The most-reported Freestar run is 2FMZA51614B (2004 builds) with 28 complaints, 5.1× the typical run. Power train problems make up 65% of reports; 2004 is the worst model year at 7.2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for Freestar model years 2004–2007.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Ford Freestar has 390 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 6% of every Freestar complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2FMZA51614B•••••• | 2004 | 1 | 1 | |
| 2FMZA51694B•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA52294B•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA52264B•••••• | 2004 | — | 2 | |
| 2FMZA516X5B•••••• | 2005 | 2 | — | |
| 2FMZA51615B•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA52284B•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA52244B•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA52224B•••••• | 2004 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA51625B•••••• | 2005 | — | — | |
| 2FMZA51654B•••••• | 2004 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2FMZA52274B•••••• | 2004 | — | — |
Each of the other 378 Freestar runs has 19 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Ford Freestar the gap between build years is 4.5×: a 2004 car draws 7.2 complaints per run, a 2007 one 1.6.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 52 | 33 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 308 | 94 | 3 | |
| 2005 | 750 | 136 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 1017 | 141 | 14 |
Heaviest year here is 2004 at 7.2 complaints per run; lightest is 2007 at 1.6.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 65% of everything Ford Freestar owners report: Power Train, 1,533 of 2,127 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 10 | 6 | |
| Electrical System | 3 | 3 | |
| Engine | 3 | 4 | |
| Structure | 1 | — | |
| Seats | 1 | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 | 3 | |
| Service Brakes | 5 | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 6 recall campaigns on the Ford Freestar; the 6 below cover build years 2004 to 2007. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 13V081000 | Seats | 2004–2007 |
| 06E056000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 2004–2007 |
| 06V069000 | Structure:body:hatchback/liftgate | 2005–2006 |
| 12V006000 | Power Train:automatic Transmission | 2004–2005 |
| 03V457000 | Steering:hydraulic Power Assist:hose, Piping, And Connections | 2004 |
| 04V446000 | Wheels:hub | 2004 |
13V081000 was opened in 2013 on cars built from 2004: 9 years on the road before the recall.
The Freestar against its rivals
The Freestar draws 5.5 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Uplander 2.7, the Hyundai Entourage 8.6 and the Pontiac Montana 2.8.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford Freestar | 2,127 | 390 | 1.2% | |
| Chevrolet Uplander | 481 | 177 | 4.2% | |
| Hyundai Entourage | 249 | 29 | 3.6% | |
| Pontiac Montana | 807 | 287 | 6.3% |
How serious were they
Of the 2,127 reports on the Ford Freestar, 1.2% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Ford Freestar | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 2,127 | 1,116,631 |
| Involved a crash | 25 (1.2%) | 64,221 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 15 (0.7%) | 26,977 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 26 | 58,047 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 79% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,116,631 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 299,142 production runs. The Ford Freestar share of that is 2,127 complaints over 390 runs, 0.19% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Ford Freestar VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 2,127 NHTSA complaints from 390 Freestar runs and 6 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Freestar production run has the most complaints?
2FMZA51614B, a 2004 build, with 28 complaints, 1 of them after a crash. The typical Freestar run has 5.5.
Which Freestar years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2004 is heaviest at 7.2 complaints per run and 2007 lightest at 1.6.
Does the Freestar get more complaints than the Chevrolet Uplander?
Yes: 5.5 complaints per production run for the Freestar against 2.7 for the Chevrolet Uplander.
How many Freestar complaints involve a crash?
1.2% of 2,127 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 15 involved a fire.
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