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2006 Ford Taurus

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

272 reports with mileage · 46 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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
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178,000 miles · Apr 30, 2012
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKES BEING ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO FINALLY STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER REPEATED PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE CONTACT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO THE BRAKES BEING ENGAGED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO FINALLY STOP THE VEHICLE AFTER REPEATED PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SHUT OFF. UPON RESTART, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS NORMAL. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 178,000. ... UPDATED 08/15/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AGAIN AFTER THE DEALER MADE REPAIRS. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/16/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10456857

Mileage unknown · Feb 16, 2012
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY 2006 FORD TAURUS HAS STARTED TO ACCELERATE ITSELF. IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN.THIS IS QUITE SCARY. IS THERE A RECALL REGARDING THIS OR WILL THERE BE ONE? AND IF NOT THEN DOES IT HAVE TO COME TO TO WHAT TOYOTA WENT THROUGH FOR FORD TO ISSUE A RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10448172

66,125 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I HAVE A 2006 FORD TAURUS AND WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT WILL DIE WHILE SITTING AT A REDLIGHT. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR AND THAT USUALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. TODAY, HOWEVER, IT STALLED AT A REDLIGHT AND I RESTARTED BUT AS I CONTINUED DRIVIN…

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I HAVE A 2006 FORD TAURUS AND WITHIN THE PAST COUPLE OF MONTHS IT WILL DIE WHILE SITTING AT A REDLIGHT. I HAVE TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE CAR AND THAT USUALLY SOLVES THE PROBLEM. THIS HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS. TODAY, HOWEVER, IT STALLED AT A REDLIGHT AND I RESTARTED BUT AS I CONTINUED DRIVING, THE RPM WOULD DROP RAPIDLY WHEN I HIT THE BREAKS AND IT ACTED LIKE IT WOULD DIE. I CONTINUED DRIVING AND WAS GOING ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN ALL THE ODOMETERS DROPPED TO ZERO AND EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD WENT OUT. I PUSHED THE GAS PEDAL AND THEN EVERYTHING CAME BACK ON. VERY STRANGE AND NOW I'M WORRIED THE CAR MIGHT DIE WHEN I'M ACTUALLY DRIVING AND NOT SITTING AT A REDLIGHT. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416544

106,728 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Power Train

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS AND IT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE NEARBY AND THE OWNER SAID "THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT". WE HAD THE VEHICLE …

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MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS AND IT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE NEARBY AND THE OWNER SAID "THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT". WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN TO PRECISION TRANSMISSION IN WHITEVILLE, NC. THEY NOTIFIED US THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THIS TAURUS IS DEFECTIVE. THE SHOP OWNER ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE 3 OTHER TAURUSES ON THE LOT TO BE REPAIRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE SHOP OWNER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH OUR CAR BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED AT IT BECAUSE SHE SAID THAT THE METAL USED IN THE TORQUE CONVERTERS IN SEVERAL YEARS OF TAURUS MAKING WAS DEFECTIVE. WE OWN 2 FORD TAURUSES, THE OTHER ONE IS A 2007. WE DO NOT WANT OUR OTHER CAR TO JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. THE SHOP OWNER INFORMED ME THAT THE 2007 TAURUSES WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME FATE AS THE 2006. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THIS IS DEADLY. IT COST US $825 FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TOWING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10389811

117,000 miles · Oct 24, 2010
Power Train

I OWN A 2006 FORD TAURUS AND WITHOUT ANY KIND OF WARNING OR SIGNS, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME COMPLETELY DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. AS I TOOK MY FEET OFF THE BRAKES TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A M…

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I OWN A 2006 FORD TAURUS AND WITHOUT ANY KIND OF WARNING OR SIGNS, MY CAR STOPPED ON ME COMPLETELY DURING RUSH HOUR IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DAY. AS I TOOK MY FEET OFF THE BRAKES TO PROCEED THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, MY CAR BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS AS THOUGH IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MORE SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF I WOULD HAVE ROLLED BACK INTO THE CAR BEHIND ME. OR IF THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN EAGER AND HAD ACCELERATED BEHIND ME OR STANDING BEHIND THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10362116

