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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

What owners actually said

318 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 13, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASE THIS CAR ON 11/2013; I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS. SINCE THEN, ON 2/7/14; AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY CAR ENGINE WAS RACING A LITTLE HIGHER THAN NORMAL. I THOUGHT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING BECAUSE TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS I FELT THE GAS PEDAL KICKED BACK SEVERAL TIMES. I REMOVED MY F…

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I PURCHASE THIS CAR ON 11/2013; I HAVE ONLY DRIVEN THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS. SINCE THEN, ON 2/7/14; AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG A MAJOR HIGHWAY I NOTICED MY CAR ENGINE WAS RACING A LITTLE HIGHER THAN NORMAL. I THOUGHT THE GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING BECAUSE TWO DAYS PRIOR TO THIS I FELT THE GAS PEDAL KICKED BACK SEVERAL TIMES. I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL AND NOTICE THE CAR WAS DRIVING AND THE RPM WAS GOING HIGHER. I PRESS THE BRAKES TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN AND GET INTO MY RIGHT LANE, WHERE I PARKED THE CAR ON AN AUTOZONE LOT. I CALLED TRIPLE AAA FOR A TOW AND WHEN THEY ARRIVED I WAS INFORMED TO ACCELERATE THE GAS WHICH MADE THE CAR ENGINE SETTLED AT A NORMAL RPM; THEREFORE, I WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE ON MY JOURNEY. ON MY WAY BACK HOME, I TOOK THE PARKWAY AND THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AGAIN. THIS TIME, I COARSE THE CAR TO AN ACCELERATING LANE, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE; TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON AND HIT THE GAS TILL THE ENGINE SETTLED. SINCE THEN I AM AFRAID TO TAKE ANY HIGHWAYS; I ONLY DRIVE LOCAL. SHOULD I TAKE THE CAR IN FOR A RE-CALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10564246

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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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. PROBLEM HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES RECENTLY. FAULT CAN BE RECOVERED IF DRIVE LONG TIME IN LOW DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10559425

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

90,882 miles · Nov 23, 2013
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control

ON NOVEMBER 18, 2013, MY NIECE WAS DRIVING MY 2006 FORD TAURUS SEL THAT WAS JUST PURCHASED ON JUNE 25, 2013 AND EXPERIENCED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER DRIVING ON I-64, SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF THE EXIT, BUT THE CAR WAS SPEEDING BACK UP REACHING ALMOST 80MPH. THE B…

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ON NOVEMBER 18, 2013, MY NIECE WAS DRIVING MY 2006 FORD TAURUS SEL THAT WAS JUST PURCHASED ON JUNE 25, 2013 AND EXPERIENCED WHAT APPEARED TO BE SOME SORT OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER DRIVING ON I-64, SHE WAS SLOWING DOWN TO GET OFF THE EXIT, BUT THE CAR WAS SPEEDING BACK UP REACHING ALMOST 80MPH. THE BRAKES HELPED TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, BUT NOT COMPLETELY STOPPING. ONCE IT DID COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT THE RED LIGHT, SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND IT CAUSED THE CAR REV UP EVEN MORE, LIKE SHE WAS PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL AND BRAKES AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SIT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR, SHE TRIED DRIVING AGAIN, AND IT REPEATED THE SAME PROCESS. THE DEALERSHIP (CROSSROADS FORD IN PRINCE GEORGE, VA) WAS CALLED THAT I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM AND MY NIECE SPOKE WITH A SERVICE ADVISOR. THE ADVISOR INFORMED MY NIECE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY A MINIMUM OF $107 JUST FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT SEE WHAT WAS WRONG AS THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY COVERAGE I PURCHASED DOES NOT COVER THIS ISSUE. MY NIECE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT NO ONE SHE SPOKE WITH WAS SYMPATHETIC OR EMPATHETICALLY TO HER WELL-BEING, NEVER ASKED IF SHE WAS OKAY AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS OR EVEN A COURTESY REVIEW SINCE I'VE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ROUGHLY 6 MONTHS. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT IS SURE TO CAUSE INJURY OR DEATH IF NOT ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD CORPORATION AS WELL AS REPORTED THIS DATABASE FINDING TO CROSSROADS FORD TO ADDRESS THIS GROWING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553513

76,099 miles · Nov 1, 2013
Vehicle Speed Control

IN A 70MPH ZONE I NUDGED THE GAS PEDAL TO SPEED-UP SLIGHTLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP SPEEDING-UP REACHING A SPEED 85MPH WHILE I AM FRANTICALLY WORKING THE BRAKE IN AN EFFORT TO SLOW IT DOWN. AT THAT POINT I WAS TERRIFIED AS I WAS APPROACHING A CAR SOME-WAYS AHEAD OF ME, THEN I JUST SAT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS READY TO SLAM IT …

