NHTSA Complaint #10365018 — 2005 FORD FREESTAR

2005 FORD FREESTARS APPARENTLY ARE SUBJECT TO A LEAK THAT ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE ELECTIRCAL SYSTEM DURING RAINS AND CAUSE SHORTS AND TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES - THE THIRD TIME, AFTER COMBING THROUGH SERVICE BULLETINS, OUR DEALER DISCOVERED A BULLETIN THAT PRECISELY DESCRIBED OUR PROBLEM. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS AFFECTED, THE CAR STALLS WHILE DRIVING, FAILS TO SHIFT GEARS (INCLUDING SHIFTS INTO REVERSE) AND OTHER TIMES, WHEN STOPPED, ALTERNATELY RACES AND SLOWS. THE SUDDEN STALLS OBVIOUSLY CAN OCCUR IN TRAFFIC WHEN A FAILURE COULD PUT DRIVERS INTO DANGER. OUR DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE PROBLEM BY SEALING THE LEAK. HOWEVER, WHILE FORD IS WELL AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AS INDICATED BY THE SERVICE BULLETIN, THE COMPANY WILL NOT REIMBURSE DRIVERS FOR REPAIR UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTIES, CLAIMING THAT IT IS A "BODY" AND NOT A MECHANICAL OR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR