2006 Ford FREESTAR: complaints, problems and recalls

DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2005 WHILE GOING 25 MPH. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAG COVER OVER THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE CAME OUT ABOUT AND QUARTER OF AN INCH; HOWEVER, THE ACTUAL AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IT WAS A SIDE IMPACT AND PASSENGERS SIDE IT WAS A HEAD ON IMPACT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10137081 at NHTSA ↗

THE FACTORY ISSUED WIPER BLADES ON THE 2004 AND 2006 FORD FREESTAR MINIVAN DO NOT WORK WELL. WHEN WIPING THEY LEAVE MAJOR STREAKS ACROSS MY LINE OF VISION. IN SOME CASES I HAVE HAD TO NARROWLY DODGE ACCIDENTS BECAUSE I COULD NOT SEE. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THEIR IS LITTLE, OR A LOT OF RAIN OR SNOW. IF IT IS BAD WEATHER IT IS PRETTY MUCH A GUARANTEE THAT THE WIPERS WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE TRIED CHANGING THEM TO DIFFERENT STYLE BLADES BUT IT DOES NO GOOD. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE FORD WIPER. PERHAPS THE WIPER IS SIMPLY TOO L…

Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150581 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON 4-18-06 WHILE WASHING THE VEHICLE, THE RUBBER SURROUNDING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAME LOOSE. ON 4-20-06 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE RUBBER SURROUNDING THE FRONT WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ALSO CAME LOOSE. THE RUBBER IS STILL ATTACHED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, IF YOU PLACE YOUR WEIGHT ON THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROCKS BACK AND FORTH. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155763 at NHTSA ↗

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RPM REVVED FROM 0 TO 2 AND THE VEHICLE BUCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SERVICE DEALER; UPON INSPECTION BOTH REAR AND FRONT BRAKE SYSTEMS HAD FAILED CAUSING THE TRACTION CONTROL TO AUTOMATICALLY USE THE BRAKES. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM HOWEVER 48 HOURS LATER THE VEHICLE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. UPDATED 5/10/2006 - *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 1,032 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156185 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS STANDING AT THE REAR OF MY SISTER'S NEW 2006 FORD FREESTAR VAN. MY 2 1/2 YEAR OLD SON WAS INSIDE THE VAN. THE VAN WAS NOT RUNNING. MY SON CLIMBED OVER THE FRONT SEAT FROM THE BACK SEAT AND PULLED DOWN ON THE SHIFTER LEVER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COME OUT OF GEAR AND ROLL BACKWARD OUT OF A GRADED DRIVEWAY. THE VAN STRUCK MY RIGHT LEG AND RIGHT ELBOW CAUSING MINOR INJURIES. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE STOPPED I NEEDED TO KNOW WHY THE VEHICLE CAME OUT OF GEAR, AS THIS COULD'VE BEEN A SMALL CHILD BEHIND THIS VEHICLE INSTEAD OF MYSELF, THE R…

Owner-reported narrative. 38 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161513 at NHTSA ↗

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD FREESTAR IN A RAIN STORM AND THE VAN COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. TURNS OUT THE MAIN COMPUTER CHIP GOT WET. I HAVE HAD THIS VAN FOR 2 WEEKS. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 538 miles reported. Look up ODI 10163895 at NHTSA ↗

ANTI SLIP KICKS IN & THE GROUND IS DRY, THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES NOW. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILD ON A NEW 2006 FREESTAR. NOW FORD HAS MY VAN (SINCE SEPT.27,06)WAITING FOR THE PAGE, SO IT CAN BE FIXED.THE ANTI SLIP KICKS IN WHEN IT WANTS TO - I ALMOST GOT KILLED TWICE. THEY ARE STATING IT IS A SENOR IN THE STEERING COLUMN THAT OVERHEATS & CAUSES THE ANIT SLIP TO TURN ON. I HAVE ASKED FOR A NEW VAN, BUT I THINK THEY WILL NOT. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS 9-27-06.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10170852 at NHTSA ↗

WE RENTED A FORD FREESTAR FROM A LOCAL RENTAL COMPANY. TODAY, MY 10 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER, WHO IS 59 INCHES TALL AND WEIGHS 71 LBS., WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE ROW BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. SHE WAS APPROPRIATELY RESTRAINED IN THE LAP-SHOULDER BELT ONLY. I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. WHILE I WOULD CHARACTERIZE IT AS AN ABRUPT STOP, IT WAS NOT SEVERE AND THERE WAS NO IMPACT. I HEARD A "BREAKING" SOUND. MY DAUGHTER EXCLAIMED THAT HER SEAT BELT HAD BROKEN. I PULLED OVER TO INSPECT IT; AND FOUND THAT THE UPPER SHOULDER BELT ANCHOR HAD BECOME DETACHED (U…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,595 miles reported. Look up ODI 10171933 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2006-03-09 (March 9, 2006)

ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A LIFTGATE STRUT MALFUNCTION, THE LIFTGATE CAN FALL FREELY WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. ANYONE STANDING BENEATH THE LIFTGATE MAY BE INJURED IF THE LIFTGATE FALLS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER LIFTGATE MODULE TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD THAT THE LIFTGATE COULD FALL FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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.