2004 Ford Freestar
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 851 of 1,227 complaints (69%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (8) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–3,650 | 3,450 | 3,450–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–18 | 18 | 17–18 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15 / 21 | 16 / 21–22 | 15–16 / 21–22 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–523 | 494 | 494–523 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,227 | 886 | 356 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 16 | 8 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 14 | 2 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 21 | 18 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 4 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Freestar have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Ford Freestar?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 851 of 1,227 NHTSA complaints (69%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Freestar get?
EPA rates it 17–18 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Ford Freestar?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 4.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 15 mpg | 21 mpg | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 523 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 118 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 851 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 23 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Electrical | 118 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 65 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 27 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 51 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 34 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 142 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 33 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
SEATS · Campaign 13V081000 · Mar 8, 2013
Defect: 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, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.
Consequence: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:TORQUE CONVERTER · Campaign 12V006000 · Jan 9, 2012
Defect: FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · Campaign 06E056000 · Jun 23, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
WHEELS:HUB · Campaign 04V446000 · Sep 16, 2004
Defect: CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS · Campaign 03V457000 · Nov 19, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.