Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford Freestar submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 269 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.
The 25 most recent of 269, in the owner's own words
When I was driving my van was loosing power even when I was pushing the gas I had to pull over before a car was about to hit me. I look it up online it had a recall in 2013 but I bought van from someone last year and I called the ford place about the recall and they said couldn’t do it Mac hik in Jackson
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission seized and remained in neutral. The vehicle jerked and shortly returned to normal functionality; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the gear shifter light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure became a recurring failure, and the contact parked the vehicle, and the vehicle was no longer driven. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed, however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that the vehicle stopped in the middle of the street, however the engine was still on. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not function as intended. The contact stated that the gear shifter did not shift. The contact was able to coast the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact and her son pushed the vehicle to the nearest parking lot. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was driving and my transmission stopped working left me stranded
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH and releasing the accelerator pedal, the contact noticed an abnormal clucking sound. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact pulled to the side of the road. The contact stated he was able to continue driving; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle only responded when the RPMs were high, and the vehicle failed to exceed 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the torque converter output shaft had failed. The mechanic determined that the torque converter and the output shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist because the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 350,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that upon selling the vehicle, she allowed another individual to test drive the vehicle; however, as the contact was driving on an incline, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the flex shaft had failed. The contact then stated that upon research, she became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V00600 (Power Train). The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that she received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that due to the condition of the vehicle the recall repair could not be performed. The contact was concerned that when the vehicle was taken to the dealer, the VIN was entered and displayed a different color. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Driving down highway at 60 mph lost all power basically coasted to side of road. Looks like torque converter and pump shaft splines stripped out. Shows there was a recall but none listed for this vin number. This is a huge safety concern and Ford should have to repair.
I was having issues with my car not able to really move so I had a mechanic to come to me to inspect it and he stated it was my torque converter someone on it in it near it.. That my issue.. So I was calling about the recall on it and it stated that it was already fixed in 2012 on recall. And I'm a new owner purchased in 2018.. I'm a Ford girl.. So from the Taurus 500 and freestar never had of it needed a van have grandkids and now out my four year with it no problem with til now and by it has been replaced before I'm not able to get help with fixing it .. That my only car now I'm now disabled on fixed income and can't afford to buy a new transmission.. I'm asking if u could assist me with the same issue happening twice with vehicle with two different owner.. Thanks for your assistance and help
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate properly without warning. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The dealer was contacted and stated that the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 238,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, he noted that a "sprocket" warning symbol had illuminated. The contact exited the freeway and stopped at a traffic light. As he depressed the accelerator to go forward the vehicle would not move however, the engine was running. The contact stated that he placed the shift lever in neutral then drive and reverse and the vehicle would not move in any direction. The contact had the vehicle towed an independent mechanic who diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and towed back to the contact's residence. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 139,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at 40 MPH, the vehicle hesitated upon depression of the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. Despite multiple attempts to accelerate the vehicle, the vehicle failed to operate as intended. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not notified of the failure. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train) that she associated with the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut off upon depression of the accelerator pedal without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle after the failure had occurred. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train) which he linked to the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Freestar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue but informed the contact that they would not perform the recall repair until there was a failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Ford is recalling about 206,000 2004 and 2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles, because the torque converter output shaft may fail. If the torque converter output shaft were to fail, the result would be a sudden loss of motive power with no warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Ford will notify owners and dealers will replace the torque converter for free. The safety recall is expected to begin in the second calendar quarter of 2012. The recall campaign number is 11S25. 2012 recall was done at dealership, was the work actually done? With low miles it hard to believe that this has failed!
