This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I read this story U.S. investigates Ford tauruses for stuck throttles by peter valdes-dapena @peterdrives March 12, 2012: 1:19 pm et and when it happened to me did not think much about it but after reading this I am now concerned. I just pulled out from a gas station accelerated to about 30mph when I notice it was still accelerating without my foot on the accelerator pedal. As it was still gaining speed I became nervous and put it into neutral it did rev up to a hi tach speed (5000) or better. I kicked the accelerator pedal quick and hard to see if that would knock it down before I would have turned it off but it did work. I latter stopped opened the hood looked for anything obvious around the area where accelerator & speed control cable come to and found the speed control cable not connected to the ball. Reattached it but seemed loose plastic seemed to be worn some. But has fallen off again. Checked the speed control cable where it goes into the control box seemed to be loose and no binding. In all the years I have had this car have had this problem one time....oh and by the way just before I kicked the accelerator I did try to turn on/off the speed control thinking that somehow it had engaged but had no effect.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the cruise control would become stuck and the vehicle would accelerate and abnormally. When the failure occurred, the contact would have difficulty bringing the vehicle to a stop. The contact stated that the failure could have been caused by the cable tightening, but the vehicle was not taken to the dealer for confirmation of the failure. The failure mileage was 128,000 and the current mileage was 141,000.
Starting approximately a month ago my throttle started getting stuck on my car. I was driving down the highway and when I took my foot off of the gas peddle, the speed slowed down some, but then it acted as though the cruise control was on and the throttle was stuck. I was pressing the brake but the throttle was still engaged. Even when I was at a complete stop, the throttle was still engaged and the engine racing. Several times I had to put the car in neutral and/or stomp on the gas pedal several times to get the throttle to release. This doesn't happen all the time but is an intermittent problem.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while stopped, there was a rapid increase in engine rpms. The contact applied heavy pressure to the brake pedal and shifted into neutral. The failure ceased and the contact continued driving. A few moments later, the failure recurred. The contact safely drove the vehicle home and had her spouse examine the vehicle. The contact's spouse noticed that the cruise control cable was detached and he reattached it. The vehicle was not take to have the failure diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 108,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Just saw this that you were investigating on 2005-06 Ford Taurus models in local paper for similar complaint. My complaint is for the cruise control or throttle control on my Ford Taurus 2004. My cruise control stopped working. After that, sometimes my car would just lock on usually at 40 to 60 mph as far as acceleration and eventually disengage after a period of time after pressing gas pedal or I would shut my car off to reset/reboot. It happened many times, but luckily no accidents, just a lot of wear and tear on brakes. I did mention this phenomenon several years ago to local dealer when my cruise went out and they said nothing unusual was reported and no recalls at the time. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Louisville, KY, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when driving approximately 45 mph and merging onto a highway, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to higher speeds. After trying to depress the brakes, the vehicle still would not stop. After merging off the highway, she had to engage the emergency brake in order to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where they advised that the speed control cable had fractured, which caused the unattended acceleration. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were approximately 114,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that the driver informed him of the engine rpms increasing when the vehicle stopped. While driving at any speed the vehicle would not slow down when pressure was removed from the accelerator pedal. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the cable from the vehicle speed control was not properly attached to the throttle body arm. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to have the failure diagnosed and it was not repaired. The failure mileage was 81,000 and the current mileage was 82,918.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact was at a complete stop when the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warning. The brakes were applied but the vehicle would not stop until the contact shifted into neutral. The dealer was contacted and advised that the vehicle would need to be diagnosed for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that when traveling with the cruise control set at various speeds, the vehicle would independently accelerate intermittently. The vehicle was neither diagnosed for the failure nor repaired. The current and failure mileage was 97,000.
Accelerator revved without foot on gas pedal. I was coming to a stop, removed foot from gas, stepped on brake when engine start revving. At first I though brakes were failing because it wasn't slowing down as quickly as usual. Had to put car in neutral and turn off. It happened years ago, before the Toyota problem. Thought it was an isolated incident until it now happened 2 times in 2 weeks. Only happens when stopping/parking. No sudden acceleration while in motion. Also happened to my wife. Floor mat issue or hitting accelerator instead of brake is not the case.
My 2004 Taurus was in an accident-while checking the Ford website and reading previous recalls on the Taurus model 2 or 3 recalls sounded very similar to the problem-brakes failed, there was a fire. Ford's web site lists' 2/1/2008 & 6/26/2008 (later date more detailed) as the reseason for the recall being safety "speed control deactivation system...fire" could this be what happenned to my car?
My 2004 Ford Taurus engine pedal not work well, no response when I push it till I push it hard enough, it will work. It is like this situation for 1`2 years. It is ok before.
When turning into a bank parking lot and while putting the car into park the car surged forward jumped a curb and struck the bank building. Engine continued to rev until the ignition was turned off.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Taurus. While driving 65 mph, the cruise control failed to activate after several attempts and caused the speed to decrease. After approximately ten minutes of driving, the cruise control switch activated on its own. The cruise control indicator was not illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact exited off of the highway, but she could not deactivate the cruise control. She had to place the vehicle into neutral in order to completely stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the cruise control cable failed. The cost to repair the vehicle was $404. No repairs have yet been made and the vehicle is still being driven. The contact is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 50,098 and current mileage was 60,200.
Vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing it to go out of control and a striking a building. The consumer stated that he was parking the vehicle with his foot on the brake when it accelerated. The vehicle jumped a concrete retainer and left tire marks on the ground. The vehicle crashed through a glass window of a video store and left tire marks on the carpet. The consumer put the vehicle in park and it came to a stop. The service dealer did not know the cause therefore did not know what to fix. The consumer was told that the vehicle showed signs of an electrical problem. The consumer was told that the RPM's where higher than they should be.
I purchased a new 2004 Taurus wagon with ABS and optional traction control in March,2004. I have had three instances wherein at low speed (5-10 mph) and on either wet road, gravel or other rough surface, and on attempt to brake, I have experienced brake failure and/or the engine simultaneously accelerates. I have had to place the car in neutral to overcome the forward surge. On one occasion I failed to stop at a stop sign. I had presented the vehicle to the dealer in April, 2004. At that time the dealer (smith cairns Ford, yonkers, NY) claimed the brake rotors were uneven. Subsequent to that repair, I experienced the same problem only this time the "ABS"and traction control" warning indicators activated. The dealer replaced left front wheel traction control sensor. The same problem occurred again on July 8, 2004. The dealer has been notified and I am awaiting advice from the service manager as to when the company service rep. Can inspect the vehicle.
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- Franklin, WI, USA