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.
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln Mkz. While the brake pedal was depressed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration. As a result, the vehicle was involved in a front end collision. A police report was not filed. The failure occurred without warning. The contact stated that the failure previously occurred twice. The vehicle was still operable. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. There were no injuries. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
I was proceeding down a ramp to enter highway traffic. I put my foot to the floor to merge into traffic and the vehicle continued to accelerate even after I took my foot off the gas. I put my foot on the brake and the vehicle continued to accelerate. I was unable to slow down to any great extent as the engine was racing. The accelerator pedal seem to be off the floor ( not stuck to the floor ) at the time. I would estimate that my speed was 85 mph when I put the shifter into neutral and stopped the car in the breakdown lane. At this time the engine was revving so high, I thought for sure the engine would blow. Before I had the presence of mind to shut the engine off, the engine stopped revving and went back to an idle. The brakes were smoking but there did not seem to be any other damage. I checked the floor mat and it was not near the accelerator pedal. We were on vacation at the time and about 600 miles from home so I continued the to drive but not putting the gas pedal to the floor. I took the vehicle to the Lincoln dealer three days later and they found no codes and nothing that would allow the accelerator to stay stuck. The invoice indicates that they performed koeo, koer, and oasis and all systems passed...updated 06/09/14 updated 06/13/2014
The brake and gas pedals on my Lincoln Mkz are located so close to each other and at the same height that I have twice experienced acceleration instead of braking when putting on the brakes because I did not move my foot enough to clear the gas pedal. I have inquired to my dealer about making an adjustment to the brakes pedal height or spacing but was advised that this could not be done. This design is an "accident waiting to happen" and I am lucky that in both instances I was able to react in time to avoid one. If this has not already been brought to the attention of the manufacturer, NHTSA should do so before someone is seriously hurt.
The contact owns a 2008 Lincoln Mkz. While driving 30 mph the vehicle accelerated. The contact attempted to engage the brake pedal; however, the vehicle did not slow down. The contact was forced to use the emergency brake and the vehicle slowed down slightly and did not stop completely. The contact made a right turn, engaged the emergency brake again and forced the gear shift into park to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a Lincoln dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and stated that there was nothing wrong with it. The dealer wanted the contact to ride with him during a test drive and the contact didn't feel safe in the vehicle. The contact no longer wants the vehicle. The manufacturer should be responsible for any damages that might occur while driving the vehicle. The failure mileage was 14,400. Updated 03/04/10 updated 09/28/10
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Brandon, MS, USA