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

Power Train complaints

32 reports

Clear category filter

165,000 miles · Jun 14, 2023

Power TrainService Brakes

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Taurus. The contact stated that while his daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed and attempting to make a left turn, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power before stalling. The vehicle continued to roll forward before the driver was able to bring the vehicle to a complete stop. Upon restarting the vehicle, the vehicle returned to normal functionality; however, the contact stated that failure reoccurred three additional times. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the braking system. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V413000 (Power Train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #11527038

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2023

Electrical SystemPower Train

Read full complaint

Vehicle is now on 2nd transmission the original transmission failed around 60000 miles Ford originally put a brand new transmission in it for previous owner documentation was provided when we purchased the vehicle since move unknown where it's at now but this transmission has only 67000 miles on it experiencing same problems sometimes it will slip between 2nd and 3rd year other times it will slip between 1st and 2nd year sometimes they won't let it go over drive other times he gets stuck In overdrive no rhyme no reason for why it does what it does it just seems to do what it wants when it was but it really sucks when you're on the highway driving 75 mile an hour and decided to come out of overdrive and get stuck in 2nd gear so you have to slow down in front of everybody and it kind of forces you to do so that could easily get someone killed Going from 75 mile an hour to stuck in 2nd year limited speed very quickly with no brake lights Original transmission apparently has something to do with the torque converter or non hearted metals I'm not exactly sure because we were not in possession of owning the vehicle when it was replaced

NHTSA ODI #11501186

Mileage unknown · Jul 1, 2022

Power Train

Read full complaint

Splines on Torque converter stripped out causing vehicle to just rev up and slow down to a stop. Car never moved again, had I been going up a large hill or something this could have been VERY VERY bad, because it wasn't until I was stopped that I realized it was the transmission having problems. After a bit of research and $500 in parts. I did the work myself. I find that the material inside of the torque converter is way softer than that on the input shaft causing the torque converter to strip out? How do they not have to fix that? This has been going on for over a decade! Why does someone have to die before they are responsible for something they know has a problem!

NHTSA ODI #11471939

166,708 miles · Aug 22, 2017

EnginePower Train

Read full complaint

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

86,000 miles · Apr 13, 2017

Power Train

VEHICLE WAS DRIVING NORMALLY WITHOUT ANY INDICATION OF AN ISSUE PRIOR. AFTER A STOP AT A LIGHT, CAR PROCEEDED TO DISENGAGE TRANSMISSION AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. ENGINE REVS BUT ZERO MOVEMENT. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #10972351

118,320 miles · Aug 12, 2016

EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

Read full complaint

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

99,000 miles · Oct 26, 2014

Power Train

Read full complaint

FOR THE PAST YEAR OUR CAR HAS HAD MOMENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITHOUT EXPLANATION. INITIALLY, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND THEN RESTARTING IT WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM. AS OF JUNE OF THIS YEAR, SUCH WAS NOT THE CASE. WE STOPPED AND TURNED THE CAR OFF, BUT WHEN RESTARTED IT IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AGAIN (WITHOUT ANY PRESSURE TO THE GAS PEDAL). OUR MECHANIC HAS LOOKED AT THE CAR TWICE AND HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANYTHING SPECIFIC. HE HAS MADE SEPARATE REPAIRS HOPING THIS WOULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT AS OF TODAY, OCTOBER 26, 2014, IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. LIKE IN JUNE, TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING IT HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND WE ARE QUITE CONCERNED, HOPING FOR SUGGESTIONS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10650063

135,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR, STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN THEN WHEN HE PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL TO GO ON THE CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. IT SEEMED THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL BUT IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. THE TRANSMISSION SIMPLY FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, NOISE, LEAKS, ANYTHING. HE WAS LEFT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD/TRAFFIC WITH A CAR THAT WOULDN'T M…

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #10605573

112,541 miles · Jun 2, 2014

Power Train

INSTANT ACCELERATION WHILE DRIVING APPROX.; 40 MPH HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AFTER STEPPING ON ACCELERATOR SEVERAL TIMES ENGINE RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10595526

31,500 miles · Mar 13, 2014

EngineFuel System, GasolinePower Train

Read full complaint

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

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