2005 FORD FREESTAR Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SERPENTINE BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR FLOW WAS FAULTY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000.

Mileage: 148,000

REPLACED THE CONVERTER THROUGH FORD RECALL. I WAS SO IMPRESSED WITH THE WAY THIS VEHICLE DROVE AND HOW COMFORTABLE IT WAS I SOUGHT TO PURCHASE ANOTHER. HOWEVER, IN MY SEARCH THESE VEHICLES ARE BEING SOLD AT PRIVATE DEALERS MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS RECALL. THEY ARE CONSIDERED "INCOMPLETE" RUNNING THE VIN THROUGH NHTSA SAFECAR.COM WHICH MEANS ALL BUYERS ARE BEING SOLD A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE WITH THIS SAFETY RECALL WAITING TO CATCH UP TO THEM IF IT EVER DOES??? WHY, WHY WHY IS THIS NOT MANDATORY TO RECALL AND REPAIR RATHER THEN ALLOW THE POOR UNSUSPECTED BUYER TO LATER HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE THEY NEVER KNEW. WHY IS THERE NOT A DISCLOSURE CLAUSE LIKE IN REAL ESTATE THAT IF YOU FAILED TO INFORM THE BUYER YOUR RESPONSIBLE TO PAY FOR IT!!! COMMON SENSE IS ALL ANYONE WANTS EVEN FROM THE GOVT. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

AFTER STARTING VEHICLE NORMALLY, I PUT IT IN DRIVE, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. IT WOULD GO IN REVERSE. MECHANIC: TORQUE CONVERTER, CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER, OIL FILTER. 2ND INCIDENT SAME AS 1ST. MECHANIC: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH, ENGINE BRAIN BOX (PROGRAMMED AT FORD DEALERSHIP). 3RD INCIDENT SAME. MECHANIC: REPLACED ALTERNATOR. 4TH INCIDENT SAME. MECHANIC CURRENTLY HAS IT. COMPUTER IS TELLING HIM IT'S THE WIRING HARNESS. *TR

WAS ON A VERY BUSY HIGHWAY. THE FREESTARS DASH LIGHTS LITE UP AND WENT BACK OFF. AC CUT OFF THEN EVERYTHING STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ABOUT 30 SECONDS LATER THE FREESTAR DIED AT 65. I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER. AGAIN ON MAY 5 2012 THE LIGHTS STARTED FLICKERING AND THE AC STARTED TO BLOW HARD AND IT WOULD SLOW BACK DOWN THEN THE DASH LIGHTS ABS,BRAKE,BATTERY LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF THEN THE FREESTAR DIED AGAIN AT 70 MPH. BRAKES DIDN'T WORK I WAS GOING THROUGH A INTERSECTION AND HAD TO USE THE E BRAKE. FREESTAR HAS DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE LAST MONTH I JUST HIT THE HIGH SPOTS. IT HAS HAD TEST AFTER TEST AND I'M ALWAYS TOLD A DIFFERENT STORY! I JUST WANT MY VAN FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

WHEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE VAN WILL SUDDENLY LOSE ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM AND DRIFT MOMENTARILY UNTIL IT WILL JUST AS SUDDENLY RESUME FORWARD MOMENTUM AND CONTINUE LIKE NORMAL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE RPMS DROP OFF LIKE THE VEHICLE IS STALLING OR FUEL STARVED (HOWEVER IT HAS NO HESITATION LIKE ITS RUNNING OUT OF GAS) NO WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND THERE IS NO PATTERN TO WHEN OR HOW IT HAPPENS. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND NOW IT IS NOTICED THAT IT HAS A HIGHER TENDENCY TO DO IT WHEN IT IS RAINING OR THERE IS HIGH HUMIDITY. IT DOES IT AT ALL SPEEDS FROM 25MPH TO 70MPH. FORD DEALERSHIP HAS LOOKED AT THE VAN AND COULD NOT GET IT TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY HAD IT. HOWEVER, THEY STATED THIS DOES NOT SOUND LIKE A TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM ADDRESSED UNDER SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S25/ NHTSA RECALL 12V-006. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED SEVERAL ACCIDENTS AS I HAVE NO WARNING THE PROBLEM IS GETTING READY TO HAPPEN AND HAVE NO WAY TO NOTIFY OTHER MOTORIST OF MY SUDDEN AND QUICK DECELERATION. *TR

