I was on my way home from work(approx 12 miles) and decided I'd try out the cruise control in my newly acquired 2000 Mountaineer 302 AWD. The first part of the commute is what I would consider harmless and a very safe stretch to test out this feature so I press the cruise button to set my speed at the posted speed limit of 55mph. All was well until I approached a sharp hair pin curve about 4 miles into the trip. I gently started to apply the brake to cancel the cruise but the vehicle didn't respond to my attempt. In a state of panic, I firmly apply the brake to reduce speed and was only able to drop approximately 6-7 mph. Still well above the advised limit for that particular curve. After making it though the curve, the Mountaineer transmission down shifted and I was off to the races. I panicked and in doing so, failed to process and think clearly. My instinct was to keep pounding on the brakes in hope that the cruise cable with break or pop free. At 70mph my brakes were useless. It accelerated just past 80mph and finally right before my turn off onto the road that I live, my head cleared and I turned the ignition key to the off position and was able to coast into my neighborhood. As I exited the vehicle, every ounce of coolant was being shot out of the radiator and all four brake rotors were glowing cherry red. I was scared the thing was going to catch fire. Like incident report prior to mine, my cruise cable retainer had malfunctioned and was no longer anchored to its usual position. Ford has a major flaw in the way this system was designed and needs to take action so someone doesn't get killed. Hands down, the absolute scariest situation I've ever experienced.

- Salesville, AR, USA

I was driving to an intersection with my family while going 45 mph. I noticed black coming through the vents. I pulled off to a gas station parking lot. I proceeded to use fire extinguishers under the hood, the fire department had to come put it out. They did a look through and determined the fire started at the fuse box. I went home and researched that this is a recurring problem with this type of vehicle. I'm now out the 6500 I used to purchase it. I cant fix it or trade it in now.

- Panama City, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact stated that smoke emitted from under the hood area. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed black smoke and flames in the engine area. The fire department was contacted to extinguish the fire. The vehicle was towed to the contact's insurance company for further investigation. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 165,000. Updated 06/26/13 the consumer believed the speed control deactivation switch was the cause of the fire. Updated 06/27/13 updated updated 07/02/2013

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Brake lights were not lighting. Fuse was blown, replaced fuse, stepped on brake pedal, then poof of smoke at fuse inside, and under hood smoke continued for 2 minutes. Found connector for switch on master cylinder was melted and switch is still bad. Disconnected connector from shorted switch causing fuse to blow. Then replaced fuse and now brake lights work. Cruise control was intermittent for the past 2 months prior to this event. Connector is tied to keep it secure until repair is made.

- East Setauket, NY, USA

While I was parking the car in the garage, I came to a stop about 12 inches from a file cabinet against the back wall. Then I put the car in reverse to move back a few inches for better clearance. All of a sudden the car unexpectedly accelerated forward and crashed into the file cabinet and totaled it plus damaged the front bumper, grill and hood. Note that applying the brake did not stop it. Very thankful that no one was in the front of the car when this happen.

- Roseville, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The vehicle was parked and became engulfed into massive flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. The cause of failure was related to the cruise control. A police report was filed with no personal injury. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to a towing facility. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact received a Ford recall notice for the vehicle speed control in August of 2007. She immediately scheduled an appointment to have the vehicle repaired. The cruise control switch was disconnected and she was informed that the parts would be unavailable until November of 2007. In January of 2008, the dealer stated that they would notify her via mail when the parts arrive. As of April 2, 2008, the contact has not received a notice. A representative from the dealer informed her that they still did not know when the parts would be available. There had been no failure to date. The recall number was 05S28. The current mileage was 48,000. Updated 04/16/08.

