Body problems of the 2004 Ford Freestar - part 1

The part that has the clip for back seat fell out and now there is a 5 by 5 inch hole going into the wheel well and the seat has nothing to clip onto and be secure, this was recalled in this model.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that both the driver side and passenger side electric sliding doors would not close properly and would randomly come open. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer dick smith Ford(7201 garners ferry rd. Columbia SC) and the manufacturer were both notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact indicated that the passenger side door was previously serviced for the failure but the failure reoccurred. The failure mileage was 150,000. Jft.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that when the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for an inspection, the vehicle failed the inspection due to excessive corosion of the front frame. The contact called the l. B. Smith Ford Lincoln, inc. Dealer (717-761-6700, located at 1100 market st, lemoyne, PA 17043) where it was stated that the frame needed to be replaced. The contact took the vehicle to two different independent mechanics to obtain some estimates. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that there was no recall, and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 118,000. Fe.

Went to investigate the water logged carpet in the rear of the van. Removed interior plastic panels on drivers side of van. The seat anchor mechanism fell out of the wheel well unto the tire. Very fortunate I was in the garage and not travelling down the freeway.

Tl the contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the carpet in the rear rows of the vehicle become wet and soaked. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear passenger seat anchor latch was loose. Months later, the driver noticed a grinding type noise when turning the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the same failure had occurred on the driver's side. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The local dealer was not notified. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 135,000.

I just paid off my vehicle did thousands of dollars worth of repairs now mechanic tells me he wont replace my starter because sub frame is unusually worn and dangerous to drive,so now I have no vehicle because 2004 was not recalled yet,most other years were.

02 06 2016 the first problem with subfram breaking , I was at savealot 123 st clair avenue 44108, started my engine and shifter gears the engine started I shifted gears and it lots power and restarted, the vehicle jumped and a loud grinding park Ford 400 west avenue tallmage ohio 44278 I purchased two bolts w711082-s439 purchased 2 bolts one broke and I spoke to the manager/ owner and I was told to return the bolt and the would provide me a new one. At the time they had a kit that was $65. 00 the kit had the bolt steel washer, rubber 2 bushing and a anchor ( what the bolt screws into. 2nd time I was in east cleveland same thing happen with a chuck- hole, I repaired the van again, third time east 123 superior by day car van lost power and loud grinding, 3 time same bolt snapped it was repaired again, rallys e105 st clair avenue chuck holes both the right front and rear subframe bolts snapped in the middle of st' clair officer young and officer king parked behind me while I fixed the vehicle so I could get it home east 105 and elk avenue, rear spare subfram installed, and the front was chained locked and secured with cable just incase the locked chains failed, I called Ford the said to slowly drive it out to them,towing, my insurance company was called and they ensured towing was added but I'd have to pay up front and get paid back, it the end of the month and I'm a disabled usaf veteran on a fixed income so this was not going to work. I was blessed to get the van out to Ford under it own power yes I prayed all the way tears in my eyes. Ford want to charge 300 labor I purchased 296. 83 parts, 95. 38 parts because Ford feared this parts would break, now come Ford wanting to charge 4x @220. [3f2z5c148 I bolt I bushing 2 pieces? ] =$880 +296. 38+95. 38+300 predicted total 1,572. 20 this recall is not free of charge, saw kit for $65 on 2/6/2016.

Im having many issues with my vehicle. The worst one is the passive security system that has stranded me in many areas because it refuses to start. I have tried many things including replacing transponder keys and the transceiver but I still am getting the flashing red security light. Im scared to drive this thing in the winter due to the possibility of getting stranded in cold temperatures. Also this vehicle lets water leak in everywhere causing severe rust and mold issues. One of the floor supports of the drivers seat is close to being rusted through and the other ones are on their way out. The body is severely rusted and im not sure how much longer this thing will be safe to drive.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the rear passenger and driver side wheel wells were corroded. The vehicle was diagnosed, but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 132,125.

The contact owned a 2004 Ford Freestar. While driving approximately 20 mph, the third row seat area rusted through to the trunk area near the spare tire. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

The 3rd seat hooks rusted out leaving and unstable passenger seat and body structure issues that are identical to the recall #13s01but due to the vehicle not being in a "saltbelt" state, it was not included in the recall even though it is pretty clear that kansas and nebraska use sale abundantly on the roads. I was told by Ford that my specific can was not included in the recall because is was manufactured differently than the 100,000 that were included in the recall so it should not have the same problem which it now has. I put my four kids in this van and now it is not structural stable for them.