Mileage: 102,340

IN FEBRUARY 2012 I WENT TO FOR CHECK ENGINE LET THEY SAID IT WAS ERG VALUE. I FIX. THEN IN APRIL 14TH I WAS DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AND MY VAN LOST ACCELERATION POWER I PUT HAZARDS ON AND MANAGE TO GET TO OTHER SIDE OF FREEWAY. MY CAR WOULD START BUT WOULD NOT GO IN FORWARD OR REVERSE. I HAD TO THEN GET TOWED SINCE WAS THEY WEEKEND AND I WAS THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE I TOWED TO HOME. ALSO, THE WEEKEND NO FORD DEALERS/ SERVICE CENTERS ARE OPEN. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

I JUST RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S25 / NHTSA RECALL 12V-006 EVERYTIME I DRIVE MY VAN IT DOES NOT SEEM TO WANT TO ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE MECHANIC AND I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE A NEW EGR VALVE PUT ON, SO I DID. THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD NEW SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES SO I HAD THEM REPLACE, THAT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN I WAS TOLD THAT I MAY NEED A NEW FUEL FILTER, SO I HAD IT REPLACED AND ONCE AGAIN THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND I AM A SINGLE MOM TO TWO YOUNG CHILDREN. I AM WORRIED THAT WHILE I AM DRIVING I WILL LOSE ALL POWER AND WILL BE HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY VAN NEVER WANTS TO GO OVER 40 MPH AND ONCE IT DOES REACH THAT SPEED IT WILL NOT MAINTAIN AND SOMETIMES MAKES AN ODD NOISE. I PULLED ONTO THE BY-PASS THE OTHER DAY AND MY VAN WOULD NOT ACCELERATE RIGHT AWAY... THANK GOD THAT THE TRUCK BEHIND ME WAS ABLE TO PASS ME ON THE SHOULDER. THERE HAVE BEEN A COUPLE OTHER TIMES WHEN MY VAN WOULD NOT GAIN SPEED AND I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OVER SO THAT THE VEHICLES BEHIND ME COULD PASS. SO IN A NUT SHELL THE PROBLEMS ARE AS LISTED: 1.) VAN WILL NOT ACCELERATE OR MAINTAIN SPEED 2.) WHEN I PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL THERE IS OFTEN A PINGING / KNOCKING SOUND I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED AND NOT BE OUT ANY MORE MONEY. PLEASE HELP! *TR

Mileage: 127,305

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR.THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WERE REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS ENTERING THE SYSTEM AND CAUSING THE FAILURE. DURING THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE DEALER TRIED SEALING THE AREA AROUND THE FAILED PART AS A TEMPORARY REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,020 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 121,020

DRIVING TO FLORIDA ON I-75, SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER, COASTED OFF THE HIGHWAY. HAD TO BE TOWED AND IT COST ME 1200.00 TO GET FIXED. I HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR WORK DONE. *TR

Mileage: 190,000

WIFE WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN THE VAN JUST SUDDENLY STALLED. SHE WAS TRAVELING AT 35 MPH WHEN SHE LOST ALL POWER. SHE THEN TRIED RESTARTING THE VAN AND IT STARTED BUT WHEN SHE TRIED TO PUT IT INTO GEAR THE ENGINE RPM'S RACED, THEN SLAMMED INTO GEAR AND THEN STALLING AGAIN. THE VAN WAS UNDRIVEABLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD JUST FEET BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON A NARROW TWO LANE BRIDGE THAT IS HEAVILY TRAVELED THE LOGGING AND DUMP TRUCKS. HAD IT TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIRS. WHILE DOING RESEARCH ONLINE ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND SO MANY OTHER HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE POSSIBLY CAUSED BY WATER IN THE PCM MODULE. THE NEXT MORNING I CONTACTED THE REPAIR SHOP AND ADVISED THEM OF MY FINDINGS. SURE ENOUGH THEY WHERE ABLE TO FIND THE SERVICE BULLETINS FROM FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE 7 PAGES LONG. SEVERAL HOURS AND $240 LATER THE REPAIR SHOP CALLED AND SAID THE VAN WAS FIXED AND THE COULD NOT BELIEVE THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT CAME OUR WHEN THE SENSOR WAS REMOVED. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT FORD HAS NOT SUBMITTED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. *KB

Mileage: 80,005

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER FROM THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY WHEN SHE CRASHED INTO A FLAGPOLE. THERE WERE FRONT BUMPER DAMAGES AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE STALLING FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT TELL THE CONTACT WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,000.

Mileage: 57,000

MY ENGINE LOST POWER AS MY VAN WAS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. AFTER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL, I COULD RESTART THE VAN, BUT EVERY TIME I REACHED THE SHIFTING POINT BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, THE ENGINE WOULD CUT COMPLETELY OUT, THEREBY LOSING POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. ALSO, THE REVERSE GEAR OPERATES ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. I TOOK THE VAN TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WITHIN FIVE MILES FROM MY HOME BECAUSE IT WOULD ONLY OPERATE IN FIRST GEAR, AND WAS TOLD THE TORQUE CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR IS GOING TO COST $2,436.05. I AM ATTEMPTING TO SEEK ASSISTANCE FROM FORD, AS THE REPAIR WAS STARTED THE DAY THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. SO FAR, I DO NOT HAVE WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM THEM THAT MY VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, AND THEY HAVE NOT AGREED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Mileage: 64,276

ON MY WAY HOME FROM WORK ON JANUARY 1, 2012 AT APPROX. 4:20PM MY CAR STARTS TO SLOW DOWN N STARTS TO GO ON REVERSE WHILE IT WAS ON DRIVE. I TRIED DIFFERENT GEARS BUT THE CAR CONTINUE TO GO ON REVERSE I HAD NO WARNING LIGHT, NO SIGN OF THE CAR GO BAD NO NOISE, NOTHING THE CAR JUST SLOWED DOWN N WENT ON REVERSE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MY HOUSE I HAVE NO MONEY TO FIX THIS ISSUE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH THIS CAR AND TO TOP IT OFF I JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN MARCH OF 2011. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS BUT HAS NOT DONE NOTHING TO FIX IT I'M STUCK MAKING PAYMENTS TO A CAR THAT IS NOT WORKING SO PLEASE TELL ME WHAT CAN I DO. *TR

Mileage: 101,653

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE COULD ONLY BE DRIVEN IN DRIVE ONE OR DRIVE TWO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHERE THE CRANKSHAFT AND SPEED SENSORS WERE REPLACED. AFTER THE REPAIR, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AS IF WATER WAS SPLASHING AROUND. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT SOMEHOW, WATER WAS GETTING GETTING ON THE SENSOR, BUT THE MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND WHERE THE WATER LEAK ORIGINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

THIS VAN HAS A BAD COMPUTER BOARD (PCM) DUE TO RAINWATER THAT IS ALLOWED TO FUNNEL UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO POOR DESIGN OF THE HOOD. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS BEING AFFECTED BY THIS AS WELL. THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED SHIFTING INTO GEAR, FOLLOWED BY ALL SORTS OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE MECHANIC SAID THE PCM WAS FULL OF WATER AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS MESSAGE BOARDS ON THE INTERNET DISCUSSING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM WITH FORD FREESTARS RANGING FROM 2004-2007 MODEL YEARS. FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THESE VANS AS THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO STALL AND THIS COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME - IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION, ON THE HIGHWAY, ETC. THIS COULD HAVE DEVASTATING RESULTS IF IT HAPPENS AT THE WRONG TIME. ALSO, FROM WHAT I'VE READ ON THESE MESSAGE BOARDS - THIS IS A REPEAT PROBLEM!!!! ONCE YOU FIX THIS YOU WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN A YEAR OR TWO. NHTSA SHOULD DO SOME RESEARCH OUTSIDE OF FORMAL COMPLAINTS FILED AS I'M SURE MOST PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE PROPER ROUTE TO GO. A SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCH (THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO CONTACT OR RESPOND TO INDIVIDUAL REPORTS) WOULD DIRECT YOU TO HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE! *TR

Mileage: 64,800

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESUME DRIVING HOWEVER, WITH CONSISTENT STALLING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY AFTER RAINY WEATHER CONDITIONS ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CAM SHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED DUE TO WATER LEAKING INTO THE PCM WHICH CAUSED A SHORTAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,781.

Mileage: 95,781

I HAD TAKEN MY 2005 FORD FREESTAR VAN TO BE CHECKED FOR A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHIFTING PROPERLY. THEN LATER I HAD TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALER FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE DIAGNOSED - THEY CLAIMED THAT IT COULDN'T BE DIAGNOSED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T WRITE THE CODE PROPERLY. TRANSMISSION STILL NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. A MONTH LATER THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ENGINE WASN'T RUNNING PROPERLY AND IN THE RAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK ON AND OFF. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO ACTUALLY TOOK THE TIME WITH THE VAN TO DIAGNOSE IT. HE HAD TO LET THE ENGINE WARM UP LONG ENOUGH FOR THE LIGHTS TO START COMING ON. THEN HE DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM TO BE THE 2ND GEAR IN THE TRANSMISSION. ONCE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REMOVED HE SAID THAT IT COULDN'T BE FIXED SO I HAD TO INSTALL A NEW TRANSMISSION - $2700 LATER AND HAD TO BORROW A VEHICLE FROM FAMILY TO GO ON VACATION. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE AIR COMPRESSOR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONER - $500 LATER BUT NOW IT SEEMS TO BE GIVING ME PROBLEMS AGAIN. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS ISSUES WITH THE TIRES - THEY DON'T HOLD AIR BECAUSE OF THE RIMS THAT DON'T ALLOW THEM TO PROPERLY SEAL. I HAD THE DEALER PUT ON THE LAST SET OF TIRES AND TOLD THEM TO FIX THE ISSUE - SO FAR I HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE. BUT FOR 60000 MILES I HAVE HAD ISSUES. *KB

Mileage: 79,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND THEN STALLED. THE FUEL GAUGE WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETECTED THAT THE COMPUTER MAIN BRAIN EXHIBITED WATER DAMAGE AND RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE BE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH THE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY WHILE TRYING TO MOVE TO THE OTHER LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVE TO THE SHOULDER AND TURNED THEN BACK ON; HOWEVER, IT WOULD NOT MOVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND THEN IT DIED 5 MORE TIMES. WHEN I WOULD GET IT RESTARTED IT WOULD NOT GO, IT WOULD JERK AND SPUTTER. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS WATER IN WHERE THE COMPUTER WAS HOUSED.THEY HAD LOOKED UP AND THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION DRIVEABILITY ISSUES, REFERENCE NUMBER 06-14-10. THEY ADVISED US THAT THIS WAS MOST LIKELY THE PROBLEM. WE REPLACED THIS PART FOR IT AND THEY SAID IT WAS FINE. PULLED OUT OF THE LOT AND WENT TO MAKE A TURN AND THE CAR DIED AGAIN. *TR

Mileage: 66,495

FAILED COMPONENT #1: 8/9/10 - TRANSMISSION FAILED - REPLACED TRANSMISSION - $1,732.32, FAILED COMPONENT #2: 10/9/10 - REMOVE AND REPLACE ALTERNATOR - $442.00. FAILED ON ROUTE 95 SOUTH CT HEADED TO NJ, BATTERY FAILED, ALTERNATOR FAILED, POWER SURGE, POWER LOST, COASTED TO A SAFE PLACE OFF OF EXIT WHERE I WAS STRANDED WITH 2 CHILDREN LATE AT NIGHT. HAD TO GET TOWED AND FIXED, STAYED OVER NIGHT IN SEEDY PART OF CITY. FAILED COMPONENT #3: 11/1/10 - REMOVE AND REPLACE ALTERNATOR - $297.68, FAILED ON ROUTE 113 AGAIN, POWER SURGE AND POWER FAILED, ALTERNATOR DIED, LOST POWER AND MANAGED TO GET HOME A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD, HAD TO GET TOWED TO SHOP, NEW BATTERY FAILED AS WELL. HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 2 WEEKS TOTAL.

OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR LOSES POWER AND ENGINE STALLS, THIS HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES WITHIN 6-9 MONTH PERIOD AND WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP EACH TIME. EACH TIME A DIFFERENT CODE COMES UP, WE HAVE THE WORK DONE AND ULTIMATELY IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS HAPPENS AND NO POWER TO GET OFF THE ROAD, EXPRESSWAY ETC. A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH 2 CHILDREN IN THE BACK. *TR

Mileage: 73,000

DRIVING ALONG AT 35 MPH SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REV'S AND WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR COMPLETELY LOSES PULLING POWER WE COAST INTO A PARKING LOT THE CAR CRANKS BUT WONT MOVE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

