FORD FREESTAR PROBLEMS

Complaints and Common Faults

• 1. Brakes:

  • The left rear brake locked up. The left inner pad had worn unevenly.
    
  • My left inner brake pad fell apart and almost caused an accident. My left brake was locked up on inner side. Dealer put new pads and fixed rotor. Also excessive front brake noise and squeal.
    
  • Brakes squealing, air bag light comes on, engine has a lot of pinging at highway speeds (60 mph and up).
    
  • When the brakes were applied, the pedal would go to the floor. The vehicle lunged forward instead of stopping.
    
  • Brakes went out. Track light came on. Van was towed to dealer and sensor was replaced. Brakes went out again. Master cylinder was leaking and was replaced.
    
  • Grinding noise in rear passenger side wheel. Caliper failed, caused the pad to slip and ate through the rotor causing the wheel to lock up completely.
    
  • Grinding noises when applying the brake.
    

• 2. Airbags:

  • Air bag light warning indicator illuminated and will not turn off. Parts to fix the front air bags were on back order.
    
  • Air bag light comes on intermittently. Dealer cannot duplicate the problem.
    
  • 2004 ford freestar air bag warning light illuminates on and off while driving.
    

• 3. Doors:

  • Plastic molding along the running boards broke off, causing the sliding door to malfunction and lock occupants inside the vehicle.
    
  • The automatic sliding sensor failed, causing a child to be caught between the doors and sustaining bruises.
    
  • Passenger door lock automatically locks and sucked in a family member's skin on the lower arm.
    
  • Sliding door opened and closed while driving, causing the rear window to shatter.
    
  • The power sliding door continues to close even when the electrical button is depressed to stop it.
    
  • When the consumer tried to stop the car it accelerated/kicked in. Air bag light illuminated.
    
  • Driver accidentally pushed the button to close the door, crushing a leg as there is no way to stop the door.
    

• 4. Engine:

  • While driving 30 mph, the power steering failed without warning.
    
  • Vehicle stalled after coming to a stop, then restarted fine.
    
  • Engine shuts down while driving, almost causing an accident with a semi truck.
    
  • Engine caught on fire after a minor collision.
    
  • Engine revving but transmission would not catch.
    

• 5. Transmission:

  • Transmission failed to get power to the road while passing a truck.
    
  • Transmission is slipping. Internal transmission failure and parts had to be ordered.
    

• 6. Suspension:

  • Front axle broke while performing a u-turn.
    
  • Sway bar snapped in the middle due to some defect.
    

• 7. Visibility:

  • Using the headliner-mounted dvd system screen obstructs visibility through the rearview mirror, ford advised to use side view mirrors.
    

• 8. Miscellaneous:

  • A rock lodged between oil pan and part of the frame caused oil leak.
    
  • Seat belt got stuck and had to be cut to get child out.
    
  • Tires showing overlap of tread, dealer advised to rotate tires.
    
  • Lever that releases back of bench seat cut off end of thumb.