Component: Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock details: Vehicle would start to spontaneously accelerate on its own power. After engine was turned on and the gear changed to drive, vehicle would jump on its own. While vehicle accelerated, brakes started to malfunction, and vehicle could only stop when the complete engine was turned off. This has happened on twelve different occasions. Defect can cause driver to lose control and get into an accident. The accelerator and brake pedals engage simultaneously. The pedals are set unusually close together. The driver has no means to know the state of pedal adjustment.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

While driving 50 mph consumer applied the brake pedal and it went to the floor. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and pulled over. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the brakes needed to be replaced.

- Piedmont, MO, USA

While driving 35 mph consumer applied the brake pedal and the brakes failed, resulting in a collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Driver and passenger sustained major injuries, and were transported to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. However, the dealer refused to inspect the vehicle.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

When accelerating from a stop, vehicle jerked/surged into a gear and suddenly accelerated. Ph ABS possilby caused brakes to pulsate when coming to a stop.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

Brake light stays on and cruise control won't work, and vehicle will not shift out of park. Dealership is aware of problem.

- Springfield, PA, USA

When applying brake at slow speed vehicle surge forward. Consumer applied brake, but vehicle did not slow down. Vehicle hit garage wall. This happened two times. Dealer could not find cause. Vehicle has surged a total of 10 times, always when slowing down. Pedals were not adjustable.

- Dorcester, MA, USA

Left out of driveway went two blocks parked car front of friends house, two hours later I proceeded to leave. Started the car applied my brake pedal and got ready to shift in gear when it didn't move even the button on the side wouldn't go in, turned the car off and called for a towing truck. Towing truck came and said that it might be some switch on the brake system because he towed at least 4 that same week for the same problem. Also the brakes lights will not come on. This poses as a danger because if a person is driving and you can't take it out of drive the only thing you would be able to do is stop the car with the brakes and keep holding the brake until you get help you can only hold the brakes for so long.

- Detroit, MI, USA

With foot pressed down on brake pedal vehicle started to accelerate. Engine was racing, and vehicle suddenly took off and hit a building. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. Driver was unaware of speed.

- Southbend, IN, USA

On the first occasion I was stopped waiting in line to make a left hand turn, foot on the brake, the car suddenly accele rated as if someone had stomped on the gas pedal. I put both feet on the brake, car still was moving, I put it in park, engine raced so I shut it down. After restarting it returned to normal. The second time it happened, my daughter was driving in stop and go traffic, as she was slowing, with foot on the brake, car again accelerated, the car lurched forward and collided with a vehicle in front of her. She to had to shut down the engine for it to stop. I believe it to be a product failure and have reported it to Ford Consumer Affairs. It appears they have dismissed my claim without investigating it. This car is dangerous.

- Espanola, NM, USA

Upon braking to a stop, my wife and I each had several incidences of hitting the brake pedal and gas pedal simoultaneouly causing car to accelerate instead of stopping. The cure is to have the brakes engage at a higher point so that the foot is suffeciently above the gas pedal as is the case with my 1988, BMW 325I. Of course, separating the two pedals would also help. Fortunately, only one incident caused a minor accident with neglible damage. A Ford engineer has reported that all brake operations are normal on my car. It seems to me that design standards should be employed in the location of the brake pedal to the gas pedal. Ford also reported that here has never been a complaint regarding a similar situation. Is this true? Ford also informed me that there is no "up / down" adustment factor in the relation to when the brakes engage. The car has the adustible gas and brake pedal assembly that adjusts to allow petite drivers to sit further from the steering wheel for air bag deployment safety. This movement could also contribute to the problem because. Unconsciouly, the position of the brake pad my not be in remembered after the brake pads have been moved.

- Petaluma, CA, USA

While stepping on brakes pedal to stop or reduce speed pedal will not go down. Consumer had take vehicle to two different dealers for same defect, and cause could not be detected. On one occasion, consumer went through a stop sign, immediately went to a dealer who refused to look at the brakes, consumer went back the following day, however dealer could not find any problems.

- North Heaven, CT, USA

The vehicle experienced failure of the anit lock brake module which caused brake failure and almost resulted in vehicle collision.

- Lisle, IL, USA

While driving 55 mph applied brakes, and braking distance was longer than usual. Engine started racing. Consumer put vehicle in neutral to slow down.

- Cedarburg, WI, USA

Airbag and ABS lights on control panel come on intermittently. Happens when consumer uses power windows. When brakes are depressed, all dash lights go dim. Vehicle has not been involved in an accident.

- Santa Rosa, CA, USA

While slowing to make a turn and when brake pedal was applied, vehicle just kept on rolling like the vehicle was being pushed from behind for at least 30ft. Dealer has been contacted.

- Rockwall, TX, USA

Vehicle would start to spontaneously accelerate on its on power. After engine was turned on and the gear changed to drive, vehicle would jump on its own. While vehicle accelerated, brakes started to malfunction, and vehicle could only stop when the complete engine was turned off. This has happened on two different occasions. Dealer had advised consumer that the vehicle was in "perfect condition". defect can cause consumer to lose control and an accident. The accelerator and brake pedals engage simultaneously. The pedals are set unusually close together. The driver has no means to know the state of pedal adjustment.

- Geneseo, NY, USA

Applying brakes at 5 mph or less, pedal very rigid, no power assistance in evidence, engine begins to race on its own. Able to stop vehicle by shifting into neutral and standing on brake pedal. Vehicle returns to normal operation after brief malfunction. Compliance: Owner's guide, page 223.

- Jasper, TN, USA

Intermittently when applying the brakes motor started to race and the brakes won't hold. The more consumer pressed on the brake pedal, the faster the motor went, causing unwanted acceleration. Vehicle was taken to dealership twice. Dealership was not able to find any problems with the vehicle.

- Clinton Township, MI, USA