NHTSA Complaint #10355117 — 2004 FORD FREESTAR

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED IN 2008. WHEN TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 60-70 MPH THE VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY JERK AS IF IT'S TURNED OFF AND BACK ON. THIS OCCURS 2-3 TIMES ON EVERY HIGHWAY TRIP OF 15-20 MILES. THIS ALSO HAPPENS ON SHORTER TRIPS 2-3 TIMES A WEEK. WHEN I START THE VEHICLE THE RADIO AUTOMATICALLY TURNS ON AND RESETS THE STATIONS AND DIGITAL CLOCK. THE BATTERY SEEMS TO HAVE TROUBLE KEEPING A CHARGE. OVERNIGHT THE BATTERY MAY WEAKEN AND THE VEHICLE WILL FAIL TO START. AFTER THE FAILED START ALL THE NEEDLES ON THE CONTROL PANEL DIALS WILL VIBRATE AND CREATE A "CLICKING/TICKING" NOISE WHICH ENDS AFTER 3-6 SECONDS. SUBSEQUENTLY, A JUMP-START IS REQUIRED TO START THE VEHICLE. I CANNOT AFFORD EXPENSIVE DIAGNOSTICS SO I SIMPLY KEEP JUMPER CABLES HANDY AND PLAN AROUND TRIPS THAT MAY LEAVE US STRANDED WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. I HAVE MAINTAINED ROUTINE SERVICE LIKE OIL/FLUID CHANGES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY REPORTS ON A DEFECTIVE BATTERY. ALL INDICATIONS POINT TO A DEFECTIVE PCM (POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE). I'VE DONE SOME PERSONAL RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS TO BE AN UNDERLYING PROBLEM FOR MANY ISSUES AFFECTING THE 2004 FORD FREESTAR MINIVANS. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. DUE TO THE PROJECTED COST ESTIMATES OF MORE THAN $1000 TO DIAGNOSE AND RESOLVE, I CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE A MECHANIC WORK ON IT. *TR