31 of the
542 complaints about the 1990 Ford Taurus are about the
throttle and cruise control — 6% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
110,000 miles.
D
31
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
2374.2%
Accelerator Pedal
412.9%
Linkages
39.7%
Cruise Control
13.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Taurus year
OWNER WAS DRIVING AND PULLED OUT OF A PARKING LOT AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. OWNER HAD TO AVOID SEVERAL POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS BY PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN PARK IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. HOWEVER, OWNER'S VEHICLE DID HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATING TO THIS DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10113159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oxon Hill, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PUT INTO DRIVE CAR SOMETIMES MOVES BACKWARDS AND VICE VERSA. NEAR ACCIDENT IN A PARKING LOT WHILE COMING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE.
NHTSA complaint #10030450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Milford, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR "STICKS" WHEN FLOORED, MAKING THE CAR SPEED UP UNCONTROLABLY. VERY DANGEROUS, AS CAR SPEEDS UP UNCONTROLABLY. ACCELERATOR MUST BE "PUMPED" TO UNSTICK IT. HAPPENS ONLY WHEN ACCELERATOR IS FLOORED, WHICH IS RARE. TOOK IT TO A DEALER- NO RECALL, COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM, SAID IT WAS OK. DIDN'T STICK FOR A FEW YEARS, BUT APPARENTLY ONLY BECAUSE I HAVEN'T FLOORED IT.
NHTSA complaint #750377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pleasant Valley, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN VEHICLE SWITCHED FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR, IT SURGED FORWARD SUDDENLY. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND CANT FIND A SOLUTION.
NHTSA complaint #866703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 65MPH UP ON A VERY STEEP HILL VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN,AND THE GAS PEDAL STUCK WHEN GOING AROUND A CORNER. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND THAT DIDN'T HELP. SO CONSUMER SHIFTED TRANSMISSION DOWN TO A LOWER GEAR. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WHEN DRIVING DOWN A STREET, VEHICLE JUST STARTED ACCELERATING, NO WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #860162 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ukiah, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JAN 1994; IT HAD 78,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. IN THE LAST YEAR I HAVE EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH NO RESOLUTION. FRONT CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE BUTTON REMAINS DEPRESSED AND WILL NOT RETURN TO THE TOP POSITION MAKING IT UNUSEABLE AS A RESTRAINT. TAILGATE LATCH HAS BROKEN OFF DEEP INSIDE THE DOOR AND WILL NO LONGER LATCH. CATALYTIC CONVERTER "RAM'S HORN" BURNED OUT IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR; STARTED ENGINE AND BARELY AVOIDED SERIOUS ENGINE FIRE AS RESULT OF CONVERTER FAILURE. CAR SURGES WHEN IDLING, CAUSING IT TO LUNGE BACK AND FORTH SO HARD IT IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. AIR CONDITIONING UNIT FAILED; WINSHIELD WIPERS STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHEN USING INTERMITTENT WIPE; A YEAR AGO WIPER MOTOR BURNED OUT AND WAS REPLACED. HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION WORKED ON THREE TIMES IN THREE YEARS. LED INDICATOR ON STEREO BURNED OUT 1 YEAR AFTER CAR WAS PURCHASED. ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE FAILED-ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CONTINUOUS DESPITE $3,000.00 + IN ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THEM. ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, AS WELL AS BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT TRANSAXLES ON FRONT OF VEHICLE IN AUGUST 1999. FREEZE PLUGS ALL HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR CURRENTLY "STORED" IN MY DRIVEWAY, AS I CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT ANY MORE $ INTO USELESS REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #715527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF AND SUDDENLY ACCELERATE ALL BY ITSELF, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #837948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Indianapolis, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 60 WHILE CONSUMER WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO AN STOP. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. FINALLY, SHUT THE ENGINE DOWN TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #837084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RICrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DRIVER LEAVING SERVICE CENTER PARKING LOT, AFTER VEHICLE WAS SERVICED. WHILE PULLING OUT OF PARKING SPACE, WITH FOOT STILL ON BRAKE, CAR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED, LUNGED FORWARD AT FULL SPEED, HITTING TWO OTHER PARKED VEHICLES IN THE LOT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP DESPITE FULL APPLICATION OF BRAKES. WAS ABLE TO PUT CAR INTO REVERSE, AND THEN SHIFT TO PARK.
NHTSA complaint #704258 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sterling Height, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE TO THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. AT FIRST, CONSUMER HAD CONTROL BY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN, AND CONSUMER HAD TO STEP ON THE BRAKES AGAIN, THEN PROBLEM HAD STOPPED.
NHTSA complaint #834897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Woodbury, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING ACCELERATOR WILL SMASH ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR ON ITS OWN, CAUSING FULL ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE. TO STOP CONSUMER HAS TO APPLY BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKES AND STAND ON THEM TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #834780 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portage, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BROKE, CAUSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GET STUCK AND ALMOST RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK.ET.
NHTSA complaint #834565 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cumberland, RI1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR STUCK WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO HIGHWAY. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING ALONE AND COULD NOT REGAIN CONTROL OF THE CAR. CAR WAS WRECKED BEYOND REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #536871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Helena, MTCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE ENGINE REVVED, AND THE VEHICLE ZOOMED OUT OF THE GARAGE AT A VERY HIGH RATE OF SPEED. WENT ACROSS THE STREET AND HIT A DITCH. THE DRIVER NEVER PUT FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL OR BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.
NHTSA complaint #821761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE ACCELERATES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION. WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SPEED UP. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AKSPARK PLUG WIRES WERE REPLACED BUT ONLY SOLVED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #817077 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW London, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED, OVERRIDING THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #811762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Winnetka, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 45MPH VEHICLE ACCELERATED TO 60MPH FOR NO REASON. DEALER IS UNABLE TO LOCATE PROBLEM, OWNER IS CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY. ALSO, REPLACED TRANSMISSION.
NHTSA complaint #809670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coraoplis, PACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
CONSUMER PLACED THE VEHICLE FROM PARK INTO REVERSE, UPON PLACING THE VEHICLE INTO REVERSE, THE VEHICLE SUDDLY ACCELERATED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #809450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Wyckoff, NJCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AFTER DRIVING SEVENTY MILES PARKED CAR OUTSIDE GARAGE, GOT OUT GAVE FRIEND HER SUIT CASE, GOT BACK INTO VEHICLE AND STARTED IT, PUT FOOT ON BRAKE, PUT IT IN DRIVE AND VEHICLE TOOK OFF UNCONTROLLABLY, PEELED RUBBER AND CRASHED INTO FOUNDATION OF HOUSE .
NHTSA complaint #809465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK, KICKED PEDAL, STILL DID NOT RELEASE, ENGINE ACCELERATED, VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD, SPEED 20 MPH, SHUT OFF ENGINE TO STOP VEHICLE; NO WARNING, NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #803847 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood CI, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
ERRATIC IDLE, ENGINE SURGES OR STALLS INTERMITTENTLY.
NHTSA complaint #503556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Redwood CI, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SURGES AT STOPS.
NHTSA complaint #503109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Munster, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TWO OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TT
NHTSA complaint #501147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Munster, IN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TWO OCCASIONS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION. TT
NHTSA complaint #501147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Denver, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING STOP AT A STOP LIGHT CAR ACCELERATES . TT
NHTSA complaint #972627 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coweta, OK
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE TAKES OFF AT HIGH SPEED.
NHTSA complaint #968416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Thomas, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
GAS PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE HAD JERKY ACCELERATION.
NHTSA complaint #966982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Easton, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AUTO-TRAN: WHILE DRIVING, BRAKES APPLIED, ENGINE RPMS SPEEDS UP 10 TO 15 MPH; OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 4 TIMES PER MONTH; NO WARNING. TT
NHTSA complaint #966118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Buffalo, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THROTTLE STICKS WHEN FIRST DEPRESSING ACCELERATOR PEDAL.
NHTSA complaint #482953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Islan, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND THE ACCELERATOR STUCK. TT
NHTSA complaint #965551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.