This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Note: I wish I had found this site years ago. I could not get past Ford "brick wall" to speak to an engineer! 1. 1997 Aerostar - accelerator pedal was pressed down quickly to pass (2 lane highway). 2. now in the left lane, not far ahead of passed the car - I experrienced a complete loss of power - hard right over to soft shoulder - avoided an oncoming head on collision - L just missed the car being passed by inches and stopped. The crimped end of cable to the carburator had released from the accelerator pedal. 3. I clamped the cable back onto the pedal with vice grips. (drove to dealer). Ford replaced the cable. That problem has not happened again. (I do not press down hard either!)
Mainly when van was in park engine revved up by itself. Also, van had a slight increase in speed while driving. Van was taken to the dealership. Dealership was not able to duplicate the problem.
Vehicle was brought up to 65 mph on interstate highway and placed under cruise control. Vehicle accelerated out of control to speeds in excess of 90mph, and would not respond to attempts to disengage throttle or crusise control. Vehilce slowed down to safe speed by constant braking for approximately 10 miles until "safe" area to exit was found. Attempts to bring vehicle to stop by breaking, downshifting, applying emergency brake was unsuccessful. Vehicle finally stopped by turning ignition switch off while traveling at approx 25 mph. Vehicle towed to Cherokee Ford in woodstock. Problem reported to be malfunction of accelerator cable. Damage to other vehicle components not known at this time.
Cruise control set at approx 65 mph on interstate 75 North of atlanta. Vehicle immediately accelarated out of control to approximately 90 mph and would not respond to attempts to deactivate control by brake, or cruise control switches. After attempting to control vehicle while the throttle was wide open and brakes firmly applied for several mile to find safe place to attempt stopping it was brought to a stop by combination of braking, downshifting, and finally turning off ignition switch on an exit ramp. Once stopped examination of accelator pedal showed in was still being held to the "floor" by cable. Vehicle was towed to Cherokee Ford dealership in woodstock ga at approx 8:00 pm and keys were left in drop off box at service area. Vehicle was purchased used in fall 1997 and am not sure if 36 month warranty has been exceeded. Potential for serious and life threatening collision was avoided but at unknown damage to vehicle engine and transmission.
Consumer started vehicle, pressed brakes, went to reverse and vehicle accellerated at high speed, racing 100 feet down the driveway, across the road, jumped a curve and tore down appprox. 70 ft. Of chainlink fence. The pipe from fence broke back window of vehicle, pertruding through hitting consumer on head, then broken windshield extended about 40 ft. Outside of windshield. Through all of this, consumer still had foot on the brakes, the vehicle did not stop untill fence was caught up under vehicle. Consumer suffers a swollen foot due to pressure applied to brakes.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Manotick, Ontario, Canada, 00, USA