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 pulling into a parking space with foot on brake, car suddenly accelerated and crashed. Dealer could not identify the defect. Damage: $1,500. This is a serious saftey problem that has been repeatedly reported for model years 1996 through 1999. Why hasn't the government taken any action? I wonder how many people did not live to tell about it. I was one of the fortunate ones. This not only puts the driver and passengers in jeopardy, but pedestrians as well!
When lever is in park vehicle would idle up to 3000 rmps like it was taking off. Vehicle started to accelerate on its own. Foot would remain on the brake due to high acceleration. Have been to dealer at least 4 separate times for the problem.
Vehicle experiencing a problem with increase in speed during deacceleration, while going down a incline. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that was normal. Cruise control malfunctioned.
- Brandbury, KY, USA
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Vehicle accelerates by itself. It does not slow when accelerator is released. Problem is intermittent, and two visits to the dealer provided no solution. Dealer said to bring it in when it is happening, but this is unworkable as car must be shut off to stop high engine speed and then the problem stops until next occurance. I feel this vehicle is dangerous and the cavalier attitude of the dealer is of no help.
Cruise control picks up speed when going down hills. Dealer & the consumer both test drove a 2000 Taurus & the vehicle also increased in speed. Consumer stated that his 1994 Taurus was traded in for this 1998, didn't do this.
Wnen I left the dealer and put the brakes on a block away they did not work and the engine accelerated. I took the car right back to the dealer and was told if they could not make the car 100% I could trade. Well that never happened. The first time I used the cruise control it make a horrible noise when I engaged it. When I put my car in park the engine revs up to between 3 and 4. I have to turn it off to make it stop.
When consumer traveled on the highway rpms registered as high as 4. then, rpms went back down to zero when consumer shut the vehicle off. Also, consumer noticed a loud noise underneath the engine when shifting gears. Noise sounded like something was going to drop from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle accelerated as high as 4000 RPM's when in park. It appears that the transmission or the engine falling out. The vehicle is still under warranty but can't be fixed.
Car will accelerate on it's own after car is put into park, now it is doing it while you are driving, interior light will come on and not go out, radio turns on and off by it's self, electric seat only works half the time, goes back then will not go back up, car will increase in RPM's when you are in park and will continue to go up unless you turn off engine, starting to climb in RPM's when you are driving. Seat belt will not stay latched on passenger front seat.
The vehicle consistently will accelerates on it's own while coasting at a slow speed. This requires heavy pressure on the brake pedal to bring the vehicle to a stop. This is a very repeatable failure. The vehicle also idles very fast at all engine temperatures which causes very harsh transmission shifting. The local Ford dealer has had the vehicle several times and is telling me this is normal.
While stopped in traffic, the vehicle suddenly surged forward without warning. The driver had to turn the ignition off and forefully apply brakes to stop vehicle and avoid collision. Vehicle taken to dealer, but problem could not be found.
Car accelerates all on its on, including going uphill without even touching the gas pedal car will travel between 30 and 40 mph. When placed in park car races at between 3500 and 4500 rpms and has to be shut off. Placing the car in neutral does not eliminate the problem. Have had car at the dealer twice and they couldn't find or couldn't be bother to find problem. Requires excessive brake use and sometimes still lurches forward with four wheel antilock brakes applied. Have notified Ford Motor Company and they sent me a questionnaire!! this has been going on now for 5 months without resolution and it is inevitable that an accident is surely to occur.
When the vehicle is in park consumer has to hold down the brake pedal tightly because vehicle will accelerate up to 3rpms. If brake pedal isn't held down hard, vehile will take off.
Sudden acceleration without operator action. In October '99, the vehicle was on the highway traveling forward when it began to accelerate. The operator stepped on the brakes hard for a while and the acceleration stopped. In January '00 the car was parked in the operator's garage. The operator started the vehicle and then the RPM's picked up to a level way above normal fast idle. The operator noticed that the accelerator pedal had no resistance. The dealer was notified this time and he sent 2 mechanics to inspect. The dealer replied that everything was "ok".
While driving down hill and setting speed control at a certain speed, it will not stay at set speed, but it will speed up. Dealer said there was nothing he could do.
Idle air control (iac) valve stuck, causing sudden acceleration and crash into a business sign. Assumed driver error since no other apparent cause. After repairs, on January 24, 2000, throttle opened suddenly again causing car to accelerate in reverse while backing from residence garage. No damage this time. Later same day at highway speed, throttle again opened but was brought under control.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brandenbur, KY, USA