IllustrationTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. HE STATED THAT IN EXTREMELY COLD TEMPERATURES THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE THEFT LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,000.
2006 Ford Taurus
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Ford Taurus do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 318.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Taurus years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2225–50K
6650–75K
7075–100K
86100–150K
20150K+
272 reports with mileage · 46 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 176 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
19 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
318 reportsI WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK HALFWAY DOWN. IT WOULD NOT STICK IF I TAPPED IT, BUT RE-STICK AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BECOME BOUND AROUND THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING IT TO STICK. FIRST INCIDENT WAS OCTOBER 2007, NOW IN DECEMBER 2009 AGAIN. I WA…
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I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN MY ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK HALFWAY DOWN. IT WOULD NOT STICK IF I TAPPED IT, BUT RE-STICK AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY SAID THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BECOME BOUND AROUND THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING IT TO STICK. FIRST INCIDENT WAS OCTOBER 2007, NOW IN DECEMBER 2009 AGAIN. I WAS CHARGED ROUGHLY 100 TO DETACH THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLING. FORD AGREED (RELUCTANTLY) TO REPAIR THE CABLE SO MY CRUISE WOULD WORK. ROUGHLY 50,000 MILES LATER MY ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WOULD NOT UNSTICK - TAPPING THE PEDAL ONLY MADE ACCELERATION STRONGER. BRAKES BARELY WORKED STOMPED TO THE FLOOR. REPEATED ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING IN OPEN POSITION IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE. CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND I AM AGAIN STUCK WITH THE BILL - LUCKY I DID NOT CRASH. COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE IF IT BEGAN TO STICK WHILE ACCELERATING HARD. JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN THIS HAPPENED - BOTH TIMES. ONE SECOND THE GAS PEDAL WORKS FINE, THEN BAM, ITS STUCK. ONCE STOPPED I PLACED THE CAR INTO PARK AND IT REVVED UP TO 4000 RPM. WOULD NOT RE-START WITH ACCELERATOR DOWN. HAD TO TOW TO UNHELPFUL AND UNCONCERNED DEALER - WILL NEVER OWN A FORD AGAIN. I WILL TELL EVERYONE I KNOW ABOUT THIS HORRIBLE DEFECT. NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE! *TR DUPLICATE TO 10207016
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "AIR BAG "WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHOR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE "AIR BAG "WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. IN ADDITION THE HORN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE CLOCK SPRING. THERE IS A MASSIVE BACK ORDER ON THE REQUIRED REPAIR PART. THE CONTACT WAS PLACED ON A WAITING LIST. THE EARLIEST AVAILABILITY FOR THE PART WAS FEBRUARY 2010. THERE WERE CONCERNS OF THE SAFETY RISKS INVOLVED AND THE UNCERTAINTY OF THE REPAIR PART. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000.
WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN. WATER BUILDS UP ON THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE I NOTICE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SIS A DEFECT RATHER THAN A ONE TIME THING. THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK SEEMS TO BE IN THE ENGINEERING O…
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WHEN THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN. WATER BUILDS UP ON THE FLOOR BOARDS OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE I NOTICE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS SIS A DEFECT RATHER THAN A ONE TIME THING. THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK SEEMS TO BE IN THE ENGINEERING OF THE IN-CABIN FILTER AND CROWL. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. SHE HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN SPECULATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. SHE WAS THEN ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTIN…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT INTENTION. SHE HAD TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. SHE CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN SPECULATED THAT THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. SHE WAS THEN ADVISED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
I HEARD SOUNDS LIKE MY BRAKES WERE SCRAPING, SO I THOUGHT MAYBE I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. UPON TAKING THE WHEEL OFF, I DISCOVERED THE BRAKE HOUSING WAS BROKEN. A PART OF THE CASTING WAS MISSING, APPARENTLY BROKEN OFF. THE LOWER PIN THAT ALLOWS THE PADS TO SLIDE WAS STUCK. THE HOUSING IS SLIGHTLY BENT NOT ALLOWING THE PIN TO S…
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I HEARD SOUNDS LIKE MY BRAKES WERE SCRAPING, SO I THOUGHT MAYBE I NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS. UPON TAKING THE WHEEL OFF, I DISCOVERED THE BRAKE HOUSING WAS BROKEN. A PART OF THE CASTING WAS MISSING, APPARENTLY BROKEN OFF. THE LOWER PIN THAT ALLOWS THE PADS TO SLIDE WAS STUCK. THE HOUSING IS SLIGHTLY BENT NOT ALLOWING THE PIN TO SLIDE FREELY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHEN EVER IT RAINED, WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE FLOOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE, REPLACED THE COWL PANEL AND RAIN HAT. THE REPAIR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR AGAIN AFTER IT RAINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A WATER STAIN CAME FR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHEN EVER IT RAINED, WATER ACCUMULATED IN THE FLOOR ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE, REPLACED THE COWL PANEL AND RAIN HAT. THE REPAIR WAS UNSUCCESSFUL AND WATER WAS ON THE FLOOR AGAIN AFTER IT RAINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT A WATER STAIN CAME FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE DASHBOARD, THE PAD ON THE WIRE FALL AND RE-SEAL ITEMS AROUND THE HEATER BOX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT, THE REPAIR WOULD NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THE REPAIR COSTS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,100.
COWL LEAK ON 2006 FORD TAURUS WHICH ALLOWS WATER LEAK IN ON PASSENGER SIDE TO CONTACT ELECTRICAL PARTS INCLUDING HVAC BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR. BLOWER CAN STOP WORKING AND IF WINDOWS ARE FOGGED OR NEED TO BE DEFROSTED IT CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IMPOSSIBLE TO CORRECT. I AM TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH …
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COWL LEAK ON 2006 FORD TAURUS WHICH ALLOWS WATER LEAK IN ON PASSENGER SIDE TO CONTACT ELECTRICAL PARTS INCLUDING HVAC BLOWER MOTOR AND RESISTOR. BLOWER CAN STOP WORKING AND IF WINDOWS ARE FOGGED OR NEED TO BE DEFROSTED IT CREATES A VERY HAZARDOUS CONDITION IMPOSSIBLE TO CORRECT. I AM TOLD BY DEALERSHIPS THIS IS VERY COMMON WITH THE TAURUS'. IF IT IS SO COMMON WHY DON'T THEY (FORD) PUBLICIZE THIS OR TELL YOU THIS BEFORE YOU BUY A TAURUS? THIS HAS BEEN REPAIRED TWICE ON MY CAR. ONCE IN FEBRUARY 2009 AND AGAIN THE RELAY FAILED IN JULY 2009. HHS *TR
I HAVE A 2006 FORD TAURUS I BOUGHT A LITTLE OVER 2 YEARS AGO. IT'S SEEMS LIKE EVERY OTHER MONTH OR EVERY 2 TO 3 MONTHS I HAVE TO HAVE A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I HAVE HAD THE 4TH SET OF TIRES I'VE HAD TO HAVE PUT ON MY CAR. THE 1ST 3 SETS THE DEALER HAD TO PAY TO HAVE BRAND NEW ONES PUT ON. I HAD TO SPEND OVER $800 TO HAVE 4 BRAND NE…
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
I HAVE A 2006 FORD TAURUS THAT HAS HAD WATER LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRONT CABIN AREA. THIS OCCURS DURING HEAVY RAIN AND ALSO ROUTINE CAR WASHES. THE CARPET IS STARTING TO SMELL AND I'M WORRIED ABOUT MOLD STARTING TO DEVELOP. IT IS ALSO BEGINNING TO CAUSE THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM TO FAIL ON OCCASION. *TR
Official recalls
206V119000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Apr 10, 2006
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT FOR ONE SPECIFIC FLEET CUSTOMER WERE MODIFIED FOR OPTIONAL HANDS-FREE CELLULAR PHONE OPERATING CAPABILITY. TO PROVIDE THIS FUNCTIONALITY, A SPECIAL OVERLAY WIRE HARNESS WAS INSTALLED THAT INADVERTENTLY DID NOT INCLUDE THE CIRCUITS FOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEACTIVATION INDICATOR (PADI) LAMP FUNCTION. AS A RESULT, THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, 'OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION.'
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE PADI LAMP WILL FAIL TO ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP IN THE CLUSTER WILL STAY ILLUMINATED.
Remedy: THE FLEET CUSTOMER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALL VEHICLES HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 28, 2006.
05V520000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:motor
Nov 9, 2005
ON CERTAIN TRUCKS, PASSENGER CARS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MAY HAVE BEEN PRODUCED WITHOUT GREASE BEING APPLIED TO THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: AFTER A PERIOD OF CONTINUOUS USE ON THE HIGH SPEED SETTING, LACK OF GREASE ON THE OUTPUT SHAFT GEAR MAY CAUSE THE GEAR TO DISTORT OR FRACTURE DURING OPERATION RESULTING IN A LOSS OF WIPER FUNCTION. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIPER MOTOR FOR THE PRESENCE OF GREASE AND GREASE THE WIPER MOTOR GEARS IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673 OR LINCOLN/MERCURY AT 1-800-521-4140.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE12005 · Stuck Throttle
Opened Mar 7, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2012
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control; Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Additional source detail variants (2)
Vehicle Speed Control:cables
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do
Vehicle Speed Control
Preliminary Evaluation (PE)12-005 was opened to investigate allegations of speed control cables detaching from the throttle body and subsequently interfering with the throttle closing fully to the idle position in model year (MY) 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus vehicles.The speed control cable, throttle body attachment arm (?nail head?) for the speed control cable, cable mounting bracket and cable routing for the MY 2005 and 2006 Ford Taurus are common to all MY 2004 through 2006 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable vehicles equipped with either the 155 HP 3.0L 2-valve Vulcan engine or the 200 HP 3.0L 4-valve Duratec engine (the ?subject vehicles?). Figures 1 and 2 show the throttle body cam and speed control cable installed and a cable interference condition caused by contact between a detached cable and the ?nail head.?Ford?s assessment of the condition in incident vehicles noted that the interference conditions produced tended to be short in duration as the cable end tended to dislodge itself from the throttle body due to vibration, road loads or engine roll in addition to tapping the acceleration pedal.Ford inspected three incident vehicles and measured maximum throttle openings of 5.8% to 14.9%, resulting in engine speeds ranging from 1600 to 2200 rpm with the transmission selector in Drive.A Ford stack-up analysis of the speed control cable length from the attachment bracket to the throttle body indicated a maximum theoretical throttle opening of 16.4% that could result from the alleged defect. Engineers at the NHTSA Vehicle Research and Test Center (VRTC) inspected an incident vehicle to evaluate throttle positions and engine speeds that could result from the alleged defect and performed brake testing of a vehicle with the throttle stuck at the worst case throttle opening that could result from the condition.The VRTC vehicle inspection noted that, depending on the orientation of the detached cable end, the amount of throttle opening that could result from interference by a detached speed control cable end varied from 4.8% to 11.3%.VRTC brake testing of a MY 2006 Taurus with a Vulcan engine and the throttle held open at 16% found that, even with multiple brake applications, sufficient vacuum was available for the brake booster assist and the brake pedal efforts required to stop the vehicle did not increase significantly from normal operating conditions. ODI?s analysis of 100 complaints related to the alleged defect found that drivers were generally able to free the interference condition or safely brake to a stop without incident.Approximately one-third (32) reported that the stuck throttle condition was corrected with no action or by tapping the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was still moving, another third (34) reported braking to a stop with the vehicle in Drive prior to correcting the condition, and the remaining third (34) reported that the driver responded to the incident by shifting to Neutral before stopping the vehicle.One complaint alleged that stuck-throttle type symptoms caused the vehicle to pass partially through a traffic light and into an intersection before stopping, however,ODI was unable to contact the owner to verify the cause or relationship to the alleged defect condition.ODI has not identified any crashes related to the alleged defect. Tables 1 and 2 provide a breakdown of complaints and warranty claims related to the alleged defect by engine and model year.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation do