10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 11 / 3
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 18 / 4
- Average Mileage:
- 21,081 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.
The car has had yransmission rebuilt last year and im still making paymemts on the car. Then 4months ago I had the speed sensor replaced ran good until day before yesterday when it starting acting the same way it was before I got it fixed so I jmow its the speed sensor again how many times do I have to fix this crap before it gets recalled or before spmeone gets into an accident or dies
- Yuba City, CA, USA
May 2016 I was driving my car and it felt like the transmission was slipping and the speedometer was all out of whack, the RPM's were going higher as I stepped on the gas pedal. I had the transmission replaced, the car has had more problems and was broke down for almost the remainder of the year. Dec. 2016 had a new starter, power steering pulley, and serpentine belt replaced. Car ran great for 3 days then the speedometer wasn't working and felt like the transmission is slipping or completely going out. I can't afford to repair this car I just finished paying off the $900 transmission job, plus I am still paying on the car! I am a single mother on disability with no money for repairs or another car. Please help.
- Yuba City, CA, USA
While driving the car at a low speed, deer ran out in front of me and I brake to stop and at that time the car surged and accelerated at a high speed which caused me to lose control of the car and hit a tree head on. I pressed the brakes as hard as I could and the speed would not decelerate. I suffered a large head injury that required 54 staples to close the wound. I spent over a week in the hospital, including an icu stay. This car is dangerous and is causing injuries and possible deaths.
- Berwick, PA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while pulling into a parking space at approximately 2 mph the vehicle suddenly accelerated without any warning. The contact applied the brakes, but the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into a pillar on the side of a building. The driver sustained minor injuries to her neck and shoulders. The police were contacted and a report was available. The vehicle was later towed to the contacts home and was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was approximately 98,000.
- Henderson, NV, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact was driving 25 mph when the accelerator pedal was released and the vehicle accelerated unexpectedly. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 142,218.
- Cleveland, OH, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle began driving as if the cruise control had been activated and accelerated abnormally. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer and the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown and the current mileage was 121,000.
- Tacoma , WA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle surged forward while stopped and while driving at various speeds. The contact had to shift the vehicle into neutral in order to stop the failure. The vehicle was not taken to have the failure diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000. The VIN was unavailable.
- Marionville, MO, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while in reverse, the vehicle suddenly accelerated backward and crashed into a fence. The contact suffered injuries to the back and right leg. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The dealer drove the vehicle and the vehicle suddenly accelerated again. The dealer discovered a dirty throttle body and had it cleaned. Since the repair, the vehicle did not experience any failures. The failure mileage was 58,000...updated 03/21/12 the consumer stated her vehicle sat on the dealerships parking lot for 21 days and Ford did not send an investigator. Updated 03/23/12
- Mesquite, TX, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. While driving at approximately 60 mph, the vehicle involuntarily decelerated to approximate speeds of 10 mph without warrant. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that a speed sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 128,000.
- Renton, WA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, it caught fire. The fire spread quickly throughout the garage. The fire department extinguished the fire and stated that the fire could have originated with the cruise control module, which is common in some Ford SUV's. the current and failure mileages were 84,000.
- Houston, TX, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. At 43,400 miles, the automatic transmission was rebuilt at the cost of $1,400. Within a year, it had to be rebuilt a second time at no charge. On September 22, 2008, the transmission was rebuilt for the third time at 53,600 miles. The repair shop stated that the transmission was defective and needed to be completely replaced. While driving various speeds, the transmission skips second gear and the vehicle jerks often. The contact does not drive on the highway, only in town. She noticed that the vehicle is at 5,000 RPM when driving. The accelerator pedal is extended to the floor, but the vehicle only accelerates between 5-10 mph. The vehicle speed sensor also had to be replaced. The contact retrieved her vehicle from the repair shop on September 24, 2008. The failure mileage was 56,408.
- Gladstone, MO, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the service engine soon light illuminated on the instrument panel. A mechanic replaced the oxygen sensor; however, the light still illuminated. The contact was informed that there was a misfire on the #6 cylinder. In addition, there was a lot of smoke when the vehicle was started. He took the vehicle to a mechanic and they stated that the possible cause of the failure was antifreeze entering the motor. The mechanic also suggested that there was a potential issue with the head gasket, which would cost between $1,500-$2,500 to repair. Also, the vehicle would not decelerate if the contact removed her foot from the accelerator pedal; therefore, he would have to apply the brakes instead. The mechanic informed him that the vehicle would coast due to the cruise control. The contact also experienced issues with the fuel system using more gasoline than he believed was necessary. For errands around town, the vehicle would use a half of a tank. The headlights had a dingy color on the inside. He attempted to get another lens cap for it, but could not change it because it was plastic. The contact would have to purchase another headlight to correct the issue. The manufacturer could not assist because the vehicle was close to ten years old. The contact also noticed that the vehicle would accelerate on its own and slip into another gear. Lastly, there was an issue with the instrument panel gauges dimming intermittently. The current mileage was approximately 118,000 and failure mileage was 117,400.
- Santa Rosa, CA, USA
Subject vehicle is a 1999 Ford Taurus, manufactured in September, 1998. The mileage traveled is 111,000. I was proceeding at 20 to 25 mph behind a logging truck. We approached a stop sign. I braked. The car continued to proceed slowly forward, but the antilock brakes engaged and the car continued to roll slowly forward. I heard a roar, and thought the engine and transmission were moving the car forward, so slipped the transmission in neutral. The RPM raced to 4000 to 4500. I shut off the engine, then re-started. The remainder of the 15 mile commute was uneventful. This is the route I have traveled to work for 14 years. It is rural. I am the original owner of the vehicle. I checked recall 98V204000. The retainer clip is in place. The throttle feels normal. I am a licensed mechanical engineer. The consumer stated the accelerator cable and linkage are okay at both ends. Updated 09/12/07
- Littlerock, WA, USA
The contact owns a 1999 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the vehicle was idling high. This confirmed that the cruise control was off. The contact engaged the brakes. However, the high idle continued to occur. When the contact attempted to stop the vehicle stalled and the brakes failed. The current and failure mileage was 97,000 miles.
- Anchareg, AK, USA
The contact heard an explosion outside his home on December 14, 2005 at approximately midnight. He came out of the house to find his 1999 Ford Taurus on fire while parked. The fire appeared to be localized in the front engine compartment. The police were not notified, but the fire department extinguished the fire. Based on the events it believed that the fire was result of a defective vehicle speed control. Updated 1/25/2006 -
- Compton, CA, USA
The contact states while driving vehicle accelerated on its own. When attempting to stop the acceleration with brake pressure the vehicle shook and lurched forward. The vehicle has been seen by a dealer, but the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.
- Ashland City, TN, USA
Crusie control switch stopped working. Dealer spent an hour finding problem which he said was casued by switch on brake pedal losing adjustment.paid $90 to "adjust". several months later same problem occurred.
- West Bloomfield, MI, USA
Consumer noticed that the check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the speed control sensor and shifter cable needed to be replaced.
- Martins Ferry, OH, USA
When stopped and attempting to shift into park, the engine accelerated to over 3000 RPM's, resulting in an impact to a brick wall. There were attempts to place the shift in park, turn the key off, and the attempts to pull key out were all failures. The engine acceleration continued.
- Zachary, LA, USA
- Yuba Cty, CA, USA