Ford Freestar Transmission Problems

Transmission complaints by model year

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  917
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  102
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  12
• Driveline
  11
• Manual transmission
  8
• Axle assembly
  2

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  292%
• 25k–50k
  1419%
• 50k–75k
  41925%
• 75k–100k
  48729%
• 100k–150k
  44227%
• 150k+
  1378%

What owners report

Was driving and pulled into a shopping center, when all of the sudden, the van was no longer responsive to the gas pedal. The van coasted to a stop, and I had to then push the car out of moving traffic into a parking lot. The van acted as if it was in neutral, and could be pushed when it was it r, n, d,1and 3. This occurred in the late evening, in sub-zero wind chill temperatures and I had my 5 year old son with me at the time. Luckily the van was able to keep running, so we had heat until we could get picked up. Had the vehicle towed to a local mechanic shop, and the initial valuation is the torque converter failed due to spline shaft being stripped, just like in the previous 2005-2005 model freestars. Family of seven, now with no vehicle!!

Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 25 MPH, while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the contact heard a rattling noise under the hood. The contact stated that the rattling noise seized once the speed was reduced. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to homer skelton Ford of millington (9030 us-51, millington, tn 38053 [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost significant motive power before briefly hesitating and jerking. After restarting the vehicle, it returned to normal functionality, but the failure had since become a regular occurrence. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 137,000.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while his wife was driving on the freeway, the RPM's increased however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact's wife was able to pull over. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The contact referenced the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

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 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 contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle continued to slow as the RPM was rising. The contact did not notice any warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted however, failed to shift into higher gears while attempting to reach highway speeds. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would not properly accelerate and would hesitate to accelerate and the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000(Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 250,000.

Related recalls (1)

NHTSA investigations