Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Ford Freestar owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
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!!!
Vehicle felt like there was a flat tire on the passenger side. Slowed down, heard a loud bang and pulled off the road with a skidding stop. Upon inspection, found that the a-fram had dropped out of the collar of the tie rod.
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. …
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 [redacted] 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. …
Tl 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. …
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.
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.
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.
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.
Related recalls
Steering › Hydraulic power assist › Hose, piping, and connections
On certain minivans, the power steering low-pressure line May not be fully seated at the rack and pinion steering gear.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the power steering low-pressure line to ensure that it is seated properly at the rack and pinion steering gear. Owner notification began November 10, 2003.
Steering complaints in other Freestar years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2004 Ford Freestar?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Ford Freestar, 2% of the model year's 1,227 complaints. The component named most often is linkages › tie rod assembly (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Ford Freestar steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 03V-457 (hose, piping, and connections, Nov 6, 2003). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Freestar steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.