FORD FREESTYLE · model year

2004 FORD FREESTYLE

14 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004FORDFREESTYLE carries 14 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 FREESTYLE is power train with 6 filings, followed by engine (3) and wheels (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 FREESTYLE, 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.

14
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

14 filings

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

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN6
ENGINE3
WHEELS1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1
STEERING1
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1

Recent Complaints

20170816ENGINE

MY CAR SAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND WONT GO OVER 25 MPH. I ALSO HAVE AN AWD MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE CAN. I'M TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL TAX TIME TO TRADE IN BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B IN THE MEANTIME. MECHANIC TELLS ME TO GET IT SCANNED FOR $70. I CANT AFFORD THAT BS TRYING TO RAISE 3 KIDS WITH ANOTHER ON THE WAY.

Mileage: 220,000

20170816UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY CAR SAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND WONT GO OVER 25 MPH. I ALSO HAVE AN AWD MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE CAN. I'M TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL TAX TIME TO TRADE IN BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B IN THE MEANTIME. MECHANIC TELLS ME TO GET IT SCANNED FOR $70. I CANT AFFORD THAT BS TRYING TO RAISE 3 KIDS WITH ANOTHER ON THE WAY.

Mileage: 220,000

20170123STEERING

WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL FEELS VERY HEAVY, AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WON'T EASILY TURN BACK .LIKE ITS DRAGGING. WHEN I AM TURNING ON A CURVE IT FEELS LIKE IT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING.

Mileage: 96,000

20151124ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Mileage: 187,000

20150619ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Mileage: 113,000

20150619ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Mileage: 113,000

20140403POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE THE CHECK TRANSAXLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10 MPH. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE ). THE PCM WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,674.

Mileage: 101,674

20140113POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

20131106POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT BEGAN TO HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

20130909POWER TRAIN

I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON AUGUST, 22, 2012. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE BUT WHEN I BROUGHT IT HOME I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BUMP WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT SMOOTH OUT OVER TIME. THREE MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SHUDDER AT FIFTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR AND THE TACHOMETER WOULD RISE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED RPMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO WAS A FORD MECHANIC FOR ABOUT TWENTY YEARS BEFORE HE OPENED HIS OWN SHOP AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR THAT I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL PARTS AND LABOR. THE VAN HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT AND I'M HOPING IT WILL LAST ANOTHER SIX MONTHS SO I CAN TRADE IT IN. BUT IF THE DEALERS FIGURE OUT THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE GOING TO COST THEM MORE THAN THEY'RE WORTH I PROBABLY WONT GET MUCH OF A TRADE IN VALUE. *TR

Mileage: 110,824

20130821STRUCTURE:BODY

SLIDING SIDE DOORS AND REAR WHEEL WELLS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IN A SIDE-ON CRASH. THIS IS TRUE FOR THE WINDSTAR TOO. *TR

20130305POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR MAIN TRANSMISSION OIL SEAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Mileage: 126,000

20130114POWER TRAIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER) AND AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND MADE A BANGING SOUND AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE HAVING THE RECALL REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

20120606WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 7/12/12 *CN

Mileage: 88,000

Compare 2004FORDFREESTYLE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 FORD FREESTYLE have?
The 2004 FORD FREESTYLE has 14 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 FORD FREESTYLE?
The most-complained component for the 2004 FORD FREESTYLE is POWER TRAIN with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and WHEELS.
Is the 2004 FORD FREESTYLE 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.