2005 Ford Freestar

The 2005 Ford Freestar is a minivan that was designed to provide a comfortable and spacious family vehicle. It came with two engine options: a 3.9L V6 producing 193 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque, and a 4.2L V6 producing 201 horsepower and 263 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. Owners generally liked the Freestar’s comfortable ride, spacious interior, and relatively affordable price point. However, common complaints revolved around its lackluster fuel economy, uninspired styling, and some reliability issues.

Engine

3.9L V6

• Intake Manifold Gasket Leak
  • Description/Symptoms: Engine runs rough, misfires, check engine light comes on, coolant loss.
  • Solution: Replace the intake manifold gasket.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $600+

4.2L V6

• Spark Plug Blowout
  • Description/Symptoms: Sudden loud popping noise from the engine, loss of power, check engine light, spark plug ejected from cylinder head. This issue is due to the aluminum cylinder head threads stripping.
  • Solution: Repair the cylinder head threads with a thread repair kit (Helicoil or similar) or replace the cylinder head.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ (depending on repair method and whether the head needs to be removed)
• Coolant Leaks
  • Description/Symptoms: Coolant level decreasing, overheating, visible coolant leaks around the engine.
  • Solution: Inspect and replace leaking hoses, water pump, thermostat housing, or radiator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ (depending on the source of the leak)

Transmission

No Engine Option Specific Problems Found

• Transmission Failure/Harsh Shifting
  • Description/Symptoms: Slipping between gears, harsh or delayed shifting, complete transmission failure, transmission warning light.
  • Solution: Rebuild or replace the transmission. Often caused by worn valve body or internal components.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $2,000 - $4,000+

Suspension

• Worn Ball Joints
  • Description/Symptoms: Clunking or popping noise from the front suspension, loose steering, uneven tire wear.
  • Solution: Replace the worn ball joints.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $500+ per side
• Worn Struts/Shocks
  • Description/Symptoms: Bouncy ride, poor handling, excessive body roll, leaking fluid from struts/shocks.
  • Solution: Replace the worn struts and/or shocks.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+ (depending on parts and labor)

Electrical

• Sliding Door Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Power sliding doors failing to open or close properly, getting stuck, making grinding noises.
  • Solution: Repair or replace the sliding door motor, latch assembly, or wiring harness.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+
• ABS Module Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: ABS light illuminated, ABS system not functioning properly, brake pedal feeling spongy, diagnostic trouble codes related to the ABS module.
  • Solution: Replace or repair the ABS module.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $300 - $800+

Exterior

• Rust Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Rust forming on the rocker panels, door panels, wheel wells, and undercarriage.
  • Solution: Repair or replace rusted panels, apply rust inhibitor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $1,000+ (depending on severity)

Interior

• Broken Power Window Regulators
  • Description/Symptoms: Power windows failing to go up or down, grinding noises when operating the windows.
  • Solution: Replace the power window regulator.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $150 - $400+ per window
• HVAC Blower Motor Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: No air blowing from the vents, blower motor only working on certain speeds, or a noisy blower motor.
  • Solution: Replace the blower motor or blower motor resistor.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300+

Recalls

None Found

Summary

The 2005 Ford Freestar, while offering a spacious and comfortable ride, has several common issues to be aware of. Engine problems such as intake manifold gasket leaks and spark plug blowouts can be costly to repair. Transmission issues, suspension wear, and electrical malfunctions also contribute to the potential ownership costs. Rust is also a significant concern, especially in regions with harsh winters. Owners should carefully inspect these areas before purchasing a used Freestar and budget for potential repairs. While some issues are relatively minor, others, like transmission failure, can be quite expensive to address.