2004-07 Ford Freestar | Consumer Guide Auto

Minivan; Built in Canada

4-door van

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

Good condition price range: $3,300 – $11,700*

2005 Ford Freestar

2004 Ford Freestar

Pros:	Cargo room Passenger room
Cons:	Fuel economy

Neither Freestar nor Monterey can match such rivals as Honda Odyssey or Dodge Caravan for driving enjoyment, or Toyota Sienna for refinement. An aging basic design mars their overall appeal. On the upside, these revamped minivans boast some laudable safety and convenience features, and prices have been competitive.

Overview

Ford revamped its minivan for 2004, giving it new styling and features, and changing its name from Windstar to Freestar. Mercury got an upscale version called the Monterey. Freestars came in a single body length that was similar in size to such rivals as the Toyota Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravan. Ford also competed against Honda’s Odyssey.

Freestar came in S, SE, SES, SEL, and Limited trim levels. All had seven-passenger capacity and included two second-row bucket seats. The third-row bench folded into the floor–a first for a Ford minivan. It could also be flipped for rear-facing “tailgate” seating under the open liftgate. Power operation was available for the sliding side doors.

Ford offered two engine choices. S, SE, and SES models had a 193-horsepower 3.9-liter V6. SEL and Limited versions used a 201-horsepower 4.2-liter V6. A four-speed automatic was the sole transmission. All-wheel drive was not offered, but antiskid control was optional on all but the base S model. Antilock four-wheel disc brakes were standard.

Curtain side airbags that covered all three seating rows were optional; they were designed to deploy in a side impact or when sensors detected an impending rollover. Self-sealing tires were available on all but the base S model. DVD entertainment was optional. Ford added other options later in the model year, including a power liftgate, a rear cargo organizer, and 17-inch alloy wheels vs. standard 16s.

Yearly Updates

2005 Freestar
Ford’s minivan was virtually unchanged for 2005. A two-passenger cargo van was available, in addition to the selection of passenger models.

2006 Freestar
Again, little changed for Ford’s minivan, which was selling slower than hoped and faced possible extinction before long.

2007 Freestar
Freestar carries over unchanged during its last year.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	3.9/238
Engine HP	193
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	240

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic	17/23

ohv V6

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

3.9/238

Engine HP

193

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

240

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

17/23

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)	4.2/256
Engine HP	201
Engine Torque (lb-ft)	263

Avail. Trans.	EPA MPG (city/hwy)	MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic	16/23

ohv V6

Engine Size (liters/cubic inches)

4.2/256

Engine HP

201

Engine Torque (lb-ft)

263

Avail. Trans.

EPA MPG (city/hwy)

MPG avg. as tested

4-speed automatic

16/23

Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Ford Freestar SEL

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5

50%

Fuel Economy - 4

40%

Ride Quality - 5

50%

Steering/Handling - 4

40%

Quietness - 5

50%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 6

60%

Room/Comfort Front - 7

70%

Room/Comfort Rear - 7

70%

Cargo Room - 9

90%

Other

Value - 5

50%

Total: 57

Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2004 Freestar 4-door van

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5

100%

Front Passenger Injury - 5

100%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A

N/A0%

Rear Passenger Injury - N/A

N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision	N/A
Injury	N/A
Theft	N/A

2004 Ford Freestar	Pricing Effective: 02/12/2004
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Cargo 4-door van	$ 21,530	$ 19,617	$ 685
S 4-door van	23,915	22,217	685
SE 4-door van	26,390	23,942	685
SES 4-door van	28,210	25,562	685
SEL 4-door van	29,455	26,670	685
Limited 4-door van	33,090	29,905	685
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
Cargo : 3.9-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-inflation monitor, front air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, theft-deterrent system, 235/60R16 tires, wheel covers
S adds: 7-passenger seating, 2nd-row bench seat, 3rd-row stowable bench seat, intermittent rear wiper/washer, floormats, 225/60R16 tires
SE adds: cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, map lights, rear privacy glass, roof rails
SES adds: rear air conditioning, tri-zone manual climate controls (including rear controls), 6-way power driver seat, 235/60R16 tires, alloy wheels
SEL adds: 4.2-liter V6 engine, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, 2nd-row captain chairs, keypad entry, AM/FM/cassette/CD player, rear radio controls, illuminated visor mirrors, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, conversation mirror, automatic headlights, cornering lights
Limited adds: leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power sliding rear doors, trip computer, analog clock

Optional Equipment
Option Note:
Major Packages
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Value Group	Cargo	$690	$587
Cruise control, rear privacy glass.
Electronics Group	SE, SES	290	247
Overhead console, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic headlights. SE requires rear air conditioning.
Value Group I	SES	245	208
Power-adjustable pedals, perimeter alarm.
Value Group II	SEL	710	603
Power-adjustable pedals, heated power mirrors w/turn signals, puddle lights, trip computer, perimeter alarm.
Value Group III	Limited	240	204
Universal garage-door opener, perimeter alarm.
Active Safety Pkg. I	Cargo, SE, SES	730	621
Mfr. Disc.		395	336
Traction control, brake assist, antiskid system.
Active Safety Pkg. II	SEL, Limited	975	829
Mfr. Disc.		750	637
Active Safety Pkg. I plus rear-obstacle-detection system.
Class II Trailer Towing Pkg.		335	285
Trailer-tow wiring, heavy-duty cooling and battery. NA Cargo.
Safety
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Curtain side airbags		695	591
Includes front side airbags. S, SE require rear air conditioning. NA Cargo.
Comfort & Convenience Features
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Rear air conditioning w/tri-zone manual controls	S, SE	675	574
DVD rear-seat entertainment system	SE, SES, SEL, Limited	1395	1186
Floor console	SE, SES, SEL, Limited	150	128
Leather upholstery	SEL	890	757
Cloth upholstery	Limited (credit)	-445	-378
Heated front seats	Limited	245	208
6-way power driver seat	SE	325	277
6-way power passenger seat	SEL, Limited	305	259
SEL requires leather upholstery.
2nd-row captain chairs	SE, SES	795	676
Memory Pkg.	Limited	305	259
Memory system (driver seat, mirrors, pedals). Requires Active Safety Pkg. II, curtain side airbags.
AM/FM/cassette/CD player	Cargo	350	298
AM/FM/cassette/CD player	SE, SES	105	89
SE, SES include rear controls.
AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer	SEL, Limited	150	128
Power sliding rear doors	SEL	900	765
Cargo-management system		125	107
NA Cargo.
Cargo net	SE, SES, SEL	25	22
Std. Limited.
Smoker’s Pkg.		30	26
Lighter, ash tray.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Option	Avail.	Retail	Dealer
Rear privacy glass	S	415	352
Roof rack	SE, SES, SEL, Limited	95	81
Self-sealing tires	SE, SES, SEL, Limited	280	238
17-inch alloy wheels	SES, SEL, Limited	245	208

2005 Ford Freestar	Pricing Effective: 04/14/2005
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
Cargo 4-door van	$ 21,630	$ 19,746	$ 710
S 4-door van	23,930	22,271	710
SE 4-door van	26,530	24,107	710
SES 4-door van	28,030	25,442	710
SEL 4-door van	29,030	26,332	710
Limited 4-door van	32,755	29,647	710
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
Cargo : 3.9-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, front air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, floormats, theft-deterrent system, 235/60R16 tires, wheel covers
S adds: tire-pressure monitor, 7-passenger seating, 2nd-row bench seat, 3rd-row stowable bench seat, 225/60R16 tires
SE adds: cruise control, AM/FM/CD player, map lights, rear privacy glass, roof rails
SES adds: rear air conditioning, tri-zone manual climate controls (including rear controls), 6-way power driver seat, conversation mirror, 235/60R16 tires, alloy wheels
SEL adds: 4.2-liter V6 engine, leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, 2nd-row captain chairs, keypad entry, illuminated visor mirrors, compass, outside-temperature indicator, automatic headlights, cornering lights
Limited adds: leather upholstery, power-adjustable pedals, tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power sliding rear doors, rear radio controls, trip computer, analog clock

Overview

Yearly Updates

Engines

Road Test

Performance

Accommodations

Other

Total: 57

Specifications

NHTSA

HLDI

Trouble Spots

Recall History

Equipment Lists

Pricing

2006 Ford Freestar	Pricing Effective: 05/30/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door van	$ 23,655	$ 21,835	$ 730
SEL 4-door van	26,615	24,498	730
Limited 4-door van	29,575	27,162	730
Price Note:

Standard Equipment
SE : 3.9-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, tire-pressure monitor, front air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, 7-passenger seating, front bucket seats, cupholders, 2nd-row bench seat, 3rd-row stowable bench seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, map lights, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, floormats, theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, roof rails, 225/60R16 tires, wheel covers
SEL adds: 4.2-liter V6 engine, rear air conditioning, tri-zone manual climate controls (including rear controls), leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, 6-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, 2nd-row captain chairs, keypad entry, illuminated visor mirrors, compass, outside-temperature indicator, conversation mirror, automatic headlights, cornering lights, 235/60R16 tires, alloy wheels
Limited adds: leather upholstery, wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel, tri-zone automatic climate controls (including rear controls), heated power mirrors w/turn signals, power sliding rear doors, rear radio controls, trip computer, analog clock, chrome alloy wheels

2007 Ford Freestar	Pricing Effective: 11/21/2006
Model Pricing	Retail Price	Dealer Price	Destination
SE 4-door van	$ 23,705	$ 21,904	$ 780
SEL 4-door van	26,665	24,569	780
Limited 4-door van	29,575	27,177	780
Price Note: