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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
65,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE FIRST DATE PLUS IT HAS OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT, BY PLACING THE AUTO IN NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES WHICH CAUSES THE RPM'S TO DECREASE TO NORMAL. I DON'T…

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WHILE DRIVING, THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK WHICH ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. IT HAS OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE FIRST DATE PLUS IT HAS OCCURRED AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEAL WITH IT, BY PLACING THE AUTO IN NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE GAS PEDAL A FEW TIMES WHICH CAUSES THE RPM'S TO DECREASE TO NORMAL. I DON'T KNOW WHICH AUTO COMPONENT IS CAUSING THIS PROBLEM, BUT I RECENTLY READ IN THE PAPER THAT IT MIGHT BE A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL CABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10453062

Mileage unknown · Mar 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingSeat BeltsVehicle Speed Control

2006 FORD TAURUS. CONSUMER STATES IDLE, ACCELERATION ISSUES AND PROBLEM WITH SEAT BELT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AFTER MANY REPAIRS, THE MECHANICS WERE NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELT TENSIONERS LOCKED UP WHICH MADE THE SEAT BELTS INOPERABLE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10453050

65,000 miles · Mar 19, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION AND PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION HAPHAZARDLY. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY REDUCED SPEED AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL FORCEFULLY NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE INCREASED ACCELERATION AND PROCEEDED THROUGH AN INTERSECTION HAPHAZARDLY. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY REDUCED SPEED AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL FORCEFULLY NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. ALSO, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE CRUISE CONTROL SUDDENLY BECAME INOPERATIVE. AFTER THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION NO LONGER PERSISTED. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE12005 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ UPDATED 04/30/12

NHTSA ODI #10452158

130,953 miles · Mar 18, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ,THE GAS PEDAL STICKS, I TRY TO PUT ON THE BRAKES THE CAR JUST KEEPS GOING UNTIL I PRESS THE BRAKES HARD. I PRESS THE PEDAL REAL SHARP AND IT MAY IDLE DOWN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452095

34,000 miles · Mar 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME STUCK WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH OR HIGHER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF A YEAR AND A HALF. THERE WOULD BE A HIGH RATE OF ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY BECOME STUCK WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH OR HIGHER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED OVER A PERIOD OF A YEAR AND A HALF. THERE WOULD BE A HIGH RATE OF ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY REPEATED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000.

NHTSA ODI #10451950

Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND SHE HAD TO TAP THE PEDAL TO RELEASE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND SHE HAD TO TAP THE PEDAL TO RELEASE IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. . UPDATED 04/26/12*LJ UPDATED 04/3012

NHTSA ODI #10451926

91,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURRED AROUND 55 MPH. IT FELT AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WAS NOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE ON ITS OWN, I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN I WOULD STOP, THE ENGINE …

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WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS TAKEN OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS TYPICALLY OCCURRED AROUND 55 MPH. IT FELT AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON, BUT IT WAS NOT. WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE ON ITS OWN, I WOULD APPLY THE BRAKE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. WHEN I WOULD STOP, THE ENGINE WAS REMAIN AT APPROXIMATELY 2,000 RPMS. THIS PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENTLY, BUT DID OCCUR APPROXIMATE 10 TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF A WEEK (UNTIL THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED AT A MECHANIC SHOP). FURTHERMORE, THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. A CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE WIRE HAD BROKEN/DETACHED WITHIN THE CRUISE CONTROL/THROTTLE ASSEMBLY. THIS WIRE WAS THE REASON WHY THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED AND WHY THE THROTTLE WAS GETTING "STUCK." THE ENTIRE CRUISE CONTROL ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451853

77,285 miles · Mar 15, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING ONLY (NOT PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING), THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES STUCK/JAMMED AND MUST BE TAPPED SEVERAL TIMES TO UNSTICK WHAT SEEMS TO BE A GHOST-DRIVEN PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES UNSTICK WHILE MOVING, BUT I HAVE BEEN SCARED TO THE POINT OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WON'T UNSTICK AND PUT IT INTO…

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MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING ONLY (NOT PARKED WITH MOTOR RUNNING), THE ACCELERATOR BECOMES STUCK/JAMMED AND MUST BE TAPPED SEVERAL TIMES TO UNSTICK WHAT SEEMS TO BE A GHOST-DRIVEN PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WILL SOMETIMES UNSTICK WHILE MOVING, BUT I HAVE BEEN SCARED TO THE POINT OF STOPPING THE VEHICLE SINCE IT WON'T UNSTICK AND PUT IT INTO PARK AND HIT THE GAS AGAIN. THIS DOES UNSTICK THE GAS PEDAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10451764

126,981 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE, ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL AND ENGAGING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FRACTURED AND THE THROTTLE BODY AND CABLE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,981 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. ..UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR INVOICE, THE CABLE WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE AND THROTTLE BODY. UPDATED 05/17/12

NHTSA ODI #10451689

80,000 miles · Mar 14, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. ONCE STARTED,…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ABNORMALLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. ONCE STARTED, THE ENGINE WOULD RACE AND THE RPM'S WOULD INCREASE EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DISCONNECTED REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10451604

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