2004 Ford Freestar: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 1,227 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (65% of complaints); the 2006 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 1,227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2025
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the torque converter and the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to an unknown NHTSA Campaign Number; however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000. ”Owner report · Power Train · Jun 2025
“I have a 2004 Ford freestar van and I was driving down the road and I went to pass another vehicle and I push the gas and I heard some crunchy noise is and then nothing no power at all no gears nothing I was dead in the water so I had to get out of the van and push it to the side of the road didn't have reverse didn't have drive didn't have third second or first no gears at all the transmission failed me I could have been in a very bad accident and hurt it just came out of nowhere there was no signs of anything wrong with the van and then this happens.”Owner report · Power Train · Aug 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“My son was driving down Rt 81 when the transmission stopped working Your vehicle was running fine but would not go had to drift off the highway she avoid getting hit I had to tow the van home we're it's still parked”Owner report · Power Train · Mar 2024
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would not properly accelerate and would hesitate to accelerate and the check engine warning light would remain illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission torque converter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000(Power Train). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 250,000.”Owner report · Power Train · May 2023
“ConducÃa mi vehÃculo y la trasmisión quedó en neutro en una entrada y no pude estacionarme Y no volvió arrancar Solo coje la reversa I was driving my vehicle and the transmission was neutral in a driveway and I couldn't park And did not start again Just take the reverse”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2022
“The transmission is grinding and popping when shifting gears.Also it has started not moving when I shift it into drive and 3rd and 1st.When I drive it I have to put it in 1st gear and change up to drive and it grinds and pops when giving it gas to go.It comes to a crawl going up hills.Has a big loss of power.The trackshion control light comes on saying it's not working.The electrical is messing up the doors are opening up when they are not supposed to going down road.It tells me that different doors are open when there not keeping the lights on in the van running down the battery.”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2022
“I just purchased the vehicle used and recently discovered there was a recall on these vehicles. The vehicle I purchased keeps stalling and is not getting any power. I've had the vehicle checked by the car lot and they say there is nothing wrong.. the vehicle died out on me already twice while I was driving.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2022
“Transmission slip , leaks , loosing ofpower, shakes from 45 mph to 55 mph , mechanic shop says it is the Torque Converter that is malfunction.”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2022
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle began to stall. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the computer needed to be dried off. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The contact stated he had experienced the failure several times. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2021
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 21 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Freestar by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Ford Freestar reliable?
NHTSA has 1,227 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Ford Freestar. The most complained-about area is power train (65% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Ford Freestar problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 86,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Ford Freestar have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning wheels:hub. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.