AFTER HAVING THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED AS THE RECALL SAYS I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DOING GOOD BUT RIGHT OUTSIDE THE WARRENTY MILEAGE I NOTICED THAT IT STARTED ACTING KINDA LIKE BEFORE AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS GUESS WHAT AS I WAS CLIMBING UP A HILL ON MY DRIVEWAY THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED PULLING STARTING TO ROLL BACKWARDS AND MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AS FOR IT TO RECALL THE TORQUE CONVERTER THEN WHY HAS IT ONCE AGAIN ALMOST LIKE ME WITH LOSS OF ALL GEARS YET NO NEW RECALL HAD BEEN ADDED WHY DID IT DO THIS AGAIN?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE AND EXAMINED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER HONOLULU FORD LOCATED AT 1370 N KING ST, HONOLULU, HI 96817 WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HIS GRANDMOTHER WHO OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION TEMPERATURE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE LOST MOTIVE POWER AND BEGAN TO JERK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. A POLICE OFFICER ASSISTED WITH PUSHING THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROADWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF, RESTARTED, AND OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE PCV VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITH THE VEHICLE NOT ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BELL FORD (1200 NJ-27, COLONIA, NJ 07067 (732) 388-6900) AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 13V081000 (SEATS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PERFORMING THE RECALL REPAIRS, THE LUG NUTS WERE DAMAGED. THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLES WERE FRACTURED, THE OIL PAN WAS DAMAGED, AND POWER STEERING LINES WERE ALSO DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING HOME, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE DEALER DECLINED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER CONTACTED THE SAME DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALLS. THE CONTACT WAS OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND ACCELERATING, A KNOCKING NOISE OCCURRED COMING FROM THE FLEX PLATE AND TORQUE CONVERTER. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PARK FORD (400 WEST AVE, TALLMADGE, OH 44278), AND WAS DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND FLEX PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,310.
DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND WITH NO WARNING LOST POWER PULLED OVER AND STOPPED STARTED CAR FINE BUT WOULDN'T GO EITHER FORWARD OR REVERSE WHEN I CHECKED FLUID IT WAS OVERFILLED BUT I HAD NOT ADDED OR REPLACED ANY FLUID SPOKE WITH FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS RECALL ON THIS ISSUE BUT WHEN I ENTER VIN# INTO COMPUTER SAYS 0 RECALL ELIGIBLE VEHICLE HAS 115000 MILES TORQUE CONVERTER RECALL JUDGMENT 2012 FOR LIFETIME OF VEHICLE I WAS DRIVING AT 55 MPH ON A BUSY HIGHWAY CREATING VERY UNSAFE SITUATION. *TR
CRUISE CONTROL DOESN'T WORK, TRANSAXLE ISSUE-LIGHT FLASHING. *TR
I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN MY VEHICLE TORQUE CONVERTER GIVEN OUT ON MY FAMILY AND ME. IT STARTS BUT WILL NOT SHIFT IN TO GEARS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT START-UP THE VEHICLE STARTED AS INTENDED HOWEVER, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS SHIFTED INTO OTHER GEARS HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE AS INTENDED THE PREVIOUS DAY. A VIN SEARCH RESULT SHOWED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. ADDITIONALLY, IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO START THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.
I WROTE ON THIS YESTERDAY BUT DID SOME MORE RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS RECALLS ON THESE TYPE OF VEHICLES. RECALL #12V006000 ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT. RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 9 2012. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER I JUST RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE TO TAKE MY 8 GRANDCHILDREN AROUND. NOW I WON'T EVEN PUT THEM IN IT. I ALSO FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE BACK SEAT. RECALL # 13V081000. THIS IS ALSO A PROBLEM WHEN YOUR HAULING AROUND CHILDREN. THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE IS REALLY RUSTY. I WISH I WOULD OF NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE. IT SURE IS GOING TO BE A MONEY PIT FOR SURE. IT ONLY HAS 141000 MILES ON IT. VERY SAD THAT FORD COULD MAKE SUCH A UNSAFE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND IT SEEMED FINE. 5 DAYS INTO OWNERSHIP THE TORQUE CONVERTER LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. DROVE IT BACK HOME AND STARTED READING ABOUT HOW FORD HAS A RECALL ON THIS SITUATION AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THIS SITUATION ON THESE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE TO COURT AND FORD LOST. *TR
WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I LOOKED UP FORD RECALLS AND IT STATES THAT THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECALLED FOR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. TORQUE SOMETHING THING. THE VAN HAS ONLY 141000 MILES AND IS RUSTED SEVERELY UNDERNEATH IT. VERY SAD. *TR
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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