2004 Ford Freestar problems & reliability
1,227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Freestar, alongside 4 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
17 complaints report injuries (21 injured, 1 deaths reported).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2004 Ford Freestar vehicles were involved in 13 fatal crashes with 8 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power Train → | 851 | 69% |
| Electrical System → | 118 | 10% |
| Structure → | 94 | 8% |
| Seats → | 86 | 7% |
| Engine → | 69 | 6% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 49 | 4% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 44 | 4% |
| Vehicle Speed Control → | 33 | 3% |
| Steering → | 27 | 2% |
| Unknown OR Other | 26 | 2% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 86,000 miles (middle 50% between 65,281 and 114,000 miles), based on 1,077 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Power Train · filed Jul 11, 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 · filed 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 have reverse didn't…”
Power Train · filed Aug 27, 2024
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Stabilus Rear Liftgate Struts Failing
Investigation EQ12010 · opened Sep 28, 2012 · closed Dec 31, 2012
- Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Engineering Analysis EA12003 · opened Apr 23, 2012 · closed May 2, 2013 · led to recall 13V081000
- Corrosion of Third-Row Seat Attachment
Preliminary Evaluation PE11039 · opened Dec 21, 2011 · closed Apr 27, 2012
- Service Jack Failure
Preliminary Evaluation PE11033 · opened Sep 13, 2011 · closed Dec 7, 2012
- Engine Stalling
Preliminary Evaluation PE10033 · opened Aug 23, 2010 · closed Jul 15, 2011
- Transmission Torque Converter Failure
Engineering Analysis EA09016 · opened Nov 10, 2009 · closed Feb 2, 2012 · led to recall 12V006000
- TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT FAILURE
Preliminary Evaluation PE09033 · opened Jul 15, 2009 · closed Nov 17, 2009
- Engine stalling
Defect Petition DP09004 · opened Jun 4, 2009 · closed Sep 7, 2010
Technical service bulletins
64 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Freestar. The 10 most recent:
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a…
SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2016
Safety recall 13S01 - Corrosion on sheet metal that supports 3rd row seat latch strikeers - requests for recall service action
TSB160069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
For 2004-2007 Freestar or Monterey vehicles Safety Recall 13S01 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the sheet metal that supports the folding 3rd row seat…
16-0069 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 21, 2016
Ford/mercury: safety recall regarding sheet metal support for folding 3rd row seat latch strikers can experience corrosion and will compromise mounting point causing seat to move. Model 2004-07 freestar, monterey. *pe
TSB-14-0166 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 9, 2014
Ford/mercury: sheet metal supporting folding 3rd row seat latch strikers will experience corrosion and compromise mounting point for forward portion of 3rd row seat, if vehicle is operated in high corrosion areas for…
TSB-14-0144 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 11, 2014
Rear climate control noises - service tip. *tt
19004 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2006
Restraint control module diagnostic trouble code b2296 - service tip. *tt
18834 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2005
Safety belt retraction speed. *tt
042421 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 7, 2005
Service wiring harness replacement guidelines - service tips. *tt
04147 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2005
STEERING WHEEL. *EH
18520 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2005
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2004 Ford Freestar has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2004 Ford Freestar?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 86,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.