2004 Ford FREESTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

PLASTIC MOLDING ALONG THE RUNNING BOARDS BROKE OFF. AS A RESULT, THE SLIDING DOOR MALFUNCTIONED, LOCKING OCCUPANTS INSIDE VEHICLE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065063 at NHTSA ↗

AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND WILL NOT TURN OFF. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE PARTS TO FIX THE FRONT AIR BAGS WERE ON BACK ORDER. THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY SINCE THE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ON. *AK THE PART CAME IN AND THE DEALER REPLACED IT YET THIS DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 126 miles reported. Look up ODI 10065260 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN USING THE HEADLINER-MOUNTED DVD SYSTEM SCREEN, VISIBILITY THROUGH THE REARVIEW MIRROR IS VERY LIMITED (PRETTY MUCH, THE REAR-VIEW MIRROR CAN'T BE USED AT ALL). *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10067854 at NHTSA ↗

WHEN USING THE HEADLINER-MOUNTED DVD SYSTEM SCREEN, VISIBILITY THROUGH THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS COMPLETELY OBSCURED. WHEN REPORTED TO FORD AS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE, I WAS TOLD VIA MY DEALER THAT THE FORD ENGINEERS SAID TO USE MY SIDE VIEW MIRRORS. THIS SEEMS HIGHLY INADEQUATE WHEN THE VAN IS SOLD BASED ON ITS ENHANCED SAFETY FEATURES. THIS WAS NOT AN ISSUE WITH THE WINDSTAR, AND IN MY OPINION, IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW THAT WILL CAUSE ACCIDENTS DUE TO INADEQUATE VISIBILITY. *LA

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072374 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10074283 at NHTSA ↗

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. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 7,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10078945 at NHTSA ↗

THE AUTOMATIC SLIDING SENSOR FAILED. AS A RESULT, A SIX YEAR OLD CHILD WAS CAUGHT BETWEEN THE DOORS. THE CHILD SUSTAINED BRUISES ON BOTH KNEES. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079434 at NHTSA ↗

MY LEFT INNER BRAKE PAD FELL APART AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.. MY LEFT BRAKE WAS LOCKED UP ON INNER SIDE. DEALER PUT NEW PADS AND FIXED ROTOR ON MY 2004 FREESTAR. ALSO EXCESSIVE FRONT BRAKE NOISE AND SQUEAL . *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10082628 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2003-11-06 (November 6, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Consequence: IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

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. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)

CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.

Consequence: IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Reported: 2012-01-09 (January 9, 2012)

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Reported: 2013-03-07 (March 7, 2013)

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.

Consequence: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.