A lack of clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector meant the throttle could get stick open when the accelerator was fully depressed. Following a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, NHTSA opened an investigation and eventually issued a recall to fix the sticky throttles in the 2001–2004 model years.
Even with the throttles fixed, the 2001 model year could still have trouble stopping due to multiple problems with leaking brakes.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,365 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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.
The vehicle has stalled three times while driving, on all three occasions the driver was on a slight down-grade, caosting and applying the brake to handle a curve, the dealer has been unable to duplicate the problem.
Car stalled, shut down as if the key was turned off. This is the second incident of this happening. I was on a busy highway in the center lane going 45 miles an hour. I was able, without power steering or brakes, to put on hazard lights, bring the vehicle to a stop. Once put in neutral, it started again. I went directly to the dealer. They said, well it is only happening every 5,000 miles, what are you complaining about. They did take the car in an work the the PCM. I have no idea if this has fixed this reoccuring problem.
Consumer states that the vehicle shuts itself off without warning, causing the steering column to lock up, and the check engine light to illuminate, dealer repaired the air valve, after leaving repair shop vehicle shuts off again, and the entire dashboard illuminated, consumer requests that Ford replace vehicle with another vehicle.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
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While driving on a downhill slope the vehicle suddenly shut down causing loss of power steering, the driver was able to restart the vehicle, the dealer replaced a valve which controlled air flow, the next day this problem occured again when going up a semi-steep incline, the dealer has been unable to duplicate the problem, the vehicle also has a metallic rattle under the hood when accelerating on a slight incline. Nlm
Vehicle stalled out and died with out warring on four occasions. Dealer inspected and repaired vehicle; however, roblem has reoccurred. Manufacturer has been contacted.
My engine has stalled at low speeds several times over the past several months. This occurs most often when I'm decelerating or braking to prepare for stop. It happened twice at low speeds when I was not decelerating/braking. Engine starts up immediately following stalls.
While traveling on highway vehicle will stall and shutdown without prior warning. Dealership is aware of problem. Consumer states the dealer is trying to figure out the problem by replacing various parts as recommended by the manufacturer, but they couldn't find the problem.
Engine stalled while driving downhill. Brakes and steering would not respond. Engine check light came on. Managed to stop the vehicle by using hand brakes and later pulled to the side. Dealer notified.
While traveling on highway, vehicle will shutdown. Vehicle hesitates on a cold start, when accelerating you get approx. 30 percent acceleration power and then it surges to full acceleration. After the engine warms up it runs well.
Consumer states that the vehicle will stall out while the consumer is driving at highway speeds. All the lights and the instrument panel shut off also. Contacted dealer and the dealer is not willing to do anything. Nlm
Engine quit while driving on freeway at 65 mph. No prior warning. Lost power assist in steering and brakes. Was able to maneuver vehicle to side of road. Was able to restart vehicle and proceed. This is a very dangerous situation and could have caused a serious accident. This occurred while driving to dealership for check engine light on. This is only one more of numerous problems with this vehicle.
Car continues to stall when going approximately 40 mph. All systems fail. Car has been to dealership 3 times for same problem. Air intake valve and relay have been replaced. Dealership taking car again tomorrow for repair.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Valdosta, GA, USA