Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 2 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Latches/locks/linkages. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reports
40,000 miles · Apr 24, 2009
EquipmentLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train
I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE …
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I HAVE HAD THIS 2004 VAN IN THE FORD GARAGE IN FREMONT MI AT LEAST 10 TIMES. EVEN HAD TO HAVE THE SUBFRAME REPLACED AND THAT WORE OUT ALL THE TIRES ALL DOORS ,AIR CONDITIONER,BRAKES,TRANSMISSION REPLACED. LOCKS REPLACED, HEATED SEAT TWICE,SWAYBAR REPLACED. I FEEL I AM IN A TIME BOMB, WE OWE MORE ON IT THEN IT IS WORTH. LAST ONE WE BUY! WE ARE LUCKILY TO BE ALIVE IN THIS PIECE OF JUNK,TO MANY DATES OF REPAIR TO GIVE YOU. *TR
WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE …
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WE OWN A 2004 FORD FREESTAR WITH APPROXIMATELY 80,000MILES. ON JULY 18TH WE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER WORKING PROPERLY. ON JULY 19TH THE CAR STRUGGLED TO GO UP HILL. ON JULY 20TH WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP 1845 JOPPA RD IN BALTIMORE, MARYLAND 21234 888-211-0807 ON JULY 21ST WE WERE INFORMED THAT OUR TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $3,000 IN ADDITION TO REPAIR FOR THE AIR CONDITIONING AT A COST OVER $1,000 WITH A MORE RECENT RESPONSE FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE TOTAL REPAIR WAS NOW LISTED AT APPROXIMATELY $5,400.00 OR MORE. WE ARE SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST THAT OUR FREESTAR THAT IS BARELY 4YEARS OLD AND EVEN HAVE PURCHASED THE EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 60,000MILES OR FIVE YEARS "WHICHEVER CAME FIRST" AS I WAS REMINDED BY THE REPAIRSHOP REPRESENTATIVE, THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NEED THIS TYPE OF REPAIR AT SUCH AN EARLY STAGE IN THE VEHICLE'S OWNERSHIP. THE COST MADE US SUSPECT AND WE SEARCHED ON LINE THROUGH CONSUMER REPORTS AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH SIMILAR STORIES LIKE OUR OWN. AT THIS TIME WHEN ENERGY COSTS ARE AT AN ALL TIME HIGH AND WE HAVE A SON ABOUT TO ATTEND COLLEGE THIS ADDITIONAL OUTLAY OF CONSIDERABLE MONETARY FUNDS SEEMS COMPLETELY ABOVE WHAT IS REASONABLE. WE ARE STILL AWAITING A FINAL COST REPORT FROM THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REGISTERED A FORMAL COMPLAINT AS WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR WILL BE RECALLED. IN ADDITION TO THIS CURRENT PROBLEM WE HAVE ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE BREAKS AND ENCOUNTERED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE SLIDING DOOR LOCKS. ANY INFORMATION YOU HAVE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT WOULD BE MOST APPRECIATIVE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10235758
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2004 Ford E-SERIES Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year