A lack of clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector meant the throttle could get stick open when the accelerator was fully depressed. Following a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, NHTSA opened an investigation and eventually issued a recall to fix the sticky throttles in the 2001–2004 model years.
Even with the throttles fixed, the 2001 model year could still have trouble stopping due to multiple problems with leaking brakes.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,365 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
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.
Over a period of 2 months, the car lost all power during the am drive to work. This occurred on three separate ocassions, almost exactly 7 miles from my home. Going 20-30 miles per hour during each occurrence. Car just loses all power, as well as brakes, steering, etc. Pulled over to the side of the road, turned car off, car starts up, and does not recur for several weeks. Has been back to dealer three times- they cannot replicate, cannot fix. This is an extremely dangerous situation-- I am minutes from the interstate and could become a major problem. Dealer is well aware that this is the last time. We will explore getting a swap from Ford or lemon law if we have to.
Drive down a hill at approximately 30 mph - engine and oil light went on. Loss of power and car did not appear to be getting any gas. Car kept running.
Engine has shut off 3 times while driving, since car bought 6 weeks ago. Always on hilly, curvey roads, doing 35-40 mph, coasting and braking lightly. Check engine light comes on. Power steering and brakes go. Have to muscle car to roadside. Turning off key and restarting seems to work. Have also put in neutral, turned key off and restarted, shifting back into drive. Been to dealer once last week for problem. They could not detect or recreate. Dealer contacted Ford hot-line, who made suggestions, to no avail. Dealer says they nor Ford have heard of this problem. Hard to believe this. Have spoken with Ford customer service twice, sympathetic reaction but with no advice or solution. Happened again yesterday. Car back to dealer now for week while on vacation. Very afraid I'm going to kill myself or someone else in accident. Expressed concerns to dealer and Ford. There are 16 like complaints on NHTSA sight. Is anything being done?
Previously reported as #746806. Vehicle continues to stall or almost stall at stop signs or in slow moving traffic. Has been to an authorized dealer twice now to no avail. Is currently at dealer for the third time. (tire clicking reported under #746806 was fixed....stone caught deep inside tire rim.)
- Camp Hill, PA, USA
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Our car sporadically stalls when coasting to a stop, changing gears from drive to reverse, and when going over any small bump in the road. We've taken it to the dealer for repair but they claim that they're not able to replicate the problem. It's been to the dealer twice now and the stalling has occurred more than 15 times in a span of a month. The stalling causes all powered systems to fail (ie. Brakes, steering).
Engine shut off while driving down a hill without prior warning.loss of power steering and power brakes.pulled over and shut car off.when I restarted it it seemed to work ok.took it to the garage and they said it was running very hot.called Ford and they made suggestions on a fix.they ended up replacing the erg valve.I have driven it for two days and it hasn't happened again.......yet.very dangerous to drive with no steering or brakes.someone is going to end up hurt badly or killed.
Driving 45-50 mph when engine just shut down. Had all loss of power including steering and brakes. Coasted to edge of road, placed gear in park and sat for a few minutes and tried to restart. Was successful at restarting with no problem. This is the first of two incidents within a period of 5 days. The second happened at 60 mph. To afraid to attempt driving on interstate and am on pins and needles even on rural roads. Made appt with dealer the first business day after it happened and they are trying to figure it out also. Jim snead Ford is replacing the ignition starter switch hoping this solves the problem.
While driving 35-40 mph on level road, engine shutdown; power steering lost, power assist braking lost; 3 occurrences same siituation, same road & approxiate location and time of day; this is the second vehicle to which this has happened; dealer has vehicle.
While driving down hill vehicle stalled without prior warning, causing loss of all power steering and braking ability. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer not willing to provide any assistance. Consumer states another dealer repaired vehicle by replacing the relay.
While driving at about 35-40 mph, the engine just quits. Once I come to a rolling stop, I have to turn the car off and restart it. This is the second time this has happened.
While driving at any speed vehicle completely shutdown without warning, causing loss of power brakes and steering control, nearly causing a collision. Dealer replaced engine which has not corrected the problem.
While driving at 45mph suddenly vehicle stalled out for no reason in middle of traffic. This was second time it has happened. Was at a stop sign when stalling first time.
Tires make a humming noise. Consumer feels that they may be leaving ground like hydroplaning, and at 65 mph vehicle wobbles, vehicle is not stable at high speeds with window down. The vehicle hesitates when A/C unit is in operation and A/C make a loud cyclic clicking sound. Transmission makes sound. The vehicle was unstable at 65 mph with a slight wind and front end makes tumbling sounds on rough roads. The alternator light comes on intermittently. The cruise control turns off automaticaly by itself. The front brake has excessive dust. The vehicle had numerous interior system failures and malfunctioning.
Driving down a busy street, down a slight grade about 45 mph, the car suddently died. I had to pull over to the side of the road. I waited a couple of minutes and it restarted. There was no indication of any problem prior to this.
Engine shut off while driving down a hill has happened to me four times this week. Causes loss of power-assisted brakes and steering. Vehicle put in dealer shop on 4/6/2001. No repairs made because dealer could not duplicate the problem in the shop.
Brake light came on dashboard. Also, vehicle just shutdown without prior warning. When consumer applied brakes pedal was normal. She took vehicle to dealership. Mechanic told her she needed a master cylinder.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Rensselaer, NY, USA