The front subframe is rotted on my 2004 Ford Freestar. I found out when my car was in for it's annual inspection. They called the Ford dealer they said Ford was no longer making the parts. The dealer said Ford used to have recalls. I found out that Ford had a big problem with this on the windstars. I contacted Ford and they said all the recall on my car were fixed. They said I should call the Ford dealer.

Ford is not honoring 13v081000 for the third row seat striker problems. Our van which is operated in the kansas city metropolitan area, which heavily salts the roads is having the corrosion problem. Just this weekend we were traveling with all seats occupied when the inner fender well on the rear passenger side broke through with the seat striker mounting bracket hitting the sidewall of the rear tire. Fortunately at the time we were not driving at high speeds and were able to remove the seat occupants and return home safely. The design of this seat striker plate is flawed as there is a reinforcing plate on the inner side of the fender well that results in entrapment of moisture and dirt. This bad design combined with the weight of three people occupying the seat results in stressing of the fender well material. When I went to the Ford dealer on Monday and gave them my VIN they could not find any hint of a recall for this issue on my vehicle.

Ford refuses to pay for recall related repairs. I purchased vehicle in July of 2015. Received notice from Ford of safety recall involving 3rd row seating. Ford wants $2100 for repair of the corrosion on the wheel wells. The row seating is useless doesn't lock in open position.

This vehicle I received numerous recalls and had many problems with this vehicle. Major electrical problems. When it would rain and get car wash the electrical system would malfunction and cause engine not to run properly and check engine light would come on. In April of 2016 engine was malfunctioning and caused me to get in accident. This vehicle has since been impounded and loan company santander trying to bill me for remainder of loan and now causing major credit issues. I would like this to be covered by Ford/carmax for selling my family an unsafe vehicle which could have resulted in critical injury or worse.

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the rear door latch was prematurely loosely connected and the contact had to adjust the latch to securely connect the latch due to the failure. The contact also indicated that the plastic piece on the rear seat lever fractured and the contact had to use the bottom latch as a temporary option to lift the seat up and down because of the failure with the seat lever plastic piece fracturing. The front passenger side window also failed to go up and down. The motor for the window regulator was replaced but the failure recurred and the window on the passengers side still would not go up and down. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and they provided no remedy. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Dyd.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. While inspecting the vehicle's subframe, the contact noticed that it was corroded. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

Car history: the transaxle light has gone before when we travel through vt mountains, but turning off the engine and letting it sit, and restarting it, the light would go off. Upon getting home safety, our mechanics didn't find anything to repair and so left it be, and would only sometimes see it when we traveled through the vt mountains, a few times a year. All recall repairs were up to date. There were no other symptoms. Incident: as we nearing the top of a mountain, the transaxle light came on. Unlike the other times, the transmission suddenly failed to be in the correct gear, so unlike the other times, we were very concerned. We pulled over immediately, and as we reached the shoulder smoke began pouring out of the vents. We quickly evacuated our kids, and as we were getting them out we noticed that there was already fire coming from under the hood, near the windshield, on the passenger side. We are so glad our kids were awake, and able to unlatch their own child carseats, and able to get out quickly. The fire spread to the entire van, consuming everything, at a great expense to us. (and others; our accident blocked a significant amount of traffic for about 3 hours. ).

Tl- the contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving on a highway 65 mph suddenly the contact heard loud boom followed by a burn rubber smell coming from her vehicle. The contact franticly pulled over to the side of the road. The contact first thought she had a flat tire but upon inspection the contact noticed there was severe corrosion on rear wheel well wall. The contact had experienced the failure described in recall NHTSA campaign number: 13v081000 (seats) the contact took her vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated contact would have to leave her vehicle for 3 to 5 days. The contact decline to leave her vehicle with the dealer being that it was her only means of transportation and could not afford to pay for a rental. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and decline to provide the contact a loaner vehicle to the contact. The vehicle was not repaired the failure mileage was unknown. Az.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that the rear door latch would not release for the door to be opened. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection of the rear door latch. The dealer was unable to release the door latch due to excessive moisture. The dealer attempted to repair the vehicle under NHTSA campaign I. D. Number 13v081000 (seats) but to no avail. The contact had to take the vehicle to a second dealer to have the vehicle remedied per the recall. The failure mileage was 154,430.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while attempting to have the vehicle repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13v081000 (seats), it was determined that the rear wheel wells were corroded due to water penetration and were unable to support the recall remedy. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Severe rust issues plague the frame, jack points, and rear frame (spare tire storage area). The spare tire wheel looks as if it has never had paint on it there is so much rust. We just purchased the vehicle a few days ago and are currently working with the Ford dealer to hopefully get the problem corrected. We did not realize the severe rust issues prior to purchase.

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that there was a gaping hole in the rear wheel well, causing the third road striker and latch to fracture. The failure prevented the third row seat from locking into place. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 13v081000 (seats) however, the technician notified the owner that the water damage caused mold and corrosion to form in the quarter panel, seat belts, left third road seat and the carpet. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the additional repairs were not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 88,000.

As stated with other 2004 Ford Freestars, rear rust on driverside rear, rear seat will not lock because the safety lock is rusted away, not safe to any passenger to sit there.

The contact owns a 2004 Freestar. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, a loud grinding sound was heard coming from the rear tires. The contact also stated that the wheel mount and wheel well were rusted. In addition, the third row latch failed and the seats were unable to stay folded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics. The technician stated that the wheel well and latches needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any further assistance due to the vehicle not being included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage and current mileage was 140,000.

2004 Ford Freestar ses I changed the rear brakes on 1/20/2013 noticed the left rear wheel was rusting out. Today 2/24/2013 went to install a car sear & noticed the bench seat in the back was rocking slightly. The anchor point on the left rear is rusted out and moving. Upon inspection I noticed that I can see down to the ground where the anchor point has rusted out. I have had to replace numerous parts on this van over the last two years. To date I have replaced: 3 ignition coils, (this is the main problem whenever heavy rain or snow has happened and I start to throw misfire codes), 3 camshaft position sensors, 2 driver side window controls & motors, (the window doesn't want to work half the time so we leave it cracked open with the rain guards), an egr valve, and a clockspring. I have never had so many problems with this vehicle in such a short amount of time.

The left rear 3rd row seat anchor plate, mounted normally to the left rear inner wheelhouse as an integrated part of the wheelhouse, has rusted around the plate edges and the entire plate is separating from the wheelhouse assembly. Currently it is rusted thru on the left , right, and bottom edges of the mounting plate, remaining attached only along its top edge. This is letting road moisture into the interior regions of the van, soiling carpet and jute, causing odor and possible mold development. The 3rd row seat can no longer be safely attached.

Back seat wouldn't latch. Found rotten wheel well due to rust and corrosion and latch fell out along with a piece of the wheel well. Now, there is a hole where the latch was and the rear seat is unsafe due to the fact that there is no latch to hold it in place. I have three kids so now their life is in jeopardy and the van isn't even 10 years old. We've had so many issues with this van. Also, the computer had to be replaced due to water damage. We were told chevy had the same problem of water coming right down onto the computer and they designed a part for it, but not Ford.

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated there was a clicking sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection from the driver rear side next to the wheel well was a huge square bolt that was corroded. This bolt was a bracket that snaps and held the rear seat in place and it was broken off. The seat was unable to latch and hold in place. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000. Mw.

I own 2004 Ford Freestar. While attempting to latch the third row rear seat, the latch failed due to severe corrosion on the floor panel ,side panel and attachments which holds the third seat latch bracket the third row seat latch bracket slides out and extrudes to rear driver side wheel which is very dangerous and can burst the rear driver side tire while running car. I am entering this complaint in relation to other complaints that have been filed. There is a defect investigation taking place (ea12003 and pe11039) for this issue already. I attempted to put my 3rd row seat back up and lock it into place. On the drive side I noticed that it would not lock into place. After further review, I know noticed that the whole latch had broken off because of rusted panel. The whole plate rusted thru .

