Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
04161308/23/200410011172Noise from front wheel hub bearing. * ar01/07/2005
1789206/01/200410008271Front wheel hub bearing high pitched whistling/squealing noise from front exterior while driving. also includes 2005 freestar and monterey. *tt07/23/2004

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
SUSPENSION
02/01/2013130000
 The problem is the same that is described in ea12003. the attaching bracket for the rear seat fell out while the seat was folded into the floor. it became lodged in the inner portion of the rear wheel assembly. if this would have happened at high speeds, somebody could have easily been killed, by the rear wheel becoming restricted or this heavy plate bouncing down the road at another vehicle. the bracket is a u bracket attached to a plate that is welded flush to comprise part of the wheel well. to temporarily keep from losing the bracket, i held the bracket in place while setting the seats upright again so that the seat itself is holding the bracket in. there is now water from the road getting up into the passenger compartment. i hope that ford issues a recall or offers a bolt on replacement soon. i've been mostly happy with this vehicle otherwise. (there are no other prices rusting or falling off obviously)
05/12/2010742121
 Many issues with the van & they continue. purchased from 1 previous owner, jan '09 around 60k may 2010, 74k miles- replaced spark plugs & wires, fuel system cleaner: rough idle $432.23 dec 2010, 83k miles - replaced front axle & sway bar links: $822.89 april 2011, ? miles, - replaced plugs & wires, coil pack: rough idle $700.85 jan 2012, 100k miles - replaced pvc evap hose, r&r fuel filter, fuel injector cleaner: rough idle $228.40 aug 15 2012, 106k miles - recall, torque converter replaced: costing me $162.14 to replace seals & transmission filter aug 16 2012, 106k miles - replaced egr valve: rough idle & engine light on after recall fix $135.95 (dealership was kind enough to only charge for labor) aug 31, 2012, 107k miles - engine is still running rough, piercing noise while driving, sometimes it goes away when i am turning. *tr
05/06/201296400
 Tl- the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. the contact stated that the rear driver side of the vehicle was rusted. the rear driver side wheel well was rusted and reached the fuel filler pipe. the contact also stated that the rear driver side seat was also rusted and would not lock in place. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection or repairs. the failure and the current mileages were 96,400. kmj
05/06/201296400
 Tl- the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. the contact stated the rear end of the vehicle on the driver side has rusted. the contact stated the rear driver side wheel well had rusted and that has reached to the filler pipe for the fuel. the contact also stated the rear seat on the drivers side had rusted and will not lock in place because of the rust. the vehicle had not been to the dealer. the failure mileage and current mileages were 96,400.rl
03/30/201287308
 Tl- the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. while traveling 30 mph, the contact noticed that the front suspension and axle had suddenly separated from the vehicle, causing the vehicle to crash into a parked vehicle. no one was injured during the crash. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired for the failure. the current and the failure mileages were 87,308. kmj
03/30/201287308
 Tl- the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. while traveling 30 mph the contact noticed that the front suspension and axle of the vehicle had suddenly separated from the vehicle causing the vehicle to crash into a nearby parked vehicle. no one was injured during the crash. the vehicle has not been diagnosed. the current and failure mileages are 87308. bml
12/11/2010114000
 Tl-the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. the contact stated the front axle assembly fell off in the driveway. the vehicle was not in any collision or road hazard. the vehicle was towed to a mechanic shop who repaired the vehicle at a cost to the contact. then the rear latch on the cargo door that lifts in the air cannot open. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated it will cost $650 for the repairs on the door. the manufacturer was contacted who stated to contact nhtsa. they offered no other assistance. the failure mileage was 114,000. mw
03/04/200613000207/30/2004
