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2004 Ford Freestar Cargo

The 2004 Ford Freestar Cargo is a 193-hp 3.9-liter V6 with a 4-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $22,215 MSRP and is rated at 18 mpg combined.

It makes 193 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 240 lb-ft of torque at 3750 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway (18 mpg combined).

The Freestar measures 201.0 inches long on a 120.8-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,080 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeVan
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$22,215 ($38,221 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.9L V6
Displacement3.9 L
Horsepower193 hp @ 4,500 rpm
Torque240 lb-ft @ 3750 rpm
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFWD
Transmission
Transmission4-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway21 MPG
Combined18 MPG
Tank Capacity26 gal
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16.0 in
Wheels Rear16.0 in
Tires FrontP235/60R16
Tires RearP235/60R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length201 in
Width76.6 in
Height68.7 in
Wheelbase120.8 in
Curb Weight4,080 lbs
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2004 Ford Freestar

Recalls

5 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford FREESTAR. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 7, 2013 · SEATS

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, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. The third row stowable seat can experience corrosion and structural degradation at the seat anchor mechanism mounted to the rear wheel wells. As a result of the corrosion, the third row seat may not fully latch into its seating position.

Consequence: In the event that the vehicle is crashed into from the rear, an unlatched seat may increase the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V081000

Jan 9, 2012 · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

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

Consequence: THIS CONDITION RESULTS IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER WITH NO WARNING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 12V006000

Jun 13, 2006 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Consequence: FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 06E056000

Sep 13, 2004 · WHEELS:HUB

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.

Consequence: IF THE CRACKS WERE TO PROGRESS, THIS COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN WHEEL SEPARATION. WHEEL SEPARATION MAY LEAD TO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, AND POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 04V446000

Nov 6, 2003 · STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS

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

Consequence: IF THIS LINE BECOMES DISCONNECTED, IT MAY CREATE THE POTENTIAL FOR FLUID TO COME INTO CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, WHICH COULD RESULT IN SMOKE OR FIRE.

Remedy: 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.

NHTSA campaign 03V457000

1,227 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford FREESTAR

Owner Complaints

1,227 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford FREESTAR (16 mention a crash, 14 a fire, 17 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Power Train851
Electrical System118
Structure94
Seats86
Engine69
Service Brakes59
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Jul 11, 2025 · Power Train
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An…”
Jul 7, 2025 · Power Train
“Flashing! With gear around it and car will not operate correctly i.e. no power very slow acceleration and lacking ability to change gears.”
Aug 27, 2024 · Power Train, Engine
“I have a 2004 Ford freestar van and I was driving down the road and I went to pass another vehicle and I push the gas and I heard some crunchy noise is and then nothing no power at all no gears…”
Mar 18, 2024 · Power Train
“My son was driving down Rt 81 when the transmission stopped working Your vehicle was running fine but would not go had to drift off the highway she avoid getting hit I had to tow the van home we’re…”
Oct 3, 2023 · Power Train
“The contact owns a 2004 Ford Freestar. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds the vehicle would not properly accelerate and would hesitate to accelerate and the check engine warning…”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2004 FORD FREESTAR. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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