Total Complaints
12 filings
FORD E-SERIES · model year
2004 FORD E-SERIES
12 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2004FORDE-SERIES carries 12 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 E-SERIES is latches/locks/linkages with 2 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (1) and service brakes, air (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2004 E-SERIES, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
12
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| TIRES | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
| STRUCTURE | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| VISIBILITY | 1 |
| SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20090424POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424TIRES
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424STRUCTURE
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424STEERING
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424VISIBILITY
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20090424SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
Mileage: 40,000
20080725POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER
Mileage: 80,000
20080725SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER
Mileage: 80,000
20080725ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER
Mileage: 80,000
20080725LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER
Mileage: 80,000
Compare 2004FORDE-SERIES to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 8 Open
EA26001Engineering AnalysisOpen
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
PE25020Preliminary EvaluationOpen
Timing Belt Failure
DP25001Defect PetitionOpen
Underbody shields detachment
PE25007Preliminary EvaluationOpen
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
PE25002Preliminary EvaluationClosed
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2004 FORD E-SERIES have?▼
The 2004 FORD E-SERIES has 12 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 FORD E-SERIES?▼
The most-complained component for the 2004 FORD E-SERIES is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and SERVICE BRAKES, AIR.
Is the 2004 FORD E-SERIES safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.