2004 Ford Freestyle problems

General information about Ford-Freestyle
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Ford Freestyle is a crossover utility vehicle that was sold by Ford from 2005 to 2009. Largely marketed as the successor to the Ford Taurus station wagon, the Freestyle was the CUV counterpart of the Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego four-door sedans. Sharing the Ford D3 platform with the Five Hundred and Montego, the Freestyle was produced with both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations and six- or seven-passenger seating.

Following the return of the Ford Taurus for the 2008 model year, the Freestyle underwent a mid-cycle revision and was renamed the Ford Taurus X, marketed in the United States and Canada, as well as South Korea and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam. Following the 2009 model year, the Taurus X was withdrawn. From the 2009 model year, the larger Ford Flex has served as the three-row Ford CUV/wagon.

From 2005 to 2009, the Freestyle/Taurus X was assembled at Chicago Assembly (Chicago, Illinois); the final vehicle was produced on February 27, 2009.

Social links

Common 2004 Ford Freestyle problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Ford Freestyle 2004, several common problems have been identified:

Rear Brakes Wear Out Abnormally Fast:
Another common problem reported by Ford Freestyle owners is the abnormal fast wearing out of rear brakes. This issue can lead to reduced braking efficiency and safety concerns. Regular inspection and maintenance of the braking system are essential to address this problem promptly.

Transmission Problems:
Transmission issues have been a significant complaint among Ford Freestyle owners, including complaints about transmission failure in different model years. Transmission problems can manifest in various ways, such as rough shifting, slipping gears, or complete transmission failure. Addressing transmission issues promptly is crucial to prevent further damage and ensure the vehicle's drivability.

AC Compressor Leaks:
Some owners have reported leaks around the air compressor, which can affect the functionality of the air conditioning system. Detecting and repairing AC compressor leaks promptly is essential to maintain a comfortable cabin environment, especially during hot weather.

Top Motor Mount Cracks:
Cracks in the top motor mount have been identified as a common issue in Ford Freestyle vehicles. While this problem may not directly affect the vehicle's performance, addressing it can prevent further damage and ensure the engine's stability.

Heated Seats Malfunction:
Owners have reported issues with the heated seats not functioning correctly in some Ford Freestyle models. Proper inspection and repair of the heated seats are necessary to maintain comfort, especially during colder weather conditions.

Bearing/Transmission Noise:
Unusual bearing or helicopter-type noise from the transmission while in park or neutral has been highlighted as an uncommon but expensive issue in Ford Freestyle vehicles. Detecting and addressing such noises promptly is crucial to prevent potential transmission failure and costly repairs.

Engine Varnish or Sludge:
Heavy varnish or sludge buildup in the engine, visible through the oil filter cap, has been noted as a concern by some owners. Engine cleanliness is vital for optimal performance and longevity, making regular maintenance and oil changes essential to prevent engine issues.

These common problems reported by Ford Freestyle owners highlight the importance of regular maintenance, prompt repairs, and thorough inspections to ensure the vehicle's reliability and longevity.

What is the problem with the 2004 Ford Freestar?

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL. What should you do: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE.

How many miles can a Ford Freestyle last?

With careful driving and good care you may get to 350,000 miles, but be prepared for that transmission crapping out unexpectedly. If you are thinking that by trading it in you are cutting your losses, I think at 200K miles you are too late. IF the car drives fine, just drive it until something major brakes.

Is Ford Freestyle good?

Great Handling And Driving Dynamics

I own a Freestyle 1.5 l diesel engine, and no doubt, it is the best in class, its powerful engine gave me great driving experience, it doesn't seem superficial like most other cars in this segment. There is no match to its drive dynamics, safety, stability, and mileage.

How much does it cost to replace a transmission in a Ford Freestyle?

The average cost for Ford Freestyle Transmission Assembly Replacement is $5245.

What is the problem with the 2004 Ford Freestar?

Is Ford Freestyle good?

Great Handling And Driving Dynamics

How long does a Ford Freestyle last?

What years are the Ford Freestar to avoid?

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, ...

2004 Ford Freestyle car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Freestyle problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Power train problems
Engine problems
Unknown or other problems
Steering problems
Electrical system problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2004 Ford Freestyle vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2004 Ford Freestyle complaints

The NHTSA has received 12 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2004 Ford Freestyle.

2017-08-16

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2017-08-15
Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Summary: MY CAR SAYS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND WONT GO OVER 25 MPH. I ALSO HAVE AN AWD MALFUNCTION PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX AND DOESN'T SEEM LIKE WE CAN. I'M TRYING TO WAIT UNTIL TAX TIME TO TRADE IN BUT DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET MY KIDS FROM POINT A TO B IN THE MEANTIME. MECHANIC TELLS ME TO GET IT SCANNED FOR $70. I CANT AFFORD THAT BS TRYING TO RAISE 3 KIDS WITH ANOTHER ON THE WAY.

