2007 Ford Freestar Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2007 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
- Powertrain (other)2634.7%
- Transmission1114.7%
- Driver assistance1013.3%
- Engine912.0%
- Electrical56.7%
- Body & structure45.3%
- Interior & seats34.0%
- Suspension22.7%
- Fuel system11.3%
- Brakes11.3%
- Airbags11.3%
- Seat belts11.3%
- Steering11.3%
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
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TORQUE CONVERTER IS SHOWING SIGNS OF FAILURE WITH VAN A LESS THAN 50K MILES. A TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND SERVICE INCLUDING FORD'S FRICTION MODIFIER DID NOT FIX.
I HAVE A 2007 FORD FREESTAR SE. VIN# [XXX]. AT 102,296 MILES THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I WAS DRIVING IT ON A SIDE STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 15 MILES PER HOUR. I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION APPEARED TO SLIP INTO NEUTRAL. I LOOKED AND IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE, I TRIED DOWNSHIFTING, PUTTING IT INTO NEUTRAL AND BACK INTO DRIVE AND NOTHING WORKED. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND PUT IT INTO PARK. THAT APPEARED TO WORK. I THEN TRIED USING REVERSE AND IT DID NOT ENGAGE. I THEN TRIED ALL GEARS AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I THEN HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE. I LET IT COOL DOWN AND IT STILL DID NOT WORK. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS A CLEAN PINK AND SMELLS BRAND NEW. I PROCEEDED TO DO ONLINE RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND IF IT CAN BE EASILY REPAIRED, WHAT I FOUND WAS VERY INTERESTING. IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OCCURRING AROUND 103,000 MILES. MANY (HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE SPANNING SEVERAL YEARS, MOST NOTABLY FROM 2004 THROUGH 2006. THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THOSE YEARS. THERE WAS NOT, HOWEVER, A RECALL FOR THE 2007 MODEL YEAR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE WITH THIS YEAR AND PROBLEM AS WELL. I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY THE 2007 MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED WHEN IT OBVIOUSLY SUFFERS THE SAME ISSUE.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN TRAFFIC WITH THREE CHILDREN IN THE CAR, WHEN THE TORQUE CONVERTER/TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING OR INDICATION OF PREVIOUS PROBLEM. VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO ACCELERATOR. FORTUNATELY,WAS ABLE TO COAST OFF EXIT RAMP SAFELY. WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR BACKWARD. 300 MILES FROM HOME. TOWING, CAR RENTAL AND REPAIRS. DEALER SAID RECALL NOT APPLIED TO THIS YEAR BUT SAME PROBLEMS AS PREVIOUS YEARS. FORD SHOULD FIX THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED. THEY ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.
FORD'S RECALL 11S25 SAYS IT PERTAINS TO 2004-05 MODEL YEARS ON THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. MINE IS A 2006 FREESTAR AND IT HAS THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED ON IT DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. WHY IS YEAR NOT COVERED ? *JS
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTAR. WHEN THE CONTACT ACTIVATED THE VENT CONTROL FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER, THERE WAS A PROGRESSIVE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE IDLED VERY POORLY WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE11018 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
DRIVING OUT OF TOWN ON THE HIGHWAY TRAVELING AT 55MPH AND MY VAN QUIT ACCELERATING AND QUICKLY LOST SPEED. PRESSED ON GAS PEDAL WITH NO RESULTS. WAS ABLE TO PULL SLIGHTLY OFF THE ROAD AND PUT MY CAR IN PARK, TURNED IT OFF AND TURNED VEHICLE BACK ON TO FIND IT WOULD NOT REVERSE DRIVE FORWARD IN ANY GEAR OR MOVE. CAR DOES START AND RUN BUT WILL NOT DRIVE. *TR
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS UNKNOWN WHAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,430. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 11/09/15*LJ *CN
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR BURNED, SMOLDERED WITH A GREAT DEAL OF SMOKE. COULD SEE ORANGE GLOW BEHIND THE MIRROR. SMELLED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL BURN. CAR WAS PARKED, NO KEY IN IGNITION, HAPPENED RIGHT AFTER UNLOCKING CAR WITH KEY FOB.
INTERMITTENTLY LOCKS OUT THE IGNITION CAUSED BY THE FACTORY INSTALLED ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM. NOT EVER SURE WHEN THE CAR MIGHT START. THIS VAN IS A NIGHTMARE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR QUARTER PANELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEELS SEIZED WHILE DRIVING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 142,900.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was unavailable.
