NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
318 reports77,000 miles · Aug 20, 2011
Unknown Or Other
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THIS LIGHT CAME ON IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS SHIFTING GEARS. DOESN'T SEEM TO COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS COLD BUT AFTER IT HAS RAN FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES. I WENT TO TOWN AND BACK WHICH IS A TEN MINUTE DRIVE AND IT CAME ON 12 TIMES. I BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP …
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND MY ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN THIS LIGHT CAME ON IT FELT LIKE THE CAR WAS SHIFTING GEARS. DOESN'T SEEM TO COME ON WHEN THE CAR IS COLD BUT AFTER IT HAS RAN FOR ABOUT TEN MINUTES. I WENT TO TOWN AND BACK WHICH IS A TEN MINUTE DRIVE AND IT CAME ON 12 TIMES. I BROUGHT IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY THOUGHT IT WAS MY KEY EVEN THOUGH IT WAS DOING IT WITH MY HUSBANDS KEY ALSO. THEY GAVE US A NEW KEY AND PROGRAMED IT. WITHIN ABOUT TWO MINUTES OF LEAVING THE DEALER SHIP MY ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I WON'T DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE I'M AFRAID THAT IT IS JUST GOING TO DIE. MY HUSBAND TOOK THE CAR TODAY TO WORK AND ON HIS WAY HOME ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING AND THEN THE CAR JUST QUIT. HE WAS ABLE TO GET IT STARTED AGAIN AND DROVE IT HOME IT IS NOW PARKED UNTIL WE CAN GET IT INTO A GARAGE AND FIGURE THIS OUT. I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE AND IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE TAURUS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THEIR IS A RECALL AND IF YOU MIGHT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. THE DEALER SHIP THAT I TALKED TO TODAY SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE IT MIGHT BE A CENSER THAT ISN'T WORKING CORRECTLY. THE FORD DEALER SHIP THAT I BROUGHT THIS TO ALREADY HAS KNOW IDEA WHAT MIGHT BE GOING ON. HOPEFULLY THE NEXT DEALER SHIP DOES.
NHTSA ODI #10421749
78,485 miles · Aug 9, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER MADE TEN ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE SPEEDOMETER WOULD FLUCTUATE BACK AND FORTH. AT TIMES, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE DEALER MADE TEN ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,900 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,485.
NHTSA ODI #10418274
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
52,000 miles · Jul 29, 2011
Electrical SystemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SMOKE WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. THE OIL, BATTERY, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SMOKE WHEN IT WAS TURNED ON. THE OIL, BATTERY, ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT ASSIST THE CONTACT WITH THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.
NHTSA ODI #10416259
53,000 miles · Jul 25, 2011
Air Bags
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IN AN CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE CLOCK SPRING ASSEMBLY FAILED. THE CONTACT FEELS THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED IN AN CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,464. UPDATED 08/31/11 *BF UPDATED 10/31/11
NHTSA ODI #10414983
91,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 FORD TAURUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 91,000 MILES. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AS IF THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WITH SELF ACCELERATION IS OCCURRING DAILY AT THIS POINT. "STOMPING" THE ACCELERATOR IS THE O…
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I CURRENTLY OWN A 2006 FORD TAURUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 91,000 MILES. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON IT'S OWN AS IF THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK. THE PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER THE VEHICLE'S CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING. THE PROBLEM WITH SELF ACCELERATION IS OCCURRING DAILY AT THIS POINT. "STOMPING" THE ACCELERATOR IS THE ONLY REMEDY TO THE PROBLEM DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WILL CONTINUE TO ACCELERATE TO HIGH SPEEDS UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR IS REPEATEDLY PUSHED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10414802
14,000 miles · Jun 24, 2011
Electrical System
TL*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE COMPUTER UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO ADDIT…
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TL*HE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO HAVE THE COMPUTER UPGRADED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000.
NHTSA ODI #10408846
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10408548
112,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, MY CAR HAS BEEN ACCELLERATING ON ITS OWN. I WILL NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELLERATOR AND THE CAR WILL SPEED UP. RPMS SHOOT UP TO 4 OR 5. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. PUMPING THE ACCELLERATOR IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. WHILE COMING HOME FROM VACATION YESTERDAY, I TRIED TO STOP AT A …
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FOR SEVERAL WEEKS, MY CAR HAS BEEN ACCELLERATING ON ITS OWN. I WILL NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE ACCELLERATOR AND THE CAR WILL SPEED UP. RPMS SHOOT UP TO 4 OR 5. THIS HAS HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY. PUMPING THE ACCELLERATOR IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. WHILE COMING HOME FROM VACATION YESTERDAY, I TRIED TO STOP AT A STOP LIGHT AND COULDN'T STOP. THANKFULLY, AN ACCIDENT WAS AVOIDED AS NOTHING WAS CROSSING THE INTERSECTION. IT WAS A VERY SCARY RIDE HOME, AND I AM THANKFUL MY FAMILY DIDN'T GET KILLED BY THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THIS CAR. I CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SEVERAL DEATHS BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? *TT
NHTSA ODI #10407458
50,199 miles · Jun 2, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
DURING A TEN MILE COMMUTE TO WORK THE AUTO UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 45 MPH. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SPEED REDUCED TO 25 MPH THE AUTO WOULD AGAIN ACCELERATE WITH FOOT OF PEDAL. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO PARK RPM WENT TO 6000. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND RESTARTING PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED THREE TIM…
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DURING A TEN MILE COMMUTE TO WORK THE AUTO UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 45 MPH. WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND SPEED REDUCED TO 25 MPH THE AUTO WOULD AGAIN ACCELERATE WITH FOOT OF PEDAL. WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED TO PARK RPM WENT TO 6000. AFTER SHUTTING DOWN AND RESTARTING PROBLEM WENT AWAY. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN A FOUR WEEK PERIOD.
NHTSA ODI #10404984
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
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