Model year guide

2004 Ford Freestar

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Ford Freestar is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 105 on record.

2004 Ford Freestar — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Ford Freestar at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints1,227
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$1,834

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Ford Freestar recalls 5

Seats NHTSA Campaign #13V081000 · 07/03/2013

Ford is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles manufactured from March 24, 2003, through November 7, 2006, equipped with a third row seat and originally sold in, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont,…

Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install new third row seat latch striker mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall began on March 28, 2013. Owners may contact Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at 1-866-436-7332.

Power Train:automatic Transmission NHTSA Campaign #12V006000 · 09/01/2012

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004 AND 2005 FORD FREESTAR AND MERCURY MONTEREY VEHICLES. THE TORQUE CONVERTER OUTPUT SHAFT MAY FAIL.

Fix: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TORQUE CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 9, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332.

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #06E056000 · 13/06/2006

CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.

Fix: UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.

Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections NHTSA Campaign #03V457000 · 06/11/2003

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE MAY NOT BE FULLY SEATED AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE POWER STEERING LOW-PRESSURE LINE TO ENSURE THAT IT IS SEATED PROPERLY AT THE RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Wheels:hub NHTSA Campaign #04V446000 · 13/09/2004

CERTAIN MINIVANS MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITH FRONT WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE NOT HEAT TREATED CORRECTLY. THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SMALL CRACKS IN THE HUB.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT HUB, ROTORS, AND WHEEL BEARINGS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 20, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Ford Freestar common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 1,227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Back Over Prevention
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2004 Ford Freestar safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2004 Ford Freestar. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2004 Ford Freestar MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,533

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Ford Freestar worth?

Low
$750
Typical price
$1,834
High
$3,200

From 91 comparable 2004 Ford Freestar listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Ford Freestar costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,665
Fuel only$17,665
Per mile$0.24

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Ford Freestar trims & engines on record

Trims
SE · SES · SEL · S · Limited · Cargo
Engines
3.9L 6-cyl 193 hp · 4.2L 6-cyl 201 hp

2004 Ford Freestar vehicles on record

Other Ford Freestar model years

2004 Ford Freestar — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Ford Freestar have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls for the 2004 Ford Freestar. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Freestar?

Based on 1,227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, engine, electrical system.

What is the 2004 Ford Freestar safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2004 Ford Freestar crash-test ratings of frontal 5★, side 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2004 Ford Freestar get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Ford Freestar at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway).

How much is a 2004 Ford Freestar worth?

Comparable 2004 Ford Freestar listings run roughly $750–$3,200, typically around $1,834 (from 91 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.