Faults:

The strap to the 3rd row has broken three times.

The back windshield wiper quit working over a year ago; the dealership said they could fix it for $120 in parts and same in labor.

The check engine light came on after I owned it for about 14 months, I took it back to the original dealership twice and they said nothing was wrong, they hooked a computer up to it and made the light go off for a couple of weeks. After two failing attempts I took it to another dealership; they said and did the same thing. And guess what, the light is still on and now the transmission has gone out at 83000 miles, and the dealership says the manufacturer's warranty is out, and they could put a used transmission with a 3yr/100,000 miles warranty on it.

General Comments:

I have truly enjoyed this car. I have three small children and it has served many purposes, however I clearly expected to be driving it for another 3 years, but now, I still owe on it and I have to pay for it to be fixed.

Faults:

Wheel bearings went bad at 30,000 miles.

Pinging noise from engine with no fix since 12,000 miles.

Front rotors bad at 22,000 miles.

Rear calipers bad at 28,000 miles.

Transmission went out with no warning whatsoever at 98,000 miles. I have read that this is common anywhere from 40,000 to 100,000, so I guess we are lucky it lasted as long as it did!

Paint on stereo/CD buttons wore off, so lights shine through at night. No other car I have ever had did this.

Around 20,000 miles, the rear seat latch to fold seat into the floor cracked and is now unusable.

General Comments:

Our Ford Freestar has been a piece of junk from the very beginning. It appears from Internet websites and blogs that there are known transmission issues, pinging issues, and wheel issues with the Freestar. However, the Ford dealership acts surprised like mine is the first Freestar to ever have a problem.

If you waste your money and buy a Freestar, make sure you get an extended warranty that covers the majors!!! In my opinion we were ripped off by thinking a good name brand meant something. Better off buying a Kia or Hyundai - at least the initial price is less!!!

Faults:

Blown transmission (66K)

Bad front wheel bearings (55K)

Inoperable side mirrors (44K)

General Comments:

I am another Freestar transmission casualty. While traveling in our 04 Freestar at 70 mph this past Sunday on I-95 in Virginia, the transmission completely let go. Mileage is 66K. We were 1 hour into day 2 of our return trip to Boston after spending Christmas week with relatives in Florida. We were on fairly flat terrain when I heard a high pitched whine. I looked down at the tach and realized the engine was revving to 6,000+. I thought maybe it had simply slipped out of gear, so I let off the gas, slipped it into 3rd, then 2nd. Nothing. I coasted across 2 lanes to get to the breakdown. Me, the wife and three kids rode in the tow truck and spent the night in Fredericksburg waiting for a mechanic Monday morning. Got home in a rental car last night. Mechanic said it was the torque converter that failed. Repairs are in the $2,500 neighborhood (but only guaranteed 1 year by AAMCO). Heading back to VA to pick it up this weekend. Trading it ASAP.