Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Ford finally issues recall for 230K minivans over rust problems]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/ford-finally-issues-recall-for-230k-minivans-over-rust-problems/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/ford-finally-issues-recall-for-230k-minivans-over-rust-problems/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/03/10/ford-finally-issues-recall-for-230k-minivans-over-rust-problems/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The rust issue in the rear wheel wells of 2004-2007 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans has finally led to a recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began an investigation into the matter in 2011, said investigation being upgraded to an engineering analysis a year later while NHTSA tried to figure out how many model years should be included in the assessment.

Ford has decided to recall all of the 230,000 minivans potentially affected, namely those sold in salt-belt states and countries like Canada. The excess rust in the rear wheel wells was also able to prevent the third-row seats from locking to the floor of the minivan. To repair the problem, owners can take their minivans to dealers, and the dealers will place new panels in the wheel wells, replace the third-row seat mounting brackets and relocate the latches to an area away from any corrosion.

Ford says it will begin notifying owners during the last week of March.

Ford finally issues recall for 230K minivans over rust problems originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 10 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordfreestarmercurymontereyNational Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationnhtsarecallrustSun, 10 Mar 2013 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20496119/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/03/10/ford-finally-issues-recall-for-230k-minivans-over-rust-problems/20496119/article-detail.xml 20496119 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/fordfreestarrecall_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/03/fordfreestarrecall.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA closes probes on Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/nhtsa-closes-probes-on-jeep-grand-cherokee-ford-freestar-and-me/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/nhtsa-closes-probes-on-jeep-grand-cherokee-ford-freestar-and-me/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/01/09/nhtsa-closes-probes-on-jeep-grand-cherokee-ford-freestar-and-me/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Detroit News reports the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has officially closed its investigations into 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey models. The separate probes found no issues that pose safety concerns. NHTSA began investigating certain Grand Cherokee SUVs over complaints that power steering hoses could detach during operation, thereby increasing the risk of a vehicle fire. Of the 24 reports of failure, none alleged smoke or fire in the engine bay, and Chrysler has since modified the power steering cooler assembly to reduce the likelihood of the failure.

Meanwhile, certain Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles garnered a government probe after receiving complaints that the models were equipped with faulty scissor jacks. The agency had received six reports of the jacks failing or causing injuries, including one incident that resulted in a fatality. But NHTSA says the jack failure rate is similar to those found in other vehicles. In those six cases, the government agency found the jacks were being used for something other than changing a tire, and investigators could not determine whether the emergency brake was set or the rear tires were properly chocked.

NHTSA closes probes on Jeep Grand Cherokee, Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Jan 2013 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fordfreestargrand cherokeejeepmercurymontereynational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsaWed, 09 Jan 2013 17:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20423499/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/01/09/nhtsa-closes-probes-on-jeep-grand-cherokee-ford-freestar-and-me/20423499/article-detail.xml 20423499 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/grand-cherokee-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/01/grand-cherokee-628.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA upgrades investigation into Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey rust issues]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/nhtsa-upgrades-investigation-into-ford-freestar-mercury-montere/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/nhtsa-upgrades-investigation-into-ford-freestar-mercury-montere/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/nhtsa-upgrades-investigation-into-ford-freestar-mercury-montere/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2006 Ford Freestar

If you are still stuck driving a prematurely rusty 2004 Ford Freestar or Mercury Monterey minivan, you have our deepest sympathies. But for all your suffering, you might still gain some small measure of satisfaction from Ford.

Remember the investigation launched by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last year? Well, the good news is that NHTSA has upgraded the issue to a full-fledged engineering analysis, according to The Detroit News. Specifically, the Feds are trying to figure out whether there's any difference between the 2004 models, vehicles that have engendered 22 reports concerning rust in the rear wheel wells, and 2005-2007 models, for which there are no registered complaints. (A 2006 model is pictured above.)

More than 82,000 vehicles are potentially affected by the rust problems, according to the report, with symptoms including difficulty latching the rear seats and anchor plates that have detached from the vehicle.

NHTSA upgrades investigation into Ford Freestar, Mercury Monterey rust issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2004 ford freestar2004 mercury montereyfordfreestarmercurymontereynational highway traffic safety administrationnhtsarustFri, 27 Apr 2012 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20226153/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/nhtsa-upgrades-investigation-into-ford-freestar-mercury-montere/20226153/article-detail.xml 20226153 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2006-ford-freestar-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/2006-ford-freestar-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Ford recalling 244k Escape models, 200,000+ Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/ford-recalling-244k-escape-models-200-000-freestar-and-mercury/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/ford-recalling-244k-escape-models-200-000-freestar-and-mercury/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/01/11/ford-recalling-244k-escape-models-200-000-freestar-and-mercury/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2001 Ford Escape front three-quarter view

Ford is recalling nearly half a million vehicles in two separate actions announced today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Just over 244,000 Ford Escape crossovers from model year 2001 and 2002 are being recalled for potentially leaky brake master cylinder reservoir caps, while nearly 206,000 2004 and 2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans may have defective torque converter output shafts.

