The 2004 draws 7.21 complaints per run and the 2007 1.58, a 4.6-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age, so 93.8% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 1,533 complaints, typically at 6.4 years.
Ford Freestar years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 52 | 33 | yes | |
| 2006 | 308 | 94 | yes | |
| 2005 | 750 | 136 | yes | |
| 2004 | 1017 | 141 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 2004 Freestar asks a median $2,700, against $2,595 for a 2005, the next model year: about the same, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.
Among the 4 Ford Freestar years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 2004, 2005, 2006; the three worth hunting are 2007, 2006, 2005.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 2% | covered | |
| 1 year | 3.9% | covered | |
| 2 years | 6.2% | covered | |
| 3 years | 11.4% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 22.2% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 39.6% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 56.2% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 67.9% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 78.1% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 85% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 88.8% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 91.5% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 94.4% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 96.9% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 98.4% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 6.2% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 93.8% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 82% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
What waits further out is Power Train at 6.4 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 6.4 yrs | 10 | 6 | |
| Electrical System | 7.2 yrs | 3 | 3 | |
| Engine | 9 yrs | 3 | 4 | |
| Structure | 8.2 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Seats | 9.5 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7.1 yrs | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 5.4 yrs | 2 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 4.2 yrs | 5 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Freestar's vehicle class. Per production run, the Toyota Sienna draws 6.57, the Honda Odyssey 7.17 and the Kia Carnival 2.83, against 5.45 for the Freestar.
| Same class as the Freestar | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Sienna | 165 | 1995–2026 | |
| Honda Odyssey | 206 | 1995–2026 | |
| Kia Carnival | 16 | 2022–2026 | |
| Chrysler Pacifica | 98 | 2004–2026 | |
| Chrysler Town and Country | 174 | 1990–2016 | |
| Kia Sedona | 70 | 2001–2021 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Ford Freestar reliable?
By complaints per production run it is worse than typical: 5.45 against 3.73 for the average car, and in the middle of its class rivals.
Which Freestar years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 2004, 2005, 2006. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 2007, 2006, 2005. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Freestar problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 6 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 6.4 years, followed by Electrical System.
Will the warranty cover Freestar problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 6.2% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 82% of the complaints here.
Is the Freestar more reliable than the Toyota Sienna?
Yes: 5.45 complaints per production run for the Freestar against 6.57 for the Toyota Sienna.
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