Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine complaints

24 reports

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130,000 miles · Jul 20, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

ABOUT A YEAR AGO OUR TAURUS STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATIONS. IT WOULD GO FROM 40 TO 70 WITH YOUR FOOT OFF THE GAS. HAD TO PULL OVER, PUT IN NEUTRAL, AND STOMP ON GAS PEDDLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WITH THE LAST OCCURRENCE JULY 15, 2014. MECHANICS CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. CAR IS TOO DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. THI…

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NHTSA ODI #10614803

69,874 miles · Jun 12, 2014

EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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THE CAR SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AND WAS DIFFICULT TO STOP. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AFTER I GOT TO A PLACE WHERE I COULD PARK. THE ENGINE ACCELERATED TO 3000 RPM AND I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. I ATTEMPTED TO START THE CAR AGAIN AND ENGINE AGAIN ROSE TO 3000 RPM. I CHECKED TO SEE THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS NOT STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD. THEN STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN. AGAIN IT REVVED TO OVER 3000 RPM SO I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN THE IDLE RETURNED TO NORMAL. ONCE I GOT ON THE FREEWAY TO RETURN HOME THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY RECALLS ON 2006 FORD TAURUS FOR ACCELERATION PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10597985

122,500 miles · Apr 21, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING OUT OF CONTROL. SHE WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN BY BRAKING FIRMLY AND EVENTUALLY THE CAR STOPPED DOING IT. WE DID NOT DRIVE IT THE NEXT DAY. TWO DAYS LATER, I WAS DRIVING AND BRAKING FOR A RED LIGHT WHEN THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED AGAIN. ONLY BY SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES DID I AVOID HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED IT OFF AND ON AGAIN, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL RACING OUT OF CONTROL. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR QUICKLY UP AND DOWN AND THIS STOPPED THE ENGINE FROM RACING. SINCE THAT TIME, THE CAR HAS ACCELERATED MORE GENTLY (WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL) TWICE, BOTH AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. BOTH TIMES, MASHING THE ACCELERATOR SEEMED TO TEMPORARILY RELIEVE THE SYMPTOMS. I AM GOING TO CALL FORD, ALTHOUGH I DOUBT THEY WILL DO ANYTHING FOR ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584031

101,000 miles · Apr 11, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

INTERMITTENTLY THROTTLE WILL KEEP RISING AND THE CAR WILL NOT STOP UNLESS SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND ACCELERATION PEDAL PUSHED TO DISLODGE STUCK THROTTLE. BRAKES WILL NOT STOP THROTTLE FROM RISING UNLESS STEPS ABOVE FOLLOWED. FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, I HAD TO FIGHT THE ACCELERATION WITH THE BRAKES CAUSING MY ENGINE TO SMELL LIKE BU…

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NHTSA ODI #10579282

31,500 miles · Mar 13, 2014

EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

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VEHICLE HAS FAILING CAMSHAFT SYNCHRONIZER CHIRPING FROM ENGINE FAILURE BEGAN AT 30,000-32,000 MILES FORD REFUSES TO HONOR EMISSIONS/EXTENDED DEFECT WARRANTY ON PART IF PART FAILS, IT DRIVES THE OIL PUMP, WHICH WILL RESULT IN A SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER, AND WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT. VEHICLE HAS LOWER END OF MILEAGE FOR ITS AGE, LONG AND THOROUGH MAINTENANCE HISTORY CONTACTED FORD, THEY HAD NO INTEREST IN PROVIDING ASSISTANCE TOTAL VEHICLE MILEAGE AS OF 3/13/2014 IS ~49,000 MILES WILL BE TAKING LEGAL ACTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10569200

135,000 miles · Feb 27, 2014

EngineVehicle Speed Control

THE GAS PEDAL PERIODICALLY STICKS BETWEEN 35-40 MPH IN MY 2006 FORD TAURUS. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE RPM'S TO INCREASE. I AM ABLE TO SLOW THE CAR BY PRESSING THE BRAKES. I CAN ALSO STOP THE ENGINES RACING BY TAPPING THE PEDAL AGAIN ABRUPTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10566320

79,800 miles · Jan 10, 2014

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR AUTO ACCELERATING WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT GAS PEDAL PRESS. HAD TO BRAKE VERY HARD TO STOP THE CAR. IN PARK POSITION, ENGINE DIRECTLY RAN TO 3000RPM. IN DRIVE POSITION, THE ENGINE SPEED 400RPM HIGHER THAN USUAL. SENT MY CAR TO 2 DIFF WORKSHOPS. NO VACUUM LEAK, NO DTC. CHANGED IAC VALVE. YET STILL NOT FIX THE ISSUE. PROBLE…

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NHTSA ODI #10559425

122,027 miles · Aug 2, 2013

EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

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I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. I TRIED STOPPING THE CAR, I PUT IT INTO PARK, AND EVEN WHILE IN PARK IT WAS STILL REVVING UP TO 4 OR 5 THOUSAND RPMS. I RE-STARTED THE CAR HOPING THIS WOULD "RE-SET" THE VEHICLE. NO SUCH LUCK. AS FOR NOW, THE VEHICLE'S GAS PEDAL IS EITHER STUCK, OR SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. EITHER WAY, THE SITUATION, IN MY OPINION, IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY BRAKES BEGAN TO SMOKE BEFORE I COULD GET THE VEHICLE HOME AND WAIT FOR MY HUSBAND TO HELP ME FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10533169

113,000 miles · Apr 24, 2013

EngineVehicle Speed Control

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PURCHASED THE CAR IN LATE AUGUST 2012. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASE CAR WOULD REV HIGH ON COLD STARTS, WHEN PLACED INTO GEAR CAR SOMETIMES WOULD DIE. THIS WAS NOT A CONSISTENT PROBLEM AND DIFFICULT TO DESCRIBE AND IDENTIFY THE ISSUE. BY THE END OF DECEMBER 2012 THE PROBLEM BECAME CONSISTENT ON EACH COLD START. TOOK CAR INTO FIRESTONE. FIRESTONE REPLACED IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE AND CLEANED FUEL SYSTEM. FIRST ATTEMPT TO REPLACE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILED WHEN THEY BELIEVED THE NEW PART WAS DEFECTIVE. REPLACED NEW ONE WITH ANOTHER NEW ONE AND THE CAR STARTED FINE FOR ABOUT A MONTH AND WENT BACK TO INCONSISTENT START UPS. TOOK CAR BACK TO FIRESTONE. THEY AGAIN REPLACED AIR CONTROL VALVE AND THE PROBLEM STILL WAS PRESENT AND I WAS TOLD TO TAKE TO THE DEALERSHIP. TOOK TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY STATED THE MOST RECENT AIR CONTROL VALVE PLACED BY FIRESTONE WAS DEFECTIVE AND THEY REPLACED AIR CONTROL VALVE WITH FORD EXCLUSIVE PART. PICKED CAR UP AND UPON LEAVING THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. I TURNED THE CAR AROUND AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT AGAIN. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM OR DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TWO WEEKS LATER THE PROBLEM APPEARED AGAIN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WOULD LIFT MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND THE CAR WOULD ACCELERATE TO 60MPH BEFORE I APPLIED THE BRAKE TO SLOW IT DOWN. TO KEEP A CONSISTENT SPEED I WOULD HAVE TO "RIDE THE BRAKE". I INTERNET SEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND CAME ACROSS AN ARTICLE DESCRIBING THE EXACT PROBLEM I WAS HAVING AND THAT IT WAS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR 2005-06 FORD TAURUS FOR SUDDEN ACCELERATION MOST LIKELY DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL CABLE CATCHING ON THE THROTTLE. TOLD FORD DEALERSHIP WHAT I DISCOVERED, TOOK THE CAR IN AND THEY IDENTIFIED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS IN FACT CATCHING ON THE THROTTLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509384

130,000 miles · Mar 22, 2013

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

WHEN DRIVING THE CAR EVEN AT SPEEDS OF 45 MILES PER HOUR IT DIES. NO LIGHTS FOR FLASHERS NO POWER STEERING NO POWER BRAKES. IT DOES START BACK UP BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I AM IN MOVING TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP ALL WEEK THEY HAVE EXECUTED MANY TESTS AND CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I HAD MY 3 YR …

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NHTSA ODI #10504101

Official recalls

06V119000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Apr 10, 2006

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.

Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.

05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor

Nov 9, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

PE12005 · 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

Vehicle Speed Control