- Richmond, VA, USA

2000 Mercury Mountaineer with a recall for speed control. Consumer stated that she received the recall in August of 2007 and the vehicle has yet to be repaired. The dealer disconnected the cruise control.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

I received a motive in August 2007 which advised me to contact my local dealer who was authorized by Ford Motor Company to "install a fused wiring harness into the speed control system" of my 2000 Mercury Mountaineer (recall: 05S28). That until this repair was completed, I should park my vehicle "away from structures to prevent a potential underhood fire from spreading". I have attempted to have this repair completed at least 10 times since receiving this notice, always being told that the "required parts are not in yet". I believe I have worn down the service department with my calls, since I was last told: "they will probably never be in" !!

- Wyckoff, NJ, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. While pulling into the driveway at 20 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood. Within five minutes, the vehicle burst into flames without warning. She received a recall letter (05S28) in August of 2007. The manufacturer was notified and they advised her to send photos under reference number 383940900. The Ford investigation concluded that the motor was too badly burned to determine if the fire was caused by the recall. The investigator agreed with her, but he had to follow the company's decision. The current and failure mileages were 60,000. Updated 12/12/07

- Monteballo, AL, USA

The contact owns a 2000 Mercury Mountaineer. The contact received a recall notice regarding NHTSA campaign id number 07V336000 (vehicle speed control). The dealer and manufacturer stated that the parts were unavailable until November of 2007. He felt that his vehicle was not being repaired in a reasonable amount of time. He was advised to have the speed control switch disconnected, but had not done so. There had been no failure to date. The current mileage was 90,000.

- Waukesha , WI, USA

2000 Mercury Mountaineer 2wd. Caught fire in a parking lot within a few minutes of turning off the ignition. Sparks fell from under the engine compartment and then caught fire. Fire dept. Responded to fire.

- Waxahachie, TX, USA

Put car in reverse, had very fast sudden high acceleration without touching the throttle. Held brakes with both feet unti I could turn ignition off. After looking for obvious sign of problem (found none), turned car back on and it acted normal. Almost ran over my son.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

While driving, the throttle became stuck in the open position. The consumer had to place both feet on the brake to try and stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to surge forward while depressing the brake with both feet. Upon entering the interstate; the throttle stuck again. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. The service center performed a cleaning on the throttle.

- Riverview, FL, USA

The speed control of my 2000 Mercury mountineer, sticks causing the vehicle to excerlerate out of control the only way to stop it is to slip the transmission into neutral and shut the vehicle off. It has happened three times and is getting more frquent. I have reported it to the dealer (sellers sexton waynesville, mo) they say nothing is wrong and they cant find a problem.

- Waynesville, MO, USA

Throttle body was covered with carbon that caused the accelerator to stick while driving. This condition also caused the vehicle to surge forward or backwards when additional pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal to release the stuck pedal. Cleaning of the throttle body seemed to remedy the problem.

- Houston, TX, USA

With brakes applied attempting to put vehicle in park, the vehicle lunged forward and was out of control and struck a light pole, went over concrete barrier onto next street, and neither air bag deployed. Consumer also compalined several times about the brakes.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

While applying brakes, vehicle suddenly started to accelerate, forced vehicle out of control into severe accident. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Consumer states while proceeding to put vehicle in park, it lunged forward, causing an accident and one injury.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

Vehicle experiences sudden acceleration, consumer changed floor mats because he thought they were getting under the accelerator, however after the change it happened again causing a rear end collision, dealer can not figure out the problem.

- Morgan Town, IN, USA

While sitting in drive ie: At a light the car will start to race and then accelerate and take off the brakes will not stop the car. The only way to stop the car is to put throw it into park. The first two times it happened I thought it was something I had done. However on the third time while pulling out of my driveway the car took off and shoot across the street I was only able to stop it after entering my neighbors' front lawn. I was very fortunate that no cars were coming down the street and no children were nearby. However it did take down part of my driveway fence. Of course it was taken back to the dealer they couldn't find anything wrong. Then a week and a half later it happens again while sitting at a light twice. The dealer had my car since thurs and can't find anything wrong I'm afraid to go and get it.

- Laurelton, NY, USA