I was shopping at the local walmart with my wife, who was driving the vehicle. We were parked in the walmart parking lot. On leaving, she engaged the car in drive and began to ease out of the parking space. The car suddenly surged forward and she was unable to stop it even though she was applying the brakes very hard. This had happened to me several times before but always in a place that was safe and where I could bring the car to a stop. It always happened as I was moving from a parked position. On this occasion, it was not safe, and we crashed into another car. The Tribute was damaged at a cost of $5,000 to repair. The other car also had extensive damages. I asked the dealer who repaired the car to examine the cruise control and accelerator pedal for a defect. He only told me that it looked "normal". my wife is afraid to drive this car now and I have a lot of apprehension when I first start the car and begin to drive. I think that there must be a subtle defect in either the cruise control or the accelerator that causes this unexpected surge when first starting from a parked position.

- Salisbury, NC, USA

Consumer depressed accelerator pedal and vehicle hesitated, and then suddenly lurched forward, almost causing a collision. Related investigation ea 02-027.

- Fort Myers, FL, USA

The consumer put the gear shift in the drive gear. When the driver tapped the accelerator pedal the vehicle accelerated in full throttle.

- Westwood, NJ, USA

When consumer depressed brake pedal there was no steering power, and vehicle stalled. Dealership replaced air flow sensor....

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

Consumer states the cause for the second engine stalling was a mass air flow sensor failure and it was replaced. The third engine failure was caused by throttle body and was replaced. The third replacement was done on 09/23/02 and the mileage was 19247

- Smyrna, GA, USA

While driving at expressway speed and without warning vehicle shut off. Consumer stated the throttle body was cleaned but not replaced.

- Guaynabo, PR, USA

May 23, 2002 - cruise control stopped working. Light on console comes on but doesn't engage. June 01, 2002 - lost all power while going approx 35 mph around a slight curve. Pulled to the side, put in neutral and started again.

- Mechanicsville, MD, USA

During braking when speed became slower than 10 M/H engine RPM go to 0 which is leading to turning enging off. Happened 2 times with me. Not sure if it is ignition system or transmission to restart a car you need to switch gear to parking and turn key all the way back. I do beleive this could cause a crash on intersection.

- Cambridge, MD, USA