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.
While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle started surging up and down in speed erratically. I did not realize that it had to do with the speed control, but finally took it out of cruise for good. The speedometer still was surging up and down between 4 and 10 mph difference from what my speed was. After the vehicle was shut off for a day, it ran fine until I ran it on the road for about 40 miles, then it did the same erratic speed changes.
Throttle hung three times: One under cruise, twice without. All instances started at highway speeds when temps where extremely cold. Pumping peddle to break acceleration only allowed for partial deceleration. Repeated attempts required to reduce speed. Could have caused fatality in second occurrence as icy conditions and stopped vehicles could have resulted in a major collision. Shifting into neutral and pumping breaks allowed for a controlled stop. Extremely high idle remained until multiple attempts to break acceleration prevailed. Note: Floor mats are not involved in this issue. Research has uncovered many other owners having the same issue with this vehicle, similar to the Explorer of the same year. When is a recall to get this corrected going to be issued... how many need to be injured or killed before somebody does the right thing!!!
: the contact stated the vehicle was parked for several hours when fire and smoke was noticed coming from under the hood near the windshield. The fire department was contact and after the fire was put out, it was determined the vehicle speed control module was responsible for the fire. A fire report was taken by the fire department and photos were available. A police report was not taken. The vehicle was towed to the insurers lot for further investigation. The manufacturer was not yet notified.
In 2003, my 1997 Ford F-350 crew cab lost the cruise control and on several occasions would not shift out of park. On 05 Sep 2003 my truck, with the engine cold, caught fire while parked in my driveway, catching my house on fire. This resulted in a claims to both my homeowners and my vehicle insurance. My vehicle was a total loss in the fire. The VIN number for my truck was: [xxx].
- Glendale, AZ, USA
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While driving at any speed vehicle jumps and shifts hard. When coming to a stop and downshifting, vehicle lunged forward. Consumer had to keep feet on the brakes.
The accelerator has malfunctioned 3 times, leaving me and my passengers stranded at various locations. The truck will start but there is no response of the engine to the accelerator pedal making it impossible to move. It is a "fly by wire" system which has no direct mechanical linkage from the pedal to the engine and the pedal assembly has now been replaced twice. The first time was at 30374 miles on 7/23/98 and now again at 47801 miles on 10/13/99. This is not a component subject to abuse and I believe that this is clearly a manufacturing defect but I still had to pay $100. Deductable on the last replacement.
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- Marshfield, WI, USA