Complaints about Ford Freestar

[Stlinden]

I had this issue as well. After 3 visits they finally found the issue was in the upper exterior luggage rack. It was cracked, allowing water to leakin into the rear hatch. Has your service dept. checked that out???

Ellen wrote:

I have a 2004 Freestar, and have had a continous water leak in the rear hatch area. It took until after 12,000 miles to find because I had put down a plactic mat to protect the carpet in the back, Ford has tried to fix it 5 times, still no luck. I have owned many fords, and this is by far the worst car. In addition to the water leak, all the door lock motors have had to be replaced, plastic pieces have fallen off and needed to be fixed. The rear insert around the licence plate cracked, the hub caps are warped, it is difficult for the kids to get in and out of the way back, and it is a very noisy car. This is the worst car I have ever owned.

[DW REID]

I purchased a 2006 Freestar at the end of July. The weather was hot and dry for August and the start of September and I had the rear seat folded away. It wasn't till early October, after a considerable amount of rain,I fliped up the rear seat. The seat was soaked and obout an inch of water was in the seat well.I have taken it to two different dealerships and it is in the shop for a third time as we speak. So far they have slopped silicone on the two gromets above the rear door,which looks ugly, (band-aid affect)I am about ready to hand it back and walk away from the whole deal. AND SORRY TO SAY, I AM A RETIRED FORD WORKER.

[Mike S]

I bought a 2006 Freestar in June. First week we had it, we took it on vacation to FLA. Discovered the nut on the passenger side wiper was missing (in a down pour on the interstate. It was like watching a sword fight!! Now, 6K miles later, the engine leaks oil. They replace the pan gasket..no luck! Now they are pulling the engine and replacing the rear main seal. I am very disappointed with our new van. We traded in a 93 Aerostar with 170K miles because we were afraid it might breakdown and leave us on the side of the road. Now I have the same feeling again.

[Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006]

I have also purchesed my Ford Freestar 2006 but in May 2006, I have only had the vechile for a total of 3 weeks and I still do not have it. The vechile traction light come on and the vechile brakes on it's own and my kids have been in the vechile when this has happened, and now are not willing to drive in the vechile as a large truck was behind us when this happened. Right now we are fighting with Ford to take back the vechile as we don't want it. It's very unsafe and I would not trust it. If you have any other questions or comments pls post message back

[Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006]

art wrote:

I purchased the Freestar on 9/2/06, and have been experiencing water leaks in the rear hatch area, more particularly the jack storage area. The van has been in the shop 3 times in 30 days and the problem has not been resolved. I am now proceeding with the lemon law.

Please tell me how you are dealing with ford as I'm not getting anywhere and I have not had my vechile since May 31,2996 and I bought it on May 22,2006 and today is Nov,10, 2006. They say that the vechile is a 110 % safe and they have not been able to fix the problem up to this date.

[Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006]

DW REID wrote:

I purchased a 2006 Freestar at the end of July. The weather was hot and dry for August and the start of September and I had the rear seat folded away. It wasn't till early October, after a considerable amount of rain,I fliped up the rear seat. The seat was soaked and obout an inch of water was in the seat well.I have taken it to two different dealerships and it is in the shop for a third time as we speak. So far they have slopped silicone on the two gromets above the rear door,which looks ugly,(band-aid affect)I am about ready to hand it back and walk away from the whole deal. AND SORRY TO SAY, I AM A RETIRED FORD WORKER.

I wish it was that easy as they have been fighting me to take back my vechile since 3 days after I bought it and I still do not have my vechile and I bought it in May 22,2006 and I have only had the vechile for 3 wks since I bought the vechile and the last two times that I have taken it back I have told them that I don't want this vechile and I want out of my contract and they will not take it back, Pls tell me how to do it as I'm now involved with a lawyer and I don't even know if this is going to work and the safe has almost taken my life 2 times.

[Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006]

To anyone that is having problems with there 2006 Ford Freestar Advancetrac pls e-mail me as I'm very interested to here from you. My e-mail address is [e-mail]. This vechile is a very unsafe vechile and I would not trust it with your life or the life of your children.

[joe]

I have a 2006 frestar with 21000 kms and now the headlights and park lights are staying on even with the headlight switch un pluged and the key off.. not sure whats going on??? anybody else have this problem and what was the cure???

[Margo]

I purchased a 2006 freestar sport in Oct.2005 and since then it has been in the shop 9, yes 9 times for the traction light problem you are having. I have been driving a rental for almost 4 months. What else can we do????

Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006 wrote:

I have also purchesed my Ford Freestar 2006 but in May 2006, I have only had the vechile for a total of 3 weeks and I still do not have it. The vechile traction light come on and the vechile brakes on it's own and my kids have been in the vechile when this has happened, and now are not willing to drive in the vechile as a large truck was behind us when this happened. Right now we are fighting with Ford to take back the vechile as we don't want it. It's very unsafe and I would not trust it. If you have any other questions or comments pls post message back

[Margo-Toronto Canada]

I leased a 2006 freestar sport in October2005 and since then it has been in shop 9 times for the traction light coming on at any speed. Is there any way to fight this????????I currently don't have my van and I have been driving a rental for almost 4 months.

[05 freestar is junk]

we bought a 2005 ford freestar in october of 05. its now november 06 and it has just had its 4th PCM (computer) put on it. Water leaking into it is to blame. they have done everything they can to try to fix and have told me it is a design flaw. so i am suing now under lemon law. its also had a brake problem,torque converter and a wheel bearing issue

[benjy]

we justbought a 2004 freestar se im a little scared because of all the complaints. we had the rear brakes replaced no problems there is a humming noise in front not sure if its the tires or bearings the popping while steering has been fixed it was the air bypass valve right now i have a funny noise when i turn it sounds like something is inside the dashboard like i gush of air or something it only has 32000 miles on it and makes a ticking sound in the engine. we love the van but there sure are alot of little things wrong hope it lasts

[Jim]

Bob wrote:

<quoted text>
I have the same rubbing sound in my 2004 Freestar. It sounds like it needs pads but the pads are good. I have only 19,000 miles on it. I bought it in late 2005. The Ford dealer had trouble selling them.

Be careful: My girlfriends rear brake calipers blew out friday morning. Her Freestar is a 2004 and has about 50K on it. On her way to work the pedal went right to the floor. When we got it to the brake shop, we were told that they see this all the time on '04 & '05 Freestars. The rotors and the pads were still ok, it was the CALIPERS that blew out! This is a life-threatening defect. Will people need to die before Ford recalls these death-traps?

[DW REID]

Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006 wrote:

<quoted text>
I wish it was that easy as they have been fighting me to take back my vechile since 3 days after I bought it and I still do not have my vechile and I bought it in May 22,2006 and I have only had the vechile for 3 wks since I bought the vechile and the last two times that I have taken it back I have told them that I don't want this vechile and I want out of my contract and they will not take it back, Pls tell me how to do it as I'm now involved with a lawyer and I don't even
know if this is going to work and the safe has almost taken my life 2 times.

I feel it wasn't a big issue for me. My Freestar was 2 months old and after 3 trys to fix it, there wasn't going to be a 4th. I'm 64 and was hoping this would be most likly my last new vehicle I ever own. I own nothing, very little pension so I just park the van by their showroom and not make another payment. From that point on it's their problem. What ever law they try to exercise means very little when im gone.

[DW REID]

Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006 wrote:

<quoted text>
Please tell me how you are dealing with ford as I'm not getting anywhere and I have not had my vechile since May 31,2996 and I bought it on May 22,2006 and today is Nov,10, 2006. They say that the vechile is a 110 % safe and they have not been able to fix the problem up to this date.

