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
What owners actually said
318 reports
85,000 miles · May 27, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP AFTER FIRMLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE UNEXPECTED FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE W…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AND THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD COME TO A STOP AFTER FIRMLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE UNEXPECTED FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY AND SPEED CONTROL CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
NHTSA ODI #10403001
135,000 miles · May 25, 2011
Electrical System
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR ITSELF TURNS OFF. BASICALLY THE CAR IS ELECTRICALLY DEAD. I HAVE LITERALLY HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, SO IT WILL CONTINUE TO COAST TO LESSEN THE CHANCE OF BEING REAR ENDED, SWITCH THE IGNITION TO OFF AND PRAY THAT THE CAR TU…
Read full complaint
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL SHUTS OFF AND THE CAR ITSELF TURNS OFF. BASICALLY THE CAR IS ELECTRICALLY DEAD. I HAVE LITERALLY HAD TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, SO IT WILL CONTINUE TO COAST TO LESSEN THE CHANCE OF BEING REAR ENDED, SWITCH THE IGNITION TO OFF AND PRAY THAT THE CAR TURNS BACK ON WHEN I SWITCH THE IGNITION BACK ON. IN MOST INSTANCES THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL BUT ON ONE OCCASION I WAS FORCED TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY AND COAST TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE INTERMITTENT NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE. I HAVE CHECKED THE BATTERY CONNECTIONS AND THE GROUND WIRE AND ALL SEEM TO BE SECURE AND TIGHT WITH NO "PLAY" THAT I CAN DETERMINE. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS THE BATTERY OR THE CAR WOULDN'T START TO BEGIN WITH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10402641
Mileage unknown · May 18, 2011
Electrical System
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PAD LAMP HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V119000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL) WAS RELATED; HOWEVER, THE…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PAD LAMP HAD FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V119000(ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT PANEL) WAS RELATED; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
NHTSA ODI #10401438
70,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED AND ALL POWER IN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND OTHER TIMES IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A FUEL…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED AND ALL POWER IN THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF SUDDENLY. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT LEAST FOUR TIMES. SOMETIMES THE VEHICLE WOULD RESTART AND OTHER TIMES IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE A FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED; THE DEALERS WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OR TO PROVIDE A REMEDY; THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000.
NHTSA ODI #10398163
36,000 miles · Apr 26, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE CRUISING SYSTEM. THE CRUISING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE V…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIANS STATED THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION IN THE CRUISING SYSTEM. THE CRUISING SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000.
NHTSA ODI #10397513
106,728 miles · Mar 11, 2011
Power Train
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS AND IT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE NEARBY AND THE OWNER SAID "THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT". WE HAD THE VEHICLE …
Read full complaint
MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IN OUR 2006 FORD TAURUS AND IT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP ON THE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BE MANUALLY PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A GARAGE NEARBY AND THE OWNER SAID "THE TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY SHOT". WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED AGAIN TO PRECISION TRANSMISSION IN WHITEVILLE, NC. THEY NOTIFIED US THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER IN THIS TAURUS IS DEFECTIVE. THE SHOP OWNER ALSO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE 3 OTHER TAURUSES ON THE LOT TO BE REPAIRED AT THE SAME TIME. THE SHOP OWNER KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WAS WRONG WITH OUR CAR BEFORE THEY EVEN LOOKED AT IT BECAUSE SHE SAID THAT THE METAL USED IN THE TORQUE CONVERTERS IN SEVERAL YEARS OF TAURUS MAKING WAS DEFECTIVE. WE OWN 2 FORD TAURUSES, THE OTHER ONE IS A 2007. WE DO NOT WANT OUR OTHER CAR TO JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE IT IS VERY VERY DANGEROUS. THE SHOP OWNER INFORMED ME THAT THE 2007 TAURUSES WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME FATE AS THE 2006. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THIS IS DEADLY. IT COST US $825 FOR THE TORQUE CONVERTER AND TOWING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10389811
Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2011
Visibility
SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM IN VERY HARD RAINS OR HEAVY SNOWSTORMS. THEY DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD CATCH ONTO THE OTHER ONE AND GET SNAGGED. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND UNTANGLE THEM AND SOMETIMES DRIVE REAL SLOW BENDING OVER TO LOOK OUT OF THE PASSENGERS S…
Read full complaint
SINCE I BOUGHT THIS CAR THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM IN VERY HARD RAINS OR HEAVY SNOWSTORMS. THEY DRIVERS SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD CATCH ONTO THE OTHER ONE AND GET SNAGGED. I WOULD HAVE TO PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND UNTANGLE THEM AND SOMETIMES DRIVE REAL SLOW BENDING OVER TO LOOK OUT OF THE PASSENGERS SIDE WINDOW. THIS WOULD HAPPEN OFF AND ON DURING HARD RAINS OR HEAVY SNOWSTORMS. THIS YEAR WAS THE WORST. IN JANUARY OR FEBRUARY WHEN WE HAD A HEAVY SNOWSTORM THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER WOULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CYCLE AND SIT RIGHT IN THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. I ONCE AGAIN HAD TO DRIVE IN PERIL. THIS APRIL (29TH), WE HAD ANOTHER HEAVY SNOWSTORM AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WIPER FROZE AGAIN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CYCLE, THEN IT WOULD SLAM ALL THE WAY OVER ONTO THE DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR AND GET STUCK THERE. I DROVE TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TIGHTENED SOME SCREW ON MY WIPER AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT WEEK (MARCH 4TH), IN A HEAVY RAIN. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AGAIN AND UN-SNAG THE WIPER FROM THE SIDE-VIEW MIRROR. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS IN REAL PERIL OF HAVING AN ACCIDENT. I COULDN'T SEE THE ROAD AND WAS JUST LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT EACH TIME THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. I ONCE AGAIN WENT DIRECTLY TO MY FORD DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A STRIPPED WINDOW WIPER TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS NOT COVERED IN MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. I WAS SHOCKED SINCE I WAS TOLD THAT MY EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERED EVERYTHING ON THE CAR. I HAD TO PAY $89.50 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC THEN $241.98 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. I RESEARCHED PROBLEMS WITH 2006 FORD TAURUS SEDANS AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR HAD A RECALL. I LET MY FORD DEALER KNOW THIS AND TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NOT THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS BAD NOT THE MOTOR. IT SEEMS THAT WINDOW WIPER DESIGN IS FAULTY WHETHER ITS THE MOTOR OR TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA ODI #10391710
60,000 miles · Feb 25, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control
MY 2006 FORD TAURUS ACCELERATES WHEN I LET MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL CAR STARTS TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS IN PARK THE RPM'S SHOOT UP. TO MAKE IT STOP I TAP THE GAS PEDAL WHILE IT'S ACCELERATING AND BECOMES UNSTUCK THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK.
NHTSA ODI #10384558
113,000 miles · Dec 21, 2010
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID A CRASH AFTER BEING CUT OFF AND LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH; THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL WITH GREAT FORCE. THE VEHICLE SLIDE ACROSS AND HIT ANOTHER GUARD RAIL. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID A CRASH AFTER BEING CUT OFF AND LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH; THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL WITH GREAT FORCE. THE VEHICLE SLIDE ACROSS AND HIT ANOTHER GUARD RAIL. THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT'S HEAD HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND THEIR CHEST HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE RELAY MAY HAVE BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE NON-DEPLOYMENT BUT COULD NOT EXPLAIN THE SEAT BELT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #10371948
Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2010
Unknown Or OtherCrash
2006 FORD TAURUS, WHILE EXITING THE TURNPIKE EASTBOUND DROVE OFF LEFT SIDE OF ROADWAY AND STRUCK A SIGN. BF (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0568-91)*JB UPDATED 12/10/10 *BF
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.
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 ↗
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
2006 Ford Taurus Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration