34 of the
391 complaints filed about the Ford F Series
are about the throttle and cruise control —
9% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
34
Complaints
9%
Share of all complaints
2
Crashes
16
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
Regarding NHTSA Recall Number 05V017000; * Component: Speed control deactivation switch. Available for inspection. * Safety Risk: Spontaneous fire occurred on 07/20/2026 at apx 1am destroying the vehicle, damaging two other vehicles, and nearly burning down our home. *Problem Reproduced: Unknown * Component Inspected: Yes, by HOI claims adjuster. * Any warning lamps/ messages?: I had been dealing with a engine light about 1 year earlier that popped up again about 3 months ago. The codes indicated "Lean bank-Right" and "Lean bank-Left". Facts: On July 20, 2026, at approximately 1:00 AM, my 1997 Ford F-150 spontaneously caught fire while parked in my garage. The vehicle had not been started for well over a week. The fire raged directly under our bedroom for over 40 minutes before the fire department was able to attempt containment, nearly burning our house to the ground. There were also two other vehicles in the garage at the time. We are currently in the early stages of a major Homeowners Insurance (HOI) restoration claim. Fortunately, the fire scene in the garage remains intact as of this date while the HOI conducts their investigations. We have learned that the likely cause is a poorly designed, defective cruise control system—a known Ford issue that has resulted in many spontaneous fires. Despite owning this vehicle since 1999, I never received notice from Ford, and was unaware of the associated manufacturer recall (NHTSA #05V017000).
NHTSA complaint #11756937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON JULY 28TH AROUND 3:00 AM THERE WAS A STORM EARLIER IN THE NIGHT AND A TREE TOP FELL INTO THE ROAD AND I WENTTO APPLY THE BRAKES THEY LOCKED UP CAUSING ME TO FISH TAIL AND LOSE CONTROL SPINNING AROUND TWICE MAKING ME STRIKE A TREE AND SPIN BACK AROUND AND NOSE DIVE DOWN AND EMBANKMENT AND LAND ON ALL FOUR WHEELS MESSED UP THE FRONT BUMPER LEFT FENDER LEFT DOOR CRACKED WINDSHIELD AND COMPLETELY WIPED OUT THE BED.
NHTSA complaint #10617878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED SURGING UP AND DOWN IN SPEED ERRATICALLY. I DID NOT REALIZE THAT IT HAD TO DO WITH THE SPEED CONTROL, BUT FINALLY TOOK IT OUT OF CRUISE FOR GOOD. THE SPEEDOMETER STILL WAS SURGING UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 4 AND 10 MPH DIFFERENCE FROM WHAT MY SPEED WAS. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHUT OFF FOR A DAY, IT RAN FINE UNTIL I RAN IT ON THE ROAD FOR ABOUT 40 MILES, THEN IT DID THE SAME ERRATIC SPEED CHANGES.
NHTSA complaint #10610880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THROTTLE BODY LINKAGE "PLASTIC COVER CLAMSHELL" CRACKED IN HALF AT PLASTIC HINGE (OXIDIZED PLASTIC) . LOOSE PLASTIC COVER WEDGED OPEN THROTTLE FULLY CAUSING "DANGEROUS LIFE THREATENING" DRIVING STUCK AT FULL THROTTLE. I HAVE THE COVER AND PHOTOS IF YOU WANT ME TO SEND THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10566358 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1988 FORD F150. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10556401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY SPED-UP AND WAS ONLY BROUGHT TO A STOP THROUGH HEAVY PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #10435705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY 2001 F 150 SUPER CREW START ON FIRE IN A PARKING LOT I LIVE IN MEXICO BUT THIS TRUCK WAS MADE IN THE USA, THE FIRE STARTED ABOUT 45 MINUTES AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10356366 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CRUISE CONTROL REFUSES TO DISENGAGE WHEN BRAKES APPLIED. ISSUE REPORTED TO FORD DLR. IN 2002 AND DLR. REFUSED TO REPAIR AS NOT UNDER WARRANTY RECALL AND UNIT OUT OF WARRANTY. I DO NOT TRY TO USE CRUISE CONTROL AS VEHICLE ACCELERATES WITH CONTROL ON AND WILL NOT DISENGAGE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT AT NO CHARGE TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10318450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2000 MODEL FORD F-150. MY CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT AND MAYBE A MONTH OR LESS LATER I CAME HOME ONE NIGHT AND ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER I WENT INTO THE HOUSE I HEARD A LOUD BANG. WHEN WE LOOKED OUT THE DOOR MY TRUCK WAS A BALL OF FLAMES. THE LOUD BANG I HAD HEARD WAS THE TIRE POPPING. I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH AND KNEW NOTHING ABOUT IT SHORTLY AFTER I GOT THE TRUCK I HAD IT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT THIS RECALL WHEN I ASKED IF THE TRUCK HAD ANY. ALL I WAS TOLD IS THAT THERE WAS ONE ON THE PARKING BRAKE.
NHTSA complaint #10303747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORD HAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE WINDSHIELD ALLOWING WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CAB,OVER TIME IT HAS CORRUPTED THE WIRING,MAKING ELECTRICAL DEVICES FAIL TO HAVING A DEAD SHORT THAT CAUSES POWER TO DASH TO CONTINUE AFTER KEY IS REMOVED,THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD AT BEST, TO THE FACT THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME.THER ARE MANY TSB'S CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM 99133 98246 976011 98913 TO NAME A FEW.THIS ALSO CROSSES OVER TO SEVERAL MODELS AND YEARS AND IN CANADA THERE IS A RECALL FOR SOME OF THE F SERIES FORD TRUCK FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. MY PROBLEMS ARE TYPICAL OF ALL THE OUTHERS. THER IS RUST PRESENT UNDER DASH,DOOM LIGHTS,DOOR LIGHTS,CHIMES,POWER WINDOWS AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT WORK. VEHICLE DOES NOT HOLD CHARGE DUE TO POWER DRAIN WITHOUT KEY IN IGNITION. I HAVE ALSO HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL NOT DISENGAGING AFTER TAPPING BRAKE OR THROTTLE I COULD FEEL THE PEDDLE RESET ITSELF AFTER TAPPING BOTH. I HAVE HAD THE WINDOW REPLACED AND RESEALED. AT THIS POINT I WILL BE REPLACING THE GENERAL ELECTRIC MODULE AND HOPE THAT FIXES THE WIPERS FOR ME. IT'S HARD TO SAY WHAT ELSE IS FRIED AT THIS POINT. THAT PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I MAY HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUSE PANEL ALSO. IT SEEMS THAT MANY OF THE FORD TECH'S ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS AND ITS REPLACE PARTS TILL YOU OR THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE, BUT NO ONE IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY WINDOW INSTALL THAT HAD CAUSED THIS IN THE FIRST PLACE.SO TO SUM IT UP THIS VEHICLE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUST,RUN AWAY OR HAVE THE WIPERS FAIL AT ANY TIME ALSO THE CAR FIRES ATTRIBUTED TO THE CRUISE CONTROL MAY IN FACT BE RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. I THINK SOMEONE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #10301980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS WOKEN UP BY SOMEONE KNOCKING ON MY APARTMENT DOOR TO LET ME KNOW THAT MY TRUCK WAS ON FIRE. I ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT BY FILLING COOKING PANS WITH WATER AND DOUSING THE FLAMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FIRE DEPT ALONG WITH THE POLICE SHOWED UP AND THE FRONT PART OF THE TRUCK IS ALL BURNED UP.
NHTSA complaint #10254908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY DUE TO CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH THAT WAS ON RECALL LIST. I KNEW NOTHING OF THE RECALL UNTIL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME THAT WAS WHAT HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #10252272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHAT GOOD IS IT TO RESPOND TO A RECALL OF A F150 CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS AND YOU HAVE TO MAKE 3-4 TRIPS TO GET THE WORK DONE. THEN THEY SAY THEY HAVE THE PART BUT DON'T DO THE WORK AND YOUR BACK AGAIN.....I'M A LONG TIME FORD CUSTOMER BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS ...THEN YOUR AGENCY URGES MOTORISTS TO RESPOND TO THE RECALL....HOW ABOUT KICKING THOSE FORD EXECS IN THEIR POCKETS.
NHTSA complaint #10241793 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FORD F 150 PICK-UP CAUGHT ON FIRE AT APPROXIMATELY 5:00 A.M., AFTER HAVING BEEN PARKED SINCE 4:30 P.M. THE EVENING BEFORE. IT BURNED COMPLETELY UP BEFORE THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVEN ARRIVED.
NHTSA complaint #10228249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2001 FORD EXPEDITION IGNITED INTO FLAMES CAUSING OUR CLIENTS MOBILE HOME AND ALL OF IT CONTENTS TO BE LOST. FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10197037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD F-150. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. FORD STATED THAT THE CONTACT WAS SENT A RECALL NOTICE FOR CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTION. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE. AS A RESULT, THE SIDING OF THE HOUSE WAS BURNED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 160,000.AK
NHTSA complaint #10188026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THROTTLE HUNG THREE TIMES: ONE UNDER CRUISE, TWICE WITHOUT. ALL INSTANCES STARTED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN TEMPS WHERE EXTREMELY COLD. PUMPING PEDDLE TO BREAK ACCELERATION ONLY ALLOWED FOR PARTIAL DECELERATION. REPEATED ATTEMPTS REQUIRED TO REDUCE SPEED. COULD HAVE CAUSED FATALITY IN SECOND OCCURRENCE AS ICY CONDITIONS AND STOPPED VEHICLES COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A MAJOR COLLISION. SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND PUMPING BREAKS ALLOWED FOR A CONTROLLED STOP. EXTREMELY HIGH IDLE REMAINED UNTIL MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO BREAK ACCELERATION PREVAILED. NOTE: FLOOR MATS ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THIS ISSUE. RESEARCH HAS UNCOVERED MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, SIMILAR TO THE EXPLORER OF THE SAME YEAR. WHEN IS A RECALL TO GET THIS CORRECTED GOING TO BE ISSUED... HOW MANY NEED TO BE INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE SOMEBODY DOES THE RIGHT THING!!!
NHTSA complaint #10182482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
IN JUNE 2003 MY 1995 F150,VIN 1FTEX14NSKA48833 BURNT SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. I HAD THE KEY IN THE HOUSE, COLD FOR 3 DAYS. I HAVE PICTURES BEFORE AND AFTER THE BURN. FOR ISSUED THE RECALL ON MY TRUCK JUST LAST MONTH. THE LOCAL SERVICE MANAGER SENT IN BY EMAIL COPIES OF THE PICTURES. THEY REFUSE CULPABILITY.
NHTSA complaint #10140635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.