I live in Niagara Falls Ontario and purchased the vehicle in Tillsonburg area where my son lives. Here in Niagara, 2 dealerships were not overly anxious to deal with the problem mainly because i didn't purchase the vehicle from them. Having said that, I decided to take it back to Tillsonburg to see if they could find the problem. They had it for a week and they thought they found the prblem, however when I got home after 2 hours driving in the rain, it still was wet in the rear jack compartment next to the rear seat hatch. I took it back again and they kept it another week and gave it a real going over.
They found, so they told us, that the rear hatch door hinge was not fitted or seated properly to the frame as well as the Roof rack was not seated or sealed to the roof properly. The water was leaking through the bold holes, across the roof beam or headliner and down the inside panel. So far(touch wood) I have NOT had any water. Hope this helps. Take care...

[RE2Boys]

I've always noted a scraping sound from my 2005 Freestar brakes when backing out of driveway, but it always goes away after a stop or two. Suspect surface rust on the rotors that rubs off after a couple of good stops.
not as well finished as my 01 Windstar or 95 Windstar, but has been very trouble free.
RE2Boys

[Amanda Sirmon]

Unsafe Ford Freestar 2006 wrote:

I have also purchesed my Ford Freestar 2006 but in May 2006, I have only had the vechile for a total of 3 weeks and I still do not have it. The vechile traction light come on and the vechile brakes on it's own and my kids have been in the vechile when this has happened, and now are not willing to drive in the vechile as a large truck was behind us when this happened. Right now we are fighting with Ford to take back the vechile as we don't want it. It's very unsafe and I would not trust it. If you have any other questions or comments pls post message back

I have a 2007 Ford Freestar Minivan that is having the same issue. Bought it in July and it has been in for service 3 times for the Traction control. Almost had a 2 major wrecks due to it braking unexpectedly. Ford seems very unconcerned...I am terrified of dying in a car accident with my three kids because the stupid car brakes with out warning...please post back...I'd like to compare notes.

[Dave- Hamilton-NJ]

We recently purchased a 2007 Freestar as a business delivery vehicle & are experiencing the Traction Control problem.
The service manager was aware of the problem & found a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). He ordered some parts (a kit) & installed same, but we are still having the problem.
Dealer is trying to get some answers from Ford as they have at least one other customer with the same problem.

[Amanda]

Dave- Hamilton-NJ wrote:

We recently purchased a 2007 Freestar as a business delivery vehicle & are experiencing the Traction Control problem.
The service manager was aware of the problem & found a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). He ordered some parts (a kit) & installed same, but we are still having the problem.
Dealer is trying to get some answers from Ford as they have at least one other customer with the same problem.

We are not getting anywhere with Ford or the dealer...have contacted an attorney. Could you please contact me. We are very upset and scared because of the danger involved when the ADVANCETRAC engages suddenly

[MelissaInTexas]

Rodney M wrote:

We've had our '04 SEL for a couple of months now and I've not been pleased so far. It's city gas mileage was less than I'd hoped for (14mpg around town). The rear brakes were making a noise when the parking brake had been applied for more than a few hours (e.g., overnight). Scoring of the rear rotor resulted. Thankfully this was corrected by a TSB from Ford. Now we are having intermittent problems with brake light failures. The right brake light stops working even though the bulbs appear OK. The first time this occured, I took the brake light assembly apart to inspect the bulbs. They looked OK so I put the assembly back together and it began working normally. It's gone out a second time now and the previous fix (haha) doesn't solve the problem.

My brakes were acting funny. The dealership that I purchased my 2005 SEL from (used) is in another city. The grinding noise when I reversed was horrible and it was not braking properly. The first thing we discovered is that there was no cover on the brake fluid reservoir. Apparently our "Ford certified" mechanics forgot to put it back on when they serviced the vehicle before I purchased it!
After purchasing about 100.00 in special tools, we discovered that the brake calipers were stuck and had scored the rotors badly. We cannot put the brakes back on, because they are stuck! I am, as we speak, waiting for a mechanic to come out, just so we can get the thing back together and get it to the shop. What was the TSB? Did they let you know?
I want to be armed when I go see these guys at the dealership!
My hubby took the wheels off to inspect the brakes.