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IN A 70MPH ZONE I NUDGED THE GAS PEDAL TO SPEED-UP SLIGHTLY AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT STOP SPEEDING-UP REACHING A SPEED 85MPH WHILE I AM FRANTICALLY WORKING THE BRAKE IN AN EFFORT TO SLOW IT DOWN. AT THAT POINT I WAS TERRIFIED AS I WAS APPROACHING A CAR SOME-WAYS AHEAD OF ME, THEN I JUST SAT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS READY TO SLAM IT INTO NEUTRAL WHEN THE BRAKE STARTED RESPONDING AND I HAD TO RIDE THE BRAKE INTO THE NEAREST GAS STATION. BEING A SUNDAY I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET MY CAR HOME UNTIL THE NEXT DAY FOR THE TOW TO GET US TO THE FORD DEALER. NOW ON SEPT 21, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, IN TOWN, LUCKILY NEAR A GARAGE. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE INJURY OR DEATHS OCCUR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10550559

66,000 miles · Sep 5, 2013
Air Bags

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE FRONT BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS FRONT BUMPER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND CRASH INTO A ROCK STRUCTURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT W…

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TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY WHEN THE FRONT BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACTS FRONT BUMPER CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SPIN AND CRASH INTO A ROCK STRUCTURE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED EYE INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000. ST

NHTSA ODI #10542066

131,000 miles · Sep 3, 2013
Seat Belts

STOP TO GET GAS AT A GAS STATION NEAR MY WORK AND MY SEAT BELT WOULDN'T RELEASE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. PANICKED, FELT TRAPPED AFTER MANY ATTEMPTS. CUT MY WAY OUT WITH SCISSORS FROM GLOVE BOX.

NHTSA ODI #10541725

54,021 miles · Sep 3, 2013
Service BrakesService Brakes, Hydraulic

WITHOUT WARNING, THERE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP HOME WHERE, SUSPECTING A CALIPER OR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAK, NONE WAS FOUND. ON CLOSER INSPECTION, AN EXTREME LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE REAR BRAKES. THESE LINES WERE FOU…

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WITHOUT WARNING, THERE WAS EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY IN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE ABLE TO LIMP HOME WHERE, SUSPECTING A CALIPER OR WHEEL CYLINDER LEAK, NONE WAS FOUND. ON CLOSER INSPECTION, AN EXTREME LEAK OF BRAKE FLUID WAS OBSERVED COMING FROM THE METAL BRAKE LINES LEADING TO THE REAR BRAKES. THESE LINES WERE FOUND TO BE EXTREMELY CORRODED. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT IN MY 50 PLUS YEARS OF WORKING ON CARS I HAVE NEVER, EVER SEEN SUCH DAMAGE TO SUCH A KEY COMPONENT FOR A VEHICLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10538452

122,027 miles · Aug 2, 2013
EngineFuel System, GasolineVehicle Speed Control

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 WR…

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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

80,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD TAURUS ON JUNE 24TH, 2012. THE TAURUS WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND IT RAN WONDERFULLY, FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. HOWEVER, IN NOVEMBER OF 2012, THE CAR BEGAN RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, SOMETIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT COULD BE FIX…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 FORD TAURUS ON JUNE 24TH, 2012. THE TAURUS WAS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND IT RAN WONDERFULLY, FOR THE FIRST SEVEN MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. HOWEVER, IN NOVEMBER OF 2012, THE CAR BEGAN RANDOMLY SHUTTING OFF, SOMETIMES WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD HAPPEN SPORADICALLY AND I THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM THAT COULD BE FIXED. HOWEVER, AFTER TAKING IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, NO MECHANIC IS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THE REASON BEING THAT SINCE IT HAPPENS SPORADICALLY, NO ONE CAN DUPLICATE IT NOR IS THERE ANY SAVED CENSOR ABNORMALITIES. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, HOPING THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT HAS NOT. SOMETIMES IT WILL HAPPEN UP TO SIX TIMES IN ONE DAY WHILE I'M GOING AS FAST AS 50 M.P.H. I REFUSE TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I FEAR FOR MY LIFE SINCE THE CAR SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL TURN BACK ON AND OTHER TIMES, I WILL HAVE TO TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND RE-TURN ON THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY AND IS A DANGER TO MY WELL-BEING EACH TIME I GET BEHIND THE WHEEL. I DO NOT BLAME THE DEALERSHIP FOR SELLING ME THE CAR; HOWEVER, I DO BLAME THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY SERIOUS AND VERY FAULTY PROBLEM. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS AS A FORMAL COMPLAINT AGAINST THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND I URGE YOU TO TAKE THIS ISSUE SERIOUSLY, FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS OTHER FORD TAURUS OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531653

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