Freestar (1st)
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
3.9-V6-Gas
3.9L 6-cyl / 193 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
4.2-V6-Gas
4.2L 6-cyl / 201 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Ford Freestar Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Ford Freestar, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2004-2007 Ford Freestar
On a used 2004-2007 Ford Freestar, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the transmission and drivetrain (1,802), the electrical system (253) and the engine (246). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 1,802 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 253 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar about the electrical system.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 246 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar about the engine, all engines combined.
- Open and close every door, the hood and the trunk or hatch. Check the latches, the seals and the gaps between panels.Minor. NHTSA has 154 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar about the body and structure.
- Latch and tug every seat belt, move every seat through its full travel and lock each seatback.Safety. NHTSA has 132 owner complaints on the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar about the seats, seat belts and interior.
Recalls (7)
Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.
ON CERTAIN MINI VAN CONVERSIONS, THE BRAKE LINES MAY HAVE BEEN ROUTED INCORRECTLY. THE BRAKE LINES CAN MAKE CONTACT AND CHAFE ON THE STABILIZER BAR.
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
ON CERTAIN VANS EQUIPPED WITH THE POWER LIFTGATE OPTION, THE POWER LIFTGATE MOTOR AUTOMATICALLY DISENGAGES AFTER THE LIFTGATE IS POWERED OPEN.
Show 2 older recalls
CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.
ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.
Alternatives in Minivan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2004-2007 Ford Freestar complaints?
Owners have filed 2,491 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar. The systems they name most often are the transmission, the electrical system and the engine.
Is the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 2,491 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar have?
NHTSA has 2,491 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2004-2007 Ford Freestar vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Ford Freestar?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the transmission, the electrical system and the engine, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
Does the Freestar have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2004-2007 Ford Freestar. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,491 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.