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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  Multiple Problems - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By minivanmom - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Bought the 04 freestar used in Oct 09 with 54k miles. Within 3 weeks of having it, the traction control light went on -- it goes on and off at will, mostly it is on all the time. This last summer, the AC went out. Had to get a new AC compressor for $600 dollars ... it was changed and the AC only worked in the front of the van, just blew hot air in the back. Mechanic tried to find the problem and changed the orifice tube, which was full of debris ... still no ac in the back. He said that there is likely debris throughout the entire system and would need an entire overhaul to repair the ac in the back. This weekend the transmission failed and it will cost $2500 to repair. DO NOT BUY ONE

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  My Money Pit is my Freestar - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Never a Ford Owner A - October 12 - 2:00 am

  This car has always been a problem. It squeaks, it groans and it is a money pit. Brake issues, air conditioning failures, different sensors needing to be replaced and now the transmission is shot. It will cost more to replace the transmission than the car is actually worth if I sold it on my own and not traded it in! I would not wish this car on my worst enemy, if I had an enemy that is. It is a miserable car. The only redeeming quality to it is the interior. I love the seats and the hauling capacity but there is absolutely nothing else good about this car. It is no surprise that Ford does not make a mini van anymore. What a lemon.

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  Owner - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By charles gillespie - October 11 - 2:00 am

  This has been a good experience for me. The only problem Ive had was the transmission quit at about 82,000 miles and it cost me 1,800 to rebuild I have talked to other owners with the same problem. They should call a recall. I have saved my repair bill. I am a senior citizen and had to borrow money to have it fixed. But I love the van.

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  Water in trans twice - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By tiger - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Title says it all new tires at 22,000 miles water in trans at 28,000 miles ign coil out at 29,500 oh water in trans again at 34,850 miles now sitting there till I get 2800 bucks and Im on disability so 5 years I get it fixed bad on gas to hope another Katrina doesnt come

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  06 SEL Freestar 44,000 mile update - 2006 Ford Freestar
  By RW - September 3 - 12:12 pm

  Purchased 06 Freestar van new in October 06. Loved the interior seating arrangements, shoulder and leg room for first and second rows. Third row bench folds flat and is a bit too low when in use. Lots of cargo room when stored though. Engine has lots of torque but has been detuned (4.2 L should give far more then 200 hp).

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  junk junk junk - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By HORRRIBLE FORRRD - August 27 - 8:58 pm

  We have had our van since 05. we have replaced transmission twice, rack, tires, brakes, now the passenger window motor is out which is the least of our problems, since our van will not go again, tranny shop apparently just doesnt want to deal with it, keep getting told to change this change that what a piece of crap. we are still making payments on it and havent been able to drive it since June with three kids and two jobs just to get by i have to drive my winter vehicle to make it work which is horrible on gas and who can AFFORD to keep replacing parts to get it right, everyone keeps saying its something else with tranny but dont have another 3000 to fix that again guess Im stuck

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  Yikes! Don"t ever purchase! - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By Jim - July 19 - 7:27 pm

  Last September my wife and myself purchased one of these dang vans, well folks in been nightmare after nightmare. Well put a whooping $5000 in repairs in the van to this point. Oil cooler lines and cooler. transmission, oh and another thing the three back spark plugs where ceased in the motor. And they where the original plugs. And then was the brakes. Another nightmare and another $1900. Yeah, if youre rich and want to get poor fast, then purchase on of these crappy, money taking vans. But dont say I didnt warn you. Run. If the dealer trying to sell you one. Fast! Are you running yet!

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  more Ford Junk - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By Mark Danico - July 10 - 4:58 pm

  Loved the van until the problems started then it has been all down hill from there to the poit to where we are considering turning it in to a plant pot cause it dont move anymore.

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  Great van - 2004 Ford Freestar
  By James Patterson - July 2 - 1:28 am

  This is a great van. Plenty of zip off the 4.2 L, and we can get 500+ miles to a tank (according to the digital readout) with only $40 in the tank. The van has so many features I still havent gotten them all figured out. Very quiet inside while on the move. We opted out of the DVD system and tow package but we got everything else. We bought our own center console since ours didnt come with one. No major mechanical problems.

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  Nice people hauler - 2005 Ford Freestar
  By 3kids&adog - June 22 - 10:07 pm

  We bought this van used with about 17,000 miles. It has cloth bench seats and an optional factory overhead DVD player. Has been quite reliable so far. Now has 113,000 or so miles, and has developed a bit of a miss, maybe even transmission shudder, but the dealer says it just need a tune up. Good value, Ill post again after the tune-up.