NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Ford Freestar Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Ford Freestar has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns and 1,227 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Ford Freestar, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Ford Freestar owner complaints

Owners have filed 1,227 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Freestar, describing incidents dated January 4, 2004 to July 2, 2025.

Most-cited components

Power Train 851 complaints
Electrical System 118 complaints
Engine 118 complaints
Structure 94 complaints
Seats 86 complaints
Service Brakes 59 complaints

Of the 1,227 complaints on file, 16 report a crash and 14 a fire; across all 1,227 complaints, owners report 21 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11672730 · Filed July 11, 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…
ODI #11671789 · Filed July 7, 2025
Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.
ODI #11611067 · Filed August 27, 2024
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…

Read all 1,227 complaints

Owner-reported

2004 Ford Freestar mileage at failure

1,084 of the 1,227 complaints on file for the 2004 Ford Freestar give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Power Train	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–110,000 miles	Based on 765 complaints
Electrical System	Median 95,000 miles	Middle half 70,000–120,000 miles	Based on 108 complaints
Engine	Median 90,000 miles	Middle half 75,000–125,000 miles	Based on 102 complaints
Structure	Median 115,000 miles	Middle half 85,000–145,000 miles	Based on 84 complaints
Seats	Median 115,000 miles	Middle half 90,000–150,000 miles	Based on 77 complaints
Service Brakes	Median 45,000 miles	Middle half 25,000–80,000 miles	Based on 50 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2004 Ford Freestar in 8 investigations. Audit Queries and Equipment Queries are administrative investigations: they look at whether companies complied with federal vehicle safety requirements, such as reporting, recall and certification rules, not at a possible vehicle defect. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Engineering Analysis EA12-003: Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Closed May 2, 2013
- Recall 13V-081
Equipment Query EQ12-010: Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Closed December 31, 2012
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-033: Service Jack Failure
Closed December 7, 2012
Preliminary Evaluation PE11-039: Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Closed April 27, 2012
Engineering Analysis EA09-016: Transmission Torque Converter Failure
Closed February 2, 2012
- Recall 12V-006

3 more NHTSA investigations

Preliminary Evaluation PE10-033: Engine Stalling
Closed July 15, 2011
Defect Petition DP09-004: Engine stalling
Closed September 7, 2010
Preliminary Evaluation PE09-033: TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE
Closed November 17, 2009

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Corrosion of Third Row Seat Attachment

NHTSA #13V081000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2013 · Ford Motor Company

Potentially affected: 196,667 vehicles

Ford campaign 13S01 · Owners notified March 28, 2013 · Vehicles built March 24, 2003 – November 7, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Ford's recall campaign number is 13S01.Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

TORQUE CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONS

NHTSA #12V006000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported January 9, 2012 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 206,452 vehicles

Ford campaign 11S25 · Owners notified June 29, 2012 · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Safety consequence

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

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD'S RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 11S25.OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

FUEL LEAK/FIRE

NHTSA #06E056000 · Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA notice

Reported June 13, 2006 · UFI FILTERS USA

Potentially affected: 58,640 vehicles

Owners notified August 4, 2006

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO UFI FILTERS USA (PUROLATOR) AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FORD/HUBS, ROTORS, WHEEL BEARINGS

NHTSA #04V446000 · Wheels — Hub · NHTSA notice

Reported September 13, 2004 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 34,013 vehicles

Ford campaign 04S24 · Owners notified September 20, 2004 · Vehicles built February 23, 2004 – May 13, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 04S24.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

FORD/POWER STEERING LINE

NHTSA #03V457000 · Steering — Hydraulic Power Assist — Hose, Piping, and Connections · NHTSA notice

Reported November 6, 2003 · FORD MOTOR COMPANY

Potentially affected: 23,996 vehicles

Ford campaign 03S09 · Owners notified November 10, 2003 · Vehicles built March 24, 2003 – October 27, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

FORD RECALL NO. 03S09.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2004 Ford Freestar

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 4, Passenger: 5

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

8 investigations

1,227 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Freestar.

Power Train

ODI #11672730

Incident: June 26, 2025 · Filed: July 11, 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.

Power Train

ODI #11671789

Incident: July 2, 2025 · Filed: July 7, 2025

Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.

Power Train; Engine

ODI #11611067

Incident: August 25, 2024 · Filed: August 27, 2024

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.

Power Train

ODI #11578163

Incident: March 18, 2024 · Filed: March 18, 2024

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

Power Train

ODI #11548039

Incident: May 1, 2023 · Filed: October 3, 2023

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.

Engine

ODI #11507656

Incident: December 16, 2022 · Filed: February 16, 2023

Conducía mi vehículo 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

Power Train; Electrical System; Back Over Prevention

ODI #11502520

Incident: September 9, 2022 · Filed: January 18, 2023

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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11478141

Incident: August 5, 2022 · Filed: August 8, 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.

Power Train

ODI #11459751

Incident: February 5, 2022 · Filed: April 5, 2022

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact depressed the accelerator and the vehicle continued to slow as the RPM was rising. The contact did not notice any warning lights illuminated. The contact pulled safely off the road and turned the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted however, failed to shift into higher gears while attempting to reach highway speeds. The contact drove the vehicle to her residence. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and found NHTSA Campaign Number: 12V006000 (Power Train) which she linked to the failure. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.

Power Train

ODI #11454728

Incident: February 15, 2022 · Filed: March 1, 2022

Transmission slip , leaks , loosing ofpower, shakes from 45 mph to 55 mph , mechanic shop says it is the Torque Converter that is malfunction.

Other Ford Freestar model years

Check your 2004 Ford Freestar VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Freestar at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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