NHTSA probes Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey over transmission complaints

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating complaints concerning the 2004-05 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans, which have been reported to have defective transmissions that can cause the moving vehicles to stop suddenly. Federal safety officials say that as many as 205,000 vehicles could be affected.

According to the NHTSA website, investigators are focusing on the torque converter output shaft. The shaft, in the rear of the transmission, drives the wheels. To date, the NHTSA has received 654 customer complaints and 2,791 warranty claims related to the vehicles’ sudden inability to move on the road. Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, considers it a safety defect that calls for a recall. The agency’s engineering analysis will be completed in 12 months, according to NHTSA. Ford has yet to issue a statement with regards to the ongoing investigation.

[via autonews]

Tags: car news, Ford, ford freestar nhtsa, ford freestar nhtsa transmission, Mercury, mercury monterey nhtsa, mercury monterey nhtsa transmission

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 1:47 am and is filed under 2009, 4wheels News, Automakers, Body style, Categories, Compact cars, Ford, Mercury, Minivan, U.S.A., Year, Zone. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

3 Responses to “NHTSA probes Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey over transmission complaints”

daniel g carlheim jr Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 3:24 am
i am one of the owners of a 2004 mercury monterey premier miniva w/only 65000 miles on the engine. after just being towed home i googled tranns problms for 04 moterey and what came up but this article. the exact same thing happened to my wife traveling w/my two young children 2 & 4 years old as well as a family friend. thankfully there was a large driveway to pull off the road safely. as the next 2miles was a curvy dangerous stretch of mountain road. so yes this is definitely a major safety issue that needs to be addresed. any response would be appreciated. thanks
NeEtta Gillespie Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:36 am
Our 2005 Ford Freestar minivan lost its torque converter at 85,000 miles. Luckily our car was in the driveway so we were not injured and we did not have to be towed. I looked online and read so many similar stories. The torque converters go at 85,000. $1024 is what we ended up paying to get the car fixed - right before Christmas. Ouch. We were so impressed with our Ford Windstar van. This will be the last Ford we buy if they allow these issues to go unchecked. These vans are unsafe.
michael king Says:
February 22nd, 2010 at 11:45 pm
Hi,I am disapointed that my 2004 mercury montery was purchased at a higher price than
other vans. I wanted quality so I paid no questions asked. In october 2009 at 90,000 miles, our van
stopped in the middle lane of 5 lanes,in the rain with my 3 kids in the back.we could have been killed.
its now feb. 22,2010 my van is still sitting on the curb.dealers want $4000.00 to fix and If I agree trade
in van for another vehicle.I will only get $1000.00 towards new car.I am still making payments on this van.Today I called ford motor company
at 800-392-3673 and they told me that they have no complaints about this problem but keep checking
with FLMowner.com for future recalls. and they told me that my warranty ended at 3year/36,000 miles.
I guess I will keep making payments & watching my car sit on the curb so that I am reminded that
I have to Keep making payments. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHAME ON YOU..I hope you take notes from toyota and recall this van. ASAP!!!!!…..