I BEGAN HAVING INTERMITTENT TROUBLE STARTING THE VAN IN FEB. 2010 DURING A RECORD SNOW WEEK. I CONTRIBUTED IT TO THE COLD WEATHER AND BAD CONDITIONS. IN MARCH THE PROBLEM CONTINUED VERY SPORADICALLY WITH NOT STARTING ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. ON MARCH 5TH THE VAN ENGINE CUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. ON MARCH 7TH, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR THE VAN CUT OUT 4 TIMES IN A 2 BLOCK PERIOD. WHEN THE ENGINE CUT OFF IT WOULD BE WITHOUT WARNING WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. THE VAN WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS TOLD IT WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE. IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 121 MILES. FORD IS CURRENTLY REFUSING TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUES ON THE MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 75,121

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 45 MPH, WHEN THE VAN SUDDENLY WENT DOWN TO 20 MPH. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INSIDE LANE OF A TWO LANE HIGHWAY, AND I WAS HAVING A HARD TIME GETTING OVER TO THE RIGHT. THE LEFT SIDE WAS A MEDIAN. I FINALLY MANAGED TO GET OVER TO THE RIGHT AND PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY. ONCE IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANY MORE. THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS ANYTHING WAS WRONG PRIOR TO THIS. I HAD JUST TRAVELED TO THIS TOWN 30 MILES AWAY FROM MY HOME. NO NOISES, NO DIFFICULTY SHIFTING GEARS - NOTHING. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP IT HAPPENED ON FRIDAY TODAY IS SUNDAY AND I WON'T HEAR ANYTHING FROM THE MECHANIC UNTIL MONDAY. THE REASON I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IS - I TRAVEL TO HOUSTON ON A REGULAR BASIS IN THIS VEHICLE. I CRINGE WHEN I THINK ABOUT WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME AND MY FAMILY IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO US WHILE WE WERE IN HOUSTON'S TRAFFIC. THE NORMAL SPEED ON A HIGHWAY IN HOUSTON IS 80MPH. IF NOTHING IS DONE -DEATH IS ULTIMATE. *TR

Mileage: 80,100

PURCHASED A 2005 FORD FREESTAR MARCH 2009. HAS SUFFERED FROM REPEATED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH THE COMPUTER OFTEN RECORDING "NO CODES" PER THE DEALER. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ATMULTIPLE TIMES FOR VARIOUS SUPPOSED REPAIRS INCLUDING NEW COMPUTER, ALTERNATOR, ETC., BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE CONTROL. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 8 TIMES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS AND WE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER FROM 9/10/09 THROUGH 11/12/09 AND AGAIN FROM 11/15/09(?) THROUGH 2/5/2010 DUE TO OUR CONCERNS ABOUT THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY. ON 2/10/2010 AN ACCIDENT OCCURRED WHERE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER, THE ROAD TURNED AND THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAKE THE TURN OR BRAKE ADEQUATELY AND HENCE RAN OFF THE ROAD SUSTAINING NECK INJURIES. *TR

Mileage: 39,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS;THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE "DRIVE" AND "REVERSE" GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURES AND REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE IDENTICAL FAILURES IN WHICH THE ALTERNATOR, MOTHER BOARD AND TRANSMISSION SEAL WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURES CONTINUED AND THERE WERE NO RESOLUTIONS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000. THE VIN # WAS NOT AVAILABLE THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 26,000. JS

Mileage: 20,000

MY FORD FREESTAR HAD THE TRANSMISSION OUT FOR TORQUE CONVERTER FAILURE. DRIVING VAN AND SUDDENLY LOST POWER LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. IT WAS REPAIRED THEN ABOUT 3-5 MONTHS LATER THE VAN STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND DIE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING CRAZY HAD WATER IN THE PCM. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED VAN UNDER FORD EXTENDED WARRANTY VAN IS VERY UNRELIABLE AND I DON'T TAKE IT FAR FROM HOME BUT I STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A VERY POORLY ENGINEERED CAR. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DOES NOT GO INTO GEAR AND THE RPM'S GO UP AND DOWN. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO JERK. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 20 MPH, THE INTERIOR LIGHTING ILLUMINATES AND THE VEHICLE STALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP, BUT THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AFTER APPROXIMATELY FOUR DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. CURRENTLY, THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE REPAIR SHOP. THE FIRST THREE REPAIRS WERE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,710 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,986. UPDATED 05/05/09 *BF UPDATED 05/06/09*JB

Mileage: 20,710

THE CAR STALLED AT AN INTERSECTION AND RESTARTED AND STALLED CONTINUALLY. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE COMPUTER SHOWED A LOT OF FUNNY READINGS LIKE IT WAS GOING 122 MPH WHILE AT A STAND STILL. HE DETERMINED THAT WATER HAD LEAKED IN THE PCM. DRIED IT OUT AND SEALED IT AND MADE REPAIR ACCORDING TO TSB. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT IT HAS HAPPENED. THE ISSUE IS DRIVABLE AND POTENTIAL FOR ACCIDENTS AND MY WIFE BEING STRANDED IN UNDESIRABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. *TR

Mileage: 52,598

CAR STOPS WORKING FOR A SECOND WHEN DRIVING ON HIGHWAY IN THE WINTER TIME, USUALLY SNOW. IT AS IF SOMETHING MISSES AND CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL OUT BUT CATCHES ITSELF AND BEGINS TO WORK AGAIN. USUALLY HAPPENS IN SPURTS BUT ONLY IN THE WINTER MONTHS. HAPPENS EVERY WINTER FOR PASSED 3 YEARS. PCM AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSORS REPLACED TWICE. *TR

Mileage: 14

I HAVE A 2005 FORD FREESTAR. MY ENGINE FAILED IN JAN08 AT ABOUT 47,000 MILES. I HAD THE ENGINE REPLACED($5100). WITHIN A DAY AFTER I PICKED IT UP AFTER THE ENGINE REPAIRS I NOTICED JERKING WHILE DRIVING. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS SLIPPING ON ICE, BUT THEN I FELT THE JERK WHEN I WAS ON DRY ROAD. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO WORTHINGTON FORD. THEY SAID THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. I TOOK IT HOME AND THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE ...FAST. I WENT AGAIN TO WORTHINGTON'S AND FINALLY AFTER A JOINT TEST RIDE THE PROBLEM WAS ACKNOWLEDGED AND SAID TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THE THIS IS A NEW PROBLEM THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THEIR WORK ON THE ENGINE. THE CAR AT THE TIME OF TURN IN WOULD JERK SEVERELY AND/OR SOMES COMPLETELY STOP OR NOT TAKE OFF WHEN GAS PETAL PRESSED. THE CAR WOULD EVEN JERK AT A STOP SIGN WHILE AT A COMPLETE HALT. THE FLUID LEVELS WERE CHECKED WHEN THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED AND WERE GOOD. THE FLUID LEVEL WAS CHECKED WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE JERKING. FLUID WAS CLEAN AND FULL. TRANSMISSION FAILED ................WHY? *TR

Mileage: 47,552

I WAS DRIVING THROUGH A CONSTRUCTION ZONE; LANE SHIFTED ONTO THE SHOULDER. TRAFFIC WAS DENSE, BUT MOVING AT NEAR NORMAL SPEEDS. VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME BRAKED ABRUPTLY AS WE HIT THE RUMBLE STRIP. MY VEHICLE SHOOK DRAMATICALLY; AS I TIPPED IN TO ACCELERATE, I DISCOVERED THE VEHICLE HAD DIED (STALLED). I RESTARTED ON THE FLY BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL. HAD I NOT DONE SO, MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE COME TO A STOP IN DENSE, FAIRLY HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC--EXPOSING ME AND MY FAMILY TO A POTENTIAL HIGH SPEED REAR IMPACT. *JB

Mileage: 18,870

I BOUGHT A 2005 FORD FREESTAR USED WITH 25000 MILES ON IT. THREE WEEKS LATER THE GAS CAP LIGHT CAME ON A DAY AFTER THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WHEN THE VAN WAS LOOKED AT THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS CRACKED IN THE FRONT. I WAS TOLD SOMETHING HIT IT AND IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. HE SHOWED IT TO ME AND OTHER THAN THE HOLE IN THE FRONT THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ANY DAMAGE NOT A SCRATCH. I CALLED FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT DO ANY THING TO HELP. MY POINT TO THEM WAS IF SOMETHING CAN HIT THE CANISTER AND CRACK IT BUT NOT EVEN SCRATCH THE PAINT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VAN THAN IT MUST BE IN A BAD PLACE. I CAN NOT REPLACE IT EVERY THREE WEEKS AT $500 A TIME. THE OLD PART WILL BE AVAILABLE WHEN I CAN REPLACE THE OLD ONE I DO HAVE PICTURES OF IT IN PLACE. *JB

Mileage: 26,000