NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
12 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Sep 11, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System
Intermittent accelerator sticking. After lifting foot from accelerator to prepare for braking/stopping the car continues to accelerate. Safety is at risk in traffic and intersections. There is online documentation related to previous NHTSA investigations. Ford and the local dealership has stated that there is not a defined recal…
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Intermittent accelerator sticking. After lifting foot from accelerator to prepare for braking/stopping the car continues to accelerate. Safety is at risk in traffic and intersections. There is online documentation related to previous NHTSA investigations. Ford and the local dealership has stated that there is not a defined recall. Although there may not be a “recall” this is certainly a safety problem!!
NHTSA ODI #11613965
203,000 miles · Jan 18, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System
THROTTLE STICKS AND VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS PART OF AN INVESTIGATION THAT DATES TO 2012. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS AN ARM THAT CONNECTS TO THE THROTTLE-BODY. THAT ARM POPS OFF FROM TIME-TO-TIME. WHEN IT BECOMES DISCONNECTED, THE ARM WEDGES BETWEEN THE PIVOT POINT AND THE THROTTLE…
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THROTTLE STICKS AND VEHICLE ACCELERATES UNCONTROLLABLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. I BELIEVE THIS IS PART OF AN INVESTIGATION THAT DATES TO 2012. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS AN ARM THAT CONNECTS TO THE THROTTLE-BODY. THAT ARM POPS OFF FROM TIME-TO-TIME. WHEN IT BECOMES DISCONNECTED, THE ARM WEDGES BETWEEN THE PIVOT POINT AND THE THROTTLE BODY, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO STICK OR ACCELERATE.
NHTSA ODI #10820820
140,000 miles · Dec 16, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION WHEN IN MOTION WITH HIGH RPMS WHEN IN PARK ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER 6 MONTHS, IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES W/O RESOLUTION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAR WILL MAINTAIN 80MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, IS DIFFICULT TO STOP, AND WILL ACCELERATE TO GREATER THAN 50 MPH FROM STOP WITHOUT TOUCHING ACCE…
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EXCESSIVE ACCELERATION WHEN IN MOTION WITH HIGH RPMS WHEN IN PARK ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OVER 6 MONTHS, IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES W/O RESOLUTION. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED. THE CAR WILL MAINTAIN 80MPH WITHOUT TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, IS DIFFICULT TO STOP, AND WILL ACCELERATE TO GREATER THAN 50 MPH FROM STOP WITHOUT TOUCHING ACCELERATOR PEDAL. IT'S A DEATH TRAP. I CAN DONATE CAR TO YOU IF YOU WANT IT.
NHTSA ODI #10810820
87,000 miles · Nov 17, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLEX PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLEX PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FLEX PIPE WAS FRACTURED AND REPLACED WITH A MODIFIED STEEL PIPE. THE TECHNICIAN ALSO STATED THAT THE STEEL PIPE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WITH A FLEX PIPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
NHTSA ODI #10794501
80,000 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System
THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. I MUST KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO KEEP IT SLOWED DOWN. IT OFTEN ACCELERATES UP TO 45 MPH WITH NO APPLICATION OF GAS BY ME.
NHTSA ODI #10749773
97,000 miles · Mar 10, 2015
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
AIR BAG LIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT A YEAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY A ASE GARAGE. THEY COULDN'T FIND A FAULT CODE. CARS IS SURGING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS DURING NORMAL OPERATION. I HAVE HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KICK IT DOWN TO NORMAL SPEED THEN BACK IN TO DRIVE MODE WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC.SOME TIMES IT SLAMS …
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AIR BAG LIGHT ON DRIVERS SIDE HAS BEEN ACTIVATED FOR ABOUT A YEAR HAS BEEN CHECKED BY A ASE GARAGE. THEY COULDN'T FIND A FAULT CODE. CARS IS SURGING AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS DURING NORMAL OPERATION. I HAVE HAD TO PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL TO KICK IT DOWN TO NORMAL SPEED THEN BACK IN TO DRIVE MODE WHILE MOVING IN TRAFFIC.SOME TIMES IT SLAMS THE TRANSMISSION. THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS NOT WORKED FOR OVER A YEAR. ASE TECH SAYS THE CONNECTION IS WORN AND FAULTY. ASE TECH SAYS HE COULD NOT GET ANY FAULT CODES FOR THE SURGING IN SPEED AFTER LETTING IT RUN FOR OVER 45 MIN.AND TEST DRIVING THE CAR. ASE TECH BELIEVES THE PROBLEM IS IN THE PCM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10693372
114,500 miles · Feb 10, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
CAR WAS ACCELERATING SPONTANEOUSLY, APPEARS THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING AT THE THROTTLE BODY DUE TO DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT DISLODGED AND GOT STUCK INTO ACCELERATOR MECHANISM. CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND CLIMBING, PULLING ON GAS PEDAL WITH FOOT OF NO BENEFIT. ULTIMATELY HAD TO TURN OFF KEYS AF…
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CAR WAS ACCELERATING SPONTANEOUSLY, APPEARS THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STICKING AT THE THROTTLE BODY DUE TO DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT DISLODGED AND GOT STUCK INTO ACCELERATOR MECHANISM. CAR WAS ACCELERATING ON FREEWAY AT 70 MPH AND CLIMBING, PULLING ON GAS PEDAL WITH FOOT OF NO BENEFIT. ULTIMATELY HAD TO TURN OFF KEYS AFTER HEADING TO OFF RAMP. NICKNAMED CAR "[XXX]" AFTER THIS FRIGHTENING INCIDENT. NOTICED MULTIPLE REPORTS OF SAME PROBLEM ON WEB WITH BRIEF SEARCH. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE WITH THREE REPRESENTATIVES. WONDERING IF THERE IS A RECALL. THEY WERE CLEAR TO INDICATE " NOT OUR PROBLEM" AS CAR IS "OUT OF WARRANTY". INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10682558
58,000 miles · Sep 27, 2014
Fuel/propulsion System
THE THROTTLE OPENED SO THAT THE CAR WOULD PICK UP SPEED WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THEN WHEN I STOPPED THE ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING, SO I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND IT WAS AT ABOUT 4,000 RPM. I TOOK MY CAR TO A GARAGE AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND IT WAS IDLING NORMALLY. SINCE THEN IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN IN…
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THE THROTTLE OPENED SO THAT THE CAR WOULD PICK UP SPEED WITHOUT MY FOOT BEING ON THE ACCELERATOR. THEN WHEN I STOPPED THE ENGINE KEPT ACCELERATING, SO I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL AND IT WAS AT ABOUT 4,000 RPM. I TOOK MY CAR TO A GARAGE AND THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND IT WAS IDLING NORMALLY. SINCE THEN IT HAS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10639512
73,288 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
I WAS DRIVING APPROX 45 MPH AND WENT TO DECELERATE. I NOTICED THE CAR NOT SLOWING DOWN AND THE TAC WAS AT 1800 RPM. I HIT THE BRAKES HARDER AND WAS READY TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BUT DID NOT. I COULD HEAR THE BRAKES WORKING HARDER. THE RPMS STILL AT 1800 AS I TURNED INTO WORK. I HEARD A POP AND THE MOTOR RPMS DROPPED TO JUST UN…
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I WAS DRIVING APPROX 45 MPH AND WENT TO DECELERATE. I NOTICED THE CAR NOT SLOWING DOWN AND THE TAC WAS AT 1800 RPM. I HIT THE BRAKES HARDER AND WAS READY TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL BUT DID NOT. I COULD HEAR THE BRAKES WORKING HARDER. THE RPMS STILL AT 1800 AS I TURNED INTO WORK. I HEARD A POP AND THE MOTOR RPMS DROPPED TO JUST UNDER 1000 RPMS. ON MY WAY BACK HOME THE CRUISE CONTROL SEEMED TO WORK PROPERLY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF NO ACCELERATION OR HOLDING SPEED. THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT ENGAGE. ON 12/16/13, I LOOKED AT THE THROTTLE ASSY AND NOTICED A CABLE HAD COME UNCLIPPED. I REATTACHED THE CABLE AND I TRIED THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT ENGAGED. ANYONE NOT FAMILIAR WITH AN AUTOMOBILE WOULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT WITH INJURY OR WORSE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10556211
92,000 miles · May 28, 2013
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING THE CAR ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY IN TEXAS, LET OFF BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION, CAR SPED UP BUT WE AVOIDED ACCIDENT BY PULLING OFF ROAD. FRIEND CAME AND WE OBSERVED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH NOBODY IN CAR, THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE TO OVER 4,000 RPM, DECLINE TO JUST BELOW 3,000 RPMS, THEN ACCELERAT…
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DRIVING THE CAR ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY IN TEXAS, LET OFF BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN WHILE APPROACHING INTERSECTION, CAR SPED UP BUT WE AVOIDED ACCIDENT BY PULLING OFF ROAD. FRIEND CAME AND WE OBSERVED THAT WHILE IN PARK WITH NOBODY IN CAR, THE CAR'S ENGINE WOULD ACCELERATE TO OVER 4,000 RPM, DECLINE TO JUST BELOW 3,000 RPMS, THEN ACCELERATE AGAIN TO OVER 4,000. TOWED TO DEALER, WAS TOLD IT WAS A DIRTY THROTTLE, WHICH HAD JUST BEEN CLEANED A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10513786
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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