Three problems related to transmission slip out of gear have been reported for the 2004 Ford Freestar. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford Freestar based on all problems reported for the 2004 Freestar.
Ford transmission is slipping out of gear at highway speeds.
Coming into town in busy traffic, our vehicle suddenly slipped out of gear and then would not switch back into gear above 20mph. We were 30 miles or so from home, so we went at low speed out of town and down highway continuing to see if it would kick into gear. It did not go over 20 to 25 mph until about 10 miles from home, we stopped for gas and then when we started up again it shifted as normal into gears as needed for highway travel. Took it to mechanic and ended up needing new transmission. A rebuilt one cost us almost $3000. Would love to know if this will be a recall and our money refunded from Ford?.
Beginning at 55k miles, the transaxle has been slow shifting between reverse and drive with occasional shuttering, even jumping out of gear after stopping. Took it to a local transmission shop in March 2008 but "problem could not be duplicated" was their diagnosis. The vehicle would also "clunk" back into gear after stopping. After a local dealership completed the 60k mile transaxle service, the problem appeared to have been fixed. The slow shifting started again last week and the transaxle quit yesterday while in traffic (4k miles after the extended service plan expired). It won't move and loudly whines like a power steering pump low on fluid. This same dealership that serviced it says its too bad the warranty expired but they'll gladly diagnose the problem for $135. The team leader said it'll likely need to be replaced with a "remanufactured unit" (3 year, 100k mile warranty), but didn't know the cost, saying it needs to be diagnosed first. So, I have to pay first before they'll talk price?.