10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 15 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 6 / 1
- Average Mileage:
- 94,947 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
While driving at 25 mph I brake forcefully to avoid another car coming out of a strip mall at excessive speed. As I gradually released the brake the car began to accelerate without my having touched the gas pedal. I was able to turn with a great deal of trouble onto a side road where there was little traffic. The car continued to accelerate on its own up to about 40-50 mph. The RPM's were up to 4000. I was pressing on the brake, car was bucking and not stopping. Eventually I was able to stop the car. Car had to be towed to my mechanic. I will not know until tomorrow what he plans on doing. However after some online research I plan on telling him to replace the cruise control cable and the pin. Ford should at least tell people how to fix the problem since it seems they are not taking responsibility and recalling these cars.
- Staten Island, NY, USA
Random throttle sticking, cruise control stopped working.
- Carrollton, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated independently. The contact depressed the brakes but the brakes would not respond as the vehicle speed continued to increase. The contact kicked the accelerator pedal several times and noticed that the speed decreased. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 75,000.
- Des Plaines, IL, USA
I was driving and had turned into a store parking lot. I made a turn down a row to park and as I ran over a grate, going no more than 25 mph, the car began to accelerate. The RPM's went up to about 40 mph. I could feel it. My foot was not on the gas. My daughter and I were horrified. I pulled into a parking spot as far away from the other vehicles as possible. The car was roaring so hard. I called my mechanic because I had just had the vehicle inspected. The mechanic told me to quickly pat down on the gas (then release) while the car was safely in park. I did it and it and it stopped it. I could feel it immediately stop the acceleration.
- Henrico, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while traveling 50 mph the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to merge to the side of the road. The engine was restarted and the vehicle resumed normal function. The vehicle was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted about the issue. The failure and current mileage was 122,097.
- Knoxville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph the vehicle started to accelerate independently. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would shake violently and in order to maintain control of the vehicle, she had to drive with the brake pedal engaged. The failure recurred intermittently. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that the vehicle was not listed under a recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 163,824.
- Brownsburgs , IN, USA
Was exiting from an access controlled highway, and after braking to a safe speed on the off ramp, released the brake and the car sped back up. I had the speed control set to 55 mph while on the highway. Found the speed control to still be engaged and was able to brake to a safe, off the road stop. Disconnected the speed control cable and was able to make it home. For further details, just search google for Ford Taurus speed control problems and you will find many with the same story.
- Chesapeake, VA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the contact removed his foot from the accelerator pedal but the speed remained at 40 mph. The contact had to depress the brake pedal several times in order to get the vehicle to stop. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop for inspection where they stated that there was an accelerator clip malfunction. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there were no recalls for the vehicle. The failure mileage was 195,000. Updated 12/5/12 updated 12/11/2012
- Boca Raton, FL, USA
I was going down the interstate at approx. 60 mph. I let my foot off the gas pedal and it felt 'sticky'. I didn't think anything of it until it really got stuck. I was stuck going at 65 mph. I have been able to unstick the pedal by either stopping and cutting the car off and pumping the gas or (if that's not possible) I just floor it. It seems sudden acceleration (initially) would unstick it. Now, more than a year later, all I can do is ride it out and hope it unsticks soon. This has become a weekly occurrence, it's not longer scary, but it is unsettling-and I know it can't be good for my car.
- Columbia, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph when the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warning. The contact was able to stop the vehicle by applying the brakes. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician detected that the end of the cruise control cable was flared and had contributed to the acceleration malfunction. The vehicle had not been repaired. There was currently an open investigation for model years 2005-2006 under NHTSA action number PE12005 (vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- Fraser, MI, USA
The car just picked up speed and was difficult to slow down. I was able to maneuver the car off the expressway and turn the car off which allowed the car to slow down and stop. My brakes and tires were smoking (lucky no fire) but brand new brake pads gone. I discovered it was my cruise control cable Ford denies any problem with the cable I will be replacing it and brakes this weekend.
- Middleburg, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at 40 mph, the accelerator pedal became stuck while being depressed. The vehicle accelerated up to 50 mph. The contact was able to return the accelerator pedal to the upright position, and gain control of vehicle. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or repair shop for inspection or repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 104,200.
- Vicksburg, MI, USA
While driving the accelerator was racing so high, I turn off the engine then I start the engine it still racing.when I put in reverse then drive it stops racing it really scares me.
- Mckeesport, PA, USA
The cars accelerating all by itself. Started a few days ago then stopped. Today it wouldn't stop. Even after car was off for 10 mins. When turned on the car was still accelerating.
- Warren, MI, USA
I have a 2004 Ford Taurus with almost 70,000 miles on it, and now it has a stuck throttle. On 6/29/2012 I noticed that my cruise control was not working. I began driving the vehicle again on July 18 and starting on July 26 I noticed on the highway that it was accelerating itself without pressing down on the accelerator pedal. Upon turning the car on to drive home from work, the problem was instantly apparent again. The engine will rev itself up to 3000+RPM while in park, and I had to completely press down the brakes to get it to slow down at stop lights and then would put it in park (as a safety precaution). When the light would turn green shifting into drive would make the car jump instantly. Reading of the investigation of the Ford 2005 Taurus and the symptoms that other drivers have had, I am 100% convinced that I am experiencing the same issue. I plan on towing the car to a Ford dealership soon for repair.
- Charlotte, NC, USA
Vehicle did not slow down when foot removed from gas pedal. Engine ran at high rate of speed even with brake on. When vehicle was shifted to neutral, RPM gauge showed engine running at 3500 to 4000 RPM. Mechanic found cruise control cable had disconnected from throttle and prevented throttle from moving properly, causing it to be stuck open.
- Dumfries , VA, USA
The car experienced sudden acceleration. Driving at ~40 mph, I noticed when I stepped on the brake to turn the car did not slow down that much and the tachometer was over 2000 RPM. When I pulled over and put the car in park the tachometer went to over 4000 RPM. I shutoff the engine tapped the gas pedal and restarted the engine. Once again the tachometer was over 4000 RPM. I put the car in drive and the car took off. I rode the brakes the ~1000 ft to my home. I once again shutoff the and then restarted this time it was idling at ~800 RPM (normal). Since I rode the brakes to keep the car under some control, all four wheels were very very hot. I went on line and found others have this problem when the cruise control cable becomes detached from the throttle cam. I inspected the cruise control cable and found it was in fact detached. Needless to this sudden acceleration could have led to a serious accident. At a minimum it did some wear to the braking system and possibly wheel bearing damage as a result of the excessive heat.
- Tolland , CT, USA
The throttle sticks when slowing down to a stop. It suddenly revs up. Must stomp on the brakes and attempt to throw into neutral. Had been able to stop but 2 days ago rear ended a truck. Damage to my car.
- Algonquin, IL, USA
The throttle sticks when slowing down to a stop, it suddenly revs up. Must then stomp on the brakes and try to throw it into neutral. Usually can catch it however, 2 days ago ended up rear ending someone. The front end of my car is damaged. Ran into a truck which wasn't damaged.
- Algonquin, IL, USA
- Honesdale, PA, USA