Who's Had Tranny Failures?

[GraybeardAv]

Maybe we could compile a list of Freestars and Windstars with tranny histories like:

Owner . . . Date Failed . . Year . . . Miles . . . Comment

Graybeard . . 11-06 . . . 1999 . . . 110K . . . Prior owner had it rebuilt locally; still ok at 140K miles.

Graybeard . . 11-07 . . . 2002 . . . 140K . . . Cargo van with unknown history before 130K miles; Replaced with used; OK at 170K miles.

Graybeard . . - - - . . . 2004 . . . 80K . . . 4.2, Small leak since almost new; Monterey Premier, 4600 lbs.

Please add your FreeWindy to this list.

GB

[MonsoonMike]

MonsoonMike ... 06-08 ... 68K ... Purchased used at 50K. Carfax reports and prior owner reports all came up clean. Torque converter/tranny died catastrophically and without warning one June night. New torque converter and rebuilt tranny installed at an independent shop. I refused to have it done at a Ford dealer lest I get the same cheap torque converter from Ford. Mechanic said the torque converter in this thing was as cheap as someone could make a torque converter. Thanks Ford for your high quality.

[GraybeardAv]

Thanks. . I know you've posted the year before, Mike, but I think we could use this data all in one place.

GB

[bpoir]

I did not have a catastrophic failure, however, at about 14k the van (05 Freestar) had a sound that was like driving over the ridges on a bridge. It got so bad the steering wheel would vibrate and actually make my wrists ache. I took it in, and I was expecting either a tire problem, or wheel bearing issue. I was told that the tranny was shot, on the edge of failure. Funny thing, when I picked the van up, I noticed that they (the dealership) had changed that rt front wheel bearing, alony with a new transmission shipped from Memphis. In the end, the van ran good for about 1k, then both front wheel bearings went!!

[acworthpatrick]

AcworthPatrick . . 07-06 . . . 2004 . . . 45K . . . Disengaged suddenly - input shaft stripped.

[talon dad]

Talon Dad ... 05-09 ... 2004 ... Failed at 95,000 KMs ... Torque converter splines sheared off, but trans input shaft still OK. New torque converter from trans rebuild shop (apparently stronger) installed at personal friend's shop. Did not need entire trans rebuild. Now at 97,000 KMs and running fine.

[acworthpatrick]

You can add my 2004 Freestar SEL to the list with 80k on it at the time of the failure. It was a quick and sudden failure