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2004 Ford FreestarProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 1,227 owner complaints about the 2004 Ford Freestar, most often about the power train. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2004 Ford Freestar
33
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.0× the Freestar median · #1 of 4 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints1,22747 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage85kPower train, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through July 11, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Ford Freestar has problems

1,227 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Power train85114
Electrical system1183
Structure944
Seats862
Engine695
Engine and engine cooling494
Service brakes, hydraulic442
Vehicle speed control331
Steering272
20 other systems16413

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2004 Ford Freestar recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Seats

Recall 13V-081 · Mar 7, 2013 · 196,667 vehicles

Risk. In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Power train: automatic transmission

Recall 12V-006 · Jan 9, 2012 · 206,452 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections

Recall 03V-457 · Nov 6, 2003 · 23,996 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.

Mileage at failure

When do power train problems start?

85kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 768 power train complaints. 66% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
16under 30k miles510under 100k miles258100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Power train

130 owners mentioned a cost

$2,500median

Middle half: $1,800 – $3,085

Electrical system

10 owners mentioned a cost

$1,200median

Middle half: $1,011 – $1,688

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Freestar year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Freestar median. How we score

'04'05'06'07
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Ford Freestar safety ratings

2004 Ford Freestar in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2004 Ford Freestar frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2004 Ford Freestar side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Ford Freestar, and the recalls they led to.

  1. Engine stallingDP09004 · closed Sep 7, 2010
    No recall
  2. Transmission Torque Converter FailureEA09016 · closed Feb 2, 2012
    Led to recall 12V-006
  3. Corrosion of Third-Row Seat AttachmentEA12003 · closed May 2, 2013
    Led to recall 13V-081
  4. Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts FailingEQ12010 · closed Dec 31, 2012
    No recall
  5. TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILUREPE09033 · closed Nov 17, 2009
    No recall
  6. Engine StallingPE10033 · closed Jul 15, 2011
    No recall
  7. Service Jack FailurePE11033 · closed Dec 7, 2012
    No recall
  8. Corrosion of Third-Row Seat AttachmentPE11039 · closed Apr 27, 2012
    No recall
In owners' words

What Freestar owners report

Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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…
Complaint 11672730 · Jul 11, 2025 · 104,000 miles
Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.
Complaint 11671789 · Jul 7, 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…
Complaint 11611067 · Aug 27, 2024

Own a 2004 Freestar?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.