Ford Transmissions
According to my sources, federal safety officials are investigating hundreds of complaints that 2004-05 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans have defective transmissions that can cause the moving vehicles to stop suddenly.
As many as 205,000 vehicles could be affected, according to the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) said today.
Investigators are focusing on the torque converter output shaft, NHTSA said on its Web site. The shaft, in the rear of the transmission, which eventually applies power to the front wheels.
NHTSA reported 654 customer complaints and 2,791 warranty claims related to the vehicles’ sudden inability to move on the road.
Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, Said, “It’s a safety defect and should be recalled,”
The agency’s engineering analysis is to be completed in 12 months, according to NHTSA. (what a joke.)
Apparently Ford Motor Company’s spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Freestar and its Monterey brother debuted in late 2003 and were discontinued after the 2007 model year after sagging sales.
In one complaint to the Center for Auto Safety, a Delaware resident said her 2004 Freestar suddenly stopped three times — twice while on high-speed roadways trying to merge into traffic.
One of the complaints read “While the vehicle was moving, the rpms (revolutions per minute) would ramp up extremely high, but the vehicle would not move forward (felt as if all power, including steering, were gone).
This type of occurrence happens all the time to every manufacturer for every part of a car. And the manufacturers won’t speak about it or return calls. To me that is an admission of guilt. With that in mind, Ford research and development has developed a stronger shaft for replacement, and is in use currently. Why they don’t issue an immediate recall is beyond me. This is a big safety issue.
If you are one of the unfortunate folks caught with this malady and can’t get satisfaction, we can cure part of your pain immediately. You may choose to pursue the problem legally, however if you need to get back on the road ASAP, Call GotTransmissions.com @ 866-320-1182 now. We have Ford Transmissions with all the current updates available, including some updates Ford does not use or care about. Call now and talk to an educated specialist who can help you choose the best transmission for your interests and get you back in your wheels fast.
