2004 FORD FREESTAR Structurebody Problems

THE PART THAT HAS THE CLIP FOR BACK SEAT FELL OUT AND NOW THERE IS A 5 BY 5 INCH HOLE GOING INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THE SEAT HAS NOTHING TO CLIP ONTO AND BE SECURE, THIS WAS RECALLED IN THIS MODEL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS PROTRUDING THROUGH THE FRAME AND CREATED A HOLE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 212,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION JUST STARTED TO SLIP AND MAKES A THUD SOMETIMES SLIPS BAD. CONSUMER HAS CHANGED THE TRANSMISSION OIL AND FILTERS.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CARPET IN THE REAR ROWS OF THE VEHICLE BECOME WET AND SOAKED. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT ANCHOR LATCH WAS LOOSE. MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER NOTICED A GRINDING TYPE NOISE WHEN TURNING THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SAME FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

WENT TO INVESTIGATE THE WATER LOGGED CARPET IN THE REAR OF THE VAN. REMOVED INTERIOR PLASTIC PANELS ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VAN. THE SEAT ANCHOR MECHANISM FELL OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL UNTO THE TIRE. VERY FORTUNATE I WAS IN THE GARAGE AND NOT TRAVELLING DOWN THE FREEWAY.

I JUST PAID OFF MY VEHICLE DID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF REPAIRS NOW MECHANIC TELLS ME HE WONT REPLACE MY STARTER BECAUSE SUB FRAME IS UNUSUALLY WORN AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE,SO NOW I HAVE NO VEHICLE BECAUSE 2004 WAS NOT RECALLED YET,MOST OTHER YEARS WERE

IM HAVING MANY ISSUES WITH MY VEHICLE. THE WORST ONE IS THE PASSIVE SECURITY SYSTEM THAT HAS STRANDED ME IN MANY AREAS BECAUSE IT REFUSES TO START. I HAVE TRIED MANY THINGS INCLUDING REPLACING TRANSPONDER KEYS AND THE TRANSCEIVER BUT I STILL AM GETTING THE FLASHING RED SECURITY LIGHT. IM SCARED TO DRIVE THIS THING IN THE WINTER DUE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF GETTING STRANDED IN COLD TEMPERATURES. ALSO THIS VEHICLE LETS WATER LEAK IN EVERYWHERE CAUSING SEVERE RUST AND MOLD ISSUES. ONE OF THE FLOOR SUPPORTS OF THE DRIVERS SEAT IS CLOSE TO BEING RUSTED THROUGH AND THE OTHER ONES ARE ON THEIR WAY OUT. THE BODY IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND IM NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER THIS THING WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE.

THIS VEHICLE I RECEIVED NUMEROUS RECALLS AND HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. WHEN IT WOULD RAIN AND GET CAR WASH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD MALFUNCTION AND CAUSE ENGINE NOT TO RUN PROPERLY AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON. IN APRIL OF 2016 ENGINE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND CAUSED ME TO GET IN ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE HAS SINCE BEEN IMPOUNDED AND LOAN COMPANY SANTANDER TRYING TO BILL ME FOR REMAINDER OF LOAN AND NOW CAUSING MAJOR CREDIT ISSUES. I WOULD LIKE THIS TO BE COVERED BY FORD/CARMAX FOR SELLING MY FAMILY AN UNSAFE VEHICLE WHICH COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRITICAL INJURY OR WORSE.

02 06 2016 THE FIRST PROBLEM WITH SUBFRAM BREAKING , I WAS AT SAVEALOT 123 ST CLAIR AVENUE 44108, STARTED MY ENGINE AND SHIFTER GEARS THE ENGINE STARTED I SHIFTED GEARS AND IT LOTS POWER AND RESTARTED, THE VEHICLE JUMPED AND A LOUD GRINDING PARK FORD 400 WEST AVENUE TALLMAGE OHIO 44278 I PURCHASED TWO BOLTS W711082-S439 PURCHASED 2 BOLTS ONE BROKE AND I SPOKE TO THE MANAGER/ OWNER AND I WAS TOLD TO RETURN THE BOLT AND THE WOULD PROVIDE ME A NEW ONE. AT THE TIME THEY HAD A KIT THAT WAS $65.00 THE KIT HAD THE BOLT STEEL WASHER, RUBBER 2 BUSHING AND A ANCHOR ( WHAT THE BOLT SCREWS INTO. 2ND TIME I WAS IN EAST CLEVELAND SAME THING HAPPEN WITH A CHUCK- HOLE, I REPAIRED THE VAN AGAIN, THIRD TIME EAST 123 SUPERIOR BY DAY CAR VAN LOST POWER AND LOUD GRINDING, 3 TIME SAME...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE THIRD ROW SEAT AREA RUSTED THROUGH TO THE TRUNK AREA NEAR THE SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. ....UPDATED 09/19/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED DEALER SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS BEYOND REPAIR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,125.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT IT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 10/19/16*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER BEGAN THE RECALL REPAIR,BUT WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE IT DO TO PARTS BEING UNAVAILABLE. THE CONSUMER WAS PROVIDED A RENTAL. *JS

THE 3RD SEAT HOOKS RUSTED OUT LEAVING AND UNSTABLE PASSENGER SEAT AND BODY STRUCTURE ISSUES THAT ARE IDENTICAL TO THE RECALL #13S01BUT DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING IN A "SALTBELT" STATE, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT IS PRETTY CLEAR THAT KANSAS AND NEBRASKA USE SALE ABUNDANTLY ON THE ROADS. I WAS TOLD BY FORD THAT MY SPECIFIC CAN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL BECAUSE IS WAS MANUFACTURED DIFFERENTLY THAN THE 100,000 THAT WERE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SO IT SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WHICH IT NOW HAS. I PUT MY FOUR KIDS IN THIS VAN AND NOW IT IS NOT STRUCTURAL STABLE FOR THEM.

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS ROTTED ON MY 2004 FORD FREESTAR. I FOUND OUT WHEN MY CAR WAS IN FOR IT'S ANNUAL INSPECTION. THEY CALLED THE FORD DEALER THEY SAID FORD WAS NO LONGER MAKING THE PARTS. THE DEALER SAID FORD USED TO HAVE RECALLS. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAD A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS ON THE WINDSTARS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SAID ALL THE RECALL ON MY CAR WERE FIXED. THEY SAID I SHOULD CALL THE FORD DEALER.

FORD IS NOT HONORING 13V081000 FOR THE THIRD ROW SEAT STRIKER PROBLEMS. OUR VAN WHICH IS OPERATED IN THE KANSAS CITY METROPOLITAN AREA, WHICH HEAVILY SALTS THE ROADS IS HAVING THE CORROSION PROBLEM. JUST THIS WEEKEND WE WERE TRAVELING WITH ALL SEATS OCCUPIED WHEN THE INNER FENDER WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE BROKE THROUGH WITH THE SEAT STRIKER MOUNTING BRACKET HITTING THE SIDEWALL OF THE REAR TIRE. FORTUNATELY AT THE TIME WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND WERE ABLE TO REMOVE THE SEAT OCCUPANTS AND RETURN HOME SAFELY. THE DESIGN OF THIS SEAT STRIKER PLATE IS FLAWED AS THERE IS A REINFORCING PLATE ON THE INNER SIDE OF THE FENDER WELL THAT RESULTS IN ENTRAPMENT OF MOISTURE AND DIRT. THIS BAD DESIGN COMBINED WITH THE WEIGHT OF THREE PEOPLE OCCUPYING THE SEAT RESULTS IN STRESSING OF THE FENDER WELL MATERIAL. WHEN I WENT TO THE FORD DEALER...

FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR RECALL RELATED REPAIRS. I PURCHASED VEHICLE IN JULY OF 2015. RECEIVED NOTICE FROM FORD OF SAFETY RECALL INVOLVING 3RD ROW SEATING. FORD WANTS $2100 FOR REPAIR OF THE CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELLS. THE ROW SEATING IS USELESS DOESN'T LOCK IN OPEN POSITION.

CAR HISTORY: THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT HAS GONE BEFORE WHEN WE TRAVEL THROUGH VT MOUNTAINS, BUT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND LETTING IT SIT, AND RESTARTING IT, THE LIGHT WOULD GO OFF. UPON GETTING HOME SAFETY, OUR MECHANICS DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING TO REPAIR AND SO LEFT IT BE, AND WOULD ONLY SOMETIMES SEE IT WHEN WE TRAVELED THROUGH THE VT MOUNTAINS, A FEW TIMES A YEAR. ALL RECALL REPAIRS WERE UP TO DATE. THERE WERE NO OTHER SYMPTOMS. INCIDENT: AS WE NEARING THE TOP OF A MOUNTAIN, THE TRANSAXLE LIGHT CAME ON. UNLIKE THE OTHER TIMES, THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY FAILED TO BE IN THE CORRECT GEAR, SO UNLIKE THE OTHER TIMES, WE WERE VERY CONCERNED. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND AS WE REACHED THE SHOULDER SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT OF THE VENTS. WE QUICKLY EVACUATED OUR KIDS, AND AS WE WERE GETTING THEM OUT WE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS ALREADY FIRE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS), IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED DUE TO WATER PENETRATION AND WERE UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE RECALL REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR LATCH 3RD ROW SEAT FELL OFF, DUE TO IT RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR TIRE.

I HAD MY VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP ON A RECALL FOR THE THIRD ROW LATCH/CORROSION ISSUE. WHILE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THE REPAIR, THE SERVICE DEPT. FOUND MASSIVE UNDERCARRIAGE CORROSION, IN WHICH OTHER PARTS OF MY CAR WERE DISINTEGRATING & FALLING APART, SUCH AS THE STARTER AND THE ENGINE MOUNTS, AS WELL AS PARTS OF MY EXHAUST SYSTEM. WHILE MY CAR WAS ON THE PREMISES THERE WERE ALSO TWO OTHER FREESTARS WITH SIMILAR AMOUNTS OF MASSIVE CORROSION ON THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, PARTICULARLY ALL OF THE DOORS. MY VEHICLE IS ONLY 9 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF WITH REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND SHOULD NOT LOOK 20 YEARS OLD WITH THE CORROSION THAT IT HAS ACCUMULATED. I ALSO HAVE A LARGE, VISIBLE CRACK IN MY WHEEL WELL IN THE REAR PASSENGER AREA CAUSED BY CORROSION AND MY VEHICLE MAY NOT PASS INSPECTION. I HAVE BEEN IN...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A GAPING HOLE IN THE REAR WHEEL WELL, CAUSING THE THIRD ROAD STRIKER AND LATCH TO FRACTURE. THE FAILURE PREVENTED THE THIRD ROW SEAT FROM LOCKING INTO PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V081000 (SEATS) HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE OWNER THAT THE WATER DAMAGE CAUSED MOLD AND CORROSION TO FORM IN THE QUARTER PANEL, SEAT BELTS, LEFT THIRD ROAD SEAT AND THE CARPET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE FOR THE DOOR TO BE OPENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE DOOR LATCH DUE TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 13V081000 (SEATS) BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A SECOND DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REMEDIED PER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,430.

ON CHRISTMAS EVE 2012 WE DROVE TO OUR PARENTS HOUSE WE HEARD SOMETHING RUBBING AGAINST THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE. WHEN WE INVESTIGATED WHAT WAS GOING ON WE FOUND THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCH HAD ALMOST DETACHED BUT WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE IT EVENTUALLY FELL OFF AS WE TRIED TO GET IT TO RECONNECT. WE RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN APRIL BUT WAS UNAWARE OF THE POTENTIAL DANGER THAT DRIVING LIKE THIS FOR 3 MONTHS HAD CAUSED . AT REPAIR SHOP VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS INSP DUE TO ROTTED WHEEL WELL AND SPRINGS ALSO ROTTED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER FOR APPT ON RECALL. TO MY DISMAY A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT ARE VERY CONCERNING TO ME OCCURRED I RECEIVED A CALL LATER THAT DAY FROM THE DEALER STATING THAT THEY WHERE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH FORD COMPANY ITSELF THE LATCH HAD FALLEN OFF AND THEY HAD THE PARTS TO REPLACE...

THE LATCH ON THE REAR OF THE VAN HAS RUSTED CLOSED ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASSIONS. IT IS PRESENTLY RUSTED SHUT AND THE BACK HATCH DOESNT OPEN AS A RESULT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THE THIRD ROW SEAT DUE TO WATER LEAKAGE FROM THE REAR TIRE WELL. THIS HAS TO BE RELATED AS THE CARPET THROUGHOUT THE VAN GETS WET. EVEN THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT WHERE IT ATTACHES TO THE FLOOR IS SOAKED, POSIBLY LEAKING FROM FRONT TIRE WELL.AND ALL THE WAY DOWN THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO THE THIRD ROW. THERE IS ALSO A SHORT IN THE DASH LIGHTS DUE TO WATER LEAKING INTO THE DASH AREA. THE CAR RADIO STAYS ON WHEN IT FEEL LIKE IT AND YOU HAVE TO HIT THE DRIVERS WINDOW BUTTON FOR THE RADIO TO SHUT OFF OTHERWISE IT DRAINS THE BATTERY AND THE CAR WILL NOT START. THE CAR WAS AT THE...

2004 FORD FREESTAR SES I CHANGED THE REAR BRAKES ON 1/20/2013 NOTICED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTING OUT. TODAY 2/24/2013 WENT TO INSTALL A CAR SEAR & NOTICED THE BENCH SEAT IN THE BACK WAS ROCKING SLIGHTLY. THE ANCHOR POINT ON THE LEFT REAR IS RUSTED OUT AND MOVING. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT I CAN SEE DOWN TO THE GROUND WHERE THE ANCHOR POINT HAS RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE NUMEROUS PARTS ON THIS VAN OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS. TO DATE I HAVE REPLACED: 3 IGNITION COILS, (THIS IS THE MAIN PROBLEM WHENEVER HEAVY RAIN OR SNOW HAS HAPPENED AND I START TO THROW MISFIRE CODES), 3 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSORS, 2 DRIVER SIDE WINDOW CONTROLS & MOTORS, (THE WINDOW DOESN'T WANT TO WORK HALF THE TIME SO WE LEAVE IT CRACKED OPEN WITH THE RAIN GUARDS), AN EGR VALVE, AND A CLOCKSPRING. I HAVE NEVER...

SEVERE RUST ISSUES PLAGUE THE FRAME, JACK POINTS, AND REAR FRAME (SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA). THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL LOOKS AS IF IT HAS NEVER HAD PAINT ON IT THERE IS SO MUCH RUST. WE JUST PURCHASED THE VEHICLE A FEW DAYS AGO AND ARE CURRENTLY WORKING WITH THE FORD DEALER TO HOPEFULLY GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTED. WE DID NOT REALIZE THE SEVERE RUST ISSUES PRIOR TO PURCHASE. *TR

AS STATED WITH OTHER 2004 FORD FREESTARS, REAR RUST ON DRIVERSIDE REAR, REAR SEAT WILL NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE SAFETY LOCK IS RUSTED AWAY, NOT SAFE TO ANY PASSENGER TO SIT THERE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, A LOUD GRINDING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR TIRES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WHEEL MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL WERE RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE THIRD ROW LATCH FAILED AND THE SEATS WERE UNABLE TO STAY FOLDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL AND LATCHES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE VEHICLE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

BACK SEAT WOULDN'T LATCH. FOUND ROTTEN WHEEL WELL DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION AND LATCH FELL OUT ALONG WITH A PIECE OF THE WHEEL WELL. NOW, THERE IS A HOLE WHERE THE LATCH WAS AND THE REAR SEAT IS UNSAFE DUE TO THE FACT THAT THERE IS NO LATCH TO HOLD IT IN PLACE. I HAVE THREE KIDS SO NOW THEIR LIFE IS IN JEOPARDY AND THE VAN ISN'T EVEN 10 YEARS OLD. WE'VE HAD SO MANY ISSUES WITH THIS VAN. ALSO, THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WATER DAMAGE. WE WERE TOLD CHEVY HAD THE SAME PROBLEM OF WATER COMING RIGHT DOWN ONTO THE COMPUTER AND THEY DESIGNED A PART FOR IT, BUT NOT FORD. *TR

THE LEFT REAR 3RD ROW SEAT ANCHOR PLATE, MOUNTED NORMALLY TO THE LEFT REAR INNER WHEELHOUSE AS AN INTEGRATED PART OF THE WHEELHOUSE, HAS RUSTED AROUND THE PLATE EDGES AND THE ENTIRE PLATE IS SEPARATING FROM THE WHEELHOUSE ASSEMBLY. CURRENTLY IT IS RUSTED THRU ON THE LEFT , RIGHT, AND BOTTOM EDGES OF THE MOUNTING PLATE, REMAINING ATTACHED ONLY ALONG ITS TOP EDGE. THIS IS LETTING ROAD MOISTURE INTO THE INTERIOR REGIONS OF THE VAN, SOILING CARPET AND JUTE, CAUSING ODOR AND POSSIBLE MOLD DEVELOPMENT. THE 3RD ROW SEAT CAN NO LONGER BE SAFELY ATTACHED. *TR

I OWN 2004 FORD FREESTAR. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO LATCH THE THIRD ROW REAR SEAT, THE LATCH FAILED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION ON THE FLOOR PANEL ,SIDE PANEL AND ATTACHMENTS WHICH HOLDS THE THIRD SEAT LATCH BRACKET THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH BRACKET SLIDES OUT AND EXTRUDES TO REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CAN BURST THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WHILE RUNNING CAR. I AM ENTERING THIS COMPLAINT IN RELATION TO OTHER COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED. THERE IS A DEFECT INVESTIGATION TAKING PLACE (EA12003 AND PE11039) FOR THIS ISSUE ALREADY. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT MY 3RD ROW SEAT BACK UP AND LOCK IT INTO PLACE. ON THE DRIVE SIDE I NOTICED THAT IT WOULD NOT LOCK INTO PLACE. AFTER FURTHER REVIEW, I KNOW NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE LATCH HAD BROKEN OFF BECAUSE OF RUSTED PANEL. THE WHOLE PLATE RUSTED THRU . *TR

DURING STS TIRE SERVICING, MECHANIC SHOWED ME A LARGE SECTION OF STRUCTURAL STEEL HANGING FROM THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND A MICHELIN TIRE THAT CONTAINED ABRASIVE RIPPING CAUSED BY THE SECTION OF STEEL THAT HAD BEEN DANGLING AND RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THE LARGE SECTION OF STEEL CONTAINED AN ANCHOR AT THE CENTER WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED TO HOLD THE THIRD ROW ROW IN PLACE. THIS STEEL PLATE WITH THE ANCHOR FOR HOLDING THE THIRD ROW SEAT IN PLACE IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT WHICH ALLOWED THE WELDS HOLDING IT IN PLACE TO FAIL CREATING DANGERS OF: UNSECURED SEATING, HOLE EXPOSING PASSENGERS TO EXTERIOR OF VEHICLE AND MOVING PARTS, OPENING FOR RODENTS OR OTHER DANGERS TO ENTER VEHICLE, KNOWLEDGE OF PRIOR MAY CAUSE FEAR AND PANIC OF DRIVER OR PASSENGERS WHICH MAY CAUSE ACCIDENT OR MENTAL ANGUISE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT LATER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT A LARGE SQUARE BOLT NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THIS BOLT HELD THE REAR SEAT IN PLACE AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRACKET WAS FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE SEAT WAS UNABLE TO LATCH AND REMAIN IN PLACE. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

DRIVERS SIDE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BRACKET FAILURE. THE BRACKET IS MOUNTED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THE WELD AROUND THE BRACKET HAD SEVERE RUSTING, NO WHERE SIMILAR TO OTHER PARTS OF THE CAR. THE PLATE HOLDING THE BRACKET RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY DROPPING THE SEAT. THE PLATE AND BRACKET BEGAN RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. IF I HAD NOT STOPPED AND FOUND THE PROBLEM AND SECURED THE BRACKET, THE TIRE COULD HAVE BLOWN CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. ACCIDENT WAS PREVENTED, BUT SERIOUS BODY FAILURE OCCURRED. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. AS IS THIS SEAT SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED UNTIL IT CAN BE FIXED, THERE IS NO COST EFFECTIVE FIX. *TR

THE 3RD ROW REAR SEAT ON MY 2004 FREESTAR DOES NOT LATCH INTO SEATED POSITION PROPERLY. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, I REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE SUPPORT RING WHICH THE 3RD ROW SEAT LATCHES INTO WAS PUSHED BACK INTO THE TRIM. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT A STEEL PLATE WHICH THE SUPPORT RING IS MOUNTED HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN IT IS NOT LATCHED IT HAS A TENDENCY TO INTERFERE WITH THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. WHILE THERE IS A SMALL AMOUNT OF METAL HOLDING THE MOUNTING PLATE IN PLACE, IT REQUIRES TWO PEOPLE TO LATCH THE SEAT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE METAL PLATE FROM SCORING THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRE. THE PASSENGER'S SIDE MOUNTING PLATE CONTINUES TO BE SECURE, YET THERE IS A NOTICEABLE AMOUNT OF RUST ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. IF SOMEONE STOWS THE...

INABILITY TO LATCH THE REAR SEAT, ENTIRE DRIVER SIDE ANCHOR PLATE COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE LEFT REAR SEAT ANCHOR HAS DETACHED FROM THE BODY DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE REAR QUARTER PANEL BY THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE THIRD SEAT IS NO LONGER USABLE AND THERE IS A HOLE THROUGH THE BODY THAT LETS AIR AND WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL AREA SHOWS RUST AS WELL BUT THE SEAT ANCHOR HAS NOT YET DETACHED FROM THE QUARTER PANEL. TWO FORD DEALERS HAVE SAID THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM OCCURRING AND DO NOT KNOW IF IT CAN BE FIXED. MY CONCERN IS SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, NOISE AND WATER ENTERING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, AND THE LOSS OF USE OF THE THIRD SEAT. THIS VEHICLE IS TOO YOUNG AND USEFUL TO BE SCRAPPED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED THE CONTACT PULLED THE REAR SEATS UP AND NOTICED THE STUD WHICH HOLDS THE BACK SEAT IN PLACE WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE STUD AND IT FRACTURED. ALSO, THE WHEEL WELD WAS CORRODED ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WELDED NEW METAL PIECES TO THE WHEEL WELLS ON THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: EA12003 (SEATS:MID/REAR ASSEMBLY STRUCTURE STRUCTURE:BODY) THAT MAY BE RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 11/14/12*LJ

OUR SON WAS IN THE REAR SEAT AND COMPLAINED THAT AS WE TURNED CORNERS, HIS SEAT MOVED. HE SAID IT FELTS AS IF IT WERE NOT LATCHED. UPON INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND THE SEAT DID NOT LATCH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. WE TRIED WITHOUT SUCCESS TO RELATCH IT AND FOUND THE LATCH ANCHOR WAS LOOSE. BEING DARK AND 30 MILES FROM HOME, WE DROVE ON. WE THEN HEARD LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THAT WHEEL WELL AND BEGAN TO SMELL "BURNING RUBBER". HAVING NO OTHER OPTION, WE PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE DARK HIGHWAY AND SAW A PIECE OF METAL HANGING OUT OF THE VAN, ONTO THE TIRE. WE PULLED IT THE REST OF THE WAY OUT AND FOUND THAT IT WAS THE SEAT LATCH ANCHOR. THE AREA SEEMS TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED...FROM THE INSIDE. THE METAL DID NOT LOOK RUSTED FROM THE OUTSIDE. WE NOW HAVE A HOLE IN THE...

THE THIRD ROW SEAT WAS LOOSE WHEN LOCKED IN THE UPRIGHT POSITION. WHEN I LOOKED UNDERNEATH FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE I NOTICED THE METAL PLATE WAS LOOSE. I PUT DOWN THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND LOOKED THROUGH THE PLASTIC TO SEE THAT ALL AROUND THE METAL PLATE ROTTED AWAY. SINCE THE THIRD ROW SEAT WAS NOT LOCKED IN PLACE WHEN I TOUCHED THE BRACKET ON THE METAL PLATE, THE ENTIRE PLATE FELL OUT ONTO THE REAR TIRE. THE METAL ALL AROUND THE PLATE INSIDE THE REAR QUARTER PANEL IS ROTTED AND THERE IS NOTHING TO WELD THE PLATE BACK TO. THERE IS ALSO A LARGE OPENING INTO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THAT PLATE IS NO LONGER THERE. MY SEVEN SEAT VAN CAN ONLY HOLD FOUR PEOPLE SAFELY. *TR

SEVERE RUST IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL CAUSED THE THIRD ROW SEAT TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE THIRD ROW SEAT IS NOW UNSAFE AND CANNOT BE USED. THE SEAT CAN NO LONGER BE SECURELY LATCHED IN PLACE. THIS VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT AND ONLY HAS 72,938 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT FELT HOT TO THE TOUCH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE SHE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A PIECE OF METAL RUBBING AGAINST THE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR QUARTER PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE HAD EXCESSIVE RUST BUILD UP AND AS A RESULT, THE PANEL RUBS ON THE TIRE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT DECIDED TO REMOVE PART OF THE QUARTER PANEL IN ORDER TO STOP THE TIRE FROM RUBBING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE QUARTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW METAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

LEFT REAR SEAT ANCHOR WAS LOOSE, SO WE LOOKED. A LARGE HOLE HAD RUSTED OUT OF THE INNER FENDER CAUSING THE ANCHOR TO COMPLETELY DETACH FROM THE BODY. WE TOOK IT IN TO GET CHECKED OUT AND THEY AGREED IT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE RIGHT SIDE IS ALSO RUSTING OUT, ALTHOUGH NOT THE POINT OF COMPLETELY RUSTING THROUGH, YET. WE ARE JUST THANKFUL THIS WAS NOTICED WHEN WE WERE PARKED AND NOT DRIVING 65 MPH CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

THE REAR LEFT METAL U-SHAPED POST THAT IS USED TO SECURE THE FRONT OF THE REAR BENCH SEAT AND IS ATTACHED THROUGH THE BODY BY A METAL PLATE IN THE REAR WHEEL WELL FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE AS THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT A SPEED OF 10 MILES PER HOUR. THE REAR SEAT WAS FOLDED INTO THE FLOOR AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE POST AND THE ATTACHED PLATE FELL OUT INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND THEN FELL TO THE ROADWAY. UPON INSPECTION, THE EDGE OF THE METAL PLATE, AND MUCH OF THE SURROUNDING WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED AWAY CAUSING THE INCIDENT. THE INCIDENT RESULTED IN A LARGE HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL THAT GOES CLEAR THOUGH TO THE INTERIOR OF THE VAN. WE BROUGHT THE VAN TO A LOCAL FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED SEEING THIS ISSUE RECENTLY IN THE SAME MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF...

ON 08/13/2012 TRIED TO ENGAGE THE THIRD ROW FOLDING SEAT TO THE FULL UPRIGHT POSITION. THE DRIVERS SIDE LATCH FOR THE THIRD ROW SEAT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE SEAT ANCHOR TO BE LOOSE. AFTER I LOOKED AT THE OUTSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL THE PLATE THAT THE ANCHOR MOUNTS TO WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED ALL THE WAY AROUND AND THE PLATE AND ANCHOR IS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND FALLING INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THERE IS NOW A BIG HOLE FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL DIRECTLY INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE BECOMES SOAKED WHEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. SAFETY ISSUE AS OUR KIDS RIDE IN THE THIRD ROW SEAT AND THERE IS NO WAY TO LATCH THE SEAT SAFELY NOW. *TR

WE HAD THE 3RD ROW SEAT FOLDED DOWN FOR CARGO SPACE. UPON PULLING THE SEAT BACK UP, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE SEAT WOULDN'T LATCH AND THE SEAT MOVED WHEN SOMEONE WAS SITTING ON IT. WHEN MY HUSBAND TRIED TO SECURE THE LATCH BY FOLDING THE SEAT BACK DOWN AND THEN BACK UP AGAIN - THE ENTIRE LEFT SIDE LATCH AND PLATE IT'S ATTACHED TO FELL INTO THE WHEEL WELL. HE HAD TO REACH UP OVER THE LEFT REAR WHEEL TO REMOVE THE PART AND SAW THAT THERE IS NOW A HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL THAT GOES RIGHT INTO THE VAN - YOU CAN LITERALLY SEE IN THE VAN! THE LATCH UNIT: THE PLATE IT'S BOLTED TO AND THE METAL SECTION OF THE WHEEL WELL THAT THE PLATE IS WELDED TO WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WE CAN NO LONGER USE THE BACK SEAT DUE TO SAFETY REASONS. WE ARE...

THIRD ROW SEAT NO LONGER LATCHES SECURELY, CAUSED BY CORROSION FROM LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA RUINING BODY LATCHING HOLDING SEAT IN PLACE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WOULD NOT TOUCH THE VEHICLE TO AVOID THE LIABILITY. THE RUST HAD DAMAGED THE LUGS FOR THE SEAT BELT ANCHORS. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS USED AS A TAXI AND A CUSTOMER COMPLAINED THAT THE REAR SEATS WERE LOOSE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE REAR SEATS WERE OUT OF PLACE AND THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR REPAIR SHOP FOR REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 269,359.

WHILE TURNING A CORNER WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE. AFTER GETTING HOME WE PULLED THE LEFT REAR TIRE OFF TO INSPECT THE BRAKES, WHICH WERE FINE. WE DID NOTICE THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING OUT AROUND THE THIRD ROW SEAT LATCH. THE LATCH WAS LOOSE AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DID NOT LOCK THE THIRD ROW SEAT INTO PLACE. WHEN CARRYING PASSENGERS IN THE BACK SEAT THE LATCH IS PUSHED OUT FAR ENOUGH THAT IT ACTUALLY RUBS ON THE REAR TIRE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN TIRE FAILURE. *TR

3RD ROW BENCH SEAT, DRIVERS SIDE U TYPE BOLT BRACKET( THE INSIDE PIECE THAT THE REAR SEAT LOCKS INTO)...COMPETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND PARTIALY FELL ONTO THE TIRE AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY. THE PASSENGERS SIDE IN ALSO CRACKED AND BRITTLE. THE VAN STILL RUNS FINE BUT WE CANNOT USE THE 3RD ROW SEAT. OUR CHILDEREN WERE SITTING ON IT WHEN IT FINALLY BROKE AND FELL ON THE WHEEL. IT MADE A HELL OF A NOISE . WE WERE ABLE TO GET STOPPED WITHOUT MUCH OF A PROBLEM.