NHTSA Complaint #10644111 — 2005 FORD FREESTAR

WE HAVE OWNED OUR 2005 FORD FREESTAR SINCE MAY 2012. IN AUGUST 2012 AND GOING FORWARD WE HAVE EXPERIENCED MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE LOCKING SYSTEMS. THE AUTOMATIC LOCKS WILL NOT UNLOCK VIA THE KEY FOB OR THE DOOR BUTTON. AND BECAUSE FORD DESIGNED THE REAR HATCH / DOORS WITHOUT A MANUAL KEY INPUT. IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE DOORS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE THERE IS NO WAY TO MANUALLY OPEN THE REAR HATCH. THIS IS A SERIOUS FLAW THAT COULD HAVE VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THERE SHOULD ALWAYS BE A WAY TO UNLOCK ALL OF THE DOORS FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AS A MOTHER OF TWO KIDS, I KNOW THAT MY KIDS WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE IF THEY NEEDED TO WHEN ONE OF THESE EPISODES HAPPEN. IT IS ALSO A CONCERN IF A LARGE ITEM IS LOADED INTO THE BACK OF THE VAN, THEN THE MALFUNCTION HAPPENS AND YOUR CUSTOMER CAN'T GET IT OUT. THIS JUST HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND. WE LOST OUT ON MY HUSBAND BEING PAID BECAUSE HE WAS LATE TO HIS SHOW BECAUSE OF THIS RIDICULOUS MALFUNCTION THAT EVERY FORD FREESTAR OWNER IS EXPERIENCING. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND IT IS DISGUSTING THAT SO MANY CUSTOMERS HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. FIX IT NOW FORD! *TR