NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
318 reports49,785 miles · Apr 9, 2009
Tires
OUR FRONT LEFT TIRE LITERALLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR. IT LOOKS LIKE A BOMB HAD EXPLODED INSIDE IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE - THIS TYPE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN A TIRE. THE COMPANY IS CONTINENTAL AND THE TIRE SIZE IS P215.60R16 94T (FOR A MID SIZE CAR) AND ON TH…
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OUR FRONT LEFT TIRE LITERALLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MILES PER HOUR. IT LOOKS LIKE A BOMB HAD EXPLODED INSIDE IT. WE HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN BEFORE - THIS TYPE OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE IN A TIRE. THE COMPANY IS CONTINENTAL AND THE TIRE SIZE IS P215.60R16 94T (FOR A MID SIZE CAR) AND ON THE LOWER SIDE IT HAS TOURING CONTACT AS. THIS IS A BRAND THAT WE HAVE NEVER PURCHASED BEFORE - IT WAS ON THE CAR WHEN PURCHASED AS A USED CAR (1 YEAR OLD). WE THANK GOD THIS DID NOT RESULT IN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT, CONSIDERING THE SPEED AND LOCATION IT HAPPENED. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION REGARDING OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THIS TIRE, WE WOULD APPRECIATE BEING ADVISED OF THIS. *TR THORNTON WEYMOUTH
NHTSA ODI #10264869
Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2009
Structure
WATER LEAKS INTO PASSENGER FLOORBOARD WHEN IT RAINS. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON EVENT IN FORD TAURUS CARS. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND FIXED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10260418
38,717 miles · Feb 18, 2009
Structure
COWLING PROBLEM. AFTER RAINSTORM THE PRIOR EVENING I DISCOVERED APPROXAMATELY 1-2 INCHES ON STANDING WATER ON PASSENGER SIDE OF 2006 TAURUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259195
68,892 miles · Feb 6, 2009
Power Train
IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH, AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY RPMS SHOOT UP TO OVER 4000 AND MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. THEN, WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING IN IDLE, THE RPMS ARE OVER 5000 AND IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMEONE HAS THE ACCELERATION PUSHED TO…
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IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ME AT LEAST ONCE A DAY. I AM DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAVELING APPROX. 60 MPH, AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY RPMS SHOOT UP TO OVER 4000 AND MY CAR ACCELERATES BY ITSELF. THEN, WHEN MY CAR IS RUNNING IN IDLE, THE RPMS ARE OVER 5000 AND IT SOUNDS AS IF SOMEONE HAS THE ACCELERATION PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THEN THERE ARE TIMES WHEN I AM DRIVING, INCREASING MY SPEED GRADUALLY, AND MY RPMS WILL BE STUCK AT 2000 AND MY CAR WILL NOT GO FASTER THAN 30-40 MILES PER HOUR, WHICH IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON THE INTERSTATE WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. I HAVE READ SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND I THINK IT IS MORE THAN A COINCIDENCE, FORD HAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10257661
50,000 miles · Jan 12, 2009
Latches/locks/linkages
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ONE KEY ENTRY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PARKED TOO CLOSELY TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, HE CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A KEY FOB. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS ONE KEY ENTRY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE IS PARKED TOO CLOSELY TO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE, HE CANNOT ENTER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT COME EQUIPPED WITH A KEY FOB. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10254709
53,000 miles · Oct 16, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control
WHILE DRIVING (CAN BE AT ANY SPEED) ENGINE ACCELERATES ON ITS OWN AS IF USING THE CRUISE CONTROL. NO LIGHTS COME ON (CHECK ENGINE OR CRUISE) BRAKING DOES NOT STOP PROBLEM. TAPPING ACCELERATOR WILL STOP ACCELERATION. HAPPENS FREQUENTLY. CAR AT 53000 MILES AND NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10245678
50,000 miles · Oct 8, 2008
Structure
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. AFTER RAINY WEATHER, THE CONTACT NOTICED APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES OF WATER ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THE EXCESSIVE WATER CAUSED THE CARPET TO HAVE A STRONG ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. AFTER RAINY WEATHER, THE CONTACT NOTICED APPROXIMATELY TWO INCHES OF WATER ON THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR. THE EXCESSIVE WATER CAUSED THE CARPET TO HAVE A STRONG ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE EXPIRED WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS STILL NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 61,400. UPDATED 11/12/08. *LJ UPDATED 11/14/08.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10244710
37,000 miles · Sep 7, 2008
Electrical SystemVisibility
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 WI…
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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? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10241247
32,000 miles · Aug 12, 2008
Exterior Lighting
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS. THE CONTACT WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR A SECOND OPINION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,000.
NHTSA ODI #10237831
50,000 miles · Jul 16, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT AUTOMATICALLY SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND AVOIDED CRASHING INTO ANY OTHER VEHICLES. SHE MERGED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD TAURUS. WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED TO 40 MPH. THE CONTACT AUTOMATICALLY SLAMMED ON HER BRAKES AND AVOIDED CRASHING INTO ANY OTHER VEHICLES. SHE MERGED ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MAXIMUM FORCE IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE REVVED AND THE VEHICLE FINALLY BEGAN TO DECELERATE. SHE MANAGED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND PLACED THE GEAR INTO PARK. THE ENGINE REVVED FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES BEFORE GRADUALLY STOPPING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CONTACT CALLED NUMEROUS DEALERS AND SHE FEELS THAT SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
NHTSA ODI #10234502
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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