NHTSA says that in the case of the Escape, leaking brake fluid could cause corrosion on an electrical connector in the antilock brake system wiring harness, leading to "melting, smoke or a fire." Ford will begin notifying owners the week of Jan. 23, although a parts delay is expected to postpone repairs. "Ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available," says NHTSA.

The minivan recall is scheduled for the second quarter of 2012, and will result in dealers inspecting and replacing the torque converter in affected vehicles.

Read the full NHTSA recall reports after the jump.

Continue reading Ford recalling 244k Escape models, 200,000+ Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans

Ford recalling 244k Escape models, 200,000+ Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2001 ford escape2002 ford escapeescapeescape recallfordford escapeford freestarfreestarfreestar recallmercurymercury montereymontereymonterey recallnhtsarecallWed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20146152/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/01/11/ford-recalling-244k-escape-models-200-000-freestar-and-mercury/20146152/article-detail.xml 20146152 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/fordescape09hr-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/fordescape09hr-opt.jpg <![CDATA[Feds open investigation into Chevy Express, Ford Freestar rust issues]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/feds-open-investigation-into-chevy-express-ford-freestar-rust-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/feds-open-investigation-into-chevy-express-ford-freestar-rust-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/12/28/feds-open-investigation-into-chevy-express-ford-freestar-rust-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,

2003 Chevrolet Express

'Tis the season... for road salt. And with that, comes rust. And what does rust bring? Well, for Ford and General Motors, a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation. According to The Detroit News, NHTSA is looking into potential recalls issues with Chevrolet Express vans and Ford Freestar minivans.

The feds have received five complaints that rust has caused leaking fuel filler pipes on 2003 Express vans. Separately, seven complaints have been filed over excessive rust in the rear wheel wells of 2004 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans. The Freestar and Monterey went out of production in 2007. Neither issue has resulted in any crashes or injuries, according to the report.

Feds open investigation into Chevy Express, Ford Freestar rust issues originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2003 chevrolet express2004 ford freestar2004 mercury montereychevroletchevyexpressfordfreestarmercurymontereynational highway trafiic safety administrationnhtsarustWed, 28 Dec 2011 16:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20136381/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/12/28/feds-open-investigation-into-chevy-express-ford-freestar-rust-i/20136381/article-detail.xml 20136381 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2003-chevrolet-express-opt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/12/2003-chevrolet-express-opt.jpg <![CDATA[NHTSA opening probe into Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey transmission defect]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/nhtsa-opening-probe-into-ford-freestar-mercury-monterey-transmis/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/nhtsa-opening-probe-into-ford-freestar-mercury-monterey-transmis/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/24/nhtsa-opening-probe-into-ford-freestar-mercury-monterey-transmis/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating hundreds of reports that 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey minivans are fitted with defective transmissions that could dangerously fail without warning. Most alarming is that many of the transmissions reportedly fail at highway speeds. In a common complaint, the engine will suddenly surge and then all power is immediately lost. The vehicle is forced to coast powerlessly to a safe spot out of the flow of traffic. Angry owners have flooded message boards to report incidents of transmission failures which leave them stranded and stuck with $3,500 repair bills.

To date, there have been 654 customer complaints and 2,791 warranty claims. However, according to NHTSA, as many as 205,000 vehicles may be affected. The investigation, expected to take a year, will focus on the torque converter output shaft which drives the wheels. Ford Motor Co. has not yet released an official statement regarding the investigation.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

NHTSA opening probe into Ford Freestar/Mercury Monterey transmission defect originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DefectFord Freestarford minivansFordFreestarFordMinivansFreestarMercury MontereyMercuryMontereyMontereyNHTSARecallTorque ConverterTorque Converter FailureTorqueConverterTorqueConverterFailureTransmissionTransmission FailureTransmission problemTransmissionFailureTransmissionProblemTue, 24 Nov 2009 18:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19246424/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/11/24/nhtsa-opening-probe-into-ford-freestar-mercury-monterey-transmis/19246424/article-detail.xml 19246424 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2004_ford_freestar_630_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/11/2004_ford_freestar_630.jpg <![CDATA[All in a Name: No end to the free advice for Ford, no need to rechange names]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/all-in-a-name-no-end-to-the-free-advice-for-ford-no-need-to-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/all-in-a-name-no-end-to-the-free-advice-for-ford-no-need-to-r/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/all-in-a-name-no-end-to-the-free-advice-for-ford-no-need-to-r/#commentsFiled under: ,

Click the image above for the Autoblog Five-Hundred gallery

In the news, at the water cooler, and in your favorite auto magagine, there is no shortage of advice for Ford Motor Company. Advice for new engines, better marketing, and rear drive architectures come flowing in at all angles. Most of the advice seems to center around the need to balance design, safety, horsepower, and business realities to make vehicles that you and I will want to buy. But vehicle names? A recent Detroit Free Press article is one of many that seems to think name recognition is perhaps more vital than it really is. As we reported today, it looks like Ford is listening to the calls for the recasting of the Taurus name, after all. In the end, do we really care what the vehicle is called? We probably care a lot more about what the vehicle can do and how it looks.

When Allan Mulally took over at Ford, he found himself wondering why the company would spend hundreds of millions of dollars over 20 years to build the Taurus name only to drop it because it didn't start with an F. The Five Hundred very well could have been the Taurus from the start, but it wasn't. Lets be honest, the Taurus wasn't the Taurus for almost half its lifespan. We loved it, then we liked it, then finally, we rented it. The product was stale. The name got stale too, mostly because it became synonymous with Hertz, so Ford decided to drop it.

Keep reading for more thoughts on what's in a name.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Continue reading All in a Name: No end to the free advice for Ford, no need to rechange names

All in a Name: No end to the free advice for Ford, no need to rechange names originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Five HundredFiveHundredFordFord vehicleFordVehicleFreestarFreestyleFusionWindstarTue, 06 Feb 2007 14:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/747938/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/02/06/all-in-a-name-no-end-to-the-free-advice-for-ford-no-need-to-r/747938/article-detail.xml 747938 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/five-hundred_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/02/five-hundred.jpg <![CDATA[Lights out: Production ends for Ford Freestar]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/lights-out-production-ends-for-ford-freestar/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/lights-out-production-ends-for-ford-freestar/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/03/lights-out-production-ends-for-ford-freestar/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Thank God it's over. Goodbye Freestar, you won't be missed. Ford has turned out its last head-gasket-consuming, transmission-torturing, flaccid minivan. It was a good try twelve years ago when it debuted as the Windstar, but time has not been kind to Ford's efforts. Moreover, Ford was not kind to the Freestar, letting it die on the vine while the competition became ever more competent. The Oakville, Ontario plant will continue to build cars, keeping all its employees busy with Ford Edge and Lincoln MKX production.The only folks that will even notice the unavailability of the Freestar (act fast, there's about 2,500 left) are fleet customers, with whom Ford will work to substitute other FoMoCo vehicles. Seems like a win-win-win: a tired horse is put out to pasture, the blue-collar folks kept their jobs and the fleet customers who lose out will be made whole.

[Source: Automotive News]

Lights out: Production ends for Ford Freestar originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Jan 2007 10:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>EdgeendfinalFordFreestarlastMinivanMKXOntarioproduction endingProductionEndingWindstarWed, 03 Jan 2007 10:02:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/728151/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/01/03/lights-out-production-ends-for-ford-freestar/728151/article-detail.xml 728151 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/freestar_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/01/freestar.jpg <![CDATA[Soccer moms lament: Ford axes minivans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/02/soccer-moms-lament-ford-axes-minivans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/02/soccer-moms-lament-ford-axes-minivans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/02/soccer-moms-lament-ford-axes-minivans/#commentsFiled under: , ,



You knew this was coming. Ever since Ford confirmed that the full-size Fairlane crossover (pictured) was going into production, the writing has been on the wall for Ford's big box minivans, and Friday the other shoe finally dropped, with The Detroit News reporting that Ford's minivans are dead.

It turns out this week marked the end of production for the Mercury Monterey, and the last Ford Freestar is rumored to roll off the line next spring. As a result, Ford will go down in history as the first U.S. automaker to stop selling traditional three-row minivans. Whether or not this marks the beginning of the end for the minivan, or just signals Ford's inability to compete with the big dogs in the segment (DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and Honda), only time will tell.

Meanwhile, Ford is hoping that it will be more successful competing on a fresh playing field with its new crossover, which debuts in 2008.

[Source: The Detroit News]


Soccer moms lament: Ford axes minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Sep 2006 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fairlanefreestarminivanmontereySat, 02 Sep 2006 09:54:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/662681/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/09/02/soccer-moms-lament-ford-axes-minivans/662681/article-detail.xml 662681 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/fordfairlane_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2006/09/fordfairlane.jpg <![CDATA[Detroit cutting back on light trucks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/06/detroit-cutting-back-on-light-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/06/detroit-cutting-back-on-light-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/06/detroit-cutting-back-on-light-trucks/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

General Motors and Ford have announced plans to cut some of their light truck models to focus on new crossovers. Automotive News reported that GM's TrailBlazer (right) and Envoy SUVs are on the way out, with a scheduled 2009 restyling cancelled. The Blue Oval boys are cutting the Monterey minivan in the very near future, with the Ford Freestar retiring soon.

GM plans to concentrate on its new-generation crossovers - the GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook and Buick Enclave, while Ford plans to develop a production version of the Ford Fairlane concept for both the Ford and Lincoln brands.

[Source: Autoweek]

Detroit cutting back on light trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jul 2006 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acadiachevroletenclavefairlane conceptfordfreestargmc envoylincolnmontereyoutlooktrailblazerThu, 06 Jul 2006 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/640217/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/07/06/detroit-cutting-back-on-light-trucks/640217/article-detail.xml 640217 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/chevytrailblazer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/07/chevytrailblazer.jpg -1 2