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Comments
Too big for a lawn ornament.
Why is this situation so mess up? Right is right - wrong is still wrong. Wasn't it Michael Moore who asked, "Dude, Where's My Country?" This is like "The Awful Truth" of corporate America!
Everything you need is posted on this site. Google National Highway Transportation Safety Administration/NHTSA and file your complaint. Make sure you have your vin # available at that time.
Good luck to you. After the van was "fixed" I took an offer from the dealership and sold them the vehicle for about 12% of what I paid for it brand new. All in all, it was worth it not to put my family in danger.
NHTSA probes Ford minivans over transmission complaints
Neil Roland
Automotive News
November 17, 2009 - 4:23 pm ET
WASHINGTON -- Federal safety officials are investigating hundreds of complaints that 2004-05 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans have defective transmissions that can cause the moving vehicles to stop suddenly.
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As many as 205,000 vehicles could be affected, NHTSA said today.
Investigators are focusing on the torque converter output shaft, NHTSA said on its Web site. The shaft, in the rear of the transmission, drives the wheels.
NHTSA reported 654 customer complaints and 2,791 warranty claims related to the vehicles' sudden inability to move on the road.
“It's a safety defect and should be recalled,” said Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety.
The agency's engineering analysis is to be completed in 12 months, according to NHTSA.
A Ford Motor Co. spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Freestar and its Monterey sibling debuted in late 2003 and were discontinued after the 2007 model year after sagging sales.
In one complaint to the Center for Auto Safety, a Delaware resident said her 2004 Freestar suddenly stopped three times -- twice while on high-speed roadways trying to merge into traffic.
“While the vehicle was moving, the rpms would ramp up extremely high, but the vehicle would not move forward (felt as if all power, including steering, were gone),” wrote Nadine Burroughs of Middletown, Del.
“Driving down [Interstate 95], the transmission quit!” Ted Bennett of Crawfordville, Fl., wrote to Ditlow's group.
Is this really true? How will this impact those of us who have already paid out of pocket for a new transmission?
I am sorry I haven't been active lately. I had some health issues which put me out of commission for six months (lost 70 pound though:-))
I know you are largely responsible for this happening. GREAT JOB!
Kelly Lilly
Yes, it is finally coming to fruition. NHTSA has undertaken an investigation into the Freestar/Monteray transmission failures. This is in no small part due to the efforts of all of the good people who have taken the time to become informed, get engaged in the process, and stand up for themselves. Without every other consumer who respoded to our call to arms, this would not have been possible. Most of the credit, I believe, should go to Nadine. I believe that it was her research and the steps that she took that got NHTSA going on this issue.
Keep in mind however; this is just the beginning. This investigation likely will take months and the outcome is unpredictable in spite of what common sense tells us it should be.
In the meantime, hope your health continues to improve , congrats on the weght loss, and stay safe and keep the faith!
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD
Thank you for the kind words, but I believe that Edmunds deserves a lot of the credit for providing a space where we could all share our experiences. I have read every entry posted, and without them, I would have felt very alone in this process. All the people on this site inspired, encouraged, educated, and fought to get their voices heard. They filed complaints with NHTSA, Senators, Congresspeople, Better Business Bureau, and the Center for Auto Safety.
Personally, I would like to thank you all for providing hope.
Now, we need to respond to Fords letters to NHTSA.
We made a service date for about a week later, and they informed me it needed extensive tranny work, and that the warranty was no longer in place. ( I was now 300 kms over). After some discussion, they agreed to swallow the whole cost...........thank god! Hats off to the dealer.
Now my 2005 Freestar with 111,000 km (65,000 miles) is lame. Went out to he driveway, put it in gear, and nothing happened. I had drove home the night before with no problems.
Had it towed to the local Ford dealer, who phoned back and said there wasn't any tranny pressure, so I needed a new tranny. They are looking for a used for approximately $1500, and with installation, filters etc, will be $3100, plus tax.
Ford misspoke when it named this vehicle a "FREE" Star. I have some other ideas for sur names
Seems to be a similar theme with these vans.
Last night I was driving home from running errands and was about a half mile away from home. I was making a sharp right turn off the highway and onto the street which I live. As I started to turn the steering wheel, the car shut off and I lost steering. I drifted onto the other side of the road after just missing the passing car and luckily into a parking lot of a doctors office. I started the van back up and was able to move forward to get the back of my van out of the road as I was praying that a car wasn't going to come over that windy hill. There was no warning. I had it at the shop about 2 months ago because the engine light came on--that was a gas cap issue. I am just astonished that the light will come on over replacement of a gas cap, but not of a transmission problem.
Long story short, my husband was able to get the van home, cutting out on him 2 times in less than a half mile. And, I still sitting here shaking like a leaf.
Good luck and I hope that your holidays improve.
I am writing my response to this, and I am going to include video response, too! Let them travel roadway where no should exists, or bridges under construction without safe places to get off the roadway.
God bless you for keeping the cause going and keeping the folks informed. I can't wait to see your response to Ford. I cannot believe their arrogance and blatant disregard for the safety of their customers.
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD
File your complaint with NHTSA, via their website, the Center for Auto Safety, via their website, and of course, write to Ford. Don't stop there however; contact ALL of your elected representatives, both locally and nationally, and also your local media outlet.
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD
In post 888, I linked the web site for diesel-dave.com, but not surprised to see the site has been taken down. You can find the entire TSB on the government web site: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/defect/results.cfm
You may need to click on the "document search" and then choose "TSB06-14-10 DATED 7/5/2006 ENGINE/TRANSMISSION DRIVEABILITY ISSUES" second from the last.
Also, in post 910, there is link to a flickr site. Only two of the photos are "all rights reserved", but you are able to see them and view what the PCM looks like after three years of water damage. The other photos give a good detailed shot of where the PCM is located, and some directions for correcting the problem.
Good luck. The dealership could not seem to fix our vehicle.
I will be contacting the NHTSB to add myself to the complaint file against Ford.
Having just talked to the mechanic, the bill will be a few cents shy of $3300. Pretty close to the articles explaining this failure.
I too will be writing to Ford and to the NHTSB. Good luck all.
I too experienced all of the above, had the PCM removed and the Ford service fix for the problem installed only to get 350 miles and be stranded by the same problem.
Mechanics were at a loss to figure out the source of the water infiltration and the next step was to be a new wiring harness. turns out the new repairs were more than the "trade-in" value and I was reluctant to dump it on an unsuspecting private buyer.
So I figured if I was going to junk it I would just try to find the water source myself.
I followed the instructions for getting to the PCM by removing the wiper arms, special puller required, about $15 at most auto stores,don't try to pry, you'll wreck the pivot arm, removing the outer cowling, couple of screws and pops off the windshield side, removed the inner cowling, 10 screws. you'll have to remove the wiper fluid lines and connector to the wiper motor to get good working room and lift off the whole assy. just take your time and don't make things worse. or give this fix to your mechanic.
sounds difficult but actually only takes about 30 minutes if you have all the metric sockets.
now the PCM is locate under the dash on the passenger side. there is a 40 pin connector that has a mounting bolt that you can see from the engine compartment. carefully remove that bolt and the connector will back out so you can remove it. mine had water dripping out. Its not a good thing but don't panic yet.
there are 2 nuts that hold the boot cover over the PCM. you'll need a deep well socket or nut driver to remove them. 7/16 works but its 10mm metric.
pull off the cover and the PCM will pull out of its bracket. my replacement had water in it too. shook it out and gently heated witha blow dryer on low.
now carefully, reach inside the hole where the PCM bracket fits and feel if there is any moisture on the interior above where the PCM was installed. if it's wet I know your problem. The tubular cross member that supports the firewall is full of water.
Ford uses foam like Great Stuff to fill that tube, probably for sound deadening.
on my vehicle, both ends were foamed and the middle was not.
I removed the clips that hold down the outer cowling and there was an inch or so of water in the tube. the clips are not water tight and the gasket on the cowling make a nice dam to hold water on the clips and over many years the tube gradually fills until its gets to the cover plate over the PCM and you get stranded..
I pulled back the insulation in the middle of the cross member. drilled a 3/8 hole at the bottom using a cordless drill to keep from being electrocuted. and watched the Ford fountain spew out. I drilled holes on both sides as well and used them as blowout holes with my compressor. water blew out everywhere. I put a small heater on the areas and after 2 days and several blowouts the chamber is dry.
you'll need to dry out the PCM and connector. not too hot just drying it out low blowdryer. check the gasket around the pins on the PCM and make sure it is around all the pins. this is the seal to prevent moisture from getting into the connector.
to test you can just slip the PCM in the bracket, install the boot and carefully install the connector and start the car. My trouble lights all cleared and the car ran fine.
if all is good reassemble in reverse order.
I purchased new clips from Ford and siliconed all them in. I thought about filling the member with foam but opted to just leave the middle hole for drainage.
My thought is that the crossmember was supposed to be entirely filled with foam.
There would never had been the internal leak if it was filled.
I think some were and some were not would explain why we had the problem and others think the Free Star was the best car ever.
Best to all.
see my recent post on my real fix.
SO, COME ON FORD OWN UP & HAVE A RECALL ON THESE DEATH TRAPS!!!!!!!!!! We can't EVEN take Grand kids in this crap to see Christmas lights!!!! :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:
The only advice that I could give you is to watch your pocketbook. The dealer and Ford could care less about your safety or your family. They only see $$$$ signs. I have found that the Ford Freestar is a Free Money pit for the dealers and Ford.
Good luck.
My husband pulled out the PCM & it was dry. We plugged it back in & the problem remains. After hours of searching online my next guess is a Transmission Range Sensor/Neutral Safety Switch but I am really having trouble finding any info on this and if our symptoms truly fit since the van starts fine. (Symptoms are: Last driven in a downpour--so I was going slowly. Check engine light was on but we believed this to be because of a very quick stop on a steep hill w/ low gas (Deer in the road). Van starts and idles great. Won't go into any gear but engine revs when you press gas. Holds park but can be rocked in other gears.) BTW--engine light went out after we disconnected battery.
Does the Freestar have a 'limp mode' that may have gotten me home that night without realizing there was a problem?
Our Transaxle light blinks after driving awhile--should we assume the transmission will be going soon?
We have a bit of roughness/hesitation when trying to maintain approx. 45mph/1600rpm.
We are sooo upside down in the loan on this van--I've got 2 yrs left on it! Is there anything I can do to make it last that long?
When I figure out what's wrong I will file a complaint--where should I do that? NHTSB? Ford?
Any thoughts would be appreciated!
To find out if it is the torque converter, which unfortunately it sounds like, a transmission shop needs to do a pressure check. If there's no pressure, then the pump isn't turning, which is what happens when the torque converter fails.
Do not delay.
my husband was driving on the highway our 2006 Freestar shut down. The engine
was on, but he couldn't accelerate, when he did the rpm went up, but no power, the car coasted to a stop and he couldn't get it
completely off the road. He was driving at approx. 40-45 miles per hour. We had
the car towed to a garage. They mentioned possible transmission problems. We
will know more on Monday. But after the research that I have done, there is no
doubt that it is another Freestar with a bad transmission!!!
While driving the Freestar my husband said there was absolutely no indication that
anything was wrong with the van. He said it seemed that the van suddenly was in
neutral and yet it was in drive. This is a very serious situation!!!!
I decided to google Freestars and tranmissions..........OMG I was shocked and in dis-
belief over what I was reading.
Our problem now is.....we are making payment on a van, and we couldn't afford to
pay for a new transmission. I now have a van and I cannot afford to get it fixed.
I did report the situation to the NHTSA but as I understand they are only investigating
2004-2005?
Does anyone have any advice, we have a 2006 Freestar?
Thank you in advance for your advice!
$3300 later, we had it back, only to have it go again 25,000 later. This failure has caused us great financial dificulty as well. We're in the same boat, owe too much on the loan and have to wait it out. We paid a monthly payment on a vehicle that was sitting in the driveway. That's not the biggest issue. Ford is going to keep ignoring this until someone gets killed. They are a poor example of American quality. Good luck with your problem.
until someone is killed, this entire situation is just disgusting.
At this point, we are stuck, we purchased the van from a reputable local used car
dealer, we are wondering if they knew about this problem? They mention on
their website that they use carfax....We unfortunitly didn't....big mistake.
I wonder if carfax would have any information regarding our vans previous
transmission history. Did the company we purchased know about this
problem, when they sold it to us 16 months ago?
I wonder???
Thank you and my sympathies go out to everyone invovled in this disgusting
situation.
Please follow up with NHTSA and demand that they expand their investigation to include the 2006 model year. Of course, it won't be long before the 2007's start failing as well.
In addition to NHTSA, please register a complaint w/ the Center for Auto Safety. Also, contact ALL of your elected representatives, your states Office of the Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, (Ford is a member), and of course, write to Ford and also call their Customer Relationship Center. This is a joke because they will act like they never heard of the problem before, blame it on you, treat you like a 4-year old, and hope that you go away but it is a step you can take.
I am sure they have a log of the calls somewhere so, ultimately, it will be easy to prove that they did know about it all along.
Finally, tell everyone you know, especially other Freestar/Mercury Monteray owners about this dangerous and potentially deadly defect. You just might save a life in the process!
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD
afternoon. I will follow your advice and contact everyone you had listed. At the
present time the van was towed to our local garage. I am going to have the mechanic
check the situation out, but not do any repairs. After learning about the risks and
price that is involved, I cannot afford either. I am stuck as many others are!!!
I am also contacting my local bank and their headquarters, where I have a loan
for the car. I realize this might be a strange angle of attack, but they approval a loan on
an unsafe vehicle, they are somewhat involved too!!! They might be
repo-ing a unsafe vehicle.........I hate to ruin my perfect credit but I am not having
my family ride in an unsafe vehicle! Just not sure what to do???
Does anyone know if enough people with car loans complain to their banks would make
much of a difference??? Just a though
Everyone with Freestars please stay safe.
Thank you
for families???? Usually but not always, the mini-vans are marketed to
women who are activitely running their children to school, daycare, children
sporting events etc.....
FORD obviously doesn't give 2 hoots.....about the parents who purchase these vans,
this has been made very clear, buy their refusing to corect the thousands
PCM/transmission problems.
FORD IS ENDANGERING OUR "CHILDREN" LIVES
and they don't care
WE NEED "MOM'S AGAINST FORD"
Ford has marketed these mini-vans towards women and families,
it is time for them to step up to the plate and fix our minivans!!!
If FORD is going to
purchased my van used with approx. 37,000k mile on it. I am interested in knowing
if the transmission is orginal and if the previous owner did the (recommended!)
did transmission fluid change at 30k miles?
I have a list of numbers from the transmission, but I don't understand them?
Also, carfax has 9 reports on my Freestar van, and another company has 16
reports on my van. I haven't paid them for any information yet. What information
do these reports about my car? Would they have any information about my
transmission, like if it had been replaced?
Thank you in advance for advice and information!
Again thank you
Also, Thank you for following up on repoerting your failure. This is how we have gotten this far with NHTSA actually conducting an investigation. We have been at this for over 2 years now. I suspect we will be at it for at least another 2 years as the 2006 and 2007 models start to experience the same problem.
Finally, watch out everybody; Ford is getting ready to reenter the minivan market next year! Can you believe it?
Jim Genovese
Annapolis, MD
This is from CarFax site, however, I wouldn't count on there being the kind of info included that you're seeking.
Potential owners see detailed records of routine maintenance, such as oil changes and tune-ups, along with more extensive information like damage repairs and parts replacement, when available. The service history displays the name, location and Web address of each shop that provides maintenance information to Carfax.
You might want to take a look at this Edmunds article.
Which Vehicle History Report Is Right for You?