65,690 miles · Jul 3, 2010
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 1-96 IN MICHIGAN. WHILE PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK, WE WERE GOING 70 MPH. THE 2006 FORD TAURUS SE I WAS DRIVING FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I LAID ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT IT ACTED LIKE THE CAR WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE ROARED, AND THE RPM'S SOARED TO OVER 6,000. WE WERE JUST COASTING TO A STOP, AND WERE NE…

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I WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 1-96 IN MICHIGAN. WHILE PASSING A SEMI-TRUCK, WE WERE GOING 70 MPH. THE 2006 FORD TAURUS SE I WAS DRIVING FAILED TO ACCELERATE. I LAID ON THE GAS PEDAL, BUT IT ACTED LIKE THE CAR WAS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE ROARED, AND THE RPM'S SOARED TO OVER 6,000. WE WERE JUST COASTING TO A STOP, AND WERE NEARLY REAR ENDED FROM BEHIND. WE GOT INTO THE RIGHT LANE, NEARLY HITTING THE TRUCK WE WERE TRYING TO GET OVER FOR. IT TOOK EVERYTHING I COULD DO TO GET THE CAR OVER INTO THE RIGHT LANE. THE CAR DIED JUST AS I GOT IT OVER, STILL CLOSE TO BEING HIT BY TRAFFIC WHIZZING BY. I TURNED IT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED. THE ENGINE STARTED, BUT WE COULD NOT GO INTO DRIVE. AAA HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY SHOP IN SOUTH LANSING. THEY TOLD ME THE NEXT DAY THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN "SHOT". THE TRANNY FLUID WAS BURNED BADLY. THEY SAID I NEEDED IT TOTALLY REPLACED AT A COST OF NEARLY $4,000. I HAD NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS WITH THE CAR. AND THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A "SUDDEN FAILURE" OF THE TRANSMISSION. HE SAID HE HAD SEEN OTHER FORD TAURUS'S WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. WE DID THAT AND WERE GIVEN THE SAME RESULT. I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO ISSUE A RECALL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF STORIES LIKE THIS ONLINE REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION IN THE 05, 06 TAURUS. WILL IT TAKE SOMEONE GETTING HURT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? I FEEL I AM VERY LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A FORD ANYMORE. A RECALL SHOULD BE MADE SO PEOPLE ARE AWARE THIS COULD HAPPEN. I NEVER EVEN KNEW THERE WERE ISSUES WITH THESE TRANSMISSION/TORQUE CONVERTERS UNTIL I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE. YOUR ORGANIZATION NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE THIS BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURED (PERHAPS THIS IS ALREADY THE CASE). I WILL NOT REST UNTIL THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN RESOLVED AND I KNOW THESE BAD TRANSMISSIONS ARE OFF THE ROAD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341297

63,000 miles · Jan 26, 2010
Power Train

I JUST PURCHASED (1/23/2010) A USED 2006 FORD TAURUS SE, 3.0L VEHICLE WITH 62,800 MILES. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK (WOULD NOT ENGAGE) AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER (PHILLIPSBURG/STATELINE HYUNDAI) THEY WOULD HAVE ME RETURN TO REPAIR IT AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARRIVED. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM ON 1/2…

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I JUST PURCHASED (1/23/2010) A USED 2006 FORD TAURUS SE, 3.0L VEHICLE WITH 62,800 MILES. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT WORK (WOULD NOT ENGAGE) AND I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER (PHILLIPSBURG/STATELINE HYUNDAI) THEY WOULD HAVE ME RETURN TO REPAIR IT AS SOON AS THE PARTS ARRIVED. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 PM ON 1/26/2010), I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH ON AIRPORT ROAD/SOUTH WHEN I NOTICED THE LIGHT AHEAD TURNED YELLOW. I RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO MAINTAIN SPEED. (I HAD NOT TURNED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS IT WAS ON). I THEN STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND TO MY AMAZEMENT THE CAR ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. I DEPRESSED THE BRAKES FURTHER, BUT THE ENGINE REVVED HIGHER TO MAINTAIN SPEED AND I WENT THRU THE RED LIGHT! ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR, AS ANOTHER TRAFFIC LIGHT WITH STOPPED CARS WAS IMMEDIATELY AHEAD, I HAD TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT TURN LANE AND WENT THRU ANOTHER RED LIGHT BARELY AVOIDING CROSSING TRAFFIC. NOT THINKING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION, I DEPRESSED THE PARKING BRAKE, CONTINUED TO HIT THE MAIN BRAKES AND THE CAR BEGAN TO SLOW (SPEED) ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY. I FINALLY PULLED TO THE SIDE AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR AND DURING 4 SUCCESSIVE TRIES IT IMMEDIATELY REVVED TO OVER 4,000 RPM. ON THE 5TH TRY THE START WAS NORMAL AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. I AM TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER TOMORROW MORNING TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND CORRECTED IMMEDIATELY! THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER FOR BOTH MYSELF, MY CAR AND THOSE INNOCENT PEDESTRIANS/FELLOW DRIVERS ON THE ROAD AT THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10302448

68,892 miles · Feb 6, 2009
Power Train

IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH, AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY RPMS SHOOT UP TO OVER 4000 AND MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. THEN, WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING IN IDLE, THE RPMS ARE OVER 5000 AND IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMEONE HAS THE ACCELERATION PUSHED TO…

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IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH, AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY RPMS SHOOT UP TO OVER 4000 AND MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. THEN, WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING IN IDLE, THE RPMS ARE OVER 5000 AND IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMEONE HAS THE ACCELERATION PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING, INCREASING MY SPEED GRADUALLY, AND MY RPMS WILL BE STUCK AT 2000 AND MY CAR WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 30-40 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND I THINK IT IS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE, FORD HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10257661

86,000 miles · Jun 2, 2008
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING TO FAA CLASS IN THE MORNING ABOUT 7:30. MY CAR(2006 YEARS FORD TAURUS, 86,000MILES) STOPPED ON THE ROAD(104TH WESTBOUD 100YARDS FROM S.PENN AVENUE). AND POLICEMAN PUSHED MY CAR WITH HIS CAR OFF THE ROAD . I CALLED GEICO WHO THEN TOWED IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THE COST …

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WHILE DRIVING TO FAA CLASS IN THE MORNING ABOUT 7:30. MY CAR(2006 YEARS FORD TAURUS, 86,000MILES) STOPPED ON THE ROAD(104TH WESTBOUD 100YARDS FROM S.PENN AVENUE). AND POLICEMAN PUSHED MY CAR WITH HIS CAR OFF THE ROAD . I CALLED GEICO WHO THEN TOWED IT TO THE SERVICE CENTER. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND THE COST WAS $3,400 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. BUT I HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT SHOP. THEY ARE FIXING MY CAR AND REQUESTED 1800$(1YEAR WARRANTY) AND THEY SAID THIS A VERY STRANGE CASE. I'M SPENDING MONEY FOR 6MONTH FAA TRAINING FEE/HOUSING/DAUGHTERS SCHOOL AND CAMP FEE/FAMILY'S FOOD/ETC ABOUT MORE THAN 35,000$. THIS COUNTRY IS TAKING ALL OF MY MONEY. I REALLY WANT TO SOLVE THIS TO MY SATISFACTION. IF YOU CAN PLEASE CONTACT FORD ON MY BEHALF TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM . I NEED YOUR HELP. *TR THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10229644

14,323 miles · Oct 8, 2006
Power TrainSteeringSuspensionCrash

AFTER COMPLAINT TO DEALER PRIOR TO THEIR INSPECTION, AND AFTER, TIE ROD BOLT AND ROD BROKE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. NO FORMAL DATE OF SERVICE WAS MADE EXCEPT INSPECTION THE DAY OF PURCHASE. THREE TIMES DRIVEN AND THIS THEN HAPPENED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10170219

Official recalls

2

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

1

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

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