Under my hood started smoking, I popped my hood to find flames under it. I had to get my kids out the truck and put the flames out with and extinguisher. That's when I noticed that my brake fluid reservoir was melted and so were the wires that connect to the cruise control switch. Not I am without a vehicle to get to work and get my children to school.

- Killeen, TX, USA

The contact owns a 1998 Mercury Mountaineer. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated to 90 mph. The contact had to place his foot behind the accelerator pedal and pull it up in order to stop the vehicle. He pulled the vehicle over and was still on the side of the road during the time of this complaint. The current and failure mileages were 117,000.

- Bradenton, FL, USA

- the contact stated that while her 1998 Mercury Mountaineer was parked, the contact heard a loud noise coming from her vehicle. She noticed that her vehicle had flames coming from under the hood. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. The contact feels that the cause of the fire was due to NHTSA campaign id number : 00V422000( vehicle speed control). The contact can provide pictures, as well as, copy of the incident report.

- Duque, IA, USA

When the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer was running on hwy 121 South merging into hwy 114 West, the 1998 Mercury suddenly became out of control at a speed less than speed limit. The car was being accelerated even if the accelerator pedal was off. The driver applied break to stop the car but the break did not work. Then the driver had to steer the car into the bush off road to avoid collision to other cars. The driver changed the at to P (parking) to stop the car. The engine surged and started fire underneath of the car. Then the driver removed the key and evacuated from the car. The fire was extinguished by the fireman.

- Euless, TX, USA

When the 1998 Mercury Mountaineer was running on hwy 121 South merging into hwy 114 West in grapevine, tx, the 1998 Mercury suddenly became out of control at a speed less than speed limit. The car was being accelerated even if the accelerator pedal was off. The driver applied break to stop the car but the break did not work. Then the driver had to steer the car into the bush off road to avoid collision to other cars. The driver changed the at to P (parking) to stop the car. The engine surged and started fire underneath of the car. Then the driver removed the key and evacuated from the car. The fire was extinguished by the fireman.

- Euless, TX, USA

Took in for throttle body repair and driver seat bolt recall 9-03. They said didn't need the throttle body repair..now that warranty is up I can't get this hazard to driving fixed. I have almost hit cars in parking lots and in my driveway. Why isn't this considered a safety issue and recall. Why does it have a mileage and time limit. I tried to get it done and they wouldn't do it now it's too late. The throttle hesitates and then surges. Ford identifies this as a problem, but won't fix it.

- Crescent City, CA, USA

I have been having problems with throttle sticking upon depression on 1998 5.0 Mercury Mountaineer. Seems to be worse when first starting vehicle or when the temperature outside is colder. Last night when I left to go to work, I put the vehicle in drive, the throttle stuck and I could not control the vehicle. I struck my own home doing considerable damage to the home (passenger side of vehicle), bounced off the house (still accelerating) and hit a garbage dumpster (driver side of vehicle), then bounce off the garbage dumpster and struck a basketball goal (front of vehicle). The airbags did not deploy (this is the 2nd front end accident in which airbags did not deploy). This throttle body problem was a recall for the 4.0 vehicles but not the 5.0, and I have seen numerous complaints of throttle sticking on the 5.0 as well. Vehicle is now in the shop, believed to be a total loss. (currently $6800 damage, and not finished with estimate yet). I also have several thousands dollars in damage to my home, which must be submitted to my homeowners insurance since auto insurance will not pay for your own property damage. Today I have neck & back pain, though I did not go to the doctor last night. Not to count the mental issue of being headed straight for your home and not being able to stop or control the vehicle. Something really needs to be done about these vehicles or someone is going to be seriously injured. Sheriff was called, and did come to the scene, but they said they do not do reports if it is your own property that is damaged, only if there is a second party involved.

- Mount Vernon, IN, USA

Electronic controls operated by the generic control module (wipers, rear defroster, power windows etc.) have locked up. Throttle sticks after full stop and use of cruise control and needs excessive force to move forward. Existing recalls should cover these repairs, as well as two other recalls for the corrosive hood latch, and speed control where the throttle could ice up in prolonged cold weather. I went in armed with documentation and the recall information from the website but the sayville Ford dealership in sayville, NY, refused to service them, stating they were "campaigns" not actual recalls. If your vehicle doesn't come up for service on their computer, they do not acknowledge the legal recalls and won't do the repairs. Recall #'s: 00V072000, 99V062001, 99V164000, 97V074000.

- Patchogue, NY, USA

Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision in which throttle became stuck, causing loss of control.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

Intermittently throttle sticks. A recall has been issued on other makes and models. However, this vehicle is not included due to VIN. The dealer has inspected vehicle, and will replace throttle body at owner's expense. Consumer states throttle sticks whenever applied, however more occasional when taking off from a stop.

- Robbinsville, NJ, USA

Vehicle was at a stop, consumer pressed on accelerator and nothing happened. Vehicle did not move, nor did engine rev. After a few minutes, accelerator responded again. Dealer disconnected speed control cable, and advised consumer that was what had caused the problem. Currently, pedal feels tight and popps back when consumer lets go of it.

- Wilmington, NC, USA

Throttle body failed, causing sticking.

- Franklinton, LA, USA

Throttle body failed, causing sticking.

- Franklinton, LA, USA

When applying brakes vehicle continued to accelerate, causing vehicle to crash into a concrete wall, cause unknown.

- Missouri City, TX, USA

While driving on highway with cruise control on, had to slow down, applied brakes, but it didn't turn off the cruise control. Kept applying brakes, and cruise control finally turned off. Had vehicle serviced for hood latch recall, and let them know about cruise control problem. However, was not able to fix it because they had to order a carburetor kit.

- Caribou, ME, USA

Recall 97V074000, concerning throttle linkages and control; dealer refused to correct the problem because vehicle was not registered in listed states.

- Truckee, CA, USA

Car began accelerating without driver input when cruising at highway speeds. Cruise control was not on. Braking would stop unplanned acceleration

- Laguna Beach, CA, USA

Intermittently when trying to stop vehicle accelerated. This condition has caused two rear end crashes. The vehicle has been to the dealership 2 or 3 times for this problem. The problem still continues.

- St James, NY, USA