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that he discovered two large holes located on both sides of the third-row seats. The contact stated that the holes were located at the seat anchors; the structural degradation at the seat anchor were mounted to the rear wheel wells. The contact then discovered that his vehicle was placed under NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V081000 (Seats). The contact then notified the dealer and was informed that the part to repair the vehicle was not available and also that the corrosion on the vehicle was too severe to complete the repair. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred the contact to the Better Business Bureau for further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Parts distribution disconnect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE BEGAN TO DRIVE IN REVERSE AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND EXIT THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, IT BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION .THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,423. ...UPDATED 08/22/13 *BF THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. AN INSPECTION REVEALED, THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE WAS BROKEN.
2007 FORD FREESTAR SEL FRONT WHEEL BEARING HUBS MAKING A VERY HIGH PITCH WHISTLING NOISE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS LISTED ONLINE. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE PARKING THE CAR, THE ENGINE/GAS SURGED TAKING ME SLIGHTLY FORWARD UNTIL I PUT ON THE BRAKE. THE FIRST TIME HAPPENED IN MAY, BUT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM GOING SLOWLY (PARKING ETC) BOTH IN FORWARD AND REVERSE AND HAVE THE AIR CONDITIONING ON. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT ELKHORN/WATT. I WAS HIT BY THE BACK WITH A FORD FREESTAR VAN, 1 ADULT DRIVING WITH 2 KIDS IN THE BACK. I GOT OUT OF MY CAR WALKED HALF TO THE BACK AND TOLD HIM TO PULL OVER AT MCDONALD'S. WE WAVED AND SHAKE HIS HEAD. I WOULD ASSUME HE WAS GOING TO PULL OVER. GREEN LIGHT HIT, CARS STARTED TO MOVE AND I TURNED ON MY BLINKER AND GO OVER TO THE MIDDLE LANE. FORD VAN DRIVER KEPT DRIVING, I NOTICED HE WASN'T GETTING OVER SO I GOT BACK INTO THE FAST LANE AND FOLLOWED HIM. FORD VAN AT THAT POINT RAN A RED LIGHT, I WAITED UNTIL LIGHT TURNED GREEN WHICH WAS A SECOND LATER. DROVE THRU RESIDENTIAL AREA, BLOWING OFF STOP SIGNS. (X4). I WAS HONKING MY HORN TO GET HIS ATTENTION AND WAVING HIM DOWN TO PULL OVER. NO RESPONSE. FORD VAN DROVE ALL THE WAY HOME. I PARKED RIGHT BEHIND HIM IN A DRIVE WAY, SO HE COULD GET OUT. WHEN I GOT OUT OF MY CAR, HE WAS YELLING AT THE KIDS TO RUN INSIDE. I WALKED UP TO HIM AT THE POINT AND SAID YOU HIT ME AND I ASKED YOU TO STOP AT THE MCDONALD'S AND YOU KEPT DRIVING. HE KEPT YELLING AT ME SAYING HE DIDN'T HIT ME THAT HE HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BRAKES. WOULDN'T GIVE ME INSURANCE CARD CAUSE HE SAID THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO REPORT. I TOLD HIM THAT WAS NOT THE POINT, HE RAN FROM AN ACCIDENT WITH KIDS IN THE CAR. HE WOULDN'T GIVE ME HIS INS CARD UNTIL I TOLD HIM I WAS CALLING THE POLICE. MY CONCERNS: RAN FROM THE ACCIDENT RAN THRU A RED LIGHT / STOP SIGNS (WITH KIDS IN CAR) NOT SURE IF HE HAS CURRENT DRIVER LICENSES. INSURANCE CARD SHOWS EXPIRED DID HE GET CONFUSED ON BRAKE/GAS? IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO? I DRIVE THAT STREET EVERYDAY, I DON'T KNOW IF HE SHOULD BE DRIVING. I DON'T KNOW HIS AGE 80? I JUST KNOW I WOULDN'T WANT HIM DRIVING BEHIND ME AGAIN. I KNOW THE KIDS FELT THE HIT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD ACCIDENT AND SEATBELT BROKE AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT EMPLOY ON ICY ROAD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
HAD ACCIDENT AND SEATBELT BROKE AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT EMPLOY ON ICY ROAD
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
STEERING KNUCKLE-WHEN DRIVING GOING TO MAKE TURNS EITHER WAY THE STEERING GETS HARD,ACTS LIKE THERE NO POWER STEERING.WAS TOLD TO SPRAY WITH WD40,DID THAT MAKES IT EASER BUT YOU HAVE TO DO IT ONCE A WEEK. *TR
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .