Overview & Reviews

With its Freestar, Ford learned the hard way that in the world of automobiles, there are few segments more cutthroat than the minivan category. Moms have ruthlessly high standards when it comes to their family transportation, and only those haulers with the most compelling mix of refinement, convenience features and luxury amenities survive. The Ford Freestar's sales had been disappointing from the outset, and as a result, 2007 was its last year of production. Crossovers, Ford believes, are the future of family transportation.

Ford's minivan wasn't completely without merit. Safety is an important factor in minivans, and in this area, the Freestar didn't come up short. It earned a perfect five stars in NHTSA frontal crash tests, and mothers and their pint-sized soccer stars were protected with features like standard stability control and optional side curtain airbags. Unfortunately, its success in this area paled in the face of its litany of shortcomings, which included sluggish acceleration, dismal fuel economy, ungainly handling and an unimpressive cabin.

For these reasons, savvy used minivan shoppers will find the Ford Freestar a relatively unsatisfactory proposition. If you're looking for a minivan, you'll no doubt find your needs better served by one of its competitors.

Most Recent Ford Freestar

The Ford Freestar was a seven-passenger minivan. Three trim levels were offered: SE, SEL and Limited. The Freestar could also be had in a cargo van body style, making it ideal for contractors needing a light-duty hauler.

The base SE trim was reasonably well equipped, with air-conditioning, full power accessories, a CD player and keyless entry all standard. The SEL added tri-zone air-conditioning, a power driver seat and second-row captain's chairs. The top-of-the-line Limited included upgrades such as chrome wheels, leather upholstery and automatic climate control.

Two engines were offered. A 3.9-liter V6 for the SE provided 193 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque. The SEL and Limited trims got a 4.2-liter V6 that generated 201 hp and 263 lb-ft of torque. Neither engine was especially frugal, turning in real-world fuel economy numbers that were among the poorest in the segment.

At first blush, the Freestar's cabin seemed like a winner. But a closer look revealed shortcomings. Materials looked nice but to the touch became apparent as subpar for the segment. The legroom in the second row was cramped. The lack of versatility didn't help either. Those second-row seats were heavy and tough to remove. And though the third-row seat folded flat, it didn't offer a 60/40 split like virtually all others in its class. At 135.7 cubes, cargo capacity fell short relative to others in the segment.

In editorial reviews, the Ford Freestar earned praise for having reasonable around-town power and a forgiving ride. The engines didn't fare as well when pushed, though, as they ran out of breath when quick passing was attempted. Performance was exacerbated by the van's aged four-speed automatic transmission -- most competitors used more advanced five-speed units. Also, the engines had a rougher, noisier power delivery than nearly any other V6 in the minivan segment. In consumer ratings, the Freestar was panned for its poor ride quality and dismal fuel economy.

Past Ford Freestar models

Ford introduced the Freestar back in model-year 2004 to replace the aged Windstar, which was sold from 1995-2003. Although Ford touted it as an all-new vehicle, the Freestar minivan was little more than a rebadged Windstar with minor upgrades, including a freshened interior equipped with a fold-flat third-row seat. A pair of more powerful V6 engines replaced the Windstar's 3.8-liter V6. Unfortunately, Ford's minivan put on weight during the transition, so even with the larger of the V6s, it was no faster than before and slightly less fuel-efficient to boot. This made the Freestar about as appealing as, well, the Windstar. Straight off the bat, it was trampled by the competition, both import and domestic, and Ford did little to rectify the situation.

The Freestar remained pretty much unchanged for its production duration, so buyers shopping for one on the used market will find few differences between the model years.

User Reviews:

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  I love my Freestar - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By SSugar - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I love my FreeStar ..If i had to say anything at all it would have to be that the SEATS arent as comfortable as they should be ..I m not a lg lady so it fits me good but when guys get into the van they say the seats are made small..

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  egostar - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By FB/Fred - July 15 - 2:00 am

  Horn did not work, Cruise did not work, Brakes grind as if metal on metal, Does not handle well in the wind. Poor fuel economy. defective design in the seatbelt retraction system. Seat belt continues to hang up in door.

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  perfect - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By slotlady - July 4 - 10:00 am

  Love the room -the handle-the speed color-interior and outside interior-

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  NICE MINIVAN - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By P. M. - June 28 - 4:46 pm

  We bought the Freestar 2 weeks ago and took it on a trip to South Texas. Averaged 18 MPG on the trip which is disappointing seeing how its rated at 24. I expected 20-22. Other than that, I give it a well above average rating.

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  MINI-VAN - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By GENO - June 28 - 12:40 pm

  Smooth shifting and nice handling. Plenty of storage room as we travel back and forth from NY to Fl. Nice ride with good vision of the road.

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  Not comfortable - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By AMYin New York - May 29 - 11:42 pm

  I bought this vehicle with 12,000 miles on it it presently has 45,000. The shocks and struts need replacing, the front end makes noise. The buttons for the factory radio chipped its paint. The bumper paint is chipping off and the other day I attempted to open my rear door and the handle fell off for no reason. 3rd row seat is VERY uncomfortable and absolutely no leg room, my alarm battery died and I found out that Ford dealerships must "reprogram" my remote after every battery change at a cost of $89.00 - what a RIPOFF! Other than that so far the engine runs strong and the van has a good amount of pickup but it costs me presently $80 to fill it up with regular gas at the pumps.

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  A Beauty - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Corn Girl - May 23 - 10:00 am

  I traded my 2000 Windstar for a 2004 Freestar and I am glad I did. I like this van so much that I can live in it! It is a pleasure to drive and I am pleased with the vans performance. Even my husband is looking forward to take this van on a road trip. I tried the Sienna and Odessey and there is no comparison, especially with the sporty exterior. Great job FORD!! If your in the market for a van do as the slogan says: "Have you looked at a FORD lately? Look again!" I am a satisfied owner and you will be too.

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  Not recommended for families - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By b austin - May 16 - 11:02 am

  The gas mileage is not good for the amount of comfort and conveniences that a van should provide. The rear seats are not very comfortable for adults. Seat belt reminders are annoying. Tire pressure gauges are very handy. The brakes are prone to glaze over. Maybe they are not equipped for the weight of The vehicle. This surprises me since this vehicle is designed for the "soccer mom". The expense of the vehicle, the cost of fuel, the constant brake repairs, and the cost of registration for the weight of this vehicle are not worth it for the amount of comfort or conveniences supposedly offered in a minivan. I would choose something else if I were looking to take a big loss on this and trade it in.

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  Great Van Overall - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By Tom - March 10 - 4:38 pm

  I love the optional audio with the separate source selection. As with other reviews, rear seats need about 1.5 inches additional height. More drivers knee room and the tow package without hitch....well thats probably a Ford marketing problem. Love mine, lots of power. look forward to hooking up my 200lb camper and pulling with it. PS I owed a 95 Windstar as well.

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  Comfort plus - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By greylady - March 8 - 2:00 am

  it is the most comfortable car i have ever driven, I love the interior its like i am in my living room. The only item I would change is to be able to open the rear window.