58 of the
1,003 complaints about the 1997 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
96,200 miles.
F
58
Complaints
17
Crashes
1
Fires
9
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
4374.1%
Accelerator Pedal
712.1%
Linkages
58.6%
Cruise Control
23.4%
Cables
11.7%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Taurus year
OIL LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON WHEN LOW. 2. ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON. 3 WHEN I WAS DRIVING THIS WINTER, THE BRAKES, THEY LOCKED UP ON ME AND I ALMOST HAD A COLLISION WITH TWO OTHER CARS BUT I HIT A CURB AND WAS ABLE TO GET MY CAR MOVING AGAIN. 4.CAR IS LOUD WHILE DRIVING. 5 CAN'T GET GOOD GAS MILAGE.6.CAR HAS DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK.
NHTSA complaint #11403159 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orange, NJFire
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10851899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tempel, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD STICK WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS BEING UTILIZED. THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE AND DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL IN ORDER TO STOP THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10451462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 75,469 milesClifton, ID
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD TAURUS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT PUSHED THE CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION BUTTON WHICH STOPPED THE ACCELERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 75,469. UPDATED 05/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/12/10
NHTSA complaint #10322385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 152,350 milesMontoursville, PACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I PURCHASED A USED 1997 FORD TAURUS ON NOVEMBER THE 10TH OF 2008 FROM A LOCAL DEALER. ON 11/21/08 AT APPROXIMATELY 2100 HOURS MY 17 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE AFOREMENTIONED VEHICLE, WHEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED BY IT'S SELF. MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE PEDAL BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, AT THIS TIME SHE DECIDED TO JUMP FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER DOING SO THE VEHICLE CLIMBED A 6 % GRADE HILL APPROXIMATELY 700 FEET THROUGH A FIELD, BEFORE RAMPING A 6 FOOT PILE OF LIMESTONE. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED 14 FEET THROUGH THE AIR BEFORE IMPATING THE GROUND. AFTER IMPACTING THE GROUND THE VEHICLE MADE A RIGHT TURN AND TRAVELED ANOTHER 1500 FEET BEFORE IMPACTING A DITCH AND A TREE. WITNESSES STATED THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TRAVELING NEARLY 90 MPH AS TRAVELED THROUGH THE FIELD, THE ENGINE WAS STILL ACCELERATING AFTER STRIKING THE TREE. THE IGNITION HAD TO BE TURNED OFF FOR THE ENGINE TO STOP ACCELERATING. TOTAL DISTANCE THE VEHICLE TRAVELED WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE WAS 2190 FEET. REMEMBER THE FIRST 700 FEET WAS UP HILL THROUGH A FIELD (THE HILL WAS APPROXIMATELY A 6 % GRADE).
NHTSA complaint #10250455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 107,760 milesLittle Rock, ARCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT COMMENCED TO ROLL FORWARD AND HIT THE GARAGE DOOR. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER A RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10113134 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,000 milesHouston, TXCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE BRAKING AT A STOP SIGN, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND LURCHED FORWARD INTO THE REAR BUMPER OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10096896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BIG Lake, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AND UPON PRESSING THE BRAKES VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE ONLY WAY CONSUMER COULD STOP THE VEHICLE WAS TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL. HOWEVER, THE LAST TIME SHE DID THAT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT FULL SPEED. THERE WERE NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE MECHANIC. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10095187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 124,000 milesCheraw, SC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SPEEDOMETER WOULD STOP OPERATING AND VEHICLE WOULD STALL AFTER DRIVING TWO MILES. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS. EACH MECHANIC COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT MIGHT BE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OR THE OXYGEN SENSOR .
NHTSA complaint #10091560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 96,200 milesAbington, MACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN THE CONSUMER RELEASED THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE BOLTED BACKWARDS AND STRUCK A BUILDING. *PH THE CONSUMER FOUND OUT THE A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR 1997 TAURUS' FOR THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, HOWEVER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.
NHTSA complaint #10061187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMonsey, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT TURN OFF WITH BRAKE OR OFF BUTTON. ENGINE CONTINUES TO TRY TO MAKE THE CAR GO 65 MPH WHILE TRYING TO SLOW DOWN. CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT DISENGAGE. HAVE NOT USED CRUISE CONTROL SINCE ORIGINAL INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10037581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Roanoke, VA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE SPEEDOMETER HAS FAILED, CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALE NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10027288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carthage, MO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE PUMP THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION IS ALUMINUM AND IS CAUSING THE PART TO FAIL AND OVERHEAT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE IT WILL NOT MOVE AT ALL AND WILL ACCELERATE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.
