RecallRepo

2004 Ford Freestar Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2004 Ford Freestar has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 461,128 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,600 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

SEATS 13V081000 2013-03-07 196,667 affected
Defect

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,…

Consequence

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

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.

POWER TRAIN 12V006000 2012-01-09 206,452 affected
Defect

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

Consequence

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

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.

WHEELS 04V446000 2004-09-13 34,013 affected
Defect

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.

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.

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.

STEERING 03V457000 2003-11-06 23,996 affected
Defect

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

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.

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.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
495
3crashes2fires5injuries
POWER TRAIN
310
3crashes5fires1injuries
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
115
2crashes1injuries
SEATS
84
1crashes
ENGINE
69
3crashes2fires3injuries
STRUCTURE:BODY
62
1crashes1fires1injuries
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER
50
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
34
3fires
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
29
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
26
2crashes2fires2injuries
Total complaints1,600

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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 · reported 2025-07-02

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2025-06-26

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2024-08-25

“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…”

ENGINE · reported 2024-08-25

“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 · reported 2024-03-18

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2023-05-01

“Conducã­a mi vehã­culo y la trasmisiã³n quedã³ en neutro en una entrada y no pude estacionarme y no volviã³ 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”

ENGINE · reported 2022-12-16

“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…”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2022-09-09

Defect investigations

Investigation DP09004 Opened 2009-06-04 · closed 2010-09-07

Engine stalling

On May 6, 2009, NHTSA received a request for a hearing through Title 49 of the United States Code, Chapter 301, Motor Vehicle Safety, Part 557. the request was in reference to vehicle owner complaint, 10266067, filed with NHTSA on April 20, 2009, which described a problem with engine stall in a model year (MY) 2004…

Investigation EA09016 Opened 2009-11-10 · closed 2012-02-02

Transmission Torque Converter Failure

On January 4, 2012 Ford Motor Company submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall No. 12V-006) to NHTSA regarding a defect in the performance of the transmission torque converter for approximately 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles.The supplier of the torque converter manufactured converters…

Investigation EA09016 Opened 2009-11-10 · closed 2012-02-02

Transmission Torque Converter Failure

On January 4, 2012 Ford Motor Company submitted a Defect Information Report (NHTSA Recall No. 12V-006) to NHTSA regarding a defect in the performance of the transmission torque converter for approximately 205,896 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles.The supplier of the torque converter manufactured converters…

Investigation EA12003 Opened 2012-04-23 · closed 2013-05-02

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-081 for more details).The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the salt belt…

Investigation EA12003 Opened 2012-04-23 · closed 2013-05-02

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-081 for more details).The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the salt belt…

Investigation EA12003 Opened 2012-04-23 · closed 2013-05-02

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-081 for more details).The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the salt belt…

Investigation EA12003 Opened 2012-04-23 · closed 2013-05-02

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

Ford is conducting a safety recall to repair the third-row seat's latch mechanisms in approximately 196,667 model year (MY) 2004 through 2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles (see NHTSA recall 13V-081 for more details).The recall covers vehicles originally sold, or currently registered, in the salt belt…

Investigation EQ12010 Opened 2012-09-28 · closed 2012-12-31

Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing

Please see the attached closing resume summary.It has been attached to this document as a PDF.

Investigation PE09033 Opened 2009-07-15 · closed 2009-11-17

TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE

ODI HAS RECEIVED 227 OWNER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.OF THOSE COMPLAINTS, 124 CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINES STRIPPING CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN.THE REMAINING…

Investigation PE09033 Opened 2009-07-15 · closed 2009-11-17

TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE

ODI HAS RECEIVED 227 OWNER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING A SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER DUE TO AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.OF THOSE COMPLAINTS, 124 CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT SPLINES STRIPPING CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER TO THE DRIVETRAIN.THE REMAINING…

Investigation PE10033 Opened 2010-08-23 · closed 2011-07-15

Engine Stalling

The subject vehicles suffered from a design issue whereby water could run down onto the cowling under the hood and located in the area of the windshield wipers and then drip onto a computer module, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which could be manifested in a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the…

Investigation PE10033 Opened 2010-08-23 · closed 2011-07-15

Engine Stalling

The subject vehicles suffered from a design issue whereby water could run down onto the cowling under the hood and located in the area of the windshield wipers and then drip onto a computer module, the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), which could be manifested in a variety of symptoms depending on which part of the…

Investigation PE11033 Opened 2011-09-13 · closed 2012-12-07

Service Jack Failure

The subject vehicles (SV) are all automatic transmission, front wheel drive vehicles with hand actuated mechanical park brakes. The investigation focused on allegations that the service jack failed and caused the vehicles to fall. The subject scissors-type jack appears to fail at the slotted hinge joints where the…

Investigation PE11039 Opened 2011-12-21 · closed 2012-04-27

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

ODI has received 18 complaints on the subject vehicles from the salt belt states that allege severe corrosion at the rear wheel wells.Additionally, ODI identified 4 similar reports from Ford's response to the investigation.Ford submitted a total of 10 reports to ODI (6 of 10 Ford reports are duplicates of ODI…

Investigation PE11039 Opened 2011-12-21 · closed 2012-04-27

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

ODI has received 18 complaints on the subject vehicles from the salt belt states that allege severe corrosion at the rear wheel wells.Additionally, ODI identified 4 similar reports from Ford's response to the investigation.Ford submitted a total of 10 reports to ODI (6 of 10 Ford reports are duplicates of ODI…

Investigation PE11039 Opened 2011-12-21 · closed 2012-04-27

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

ODI has received 18 complaints on the subject vehicles from the salt belt states that allege severe corrosion at the rear wheel wells.Additionally, ODI identified 4 similar reports from Ford's response to the investigation.Ford submitted a total of 10 reports to ODI (6 of 10 Ford reports are duplicates of ODI…

Investigation PE11039 Opened 2011-12-21 · closed 2012-04-27

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

ODI has received 18 complaints on the subject vehicles from the salt belt states that allege severe corrosion at the rear wheel wells.Additionally, ODI identified 4 similar reports from Ford's response to the investigation.Ford submitted a total of 10 reports to ODI (6 of 10 Ford reports are duplicates of ODI…

Investigation PE11039 Opened 2011-12-21 · closed 2012-04-27

Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment

ODI has received 18 complaints on the subject vehicles from the salt belt states that allege severe corrosion at the rear wheel wells.Additionally, ODI identified 4 similar reports from Ford's response to the investigation.Ford submitted a total of 10 reports to ODI (6 of 10 Ford reports are duplicates of ODI…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Ford Freestar as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.