Thank goodness, there wasn't an accident. Rather, I heard that you should check your emergency brake cable every 50,000 miles. However, my car is so low mileage for its age that I decided I should have the cable checked anyhow. Then, I heard that many of the aftermarket emergency cables are defective. Thankfully, my son, [xxx], knows someone who can check the cables. We tested cables from two auto parts retail stores. One failed to hold pressure. The other cable exploded rather dramatically. Fortunately, the people my son knows make emergency cables. From outward appearance, the cable they made was definitely superior. More importantly, when they tested the cable, it held pressure without dropping at all. My son once picked up his car from an auto repair shop (about eight years ago) after having the brakes done. Apparently, the extra pressure new brake pads put on the brake lines caused one brake line to snap by the back of the car. Rich completely lost his brakes at 40 mph. Fortunately, when he used the emergency brake, it did the job. He said there was a car turning right in front of him and on-coming traffic on the left. Without a good emergency brake, his options would have been quite limited. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Woodstock, IL, USA

Car speeding up while braking.

- Mount Ida, AR, USA

When reversing out of driveway car accelerated on its own. Pressed brakes but car still moved backwards. Have skid marks in driveway to show for it. Threw car into neutral and turned off engine. Restarted and everything seemed normal. Drove car on trip and when reducing speed to slow down by pushing on brake car again accelerated and nearly hit another car. Again threw car into neutral and turned off engine. And again when restarting car everything seemed normal again. Wife is extremely afraid of driving car. Took car to dealer where it was purchased and was told that it may have been that I pushed the brake and gas pedal at the same time, this however, I believe is not the case. Dealership however kept the car for further investigation as to what the problem may be. Will hear in a day or two.

- Stow, MA, USA

Vehicle was purchased used in June, 2011. While braking for a stop light, vehicle suddenly accelerated. Had to forcefully pump brakes to stop vehicle from hitting vehicle in front. Car returned to normal operation as soon as I got it stopped. Have had similar incidents a couple of times before, although not as bad as this one, however, at that time I thought maybe I had accidentally pressed the accelerator while braking. I know that was not the case this time.

- Jesup, GA, USA

Had a flat tire and had to install the spare tire that came with vehicle. As soon as I got back on the road, the stability control light, the ABS light and the I-P brake light came on. The car would get only 35 mph. For about 7 to 8 miles, then picked up speed so I could run 50 mph. Until I had the tire replaced. After I had the tire replaced I took the car to a mechanic to have the system reset so the lights would return to normal. The unit that controls this had to be replaced because the difference in tire size had destroyed the control unit. It cost me $313.50 to have a used unit installed, if it had been a new unit, it would have cost over $600. Ford Motor Co. Should have to pay the cost of this replacement because the damage was caused by equipment that was supplied with the vehicle when new.

- Clayton, NC, USA