CarModelProblems.com

2004 Ford Freestar Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission — runs 8.2× the fleet median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
1,227Complaints
5Recalls
16Crashes
14Fires
21Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Power Train:automatic Transmission (40.3% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints here are 8.2× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Power Train:automatic Transmission495 · 40.3%RecalledRecall 12V006000
Power Train310 · 25.3%RecalledRecall 12V006000
Electrical System115 · 9.4%No official action
Seats84 · 6.8%RecalledRecall 13V081000
Engine69 · 5.6%No official action
Structure:body62 · 5.1%Investigation closedEQ12010 · EA12003 → recall 13V081000 · PE11039

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN310 · 25.3%
SEATS84 · 6.8%
ENGINE69 · 5.6%
STRUCTURE:BODY62 · 5.1%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER50 · 4.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34 · 2.8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL29 · 2.4%
Unspecified / other26 · 2.1%

Percentages are the share of the 1,227 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Seats

NHTSA campaign 13V081000 · 2013 · reported 03/07/2013

In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission

NHTSA campaign 12V006000 · 2012 · reported 01/09/2012

THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 06E056000 · 2006 · reported 06/13/2006

FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections

NHTSA campaign 03V457000 · 2003 · reported 11/06/2003

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Wheels:hub

NHTSA campaign 04V446000 · 2004 · reported 09/13/2004

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“ON MAY 20 2008 WHILE DRIVING A 2004 FORD FREESTAR ON VACATION. WITH 2 OTHER ADULTS AND 3 DOGS IN THE MINIVAN THE TRANSMISSION WITH…”NHTSA complaint 10228385 — filed 05/21/2008 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS JUST 3 YEARS OLD, 70,000 MILES. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AFTER JUST ANOTHER 13,000 MILES, LESS THAN ONE YEAR…”NHTSA complaint 10228172 — filed 05/19/2008 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
“DRIVING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY(RTE 422 -OHIO) IN MODERATE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC. STOPPED FOR A SCHOOL BUS AND THE CARS MADE A POP THEN WOULD…”NHTSA complaint 10226968 — filed 05/07/2008 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

204201125217620137658201544482017292820191292021352023322025

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Freestar?

Power train:automatic transmission issues are the most-reported category, cited in 495 of 1,227 NHTSA complaints (40.3%), followed by power train (310), electrical system (115), seats (84). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2004 Ford Freestar have?

1,227 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 16 involved a crash, 14 involved a fire, and 21 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 2004 Ford Freestar have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 13V081000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2004 Ford Freestar's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.