NHTSA complaint #10024266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesTinley Park, IL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT PROPERLY. *JB WHEN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP LIGHT, ETC., THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES, ESPECIALLY TO THE OVERDRIVE POSITION. THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE UNLESS THE VEHICLE REVVED. THE PROBLEM CAN IMMEDIATELY BE CORRECTED BY TURNING OFF THE ENGINE IN PARK AND RESTARTING. THIS PROBLEM USUALLY WILL OCCUR 3-4 TIME PER DAY. THE DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE. *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10019517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 57,500 milesGlendale, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION WITHOUT SHAKING VIOLENTLY. 57500 MILES AT THE TIME, $1900 TO FIX IT. *AK ****DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS*****749177.
NHTSA complaint #10006468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 97,900 milesHayward, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHILE IN MOTION, CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE ACCELERATOR TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK IN THE DOWNWARD POSITION. CONSUMER PRESSED AGAIN, HOPING THE PEDAL WOULD DISENGAGE ITSELF BUT TO NO AVAIL. *JG
NHTSA complaint #10001488 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hayward, CACrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
THE ACCELERATOR STUCK, WHEN I PRESSED IT DOWN TRYING TO MERGE ON THE FREEWAY, SO I PRESSED IT DOWN HARD HOPING IT WOULD POP BACK UP, BUT IT DID NOT. SO I HELD THE BRAKE DOWN HOPING THIS WOULD BRING THE ACCELERATOR BACK UP BUT THAT DID NOT WORK EITHER. SO AS A RESULT I HAD TO JUMP OUT OF THE CAR WHILE MERGING ONTO THE FREEWAY, I DID THIS WHILE HOLDING THE BRAKE DOWN TO SLOW THE CAR UP. I WAS NOT SERIOUSLY HURT. MY CAR INSTEAD OF CRASHING INTO THE OFF RAMP WALL DECIDED TO PROCEED STRAIGHT ONTO THE FREEWAY TO THE CENTER DIVIDE WHERE THE FRONT TIRE STOPPED IT. I WAS GIVEN A RIDE BY A MOTORIST THAT ALMOST HIT ME WHEN I JUMPED OUT THE CAR. WHEN MY CAR WAS FOUND THE TIRES WERE STILL SPINNING BECAUSE THE PEDAL WAS STILL STUCK, NEITHER OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE CRASH. DT
NHTSA complaint #768595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omro, WI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE CAR WILL NOT DRIVE AT 25MPH WITHOUT BREAKING SINCE THE IDLE WILL RUN AT 1500 RPM OR MORE. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BUT THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WILL CONTINUE TO PULL AS IF IT IS ACCELERATING UNTIL YOU BRAKE TO 0 MPH THEN IDLE SEAMS OK. FORD MUST HAVE A PROBLEM SINCE I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF REPORTS LIKE THIS. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD PRODUCT IF THIS IS WHAT THEIR CARS ARE LIKE.
NHTSA complaint #762102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Montgomery Village, MDCrash1 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
CAR WAS AT A COMPLKETE STOP IN A PARKING SPACE, WHEN IT SUDDINLY ACCELERATED UNCONTROLABLE FORWARD AND STOPPED WHEN IT HIT A TREE/.
NHTSA complaint #753677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnstown, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHEN COMING TO A STOP SIGN, ACCELERATOR LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE SPED UP. CONSUMER HAD TO PUT GEAR SELECTOR IN NEUTRAL TO KEEP FROM HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE, DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THE ENGINE ALSO REVS WHEN COMING TO A STOP.
NHTSA complaint #897054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Willseyville, NYCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
FOOT HAD SLIPPED OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND VEHCLE HIT A TRAILER. UPON IMPACT WITH TRAILER, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND WAS INFORMED BY MECHANIC THAT AIR BAGS WERE FAULTY.
NHTSA complaint #893575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kent, WA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SYMPTOMS OF PROBLEM: WHEN CAR COMES TO A STOP THE CLUTCH CAN DISENGAGE UNEXPECTEDLY. ONCE GAS IS APPLIED, IT VARIES IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THE CAR WILL RE-ENGAGE AND WILL ABRUBTLY LURCH FORWARD. THIS RESULTS IN UNINTENDED AND UNEXPECTED VEHICLE MOVEMENT WHICH CAN RESULT IN PERSONAL INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE. I WAS ADVISED BY MY DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FORWARD CLUTCH PISTON COLLAPSES AND REQUIRES THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT OR SOMETIMES REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADVISED THIS DEFECT HAS BEEN CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS BUT PREVIOUS MODELS WILL NOT BE FIXED UNLESS REQUESTED BY THE OWNER AT HIS OR HER EXPENSE. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE ARE SEVERAL STORIES ON THE INTERNET OF THE SAME FAILURES WITH FORD TAURUS TRANSMISSIONS AT VARYING MILEAGE LEVELS, ONE AS LITTLE AS 40,000. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE LOSS OF ENGAGEMENT OR UNPREDICTABLE RE-ENGAGEMENT CAN CAUSE LOSS OF PROPERTY DAMAGE AND PERSONAL INJURY. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #745951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
RANDOMLY VEHICLE RACES AND SURGES FORWARD IF IT IS IN DRIVE. IF IN REVERSE, IT SURGES BACKWARD. CONSUMER STATED HE HAS HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM.*AK THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED TO TAKE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #886704 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Johnston, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHENEVER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP OR SLOWING DOWN AND PRESSING ON BRAKES,VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THEY DON'T SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #886487 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
St.paul, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP CONSUMER APPLIES GAS PEDAL, PEDAL GOES DOWN, BUT ENGINE DOES NOT REV NOR IS VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD. THEN ALL OF A SUUDEN, IT WILL SURGE FORWARD. SOMETIMES CONSUMER HAS TO SHUT OFF ENGINE TO GET VEHICLE TO RESPOND. NUMEROUS TIMES TO DEALER, CANNOT REMEDY.
NHTSA complaint #885579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Riverview, MI
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
AT EARLY START AND UPON APPLYING FORCE TO ACCELERATOR PEDAL, PEDALSTICKS. ALSO,AFTER APPLYING GREAT FORCE TO PEDAL IT GOES TO FLOORBOARD WHICH CAUSES UNWANTED AND UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS IN UP POSITION AT IDLE REQUIRING GREAT FORCE, VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN PEDAL BRAKES FREE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #884528 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Methuen, MA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
VEHICLE SURGES, RPMS WILL GO UP PASSING 3, AND THEN DOWN WHILE IN PARK/ IDLING AT A STOP. DEALER RECOGNIZED DEFECT CAUSED BY THROTTLE SENSOR UNIT WHICH WAS REPLACED TWICE, BUT DEFECT KEEPS REOCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #881130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Harrisburg, NC
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES
WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT GO OFF. THIS IS CAUSED BY RESTRAINT WIRING BREAKING OFF CRUISE CONTROL, CANCELLING SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #879432 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loudon, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY NORMAL SPEED POWER STEERING WILL KICK OUT SOMETIMES. ALSO, SEAT BELT LIGHT WILL COME ON AND OFF/ DOOR LIGHT WILL COME ON, AND SPEED CONTROL WILL COME ON.
NHTSA complaint #878578 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Overland Park, KS
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
BEST WAY TO DESCRIBE IS THROTTLE "STICKS" IT IS AN ELECTRONICS CONTROL PROBLEM BUT SIMILAR TO OLDER CARS WHERE AUTO CHOKES STUCK, WHEN COMING TO A STOP ENGINE WILL CONTINUE AT 2500 TO 3000 RPM AND YOU HAVE TO STAND ON THE BRAKES TO STOP. PROBLEM IS ONGOING AND HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS WITH MANY VISITS OVER LAST TWO YEARS WITH NO RESULT. ONE DEALER TOLD ME THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT PROBLEM BUT HAS NO GOOD FIX. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS AT TIMES AS CAR WILL CRUISE AT 30 MPH WITH FOOT OFF THROTTLE. IT WILL USUALLY IDLE DOWN AFTER A FEW SECONDS BUT VERY DANGEROUS IN GARAGE AND PARKING SITUATIONS. ALSO IF YOU ACCELERATE (AS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO AN INTERSECTION) AND THAN SUDDENLY LIFT OFF THE THROTTLE, IT CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE. I NEARLY RAN OVER A PEDESTRIAN WHO STEPPED OUT IN FRONT OF ME. I AM NOT ONE TO BE TO PICKY ABOUT CARS BUT AFTER RESEARCHING YOUR SITE, IT APPEARS THIS HAS BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #728988 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.