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My question is whether there is a technical fix -- in the form of better pads for the rear brakes -- or am I destined to replace them every year or so? I do almost all stop-and-go, stop sign, frequent stop light driving (have never had any problems with brake pads before) and cannot change the driving conditions. So, let's say the guy behind the wheel and the design of the braking system are constants. Is there a better pad?
The day after I brought the car home from the 4th visit- the technician noted significant wear on the rear brakes- so I called them and asked them to go over this especially since I had already brought it down there for three previous appointments and they noticed NOTHING. Of couse they could not and gave me a rate for what the repairs would cost me- they claimed that it was due to my driving.
I called the general manager- who is a good friend, and went through my plight. He was not at all amused with his service department.
Less than a day later, I get the letter from Ford regarding the rear brakes. Realizing that I was not completely crazy, I called the dealer again. This time they pretended that they knew nothing about the letters or the fact that the car had just been there for the same problem.
The car was fixed, but within the last three months, I have been noticing the drag again. So I took it back down to the dealer- they could not duplicate the problem- which is no surprise.
So what happens if this becomes an issue again? My car will be out of warranty in less than 5,000 miles.
This fix was no fix. :confuse:
Also, is there and estimated "ratio" of cars that experience this problem? I guess what I want to know is if all 2005,2006's have brake issues, or 1 in 5, or 1 in 50, etc.
Thanks for your insight.
I'm hoping the dealer will be gracious again. It is a great vehicle, but I'm very dissappointed that Ford isn't correcting this ongoing problem.
I am really upset because the dealer who replaced my pads at 21k is out of business, and I spoke with customer care at Ford, and while they were very nice, they didn't really seem too concerned that my 6 mo. old tires were so worn, and that my rear pad (4 and 5mm) were so worn after only 1 year. They were quick to point out that my car was out of the extended warranty period, and they didn't seem to want to acknowledge the possibility that the replacement pads could have been bad or as bad as the first set that came with the car originally.
Regardless, if anyone can reply and let me know of their experience working with Ford to get replacements outside the warranty coverage period, that would be much appreciated.
1. New front and rear brake pads & rear rotors resurfaced on 6/07 at 9300 miles.
2. New front and rear brake pads on 3/08 at 22,000 miles.
It's now at 25,000 miles and the rear wheels are covered with brake dust and the rear rotors are deeply grooved, with the inside way more than the outside so that I am garaging it until its dealer appointment in 3 days.
From reading the various forums this is not that unusual. My question, if anyone knows the answer, is why the heck is this continuing to happen? Can't they fix this once and be done? I worry about what happens when the warranty coverage expires.
I've been a Ford guy all my life, with the first family LTD in 1967 (my parents). This is discouraging, not to even mention the Pirelli tires being shot already! (That I attribute to driving habits.)
Anyway, we're up to 54k with no further issues.
The Tech told me that the original brake/rotor combination were incompatible on the rear. I'm no materials expert - but that seems plausible.
This has been our only prolbem. I love the Freestyle otherwise.
Can deliver unreal gas mileage on long road trips.
Jodi
I have had other problems such as brake light switch replacement, brake lights. The waranty covered the replacements yet the time spent waiting at the dealers wasn't something I expacted when purchasing my first "new" car in 20 years.
Well I finally took the car in for a 3 year, 30,000 mile service and overall the Dealer said the car was in excellent condition apart from needing new rear brakes. He stated the rotors are fine but would need to be machined. Unfortunately, because I've been a delinquent with servicing, I've missed the extended warranty on the brakes (I got the car is May 05) so I'm going to have to foot the bill.
Last time the car was in (in July 07) I really quizzed the dealer regarding the brakes hoping to get them all changed for free but he stated that they were fine with plenty of life left at the time - so I kind of forgot about them. Since then the car has been doing more miles so I guess they have worn out faster...
I asked the dealer if all the pads needed changing because our car is AWD and he stated that it was the same OEM pads going on as were taken off, and that our car did not have the old style of pads. Still he stated that if it was done under warranty then Ford would have done all the pads, but as I am paying for it, there was no need (there was still 50% life left on the fronts).
So on the whole, apart from the rear pads, I would say this car is bulletproof.
d been changed. we cannot get the cylinder to compress back down does any one know how to do this. Thanks in advance
Not very impressive!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Called my local Ford dealer and was told that it is not uncommon to have to change brakes every 15,000 miles and the warranty didn't cover the rotors. They had no suggestions on how to keep from ruining my new set of rotors. Is this just a car thing? Or a Ford thing?
I asked the service man about why the brakes would wear out so quickly and he said its because of the design of the Freestyle. Its on a Volvo chassis and the rear brakes kick in prior to front to avoid the harsh braking feeling. That makes the rears wear out faster and means that instead of replacing the front brakes more, its the rear. They are fixing my brakes for free but I need to ask more questions such as 'why' and 'which kind of pads are they using to replace them".
I don't think just the way the car is made should result in poor rear brakes, I'm told it could be a defective switch (don't know the name but it controls which brakes apply how much pressure). This would possibly be fixed because Ford might have sent a maintenance letter to their dealers saying to replace it. I haven't been able to find any such letter though.
My understanding is that a batch of brake pads got water damage before they were installed, and therefore failed prematurely.
EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM
07N10 Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frank M. Ligon
Director
Service Engineering Operations
Ford Customer Service Division
Ford Motor Company
P.O. Box 1904
Dearborn, Michigan 48121
July 3, 2007
TO: All U.S. Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers
SUBJECT: Customer Satisfaction Program 07N10
Certain 2005 through 2007 FWD & AWD Ford Five Hundred, Freestyle & Mercury Montego Vehicles - Rear Brake Wear
PROGRAM TERMS
This program extends the warranty coverage of the rear brake pads to 3 years of service or 36,000 miles from the warranty start date of the vehicle, whichever occurs first. If a vehicle has already accumulated more than 36,000 miles, this coverage will last until December 31, 2007. This program provides one-time replacement coverage, and is automatically transferred to subsequent owners.
VEHICLES COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego FWD & AWD and Ford Freestyle FWD vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through November 28, 2006.
Certain 2005 through 2007 Model Year Ford Freestyle AWD Vehicles built at the Chicago Assembly Plant from Job #1 2005 through Job Last 2007.
Affected vehicles are identified in OASIS.
REASON FOR PROVIDING ADDITIONAL COVERAGE
Some of the affected vehicles may have had direct exposure to moisture for an extended period that may have caused the pads to "swell" and create a slight drag condition. Low levels of brake drag might not be noticed by a customer, but could lead to premature brake pad wear and excessive brake dust.
SERVICE ACTION
2005 through 2007 FWD and AWD Ford Five Hundred, Mercury Montego & FWD Freestyle Vehicles
If an affected vehicle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rear rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
2005 through 2007 AWD Freestyle Vehicles
Due to the configuration of the braking system on AWD Freestyle vehicles the front brake pads must be replaced when rear brake pads are replaced. Therefore, this program will allow replacement of front brake pads, but only if the rear brake pads require replacement during the same visit.
If an affected AWD Freestyle experiences the condition of rear brake pad premature wear (below 3mm thickness), dealers are to replace the front and rear brake pads and if necessary, turn or replace the rotors, if they are below the thickness specification. This service will be performed on affected vehicles at no charge to the vehicle owner.
NOTE: Brake pad inspection is part of normal maintenance and is not covered as part of this program. If the vehicle is within this extended time and mileage coverage and the owner experiences a brake system symptom or during a normal maintenance inspection (brakes every 15,000 miles or more often, per the Scheduled Maintenance Guide) the vehicle's rear brake pads are found to have less than 3 millimeters (0.118 inch) of lining material, then Ford Motor Company will cover the cost of replacing the rear brake pads.
OWNER NOTIFICATION MAILING SCHEDULE
Mailing will begin July 9, 2007.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment I: Administrative Information
Attachment II: Labor Allowances and Parts Ordering Information
Attachment III: Technical Information
Customer Notification Letter
Thanks!
Still really like the FREESTYLE though and will just pay more attention.
freestylephil
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97143
This happen only after I back up and try to pull forward, I can hit the brakes and they seem to free up.
I notices tonight when I backed up at Wal Mart they dragged when I pulled forward, so I went out in the lot away from the other cars pull into a spot, park and backed out and to see what would happen, with out giving it the gas to move forward.
the car would not move on it own for a few seconds and then it just pulled forward with no dragg what so ever.
So that tells me the Calipers are not releasing as they should, any thoughts on this matter.
Isn't this a lemon law issue? :mad:
This should not be acceptable in any way shape or form. My next car will be either a Subaru Forester or Honda CR-V. Enough of this .....
I wonder if the Tarus X was a change because of all the problems with Freestyle! How can you go three model years with rear brake issues and no fix?
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm is the website
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/index.cfm
I filed a complaint with the nhtsa which is www.nhtsa.gov about this being a safety issue that maybe if enough freestyle owners filed they would light a fire under Ford.
Alan Mulally was just on CBS Good Morning this past Sunday saying how Ford is turning their business around yadah yadah! I am writing him a letter about this with the whole story!! Do not contact the customer service center they will just blow you off. I am assuming Mulally is at ford headquarters in Dearborn so....
The more we all scream about this issue maybe we will be heard....makes me wonder what CHANGES they made on the Tarus X!!
My calipers were good and so are the front brakes. i had requested a radiator flush and they said it tested good and factory recommendations wasn't until 100K or to retest every so often.
I will post the name of the brakes etc when I get it back tonight...maybe this will help others.
Pattie :lemon:
I am getting my second set of rear brakes and now rotors in 34K in 4 years! needless to say I am NOT happy with Ford...filed a complaint with the NHSTA and the state of WI lemon law. People need to scream and raise hell about this!! Models 2005 thru 7 have an issue with rear brake wear!
An independent shop is trying a different type of brake shoe to see if this works better...will post later check this list
pattie :lemon:
The guy said that it "looked" like whoever replaced them before put fronts on the backs. I thought quick enough to get the pads from him, but I'm dump founded on how to find out if that was the case.
Here are all the numbers on the pads, anyone else have any suggestions?
Bosch, KF 6008, 0204, 207464, then there is 211.7 on 2 of them and 215.7 on the other two.
This was our last Ford, between my wife and me, it was our 6th, and we've NEVER had problems with them like this one. We are waiting a Throttle Body to come in so it can be replaced. The part is back ordered until December. We can at least drive it, for the moment.
The fix is simple - spend a little more money and buy rotors that are slotted and drilled - therefore remain far cooler. In fact I never replace rotors on any car that are not slotted and drilled. Also use ceramic pads that are almost always guaranteed for life. Sure it will cost you a few hundred more bucks for this kind of upgrade, and I'd agree it is Ford's fault, but it's well worth it for every car you own whenever you replace the rotors. And in the end costs less than your pathetic effort of your endlessly complaining, and less than buying a Subaru.