FORD FREESTAR · model year

2004 FORD FREESTAR

1600 NHTSA complaints, 25 crash reports, and 5 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004FORDFREESTAR carries 1600 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 25 crashes, 17 fires, 29 injuries, and 1 fatality. 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 FREESTAR is power train:automatic transmission with 495 filings, followed by power train (310) and electrical system (115). 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. This model year has 5 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2004 FREESTAR. 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.

1600
Complaints
25
Crashes
17
Fires
29
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

1600 filings

Crashes Reported

25 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION495
POWER TRAIN310
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM115
SEATS84
ENGINE69
STRUCTURE:BODY62
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER50
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL29
UNKNOWN OR OTHER26
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC22
STEERING22
SUSPENSION18
STRUCTURE18
WHEELS17

Recalls (5)

04V44600013/09/2004

WHEELS:HUB

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.

06E05600013/06/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE

12V00600009/01/2012

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

13V08100007/03/2013

SEATS

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, Massac

03V45700006/11/2003

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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

Recent Complaints

20250711POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the torque converter and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.Â

Mileage: 104,000

20250707POWER TRAIN

Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.

20240827POWER TRAIN

I have a 2004 Ford freestar van and I was driving down the road and I went to pass another vehicle and I push the gas and I heard some crunchy noise is and then nothing no power at all no gears nothing I was dead in the water so I had to get out of the van and push it to the side of the road didn't have reverse didn't have drive didn't have third second or first no gears at all the transmission failed me I could have been in a very bad accident and hurt it just came out of nowhere there was no signs of anything wrong with the van and then this happens.

20240827ENGINE

I have a 2004 Ford freestar van and I was driving down the road and I went to pass another vehicle and I push the gas and I heard some crunchy noise is and then nothing no power at all no gears nothing I was dead in the water so I had to get out of the van and push it to the side of the road didn't have reverse didn't have drive didn't have third second or first no gears at all the transmission failed me I could have been in a very bad accident and hurt it just came out of nowhere there was no signs of anything wrong with the van and then this happens.

20240318POWER TRAIN

My son was driving down Rt 81 when the transmission stopped working Your vehicle was running fine but would not go had to drift off the highway she avoid getting hit I had to tow the van home we’re it’s still parked

20231003POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would not properly accelerate and would hesitate to accelerate and the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000(Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 250,000.

Mileage: 250,000

20230216ENGINE

Conducía mi vehículo y la trasmisión quedó en neutro en una entrada y no pude estacionarme Y no volvió arrancar Solo coje la reversa I was driving my vehicle and the transmission was neutral in a driveway and I couldn't park And did not start again Just take the reverse

20230118POWER TRAIN

The transmission is grinding and popping when shifting gears.Also it has started not moving when I shift it into drive and 3rd and 1st.When I drive it I have to put it in 1st gear and change up to drive and it grinds and pops when giving it gas to go.It comes to a crawl going up hills.Has a big loss of power.The trackshion control light comes on saying it's not working.The electrical is messing up the doors are opening up when they are not supposed to going down road.It tells me that different doors are open when there not keeping the lights on in the van running down the battery.

20230118ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The transmission is grinding and popping when shifting gears.Also it has started not moving when I shift it into drive and 3rd and 1st.When I drive it I have to put it in 1st gear and change up to drive and it grinds and pops when giving it gas to go.It comes to a crawl going up hills.Has a big loss of power.The trackshion control light comes on saying it's not working.The electrical is messing up the doors are opening up when they are not supposed to going down road.It tells me that different doors are open when there not keeping the lights on in the van running down the battery.

20230118BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS

The transmission is grinding and popping when shifting gears.Also it has started not moving when I shift it into drive and 3rd and 1st.When I drive it I have to put it in 1st gear and change up to drive and it grinds and pops when giving it gas to go.It comes to a crawl going up hills.Has a big loss of power.The trackshion control light comes on saying it's not working.The electrical is messing up the doors are opening up when they are not supposed to going down road.It tells me that different doors are open when there not keeping the lights on in the van running down the battery.

20220808UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I just purchased the vehicle used and recently discovered there was a recall on these vehicles. The vehicle I purchased keeps stalling and is not getting any power. I’ve had the vehicle checked by the car lot and they say there is nothing wrong.. the vehicle died out on me already twice while I was driving.

20220405POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle continued to slow as the RPM was rising. The contact did not notice any warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted however, failed to shift into higher gears while attempting to reach highway speeds. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

Mileage: 158,000

20220301POWER TRAIN

Transmission slip , leaks , loosing ofpower, shakes from 45 mph to 55 mph , mechanic shop says it is the Torque Converter that is malfunction.

20211127POWER TRAIN

the van has less than 49k miles on it and the reverse has not worked but it will drive forward. Others have had this issue as well.

20211117ENGINE

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the computer needed to be dried off. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated he had experienced the failure several times. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.

Mileage: 38,000

20210629SEATS

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the third-row seat floorboard was corroded with several holes. The TPMS warning light was illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 13V081000 (Seats) however, the part to do the recall was unavailable. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who declined to repair the vehicle due to part availability issues. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. Parts distribution disconnect. (RECALL REMEDY INCIDENT) TS

Mileage: 150,000

20210329POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO ANY GEAR, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED ALL AMERICAN FORD OF HACKENSACK (520 RIVER ST, HACKENSACK, NJ 07601) WHERE HE WAS GIVEN A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20210314ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I READ THE RECALLS FOR 2004 FORD FREE STAR TRANSMISSIONS AND MY VAN WITHOUT WARNING JUST QUIT WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I COULD GET IT TO START BACK UP FOR A SECOND TO MOVE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT IT WOULDN'T START AFTER THAT.

Mileage: 160,000

20210218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

PCM HAS ISSUES DO TO MOISTURE WHICH AFFECTS ELECTRICAL SLIPPING GEARS ABS SENSOR PROBLEM POWER STEERING ISSUES AND TCM AND THIS VEHICLE HAS ALL SAFETY PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO RECALLS NONE OF IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE FORD SAYS YOUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON LIST.

20210218POWER TRAIN

PCM HAS ISSUES DO TO MOISTURE WHICH AFFECTS ELECTRICAL SLIPPING GEARS ABS SENSOR PROBLEM POWER STEERING ISSUES AND TCM AND THIS VEHICLE HAS ALL SAFETY PROBLEMS ACCORDING TO RECALLS NONE OF IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE FORD SAYS YOUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT ON LIST.

Compare 2004FORDFREESTAR to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 FORD FREESTAR have?
The 2004 FORD FREESTAR has 1600 NHTSA complaints, 25 crashes, 17 fires, 29 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 FORD FREESTAR?
Yes, the 2004 FORD FREESTAR has 5 recall(s). The most common affected component is WHEELS:HUB. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 FORD FREESTAR?
The most-complained component for the 2004 FORD FREESTAR is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 495 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2004 FORD FREESTAR 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.