NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Engine complaints
24 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Jun 27, 2022
EngineVehicle Speed Control
Car engine accelerate on own. Tac meter shows over 3,000 RPM when I put it in neutral. I have to tap the accelerator and it goes back to normal. This happens about once a week now. I was slowing down for a stoplight and it happened. Brakes were not enough. Almost hit a car. Only by throwing into neutral allowed me to gain contr…
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Car engine accelerate on own. Tac meter shows over 3,000 RPM when I put it in neutral. I have to tap the accelerator and it goes back to normal. This happens about once a week now. I was slowing down for a stoplight and it happened. Brakes were not enough. Almost hit a car. Only by throwing into neutral allowed me to gain control and stop. My mechanic couldn’t find anything. I cannot allow anyone else to drive this as I am the only one familiar to handle it. I’ll probably sell it on a trade. I’ve read dozens of reports of this but no recall. I am surprised. If I get into an accident I have a lawyer handle it Here are others https://www.carproblemzoo.com/ford/taurus/cruise-control-problems.php
NHTSA ODI #11471204
166,708 miles · Aug 22, 2017
EnginePower Train
AROUND 6PM I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET (25 MILES SPEED), IN MOTION, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER. I NOTICED ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON, MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT WORKING, BUT THE A/C WAS STILL WORKING AND THE RADIO. SO I KNOW IT WASNT MY 1 YEAR OLD BATTERY. I WAITED FOR…
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AROUND 6PM I WAS DRIVING DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET (25 MILES SPEED), IN MOTION, ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR JUST TURNED OFF. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO STEER TO THE SHOULDER. I NOTICED ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTS ON, MY GAS PEDAL WAS NOT WORKING, BUT THE A/C WAS STILL WORKING AND THE RADIO. SO I KNOW IT WASNT MY 1 YEAR OLD BATTERY. I WAITED FOR 30 SECONDS AND TURNED THE KEY AND IT RESTARTED AGAIN. MY FIANCE, OUR 4 CHILDREN AND I WERE IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. 70% OF MY DRIVING IS FREEWAY..THIS IS OUR ONLY CAR AND IM DEATHLY AFRAID OF THIS HAPPENING WHILE IM ON FREEWAY. I BELIEVE THE ENGINE IS FAULTY ON THIS YEAR/MODEL/MAKE.
NHTSA ODI #11019029
118,320 miles · Aug 12, 2016
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH ON ITS OWN AND WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, THE RPMS INCREASED FROM 200,000 TO 300,000. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH ON ITS OWN AND WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. WHEN THE CONTACT PLACED THE GEAR SHIFTER INTO THE NEUTRAL POSITION, THE RPMS INCREASED FROM 200,000 TO 300,000. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED INTO PARK. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE RPMS INCREASED TO 300,000. THE IGNITION WAS SHUT OFF A THIRD TIME AND RESTARTED, AND THE RPMS INCREASED TO 100,000. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,320.
NHTSA ODI #10895262
180,000 miles · May 5, 2016
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED, THE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A GARDEN HOSE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
NHTSA ODI #10863397
Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2016
EngineExterior LightingVehicle Speed Control
SO NOW WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE MY CAR DOESN'T MOVE AND IF I HIT THE GAS THE ENGINE JUST RAMS UP AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE.I HAVE GOT STUCK SO MANY TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T MOVE...ALSO MY HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS LOOK THE SAME THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON THE LIGHT IN THE CAR DOESN…
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SO NOW WHEN I TRY TO REVERSE MY CAR DOESN'T MOVE AND IF I HIT THE GAS THE ENGINE JUST RAMS UP AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE.I HAVE GOT STUCK SO MANY TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T MOVE...ALSO MY HEADLIGHTS AND HIGH BEAMS LOOK THE SAME THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE AND YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON THE LIGHT IN THE CAR DOESN'T COME ON..MY A/C A AND HEATER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH.I CAN'T GET ON THE FREEWAY THE GAGES GO UP TO 4 AND GO DOWN WHEN I'M GOING 65.WHEN IM ON THE REGULAR STREET THEY STILL GO UP HIGHT AND I CAN BE GOING LESS THAN 45.
NHTSA ODI #10817758
140,000 miles · Aug 6, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC DIA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF THE FLUID LEAKED INTO THE MOTOR. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANS-AXLE VENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH A 90 DEGREE VENT STEM SMALL HOSE WITH CLAMPS. THE 90 DEGREE VENT STEM PREMATURELY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA ODI #10746672
113,000 miles · Jul 7, 2015
Engine
DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT 70MPH WHEN I LET OFF THE THROTTLE BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AFTER EXITING FREEWAY AND HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS TO COME TO A FULL STOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE THROTTLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. CHECKED FOR A RUG OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WAS…
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DRIVING ON A FREEWAY AT 70MPH WHEN I LET OFF THE THROTTLE BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. CAME TO A STOP LIGHT AFTER EXITING FREEWAY AND HAD TO SLAM ON BREAKS TO COME TO A FULL STOP BECAUSE THE VEHICLE THROTTLE WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING. CHECKED FOR A RUG OR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT BE STUCK UNDER THE GAS PEDAL AND NOTHING WAS THERE. ONCE I ARRIVED AT THE DESTINATION I PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AND THE ENGINE REVED UP TO 4000 RPM. OPENED HOOD AND THROTTLE WAS NOT STUCK BUT AFTER I MOVED THE THROTTLEBODY TO REV THE ENGINE IT RETURNED BACK TO A NORMAL IDLE SPEED. THIS IS FREAKING DANGEROUS. DONT BUY THIS PIECE OF CRAP CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10732361
95,000 miles · Dec 22, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS INCREASED OVER 4000. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND THE RPMS INCREASED OVER 4000. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA ODI #10667654
158,000 miles · Sep 2, 2014
EngineFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANEUVER TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND AS THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, IT IMMEDIATELY IGNITED INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AS THE CHECK ENGINE AND THE OIL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MANEUVER TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND AS THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, IT IMMEDIATELY IGNITED INTO FLAMES FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE HOOD. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WAS BURNED. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.
NHTSA ODI #10630130
74,170 miles · Jul 21, 2014
EngineVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING THROUGH DOWNTOWN WHEN I NOTICED INCREASES ACCELERATION AND TROUBLE WITH STOPPING. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT WOULD REV UP TO 2500 PM. I WOULD STOMP ON ACCELERATOR AND IT BROUGHT IT DOWN TO NORMAL BELOW 1000 RPM IN PARK. THANKFULLY I AVOIDED HAVING 3 ACCIDENTS. I WAS ABOUT TO CALL FOR A TRUCK BUT DID NOT. I MANA…
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I WAS DRIVING THROUGH DOWNTOWN WHEN I NOTICED INCREASES ACCELERATION AND TROUBLE WITH STOPPING. WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN PARK, IT WOULD REV UP TO 2500 PM. I WOULD STOMP ON ACCELERATOR AND IT BROUGHT IT DOWN TO NORMAL BELOW 1000 RPM IN PARK. THANKFULLY I AVOIDED HAVING 3 ACCIDENTS. I WAS ABOUT TO CALL FOR A TRUCK BUT DID NOT. I MANAGED TO DRIVE MY CAR BACK TO WORK. MY CO-WORKER LOOKED AT IT AND SAW THE THROTTLE WAS STICKING AND CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CAME OFF. HE WAS ABLE TO REATTACH IT AND FIX THE THROTTLE. A WEEK AFTER HE FIXED IT I STARTED TO HAVE SOME ACCELERATION ISSUES BUT MINOR AND TODAY IT FINALLY GOT WORSE. I LOOKED ON HERE TO SEE IF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND YES I DID FIND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SAME ISSUES. I DO AGREE WITH A LOT OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. I CAN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED BY A PROFESSIONAL OR A NEW CAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10615039
NHTSA investigations
1PE12005 · Stuck Throttle
Opened Mar 7, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Vehicle Speed Control
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
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