Recall 12V006 affects 206,452 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles for torque converter output shaft failure. Repair is free at any franchised Ford dealer.
Ford is recalling 206,452 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles because the torque converter output shaft is at risk of failure. The defect can cause sudden loss of motive power with no warning and increase crash risk; if your VIN is included, the Ford dealer repair is free once the recall remedy is available.
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What's wrong?
The recalled part is the torque converter output shaft in the automatic transmission on 2004-2005 Freestar and Monterey minivans. The torque converter helps transfer engine power into the transmission, and the output shaft carries that power through the driveline. When this shaft is intact, the transmission can move power from the engine to the wheels as designed.
On the affected vehicles, Ford identified a failure of that output shaft. The break is inside the transmission, so this is not a loose belt or an external linkage problem an owner can inspect from the driveway. Once the shaft fails, the transmission no longer sends engine power through the driveline the way it should.
There is no warning sign before failure. The recall information does not list a noise, light, smell, or shift change that appears before the shaft breaks.
Who's affected?
Covers Freestar and Monterey minivans across the 2004 and 2005 model years, with automatic transmission and torque converter components in scope.
| 2005 Ford Freestar | automatic transmission |
|---|---|
| 2004 Ford Freestar | automatic transmission |
| 2005 Ford Freestar | automatic transmission |
| 2004 Mercury Monterey | automatic transmission |
| 2004 Mercury Monterey | automatic transmission |
| 2005 Mercury Monterey | automatic transmission |
| 2005 Mercury Monterey | automatic transmission |
| 2004 Ford Freestar | automatic transmission |
| Units affected | 206,452 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific minivan.
What's the safety risk?
This defect causes a sudden loss of motive power with no warning, which increases crash risk. There is no warning sign before failure. If the vehicle loses power in traffic, steer to a safe place, turn on hazard lights, and contact a franchised Ford dealer. Repair will be free at any franchised Ford dealer once available.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2004-2005 Ford Freestar or Mercury Monterey is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Ford dealer and ask whether the free torque-converter repair is open for your VIN.
- Reference recall number 12V006 when you call, and ask the service desk about the torque-converter output shaft failure that causes sudden loss of motive power.
- Bring the recall notice if Ford mailed one, or bring your VIN and recall number if you do not have the notice.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Move out of traffic safely if the vehicle loses power without warning.
What happens at the repair
Ford's listed repair is a torque converter replacement. Once the dealer repair is available, a Ford technician replaces the torque converter that sends power through the transmission output shaft. Parts and labor are covered under the recall. When you call the service department, ask whether the torque converter remedy for the 2004-2005 Freestar or Monterey is open for your VIN before arranging the visit.
Timeline
| January 9, 2012 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 29, 2012 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 12V006?
Recall 12V006 covers 206,452 2004-2005 Ford Freestar and Mercury Monterey vehicles with a torque converter output shaft that can fail. Ford will replace the torque converter for free at a franchised Ford dealer.
What should I do if my 2004-2005 Ford Freestar or Mercury Monterey is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 12V006. If it is, contact a franchised Ford dealer to schedule the torque converter replacement. Reference recall number 12V006 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Ford dealers will replace the torque converter free of charge. Ford's customer relationship center is listed at 1-866-436-7332 for recall questions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is a sudden loss of motive power with no warning, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall 12V006 concerns the torque converter output shaft, so the vehicle loses drive power when the shaft fails.
What warning signs should I watch for?
There is no warning sign before failure listed for recall 12V006. The official consequence says the condition causes a sudden loss of motive power with no warning. If your VIN is included, arrange the free torque converter replacement with a Ford dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/12V006000 |
|---|---|
| Ford customer service | 1-866-436-7332 |
| NHTSA recall # | 12V006 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 12V006000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Defect / Noncompliance Notice (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on June 2, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →