRUTS, SWAYBAR LINKS AND SPRINGS AT APPROX 68000 MILES. THE STEERING RACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED TWICE. SPENT OVER $2000. MILES NOW ARE 70015 AND STEERING PROBLEMS HAVE RESURFACED. I HAD A DODGE CARAVAN THAT GAVE ME OVER 86000 MILES WITH MINIMAL REPAIRS. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE A FORD PRODUCT AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520037
Incident
Apr 13, 2013
Mileage
68,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 6, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT AS THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS PROBABLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FRONT END SUSPENSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 174,000.

NHTSA ID
10515484
Incident
Mar 1, 2013
Mileage
174,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed May 29, 2013

WHILE DRIVING MY SON TO SCHOOL, VEHICLE STALLED AT 45 MPH AND ENGINE DIED. GOT VEHICLE STARTED AGAIN, DIED AGAIN, MANAGED TO GET VEHICLE BACK HOME. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN HAPPENING INTERMITTENTLY EVER SINCE WITH NO WARNING ENGINE WILL DIE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS IS DUE TO THE PCM GETTING WET REPEATEDLY. AFTER RESEARCHING ISSUE ON-LINE, THIS APPEARS TO BE A DESIGN ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD ADDRESS IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT RESULTS IN A FATALITY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10514126
Incident
Apr 11, 2013
Mileage
98,000 mi
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed May 23, 2013
Crash reported

HI I AM [XXX] WAS OUT FRIDAY AT ABOUT 5.30 WHEN MY 2004 FREE STAR VAN STARTED ACTING UP IT CUT OFF 3 TIME RIGHT AT A LIGHT THIS IS [XXX] JUST GOT THE VAN 6 MOS AGO FOR 9,300 AT A FORD DEALER IN LEXINGTON NC .MAYBE GOING TO QUIT BUYING FORD ECT CAR VAN WHAT EVER HAD TO CALL MY DAD TO COME HELP ME THE VAN WOULD NOT RUN OR START BECAUSE OF THE PCM BOX HAD WATER ON IN IT .NOW FORD DON'T WANT TO DO A [XXX] THING BUT MAKE ME PAY MORE MONEY JUST GOT THE VAN FOR 9,300 NOW GOT TO PAY 1,2600 AT A FORD DEALER IN WHITEVILLE NC I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY BUT MY DAD AND BOTHER IS GOING TO PAY FOR IT TO GET FIX THIS TIME MAYBE SALE THE [XXX] 2004 FREE STAR VAN SOON I DON'T WANT TO BUT IF I DON'T SALE IT MAY HAPPEN AGAIN TO ME .FORD NEED TO RECALL THIS [XXX]NOW BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED I WHEN DOWN THE ROAD AND COULD NOT CONTROL MY VAN AND NOW I HAVE BRAKES WENT OUT TO ?????LOOK FORD SEND ME MY MONEY BACK 1,12200 TO ME IN WHITEVILLE NC 2872 TO [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10513211
Incident
May 17, 2013
Mileage
62,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Mar 21, 2013

THIS IS THE FOURTH TIME POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE HAS GONE OUT DURING RAIN EVENT. THIS TIME WAS ON A HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 45MPH WITH PASSENGERS. THE RESULT WAS INTERMITTENT ENGINE SHUTDOWN, LOSS OF STEERING, AND FORWARD MOTION. THIS MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 OTHER TIMES. TWO TIMES IN 2011, AND TWO MONTHS AGO IN 2013. *TR

NHTSA ID
10503891
Incident
Mar 18, 2013
Mileage
90,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 9, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO WARNING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE STEERING WHEEL STARTED SQUEALING WHENEVER THE CONTACT TRIED TO MAKE A TURN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT ACCEPTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 69,075.

NHTSA ID
10464703
Incident
Jul 8, 2012
Mileage
69,075 mi
Powertrain (other)SteeringTransmission
Filed Apr 17, 2012

APPROPRIATE HANDLING- LETTER RE 11S25- NHTSA RECALL 12V006000 REIMBURSEMENT FOR HER 2004 FORD FREESTAR. *KB THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED TWICE. ALSO, THE INNER AND OUTER TIE ROD ENDS WERE WORN AND LOOSE, AND THE CV AXLE WAS LOOSE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10455204
Incident
Apr 2, 2012
Steering
Filed Mar 10, 2012

TRYING TO PASS SOMEONE ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND IT STARTED TO STALL. EVEN SINCE THEN VAN HAS BEEN HAVING A STALLING TYPE OF ISSUE. JUST IS PAST SUNDAY SUDDENLY STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND HAD TO WAIT A WHILE TO GET THE VAN TO MOVE. AS TO THE RETURN HOME [XXX] ALMOST CRASHED THRU THE GARAGE BECAUSE IT STOP MOVING, AS SHE HIT THE ACCELERATOR WHICH IT APPEAR TO GRASP GEAR CAUSE TRAUMATIC STREET. AS WE TRIED TO LOOK FOR A TROUBLE SHOOTING SOLUTION WE RAN INTO YOUR WEBSITE ABOUT THE RECALL. WE CONTACTED FORD ABOUT IT AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND CAN NOT FIX UNTIL THE LETTERS ARE RECEIVED FROM TO US FROM FORD. THEY SAID THAT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS COST AND WHEN THE RECALL LETTER IS OUT THEY CAN REFUND OUR MONEY BACK. ALSO NOTE WE PURCHASE THE VAN IN 2004 AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RECALLS. THE STRANGE PART IS THAT WHEN WE PROVIDE THE VIN, THEY DID NOT MADE US AWARE OF THIS. 2004 FORD TRUCK FREESTAR 2WD 3.9L SFI 6CYL ESTIMATED MILEAGE: 96066 NAME:[XXX] COLOR: TAN VIN:[XXX] NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V457000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V446000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06E056000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 PLEASE ADVISE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10451078
Incident
Feb 11, 2012
Mileage
96,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Oct 25, 2011

DRIVING AND THE CAR SHUT DOWN: NO POWER STEERING, NO POWER BRAKES, NOTHING WORKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR OTHER INDICATION OF FAILURE. WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP VEHICLE USING EMERGENCY BRAKES. *TT

NHTSA ID
10432754
Incident
Oct 20, 2011
Mileage
123,000 mi
Steering
Filed Feb 17, 2011

POWER STEERING HOSE LEAKING AND CAUSING SMOKE AND LOSS OF TURNING POWER. POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKS OUT OF THE LOW PRESSURE LINE AND ON TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. CORRECTED IN FEBRUARY 2011 BY REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION, POWER STEERING PUMP AND LOW PRESSURE HOSE TO THE COOLER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10383149
Incident
Aug 26, 2010
Mileage
200,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 10, 2010

VERY HIGH PITCHED SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM FRONT WHEELS. NOISE BEGINS APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES AFTER BEGINNING DRIVING. NOISE IS INTERMITTENT BUT VERY IRRITATING TO PASSERS BY AND OTHER DRIVERS. NOISE "LIGHTENS" OR LESSENS WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND WHEN SLIGHTLY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. I BELIEVE IT TO BE WHEEL BEARINGS/HUB BEARINGS. VERY SIMILAR DESCRIPTION TO COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ AND I BELIEVE IT IS RELATED TO THE RECALL #04S24. MY VEHICLE WAS PRODUCED AT THE OAKVILLE ASSEMBLY PLANT, BUT WAS PRODUCED BEFORE THE DATES LISTED IN THE CURRENT FORM OF THE RECALL. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT AND IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I REQUEST THAT THIS RECALL BE EXPANDED IMMEDIATELY AND THAT REMEDY IS OFFERED SWIFTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10348383
Incident
Nov 14, 2006
Mileage
35,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 10, 2009

I HAVE A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE POWER STEERING LINE HAS CRACKED SO BADLY THAT IT NEEDS TO BE FILLED DAILY OR I LOSE POWER STEERING (WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS NOW IN THE WINTER WEATHER. IT WILL TAKE 6 WEEKS TO GET THE NEW PART IN, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE ECONOMY HAS CAUSED A PROBLEM IN GETTING THE PART MANUFACTURED, BUT I WAS TOLD BY A FORD PARTS TECH THAT IT IS ALSO BECAUSE OF BACK ORDERS. WHY ARE SO MANY OF THESE PARTS NEEDED. THE MECHANIC THAT IS GOING TO DO MY REPAIR SAYS THAT THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED TO THE PART, THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. I PUT 2 AND 2 TOGETHER, MY PART IS DEFECTIVE, THERE IS A BACK ORDER FOR THIS PART, SEEMS LIKE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE A DEFECTIVE PART. THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF POWER STEERING IS SUDDENLY LOST. *TR

NHTSA ID
10295250
Incident
Dec 1, 2009
Mileage
64,000 mi
Steering
Filed Dec 3, 2009

LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID HOSE CREATES FIRE HAZARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10294425
Incident
Oct 24, 2009
Mileage
55,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Apr 2, 2009

PURCHASED A FORD FREESTAR IN 2004. LAST JULY ,I NOTICED PUDDLES OF OIL IN MY DRIVEWAY AND A KICK IN THE WHEEL WHEN TURNING. PROCEEDED TO MY MECHANIC,ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS,AND FOUND OUT THAT IT HAD TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE RACK AND PINION. I CHECKED THE RECALL LIST WITH NHTSA AND FOUND THAT FORD RECALLED APPROXIMATELY 34,000 CARS WITH THE PROBLEM. THE REPORT INDICATED THAT THE LINKING FLUID GOOD CAUSE SMOKE. MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL LIST. JUST RECENTLY(MARCH,2009),I STARTED HEARING SCREECHING SOUNDS COMING FROM THE CAR. IT WOULD SUBSIDE WHEN GOING AROUND CURBS ETC..TURNING THE WHEEL SLIGHTLY -WOULD ELIMINATE THE SOUND. AGAIN,I CHECKED RECALLS AND FOUND RECALLS FOR HUB PROBLEMS. IF NOT FIXED THE WHEEL ATTACHED TO THE AXLE WOULD CAUSED STEERING DIFFICULTY AND A POSSIBLE CRASH. CHECKED RECALL VIN NUMBER AND IT DID NOT MATCH. CONTACTED FORD PROBLEM BUREAU AND REGISTERED A COMPLAINT. I HAVE PRESENTLY 23,500 MILES. I HAVE REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE OTHER 2004 FORD FREESTARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR CANNOT BE DRIVEN FOR FEAR OF AN IMMEDIATE MECHANICAL BREAK DOWN. FORD SHOULD STEP FORWARD AND CORRECT THE SITUATION FOR THOSE OWNERS WHO HAVE SPENT MONEY TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. I CANNOT SELL THE VEHICLE. HOW CAN I IMPOSITION OTHERS!I 'M GLAD THERE WASN'T A NEGATIVE OCCURRENCE WHERE INJURIES EXISTED. AS A SENIOR CITIZEN,COST OF CONTINUOUS REPAIRS AND THE SAFETY ISSUE PREVAILS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10263998
Incident
Mar 29, 2009
Mileage
23,500 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 5, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION AND THEY INDICATED THAT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE CONTRIBUTED TO THE POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK. THE DEALER DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 03V457000 (STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT PERFORMED DUE TO THE UNAVAILABILITY OF THE PART REQUIRED FOR THE REPAIR. THERE IS A MASSIVE NATIONAL BACK ORDER ON THE PART AND THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10260825
Incident
Jan 27, 2009
Mileage
80,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 22, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THERE IS A RESTRICTION THAT PREVENTS THE STEERING WHEEL FROM TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT PROPERLY. ON AUGUST 31, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE STEERING WHEEL; HOWEVER, THE WHEEL HAS BECOME EVEN HARDER TO TURN. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ID
10206545
Incident
Apr 15, 2007
Mileage
94,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 19, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LEAK WAS NOTICED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND POWER STEERING FLUID WAS ADDED OFTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE FRACTURED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V457000, REGARDING THE POWER STEERING: HOSE, PIPING AND CONNECTIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

NHTSA ID
10171299
Incident
Oct 17, 2006
Mileage
44,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Apr 22, 2006

THIS IS A GENERAL COMPLIANT ABOUT MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE PROBLEMS STARTED ALMOST IMMEDIATELY AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AWAY FROM THE DEALER. 1. I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND THE RUBBER COVER FELL OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. 2. THE NEXT THING WAS THE KEYLESS REMOTE WORKED ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME TO OPEN THE PASSENGER DOORS. 3. THEN AFTER ABOUT THE FIRST 500 MILES OF DRIVING, THE STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATED IN MY HANDS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. 4. ALSO WHEN DRIVING THERE WERE SEVERAL ANNOYING SOUNDS. 5 FINALLY, AND THIS IS THE MOST ANNOYING OF ALL, I CAN'T RUN THE HEATER IN THE COLD WEATHER BECAUSE EXCESSIVE HOT AIR COMES FROM THE DEFROST VENTS EVEN THOUGH I HAVE THE CONTROL SET TO 'FLOOR VENTS' ONLY. NOW WHAT HAS THE FORD DEALERS DONE ABOUT THE PROBLEMS? 1. I REPLACED THE RUBBER COVER ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. 2. THE DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX THE KEYLESS REMOTE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM IT IS WORKING FINE EVEN THOUGH I TOOK IT TO INDEPENDENT ALARM TECH WHO TOLD ME THE 'UNLOCK ALL' RECEIVER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. 3. THE OSCILLATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE STOPPING WAS ' FIXED' BY ONE DEALER BY GRINDING DOWN A WARPED BRAKE ROTOR. THIS REPAIR, WHICH I OBJECTED TO FORD NOT REPLACING THE ROTOR WITH A NEW ROTOR, ONLY LASTED A FEW THOUSAND MILES AND THE PROBLEM RECURRED. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BAD ROTOR. 4. ONE OF THE ANNOYING SOUNDS WAS FIXED BY ONE DEALER BUT NOT ALL OF THE SOUNDS. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER AND ALL WERE FIXED. 5. THE DEALERS REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF EXCESSIVE HOT AIR COMING FROM THE DEFROST VENT. I HAVE TO DUCT TAPE OVER THE DEFROST VENT TO BE ABLE RUN THE HEATER. THEN I HAVE TO PULL THE DUCT TAPE AWAY IF THE WINDSHIELD FOGS OVER INSIDE THE CAR. IN GENERAL I THINK THE QUALITY OF THIS CAR IS THE WORST THAT I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL NEW CARS IN MY ALMOST 70 YEARS OF AGE. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155873
Incident
Jun 1, 2004

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