63 of the
1,284 complaints about the 1994 Ford Taurus are about the
throttle and cruise control — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
114,000 miles.
D
63
Complaints
8
Crashes
4
Fires
3
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
4368.3%
Accelerator Pedal
1015.9%
Cruise Control
46.3%
Linkages
46.3%
Cables
23.2%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Taurus year
IT'S NOT GEARED TO ANY MANUFACTURE BECAUSE ALL THE VEHICLES I HAVE DRIVEN WORK THE SAME WAY. THIS PERTAINING TO CRUISE CONTROL. THEIR IS ONLY TWO WAYS TO SHUT IT OFF. THE ONE WAY YOU SHUT IT OFF IS TO HIT THE BRAKES LIKE IF YOU HAVE STOP FAST TO AVOID A ACCIDENT. BUT THE PROBLEM IS IF THE BRAKE LIGHT FUSE IS BLOWN IT WILL NOT SHUT OFF THE CRUISE AND YOU ARE FIGHTING THE BRAKE WITH THE ENGINE REVVING AT A HIGHER RATE LIKE HIGHWAY SPEED. THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN BRING IT OFF CRUISE IS MANUALLY SHUT IT OFF THROUGH THE ON AND OFF SWITCH. NOW AT AVOIDING A ACCIDENT THE FIRST THING YOU DO HIT THE BRAKE I DON'T I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD SHUT IT OFF MANUALLY AT THE TIME OF A ACCIDENT WHEN THEIR UNDER PRESSURE OF A ACCIDENT AND HAVE TIME TO THE BURN OUT FUSE CAN HAPPEN FROM A SHORT THAT HAPPENS WITHIN THE VEHICLE ELECTRIC OR A SHORT IN A THE TOWING OBJECT. THIS HAPPENED YEARS AGO WITH ME BUT WITH ALL THE PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE THAT HAS HAPPEN RECENT MADE ME THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPEN TO ME. AND AGAIN THIS IS NOT GEARED TO ANY CERTAIN MANUFACTURE I HAVE HAD FORD TO GM.
NHTSA complaint #10315010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 205,000 milesCataula, GAFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR BECAUSE THE HARNESS BURNED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY $100 TO REPAIR THE HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE HARNESS WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 205,000.
NHTSA complaint #10262531 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 123,000 milesNewton, NJFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE IT WAS PARKED AND UNOCCUPIED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A FORD RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) IN LATE DECEMBER OF 2008. THE INSURANCE COMPANY DETERMINED THE VEHICLE TO BE DESTROYED AND WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE COMPLETE COVERAGE. THE FIRE AND POLICE REPORT NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #10254880 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 209,000 milesPhoneix, AZFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE SPEED CONTROL SWITCH AND THE FIRE FUSED THE WIRING HARNESS. IN AUGUST OF 2007, SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V336000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO CALL HER INSURANCE COMPANY. THE INSURANCE COMPANY STATED THAT SHE NEEDED TO PROVIDE HER VEHICLE INFORMATION TO OPEN AN INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT HAS YET TO PROVIDE THE REQUESTED DOCUMENTATION. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 209,000.
NHTSA complaint #10204584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesHazelcrest, ILFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1994 FORD TAURUS. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE FIRE, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,000.
NHTSA complaint #10201286 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,053 milesWater Valley, MS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE 1994 FORD TAURUS WITH 62053 ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACTS FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE DASHBOARD LIGHT ALSO FLICKERED ONCE, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,153.*AK UPDATE *4/16TR
NHTSA complaint #10186208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,000 milesRockport, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
DT: WITHOUT WARNING CALLER EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND RACING OF ENGINE. WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL. CALLER TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND IT STILL ACCELERATED. CALLER GOT UNDER HOOD AND PLAYED WITH THE THROTTLE LINKAGE. AFTER THAT IT WORKED OKAY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CALLED YET. MANUFACTURER SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF SUCH A THING.
NHTSA complaint #10124087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dayton, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY CAR STALLS OR JUST STOPS IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC, IT WILL GO FROM 60MPH TO 0MPH. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER 20 TIMES. I TOOK IT TO PEFFLEY FORD FOR REPAIRS, THEY CHARGED ME $669.36 AND 6 DAYS LATER MY CAR CUT OUT ON ME AGAIN AND THEY TOWED IT TO THEIR SHOP. THEY REFUSED TO LOOK AT MY CAR WITHOUT ME PAYING MORE MONEY FOR REPAIRS AND THE TOW TRUCK. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON REPAIRS FOR MY CAR AND I FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I GET INTO THAT CAR. I NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WILL CUT OUT AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO BUY A NEW CAR. I FOUND OUT THAT 8 PEOPLE OWNED THAT CAR BEFORE ME, WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR, THE SALESPERSON SAID THAT IT WOULD BE SAFE FOR MY TWO YOUNG GIRLS TO RIDE IN HE WAS WRONG. I HAVE ALL OF MY SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION AND WILL SEND COPIES TO YOU. PLEASE DO SOMETHING BEFORE ONE OR ALL OF MY FAMILY END UP INJURED OR DEAD. THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE, KAREN JUDKINS.
NHTSA complaint #10002723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Manhattan, KSCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEED WAS 35 WHEN ENTERING EXIT RAMP, BUT VEHICLE ACCELERATED INVOLUNTARILY UNTIL IMPACT.
NHTSA complaint #766062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Worth, TXCrash2 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED ON THE FREEWAY, GOING TO 120 MPH. IT WENT SO LONG, WHILE HE WAS STANDING ON THE BRAKES IT BLEW OUT THE MOTOR, VEHICLE CRASHED, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING MINOR INJURIES.*AK
NHTSA complaint #8008431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cooper City, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN THE VEHICLE SPEED SENSOR FAILS, IT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO DOWNSHIFT AT ANY SPEED REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE SHIFT LEVER SAYS. MY VEHICLE DOWNSHIFTED TO FIRST GEAR WHILE TRAVELING AT OVER 60 MPH. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO POP OUT OF GEAR AND SURGE FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN THE VSS FAILS, THE CRUISE CONTROL CEASES TO FUNCTION. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE 4 TIMES FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE REPAIRS LAST ROUGHLY 1 YEAR AND POP UP AGAIN. THIS LAST TIME, THE FORCE WAS SO GREAT THAT IT BROKE THE MOTOR MOUNTS.
NHTSA complaint #757721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Keowna, CD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE FEELS LIKE IT DOES NOT WAN'T TO GO INTO GEAR. WHEN VEHICLE FINALLY GOES INTO GEAR CONSUMER'S FOOT IS PRESSED SO FAR DOWN ON GAS THAT VEHICLE WILL TAKE OFF REALLY FAST. CONSUMER STATES SERIOUS HARM MAY OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #896524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loganville, GA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE UNLESS ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED TO HIGH RPM LEVEL WHICH RESULTS IN SUDDEN VEHICLE MOVEMENT.
NHTSA complaint #751317 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bowmont, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHEN EITHER ACCELERATING/ DECELERATING OR GOING UP A HILL. DEALER HAS NOT INSPECTED VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #895383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sandusky, OH1 killed
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CLIENTS HUSBAND WAS KILLED WHEN THE THROTTLE OF HIS VEHICLE STUCK CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING AND RESULTING IN DEATH TO THE DRIVER, THERE IS A RECALL REGARDING THROTTLE LINKAGES AND CONTROL, 97V025. NLM
NHTSA complaint #561111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hewitt, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WILL LURCH AND SURGE WHILE TRAVELING DOWN HILL AT ANY GIVEN SPEED, HAPPENS ON A RANDOM BASIS. DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THAT THERE IS AN AIR CONTROL VALVE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LURCH AND SURGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.
NHTSA complaint #888988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bloomington, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE DEALER CAN NOT GET THE PART MY CAR NEEDS TO KEEP RUNNING . I HAVE ALSO TRIED BRINGING MY CAR TO DON OWENS AUTO REPAIR SHOP . DON OWENS TRIED TO GET THE PART USED BUT CANT GET ONE. THE CAR STALLED OUT ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND I COULDNT GET IT STARTED AFTER IT STALLED. HAD IT TOWED IN TO DEALER . DEALER CANT FIX IT , PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP CANT FIX IT WHAT DO I DO FOR TRANSPORTATION WHILE THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL DECEMBER!?
NHTSA complaint #744502 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brooklyn, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RECALL NHTSA: 94E036000/ FRONT SHOCK ABSORBERS. SWAY BAR BRACKET BROKE ON CONSUMER'S VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PERFORM ANY SERVICE ON VEHICLE. *AK THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT BRACKETR BROKE AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME. ALSO, THE CRUISE CONTROL KEEPS GOING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #881870 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER TOOK IN VEHICLE FOR A ROUTINE CHECK, AND MECHANIC NOTICED RADIATOR LEAKING, AND CRUISE CONTROL BEING OUT.
NHTSA complaint #875300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Center Ossipee, NH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHEN APPLYING HER GAS PEDAL VEHICLE JUMPED OUT OF PLACE. MOTOR MOUNTS WERE REPLACED ONCE, AND NOW THE PROBLEM REOCCURRED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHEN PASSING OR SPEEDING AND WHEN ACCELERATING TO PASS DRIVER HAD TO PULL THE ACCELERATOR OFF THE FLOOR, AND HOLD BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #872471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Weston, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #782842 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Plainview, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS AND APPLYING ACCELERATOR PEDAL HARD, IT WOULD NOT RETURN BACK TO IDLE WHEN RELEASED. DRIVER HAD TO PUT VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL TO REDUCE SPEED. DEALER CLEANED THROTTLE LINKAGE, AND PROBLEM FIXED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #863142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Springs, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION PISTON CRACKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. ALSO, ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE WOULD JUMP INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE. MOTOR MOUNTS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AS WELL. FORD DOES NOT ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY OF THE PROBLEMS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willow Springs, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION PISTON CRACKED , CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SURGE FORWARD. ON AN INCLINE VEHICLE GOES INTO REVERSE WHILE IN DRIVE. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #862540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springvale, ME
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHEN APPLYING GAS FROM A STOP POSITION, CAR HESITATES, THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATES INTO INTERSECTION. DEALER REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #862344 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUN City Center, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO RELEASE WHEN BRAKES WERE TAPPED TO SLOW DOWN. ALSO, THERE WERE NO REAR BRAKE LIGHTS, AND VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. WOULD NEED TO APPLY BRAKES TO EDGE VEHICLE TO SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO MECHANIC FOR REPAIRS. OWNER HAS PARTS. *AK
NHTSA complaint #857152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, MD
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ACCELERATE VEHICLE AT A STOPLIGHT. KICKS INTO GEAR WHEN ACCLERATOR IS FLOORED. OVERDRIVE NO LONGER WORKS. CAR WILL ONLY RUN IN REGULAR DRIVE. ALSO ENGINE HEAD GASKETS WERE BLOWN LEAKING ONTO SPARK PLUGS. PROBABLY OCCURRED PRIOR TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. CAR USED TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. MINIMAL MILEAGE.
NHTSA complaint #717341 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ST. Paul, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. VEHICLE HESITATES TO SWITCH GEARS, AND AT TIMES LUNGES FORWARD. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #832683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW Braunfels, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
MY WIRE GOT INTO THE CAR IN OUR DRIVEWAY, STARTED THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY PUT IT INTO "DRIVE". THE ENGINE REVVED UP TO ITS MAXIMUM RPMS, FRONT WHEELS SPUN ON ASPHALT DRIVE, FINALLY GRIPPED THE DRIVE AND SHOT DOWN THE DRIVE AT ABOUT 50MPH. SHE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR..NO BRAKES. THE CAR HIT OUR FIREWOOD STACK AND PUSHED THE WOOD IN FRONT OF THE CAR UNTIL THE FRONT WHEELS CAME OFF THE GROUND, THEN HIT A TREE AT THE END OF THE DRIVE. THE ENGINE STOPPED, SHE TURNED OFF THE KEY AND EXITED THE CAR. I HAD DRIVEN THE CAR EARLIER IN THE DAY AND COULD NOT GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ACTIVATE. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED THIS EVENT!
NHTSA complaint #716137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knoxville, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CAR WAS HAVING SLIGHT AND PERIODIC ROUGH IDLE, MECHANIC DIAGNOSED IT WITH HAD GASKET FAILURE. TWO DAYS LATER THE SAME MECHANIC HAS STATED THAT THE WHOLE ENGINE IS IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, DUE TO HEAD GASKET FAILURE. NO PROBLEMS WERE NOTICED. HAVE CONTACTED FORD & THE DEALER, BOTH HAVE ADMITTED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, BUT THAT THE WARRANTY EXTENSION THAT WAS OFFERED HAS EXPIRED. I DO NOT RECALL RECEIVING ANY NOTICE FOR THIS DEFECT, NOR DID MY CAR HAVE PROBLEMS DURING THE RECALL PERIOD. I HAVE SURVEYED THE INTERNET AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME 3.8 HEAD GASKET FAILURES AND FORD IS REFUSING TO RECALL OR REPLACE THEM. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE I CAN TALK TO PRIOR TO VISITING THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND A LAWYER ?
NHTSA complaint #716015 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.