NHTSA Complaint #10871328 — 2006 FORD FREESTAR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A BUSY INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH IN THE FAR LEFT HAND LANE WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN SLOWING DOWN. THERE WAS NOW WARNING. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL ATTEMPTING TO KEEP GOING WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC AROUND ME. THE RPMS ROSE BUT NO RESPONSE FROM THE TRANSMISSION. IT WAS AS THOUGH THE VAN SUDDENLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WOULD NOT GO. THANKFULLY TRAFFIC ALLOWED ME TO COAST OVER 4 LANES TO GET TO THE SHOULDER. THIS WAS FRIDAY EVENING BEFORE MEMORIAL DAY AND VERY VERY BUSY. IT'S AMAZING I MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER WITHOUT BEING HIT. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND IT RESTARTED WITH NO PROBLEM. I TRIED SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AND GOT NO RESPONSE FROM THE TRANSMISSION EITHER. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THE DRIVETRAIN. FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN. HOW MANY DEATHS WILL MAKE FORD WAKE UP AND DO SOMETHING? I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES. I MADE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BUT ONLY BECAUSE I AM AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER. HAD IT BEEN A TEENAGER HE OR SHE MAY NOT HAVE MADE IT BEFORE MOMENTUM WAS LOST. IS IT ONLY DEATHS THAT WILL MAKE FORD REALIZE THAT THEY HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE A SAFE PRODUCT? I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO TRY TO GET THIS FIXED. THIS IS OUR FAMILY VEHICLE.