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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  An excellent all around vehicle - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By Peter Leechh - October 24 - 4:40 pm

  My previous vehicle was a late model Lexus LS, a very good car, but I am just as happy driving the Freestar & it is more practical. Highly recommend it!

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  Great Family Vehicle - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By Dosh70 - September 21 - 8:14 pm

  We also own a 1999 Windstar. We decided this time we would probably move to the Honda or Toyota minivans to get some of the conveniences and creature comforts they offered. Upon shopping around, we found that, for the final money paid, it was a "no-brainer" and were in a 2005 Freestar. When we considered cost, safety ratings, comfort and looks, the Ford was the best value by far.

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  Solid but spartan Minivan - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Ken - September 17 - 12:42 pm

  This is my Fleet Vehicle for work provided new after having driven the Windstar for a year. I LOVED the Windstar features, the Freestar was a downgrade for interior comfort, in my opinion. I do 35,000 miles per year, mostly highway driving, so the interior is important to me for 10 hours per week. In short, the seat design was uncomfortable especially the angle of the immovable headrest for a 6-3" head. The thin plastic interior paneling felt and looked like polyethylene Tupperware. Reliability, mileage, exterior styling were excellent. I have the original brakes, tires and only normal maintenance is required.

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  another winner by Ford - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Mini - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I have owned 3 Windstars prior to getting the Freestar. Ford has improved on the previous Windstar. This is the best yet.

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  Excellent car that feels safe to drive. - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By MagicMarv - September 5 - 10:28 pm

  Big but not too big. Comfortable and great sound system. Low road noise. Great acceleration and more.

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  Great Van for the Money - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By F.J. Rogers - September 4 - 4:04 am

  The Freestar is a very good value for the dollar. The 3.9 engine performs and offers good fuel mileage. The vans design offers good visibility and the controls and gauges are all in the right places. There is good driver and front passenger leg room. The third seat is a little cramped, a complaint that is common for most minivans. When equipped, the van will tow 3,500 lbs., allowing for a small family boat or utility trailer to be pulled. Once again a good value in the minivan market.

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  Try again - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Chad - September 2 - 12:43 am

  I will never own another FORD again. Where do I start. The motor is flat and lifeless, the transmission is sloppy with bad programming no wonder it gets terrible gas mileage (18-20mpg highway). The brakes are soft, the carpet is cheap, the rear is noisy on the highway, the rear floor is more uneven than my lawn. After spending 6 months with it and reading additional reviews, I realize I made a bid mistake buying this van. It is the highest cost to own minivan out there. I would not recommend it to anyone. Save your money and buy something good.

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  Great Family-Mobile - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By truckboy1 - August 29 - 6:37 pm

  My family loves this van, and visitors and guests love the comfort of the ride compared to my previous BMW sedan. Plenty of room when relatives ride along, and it has not let us down yet when it comes to reliability. My visiting parents commented how impressed they were with the quality of this Ford. My father had previously sworn-off Fords after his earlier fiasco with his Mustang decades ago.

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  love my minivan - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By Cindy - August 29 - 2:58 pm

  I traded a 00 Windstar for my Freestar. I love the power sliders. The leather seats are slightly less comfy than the cloth.The well behind the 3rd row is great for groceries, big improvement over the clips on the back of 3rd row in Windstar. Gas mileage is comparable about 20 mpg in city, took trip and averaged about 24 mpg on the road -- only had 600 miles on it, it was barely broken in so Im expecting slightly better. Kids love the DVD! I also like the storage improvement in the dash, the drawer keeps things from sliding all over. Overall, its better than my sisters Odyssey and other sisters Caravan. Has a very quiet motor, no knocks or rattles!

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  Great Van - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By Great Van - August 27 - 12:51 pm

  I have only had my van for a couple of weeks, but so far the family loves it. The kids really like the DVD system and I like the peace and quiet I get when Im in the car. It seems that this van has something for everyone. The captain chairs in the second row are great. It gives the kids plenty of room to spread out. I love all the storage and the deep space in the back ... no more having to chase the groceries around. Overall I think I made a smart purchase, especially with all the rebates and discount pricing I got a great deal and a great family vehicle.