The problem started maybe middle 2010, because it was before my husband died. I would be driving down the road and the car would start to slow in a jerky fashion as though someone was aggressively tapping the brakes. The needles in the dashboard gauges would sometimes jerk completely to the left and quiver while making a rapid ticking noise (like trying to crank car with bad battery, although my battery was new). Car would also stall, but not every time. These things may also happen when trying to leave from a traffic light.

I have already been hit once due to this, but fortunately did not do any damage (it was an 18-wheeler with a load!). This has been happening at random, with no warning, but thankfully infrequently since that time. As of this May (2014), I have encountered a new problem in addition to the slowing. Now the car accelerates on its own (again with no warning) AND my cruise control has ceased to function. I now have maybe 75,000 miles on the car and have had no major problems. The only thing I have replaced has been the alternator.

All things considered, I like my car- but driving Ford's version of "Christine" still gives me the willies.