IllustrationVEHICLE ACCELERATES BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AND HARD TO BRAKE, NEED TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL, NEUTRAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE.. ALSO VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF WHILE DRIVING AROUND 40 MPH HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE... SCARE TO DRIVE VEHICLE SPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS.... *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2225–50K
6650–75K
7075–100K
86100–150K
20150K+
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
176 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION UP TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN LEGS, TH…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY INCREASED ACCELERATION UP TO 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE THEN CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED TWO BROKEN LEGS, THIRTEEN BROKEN RIBS AND ALSO SUFFERED FROM OTHER INTERNAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO A STORAGE FACILITY. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12005 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 07/05/12*LJ UPDATED 07/10/12
INTERMITTENT THROTTLE PROBLEMS. ON THE FREEWAY, HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND IT DOESN'T WORK, OFF AND IT CONTINUES TO HOLD IT'S CURRENT SPEED. ON CITY STREETS, IDLES AT HIGH RATE, AND WHEN BREAK RELEASED THE CAR INCREASES SPEED (I.E. WENT FROM 0 TO 45MPH WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PEDDLE). I HAVE TO PRESS BREAK OFTEN TO REMAI…
Read full complaint
INTERMITTENT THROTTLE PROBLEMS. ON THE FREEWAY, HAVE HAD THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND IT DOESN'T WORK, OFF AND IT CONTINUES TO HOLD IT'S CURRENT SPEED. ON CITY STREETS, IDLES AT HIGH RATE, AND WHEN BREAK RELEASED THE CAR INCREASES SPEED (I.E. WENT FROM 0 TO 45MPH WITHOUT PRESSING GAS PEDDLE). I HAVE TO PRESS BREAK OFTEN TO REMAIN IN SPEED LIMIT. I AM AFRAID THE BREAKS WILL WEAR OUT TOO QUICKLY WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPAIR THE CAR WITHOUT CHARGING FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEN PARTS AND LABOR. THIS IS A DEFECT THAT IS APPARENTLY HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER VEHICLES AND SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY TREATED AS A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT!
ON OR ABOUT 04/17/2012 AND ON 05/14/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 FORD TAURUS AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATION SEEMED TO HAVE STUCK IN ACCELERATED STATE CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY GO FASTER THAT THE APPROX 30 MPH THAT I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR'S ENGINE SEEMED TO BE REVVING AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BR…
Read full complaint
ON OR ABOUT 04/17/2012 AND ON 05/14/2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2006 FORD TAURUS AND SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE ACCELERATION SEEMED TO HAVE STUCK IN ACCELERATED STATE CAUSING THE CAR TO SUDDENLY GO FASTER THAT THE APPROX 30 MPH THAT I WAS DRIVING. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CAR'S ENGINE SEEMED TO BE REVVING AND I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES WITH SOME FORCE TO STOP THE CAR. THE FIRST TIME I WAS ABLE TO STOP AT THE RED LIGHT WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED HARD, EVEN AFTER COMING TO A STOP AS THE CAR STILL WANTED TO GO. ONCE THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN I DROVE FORWARD AND BEGAN TAPPING THE GAS/BRAKE MULTIPLE TIMES IN SOME HOPE TO STOP THE UNWANTED ACCELERATION. FINALLY THE CAR RETURNED BACK TO NORMAL. YESTERDAY THE EXACT THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 30 MPH ON A TOWN STREET WHEN FOR NO KNOWN REASON TO ME THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE ACCELERATION CAUSED THE TAURUS TO WANT TO SPEED FURTHER. I TURNED OFF A NEARBY SIDE STREET, DEPRESSING THE BRAKES HARD TO STOP. I SHUT OFF THE CAR AFTER I PULLED OVER. SHORTLY THEREAFTER I STARTED THE TAURUS AGAIN BUT THE ACCELERATION WAS STILL GOING. I BEGAN TAPPING THE GAS/BRAKES AND THEN THE CAR WENT BACK TO NORMAL. I AM WORRIED AS THIS APPEARS TO BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS SUDDEN AND UNWANTED RANDOM ACCELERATION OF MY 2006 FORD TAURUS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, INJURIES OR DEATH. PLEASE HELP! *TR *JS
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND IMMEDIATELY HAD EPISODES OF THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. HAPPENS ON NEARLY EVERY TRIP WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAPPENS 4-5 TIME ON A 20 MILE TRIP. WORSE EPISODES OF STUCK ACCELERATOR WITH RAPID ACCELERATION AS IN FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS. THE BRAKES CAN OVERRIDE THE STUCK ACCELERATOR, BUT IT IS FRIGHT…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND IMMEDIATELY HAD EPISODES OF THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. HAPPENS ON NEARLY EVERY TRIP WITH THIS VEHICLE AND HAPPENS 4-5 TIME ON A 20 MILE TRIP. WORSE EPISODES OF STUCK ACCELERATOR WITH RAPID ACCELERATION AS IN FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMPS. THE BRAKES CAN OVERRIDE THE STUCK ACCELERATOR, BUT IT IS FRIGHTENING WHEN IT HAPPENS IN TOWN. AFTER SEVERAL MONTHS OF DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE AND NOT FINDING A CAUSE, WE HAVE LEARNED TO STOP THE STICKING BY PUNCHING THE ACCELERATOR HARD ONCE OR TWICE AT A POINT IN THE ROAD WHERE MORE FORWARD ACCELERATION WILL NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE SO MUCH AND ARE SO FAMILIAR WITH IT, I SOMETIMES USE IT AS A CRUISE CONTROL FEATURE WHILE ON THE FREEWAY, BUT IT IS NOT AS RELIABLE AND IS NOT AS STEADY AS THE TRUE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE. THIS ISSUE IS DANGEROUS FOR THE INEXPERIENCE DRIVER AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED QUICKLY. I AM AWARE OF A NATIONAL STUDY OF THIS VERY PROBLEM. PLEASE LET US KNOW THE OUTCOME. *TR
THIS VEHICLE HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. IT ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RPM AND WILL NOT STOP. WE HAVE HAD MANY "NEAR MISSES" RUNNING RED LIGHTS AND FAILING TO STOP WHEN NECESSARY. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND TOLD US THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THE 2006 MODEL TAURUS. AFTER SEVERAL INCIDENTS, THE DEALE…
Read full complaint
THIS VEHICLE HAS A MIND OF IT'S OWN. IT ACCELERATES AT A HIGH RPM AND WILL NOT STOP. WE HAVE HAD MANY "NEAR MISSES" RUNNING RED LIGHTS AND FAILING TO STOP WHEN NECESSARY. THE DEALER HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX IT A COUPLE OF TIMES AND TOLD US THAT THE PROBLEM IS COMMON WITH THE 2006 MODEL TAURUS. AFTER SEVERAL INCIDENTS, THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIR AS THERE ARE NO RECALLS FOR THIS MODEL TO DATE. I AM NOT SURE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE OR IF THERE IS A WAY TO DISABLE THE CRUISE CONTROL ALTOGETHER. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS TO APPLY HEAVY BRAKE PRESSURE, SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE. SOMETIMES THIS WILL CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND OTHER TIMES IT WILL NOT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING THESE VEHICLES FOR THIS PROBLEM. I DO HOPE THEY MOVE QUICKLY ON THIS BEFORE ANYTHING SERIOUS HAPPENS IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY. *TR
LAST SUMMER, MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS. I WOULD BE BRAKING AT A LIGHT AND THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY START SURGING AND I WOULD HAVE TO HEAVILY HOLD MY BRAKES TO KEEP FROM ACCELERATING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME OR PEOPLE WALKING ACROSS THE STREET. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, MY SPEED WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE AND…
Read full complaint
LAST SUMMER, MY CAR STARTED TO ACCELERATE AT STOP SIGNS/LIGHTS. I WOULD BE BRAKING AT A LIGHT AND THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY START SURGING AND I WOULD HAVE TO HEAVILY HOLD MY BRAKES TO KEEP FROM ACCELERATING INTO THE CAR AHEAD OF ME OR PEOPLE WALKING ACROSS THE STREET. WHEN I WAS DRIVING, MY SPEED WOULD SOMETIMES ACCELERATE AND I WOULD NOT BE PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL. THESE PROBLEMS WOULD ONLY HAPPEN EVERY ONCE AND AWHILE SO I DID NOT TAKE MY CAR IN FOR TWO MONTHS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT MY CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK. THE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHEN I TURNED IT ON, BUT MY CAR WOULD NOT STAY AT THE SPEED I SELECTED. IT WOULD JUST DECELERATE IN CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT, THEY INFORMED ME THAT I HAD A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL CABLE THAT WAS NOT FITTING PROPERLY ON MY CAR. IT WOULD CATCH ON THE THROTTLE LEVER CAUSING MY CAR TO SURGE. I HAD TO PAY $293.92 TO HAVE THIS FIXED, WHEN IT SEEMED LIKE A FAULTY SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE COMPANY SHOULD HAVE RECALLED/PAID FOR! MY FRIEND RECENTLY SENT ME THIS ARTICLE: HTTP://BOTTOMLINE.MSNBC.MSN.COM/_NEWS/2012/03/12/10657814-FORD-PROBE-WIDENS-COULD-COVER-19-MILLION-CARS IT SEEMS OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE FIXED/RECALLED. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY NEARLY $300 FOR A FAULTY PART! *TR
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…
Read full complaint
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
THE ACCELERATOR STICKS. SOME TIMES ACTUALLY ACCELERATES. VERY HARD TO STOP WITH BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I COULD USUALLY UNSTICK THE ACCELERATOR BY PRESSING DOWN MORE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND LETTING UP. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASED. THIS BECAME A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. …
Read full complaint
THE ACCELERATOR STICKS. SOME TIMES ACTUALLY ACCELERATES. VERY HARD TO STOP WITH BRAKES. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. I COULD USUALLY UNSTICK THE ACCELERATOR BY PRESSING DOWN MORE ON THE ACCELERATOR AND LETTING UP. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND THE FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE INCREASED. THIS BECAME A VERY FRIGHTENING SITUATION. THEREFORE, I HAVE HAD WORK DONE AT DOWNTOWN FORD IN LOUISVILLE. THEY REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS WORK WAS DONE THIS PAST WEEK AND SO FAR I HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FURTHER TROUBLE. *TR
WHEN THE CAR ISN'T BEING DRIVEN BUT IS ON SOMETIMES THE GAS REVS UP BY ITSELF AND ENGINE JUST KEEPS RUNNING AND THE RPM RUNS UP, THE GAS ALSO ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AND THE PEDAL STICKS. *TR
Official recalls
206V119000 · 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
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