Add Complaint

2017-01-23

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2017-01-23
VIN: 2FMZA52244B
Components: STEERING
Summary: WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL FEELS VERY HEAVY, AND FEELS LIKE THE STEERING WON'T EASILY TURN BACK .LIKE ITS DRAGGING. WHEN I AM TURNING ON A CURVE IT FEELS LIKE IT THE POWER STEERING IS NOT WORKING.

Add Complaint

2015-11-24

ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-11-12
VIN: 1FMZK02135G
Components: ENGINE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A JERKING MOTION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WRENCH WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Add Complaint

2015-06-19

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-05-18
VIN: 1FMZK04105G
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY SENSOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 8/6/15*CN UPDATED 10/26/2017*CN

Add Complaint

2014-04-03

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2014-03-29
VIN: 2FMZA57654B
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED FORWARD AND STALLED. AFTER RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE THE CHECK TRANSAXLE SENSOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10 MPH. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT OPERATE IN REVERSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE PCM (POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE ). THE PCM WAS REPAIRED AND THE DEFECT WAS REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,674.

Add Complaint

2014-01-13

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2014-01-12
VIN: 2FMZA58264B
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Add Complaint

2013-11-06

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-08-12
VIN: 2FMZA516X4B
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND REPAIRED PER A MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT BEGAN TO HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Add Complaint

2013-09-09

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-01-16
VIN: 2FMDA51634B
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON MY VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE TORQUE CONVERTER ON AUGUST, 22, 2012. I NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE BUT WHEN I BROUGHT IT HOME I BEGAN TO NOTICE A BUMP WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE. I THOUGHT THIS MIGHT SMOOTH OUT OVER TIME. THREE MONTHS LATER I NOTICED A SHUDDER AT FIFTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR AND THE TACHOMETER WOULD RISE ABOUT TWO HUNDRED RPMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO WAS A FORD MECHANIC FOR ABOUT TWENTY YEARS BEFORE HE OPENED HIS OWN SHOP AND HE SAID THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER. FORD SERVICE REP. TOLD ME THAT SINCE IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR THAT I HAD THE TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACED I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL PARTS AND LABOR. THE VAN HAS 119,000 MILES ON IT AND I'M HOPING IT WILL LAST ANOTHER SIX MONTHS SO I CAN TRADE IT IN. BUT IF THE DEALERS FIGURE OUT THAT THESE VEHICLES ARE GOING TO COST THEM MORE THAN THEY'RE WORTH I PROBABLY WONT GET MUCH OF A TRADE IN VALUE. *TR

Add Complaint

2013-08-21

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-08-21
VIN: 2FMZA50684B
Components: STRUCTURE
Summary: SLIDING SIDE DOORS AND REAR WHEEL WELLS HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY IN A SIDE-ON CRASH. THIS IS TRUE FOR THE WINDSTAR TOO. *TR

Add Complaint

2013-03-05

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-12-02
VIN: 2FMZA522X4B
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN). AFTER THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED THE CONTACT NOTICED OIL LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE REAR MAIN TRANSMISSION OIL SEAL WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

Add Complaint

2013-01-14

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-01-10
VIN: 2FMDA58224B
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER) AND AFTER THE REPAIRS, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND MADE A BANGING SOUND AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE REPLICATED. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE HAVING THE RECALL REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.

Add Complaint

2012-06-06

WHEELS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2012-06-05
VIN: 2FMZA57684B
Components: WHEELS
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTYLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING REGULAR MAINTENANCE DONE ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS HAD BECOME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 7/12/12 *CN

Add Complaint

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2004 Ford Freestyle problems:

How common are CVT problems... really? - My Ford Freestyle .com

https://www.myfordfreestyle.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8406

Mar 10, 2018 ... I'm thinking of buying a 2007 Freestyle Limited with AWD. I've been reading horror stories on the Net about CVT failures.

Ford Freestar Vacuum Issues: Q&A on 2004 & 2005 Models, PCV ...

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/9yskr-ford-freestar-vacuum-issues.html

Oct 16, 2016 ... Was this answer helpful? up Yes. down No. Finish.

???CVT Reliability??? - My Ford Freestyle .com

https://www.myfordfreestyle.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5156

Apr 7, 2012 ... We want to get a new one, unfortunately, they don't make them anymore. Atlanta, GA 2005 Freestyle SEL AWD 2004 Saab 9-3 ARC.

Q&A: 2006 Ford Freestyle SEL - Common Problems, Engine Details ...

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/8gn8v-freestyle-sel-hi-friend-2006-ford-freestyle.html

May 22, 2014 ... My friend has a 2006 Ford Freestyle with the 3.0L Duratec V6. Car has 160K, started running poorly. He took it to a - Answered by a verified ...

Freestar Transmission Problems - Ford Forum - Enthusiast Forums ...

https://www.fordforum.com/forum/ford-freestar-17/freestar-transmission-problems-10636/

Nov 25, 2007 ... Ford Freestar - Freestar Transmission Problems - I have been a Ford guy forever ... Use Common Sense's Avatar ... 2004 Freestar Transmission ...