On christmas eve 2012 we drove to our parents house we heard something rubbing against the rear driver side tire. When we investigated what was going on we found the 3rd row seat latch had almost detached but was rubbing against the tire it eventually fell off as we tried to get it to reconnect. We received a recall letter in April but was unaware of the potential danger that driving like this for 3 months had caused . At repair shop vehicle would not pass insp due to rotted wheel well and springs also rotted we called local dealer for appt on recall. To my dismay a couple of things that are very concerning to me occurred I received a call later that day from the dealer stating that they where having problems with Ford company itself the latch had fallen off and they had the parts to replace it but they could not attach it to the rear well because it was rotted and not only that they also told us the springs could fall out and collapse the rear suspension if it was driven again when they told the Ford representative this they said just weld a metal piece over the well wheel and just attach it on their dealer declined because this would still be a dangerous situation to drive because of the rear springs if driven could drop the whole rear suspension while driving Ford rep said not our problem you need to complete the recall and the customer has to pay for the springs to be repaired . This is totally unacceptable to me it obvious that the latch situation and corrosion has caused this whole problem to have them try to have the dealer put in effect a bandage on the situation and let my family risk there life driving this van is corrupt to the core. The dealer was able to get the area Ford rep to come out and look at the vehicle in the next couple of days. But I cannot emphasis more what they tried to do today was without question unethical .

During sts tire servicing, mechanic showed me a large section of structural steel hanging from the rear driver side wheel well and a michelin tire that contained abrasive ripping caused by the section of steel that had been dangling and rubbing against the tire. The large section of steel contained an anchor at the center which was manufactured to hold the third row row in place. This steel plate with the anchor for holding the third row seat in place is no longer attached to the vehicle due to a manufacturing defect which allowed the welds holding it in place to fail creating dangers unsecured seating, hole exposing passengers to exterior of vehicle and moving parts, opening for rodents or other dangers to enter vehicle, knowledge of prior may cause fear and panic of driver or passengers which may cause accident or mental anguise. I brought the vehicle to smith Ford dealership in washington, n. J. Requesting an inspection and warranty repair of the above stated structural steel. Smith Ford inspected the vehicle and said that the manufacturing defect would not be repaired by Ford and that Ford does not accept financial responsibility even though the problem was the result of a manufacturing defect. Reported this to Ford headquarters on November 30, 2012 and was informed that the dealership was correct in stating that Ford will not repair this serious problem. My wife is increasingly having terrifying visions of mice jumping on her while driving, having snakes crawling into the car, rain snow mud etc entering vehicle, or having the children put their hands or other things into the hole in the vehicle.

The 3rd row rear seat on my 2004 Freestar does not latch into seated position properly. Upon further inspection, I realized that the driver's side support ring which the 3rd row seat latches into was pushed back into the trim. I looked underneath the driver's side rear wheel well and noticed that a steel plate which the support ring is mounted has completely rusted through the body of the vehicle. Also, when it is not latched it has a tendency to interfere with the rear driver's side tire. While there is a small amount of metal holding the mounting plate in place, it requires two people to latch the seat in order to keep the metal plate from scoring the sidewall of my tire. The passenger's side mounting plate continues to be secure, yet there is a noticeable amount of rust on that side as well. If someone stows the 3rd row seat and tries to flip it back into seating position without knowing that the support ring is loose, they could end up scoring the sidewall on the rear tire and causing a complete failure. Further, the proper function of the seat belt in the third row seat could be compromised during an accident; the seat could pitch forward or flip back because it is not solidly secured to the van's structure.

The left rear seat anchor has detached from the body due to excessive rust in the rear quarter panel by the left rear wheel well. The third seat is no longer usable and there is a hole through the body that lets air and water into the passenger compartment. The right side wheel well area shows rust as well but the seat anchor has not yet detached from the quarter panel. Two Ford dealers have said they are not aware of this problem occurring and do not know if it can be fixed. My concern is safety while driving the vehicle, noise and water entering the passenger compartment, and the loss of use of the third seat. This vehicle is too young and useful to be scrapped.

Our son was in the rear seat and complained that as we turned corners, his seat moved. He said it felts as if it were not latched. Upon investigation, we found the seat did not latch on the drivers side. We tried without success to relatch it and found the latch anchor was loose. Being dark and 30 miles from home, we drove on. We then heard loud noise coming from that wheel well and began to smell "burning rubber". Having no other option, we pulled to the side of the dark highway and saw a piece of metal hanging out of the van, onto the tire. We pulled it the rest of the way out and found that it was the seat latch anchor. The area seems to be completely rusted. . . From the inside. The metal did not look rusted from the outside. We now have a hole in the side of the van (in the wheel well) and a van which is incapable of hauling our family of five. Even using it as a four-passenger van, we have concerns about exhaust entering the interior of the van. (mileage noted is approximate).