26th Jul 2010, 22:50
Original post update.
73k on the van. Replaced front passenger wheel hub assembly last week. With some reading I found these things can have wheel bearing issues. It was squealing at highway speeds, super annoying.
70k replaced brake pads and rotors all the way around, including brake system flush (it was filthy black).
Around 63k one of the catalytic converters failed and was replaced by the 8/80 emissions warranty. I had the plugs and wires changed around this time.
21st Sep 2010, 15:05
I have a 2006 Ford Freestar, and I love it. I got it at 6,200 miles, and it now has 53,000. I drive it so much that these miles were put on it in just 2 years of owning it.
I got it almost brand new, inside and out, bumper to bumper warranty everything. DVD player 3rd row. The only missing is power seats, lights, and sliders and trunk. So not bad for the price I paid.
Anyway, I love this van. I wish Ford would've continued to make mini vans, but unfortunately they don't.
The only problem I have had from the very beginning is the design of the inside. You have to basically hop over the 2nd row (though the seat folds down to help get in the 3rd row) to get to the third row. This is a hassle with 4 car seats.
I get great mileage (25 miles to the gallon) and no technical issues until now.
I hear a humming noise and vibration on the front floorboard when speeding up. The noise and vibration die down when I slow down. I don't know if this the wheel bearings or not, but it is annoying.
Other than this, I would recommend this van to everyone who has kids. It is great!!!
22nd Sep 2010, 09:01
"I wish Ford would've continued to make mini vans, but unfortunately they don't."
Ford Flex is the new people hauler.
I am really glad that my Windstar has lights. It makes driving in the night much easier. ;-)
22nd Sep 2010, 19:29
"I am really glad that my Windstar has lights. It makes driving in the night much easier. ;-) "
My Windstar had lights too (thankfully). Unfortunately, they were drowned out by the glare on the windshield from the interior lights coming on whenever they felt like it!
6th Nov 2011, 10:48
We have had a 05 since new, and now at 63K miles I still don't care for it. It is not very comfortable, and the head rest makes backing up a nightmare. The spring sticking out of the seat back is not enjoyable.
We used to have the strange noise that whistled. That noise stopped when the vehicle stopped alongside the road 250 miles from home. The new transmission doesn't make that noise anymore either. Oddly enough, that is the only failure it's had. It starts, moves, and comes home. Most of the time. Just not comfortably.
4th Nov 2009, 12:06
I have a 2004 Mercury Monterey that also had the dreaded "whistle" while cruising. Another way for it to go away in addition to braking is to turn. That's right, every time we'd go around a gradual curve, it would disappear, and when we straightened up, it would whistle again. After some dealership trial and error, they finally got it by replacing both front wheel bearings.