2004 Ford Freestyle 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 2004 Ford Freestyle, 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)646.2%
- Engine323.1%
- Body & structure17.7%
- Electrical17.7%
- Other / unspecified17.7%
- Steering17.7%
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE THE CHECK TRANSAXLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10 MPH. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE ). THE PCM WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,674.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR SAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND WONT GO OVER 25 MPH. I ALSO HAVE AN AWD MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE CAN. I'M TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL TAX TIME TO TRADE IN BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B IN THE MEANTIME. MECHANIC TELLS ME TO GET IT SCANNED FOR $70. I CANT AFFORD THAT BS TRYING TO RAISE 3 KIDS WITH ANOTHER ON THE WAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
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
SLIDING SIDE DOORS AND REAR WHEEL WELLS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IN A SIDE-ON CRASH. THIS IS TRUE FOR THE WINDSTAR TOO. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 7/12/12 *CN
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
WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL FEELS VERY HEAVY, AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WON'T EASILY TURN BACK .LIKE ITS DRAGGING. WHEN I AM TURNING ON A CURVE IT FEELS LIKE IT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING.
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 .