 Experienced a very loud squealing noise that appeared to be coming from the front wheels - this usually occurred at speeds >60 mph. when the steering wheel was turned slightly to the right, the noise would cease. when the wheels were straightened again, the noise would continue. took the vehicle to the dealer with no issues found. i had suggested at that time that the problem appeared to be front wheel bearing related or something of that nature - no issues found with the vehicle at that time. the problem continued. took the vehicle back 2 months later - reported that this was a known issue for the bearings to be replaced (and some other non-specific work with the hubs). this is listed in the recall section for this vehicle as a known issue since 2004!! why was this not taken care of previously under a recall and why did they not see the bulletin on this the first time i took the vehicle in?*jb
08/11/200514000109/07/2004
 Clicking noise once gas pedal was touched-dealer stated was front end control arm problem-very unsafe to drive -could cause crash or even death-they repair both control arms and performed wheel alignment-internet site showed recall been sent to customer concerning this problem, i never received recall notification. i own a 2004 ford freestar that at this time it has 14,000 miles on it. *jb
SUSPENSION - FRONT
07/16/2009360521
 I own a 2004 ford freestar in virginia. last week i took it in for the annual state inspection to find that the control arm/ball joint assembly on the passenger side was pending failure. this is a potential life-threatening accident waiting to happen. my vehicle has only 36,000 miles. the ford service consultant told me that it should have lasted about 80,000 miles on average. although my vehicle is out of warranty i expected that since this part was most likely defective that ford would have replaced it for free. not only did they refuse to do so but offered to fix it of $660. the part can only be purchase as a unit, in other words, you cannot get just the ball joint, you have to buy the whole assembly which ford sells for about $487.. i must get this done, not only for safety but in order to pass my state inspection. i believe that ford is liable for the failure of this part and should take responsibility for it by replacing it at their expense. i believe the part must have been defective from the time it was installed at the factory. *tr
SUSPENSION - FRONT - HUB
01/01/200990000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. while driving 45 mph, the front driver's side tire shook heavily. the contact also heard a very loud noise coming from the engine. she took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that a new hub assembly and wheel bearings were needed. through online research, the contact discovered nhtsa campaign id number 04v446000 (wheels:cap/cover/hub). the manufacturer stated that the warranty was expired on her vehicle and that the recall was never repaired on her vehicle. it was unknown whether or not her vin was included in the recall. the vehicle has not yet been repaired, but the contact believes that the vehicle should be repaired according to the recall since the failures are identical. the failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 98,000.
SUSPENSION - FRONT - WHEEL BEARING
10/19/2008
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. while driving 50 mph he heard a loud sound in the front-end of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility and a technician concluded that the front wheel bearings failed. no repairs were made. the failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 99,000.
01/01/200990000
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. while driving 45 mph, the front driver's side tire shook heavily. the contact also heard a very loud noise coming from the engine. she took the vehicle to a mechanic and was informed that a new hub assembly and wheel bearings were needed. through online research, the contact discovered nhtsa campaign id number 04v446000 (wheels:cap/cover/hub). the manufacturer stated that the warranty was expired on her vehicle and that the recall was never repaired on her vehicle. it was unknown whether or not her vin was included in the recall. the vehicle has not yet been repaired, but the contact believes that the vehicle should be repaired according to the recall since the failures are identical. the failure mileage was 90,000 and current mileage was 98,000.
04/01/2007370002003/01/2005
 Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford freestar. while driving 60 mph, the contact heard a high pitched, whining sound coming from the front of the vehicle. the dealer replaced the front wheel bearings. the failure mileage was 37,000 and current mileage was 41,000. updated 09/18/07 *tr
SUSPENSION - REAR
03/09/200764000105/04/2005
 Tl*- the contact owns a 2004 ford free star with a current and failure odometer reading of 64000 miles. the contact stated that the rear axle torque arm came apart on march 9, 2007 while driving at 2 mph and after driving over a speed bump. the contact called ford motors, who claimed that the vehicle was out of warranty and there was nothing they could do to assist in the repairs. *ak
06/17/20051
 The sway bar on my 2004 ford freestar snapped in the middle due to some defect